Build healthier work habits with Live Activities and Dynamic Island. The modern sit-stand timer for your standing desk. New: 6 languages supported!
Transform your standing desk into a wellness tool with Stao — your personal sit-stand timer and break reminder for healthier workdays. Whether you work from home or in an office, Stao helps you build sustainable habits that reduce back pain and boost energy.
WHY STAO?
Owning a standing desk is just the first step. The real health benefits come from alternating between sitting, standing, and movement breaks. Stao helps you build this habit effortlessly.
Studies show that alternating positions throughout the day reduces fatigue, improves focus, and prevents ergonomic issues.
KEY FEATURES
◆ Smart Sit-Stand Reminders
Customizable timers remind you when to change positions. Set your own intervals or use recommended durations based on ergonomic research.
◆ Movement Breaks
Get gentle nudges to step away, stretch, or take a short walk. Combat the sedentary lifestyle one break at a time.
◆ Transition Stretches
When it's time to switch positions, get a quick stretch suggestion with illustrated guides. 12 office-friendly exercises help you stay loose — no equipment needed.
◆ Clean, Calming Design
A warm, minimal interface that doesn't distract from your work. No clutter — just a beautiful timer that fits your workflow.
◆ Flexible Scheduling
Pause during meetings, adjust timers on the fly, or set quiet hours. Stao adapts to your workday.
◆ Progress Tracking
See your daily sit, stand, and movement stats. Build streaks and stay motivated.
◆ Live Activities & Dynamic Island
Track your session from your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. Always know your standing desk progress at a glance — no other break timer offers this.
WHAT MAKES STAO DIFFERENT?
Unlike free break timers that haven't been updated in years, Stao is actively developed with modern iOS features:
• Live Activities & Dynamic Island — see your timer without opening the app
• Privacy First — no account required, your data stays on your device
• Works Offline — no internet needed, your timer runs reliably
• Beautiful Design — warm, calming aesthetics that reduce stress
• 9 Languages — English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Norwegian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish
HEALTH BENEFITS
Alternating between sitting and standing can:
• Reduce back and neck pain
• Improve posture and circulation
• Boost energy and focus during work
• Lower risk of sedentary-related health issues
PERFECT FOR
• Remote workers and work from home professionals
• Office workers with sit-stand desks
• Anyone looking to move more during their workday
• People improving posture or recovering from back pain
FAQ
Q: Do I need a standing desk?
A: No! Anyone can benefit from regular movement breaks and posture reminders.
Q: Will Stao drain my battery?
A: No. Stao is optimized for all-day use with minimal battery impact.
Q: Can I customize the intervals?
A: Yes! Set your own sit and stand durations or use our ergonomic recommendations.
ABOUT STAO
Stao means "stand" in Norwegian dialect — a gentle reminder to rise up and take care of your body while you work.
Download Stao and start working healthier today.
This app hasn’t received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.
Need more flexibility in setting intervals
Plunjerbunni
Not a review, but a feature request, as there is no feedback functionality in the app or on the website.I would like more flexibility in setting the time lengths for sitting and standing. At the moment, it’s limited to 30 minutes for standing and 60 minutes for sitting. Adjusting my standing desk is a bit more involved than a typical model, and so it’s a bit annoying to adjust it at the frequency allowed by this app. Honestly, If I had realized this before I purchased this on the Mac App Store, I wouldn’t have bought it.
Developer Response
Hi, thanks for reaching out. I see what you mean, and I'm sorry it isnt matching your current needs. This does indeed sound like a helpful change, and I will try and include it in the new upcoming version coming very soon. Thank you for your support, and I hope the upcoming change will help make you happy. Thanks again!
Really Helpful Needs Some Updates
emgbeeker
I love this app. I’ve been using it for a few months to keep me from sitting for hours while I work. The app crashes from time to time but not so much that it’s unusable. Would like to see some additional stretches as well has the ability to change the alert sound. Also, being able to minimize or scale down the app window would make it easier to leave it visible. The current footprint is so large that I end up hiding it.
New in v1.5.5
Bug Fixes
- Fixed the Live Activity in the Dynamic Island stretching over the clock and status icons on iOS 27
Version 1.5.5
The developer, Torstein Skulbru, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
