Wake vs Caffeinated.
Wake and Caffeinated are both menu bar apps that keep a Mac from going to sleep. This page compares price, features and system requirements.
| Feature | Wake | Caffeinated |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9 once | $3.99 |
| Pay once | Yes | Yes |
| Menu bar timer | Yes | Yes |
| Display can sleep | Yes | PartlyListed in 2019 |
| Low-battery cut-off | Yes | PartlyUnconfirmed in 3.x |
| Automatic triggers | No | PartlyVia Shortcuts |
| Awake with lid closed | No | Yes |
| Scripting | No | Yes |
| Requires | macOS 14 or later | macOS 15 or later |
| Where you get it | awakeforever.app | Mac App Store |
| Timer lengths | 15 minutes to 8 hours | Timer plus custom |
| Last updated | 1 November 2026 | 19 October 2026 |
Yes Yes Partly Partly No No
Price
Caffeinated costs $3.99 on the Mac App Store as a one-time purchase, with no in-app purchases listed. Wake costs US$9 once, tax included, with every feature, all future updates and a licence for up to 3 Macs. Wake is free for 7 days with no card, and refunds are available within 30 days.
The closed lid
Caffeinated’s version 3.2.0 added an option to keep the system awake with the lid closed. Wake does not override the lid: a closed MacBook sleeps unless it is in clamshell mode with power, an external display and a keyboard. Caffeinated requires macOS 15.0 or later, while Wake runs on macOS 14 Sonoma or later on Apple silicon and Intel.
Where Caffeinated is ahead
- Caffeinated costs $3.99 once, less than Wake.
- Version 3.2.0 added an option to keep the system awake with the lid closed.
- It offers a custom duration option and optional timer notifications.
- It supports App Shortcuts and AppleScript.
- It has a global keyboard shortcut and is available on the Mac App Store.
Try Wake free for 7 days.
Then $9 once, for up to 3 of your Macs. No subscription and no account.
Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple silicon or Intel.
More comparisons
Sources
Checked against Caffeinated’s own website and documentation on 13 November 2026. If something here is out of date, tell us and we’ll correct it.
- Caffeinated: Anti Sleep App on the Mac App Store (US)
- Caffeinated website
- Caffeinated help centre
- Caffeinated privacy policy
- Caffeinated changelog
Caffeinated is a trademark of its owner. Wake is not affiliated with it.