Stopwatch for Mac
Glasswatch is a native Mac stopwatch with voice minute announcements, multiple floating windows, and four sound modes. A direct alternative to the built-in Clock app.
Sep 09, 2025 • Jake @ CaLab
macOS has a stopwatch built into the Clock app. It works fine. The window is fixed size, it cannot float above other apps, and you cannot open two at once. Glasswatch fixes those constraints.
It is a skeuomorphic Mac stopwatch: a small native window you can resize to any size, pin on top of other apps, and run in multiple instances at once. It also announces elapsed minutes out loud if you want that.
At a glance
- Voice minute announcements Speaks elapsed minutes at each mark when Voice mode is on. Useful during workouts or long sessions without needing to glance at the screen.
- Four sound modes All On (voice + beeps), Voice Only, Beeps Only, or All
Off. Cycle with
M. - Multiple windows Open several stopwatches with
⌘Nand run them independently. - Pin on top Float any window above Zoom, a video, or workout content.
- Resizable to any size Tiny corner widget or fullscreen. Preset sizes at
⌘1 / ⌘2 / ⌘3. - Four backgrounds Glass, Dark Opaque, Light Glass, Light Opaque. Cycle
with
⌘B. - Session restore Open stopwatches are saved on quit and restored on next launch, running timers included.
Why not just use the Clock app?
The built-in Clock app is free and it works. The stopwatch is buried inside the app window, the window is a fixed size you cannot change, and you cannot pin it above other apps or open two instances. That is fine for quick casual timing.
Glasswatch is for the cases where you want a stopwatch running in a small floating window while you do something else: a workout video, a recording session, a writing sprint, a cooking timer you want visible on a second display.
Glasswatch vs. macOS Clock app stopwatch
| Feature | Glasswatch | Clock app |
|---|---|---|
| Freely resizable window | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pin on top of other apps | ✅ | ❌ |
| Multiple independent windows | ✅ | ❌ |
| Voice minute announcements | ✅ | ❌ |
| Keyboard shortcuts | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited |
| Session restore on relaunch | ✅ | ❌ |
| Free | ❌ Paid | ✅ |
Keyboard shortcuts
Space starts and stops. R resets. P pins or unpins. M cycles sound modes. B changes the background. All shortcuts work without modifier keys so one hand is enough.
Global shortcuts (⌘⇧Space, ⌘⇧M, ⌘⇧B) apply the action across
all open Glasswatch windows at once.
FAQ
Is this the best stopwatch for Mac?
There are free options. Glasswatch is the right
choice if you specifically want a floating window, voice announcements, or multiple instances
running at once.
What does voice mode actually do?
When Voice Only or All On is selected, the app speaks
the elapsed minutes at each whole-minute mark using macOS speech synthesis. It also plays a tone at
each announcement.
Can I run two stopwatches at once?
Yes. Use ⌘N to open additional windows.
Each runs independently with its own state.
Does it run on Apple Silicon?
Yes, macOS 13 and later on Apple Silicon and Intel.
Download
Want more glassy utilities? Check out Glassclock and Glasstimer.
Like this app? Try Glassnote: a modern Stickies alternative for Mac.