Comparison
Perked vs KeepingYouAwake
Looking for a KeepingYouAwake alternative to keep your Mac awake while your coding agents work? Here's an honest look at how Perked and KeepingYouAwake compare — what each is best at, and which one fits your workflow.
What is KeepingYouAwake?
KeepingYouAwake (KYA) is a free, open-source menu-bar app that prevents your Mac from sleeping, with optional timed activation. It is clean, trustworthy, and a favourite among developers who want something simple and auditable.
The main difference
KYA is a manual toggle with timers — you switch it on, optionally for a set duration. Perked instead keys off your coding agents: it turns on when one runs and off when they finish, and adds power-aware and clamshell behaviour KYA does not cover.
Perked vs KeepingYouAwake, feature by feature
| Feature | Perked | KeepingYouAwake |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-detects AI coding agents (zero setup) | — | |
| Power-aware (AC / battery threshold) | — | |
| Clamshell / lid-closed keep-awake | — | |
| Timed sessions | ||
| Lock & Leave (lock screen, stay awake) | — | |
| Runs entirely on-device (no account) | ||
| Open source | — | |
| Price | One-time from €1 | Free (open source) |
“Manual setup” means the app can do it, but you configure it yourself. Last reviewed June 2026.
Which should you pick?
Choose KeepingYouAwake if…
- You want a free, open-source toggle you can inspect.
- Manual on/off, with an optional timer, is enough.
- You do not need agent detection or power rules.
Choose Perked if…
- You want keep-awake that follows your agents automatically.
- You need battery/AC awareness or lid-closed sessions.
- You want Lock & Leave for unattended runs.
FAQ
Is KeepingYouAwake open source? +
Yes, KYA is open source and free. Perked is closed-source and paid, but adds automatic agent detection, power awareness, and clamshell / Lock & Leave.
Can KeepingYouAwake detect when an app is running? +
No — KYA is a manual toggle with optional timers. Perked is the one that watches for Claude Code, Cursor and other agents and activates on its own.
Built for AI coding sessions
One-time purchase, yours forever — €1 today, and your price is locked in for good.
Keep your Mac awake for Claude Code & Cursor → · See all alternatives →