I used to overthink setting quick timers on my Mac. Open the Clock app, click through to create a timer, type in a duration, confirm. By the time I’d set a 15-minute reminder to check on something, I’d already lost my train of thought. Like many remote workers managing multiple tasks across different projects, I needed something faster, something that wouldn’t break my flow.
Gestimer solves this problem with what can only be described as genius interaction design. You click and drag the menu bar icon, and the distance you drag determines how long your timer runs. Drag down a little for a quick 5-minute reminder. Drag further for 30 minutes. Keep going for hours. The entire process takes about a second, and you’re back to whatever you were doing.
I’ve been using Gestimer 2 on my Mac Mini M4 for the past few weeks, and it has fundamentally changed how I think about time management. The drag gesture feels natural after the first couple of uses, almost like you’re physically pulling time out of the menu bar. The app displays your remaining time right there in the menu bar, so you always know how long until your next timer expires without opening anything.
What makes Gestimer particularly valuable for distributed teams is its integration with Apple Reminders. Any timer you create can sync across your devices through iCloud, which means a reminder I set on my Mac appears on my iPhone and iPad automatically. This cross-device access has proven essential when I need to step away from my desk but still want that reminder to find me.
The app supports multiple concurrent timers, each with custom titles so you can track different tasks simultaneously. Working on a client project while also monitoring when to join a team call? Set two timers with descriptive labels. Need to remember to follow up on three different items at specific intervals? Gestimer handles that without breaking a sweat.
Gestimer 2 is available on the Mac App Store with a free trial, though the developer doesn’t disclose the exact pricing on the website. There’s also an upgrade path available for users coming from the original Gestimer. The app works on macOS and integrates naturally with the system, using minimal resources. On my system, it consumes roughly 1% CPU and about 80MB of memory, which is negligible for the value it provides.
The critical reception speaks volumes. Publications including CNET, Macworld, MacStories, BGR, and Lifehacker have all praised the app. Apple itself has featured Gestimer in multiple App Store collections including “Master the Menu Bar,” “Apps You Didn’t Know You Needed,” “Be More Productive,” and “Master Time Management.” When both tech press and Apple’s editorial team recognize something, it usually means the app nailed its execution.
The only limitation worth mentioning is the learning curve of the drag gesture itself. The first few times you use it, you might overshoot or undershoot your intended duration. After a dozen uses, though, the muscle memory develops and it becomes second nature. Some users with crowded menu bars might also need to shuffle icons around to ensure they have space to drag, though this is a consideration with any menu bar utility.
Developer Tuan Anh Nguyen has created something rare in the productivity space: a tool that genuinely saves time by understanding how humans actually work. Most timer apps force you to adapt to their interface. Gestimer adapts to you, meeting you where you are and getting out of your way immediately. If you set more than a handful of timers each week, the speed and simplicity of this approach will pay dividends almost immediately.
