Amphetamine vs Glaido
Amphetamine is a free Mac menu bar app that keeps your Mac awake, by hand or automatically with triggers.
Price
- Amphetamine
- Free
- Glaido
- Basic is free with every extension. Pro adds unlimited dictation.
Amphetamine
GlaidoPlatforms
- Amphetamine
- macOS
- Glaido
- macOS, Windows 11, Linux
Glaido covers it with
Amphetamine and Glaido, feature by feature
What both do comes first, then where Amphetamine is stronger, then what Glaido adds.
| Feature | Amphetamine | Glaido |
|---|---|---|
| Stay awake for a time, until a time, or foreverBoth | Amphetamine | Glaido |
| Keep the display onBoth | AmphetamineOptional | Glaido |
| FreeBoth | Amphetamine | GlaidoOn every plan |
| Start automaticallyAmphetamine leads | AmphetamineTriggers: apps, displays, Wi-Fi, power, downloads and more | GlaidoA weekly window only |
| Stay awake with the lid closedAmphetamine leads | AmphetamineClosed-Display Mode | GlaidoClosing the lid still sleeps a Mac |
| Windows and LinuxGlaido leads | AmphetamineMac only | Glaido |
| Get things done by voiceGlaido leads | Amphetamine | GlaidoSay "keep my computer awake until 6pm" or "on weekdays from 9 to 6" |
Amphetamine
GlaidoWhat each costs over a year
| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free, with no ads and no paid version. | $0 |
| Plan | What you get | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Keep Awake, every other extension, and dictation with a weekly word limit. | $0 |
| Pro | $20 a month, or $200 a year billed yearly. Unlimited dictation and every extension. | $200 |
Glaido's extensions are free on every plan, so replacing Amphetamine costs nothing.
Amphetamine prices checked on November 4, 2026 on Amphetamine's pricing page. Taxes and regional prices can differ.
Where they're the same
Amphetamine and Glaido both stop your computer from going to sleep for a set time, until a set time, or until you say so. Both are free.
Where Amphetamine is ahead
Amphetamine can start on its own. Its triggers react to an app opening, a display connecting, a Wi-Fi network, a download and much more. It can keep a MacBook awake with the lid closed, nudge the cursor, and end a session when the battery runs low.
Where Glaido is ahead
Glaido's Keep Awake works on Windows and Linux as well as Mac. You say what you want, "keep my computer awake for 2 hours" or "on weekdays from 9 to 6", and Glaido tells you when it lets the computer sleep again.
Cost
Both are free. Glaido's Keep Awake is included on every Glaido plan.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Amphetamine if
- You want sessions to start on their own when an app opens or a display connects.
- You need your MacBook awake with the lid closed.
- You want options such as moving the cursor or ending on low battery.
Pick Glaido if
- You want to say how long, instead of opening a menu.
- You want a weekly window, such as weekdays from 9 to 6.
- You work on Windows or Linux, or across Mac, Windows and Linux.
Add up what you pay for
Tick the apps you pay for today. The total uses each app's lowest paid plan.
Totals stay in each app's own currency. Nothing is converted.
Amphetamine vs Glaido: questions
Does Glaido keep my Mac awake with the lid closed?
No. Glaido only stops idle sleep, so closing the lid or choosing Sleep still works. Amphetamine has a mode for closed-lid use.
Can Glaido start keeping awake on its own?
Only on a weekly window you set, such as weekdays from 9 to 6. Amphetamine's triggers can react to apps, displays, networks and more.
What happens if I quit Glaido?
The hold is released right away, and your computer sleeps as usual.
Compare Glaido with other apps
Aqua Voice vs Glaido
Aqua Voice is a dictation app with its own speech model, tuned for technical words, that pastes text wherever your cursor is.
Paid plans from $120 a year
Read the comparison
Dragon Professional vs Glaido
Dragon Professional is Windows speech recognition software for professionals, with custom voice commands, macros and file transcription.
Paid plans from $699 once
Read the comparison
Superwhisper vs Glaido
Superwhisper is a dictation app that can run speech recognition on your device or in the cloud, with modes that rewrite what you say.
Paid plans from $84.99 a year
Read the comparisonSources: Amphetamine on the Mac App Store
Glaido is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by William Gustafson, the owner of the Amphetamine trademark.
