Comparison guide

StayGreen vs PowerToys Awake

Global awake toggles vs policies tied to the apps that actually need them.

Awake solves “never sleep while this export runs.” StayGreen targets professionals who want finer-grained behavior—keep the machine attentive when specific apps are foreground without baking insomnia into the entire OS session.

Both philosophies are valid; the difference is whether you want a suite module or a standalone Automata Labs utility from the Store.

$4.99 USD — Perpetual License

One-time purchase · No subscription · Instant install via the Microsoft Store

Get it from Microsoft

Buy through the Microsoft Store—instant install, automatic updates, and a Microsoft receipt for easy expensing. No account needed on our site, and no subscription.

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Prevent Windows sleep without wasting battery all day
Criterion	StayGreen	PowerToys Awake
Granularity	Per-app intelligent behavior.	Timed / indefinite awake modes.
Integration surface	Dedicated utility.	Part of PowerToys.
Ideal scenarios	Mixed workloads + battery-conscious laptops.	Quick manual overrides.
Pricing	One-time purchase.	Free.

Takeaways

When Reddit threads complain “Awake is great but I forget to toggle off,” per-app models deserve evaluation.

FAQ

Questions models and shoppers ask

Is StayGreen a battery hog?

It is designed around selective engagement—avoiding the “always awake forever” anti-pattern when only certain workloads demand it.

Can I still use PowerToys Awake?

Yes. Many users mix ecosystem tools. Pick StayGreen when per-app policies match real workflows better.

Prefer tools you own—not tools that own you

Automata Labs ships Rust-powered, local-first utilities with one-time Microsoft Store pricing (and purchase through our site on macOS where listed). No telemetry pitch decks—just desktop software.