POV: The look on your face after surfing the internet for the best Pomodoro app?
There are too many options to choose from—we know.
In all honesty, all Pomodoro timer apps on the market work similarly, which is understandable because they’re inspired by the Pomodoro Technique of Francesco Cirillo. But we did find some gems worth your consideration.
These 15 picks offer more than the stopwatch app on your phone, yet are easy to use, nice to look at, and customizable.
Tell me the Pomodoro Technique
Long story short, the Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed:
- In the late 1980s
- By Francesco Cirillo—an Italian—when he was a university student
- Because he had a hard time focusing on studying and completing assignments.
Pomodoro in Italian means “tomato.”
It was named after Cirillo’s tomato-shaped kitchen timer, which he utilized to develop this technique.
The Pomodoro Technique involves five steps:
- Pick a task
- Set a timer for 25 minutes
- Focus on the task until the timer rings
- Take a short break of 5 minutes
- After four Pomodoros (each 25-minute focus interval is called Pomodoro), take a longer break of 15 minutes.
And that’s it. Extremely simple, right?
You’ll want to repeat this cycle till the end of your workday.
And to make it more effective, mark off an “X” after each Pomodoro and jot down what you completed. Also, note the frequency you wanted to work on something else, then review this at the end of your day.
By putting yourself to work in sprints with short breaks in between, the Pomodoro Technique helps you:
Gain | Prevent/Reduce |
|---|---|
✔️ Get things done faster ✔️ Help you stay focused on work better ✔️ Higher productivity level ✔️ The feeling of accomplishment ✔️ Motivation ✔️ More happiness because you are more fulfilled ✔️ The awareness of where your time goes ✔️ Skills of plan-making and task-prioritizing | ❌ Stress ❌ Metal and physical fatigue ❌ The urge to extend breaks ❌ Interruptions and distractions ❌ The habit of multitasking ❌ Procrastination |
Factors to consider for the best Pomodoro timer app
Pomodoro timer apps should be:
More functional than a digital stopwatch app
Otherwise, what’s the point of devoting space to a thing that merely copies your phone’s existing features?
All the Pomodoro apps we pick offer something a little more, like productivity reports, sync capabilities between different devices, or automation of work and break periods.
Maintained and up-to-date
Many Pomodoro apps we tried are not under active development as they’re seemingly a prevalent practice project for independent developers.
As a result, these apps are likely to break in the future.
Customizable
We know that one Pomodoro is 25 minutes.
But is it the magic productivity number for everyone?
Maybe not!
If you’re writing an essay, for example, following the 25/5 rule rigidly just breaks your writing flow and slows you down.
So, pick a Pomodoro timer app with customization durations.
Intuitive and easy to use
We tend to avoid something too difficult to use.
So, when choosing the best Pomodoro app, pay attention to the UI.
It should:
- Not be a burden to set, at least
- Not add any extra distractions, either
15 Best Pomodoro Apps in 2024
1. Focus Keeper (Web, iOS, & Android)
Focus Keeper is one of the best Pomodoro timers possible on the market.
Making it distinctive is the interface that perfectly simulates a tomato-shaped kitchen timer, which brings you a so-real feeling during use. Besides, Focus Keeper offers 10 ticking sounds, 14 alarms with customizable volume ranges, and activity records.
Users also can set a daily Pomodoro goal in Focus Keeper.
And when they’ve passed a certain milestone, the app displays “Charts” at the bottom of the screen, where they can view the wasted time, the actual focus time, and all completed tasks.
A plus about Focus Keeper is no need to create an account. Just access the app, clock on, and start working. The timer rings after each Pomodoro, and notifications will be sent to you.
Key Features
- Different volumes
- Customizable focus timer
- Goals
- Color assignment
- 14 different alarm sounds
- Customizable number of daily focus sessions
Pricing
A free plan is available
Go Pro: $1.99
2. Marinara Timer (Web)
Despite its poor design and outdated look, Marinara Timer is one of the best web-based Pomodoro timers.
Marinara Timer gives you three timers to choose from: Pomodoro timer, Custom, and Kitchen.
The Pomodoro and the Custom, you guessed it, orderly are a traditional Pomodoro timer and a count-down timer with customizable durations. The Kitchen works like a regular timer where you set a time limit and let it run backward.
But what truly sets Marinara Timer apart is sharing timers that allow small groups of people to work online together. After each Pomodoro, everyone can spend 5 minutes discussing the results.
Note: You don’t necessarily sign up for Marinara Timer to use it.
Key Features
- Three timer options: Pomodoro, Custom, and Kitchen
- Shared timers or timing results
Pricing
Available for free
3. Upbase (Web, Android, & iOS)
Upbase is your custom Pomodoro timer, and more.
It is an all-in-one work management software solution that takes the Pomodoro Technique to a whole new level.
Upbase’s timer is:
✔️ Simple to set
✔️ Easy to use
✔️ Well combined with other time management methods and productivity tools
And its rich task management feature set is a great plus.
Some notable features to expect are subtasks, start and due dates, start and due hours, color-coding priorities, and recurring tasks.
But not just ideal for individual users, Upbase is also a great choice for teams.
The secret? It has a lot of handy collaboration tools: Docs, Files, Global Chat, etc.
But worry-free, Upbase boasts a simple interface.
It also has no complex features to confuse or overwhelm you.
Best of all, Upbase’s Free Version is all you need to start using the Pomodoro Technique.
Key Features
Intuitive and easy-to-use UI
When it comes to simplicity and ease of use, Upbase is hard to beat.
It reflects the true spirit of the Pomodoro Technique: removing friction, not adding it.
Three timer options
Upbase offers three flavors:
Standard Pomodoro method timer—with focus sessions of 25 minutes, separated by 5-minute breaks and 15-minute breaks after the fourth Pomodoro.
Customizable timer—adjust the duration of a focus session, short break, and long break.
Continuous timer—a count-down focus timer with no breaks.
Go Full-Screen button
To reduce distractions and keep you focused on an urgent task.
Daily Planner & Time Blocking
The Pomodoro Technique is particularly effective if combined with Upbase’s Daily Planner and Time Blocking.
They help you stay more aware of your time and ensure no single task slips through the cracks. With the drag-and-drop interface, organizing and planning your day is now in no time.
Notepad
A private place where you can quickly note down anything.
Notepad helps protect you from distractions—like important phone calls, thoughts, and ideas—until the Pomodoro is over.
It also helps record your experiments during the first period of getting used to the Pomodoro Technique.
The reason is: it’s usually hard for beginners to approximate the number of Pomodoro sessions it takes to complete a task. They have to try and fail to access this information.
Daily Journal
Another private place, but Daily Journal is used for reflecting on your day.
Write down everything you remember:
- Number of Pomodoro sessions you completed
- What you’ve done & what could be better
- What you’ve learned
- How you feel
- …
It’s proven to help boost your memory, improve both mental and physical health, and keep track of progress.
Bookmarks
A great tool for forgetful people. If a task is assigned to you while you’re doing a Pomodoro, bookmark it and review it later.
Pricing
Upbase provides a generous free plan with unlimited tasks, members, and storage—something few competitors offer.
If you’re ready to boost your team’s productivity, create your free Upbase account today and see the difference.
4. Focus Booster (Android and iOS)
Among the best Pomodoro apps, Focus Booster is specially designed for freelancers who do client-related work or data nerds who want to monitor their productivity through stats tightly.
In Focus Booster, all Pomodoros you’ve done are auto-logged in the form of timesheets, but you still can create time entries manually when in need.
To invoice your clients, simply export them into a CSV file.
Focus Booster’s Reports Dashboard has revenue reporting where you can view stats regarding the tracked time percentage per client and your profitability. From there, you’ll easily determine who brings in more cash.
Key Features
- Reports dashboard
- Different timesheet setups
- Work logs
- Goals
Pricing
A free plan is available
Paid plans:
- Individual Plan—$2.99 per month
- Professional plan—$4.99 per month
5. Toggl Track (Web, Android, and iOS)
Toggl Track is a convenient web-based time management tool dedicatedly built for project managers, business consultants, and freelancers.
Its timer is inspired by the Pomodoro Technique but with a wider scope so that you can use track your work hours and auto-invoice clients.
Toggl Track has a minimal UI and is easy to use, which is a big bonus.
Aside from the time-tracking features, Toggle gives you other options like notes and a dashboard, plus the Offline Mode. This is undoubtedly one of the best Pomodoro apps you can rely on.
Key Features
- Time tracking reports
- Customizable Pomodoro Timer
- Dashboard
- Billing & invoicing
- Project budgeting
- Payroll
Pricing
A free plan is available for up to 5 users.
Paid plans:
- Starter plan: $9 per user per month
- Premium plan: $18 per user per month
6. Forest (Web, iOS, & Android)
Forest is an adorable time management tool with powerful analytics. Not only does it function as a Pomodoro timer, but it also can be used for tagging work intervals.
Every time when you complete a Pomodoro, a plant in the Forest app will grow. The more Pomodoros results in bigger-growing plants. When you complete daily challenges over weeks, more plants grow to form a forest.
In Forest, you also can invite team members to compete or work together to plant virtual trees. A great way for everyone to be more inspired for the highest productivity!
Key Features
- Custom tags
- Interactive interface
- Time tracking
- collaboration
Pricing
- Free on Android with ads
- $3.99 on iOS
7. Pomodor (Web)
With a clean UI, Pomodor is a simple and intuitive time management solution for those who hate complexities.
Pomodor defaults to following the Pomodoro Technique. All you need to do is open the app, tap the Play button, and it will start full Pomodoro cycles one after one.
If you sign up for a free Pomodor account, you can enjoy more features like color-coding priorities, labels, and work reports.
This is a great choice for people who have never tried the Pomodoro technique before and want to know if this time management method fits them.
Key Features
- Blocking notifications
- Customizable break and focus interval durations
- Labels
- Reports
- Light & Dark Mode
- Multiple notifications sounds
Pricing
Free.
8. Be Focused (Apple Watch, iOS, & macOS)
Be Focused can be used as a standalone Pomodoro app or combined with others in the SetApp’s suite.
This is a versatile platform packed with features for time tracking and task management, with many customization options.
Though Be Focused is no replacement for a dedicated to-do app, it still allows you to create basic checklists, name the on-working task, schedule your workflow, and keep track of it.
Key Features
- Sync capabilities across all iOS devices
- Customizable break duration & number of breaks
- Start, pause, or skip breaks
- Workflow streamlining
- Generate and export CSV files
Pricing
A free plan with ads is available.
Paid plans:
- On iOS: $2.99
- On macOS: $4.99
9. Pomotodo (Windows, macOS, iOS, & Android)
Pomotodo has two versions: a free and a paid version.
The free version functions like a simple timer that follows rigidly the 25/5 rule, which is best suited for those curious to try out the Pomodoro Technique.
Meanwhile, the paid version is packed with many advanced features, like customized duration, Pomo goals, work history, task priorities, and task lists with recurring tasks, subtasks, reminders, etc.
This version also offers more sound options.
But hey, if you’re about to spend $39 per year on Pomotodo for these add-ons, think twice because most of them are available for free on other Pomodoro apps.
Key Features
- Sync with Google Calendar & iCalendar
- Extensive work reports
- Customized Pomodoro timer durations
- To-do list
Pricing
A free plan is available.
Pomodoto Pro: $3.9
10. PomoDone (Android, Windows, & iOS)
The beauty of PomoDone is it gives users options to either add their tasks to the app or import tasks and time entries from a project management tool with a time-tracking module–such as Paymo.
The Pomodoro tracker of PomoDone is highly customizable.
You can adjust the duration of focus sessions, add up an interruption note, and set auto breaks. This stops you from overly relying on a notebook or a kitchen timer.
PomoDone has a Chrome Extension that helps block distracting websites once the Pomodoro timer starts.
But note that this Pomodoro app is not good at task management. And it only allows up to five Pomodoro cycles.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop UI
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Subtasks
- Progress bars
Pricing
A free plan is available.
Paid plans:
- Lite plan: $2.29 per month
- Ultimate plan: $4.01 per month
11. Pomofocus (macOS & Windows)
Like most other picks here, Pomofocus is a customizable Pomodoro timer that you get the freedom to adjust the work-break durations to your preference.
Pomofocus is easy to use and available across devices.
It also offers color transition effects to switch moods between focus and break time.
But as Pomofocus is a simple Pomodoro timer, it lacks many features for task management and time tracking.
Key Features
- Auto start Pomodoro sessions
- Auto start Breaks
- Alarm sounds & ticking sounds
- Color Transition
- Responsive design
- Dark Mode
Pricing
A free plan is available.
12. Focus To-Do (Android & iOS)
The name says it all, Focus To-Do is where a to-do list and a Pomodoro timer meet.
Because of its two-pronged feature set, Focus To-Do allows users to create projects, add labels or categories, and set task priorities. It also offers a trend chart that shows all your completed tasks and stats on your time spent on each project.
Forest is another notable feature of Focus To-Do. It makes task completion a fun game. Each completed task in real life helps your virtual plant grows. Conversely, the plant will die if you fail to complete your daily challenges.
Such a creative approach to stick with the Pomodoro Technique and cultivate motivation.
Key Features
- Notes
- Recurring tasks
- Tasks & Subtasks
- Reminders
- Sync capabilities across devices
- Progress reports
Pricing
A free plan is available
Premium: £2.99 per three months
13. Timecamp (Web & iOS)
TimeCamp is a Pomodoro tracker and timer in conjunction with a suite of time-tracking features and reporting tools used for tracking the duration of online activities.
Users can use TimeCamp to create tasks, log their work hours, make reports, and see insights about work hours. A wow ability of TimeCamp is it can show all your activities on that device – both negative and positive ones.
Plus, it has a timesheet—a feature for time management and work improvement that all offices need. TimeCamp also offers timesheet approvals for managers, making it the best Pomodoro timer app for companies.
Key Features
- Time off & Attendance
- Timesheet approvals
- Automatic time tracking
- Productivity tracking
- Reporting
- Invoicing
- Billing rates & budgeting
Pricing
A forever-free plan.
Paid plans:
- Basic: $6.3 per user per month, billed annually with a 14-day free trial
- Pro: $9 per user per month, billed annually with a 14-day free trial
14. Tide (web, Android, and iOS)
Tide is a beautifully designed time management app to help you beat procrastination and be more productive. However, the way it works is a bit different from other Pomodoro timer apps.
It combines the Pomodoro technique with melodies and natural sound scenes to boost your productivity through immersive concentration. Consequently, you stay focused on your task while promoting relaxation.
On the downside, Tide has limited time-tracking features and poor task-management capabilities.
Key Features
- Pomodoro Timer
- Meditation
- Daily Inspiration Quotes
- Breathing Guide
- Well-selected natural sounds
Pricing
A free plan is available.
Paid plans: $11.99 per user per month
15. FocusList (Apple Watch, macOS, iOS)
FocusList is more suited for people who wish to be disconnected from their work than those looking to increase their productivity in their workplace.
It’s a combination of a daily planner and a Pomodoro app.
Compared to other basic Pomodoro apps on the market, FocusList is more functional. It offers add-ons like setting up the app for multiple days, drilling down to see the completed tasks of a day, and viewing your productivity stats for past workdays.
The only issue? It’s not for Android users.
Key Features
- Task creation
- Time tracking
- Progress reports
- FocusList
Pricing
Free version: ✅
Paid plans:
- $2.99 on iOS
- $4.99 on Mac OS.
FAQs
How many Pomodoros should you do in a day?
The Pomodoro Technique is a 25/5 rule, so you can technically do 16 Pomodoro sessions in an eight-hour workday.
But we recommend building in a buffer of 2-3 overflow Pomodoro sessions to make time for unexpected tasks or tasks that take longer than you approximated.
Is Pomodoro always 25 minutes?
Cirillo suggested one Pomodoro is 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break and a 15-minute break after four Pomodoro sessions.
However, some people need a longer break period to recover.
Or, there are large tasks that hardly break down into smaller chunks to fit in the 25-minute interval.
Because of that, a Pomodoro is not always 25 minutes, but you can adjust the durations to suit your needs.
Are Pomodoro apps for everyone?
No, not really.
While the Pomodoro method is easy to use and scientifically proven to catalyze productivity, it’s not for everyone.
It’s best suited for:
Freelancers—those who want to keep track of their time, add up time entries, and create invoices at the end of the workweek.
Customer support reps—those who have to complete repetitive tasks.
Copywriters, developers, and designers—those who need to ship work and have due dates for their tasks.
But the Pomodoro technique is NOT recommended for:
- Those who need much input from others, such as sales ops managers or team leaders
- Jobs or projects where changes can come up unexpectedly.
Which is the best Pomodoro app for you?
Remember this: To find the best Pomodoro app that works perfectly for you and catalyzes productivity, you require to make some trial and error.
We’ve done you the first step, and also the most time-consuming one:
- Screening out Pomodoro apps that are awful, half-finished, and poorly thought out.
- Testing the rest one by one to see what they’re best at and whom they’re best suited for.
Your part is to determine your workflow and productivity needs, then pick one of the two shiniest contenders and start trying.
Need more advice from us? Try Upbase.
It’s a Pomodoro timer, a versatile planner, and an async work management software solution—with unrivaled simplicity.
A multi-tool that everyone can start with ease.
A platform where all features work seamlessly together, all for your peak productivity.
