Best Pomodoro Apps and Timers (2026)

The Pomodoro technique is one of the simplest productivity systems that actually works: set a timer for 25 minutes, focus on one task, take a 5-minute break, repeat. After four cycles, take a longer break.

The problem isn’t the method — it’s sticking to it. A basic phone timer doesn’t track your sessions, doesn’t block distractions during work intervals, and doesn’t stop you from “checking one thing” on Reddit during a Pomodoro.

We tested the most popular Pomodoro apps and timers available in 2026 and ranked them by what matters: features, platform support, pricing, and whether they actually help you stay focused during those 25 minutes. If you’re also looking for tools that block distractions during focus sessions, see our guide to the best focus apps for Mac.

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Quick Comparison

App	Platform	Price	Customizable Intervals	Distraction Blocking	Integrations
Forest	iOS, Android, Chrome	Free / ~$4 one-time	Yes	Light (Chrome ext.)	None
Pomofocus	Web	Free	Yes	No	None
Focus Keeper	iOS	Free / $5 one-time	Yes	No	None
Be Focused	macOS, iOS	Free / $5 Pro	Yes	No	None
Marinara Timer	Chrome	Free	Yes	No	None
Session	macOS, iOS	Free / $40/yr	Yes	No	Calendar, Focus modes
TickTick	Web, Mac, Win, iOS, Android	Free / $36/yr	Yes	No	Calendar, widgets
Toggl Track	Web, Mac, Win, iOS, Android	Free / $9/mo	Yes	No	100+ integrations
Flow	macOS	$30 one-time	Yes	No	None
Browwwser	macOS	$99/yr or $199 lifetime	Scheduled blocking	Yes (engine-level)	None

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Detailed Reviews

Forest

Forest gamifies the Pomodoro technique. Start a focus session and a virtual tree begins growing. Leave the app and the tree dies. Over time, you grow a forest that represents your focus history.

What works: The guilt of killing a virtual tree is surprisingly effective. The Chrome extension blocks distracting websites during sessions. Real trees get planted through a partnership with Trees for the Future — over 5 million planted so far.

What doesn’t: The browser extension is easy to disable. The mobile app relies on you not leaving it, which isn’t enforced on Android. No desktop app — only the Chrome extension for computers.

Best for: Mobile-first users who respond to visual motivation and gamification.

Price: Free with limits on iOS and Android. ~$4 one-time for full features. Chrome extension is free.

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Pomofocus

Pomofocus is a clean, free web-based Pomodoro timer. No account needed, no installation — open the page and start working.

What works: Customizable work/break durations. Task list built into the timer. Session tracking shows how many Pomodoros you’ve completed. The interface is distraction-free and loads instantly.

What doesn’t: No mobile app. No integrations. No distraction blocking — it’s a timer and nothing more. Data is stored in the browser, so clearing cookies wipes your history.

Best for: Anyone who wants a no-frills Pomodoro timer without installing anything.

Price: Free.

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Focus Keeper

Focus Keeper is a Pomodoro timer designed specifically for iPhone and iPad. The interface uses a physical dial metaphor — you turn the dial to set your session length.

What works: Clean design, haptic feedback on session completion, and detailed stats on your focus history. Customizable intervals (work, short break, long break). Supports background audio so the timer keeps running.

What doesn’t: iOS only — no Mac or web version. No distraction blocking. The free version has ads and limited features. No integrations with calendars or task managers.

Best for: iPhone users who want a dedicated Pomodoro app with good design and stats.

Price: Free with ads. $5 one-time for Pro (removes ads, adds themes and advanced stats).

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Be Focused

Be Focused is a Pomodoro timer for Mac and iOS with task management built in. You create a task list, assign estimated Pomodoros to each task, then work through them.

What works: Native macOS menu bar app — always accessible. Task tracking with Pomodoro estimates helps with planning. Syncs between Mac and iPhone via iCloud. Simple, fast, and lightweight.

What doesn’t: The UI feels dated compared to Session. No integrations beyond iCloud sync. No distraction blocking. The free version limits the number of tasks.

Best for: Apple ecosystem users who want a lightweight Pomodoro timer with basic task management.

Price: Free (limited). $5 one-time for Be Focused Pro (unlimited tasks, iCloud sync, advanced reports).

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Marinara Timer

Marinara Timer is a free Chrome extension that puts a Pomodoro timer in your browser toolbar.

What works: Zero friction — install the extension and you have a timer. Supports three modes: Pomodoro, custom timer, and kitchen timer. Desktop notifications when sessions end. Completely free with no account needed.

What doesn’t: Chrome only. No mobile version. No task tracking. No distraction blocking. Minimal stats. If you use multiple browsers, you won’t see it.

Best for: Chrome users who want a Pomodoro timer without leaving the browser.

Price: Free.

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Session

Session is a polished macOS and iOS Pomodoro app designed for deep work. It integrates with macOS Focus modes, Calendar, and Shortcuts.

What works: When you start a Session timer, it can automatically enable a macOS Focus mode — silencing notifications and hiding badge counts. Calendar integration blocks out focus time. The intent system lets you declare what you’re working on before each session. Detailed analytics show focus trends over time.

What doesn’t: Subscription pricing ($40/year) for what is fundamentally a timer. No distraction blocking — it relies on macOS Focus modes, which don’t block websites. No Windows or Android support.

Best for: Mac users who want a premium Pomodoro experience with deep macOS integration. Pairs well with a dedicated blocker like Browwwser or Cold Turkey.

Price: Free tier available. $40/year for full features.

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TickTick

TickTick is a task manager with a built-in Pomodoro timer. You create tasks, then start a Pomodoro session directly from any task.

What works: Everything in one app — tasks, calendar, habits, and Pomodoro timer. Available on every platform. The Pomodoro timer tracks which tasks you worked on and for how long. White noise and nature sounds built in.

What doesn’t: The Pomodoro feature is secondary to the task manager — if you don’t need task management, TickTick is overcomplicated. The free tier limits the number of lists and tasks. No distraction blocking.

Best for: People who want their Pomodoro timer inside their task manager, not as a separate app. Good for those already looking at productivity and task management apps.

Price: Free (limited). $36/year for Premium.

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Toggl Track

Toggl Track is a time tracking tool that includes a Pomodoro timer. Start tracking time on a project, and the Pomodoro mode breaks your session into work/break intervals.

What works: Over 100 integrations — Asana, Jira, Notion, Google Calendar, and more. Cross-platform with native apps everywhere. Detailed reporting shows where your time actually goes. The Pomodoro mode adds structure to the time tracking you’d be doing anyway.

What doesn’t: Toggl is a time tracker first, Pomodoro timer second. The interface is optimized for billable hours, not focus sessions. The free tier is generous (up to 5 users) but the Pomodoro feature is basic. No distraction blocking.

Best for: Freelancers and teams who already track time and want Pomodoro intervals built in.

Price: Free (up to 5 users). $9/user/month for Starter.

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Flow

Flow is a macOS menu bar Pomodoro timer with a focus on simplicity and beautiful design.

What works: Lives in the menu bar and stays out of the way. Customizable work/break durations. Integration with the macOS status bar shows remaining time. Touch Bar support for MacBooks that have it. Sounds and visual cues that feel native to macOS.

What doesn’t: macOS only. No mobile companion. No task management. No integrations. Relatively expensive for a timer ($30 one-time). No distraction blocking.

Best for: Mac users who want a minimal, beautiful Pomodoro timer that stays in the menu bar.

Price: $30 one-time on the Mac App Store.

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The Missing Piece: Distraction Blocking During Pomodoros

Most Pomodoro apps share the same blind spot — they time your focus sessions but do nothing to protect them. You can start a 25-minute Pomodoro and spend 20 of those minutes on Twitter. The timer doesn’t know or care.

This is where a dedicated distraction blocker makes the difference. If you’re serious about the Pomodoro technique, pairing a timer with a blocker turns “I should focus” into “I can’t not focus.”

Browwwser: Scheduled Blocking for Pomodoro

Browwwser is a Chromium-based browser for macOS with website and app blocking built directly into the browser engine. It’s not a Pomodoro timer — it’s the enforcement layer that makes your Pomodoro sessions actually distraction-free.

How it complements Pomodoro:

• Scheduled blocking — set your work hours and distracting sites are automatically blocked. No manual activation needed before each Pomodoro.
• Lock mode — lock your blocklist for 1 hour to 7 days. No override, no “allow once” button, no extension to disable.
• Desktop app blocking — closes distracting macOS apps (TikTok, Discord, Steam) so you can’t task-switch during a Pomodoro.
• Engine-level blocking — the site doesn’t load at all. No redirect page, no countdown timer. The request is killed inside the browser engine.

The most effective Pomodoro setup on Mac: Session or Be Focused for the timer, Browwwser for the blocking. The timer structures your time; the blocker protects it.

Limitations: macOS only. No Windows, no Linux, no iOS. $99/year or $199 lifetime with a 7-day free trial.

For more on how deep work and focus techniques combine with blocking tools, we covered this in detail.

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How to Choose the Right Pomodoro App

If you want the simplest option: Use Pomofocus. Open a browser tab, start the timer, done. No installation, no account.

If you want gamification: Forest turns focus sessions into a game. The growing trees and real-world planting are surprisingly motivating.

If you’re on Mac and want the best experience: Session integrates deeply with macOS. Pair it with Browwwser for distraction blocking during sessions.

If you want everything in one app: TickTick combines task management, calendar, habits, and Pomodoro in a single cross-platform app.

If you’re a freelancer tracking billable time: Toggl Track adds Pomodoro intervals to the time tracking you’re already doing.

If you keep breaking your focus during Pomodoros: The timer isn’t the problem — your access to distractions is. Read our guide on how to stop procrastinating and consider adding a blocker to your setup.

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FAQ

What is the best free Pomodoro app?

Pomofocus is the best free option for most people. It runs in your browser, requires no installation, and supports custom work/break intervals. Marinara Timer is another solid free choice if you want a Chrome extension.

Does the Pomodoro technique actually work?

Yes, research supports it. Timeboxing creates urgency, and forced breaks prevent the cognitive fatigue that leads to doomscrolling. The technique works best when combined with distraction blocking so you can’t waste your 25-minute window.

Can I use a Pomodoro timer with a website blocker?

Yes, and you should. Tools like Browwwser let you schedule website blocking during work hours, which pairs well with Pomodoro sessions. Some apps like Forest also include light site-blocking features.

What is the best Pomodoro app for Mac?

Session is the best native Mac Pomodoro app. It integrates with Focus modes, Calendar, and Shortcuts, and has a polished macOS-native design. Be Focused is a simpler alternative available on the Mac App Store.

Is 25 minutes the right Pomodoro length for everyone?

Not necessarily. The classic technique uses 25-minute work intervals, but many people find 50/10 or 90/20 splits more effective for deep work. Most apps listed here let you customize interval lengths.