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Last modified date

Jan 24, 2024

Best 100% Free Pomodoro Apps to Try in 2024

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Andrei Țiț

Blog average read time

11 min

Last modified date

January 24, 2024


Below is a list of the best free Pomodoro apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, and smartphones to stay focused and boost your productivity. You’ll also learn the Pomodoro Technique and when you should use it.

Have you ever caught procrastinating in the morning, only to feel overwhelmed at the end of the day?

These two fluctuating states trick you into thinking you can “make” more time for yourself. When, at best, you can only organize it.

This is precisely what the Pomodoro Technique intends: break work into manageable chunks to keep your mind sharp and ready.

Best Pomodoro apps to try out

Because of the method’s simplicity, you only need a kitchen timer and a notebook or piece of paper to keep track of your pomodoros. That’s it. Nothing less, nothing more. This doesn’t give you enough insight into timesheets, the nature of your interruptions, or how you progress on each task.

To automate the system and customize it to fit your workflow in terms of session lengths, ticking sounds, alerts, and so on, try out these Pomodoro apps:

1. Paymo Pomodoro (Mac, Windows, Linux)

Pomodoro in Paymo Track

The Pomodoro timer in Paymo Track.

Best for: using the Pomodoro technique right within a project management software

The Pomodoro timer Paymo offers is very close to the authentic Pomodoro experience. At its core, Paymo is one of the few project management software with native time tracking and probably among the best that allows you to track time using the Pomodoro technique. Check this list of time-tracking software for yourself and see how other apps fare.

The interface is cleaner than most apps, featuring a default 25-minute timer with 5- and 15-minute breaks. Of course, you can change their duration and choose whether to enable sounds when a work session or break ends from the Pomodoro settings.

Paymo’s timer respects the Pomodoro technique®, displaying 4 Pomodoros that form a healthy focus session under the timer. The long break will kick in after these are completed. If you stop the timer midway, though, the visual progress on the current tomato will be lost. Don’t worry; the time entry will still be registered under Timesheets for accurate records.


Pomodoro timer – Paymo

Time reports make it possible to analyze past work sessions, but perhaps Paymo’s most significant advantage is its client and project orientation. This means you can turn all time entries into an invoice and bill clients from the same platform at the end of the month while still practicing the Pomodoro Technique®.

Price:

  • Free
  • Small Office (starts at $9.95/user/month), unlimited time entries, and time reports
  • Business (starts at $15.79/user/month), unlimited time entries, and time reports

Start tracking time effectively with our free Paymo trial.

2. ClickUp (Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)

Best for Teams across industries to boost productivity and streamline processes

With hundreds of rich features across every pricing plan, ClickUp offers several ways to track time and boost productivity using the Pomodoro technique. Whether a solo user, on a small team, or even a large enterprise company, ClickUp is fully customizable, accessible on all devices, and flexible enough to scale with your needs while saving time on daily processes.


ClickUp is a powerful productivity tool for teams to manage time, stay on track, and consolidate work across apps into one centralized platform. ClickUp was designed to help you save time and monitor progress with hundreds of rich features, including native time tracking, reporting, and estimates, to take the Pomodoro technique to a new level.

Start and stop time from any device or jump between tasks using ClickUp’s global timer. You can even retroactively or manually create entries with labels to categorize, filter, and mark time as billable! With ClickUp, you’re not just limited to tracking time spent in the platform—you can also record time spent in other browser windows and see the information updated in your workspace using ClickUp’s dynamic Chrome Extension. Plus, ClickUp integrates with over 1,000 other tools, including PomoDone, bringing all your work time into ClickUp in seconds.

Price:

  • Free Forever, tons of time-tracking tools, unlimited tasks, unlimited members, and more
  • Unlimited ($5 per user/month), unlimited storage, unlimited Dashboards, and more
  • Business ($12 per user/month), advanced time-tracking, workload management, and more
  • Business Plus ($19 per user/month), custom workload capacity, increased API, and more
  • Enterprise (contact for custom pricing), enterprise API, advanced permissions, and more

3. PomoDone (Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)

pomodone

PomoDone Desktop App

Best for: using the Pomodoro Technique with a separate task or project management software

PomoDone connects with various project management tools, allowing you to import tasks and time entries directly from those already having a time-tracking module – like Paymo.

Tip: If you’re looking for remote, cloud-based, all-in-one project tools that already have employee time tracking software with high reviews, here’s a list of project management tools or work management software. These usually include reporting and invoicing and tackle all kinds of client work. Using such tools far outweighs the learning curve and possible adoption resistance.

You can add your tasks directly into the app if you don’t use one. Then, clock in using their Pomodoro timer. It is pretty robust since you can customize your session lengths, set auto breaks, and add up an interruption note, so you don’t have to rely on a notebook anymore.

PomoDone also comes with a great Chrome Extension that embeds the Pomodoro tracker in specific project management apps and blocks distracting websites if you know yourself to be a slippery procrastinator (I sure am sometimes).

Price:

  • Lite plan ($2.29/month), with three integrations included
  • Ultimate plan ($4.01/month), with unlimited integrations and unlimited log access

4. Focus Booster (Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)

focus-booster

Focus Booster Mobile App

Best for: freelancers who do client-related work

Focus Booster seems to be a Pomodoro app more oriented towards freelancers and agency owners since you can choose which client to track time for. All Pomodoro sessions get automatically logged under a timesheet area, with the possibility of creating manual entries on your own. The best part? You can export them into a CSV format, so it’s much easier to invoice your client at the end of a month or project.

Data nerds, you’re in for a treat. In terms of analytics, you have complete visibility into how you’ve spent your time over a certain period, thanks to the Reports Dashboard. This one also includes stats regarding your profitability and percentage of tracked time per client, so you know which client brings in more cash.

I also like how you can save incomplete sessions and resume them when ready, a feature that will serve first-time Pomodoro users and hybrid fans well.

Price:

  • Free, but limited to 20 sessions
  • Individual plan ($2.99/month), with 200 sessions and extended settings
  • Unlimited plan ($4.99/month), with unlimited sessions and invoicing

5. Focus Keeper (iOS)

focus-keeper

Focus Keeper tracker and chart views

Best for iOS users

The Focus Keeper Pomodoro app features a red background that lets you change the length of the Pomodoro through a simple swipe (breaks have a blue one). And a ticking sound to know it is focus time.

You can also set a goal regarding the number of sessions you wish to accomplish each day, which I find very helpful. It’s too bad you can’t name them to know what you’re working on. If you browse other apps on your phone, the app has a notification center to remind you about your session.

There are many ways of customizing this app, from different themes to sounds and alarm levels for each session and short and long breaks. Charts over the past 14 and 30 days help you monitor your productivity, which is limited to only the past three days with the free version.

The Pro one brings ten premium ticking sounds to get more productive or relaxed, depending on the moment of the Pomodoro cycle, and a complete view of your stats.

Price:

  • Free, limited charts for the past three days
  • Pro ($1.99/month), unlimited charts plus ten ticking sounds

6. Focus To-Do: Pomodoro Timer & To-Do List (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)

focus-to-do

Focus To-Do Mobile App

Best for Android users

As the name states, Focus To-Do is an all-in-one Pomodoro timer and to-do list. It is reasonably practical, as you can create projects to categorize sessions better and set task priorities for a clear picture of what to work on first. It’s unclear how many projects I’m allowed to create since the app introduces you to a free trial of the premium version.

Other than that, I like the “Forest” feature, which gamifies the whole user experience and lets you contribute with your actions in growing a plant. If you don’t complete the daily challenges, you guessed it, the plant dies—an exciting way to build motivation and stick with the Pomodoro Technique.

This Pomodoro timer also includes a trend chart of all your completed to-dos and statistics on how you’ve spent your time on each project.

Price:

  • Free
  • Premium (£2.99/3 months), with unlimited projects, app whitelist, daily/weekly/monthly report, repeating tasks, reminder tasks

7. Marinara Timer (Web)

marinara-timer

Shareable links in the Marinara Timer

Best for: teams who want to share their online Pomodoro timers

If you’re looking for a simple Pomodoro app that doesn’t require any setup or signup, then Marinara Timer is the way to go. Just open it in a separate web browser tab and pin it there.

In terms of options, you’re lucky enough. The team behind this app thinks the Pomodoro method is a bit too rigid; that’s why they made three timers available:

  • A traditional Pomodoro with the 25-5 minutes cycles
  • Custom one, where you can change the length of each work session and rename them
  • Kitchen one, where you set a time limit and let it run backward

However, the ability to share your timer through a URL sets it apart. To avoid stepping on each other’s feet and ensure no timer is stopped by accident, there are two links: an admin and a viewer link. A cautious feature indeed! If you wish to synchronize work with your team and take a break or share your Pomodoro clock with a manager.

Price: Free

Alternatively, if you don’t want to use an app, you can just run a Pomodoro timer on YouTube while you work or study. The only disadvantage is that you won’t have historical data on your sessions.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

Francisco Cirillo invented the Pomodoro Technique in the late ’80s to study more efficiently. He used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato (“Pomodoro” in Italian), forced himself to study for precisely 25 minutes, then took a break of 5 minutes. And it worked!

Cirillo discovered that to stay focused, you have to work with time, not against it. To follow his advice, divide your projects and tasks into short sprints and reward yourself with regular breaks to recharge before the next sprint. This will boost your productivity and keep the creative juices flowing without relying too much on your willpower.

Is this it? Frankly, yes. And that’s why the Pomodoro Technique is so attractive. You only need a timer and a piece of paper to keep track of your pomodoros and focus single-mindedly on a task.

I’d argue that the length of a work session and break can vary since it takes approximately between 5 and 15 minutes to achieve a flow state.

But here’s what the primary process looks like:

1. Choose a task you want to work on.

2. Set the Pomodoro timer to 25 minutes, the standard Pomodoro duration.

3. Work on the task until the Pomodoro timer rings, then put a checkmark on the paper.

4. Take a short break of 5 minutes to do non-work-related, like stretching or making a call.

5. Take a more extended break of 20-30 minutes after every four pomodoros. This will help you regroup your thoughts and rest before the next batch of pomodoros.

pomodoro process

How the Pomodoro Technique works

Notice a couple of things here. You need to approximate how many pomodoros it takes to finish a task. This information is not readily accessible, but you should get the hang of it through some trial and error.

You also need to set up a timetable. Block your most important pomodoros for when you’re most creative (for me, it’s the afternoon), and leave the rest for when you tend to get distracted. The point is to have a clear limit and motivate yourself enough to push things forward, as well as a clear boundary between work and spare time.

Tip: if you’re like me, you’ll probably benefit from using a project management tool for creative agencies or a design studio. I can create my workflow and get inspired by templates or examples focusing on profitable and profound work. This kind of software is best crafted for architectural minds, among other examples, who need billing, cost estimation, and time-tracking in their work. It’s also perfect for engineering projects with invoicing.

Whenever an emergency or colleague bumps in with a request, you must end the Pomodoro immediately or protect it from outside distractions until completed. You can usually get by telling your colleagues to reach out in 10 minutes. Otherwise, use the “inform, negotiate, schedule, call back” approach proposed by Cirillo:

  • Inform the other person that you’re in the middle of something important.
  • Negotiate with them a time to address the issue.
  • Schedule it.
  • Call back or give them a nudge when the Pomodoro is over.

For internal distractions, such as a new idea or article to read, write it down on paper and proceed with your work until the Pomodoro timer rings.

The benefits of using the Pomodoro Technique

To get a taste of how your life will look like after using the Pomodoro Technique, here are a few benefits to consider:

Improved concentration power

Not all of us can focus for extended periods. But everyone can make a little effort to put their heads down for 25 minutes, work, and take a break afterward.

A couple of researchers discovered that brief breaks improve the overall concentration power or vigilance, as they call it. They reset it, allowing you to start with a clean slate, much like the bonus parts in most video games.

The Pomodoro Technique rests on the same principle. After each Pomodoro, take full advantage of your break to recharge and keep your mind fresh for the following work session. You’ll reduce the number of mistakes caused by a lack of concentration and avoid burnout in the long run.

Decreased back pain

As cliche as it may sound, sitting is the new smoking. Have you ever wondered why everyone is obsessed with making 10,000 steps daily? I’m referring to the health risks of excessive sitting, like cardiovascular diseases. According to this study, they can’t be compensated by occasional leisure activities even if they exceed the minimum level of physical activity recommended.

In this context, the Pomodoro method becomes your greatest ally for slipping in more movement throughout the day. Use the five-minute break to stretch, fill your water bottle, or chat with a coworker in the lobby area. Your back and shoulders will thank you later.

Get rid of the perfectionist mindset.

This is the creator’s curse, also known as Parkinson’s Law, which I discussed in another article. According to it, work expands to fill the time available for completion. Simply put, if you have to complete a one-hour task in twoPut’ll probably take the full two days. That’s because perfection sets in, making you fine-tune the task until the very end.

By all means, do what you must to create your best work. But don’t get stuck in endless revisions, and ship it! Use the strict time limit of a Pomodoro as a race to get things done and free up more time for other creative endeavors.

Are Pomodoro apps for everyone?

No, not really. The method is best suited for creatives, those who need to ship work and have deadlines in place for them: designers, developers, copywriters, and/or them; the boxed sprints might catalyze productivity while also ensuring they don’t waste too much time and effort on trivial things.

The Pomodoro feature is usually included in complex project and time management software with billing that are ideal for consultants with or without experience who often work long hours. The Pomodoro technique can help them manage their time and increase their focus by working in short bursts interleaved with breaks for relaxation so that they remain productive throughout their work day.

Using a Pomodoro timer might not be best when you are engaged in fast-paced projects where changes can occur at any minute. Or when you require a lot of input from others, like a team leader or sales ops manager.

But what about if you’re a customer support rep or someone who has to do continuous work as it comes in? You can still hack the method and run a few pomodoros back-to-backs until you finish the self-imposed target: 50 tickets in one hour, 30 emails in under 30 minutes, you name it. Do a break, then pick up work from where you left it. It’s as simple as that.

If you are a freelancer or own a small business, Pomodoro apps can help your employees keep track of their time. And those time entries add up. At the end of the workweek, you have the necessary timesheets to create invoices for free. We’ve tested and reviewed the best invoicing software for small businesses in 2023 if you need such a module in your work. Try an invoice generator if you want a simple tool for your small business.

Read our invoicing guide to learn what a digital invoice is and understand the process and mistakes to avoid.

How does the Pomodoro Technique work with other productivity methods

A Pomodoro focuses more on doing tasks promptly than planning them. That’s why it’s better to combine it with other productivity methods. It’s fundamental to time tracking, primarily if you work in a team and want everybody on board with their tasks.

Like the Getting Things Done (GTD) method, use it to process and organize work, then rely on the Pomodoro Technique to get things done. It works well with the Eisenhower Decision Matrix to prioritize tasks before doing them.

Then there’s the Kanban method—stickies on the whiteboard—whose main benefits include continuous delivery and improvement of your workflow. Try out free Kanban board software for added productivity and work visualization.

Cirillo also encourages this practice and insists on spending the first and last 5 minutes of a Pomodoro session to recap and review work. For improvement purposes, again.

Note: Don’t overdo this part, or you’ll ruin the simplicity provided by the Pomodoro m.

Final thoughts

With the existing theory and the best Pomodoro apps, you should already be able to use the method independently. Getting the hang of it will take some time, but you reap its benefits if you try it firsthand. Whether you’re a project manager, a freelancer, or a student managing personal projects, the Pomodoro technique is an excellent method to get things done.

Note: If you’re wondering how to transition into project management or what it takes to become a project manager, read this guide along with examples and advice you can follow.

Before we part away, remember that the Pomodoro method is just that – a way for you to get into the zone and recharge your energy with regular breaks. If you happen to be halfway through your work and the Pomodoro timer has ringed, stop it, continue your task, and take a break only after you’ve finished it.

Under all conditions, don’t try to push it if it doesn’t work for you. To put it in Ryan Holiday’s words:

What we need is something sustainable. Something balanced. Something deliberate without being forced. Purposeful without being obsessed with productivity.

Andrei Țiț

Author

Andrei Țiț is a product marketer at Ahrefs. He has been involved in product marketing at various SaaS companies for over six years, specializing in content marketing and short-form video. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and traveling.

Laurențiu Bancu

Editor

Laurențiu started his marketing journey over 18 years ago and now leads a marketing team. He has extensive experience in work and project management, and content strategy. When not working, he’s probably playing board games or binge-watching mini-series.

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