10 Work Timers With Pomodoro Clock To Boost Productivity [2024]

The Pomodoro technique is a productivity method created by Francesco Cirillo in the ‘80s. Users divide their work time into 25-minute focus windows, followed by a five-minute break.

In this article, I’ll show you the best work timers with Pomodoro clocks and help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

All work timers with Pomodoro clocks have one thing in common: they break work hours into focus time and short breaks to increase productivity

However, each tool has varying features to help limit distractions and increase focus time. These include custom Pomodoro intervals, notification reminders for breaks and focus time, and even gamification and to-do list tracking to keep you in the zone.

I signed up for a free account to compare work timers with Pomodoro clocks and tested each tool’s features. I also compared their pricing and looked at reviews from other users.

Here’s a quick summary of what I found:

Toggl Track: Best for tracking worked hours with the Pomodoro method
Pomodor: Best basic free Pomodoro timer
Marinara Timer: Best shareable Pomodoro timer
Forest: Best gamified focus tracker
Session: Best Pomodoro timer for Apple devices
Pomello: Best for Trello integration
Pomofocus: Best basic timer with customization and task list
Focus Mode by Geekbot: Best for Slack integration
Minimalist: Best for tracking to-do list tasks
Focus Keeper: Best for focus reminders

And here’s my complete research about the top best work timer apps for using the Pomodoro technique:

Download the research sheet here.

Let’s dive into the details.

1. Toggl Track

Toggl Track is primarily a time tracking app that integrates the Pomodoro method and logs the Pomodoro intervals on your timesheet.

The Pomodoro timer can be accessed through the Toggl Track browser extension (available on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge), the desktop app, or the Android and iOS mobile apps. Head to the settings, and you can set Toggl Track to automatically start a Pomodoro timer when you begin a time entry.

You can also tweak the interval minutes if 25 is too long or short.

When you reach the end of your Pomodoro interval, Toggl Track will send a notification (with or without sound). You can also choose whether or not to stop your active timer at the end of the interval.

You can download the Toggl Track browser extension via the Integrations page.

Here’s what one user had to say about Toggl Track:

“Toggl is great for tracking how long your projects are taking and [it] allow[s] for easy task switching. The Pomodoro timer is helpful when you want to keep an eye on task switching[.] I use it to remind me to check email.”

Toggl Track features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Once the Pomodoro feature is activated, every time entry you log with the time clock will automatically track the Pomodoro cycle.
Enabling Focus Mode shows you how long you have left of your cycle.

Customize the length of your Pomodoro cycles to fit your needs and tasks.

Toggl Track lets you log the Pomodoro cycles you’ve worked on your timesheet.

Toggl Track pricing

There are four pricing plans for Toggl Track, tailored to teams of different sizes:

Free: Ideal for freelancers or small teams of up to five users. It includes unlimited time tracking, shareable reports, and 100+ app integrations.
Starter: For $10/user/month, the Starter plan provides small teams with additional features like time estimates, billable rates, and unlimited data storage.
Premium: Growing teams who need more features like timesheet approvals and team management tools will love the Premium plan. It costs $20 per user per month.
Enterprise: This plan is ideal for large teams and comes with priority support, training, and volume discounts for the annual subscription. The Enterprise plan is custom-priced for unlimited users, so get in touch with the Toggl team for pricing.

The Pomodoro timer is available on all plans. All plans come with a free, 30-day trial of Toggl Track Premium.

Is Toggl Track right for you?

Pros	Cons
Logs Pomodoro cycles on a timesheet Create detailed reports of time entries and export them to PDF, CSV, or XLSX Integrates with Zapier and 100+ other tools to boost productivity even further	Have to restart time entry after the break manually It could be too advanced for those needing a simple Pomodoro timer

Toggl Track’s Pomodoro timer is ideal for an intuitive, user-friendly time tracker that links to timesheets. It’s great for businesses and teams of all sizes, as time entries for all team members can be accessed through centralized reports.

2. Pomodor

Pomodor is a basic, no-frills Pomodoro timer that has no other features. Users can customize the length of your Pomodoro focus time, break time, and the number of cycles to put in work before the long break.

You can also skip or restart intervals using the buttons under the timer.

Pomodor is simple to access. Just sign in with Google to customize the settings and set up the timer however you like. It’s available as a desktop and web app.

Pomodor features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Customizable Pomodoro focus times, breaks, and cycles to fit your productivity needs
Web app and desktop app to track Pomodoro cycles at your desk and on-the-go
Keep track of Pomodoro cycles with the countdown timer in the tab title when using the web app

Pomodor pricing

Pomodor is free. The app’s creator, Sasha Drmic, has included a link to her Buy Me A Coffee page under the timer for those who wish to support it.

Is Pomodor right for you?

Pros	Cons
Free to use Simple Pomodoro tracking Skippable intervals Customizable cycles	No advanced features No dashboard or reports* No team tracking

Pomodor is perfect if you want a basic, free Pomodoro timer. Users who get distracted by their phones could benefit from using Pomodor. However, if you’re looking for advanced features, time reports, or team tracking — Pomodor isn’t for you.

*The creator’s Buy Me A Coffee page states you can access a stats overview and charts showing the most productive days of the week, but I couldn’t find them!

3. Marinara Timer

Marinara Timer is a handy timer tool offering three different timer modes: the Pomodoro for the classic 25/5 intervals, the Custom Timer where to set your own intervals and cycles, and the Kitchen Timer for standard timeboxing.

The app also has two sharing link options. One is a viewing link for anyone who needs to see your cycles in real-time. The other is for admins who need control over the intervals.

While there’s no centralized reporting for teams, project managers can store these links in an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of their team’s productivity and worked time. A cool bonus is users can also view upcoming intervals in your current Pomodoro and a Timer History report.

Marinara Timer features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Three options for timers (Pomodoro, Custom, and Kitchen Timer) so you can choose what works for you
Completely customizable focus times, breaks, and cycles
Shareable viewing and admin links

Marinara Timer pricing

All Marinara Timer features are available on a free plan — no sign-up required.

Is Marinara Timer right for you?

Pros	Cons
Customizable timers Different timer options Timers are shareable Timer History reports	Notification doesn’t work if the screen is off, so you could miss the end of your break No centralized reporting for teams Must access the custom timer through the same link each time; otherwise, you need to re-input your intervals

Marinara Timer is best for individuals and small teams looking for a free way to track work and free time, but who don’t love the standard 25/5 Pomodoro cycle. This timer makes it easy for each team member to customize the timer to fit into their ideal workflow and whatever task they are working on. .

Although the app has basic reports, a manager can’t check them without going into each employee’s time tracker individually.

4. Forest

Forest is a mobile app aimed at blocking out distractions by gamifying focus time and holding users accountable for procrastinating.

Forest isn’t a classic Pomodoro timer. Instead, you block out a focus window (between 10 and 180 minutes) and then choose whether to take a break once it’s up. Unlike other timers, the break has to be triggered manually after a focus session.

Starting the timer also plants a tree in your forest. Once the timer is started, the tree grows. But if you give up and stop the timer — your tree will wither.

Users love this feature. Check out this review from Forest user Kanmani Jayaprakash:

: “I love the little plants, and it really helps motivate me to get off my phone and study, so that cute little plant grows. It’s so satisfying to see a full garden.”

Forest also partners with Trees for the Future, which plants trees in the real world when users spend virtual coins earned to stay focused. This feature is only available on the paid version, but it’s a nice little incentive for users.

A major downside of Forest is almost all the features are unavailable on the free version, and the free version only includes a limited focus window of 30 minutes.

Forest features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Gamification holds you accountable for staying focused
Deep Focus mode encourages users back to focus if other apps are opened
Option to count exceeded time when you go beyond the timer

Forest pricing

Forest has two pricing options:

The free version has basic focus tracking features
The paid version is $3.99, but there are further in-app purchases for seasonal and special packs, in-app coins, and some trees.

Is Forest right for you?

Pros	Cons
Gamification Block out up to two hours of focus time Deep Focus Mode blocks apps and websites to minimize distractions	The majority of features unavailable on the free plan It’s confusing to set up Breaks need to be taken manually The app can be distracting

Forest is best for individuals who need help blocking out distractions during focus time, prefer timeboxing over Pomodoro, and are happy to pay for a timer tool.

5. Session

Session is a Pomodoro timer designed for Apple devices with advanced features like syncing, calendar integration, detailed analytics, and app and website blocking.

It supports automation via Shortcuts and AppleScript so users can trigger events at the beginning or end of each timer. You can also integrate it with Slack to set a custom status during focus time.

Session also promotes mindfulness. Before each new timer session, you will be asked to do a few rounds of mindful breathing. It also provides reflection prompts so users can journal about their daily productivity.

User Cavemann44 said on the App Store: “Not only is the timer flexible, […] it provides a useful record of what you’ve been doing all day, which can be reassuring when you feel you have been making slow progress.

Another feature I love is that when you enter a session the app encourages you to take a deep breath, just a small detail but one which genuinely helps to refocus you.”

However, Session is feature-rich and can be distracting to set up.

Session features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Syncs timers between iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and other Apple products to keep users on track
Calendar integration to import events like meetings
Supports automation through Shortcuts and AppleScript
Promotes mindfulness through breath work and journal prompts

Session pricing

Session has three pricing plans:

Free: A limited free plan with minimal features.
Pro Monthly plan: Gives access to advanced features like website and app blocking, Slack muting, and analytics beyond the past two days for $4.99 per month.
Pro Yearly plan: The same features as above for $39.99 per year.

There is also a seven-day free trial of Pro for new users.

Is Session right for you?

Pros	Cons
Syncs timers between Apple products Promotes mindfulness Automation Many additional features like integrations, analytics, and website blocking	Only available on macOS, iOS, and Setapp Lots of features can be distracting Most features only available on the paid version

Session is a great tool for Apple users looking for a highly advanced, feature-rich Pomodoro timer app. However, if you want a simpler timer, Session may not be the best fit.

6. Pomello

Pomello links with Trello using an API to turn Trello cards into Pomodoro timers.

The app displays the task’s name and how long you have left of your cycle to help you stay focused.

Pomello also has a distraction-free design with a timer overlay to easily check each cycle at a glance.

Quetsy Estremera, a Pomello user, said on the Chrome Web Store: “I really like this app. It’s a subtle way of being “in your face” about your time. Get work done [without] distractions.”

When a Pomodoro focus interval is finished, the app asks how you’d like to continue. You can move the Trello card to a different list, mark it complete, continue the task after the break, or switch to a new one.

This feature is useful to minimize distractions by other tasks on your to-do list until you’re done.

However, setting up Pomello was frustrating. It involved lots of back-and-forth between the app, API, and Trello itself. It might not be the easiest for non-tech-savvy individuals.

Pomello features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Create Pomodoro cycles linked to Trello tasks
If you get distracted during a cycle, just log an internal (from yourself) or external (from someone/something else) distraction
Complete Trello tasks from the timer overlay
Keyboard shortcuts to quickly change or complete tasks, log distractions, skip breaks, open the task in your browser, and more

Pomello pricing

Pomello has two plans:

Basic: Unlimited boards and lists, productivity tracking, and time tracking is free.
Premium: Add checklist items as tasks, custom timer sounds, and productivity data exports for $2/month.

Is Pomello right for you?

Pros	Cons
Keyboard shortcutsMinimalistic design Customizable intervals and cycles Productivity report Track project and task Pomodoro cycles	Setup is quite technical Only works with Trello

Pomello is ideal for Trello users looking for a simple UX and customizable Pomodoro timer to link to specific tasks.

7. Pomofocus

Pomofocus provides a basic, customizable timer paired with a task list and focus reports.

The Summary report shows how much time a user spent on a task or project. This data can be viewed by week or month on the free version or by year with a premium account.

The Detailed report shows users how much time was spent on different tasks on each date and lets users manually add time to tasks.

Pomofocus also has a Ranking leaderboard to show users with the highest recorded focus time for the week.

Like some other timers on this list, the length of your Pomodoro intervals and cycles are customizable, and a notification can be set on your desktop and linked mobile for break reminders if you leave your desk.

Pomofocus features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Add estimations to your task list to see how many Pomodoro cycles each task will take
Connect to mobile device for alarms and reminders on both devices
Add templates for repetitive tasks

Pomofocus pricing

Pomofocus has two plans:

Free: Basic time tracking and weekly and monthly reports for free, no sign-up required.
Premium: Access to premium features like unlimited projects and yearly reports for $3/month.

Is Pomofocus right for you?

Pros	Cons
Reminders and alarms on desktop and mobile Task list Detailed and Summary reports	Cycle is restarted if webpage reloads Desktop app only available on macOS Yearly reports and integrations only available on the paid version Not suited for teams

Pomofocus is ideal if you need a Pomodoro timer to track project and task focus time and are happy using a web app.

8. Focus Mode by Geekbot

Focus Mode by Geekbot integrates with Slack to block distractions and boost productivity.

Slack users receive around 125 messages a day, which can be a major distraction. Focus Mode aims to curb these distractions by minimizing noise on Slack.

When a user enters Focus Mode, the tool sets a status to provide context to teammates about what they’re working on so no distracting messages are sent.

Users can start a focus window by opening the app dialogue window and entering a brief description of the task they’re working on. You can also add the length of focus time and a break so your team will know how long you’ll be uncontactable.

Once you click Submit, the Pomodoro cycle begins.

Focus Mode by Geekbot features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Share context about tasks with your team without the need for direct messages
Integrates with Slack to prevent distractions during focus time

Focus Mode by Geekbot pricing

Focus Mode by Geekbot operates on a free forever model.

Is Focus Mode by Geekbot right for you?

Pros	Cons
Cultivates asynchronous work Helps users build and prioritize focus windows Minimizes Slack distractions	Only works with Slack No reports Individual use only

For Slack users who get distracted by messages — even during your focus time — Focus Mode by Geekbot is a great option for minimizing noise from pings and notifications.

9. MinimaList

MinimaList tracks to-do list tasks using a timer (a Pomodoro, countdown, or stopwatch) to help maintain focus.

The tool has an intuitive interface that lets you add tasks by swiping instead of tapping by default. Its minimalistic design helps prevent distractions and keep your focus on just your task list. I also loved the feature to add notes and subtasks to each task.

MinimaList user hgadsb said on the App Store: “The app is clean and simple with few distractions. I especially like the timer with the built-in Pomodoro timer.”

The app offers a standard Pomodoro cycle, a customizable countdown timer, and a stopwatch. Figuring out how to change the timer settings is a little confusing initially.

MinimaList features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Use the Pomodoro timer for individual tasks on a to-do list
Focus reminder pop-up tells you to get back into focus
Home screen widget for tracking to-dos and a timer

MinimaList pricing

MinimaList has two plans:

Free: With basic features.
Premium: Gives users access to more features, including syncing across devices, TouchID and FaceID functionality, location-based reminders, and more for $0.99/month or $5.99/year.

Is MinimaList right for you?

Pros	Cons
Minimalist design prevents distractions Use Pomodoro timer on specific tasks Focus reminders	Timer settings are a little difficult to understand at first Only available to Apple users Not designed for teams

If you need a tool to increase focus around a task list, MinimaList could be a good option. However, it’s not the best option for teams.

10. Focus Keeper

Focus Keeper is a basic yet customizable Pomodoro timer that includes daily, weekly, or monthly focus reports and focus reminders (on the mobile app).

For users that want to track their focus cycles, Focus Keeper keeps a note of the number of completed Pomodoro cycles each day. It also switches between breaks and focus time automatically, which is great for users who may forget to restart the timer after a break.

It’s best suited for individuals as it doesn’t offer centralized reporting for multiple users.

Tea Benson, a long-time user of Focus Keeper, said on the Play Store: “I’ve been using this app for years and it always helped me keep focus. I used it through most of my high school years and now I still use it in college because I saw my focus and grades improve a lot with this.”

Focus Keeper features for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique

Focus reminders on the mobile app to help kickstart Pomodoro cycles
Tracks how many focus cycles and rounds you do each day
Automatic time interval switching so you don’t need to start focus time or breaks manually

Focus Keeper pricing

Focus Keeper has two plans:

Free: Use all of Focus Keeper’s features on the web and mobile app for free.
Ad-free: Remove ads for $3.99 per month.

Is Focus Keeper right for you?

Pros	Cons
Focus reminders Daily, weekly, and monthly reports for individual users TImer customization	The Android app kept crashing Web app only has basic features

Focus Keeper is ideal for users looking for a basic Pomodoro web app or who want to track focus time on a mobile device.

The best work timer apps for Pomodoro compared

Product	Best for	Unique feature	Priced from
Toggl Track	Tracking worked hours with the Pomodoro method	Creates a timesheet from Pomodoro time entries	$10/user/month
Pomodor	Basic timer needs	No-frills interface	Free
Marinara Timer	Customizable timers that are shared	Shareable timers	Free
Forest	Distraction blocking for individuals	Gamification	$3.99
Session	Syncing focus time across devices	Multitude of additional features	$4.99
Pomello	Trello task focus tracking	Integrates with Trello	$2/month
Pomofocus	Focus time reporting on specific tasks	Task list	$3/month
Focus Mode by Geekbot	Blocking Slack distractions	Integrates with Slack	Free
MinimaList	Focus on to-do list tasks	To-do list tracker	$2.99/month
Focus Keeper	Focus tracking on web and mobile apps	Focus reminders	$3.99/month

What is the best work timer app for Pomodoro for your needs?

When choosing the best work timer app for tracking time with the Pomodoro technique, no one tool does everything. So, how do you choose the right one for your needs?

It’s best to figure out what features are most important to you:

What key features does the tool offer, and does it have a Pomodoro timer?
Can the tool integrate with other systems and tools I currently use?
Is the tool user-friendly and accessible across various devices (mobile, tablet, desktop)?
What is the pricing model, and are there additional costs for must-have features?
How does the tool ensure access to historic data, data security, and compliance with relevant regulations?
What’s the level of customer support provided?
Can the tool easily accommodate growth in team size and handle complex projects?

Next, shortlist a couple of tools from the above list and take them for a test drive. This will help you identify any issues with the Pomodoro timer when implementing it across your business.

Finally, compile all the feedback from participating pilot teams and choose the best work timer with a Pomodoro clock for your needs.

Not sure which tool to start with? Try out Toggl Track for free and see what you think.

FAQs about work timers and Pomodoro apps

Still unsure about the best time tracking apps with Pomodoro timers? We’ve rounded up a few frequently asked questions to help clear things up 👇

What are work or task timers?

A work or task timer is a tool for tracking time. It’s often with other systems like project management and employee scheduling software as well as task management tools.

Work timers and the data they collect are useful for tracking profitability, project progress, and employee time usage during the workday.

Task timers are a more granular time tracking tool to track the time spent on tasks only.

What is the Pomodoro technique?

The Pomodoro technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. It breaks work time into structured cycles of focus time and break time.

The traditional Pomodoro cycle consists of 25 minutes of focus time and a five-minute break. The cycle is repeated four times, with the fourth break lasting 15 to 30 minutes.

As the technique evolved, some users found these cycles were too long or short. Many Pomodoro timers provide options for customizing the cycles and intervals.

How to use a work timer for Pomodoro?

Using a work timer for Pomodoro is simple:

Set the timer for 25 minutes (or your chosen focus time).
Focus on one task from your to-do list for the duration of the focus time.
When the focus time ends, you have completed one Pomodoro cycle.
Enjoy the short break.
Continue to the next cycle. You can keep working on the same task or switch to a different one.
Repeat this until you have completed four Pomodoro cycles, and then take a longer break.

While tracking Pomodoro cycles using a simple stopwatch or kitchen timer is possible, Pomodoro apps provide additional features like productivity reports, reminders, and distraction-blocking functionality.

Is there a free Pomodoro app?

Yes! There are tons of free Pomodoro apps — many are included in this article.

Looking for a Pomodoro timer without distractions?

Try Toggl Track’s built-in Pomodoro timer to stay focused and improve your productivity. It also has a ton of other features like time tracking, timesheets, and detailed reports. Plus, it’s free for five users and comes with a free 30-day trial to try all the premium features.Sign up for free now.

The Toggl Team

Work tools to elevate your productivity – apps for incredibly simple time tracking and effective project planning.