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The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most effective productivity tools that been ever used. It’s a cleverly simple system that helps you avoid procrastination and distraction and get things done.

Any timer or timer app will work with the Pomodoro technique. But certain Pomodoro apps can make the this technique even easier by automatically switching between work and rest times. So, save yourself the trouble of manually maintaining the timer or constantly checking the clock. Let’s now, take a look at the best timers.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique sounds simple. But it really works. You set a timer for 25 minutes, works until the timer runs out. And then takes a 5-minute break. Repeat this entire process three more times. After that, take a 15-30 minute break, depending on how you feel. That’s one complete Pomodoro cycle.

A short block makes it easy to implement the Pomodoro technique. A 25-minute work session is long enough to keep you engaged and making real progress without feeling like a tiring task. On the other hand, while the 5-minute breaks, which never feel far off gives you the chance to check Instagram or check your email without interrupting your work.

The inventor of the technique

Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique in the 1980s while attending college in Italy. And struggling to master it. He kept getting distracted and losing his focus, so he looked for a way to get back on track. Inspiration came from his timer in a small tomato-shaped kitchen. Cirillo first he set 10 minutes and he tried to work for 10 minutes until the timer went off. And it helped – he was immediately more productive, at least while the timer was running.

After a lot of tweaking, testing and refinement, Cirillo settled on the perfect balance of 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of rest four times. He named the system Pomodoro His Technique, because the Italian word for tomato is “pomodoro.”

This technique has become increasingly popular in recent decades.

The basic process is usually described as

Decide what to do. Select a task that takes about 25 minutes to complete. Large tasks should be divided into smaller parts. For example, in my case, each section of this article is allocated 25 minute blocks.

Set timer for 25 minutes. And then get to work. And don’t stop until the timer goes off. But you need to remember that you must ignore the distractions and notifications from emails, text messages, etc.

When the timer goes off, you have done a Pomodoro. So you need to take a 5 minute break to clear your head. Stretch, grab a cup of coffee, or check social media. Basically, anything you shouldn’t do while at work has become fair game. So, use the timer which help you keep yourself honest.

After a total of four Pomodoros. Take a longer break. 15-30 minutes is usually good. It’s up to you. Have lunch, read a book, or just take a walk.

Start another Pomodoro cycle. Keep going until your work or studies are complete. Most people can complete two full cycles, but if you have a lot to do, you can also complete three or four cycles.

What Makes a Good Pomodoro Timer App?

The key to Pomodoro Technique is its simplicity. Any timer, digital or analog, doesn’t matter. Still, a good Pomodoro Timer app brings a little more functionality to your system and makes it easier to use in the real world.

The Best Pomodoro Timer offers more than a stopwatch app on your smartphone. There’s no point in downloading another app if it just duplicates the existing functionality of your phone. Every app had to offer something more here. Some even automate the switching between work and break times. Others track how you spend your time or sync it across different devices.

Choosing an app

The best apps are as easy to use, beautiful to look at, and free of distractions as the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique is all about removing friction, not adding it. Setting a timer shouldn’t be a burden. Any developer can create a timer his app, but there are many apps with poor ideas, half-baked or terrible.

The best timers are productivity process agnostic. Can be used alone or with other apps. The Pomodoro Technique is a low-level technique that can be used in addition to other productivity practices. You already have a to-do list and calendar, so you probably don’t need a pomodoro clock with a half-baked to-do list and calendar.

The best timer app allows you to develop your own system. Using only trial and error, Cirillo decided to do his four 25-minute sessions with five-minute breaks in between.

These are not magic productivity numbers. Using the Pomodoro technique may require tweaking. Each Pomodoro tracker you list must be current and actively developed or maintained. This type of app seems like a very common project for solo developers. So there are a lot of unmaintained apps out there. Even if it still works, it may break in the future.

There are many Pomodoro timer apps that help organise work well and make it more productive. So let us look at the most helpful and best solutions that work great for work, studies and workouts.

1. Toggl

Toggl

Toggl is a convenient web-based solution. It works on the same formula as the typical pomodoro timer app, but on a larger scale. Toggl is designed to meet the needs of freelancers, management consultants, project managers and all other professionals.

The company did this using the native Pomodoro Technique timer and many other reporting features. Like with other web-based solution for various things, you can log directly into the official app. When you first get there, you’ll see a simple timer and minimal user interface.

The Left Pane is used to select various options such as Dashboard, Pomodoro Timer, Clients and Saved Thoughts for later execution. Additionally, Toggl can be installed on iOS and Android devices as an offline solution that allows you to sync all your cloud data 24 hours a day.

Key Features

  • Manage your time with one click. Pomodoro Time Tracking Features
  • Reports for Time Tracking are available, these report are come in form of pie charts, Gantt charts
  • Regular data backups by cloud servers
  • Basecamp, FreshBooks, and other third-party integration party apps

2. Marinara Timer

Marinara Timer

Marinara Timer is a practical timer application that lets you manage your tasks and processes the way you want. The software is web-based, so you can get your work done from anywhere in the world, even off the grid.

This app has 3 different modes called. First one is Pomodoro, then Kitchen and lastly Custom. All of these three modes help you manage your time according to the activities that you want to do.

Key Features

The ability to share different timers. Or timing results with the right people
Have the option to control of your timer to someone else so that they can control the timer if needed

3. Forest

Forest

Forest is a clever idea. The main idea behind this app is if you want to stay focused, you plant a tree. Long as you work, the timer counts down, the tree grows. But if you leave the app, it fades and dies.

Every focus session that gets completed you plant a tree in your forest which grows every time you use this app. This app isn’t fully a Pomodoro timer, as you can focus for as long as you want. It defaults to the 25/5 split although you will need to manually take breaks.

Also, you can tag your work periods by what you are doing. While the analytics track you when yo are the most productive. It even provides trends, and, a collab with your friends or co-workers and work together to plant trees.

Key Features

  • Compete with friends and colleagues to see who the most productive individual of all is.
  • iOS and Android app
  • Create tags to track time-distribution across different tasks
  • Motivates teams and individuals to stay focused
  • Interactive interface

4. Focus Booster

Focus Booster App

Focus Booster has a handy Pomodoro Technique app. This app is specially designed for freelancers. However, if you’re dealing with multiple clients with time issues, you should use Focus Booster.

is a free Pomodoro app. It’s not just a timer application. You can create invoices, manage multiple project schedules, and use charts to view accurate work performance. A focus part is a collection of visual cues.

Pomodoro length can be adjusted, but session length can also be paused. The timer will run automatically. A buzzer will sound to alert you when the expiration date has passed. Integrated with Android and iOS platforms. So you can export all your work data to web, mobile or desktop folders.

Key Features

  • By purchasing the pro plan, it enables a user to use Focus Booster as a Pomodoro app, or a mere time tracker.
  • Set particular time-oriented goals for each of your project/client.
  • Work logs are kept in separate reports.
  • Set-up different timesheets
  • It’s reports dashboard, allows you to have a simple way to issue/monitor invoices

5. PomoTodo

Pomotodo

Pomotodo is a to-do list app and a Pomodoro timer all-in-one. Whether you choose to use the app as a solution for the two productivity techniques. Or simply choose to use it as a timer, or just a to-do list is completely up to you.

This app is simple to use, and all you have to do is create your tasks or to-do list items for each day. Prioritise them or add tags to categorise them. Once you’ve set out the tasks that need to be done you switch on the Pomodoro timer which monitors your work sessions and breaks for you.

Key Features

  • Timer
  • To-do list
  • Extensive stat tracking
  • Ability to sync with Google Calendar
  • Customised timer durations

6. PomoDone

Pomodoneapp

The PomoDone app has been created around the mantra of “Get it done and have fun”. Through the perfect integration of the age-old Pomodoro technique.

If you’re looking for an app that removes all the clutter and that gives you a minimalistic UI with a timer. then Look no further as this app can help you increase your workflow, work output and your goal completion rate.

For first time users, here’s a simple tip, you don’t have to stick with a 25-minute work routine in this app. As you can decide to shorten the interval per your liking. So, develop a work routine on the basis of a time scale, and create an achievable objectives list in this app.

Key Features

  • Integration with Trello, Basecamp, Asana, and Todoist
  • Progress bars for various tasks
  • Sub-task level support for each project
  • Start, Pause, or restart the Pomodoro technique
  • Multiple drag-n-drop functions

7. Pomodoro Tracker

Pomodoro Tracker

Pomodoro Tracker is another useful solution for those looking for the best pomodoro app. If you go to the official Pomodoro Tracker website, you’ll see a short 25 minute window with a small Play/Start button next to it. Those who don’t have a smartphone in the office can start a timer on the app’s official website and get back to work in no time. It’s that simple.

Pomodoro Tracker is also available as a smartphone application for iOS users. Android users should be happy with alternatives. Anyway, this app basically lets you do what the hardcore Pomodoro Technique fan likes.

Set tasks, adjust timers, and achieve a variety of realistic goals without worrying about distractions. A “ticking” clock conveys a sense of urgency. As deadlines approach, we get used to getting things done.

Key Features

  • Sign up for a free or paid account through the official app.
  • Launch and manage tasks from a simple browser screen.
  • Maintain a consistent workflow.
  • Increases resistance to different types of different tasks.

8. Focus Keeper

Focus Keeper

Focus Keeper is an iOS app. It’s one of the best Pomodoro apps that come with a native Pomodoro timer. You can use this Pomodoro tool without having the need to create an account, as it’s only a timer-based around with some innovative gamification.

Simply set up a time for 25 minutes and get to work immediately but at your own pace. Once the objective is complete. The app will ding to alert you to take a small break.

The default time length and custom timer can be selected. But for as long as you are using the paid version of the app. But using the free version has more than enough features to help you with the daily rituals.

It will show a Charts option on the bottom of your screen, these charts keep a visual indicator of all the work you’ve been doing.

Key Features

  • Minimalist Intuitive User Interface Manage all ‘Focus’ Groups with Goals, Colour Tabs and Sounds
  • Productivity Tracking with Pull-Up Cards
  • Real Pomodoro Timer Multiple focus sessions with timer settings

9. FocusList

Focuslist

If you are in the search for the Pomodoro technique or wanting just to appreciate simplicity then you should pick FocusList app for you. This app is available for both Mac and iOS devices. It allows you to create a list of what you need to get done with estimates on how long each task can take.

It offers extensive Pomodoro timer features, that can make planning each day a breeze. And all you have to do is just add things to your to-do list, estimate the time for each task then hit the “start working” button. And the app will take care of the rest.

But unfortunately, you can’t set up this app for multiple days. But it’s still great if you are looking for a simple and easy to use app.

Key Features

  • Create tasks
  • Track time
  • Get data on progress

10. Be Focused

Be Focused

Be Focused is an app included in the set of apps provided by SetApp, but is also available as a standalone app. This application is an all-in-one solution with multiple features such as task management, tracking and customisation options.

Eliminate distractions and help focus with robust planning and tracking capabilities. In addition to the task management features, timers can also be used to set different periods of focus and rest, as in the Pomodoro technique.

Be Focused is an intuitive and customisable app that lets you plan and time your workflow the way you want it. This will definitely increase your productivity.

If you’re looking for tools to help you stay focused on your tasks and reach your goals on time or ahead of schedule, Be Focused is for you. However, the only drawback of this app is that it is currently not available for Android devices. But when working on iOS, Be Focused is perfect.

Key Features

  • Easily create, organise and manage your to-do list with Be Focused’s transparent and efficient task manager.
  • Specifies the number of breaks and the duration of the breaks.
  • Allow start, pause, and skip pauses.
  • Break down long-term goals into short-term goals.
  • Monthly, Weekly and Daily Goals to Streamline Workflow
  • Customise App Functionality to Your Needs
  • Synchronise Data Across All iOS Devices
  • Generate and Export CSV Files in Seconds

 

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10 Best Pomodoro Apps & Timers for Work