Life can get pretty busy so having an effective method on hand to manage your time can help improve concentration and help you focus on tasks without interference. The Pomodoro Technique is based on a time management concept created in the 1980s, but embraced by modern-day app developers, that breaks time down into manageable chunks in order to combat procrastination.
By using an app or a task management system featuring Pomodoro-style functionality, you can use a timer to set brief intervals of work and rest, with the ultimate goal being to be more productive overall. Whether you already use productivity apps and are looking to embrace a new way to manage your time or have a keen interest in self-care apps designed to prioritize your well-being, a Pomodoro app could be your next favorite thing.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Devised by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that looks to increase productivity and reduce distractions by breaking work into manageable chunks of time.
It uses 25-minute intervals, known as Pomodoros, separated by short breaks of 5 minutes. After completing four Pomodoros, a longer break of 15-30 minutes is taken, although some modern apps allow you to customize your intervals. The idea is by breaking work into manageable intervals, the Pomodoro Technique can help combat procrastination and reduce burnout.
Fun fact: the technique is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used to time his work intervals when he first developed the method.
Best Pomodoro apps 2023
1. Tomato 2
Best Pomodoro app for Mac
Tomato 2
Pros: Easy to use, minimalistic design, customizable settings, different modes
Cons: Need to adjust settings for some features
Key features: Goal tracking, dark mode, silent mode, website blocking, stats
Cost: Free to download, $7.99 for Pro
If you’re looking for a simple yet highly effective app for increasing your personal productivity over on Mac then Tomato 2 could be exactly what you need. This minimalistic Pomodoro timer features a non-fussy, elegant design but it’s packed with some great features that still makes it a pretty powerful application.
In the zone and don't want to be interrupted once your session ends? Choose silent mode. Prefer dark mode to light? Tomato 2 is so clever that it can follow your system’s settings. Just be sure to check the app’s settings for a few additional tweaks that can be made as the interface is so simple, it’s easy to miss a few of the essentials hidden away.
Read Tomato 2 reviews from our community
2. Focus Mode by Geekbot
Best Pomodoro Slack integration
Geekbot
Pros: Easy to use and add, great concept
Cons: Adding yet another integration might feel like a downside if your Slack already feels busy
Key features: Focus mode time, break time
Cost: Free
Slack. It’s one of the best workplace collaboration tools around but things can get rather busy. That’s where adding Geekbot’s Focus Mode in can really make all the difference. This handy Slack integration allows you to focus on important tasks without any distractions from your working environment as all notifications automatically turn off in the time period you choose. All you have to do is add Geekbot to your Slack, set what task you're working on and enter your preferred focus and break mode times. Easy!
Read Focus Mode by Geekbot reviews from our community
3. Forest
Best for feel-good factor
Forest
Pros: Fun concept, easy to use, has the feel-good factor
Cons: Tree can ‘die’ when a notification is received or if your screen locks, Not for those who prefer a simpler Pomodoro interface
Key features: Multiple timer modes, detailed stats, ability to visualize your forest
Cost: $3.99
We’re all guilty of spending a bit too much time on our phones; the Forest app uses gamification to help its users stay focused by reimagining the Pomodoro technique in a completely different light but with a very simple concept at its heart.
When you start a Pomodoro session, you plant a virtual tree, which grows as you work. If you exit the app before the session is complete, your tree dies. Over time, you build a virtual forest as a visual representation of your productivity, and your efforts can go some way to growing real trees in Africa. It’s a fun concept with a great feel-good message. Not to mention, a super-affordable way to give back to the planet.
Read Forest app reviews from our community
4. Trello and Pomello
Best Pomodoro integration for task management tools
Trello
Pros: Free, easy to add, no sign ups
Cons: Requires Trello
Key features: Adds Pomodoro timer functionality to Cards
Cost: Free
Need a task management app that can pair with a Pomodoro timer? One of the key advantages of choosing Trello as your project management tool is it features a handy way to integrate external developer tools into your calendar called Power-Ups. Simply select ‘Pomello’ from the Power-Up menu to activate the timer on a Trello Card so you can have both a task management system and a Pomodoro timer to focus on your tasks in a productive way.
Trello is a particularly useful tool for both individual and small team use (see our article on Asana vs Trello if you’ve been weighing up which one is right for your needs) so if you’re someone who’s looking to organize your own individual space and focus on your own tasks, this could be an ideal set-up to choose.
Read Trello reviews from our community
5. MPeaceful
Best Pomodoro app for students
MPeaceful
Pros: Calming interface, uses music to create a peaceful work environment, customizable
Cons: Web application only, Not for those who prefer simpler design
Key features: Different timer modes, customizable backgrounds, music integration
Cost: Free
MPeaceful is a simply wonderful Pomodoro app that combines a timer with a bit of self-care app functionality. Its use of tranquil music and landscape backgrounds including sunsets and peaceful mountain imagery, that can all be customized in the settings, creates an atmosphere that not only helps you focus, but reduces stress at the same time.
Not to mention the ability to set different timer modes to suit you. It’s an ideal study companion app for students, but equally, whether you’re a freelancer or a remote worker, you’re sure to find something here to love.
Read MPeaceful Pomodoro Web Application reviews from our community
6. Focus-to-Do
Best Pomodoro app with task management functionality
Focus-To-Do
Pros: Sleek design, available for a wide variety of platforms, can be used in a variety of ways
Cons: Can get busy with so many features available
Key features: Timer, pause and resume, notifications, task management (scheduler, organizer, habit tracker, time tracker)
Cost: Free to download, $11.99 for lifetime use / $3.99 for 3 months
Focus To-Do is an easy-to-use time and task management application that helps you to manage your tasks anytime, anywhere. We mean, anywhere, as it’s available on multiple platforms including Android, iOS and even as a Chrome extension, plus you can synchronize between your devices.
What makes Focus-to-Do so convenient is the incredible amount of features it’s got. If you’re looking to combine a Pomodoro timer with all the benefits of a task management system you can choose to embrace Kanban and create tasks and subtasks, record shopping lists or even set birthday reminders making it a highly-versatile app for all aspects of life. Focus To-do’s analytics can even tell you which tasks are taking up the most of your time.
Read Focus-to-Do reviews from our community
7. Doropomo
Best Pomodoro app for setting work/life balance
Doropomo
Pros: Unique concept, simple to use, easy to access
Cons: Limited functionality
Key features: Timers, Auto-start
Cost: Free
Doropomo turns the concept of Pomodoro on its head by having a 25 minute break followed by 5 minutes of work, as an entirely different approach to the popular time management method.
It’s a simple concept here: there’s three timers you can use to set your intervals to ‘rest’, ‘work’ and ‘work hard,’ as well as ‘long work intervals,’ and an auto-start feature once you’ve found your groove. Super simple and easy to access via the Doropomo product page. This works well for basic timer set up, but if you’re looking for more functionality such as task management or other modes it might be worth exploring other options. The concept is entirely fantastic, however.
Read Doropomo reviews from our community
Which Pomodoro app is best for you?
Choosing the best Pomodoro app for you really comes down to how you intend to use the tech. We’ve organized this list by common uses so you can get a sense of how each one will work for you.
If you’re someone who’s looking to organize your personal and your work life, Focus To-Do has an incredible amount of features, while adding Pomello to Trello is ideal for arranging your work life. Speaking of organizing your work life, if you want to create a relaxing or distraction-free environment, MPeaceful and Focus Mode by Geekbot might just be permanent additions to add to your work toolkit.
What makes a great Pomodoro app?
Concept - How unique is the idea and does it solve a common time management problem?
Ease of use - I looked for simplicity of use and how easy the app is to access
Design and UI - A great interface is more than just good looks, how does it work with the app’s intended functionality?
Features - A Pomodoro app should give you plenty of flexibility over your time management. Any extra organizational features are a bonus.
How we tested the Pomodoro apps
As Product Hunt is a launch pad for a huge number of Pomodoro apps, I carried out a quick search for the most popular and highly rated apps on the platform. From there I compiled a shortlist of the very best to download.
I looked for ease of use, great features and functionality during testing, and thought about how each app could solve common time management problems we all face in our daily lives.