6 Min. Read

6 Best Pomodoro App to Help You Stay Focused at Work

March 13, 2024

With the vast array of distractions in modern life, it can be difficult to stay focused.

Mobile phones, the internet, family & colleagues – just a few of the daily distractions that can impede our concentration. As well as affect our ability to stay fully engaged and focused.

However, there are a number of techniques and methods that are aimed towards helping people to regain and retain focus. One of the most popular methods is the Pomodoro Technique.

But what exactly is the Pomodoro Technique?

We’ll take you through a definition, and the 6 best Pomodoro apps to help you stay focused at work.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

What Is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Three Rules of the Pomodoro Technique

6 Best Pomodoro Apps

Key Takeaways

What Is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s.

As a University student, Francesco came up with the method when he was feeling particularly stressed. He found that he was struggling to focus on his studies and needed help.

Acknowledging that he was becoming overwhelmed he thought of a solution. So he decided to dedicate just 10 minutes towards focused study time.

To time himself, he found a tomato-shaped kitchen timer and thus the Pomodoro Technique was born.

Simply put, the Pomodoro is a time management technique to boost your productivity that is based on five steps:

Create a list of tasks ordered by importance.
Set a 25-minute timer
Work on the first task for the duration of the timer
Take a 5-minute break
After four pomodoros, take a 15-30 minute break

These 25-minute focused work sprints are at the very core of the method.

The Three Rules of the Pomodoro Technique

There is more to the Pomodoro Technique than the above 5 steps. Francesco Cirillo also included three rules for getting the most out of each interval of time. Those rules were:

1. Break Down Complex Projects

If a particular task or project requires more than four pomodoros, Cirillo states that it should be divided into smaller, more achievable steps. These smaller tasks become more mentally manageable. This will then help ensure that you are making clear and trackable progress.

2. Group Small Tasks Together

If a task takes less than one pomodoro, then it should be grouped and combined with other simple tasks. For example: reading an email, restocking the printer paper and reading a news article could all go together into one session.

3. Never Break a Pomodoro

Cirillo states that a pomodoro is an indivisible unit of time and can not be broken. This is especially true when it comes to checking an email, chatting to a colleague or replying to a text message. Anything that comes up that isn’t part of your original task should be ignored until the time is up.

If there is an unavoidable disruption then you should take your five-minute break and restart the pomodoro once the break is over.

Cirillo also recommends making a list of any interruptions that you experience during a session. At the end of the day or working week, take a look at the list you’ve compiled. You can then see if you can take any further steps towards eliminating these distractions.

6 Best Pomodoro Apps

Due to the popularity of the Pomodoro Technique, there have been a number of apps created to help track your time.

Some apps are a simple time clock to help you track the 25 minutes and 5 minute breaks. Whilst other Pomodoro apps offer more features, such as sound libraries that play soothing music or noise while you’re working.

To help you find a Pomodoro app that suits your needs, we’ve put together a list of the 6 best Pomodoro apps currently available.

1. Forest

Forest is a unique and popular choice of productivity app.

They offer a solution that tracks your tasks by representing your tasks with trees. As you spend time on your task, your tree will grow. However, if you abandon your task or become distracted then your tree will slowly die.

The idea is to grow an entire forest by consistently tracking and completing tasks.

2. Focus Keeper

Focus Keeper is a simple timer app with some extra added features.

The timer is simple to use and intuitive. You simply need to hit the play button and the timer will start. You can set different amounts of time by sliding the timeline so you can alter your work segments.

One of the added features is that Focus Keeper tracks the number of pomodoros you have done and how many more you need to do to reach your goal. This is a great way to stay motivated.

3. Pomodone

Pomodone is a desktop and mobile app that allows you to combine the Pomodoro Technique with popular tools such as Trello or Todoist.

This fully integratable timer allows you to be more specific with your tasks by integrating it with your online to-do list. They also feature a log that you can use to track your sessions.

4. Focus Booster

Focus Booster delivers its take on the Pomodoro technique as both a desktop app and an online platform. There is currently a mobile app in beta-testing which they are hoping to release soon.

The app allows you to customise the length of your sessions. So if you’re looking to have a longer session you can alter the time lengths and not purely stick to the original 25/5 set up.

5. Minimalist

Minimalist is a sleek, modern Pomodoro timer that has a simple interface and an intuitive design.

The timing feature works the same as any other timer, but it has the added benefit of being able to create and prioritise your tasks. This lets you actively keep track of not only what tasks need doing, but what tasks need to be done as a matter of priority.

6. Pomotodo

Pomotodo is a more advanced Pomodoro timer app. It offers both a free version and a paid, professional version.

The advanced features include things such as advanced to-do lists, goal setting, integrations with online calendars and a large library of soothing sounds.

Key Takeaways

The Pomodoro Technique is popular for a reason.

When you’re tackling a task, it can be difficult and even unrealistic to expect yourself to keep your concentration on your current task. Especially over long periods of time.

Using the Pomodoro Technique enables you to break down complex tasks and projects. This then turns a big task into much smaller and more manageable bites. This can help to take away the stress and unrealistic expectations that you may place on yourself.

If you’re looking for a more robust time tracking system, then make sure to check out FreshBooks’ time management tool.

Are you looking for more business advice on everything from starting a new business to new business practices?

Then head on over to the FreshBooks Resource Hub.