Whether you are preparing for your final semesters or finishing your pending work, a Pomodoro timer will help you boost your productivity and get things done in less time. In our previous article, we talked about some of the best Pomodoro timer apps for Android and in this one, we’ll choose our best pick for Windows. So, let’s begin.
Capabilities: 1. Run after installation 2. Run after the browser starts. Setting up work and break time 4. Manual start, stop and restart the timer 5. Configure the list of sites that will be blocked during the work mode 6. Auto-block the site, if the tab has already been opened 7. Long break after each 4th pomodoro 8. Pomodoro Timer is a great tool that can help you boost your productivity and quality of your work. The Pomodoro Technique® was found in the 80's and it continues to be one of the most popular time management techniques being used today. And it's really simple: 1.) Create a list of things to accomplish 2.) Pick one task to work on 3.) Pomodoro will start 25 minute timer 4.). Mastering Your Time With the Pomodoro Technique. In the late 1980s, renowned consultant Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro system for managing his time. The Pomodoro technique got its name from the Italian word for tomato, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used to develop the time-management technique.
For the unknown, Pomodoro is a technique developed by Frencesco Cirillo for improving your productivity. A work session is broken down to 25-minute segments and each segment is followed by a short 5-minute break. Each 25-minute work block is called a “Pomodoro“. After four Pomodoros (or four 25-mins sessions) you should take a longer break (say 15-20 minutes) and repeat the same cycle again.
While you can always get one of those, Tomato Shaped Kitchen Timer from Amazon, we recommend using Pomodoro timer apps on your devices. They not only let you keep a log of all your work but you can also take it anywhere you go. Not to mention tons of other features that come with it.
Read: Best Reminder Apps for Windows
Pomodoro Timer For Windows
1. Focus 10
Best for: people who don’t want anything but a simple timer app
Focus 10 is a simple Windows app that lets you set Pomodoro timer on your desktop. The minimalistic design focuses mainly on offering a nonintrusive experience while you focus on your work.
In the default setting, you get 4 Pomodoros of 25 minutes each followed by 5 minutes break and a longer break at the end of all the 4 sessions. After every Pomodoro, an alarm sounds to notify you of your completed Pomodoro and the break starts immediately after. You can pause the timer in between or jump straight to the next Pomodoro if you want. The settings page offers customization of Pomodoro and breaks length, you can even change the alarm sound in the settings. Focus 10 is a free app and offers just that, however, if you want more features, read on.
2. YAPA
Best for: People looking for simple and Open Source Pomodoro timer app
Yet Another Pomodoro App which is a very brilliant implementation of the Pomodoro Technique. In many ways, it’s quite similar to Focus 10; simple. A timer that counts down 25 minutes and keeps track of the number of Pomodoro sessions sits on the top right corner. It draws over other apps so that it is always on the top of the screen.
I really enjoy YAPA because its UI is non-existent and you can drag it around. You can choose the light or the dark theme and change the opacity to make it barely visible. YAPA is free and open-source.
3. Focus Booster
Best for: People looking for cross-platform Pomodoro timer which records your sessions and tracks your productivity.
Focus Booster app works only when you make an account, but conveniently enough you can create a 30-day trial account that offers 20 Pomodoro sessions. All your activities are stored on the account and you can get an insight into your productivity by logging on the website. Unlike the previous one, Focus booster also offers mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Mac.
The app also has a dark theme and you can minimize it while keeping just the timer on the screen. Your timesheet is updated every time you finish a Pomodoro and the report is generated once it gets significant data. Focus Booster is best for people who want to track their activities and generate insightful data. Focus Booster is a paid app with a 30-days free trial.
Download Focus Booster (Windows | iOS | Android | Mac)
4. Focus Journal
Best for: People looking to keep track of distractions and productive activities.
A Pomodoro app that implements the technique with a few more features and increases the potency of the app. Focus Journal offers more than just one profile. You can create separate timers for different tasks.
You get two buttons on the bottom; Minimize and auto distraction mode. Minimize button draws a tiny timer just like YAPA on the corner of the screen and auto distraction mode detects your distractions while running the timer. You can run this app either for productivity or calculate distractions. In productivity mode it works like a normal Pomodoro app, however, in the distracted mode, you count the times you got distracted. It keeps a log of successful Pomodoro and distractions.
Pro Tip: Use a White Noise App to minimize your distractions during a Pomodoro Session
Focus Journal is free and gets the job done but doesn’t offer To-Do list integration and we’ll check it in the next app.
5. Pomotodo
Best for: people looking for a cross-platform Pomodoro timer with to-do list integration
Pomotodo integrates a to-do list in this app and syncs cross-platform. It is a time management app designed for the creators. It is based on the Pomodoro Technique and GTD theory.
The app syncs your activities and tasks on to other devices linked with the account. You can set Pomodoro timers and to-do lists and add items to the list. You can prioritize the list items by pinning and adding hashtags. The pro version offers a few extra features in the todo list like create sub-to-dos, set reminders, repeat, and add notes.
The statistics generated by the app gives you an insight into your daily productivity, top tags show which tasks were most achieved and what is the best working time for you. This is a great app for achieving goals with an integrated to-do list. You can sync your data over the devices by signing in. Film wizard 2 7 0 torrent. The basic version is free but you can upgrade to the pro version($3.9/mo) for full features.
Download Pomotodo (Windows | Mac | Android | iOS | Web)
6. Focus To Do
Best for: People looking for great for task management and report generation
Focus To-Do lets you make tasks and execute using the Pomodoro technique. You can set tasks for the day and the time required for its completion. This app keeps track of the time elapsed and tasks completed. The detailed report can be generated with the data gathered over time.
You can sign in and sync your tasks to different devices and share your report. Multiple tasks can be created and you can add them to the inbox within a set time. If you feel like switching from one task to another, you can do that by simply pausing the current task and focus on the second.
The report is generated based on the daily task that you perform and the frequency of distractions. You can check your detailed report by clicking the report icon on the top right of the window and it would display daily, weekly, and monthly charts of Pomodoro events and completed tasks.
The app is free for windows and offers a few in-app purchases.
This app is great for task management and report generation but we can’t block apps and websites. We’ll find that feature in the next.
7. FocusMe
Best for: People looking for Pomodoro App that can block distraction as well
FocusMe is more than just a timer app and not only it sets the timer to make you more productive but also keeps you from being distracted. We tested app blockers for Android and works similar to those apps.
This app offers plans with which you can create plans with this app or choose from existing plans. Some of the plans listed on the app are social media block, block internet, Pomodoro Focus, and Time Limit News. These are not a gimmick but this app actually stops you from getting distracted by automatically minimizing the apps and closing tabs while running.
FocusMe encourages you to take breaks and has an option of forced breaks. It essentially takes over the screen rendering your computer unusable for the time period, forcing you to spend time away from your computer, I can see it would be helpful in creating a mental break. You can check your website stats and App stats and introspect about your usage habits.
FocusMe is a paid app with a subscription of $2.5/mo and has a free trial.
8. Pomodone
Best for: People looking for Pomodoro timer with integration to task management tool which links popular tools like Todoist, Wunderlist, Asana, Trello, and Evernote.
PomoDone is the most advanced Pomodoro timer for windows in the list. In fact, it’s much more than a Pomodoro timer, for example, it lets you sync your tasks with most of the task management tools and also encourages you to complete the tasks. I work with Trello to keep track of my daily tasks and using this app to get the work done becomes so easier. I can just pick my card and set a timer and get to work. As soon as I’m done with the task I can update it in the Pomodone app and it directly updates Done to Trello.
All your active tasks are shown in the window. You can change the settings of how a timer reacts and does when invoked and finished. You can check the time log and see how much time you’ve spent and on which task. This insightful data is available instantly in the app and you can probably check it through the web app.
It is a subscription-based plan and you get many advanced features, though you can try the free version which has a few limitations like 1-month access and link with two apps(out of 5).Download Pomodone(Windows | Mac | Android | iOS | Web)
Closing Words
Yapa is my favorite Pomodoro Timer Windows app because it has the most intuitive timer. Path finder 7 3 – powerful award winning finder alternative. While Focus Journal and Focus Booster give you insights on your activities, FocusME blocks you from using any apps while forcing you to be productive. These were some of our choices, try a few for yourselves and let us know the results.
Overall, Pomodoro timers are best for the type of work that is independent of other people. For example, I’ll use a Pomodoro timer, while I’m writing this article, but not while a sales call or brainstorming with my team. Also, don’t do more than 10 Pomodoro in a day. The less you do it, the more effective they become.
As a project manager, if you are lacking behind deadlines, you should give the Pomodoro technique a shot. We are going to talk about the Pomodoro technique and see what the best Pomodoro Apps are this year.
It is an age-old adage; a sort of a “home-brewed” formula to get things done effectively. Speaking of which, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that the founder of the Pomodoro technique, Francesco Cirillo was an effective time manager.
Pomodoro Technique 101 – An Introduction
At work, when things have to be done on time; submissions get rejected and there is always an impending chance of last-minute meetings. Workers are instructed to redo everything – and that sets the entire project to square one. To avoid this confusion, time management is of crucial importance.
This technique has a work vs. rewards model based around a 25-minute timer. You need to set a couple of achievable tasks ahead of you; plan and execute for at least 25 minutes and then take a short break of no more than 5–6 minutes.
Scientists believe that people, who adopt the Pomodoro technique model, have an uncanny resilience to brainstorm new ideas during their break period. When your brain involved in a task for half an hour, and you take a break, your body is somehow mentally intertwined with the project at hand.
In your spare time, you might as well come up with a few workaround solutions to help overcome hurdles related to the task. That’s what Pomodoro technique is all about: i.e. to dedicate a time slot to work, which is then followed up by a break period.
There is more…
The interesting thing about the Pomodoro technique is that it received an overwhelmingly positive response from ‘Doers’ all over the world. Project managers introduced the Pomodoro technique model at their workplace to enhance productivity.
Likewise, subordinates also don’t feel all “chained” up because they have the liberty to walk around or sink back in their chair during short break intervals. Since the 1980s, Pomodoro followed a variety of different hierarchical trends. It was transformed into different variations to suit either personal or work lives of professionals.
Each break interval is called a Pomodoro, whereas the word itself means ‘Tomato’. Francesco was probably facing challenges in the kitchen. He literally created a tomato-shaped object with an embedded 25-minute timer to get started. The Italian author was in need of a better solution to reorganize his daily rituals.
Advantages of Adopting the Pomodoro Technique
At its core, the idea of keeping detailed task planning and follow-up is a challenge itself. To simplify this problem, developers from all over the world have created task management software. Some of them are available online through a SaaS model, while others are showcased as 3rd party installers.
Pomodoro Technique further enhances the doable side of things by setting up a workflow process that does not hinder the progress. Since we are all humans, we have always been in need of a ‘catch and release’ sort of system. You want to work, but you don’t know how to handle all that because of so many distractions going on around you.
One minute we are working on certain tasks and then something comes up on Facebook – there it all goes away. In this context, developers have released quite remarkable Pomodoro Technique timer apps and dedicated Pomodoro timers to help deliver clutter-free work output.
The 7 Best Pomodoro Apps and Timers in 2020
All of the appended apps instill the same idea; i.e. to increase productivity while keeping the time factor in perspective. The timer in this application may instill urgency, but it does so in a very subtle manner. You will be your own boss, and especially at the inclination of a break coming up after 25 minutes or so, getting things done should be like a breeze.
1. nTask
nTask was primarily developed as a project management software. Based on its cloud-based support and lots of powerful features, getting things done in the typical Pomodoro technique fashion are a no biggie.
Since it is a complete overhaul of a typical project management suite that relies only on the to-do list aspect, there is a bundle of features in there.
In summary, you can literally monitor your time spent on each task, and that of your team members as well.
Adopting the Pomodoro Technique with nTask
nTask leverages time management by coupling it with a built-in time tracking tool. You can monitor the time spent on each task and for each member of the team on any project board. This feature results in monitoring and managing time in a better way; i.e. to scale down everything to at least 25 minutes of doable tasks, and then allow a few minutes off for a breather.
This technique elicits the feeling that project managers don’t have endless time – nor an endless day to get things done. You will know that you and your team have 25 minutes to make as much progress and then fall back to a short break. This means that there is a bit of an urgency factor involved in doing things.
On a side note, we are working on releasing the nTask 2.0. It will be made available soon. With the new Beta release, we are introducing an automated web timer to allow you to keep track of actual time spent on work and breaks effortlessly.
Teams will be able to set the timer to help develop a Pomodoro technique format for that very purpose.
Key Features
nTask introduces additional perks, such as:
- Gantt Charts for easy project management
- Ability to add and edit comments under project boards
- Integration with Microsoft and Google Calendar (Coming Soon)
- Built-in automated web timer to keep track of work time and break time (Coming Soon)
- Advanced time tracking features
- Meeting management through chat sessions, conferencing and much more
nTask is a perfect pomodoro app.
Use it for personal or team productivity. nTask is free and includes unlimited tasks and checklists.
2. PomoDone
The PomoDone App is designed around the “Get it done and have a fun mantra” through a flawless integration of the age-old Pomodoro technique.
If you are looking for an application that sets asides all the clutter and just gets to a minimalistic UI with a timer, look no further. Postico 1 5 2 – a modern postgresql client permissions. This application will help you increase workflow, work output and goal completion rate in a jiffy.
As a first time user, you don’t have to stick with a 25-minute work routine in PomoDone App. You can shorten the interval as per your liking.
Develop a work routine on the basis of a time scale, and create achievable objectives list in this application. The next thing you know, you will be smokin’ aces like a boss.
Key Features
The two best features about PomoDone App are:
- Integration with Trello, Evernote, Google Calendar, Basecamp, Asana, and Todoist
- Supports iOS, Windows, Android, and Live Online Platforms
- Progress bars for different tasks
- Subtask level support for each project
- Keyboard shortcuts for starting, pausing or resuming the Pomodoro technique
- Multiple drags and drop features
What else could you ask for? Perhaps an intelligent solution to monitor work hours that skip past the deadlines? To do that, PomoDone Application has a save data log against each work session. If you are getting lazy, or late, the log maintains the extra amount of time you take to complete your work.
3. Focus Booster
Although project managers can encourage the use of Focus Booster as a handy Pomodoro technique app, the program is meant for freelancers actually. If you happen to deal with multiple clients smeared with time issues, go for Focus Booster.
This free Pomodoro app is more than just a timer application. You can also create invoices, manage multiple project timelines, see your actual work output through graphs and vice versa. The “focus” part comes as a collection of visual cue features in this application.
You can set the length of your “focus”, which is, in fact, a fancy name for the Pomodoro, in addition, to break session duration. The timer runs automatically; once the timer expires, it buzzes to alert the user.
Focus Booster is integrated with Android and iOS platform. All your work data can be exported to web mobile, and desktop folders.
Key Features
- Pro Plan enables a user to use Focus Booster as a Pomodoro app, or a mere time tracker.
- Set individual time-oriented goals for each of your clients.
- Work logs are maintained in separate reports.
- Setup different timesheets to manage your work.
- Reports dashboard allows simple ways to issue and monitor invoices.
4. Focus Keeper
Next up on the list of Pomodoro timer apps, we have Focus Keeper. It is one of the best Pomodoro apps that come with a native Pomodoro timer. The reason we have highlighted Focus Keeper in this post is that you don’t have to install or manage your projects in the app’s environment. Focus Keeper doesn’t work that way.
What happens, on the contrary, is that you can use this Pomodoro tool without having the need for creating an account. There is only a timer based around some innovative gamification.
You can simply “keep” your “focus” by just setting up a timer for 25 minutes and get to work immediately at your own pace. Once the objective is complete, Focus Keeper dings to alert the user for a small break. All of this happens through in-browser support.
By the way, the default time duration and custom timer themes can be selected for as long as you are using the paid version of Focus Keeper. However, we found that the free version had more than enough perks to help us kick start our daily rituals.
Once you have hooped through different milestones, Focus Keeper will show a “Charts” tab at the bottom of your screen. These charts maintain a visual indicator of all the work you have been doing, the average number of actual work hours, and the overall time that was wasted.
Key Features:
- Minimalist intuitive interface
- Manage all your “focus” groups through goals, color tabs and sounds
- Productivity tracking with the help of pull-up cards
- Timer adjustment in rotatable format, just like a real life Pomodoro timer
- Multiple focus sessions in one go
5. Pomodoro Tracker
Pomodoro Tracker is another convenient solution for those on the lookout for the best Pomodoro apps. We’d stress upon the “convenience” because you can use the application without ever having to install it in the first place.
If you go to the official Pomodoro Tracker website, they have a sleek 25-minute time, with a small “Play/ Start” button beside it. For anyone who doesn’t have a smartphone at the office, he or she can start the timer at the application’s official website and resume work on the get go. It couldn’t get any simpler than that.
Alternatively, Pomodoro Tracker is available a smartphone application for iOS users. Android users will have to make do with an alternative. Anyhow, you can basically, do stuff through this app like a hardcore Pomodoro technique fan.
Set tasks, customize timers and work your way through different realistic objectives without having to worry about any distractions. The “ticking” clock instills a sense of urgency; the closer it gets to the deadline, you will develop a habit of getting things done.
Key Features
- Sign up for a free or paid account through the official Pomodoro Tracker app.
- Ability to start and manage tasks through a simple browser screen.
- Get rid of real-life anxiety by enhancing focus through this Pomodoro app.
- Maintain and keep a constant workflow.
- Strengthen your consistency against different tasks of varying nature.
6. Toggl
Just like nTask Project Manager, Toggl is another convenient web-based solution. It works on the same formula as that of a typical Pomodoro timer app – but with a wider scope. Toggl was designed to cater to the needs of freelancers, business consultants, project managers, and every other professional.
The company did so with the help of a native Pomodoro technique timer, and many other reporting features. Since we mentioned earlier that Toggl is a web-based solution like nTask for Pomodoro aficionados, you can directly log on to the official app. If it is your first time over there, you will be greeted with a simple timer and minimal UI.
The left pane is for selecting different options ranging from Dashboard, Pomodoro Timer, clients and saved thoughts for later execution. In addition, Toggl is available to be installed on iOS and Android devices as an offline solution with 24-hour synchronization with all your cloud data.
Key Features
- Manage time through ‘single click’ Pomodoro time tracking feature
- Time tracking reports available in the form of pie charts, Gantt charts, and bar charts
- Constant data backup through cloud servers
- Toggl does not have any signup and/or account termination fee
- Integration with Basecamp, FreshBooks and other 3rd party apps
7. Focus To-Do
Focus To-Do is a to-do list app and all-in-one Pomodoro app. Being on our list of the best Pomodoro apps, Focus To-Do is quite practical because of its two-pronged feature set.
You may create projects to better categorize your sessions and set priorities for your tasks. If you are struggling to keep the focus on your work, then Focus To-Do can make things easier for you.
It is easy to use time management and Pomodoro app that can help you to manage all your tasks in one place and from anywhere with cloud-based applications. You can use this app to gain efficiency and get more done in less time.
The Focus To-Do application is built around the Pomodoro technique, where you can set the task execution time and it can help you to focus on that particular task until it is completed. You can feel a sense of accomplishment by using this app.
Key Features:
- Based on the Pomodoro technique
- Easy synchronization with all devices
- Generate reports to track the progress
- Set the due dates and reminders
- Create subtasks and set the tasks on repeat
- Add notes to make sure your tasks are not missed
- Available on iOS and Android
How to Adopt the Pomodoro Technique?
As a professional, you will eventually realize that you have been following the Pomodoro technique formula throughout the majority of your work life. We set up tasks, a lot of timers and try to complete them in an orderly fashion. Isn’t this something that the Pomodoro technique has been all about?
The best thing about any Pomodoro timer app is that it inflicts the aforementioned realization factor through proper design. It is not too late to reorganize your professional rituals with the help of a handy application or a software tool for that matter.
This technique is all about sticking to a format. To better zone in one project at hand, the internet community is lined up with tons of Pomodoro technique apps that are worth trying. We have a list of highly recommended applications for this very purpose. Take your pick and try it; if you don’t like the result, you can switch over to a better alternative until you are comfortable with the routine.
Pomodoro Technique for First-Timers
If you are adopting the Pomodoro Technique for the first time ever, the routine might not gel with your current workflow. After some time, you will notice a kick in the productivity scale. Eventually, these benefits change as the need for following this technique is thoroughly dependent on the person and the nature of project management.
Main benefits of the Pomodoro Technique are, but not limited to:
- You will have the ability to stay fresh and focused through longer intervals of the day.
- Enhanced time management skills.
- Improved work quality.
- Your speed of doing things will increase exponentially.
- Longer attention spans.
- Minimum exhaustion due to regular break intervals.
Initially, working in small increments will feel unnatural. You will probably not be able to complete your objective within the first 25 minutes. Gradually, as time passes by, the routine will come as natural and you will end up liking it more.
If you are already using the Pomodoro app, share your thoughts through the comments section below. Alternatively, you can also send us an email.
Good luck!
Some Other Useful Reads on the nTask Blog
- Getting Things Done (GTD) Method and 14 Best GTD Apps & Tools
- Top 19 Time Tracking Software to Improve Team Productivity
- 27 Best Task Management Software for Startups in 2020
- 36 Best Free Productivity Apps of 2020
- 30 Best To-do List Apps of 2020 for Personal Task Management
- 22 Best Free Project Management Tools for Agile Teams in 2020
- Managing Virtual Teams: Challenges, Tips & Virtual Team Management Tools
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