Do you have trouble focusing on the task at hand? Maybe you work from home and have distractions or simply multitask more than you should. Using a focus timer app for iPhone or iPad, you can set a time to concentrate and get things done.
After trying many options for iPhone and iPad, we’ve assembled a list of the best free focus timer apps. While there are many paid options, we’d recommend a free one that works perfectly for you!
Note: The apps are listed in no particular order and offer optional in-app purchases for certain features.
- Pomodoro
- Be Focused
- Flow Focus
- Focus To-Do
- Emphasis
- Flora
- Flipd
- Focus Keeper
- Flat Tomato
- Focus Plant
1. Pomodoro Focus Timer – Editor’s Choice
If you want to give the Pomodoro method of time management a try, the Pomodoro – Focus Timer is for you. You have a 25-minute focus timer, a 5-minute short break timer, and 15-minute long break timer, all in one app. Just swipe to pick the timer you need and press the Play button.
You can pause the timer if needed and resume when you’re ready, receive notifications when time’s up, and view stats for the time you focused and took breaks to motivate yourself.
Along with the timers, you can use the Relax feature, which provides a collection of sound effects. Listen to evening crickets, sounds from the forest, or Sunday in the city when your workday is through.
Pros
- Focus and break timers available with a swipe
- Optional timer sound effects
- History and statistics for finished sessions
- Home screen widget and Apple Watch support
Cons
- Additional sound and timers require an in-app purchase
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
2. Be Focused Focus Timer – Built-in task tracking
Like the Pomodoro timer, the Be Focused – Focus Timer offers three timers for concentrating, short breaks, and long breaks. You can also set a schedule for your long breaks, like after a certain number of intervals, which is handy.
To go with the timer, you can add your tasks and use the focus timer for each one. This allows you to track your current to-dos as well as those you’ve completed. Plus, you can view your statistics by today, yesterday, or a custom timeframe with a helpful chart or graph.
Customize the sounds and volume for the timers, add activity types, and adjust the chronometer settings (clock ticking sound) in this easy-to-use focus timer.
Pros
- Various alarm sounds
- Customizable times
- Auto-start timer
- Home screen widget and Apple Watch support
Cons
- Cannot choose which timer to use
- Device syncing, tags, and export require an in-app purchase
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $2.99)
3. Flow Focus & Pomodoro Timer – For work and study
For a minimalistic approach to a focus timer, check out the Flow – Focus & Pomodoro Timer app. You have three simple screens – one for the timer, one for the settings, and one for your statistics.
Set the default flow (focus), short break, and long break times, start flow sessions and breaks automatically, and enable the metronome to hear that tick-tock of a clock as the timer counts down.
Pros
- Easy-to-use app and interface
- Statistics by timeframe for flows, breaks, and interruptions
- Metronome controls for on/off and volume
- Apple Health, Mac, and Apple Watch support
Cons
- iCloud sync requires an in-app purchase
- Limited feature set for the free version
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.49)
4. Focus To-Do: Focus Timer & Tasks – Science-based app
Another app that gives you a focus timer and lets you track tasks at the same time is Focus To-Do: Focus Timer & Tasks. This option has a nice feature set that you’ll appreciate for concentration and time management.
You’ll enjoy the attractive background scenes and sounds you can use with the focus timer. You can also use a Timer Mode, which lets you select a count-up option for seeing how much time you spend on a task.
With sound effects, full-screen mode, task tracking, and reports, Focus To-Do is a terrific timer for your iPhone or iPad.
Pros
- White noise effects for the timer
- Customizable times and alarm sounds
- Task tracking by day or category
- Reports for focus time and task data
- Strict Mode for complete focus
Cons
- Some basic features require an in-app purchase
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
5. Emphasis Focus Timer – Apple Watch support
Emphasis is another minimalistic focus timer that makes it a great choice if you prefer basic over bells and whistles. It offers a soothing dark theme, but also allows you to pick your favorite color if you like. The timer is a simple pie display and there are no other distractions on the screen.
You can use the default focus time of 25 minutes or set your own, tap the timer to pause or tap and hold to cancel, take a break when time’s up, and then repeat until you accomplish everything on your list.
Pros
- Automatic break starts
- Built-in goal setting
- Adjustable focus sessions
- Current trends for the day, week, month, last seven, and last 28 days
Cons
- Digital timer display requires an in-app purchase
- Not as feature-rich as other entries
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $3.49)
6. Flora Green Focus – Habit tracker
If you’re looking for something a little different in a focus timer, check out Flora – Green Focus for iPhone. With it, your concentration grows trees, and if you lose your focus, you lose your greenery. The app comes with extra features, beyond a timer, that you’ll appreciate.
Enter a task, start the Pomodoro timer, and get to work. If you remain focused and don’t stop the timer or navigate away, you’ll see your tree sprout. To challenge yourself even more, you can set a price per task, and if you destroy your tree by losing your focus, you’ll be charged that amount.
Pros
- Fun theme and concept with useful features
- Ability to work with other users and plant trees together
- Built-in task, goal, and habit tracking
- Progress and statistics by day, week, month, and year
Cons
- No iPad or Apple Watch support
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
7. Flipd Focus & Study Timer – Apple Health support
While you can use any type of focus timer when it’s time for assignments or studying, the Flipd: Focus & Study Timer was created just for schoolwork. The app offers group creation, a motivational feed, and the ability to follow friends or fellow classmates.
Use the Pomodoro Timer for rounds of focus and breaks, the Stopwatch or Timeblock timer and add your study goals (paid), or Library Timer to study live with other users.
View your focus and study stats, create activities and tags, and join a community of other students who are there to concentrate just like you.
Pros
- Attractive interface with stats on the main screen
- Different types of timers depending on activity or goal
- Ability to add tasks to the Pomodoro timer
- Home screen widget and Apple Health support
Cons
- Daily goals and reminders require an in-app purchase
- Somewhat cluttered Home screen
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $5.99)
8. Focus Keeper Time Management – Boost your productivity
For a timer to help you concentrate on tasks as well as manage your time, look at the Focus Keeper – Time Management. Add your task, start the Pomodoro timer, and track it all.
You can create recurring or one-time tasks and choose the sound settings per task for focus, breaks, and alarms. You can also add notes to your to-dos as the timer counts down, view your daily, weekly, or monthly overview or timeline, and see the total time you spend on your tasks.
Pros
- Built-in task tracking with the ability to add new to-dos during the timer
- Repeating tasks based on the day of the week
- Various free and paid sounds for timers and alarms
- Apple Watch support
Cons
- Many features require an in-app purchase like default times, sessions, reminders, certain sounds, and task data
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
9. Flat Tomato Time Management – Attractive themes
Also building on the Pomodoro technique is Flat Tomato. This app gives you the option to display the current time on the focus timer screen, which is the only app on this list to do so. It also provides a nifty animated screen when selecting items, making it a unique and attractive option.
Select a task, start the timer, and continue working until the job is done. You can also use the Force Focusing mode, which means you cannot turn off the timer until it ends.
Add the items you accomplished, what motivated you, any roadblocks, and what can be improved along with an emotion for each day.
Pros
- Customizable times for focus, short, and long breaks
- Attractive interface
- Redeemable points for themes and background sounds
- Sync with Calendar, Reminders, Todoist, Evernote, or Lamplaner
- Apple Watch and Mac support
Cons
- Accessing menu items by swiping isn’t intuitive
- Statistics require an in-app purchase
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
10. Focus Plant – Improve self-discipline
If you like the idea of growing and nurturing nature while you focus, Focus Plant: Pomodoro Timer is another app to check out. This one takes things a bit further with gamification. Create a colorful world by earning raindrops as you concentrate. Then, water your greens, plant new ones, and enjoy a magical scene after you’ve stayed focused and accomplished your tasks.
The app provides different ways to focus, from a Pomodoro timer to a stopwatch to a countdown timer. This lets you choose the best concentration tool for you.
You can also use Strict Mode, which lets you choose specific apps you need to access during your focus time. In this mode, you also earn more raindrops for your garden, which is a win-win.
Pros
- Gamified focus timer for an enjoyable experience
- Three types of timers with customizable times
- Progress syncing by creating a free account
- Statistics for the day, week, month, or year along with a summary
Cons
- No ability to add your own tasks
- No Apple Watch support
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
Focus and finish!
With these focus timers for iPhone and iPad, you have several ways to concentrate. Whether work or school, take this opportunity to try a tool that helps you manage your time and your tasks. Which one will you try?
For more, look at how to use Focus Mode on iPhone.
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