Focus Timer vs Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer: which app should you use?

Which is better, Focus Timer or Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer?

Choose Focus Keeper if you want classic 25-minute Pomodoro cycles with app blocking and an Apple Watch app; choose Focus Timer if you want tasks, ambient sounds and an open-ended Flow mode next to the timer. Focus Keeper runs 25-minute sessions with a long break after four, shows charts and supports Apple Watch. Some reviewers report the timer stopping after calls, texts or calendar alerts, and one asked for a field to show the current task. Focus Timer runs Pomodoro sessions with scheduled breaks, lets you plan tasks, plays ambient sounds and keeps a session history with progress tracking. Sessions start from Home Screen widgets, app icon quick actions, or Siri and Spotlight, and alerts arrive while the app is in the background. There is no daily limit on the timer. Focus Timer does not block other apps; Pro is an optional monthly or yearly subscription.

Focus Timer and Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer side by side

	Focus Timer	Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer
Platforms	iOS	iOS, iPadOS, watchOS
Price to download	Free to download	Free to download
Store rating	4.8 (6 ratings, 2026-11-01)	4.8 (31,740 ratings, 2026-11-02)
Session style	Pomodoro sessions with scheduled breaks, plus open-ended Flow mode for long sessions	Classic 25-minute sessions with a long break after four [source]
Tasks	Task planning next to the timer	A reviewer asks for a field to show the current task [source]
App blocking	No	Yes [source]
Progress	Session activity history, progress tracking and achievements	Charts of focus sessions [source]
Apple Watch	iPhone only; sessions start from Home Screen widgets, quick actions, Siri and Spotlight shortcuts	Apple Watch app [source]
Reported issues	Newer app with fewer ratings	Reviewers report the timer stopping after calls, texts or calendar alerts [source]
Pricing model	No daily timer limit; optional Pro monthly or yearly, theme packs as one-time purchases	Pro as monthly or yearly subscriptions or one-time purchases [source]

Choose Focus Timer if

You want your task list, timer and background sounds in one app
You do deep work that does not fit a 25-minute cycle and want Flow mode
You like starting sessions from a widget, Siri or Spotlight

Choose Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer if

You need app blocking during focus sessions
You want to run sessions from an Apple Watch
You want an app with a long track record and many reviews

Questions

Does Focus Timer block apps like Focus Keeper?

No. Focus Timer is a timer with breaks, tasks, sounds and progress tracking; it does not block apps. Focus Keeper and Forest offer app blocking.

Will the timer keep running if I leave the app?

Focus Timer sends session alerts while the app is in the background. Some Focus Keeper reviewers report the timer stopping after a call, text or calendar alert.

Do I have to pay to use either app?

Both are free to download. Focus Timer has no daily limit on the timer, with optional Pro. Focus Keeper sells Pro as subscriptions or one-time purchases.