Best Pomodoro Timer for Mac (2026): 5 Picks Compared

The best Pomodoro timer for most Mac users is Session, if you want app and website blocking, stats and sync and you're fine with a subscription. Flow and Be Focused are simpler App Store timers. If all you need is a 25-minute countdown, the free Clock app built into macOS does it.

Quick picks:

• Session: best if you want blocking, analytics and iPhone/Apple Watch sync in one focus app.
• Flow: best if you want a simple timer with a free basic version and you run macOS 26 or later.
• Be Focused: best if you want a menu bar timer with global hotkeys and a one-time Pro purchase.
• Clock (built into macOS): best if you just want a countdown and nothing to install.
• Gubb: best if you want a plain timer and full-screen break reminders inside a notes app, for a one-time price.

We make Gubb, so weigh our view accordingly. We've tried to be fair to every app here, including where Gubb falls short for strict Pomodoro use.

What makes a good Pomodoro timer

The classic Pomodoro routine is 25 minutes of focused work and a 5-minute break, with a longer break after four rounds. If you're new to it, our guide to what the Pomodoro technique is covers the method. For how many rounds fit in a day, see how many pomodoros a day.

A timer app can automate different parts of that routine. Before you choose, decide which of these you need:

• Work and break sessions. Some apps build the work/break sequence for you. A plain countdown leaves you to start each break and each new round by hand.
• Blocking. Some apps block distracting apps and websites during a session.
• History and stats. These show how many sessions you finished and where the time went.
• Sync. Start on the Mac, finish on an iPhone, or get a Watch alert when time is up.
• Control from anywhere. A menu bar icon or global shortcut means you don't have to switch to the timer's window.
• Price model. Some apps are subscriptions, some are one-time purchases, and some are free.

How we chose

We picked apps that run on current macOS and do the Pomodoro job directly, plus the built-in option. We judged each one on the list above and on two facts to check before buying: the minimum macOS version and how the app is paid for. We didn't run timed tests or benchmarks. Everything below comes from each app's official pages and store listings, and from published reviews where the official page didn't say. We flag those cases.

Pomodoro timers for Mac at a glance

Prices are as of November 2026.

Session: best full-featured Pomodoro app

Session is a Pomodoro focus app for Mac and iOS. It aims to cut distractions by blocking apps and websites, and it tracks your progress with analytics.

What it's good at:

• Blocking. Pro blocks websites and apps during a session. Blocking is Mac only.
• Sync. Pro syncs in real time between devices, so you can start on the Mac and finish on iOS. It also notifies your iPhone or Apple Watch when a Mac timer ends.
• Slack. Pro mutes Slack during a session, and the homepage says it updates your Slack status automatically.
• Shortcuts and calendar. Pro adds global keyboard shortcuts on the Mac and creates Apple Calendar events after each session.
• To-dos. It has Apple Reminders integration and an early preview of to-dos (version 2.13).

What it lacks:

• Free tier. The free tier gives unlimited sessions and breaks but only 2 days of analytics. Custom session and break lengths are a Pro feature.
• Price model. Pro is subscription-only, with no one-time purchase.
• Release history. The last dated release we found was version 2.13, announced in March 2025. The official changelog shows no dates, so we couldn't confirm the current version.

Price (as of November 2026): Free, or Pro at $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year. Creating an account gives 7 days of Pro free. Prices vary slightly by region. Besides the direct download, Session has been sold through Setapp and the Mac App Store.

Pick Session if blocking and a record of your sessions are why you want a Pomodoro app at all, and a subscription is acceptable. If you're weighing it against others, see Session alternatives.

Flow and Be Focused: simple App Store picks

Flow

Flow (by Yugen GmbH) is a small Pomodoro timer that splits your work into focus sessions with set breaks. It runs on Mac, iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. Don't confuse it with other apps called "Flow" on the App Store.

What it's good at:

• Free version. The basic version is free, and one review notes it has no ads and needs no sign-up.
• Sync. Flow 4.0 added timer sync across devices.
• History. Session history includes the total time spent on interruptions.
• Blocking. One review describes an app and website blocker. We couldn't confirm whether that's free or Pro.

What it lacks:

• macOS version. The Mac App Store listing says it needs macOS 26 or later, so it won't install on Sonoma or Sequoia.
• Platforms. Apple platforms only.
• Scope. It's a timer only, with no notes or lists.

Price (as of November 2026): Free basic version. Flow Pro is an auto-renewing App Store subscription that reviews list "from $1.49/month, billed annually", with prices varying by region. We couldn't confirm the price on the official site.

Pick Flow if you're on macOS 26 or later and want a clean timer you can start using for free.

Be Focused

Be Focused (by Denys Ievenko) comes in two editions on the Mac App Store: a free version with in-app purchases and a paid Be Focused Pro. It also runs on iPhone and iPad.

What it's good at (as described in its listings; check the listing for the edition you're buying):

• Menu bar control. Global hotkeys start or stop the timer from any app, and you can right-click the menu bar icon to start, pause or skip.
• Blocking. It blocks distracting apps and websites during work sessions, with a whitelist.
• Mac integration. Desktop and Notification Center widgets, and Shortcuts support.
• Sync. It syncs across iPhone, iPad and Mac.
• Sounds. A ticking sound, a choice of alarm sounds and interactive notifications.

What it lacks:

• Ads. The free version shows banners and ads. Removing them, CSV export and running Shortcuts on events are paid in-app purchases.
• Task management. That needs the developer's separate Focus Matrix app.
• Platforms. Apple platforms only.

Price (as of November 2026): The free version has in-app purchases, with subscription options added in version 2.4. Be Focused Pro is a one-time purchase, but US listings have shown both $11.99 and $19.99, so check the App Store before buying. The Pro Mac listing says macOS 12.0 or later.

Pick Be Focused if you want to control the timer from the menu bar or a hotkey without switching windows, and you'd rather pay once than subscribe.

Free options

The Clock app built into macOS

Every Mac running macOS Ventura or later (including Sonoma, Sequoia and Tahoe) has a Clock app with timers. It's the fastest free option:

1. Press ⌘Space (Command-Space), type Clock and press Return.
2. Choose Timers in the toolbar.
3. Set a 25-minute timer and start it.
4. When it ends, start a 5-minute timer for your break.

To keep notifications quiet while you work, turn on Do Not Disturb or another Focus from Control Center in the menu bar.

What it can't do: no automatic breaks, no session count, no blocking and no history. You run the whole routine by hand. For more ways to time things, see how to set a timer on Mac.

Use it if you want to try the Pomodoro method before deciding whether an app is worth paying for.

Free tiers of the apps above

• Session Free: unlimited sessions and breaks, with 2 days of analytics.
• Flow: a free basic version, if you're on macOS 26 or later.
• Be Focused: a free version, with ads.

If you don't need blocking or long-term stats, one of these may be all you need.

Free break reminders to pair with any timer

If what you want is a prompt to stand up and look away from the screen, a break reminder may suit you better than a Pomodoro app:

• Stretchly is free and open source, runs on Mac and Windows, and offers short and long breaks.
• Time Out is free to use, with optional supporter purchases. Its current version needs macOS 26 or later.

We cover these in break reminder apps for Mac.

Gubb: a timer plus break reminders in your notes app

Gubb isn't a dedicated Pomodoro app. It's a small notes window that also holds a timer, clipboard history, to-dos and other tools. If strict Pomodoro automation is your priority, one of the apps above will serve you better. Here's what Gubb's timer does and doesn't do.

The Timer: Countdown, Stopwatch and Pomodoro

1. Move the pointer to the right edge of a note and click Timer.
2. Choose Pomodoro. It starts at 25:00; while it's stopped you can change the minutes and seconds.
3. Click Start.
4. To shrink it, click the Minimize button (−). It becomes a floating pill at the bottom of the window showing the mode name and the time.
   What it doesn't do:

• No cycles. Pomodoro mode works exactly like Countdown. It counts down once, then stops. It doesn't start a break, count rounds or start the next round. You reset it and set 5:00 for your break yourself.
• No completion sound. There's no sound when it ends, and we can't confirm that the "Timer Complete" notification appears on every Mac. Keep the minimized timer where you can see it.
• One basic timer. One timer at a time. It's lost when you quit Gubb, and it counts in 1-second steps, so it can drift slightly over long runs.
• No focus tools. No blocking, no session history and no global shortcut to start the timer.

What it does well: the timer keeps running while the dialog is closed or minimized, and it sits in the same window as your notes, so your task list or brain dump stays open next to the countdown.

Break reminders: micro breaks and long breaks

Gubb's break reminders are separate from the Timer and are off by default. When a break is due, a notification fires and the Gubb window goes full screen and stays on top. It shows a circular countdown, an eye-health tip and two buttons, +1 Minute and Skip Break.

There are two kinds of break:

• Micro break ("Rest Your Eyes"): 20 seconds by default.
• Long break ("Long Break Time"): 5 minutes by default. It replaces a micro break after every few micro breaks (3 by default).
  To turn break reminders on:

1. Move the pointer to the right edge of a note and click Settings.
2. Choose Break Time.
3. Switch on Enable Break Timer.
4. Set Work Duration Before Break (5 to 120 minutes, default 60). For a Pomodoro-like rhythm, set it to 25.
5. Adjust the micro break duration (10 to 60 seconds), the long break duration (1 to 30 minutes) and Frequency (1 to 10 micro breaks before a long one).
6. Click Save Break Settings.

With a 25-minute work duration, you get a short eye break every 25 minutes and a longer break every few rounds. That isn't the classic 5-minute break after every round, so treat it as a nudge to stop, not a strict Pomodoro schedule. For the reasoning behind short eye breaks, see the 20-20-20 rule and what a micro break is.

Limits to know:

• Gubb must be running. Break reminders don't run when Gubb is closed.
• One window only. Only Gubb's own window goes full screen; other displays aren't covered.
• Skippable. Skip Break is always available, so breaks rely on your own discipline.
• Interval changes may need a restart. After changing the work duration, turn the break timer off and on again, or restart Gubb.
• Sub-switches aren't saved. Enable Micro Breaks and Enable Long Breaks aren't saved on their own; only the main on/off switch is.
• Pinning is undone. After a break, the window is no longer pinned on top, even if you had pinned it.

Price and platforms

As of November 2026, Gubb costs $59 one-time on gubb.net for a lifetime license, which activates on up to 3 devices. The direct Mac download has a 7-day free trial. Gubb is also on the Mac App Store and on the Microsoft Store for Windows.

Pick Gubb if you want a quick notes window with clipboard history, to-dos and inline math, and a simple timer plus break reminders is enough focus tooling for you. Skip it if automatic work/break cycles, blocking or stats are the reason you're shopping. The Timer section of our help center has the details, or you can download the free trial.

What each Pomodoro app for Mac automates

On Windows, see Pomodoro timers for Windows.

How to choose

• Blocking and a session record: pick Session. If you'd rather pay once, look at Be Focused, and check that the edition you buy includes blocking.
• Free and on macOS 26 or later: start with Flow.
• Menu bar or hotkey control: pick Be Focused.
• Trying the technique first: use the Clock app for a week before paying for anything.
• You forget to take breaks at all: add a break reminder (Stretchly, Time Out or Gubb's) to whichever timer you use.
• One app for notes, clipboard history and a basic timer: Gubb fits, as long as a plain countdown is enough. For students, our Pomodoro timer for studying guide shows a setup.

FAQ

Does macOS have a built-in Pomodoro timer?

No. The Clock app (macOS Ventura and later) has timers you can set to 25 and 5 minutes, but it doesn't alternate work and breaks or count rounds for you.

Which Pomodoro apps for Mac block websites?

Session blocks websites and apps on the Mac with Pro. Be Focused's listings include app and website blocking with a whitelist. Gubb and the Clock app don't block anything.

Is there a Pomodoro timer for Mac without a subscription?

Yes. The Clock app is free, Be Focused Pro is a one-time App Store purchase, and Gubb is $59 one-time on gubb.net (as of November 2026). Session's and Flow's free tiers cost nothing, but their Pro upgrades are subscriptions. More options are in Mac productivity apps without a subscription.

Can I use an ordinary timer app instead of a Pomodoro app?

Yes, if you're happy to start each round and break yourself. Any countdown works. See timer apps for Mac for options beyond the ones here.