Pomofocus review: a simple timer for exam revision?
Pomofocus is a free timer that runs in a web browser. It opens ready to go with a 25-minute focus block, and you can add a task, change the block and break lengths, and start without an account. Saved reports need a free login, and a paid premium plan adds projects, integrations, and no ads. It suits students who revise at a computer and want a low-effort way to start one block. It does not block distractions, and it is not a revision method on its own. [1]
Pomofocus at a glance
Details checked on 12 September 2026 in a desktop browser, without signing in.
| Question | What we found |
|---|---|
| Who is it for? | Anyone who revises at a computer, or with a phone browser open. The pages we checked do not state a minimum age. |
| Which devices? | Desktop and mobile web browsers. Downloadable apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux are also offered. [1] |
| Is it free? | Yes. The timer, task list, estimates, up to three templates, and custom settings are free. Saved reports need a free account. [1] |
| What does premium cost? | Check the current offer inside Pomofocus. We have not confirmed a checkout price or trial terms. [1] |
| How long does setup take? | Very little. The timer was ready to start when the page loaded, and adding a task took one short form. |
| Main limitation | It keeps time. It does not stop you opening other tabs or apps. |
How we put this review together
On 12 September 2026 we opened pomofocus.io in a desktop browser without signing in. We looked at the default timer and settings, added one revision task, opened the reports panel, and loaded the same page at phone width. We also read the privacy policy, the terms, and the seller information.
This review combines that limited interface check with published product information and research. It does not assess a complete study session, alarm reliability, account features, or a premium subscription.
What using Pomofocus looks like
The page opens on a large 25:00 timer with three tabs: Pomodoro, Short Break, and Long Break. Below it is a task list. You can press Start straight away; there is nothing to set up first.
We added the task "Biology: answer 5 recall questions on cell transport" with an estimate of one pomodoro. The task appeared under the timer, and Pomofocus showed an estimated finish time for the day's tasks.
Naming one specific task, rather than "revise biology", makes it easier to tell when a block is done. That is our suggestion, not a Pomofocus feature.
Can you change the timer lengths?
Yes. In Settings, the defaults were a 25-minute pomodoro, a 5-minute short break, a 15-minute long break, and a long break after every 4 pomodoros. Breaks and new pomodoros did not start automatically unless switched on. You can also change the alarm sound, add a background sound, and set a reminder for the last few minutes of a block.
Twenty-five minutes is a convention, not a rule. If starting feels hard, a shorter block, such as 10 or 15 minutes, is a reasonable first step. You can lengthen it once you are going.
Do timed breaks help you revise?
There is a little evidence on the idea behind Pomofocus. In a study of 87 Dutch university students during one day of their own self-study, those who took a fixed break after each block reported less fatigue and distraction, and more concentration and motivation, than students who chose their own breaks. The groups completed a similar amount of their planned work. [2]
The study compared 24-minute work blocks with 6-minute breaks, 12-minute blocks with 3-minute breaks, and self-chosen breaks. It did not test Pomofocus, exam results, or anxiety. Treat a timer as a way to structure a session, not as a proven way to learn more or feel less stressed. [2]
Is Pomofocus free, and is premium worth it?
The timer, task list, estimates, up to three templates, and custom settings are free. When we opened the reports panel without an account, it said "This report will be available when you are logged in", so saved reports need a free sign-in.
Premium adds projects, yearly reports, CSV downloads, unlimited templates, Todoist and webhook integrations, and no ads. Check the current price, billing period, renewal terms, and any trial conditions inside Pomofocus before paying. A current checkout offer was not verified for this review. [1]
The seller states that subscriptions are billed monthly or annually, according to the plan selected, and that full refunds are accepted within seven days of payment. A refund policy is not the same as a free trial. For billing or cancellation questions, use the contact details in the seller notice. [4]
For exam revision, the free version covers the essentials. Premium is mainly for people who want long-term tracking or to connect other tools.
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Timer and custom settings | Yes | Yes |
| Task list and estimates | Yes | Yes |
| Templates | Up to 3 | Unlimited |
| Reports | Daily, weekly, and monthly, with a free account | Adds yearly reports and CSV download |
| Projects, Todoist, and webhooks | No | Yes |
| Ads | May be shown | None |
What does Pomofocus not do?
It does not block websites or apps. If your phone or other tabs are the problem, a timer alone may not be enough.
At phone width, the timer and task list fitted on the screen in our check. We did not test whether alarms sound reliably when the tab is in the background or the phone is locked, so check that yourself before relying on it.
The site warns that the Windows download is not signed with a developer certificate, so Windows may show a safety warning when you open it. The browser version avoids that. [1]
What about privacy?
You can use the timer without an account. The privacy policy says Pomofocus collects usage data such as your IP address and browser type, uses cookies, and works with an advertising partner, Freestar, whose partners may use cookies to collect information about you. It says data is transferred to and processed in Japan. The policy's effective date is 14 July 2019. [3]
According to its commerce notice, Pomofocus is sold by FocusLab LLC in Tokyo. [4]
Who should use Pomofocus?
A short summary, based on our short browser check and the published features:
- Use it if you revise at a computer and want to start a block with almost no setup.
- Shorten the default block if 25 minutes feels too long to start.
- Look elsewhere if your phone is the main distraction, or if you need a full revision plan rather than a timer.
Sources and further reading
These links open Pomofocus's own pages and a research database.
- Pomofocus: home page
Published free and premium features, checked 12 September 2026. Checkout prices and trial terms were not verified. - Biwer and colleagues (2023): comparing Pomodoro breaks and self-regulated breaks
87 Dutch university students over one day of self-study. Measured fatigue, concentration, motivation, and task completion, not exam results or anxiety. - Pomofocus: privacy policy
Effective 14 July 2019. Covers usage data, cookies, the Freestar advertising partner, and data transfer to Japan. - Pomofocus: commerce notice
Seller details, refund policy, and billing intervals. Last updated 27 February 2025.
Educational review, not medical advice. Prices, features, and policies change, so check the provider's own pages before you pay or enter personal information.