Best Free Online Focus Timers in 2026: Pomodoro and Beyond

Why You Need a Focus Timer

A focus timer isn't just a countdown clock — it's a psychological tool. It creates bounded work periods that make large tasks feel manageable, provides natural break points to prevent burnout, and gives you data on how you actually spend your time.

Types of Focus Timers

Classic Pomodoro (25/5) — 25 minutes of focus, 5-minute break. Best for: building the focus habit, tasks you tend to procrastinate on.

Extended Pomodoro (50/10) — For deep work that needs longer immersion. Best for: programming, writing, design work.

Flexible timers — Set any duration you want. Best for: experienced focused workers who know their optimal session length.

Stopwatch mode — No fixed end time, just tracks elapsed time. Best for: creative flow sessions where you don't want to be interrupted by a timer.

Best Free Online Focus Timers

HushWork — Browser-based

• Pomodoro presets (25/5, 50/10) plus custom durations
• Stopwatch mode for open-ended sessions
• Built-in ambient sounds and distraction-free notes
• Session tracking and statistics
• Free tier available
• Best for: all-in-one focus environment

Pomofocus — Browser-based

• Clean, simple Pomodoro timer
• Task list with estimated pomodoros
• Free with optional account
• Best for: pure Pomodoro practitioners

Marinara Timer — Browser-based

• Shareable timers for team Pomodoro sessions
• No account required
• Best for: teams doing co-working sessions

Forest — Mobile app

• Gamified timer that grows virtual trees
• Free with in-app purchases
• Best for: phone addicts who need gamification

What Makes a Good Focus Timer

1. Low friction — It should take less than 3 seconds to start a session. If the setup is complicated, you'll skip it.

2. Visible but not distracting — The timer should be easy to glance at but not demand attention. A clean interface with muted colors works best.

3. Break enforcement — The timer should actively encourage breaks. Working through breaks leads to diminishing returns.

4. Progress tracking — Seeing your focus history over days and weeks is motivating. It transforms abstract "productivity" into concrete data.

5. Ambient features — The best timers integrate with ambient sounds, so you don't need multiple tools open.

Our Take

If you just need a bare-bones Pomodoro timer, Pomofocus is excellent. If you want ambient sounds, notes, and timer in a single focused workspace — without cluttering your browser with multiple tabs — HushWork is purpose-built for that.

The most important thing isn't which timer you choose — it's that you actually use one consistently.