Polytimer vs Pomofocus
Both Polytimer and Pomofocus are popular free Pomodoro timers, but they're built for different jobs. Pomofocus is a task-management app built around the Pomodoro Technique. Polytimer is a general-purpose timer — countdown, stopwatch, Pomodoro, and unlimited simultaneous timers — with no task list and no ads, ever. Here's an honest, feature-by-feature breakdown, including where Pomofocus is still the better pick.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Polytimer | Pomofocus |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple simultaneous timers | Unlimited, side by side | Single active timer (task-based) |
| Stopwatch | Yes, with lap recording | Not available |
| Freeform countdown timer | Any duration, any purpose | Pomodoro focus/break cycle only |
| Works offline | Yes, no install needed | Yes, as an installable PWA |
| Todoist integration | Not offered | Yes — Pro plan only |
| No sign-up for basic use | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Never, on any plan | Shown on free tier |
| Fullscreen mode | Yes | Not offered |
| Picture-in-Picture floating timer | Yes | Not offered |
| Task lists & project tracking | Not offered | Yes — its core strength |
| Productivity reports (daily/weekly/monthly) | Not offered | Yes |
| Price | Free forever, every feature | Free tier + paid Pro tier |
Where Polytimer Is Different
- Unlimited simultaneous timers — run a separate countdown or stopwatch for every dish, group, or station at once, not just one task at a time.
- A real stopwatch — millisecond precision, unlimited laps, and CSV export, which Pomofocus doesn't offer at all.
- No ads, ever — there is no premium tier to unlock an ad-free experience; it's ad-free by default.
- Fullscreen and Picture-in-Picture — display a large countdown across a room, or float it above any other app.
Where Pomofocus Is Different
Pomofocus's task list, project tracking, and productivity reports are genuinely useful if you want to measure how many Pomodoros each task or project takes over time — Polytimer doesn't attempt this. If task-level tracking matters more to you than running multiple timers or a stopwatch, Pomofocus's structure is the better fit.
Which Should You Use?
Choose Pomofocus if you want Pomodoro sessions tied to a task list with long-term productivity reports. Choose Polytimer if you want a flexible timer — countdown, stopwatch, Pomodoro, and multiple timers running at once — with no ads and no account, ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polytimer completely free, unlike Pomofocus?
Yes. Polytimer has no premium tier — every feature is free with no ads on any plan. Pomofocus offers a free tier with ads and task-tracking limits, plus a paid Pro tier that removes ads and adds project tracking, reports, and integrations.
Can I run multiple timers at once in Pomofocus?
No. Pomofocus runs one active Pomodoro timer tied to your current task. Polytimer's Multiple Timers tab lets you run any number of independent countdowns or stopwatches side by side, each with its own name, color, and alarm.
Does Pomofocus have a stopwatch?
No, Pomofocus is Pomodoro-only. Polytimer includes a full stopwatch with millisecond precision, unlimited lap recording, and CSV export, alongside its countdown and Pomodoro modes.
Does Pomofocus work offline?
Yes — Pomofocus is installable as a PWA and also offers native desktop apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Polytimer also works fully offline once loaded, with no install step required.
Does Polytimer have task management like Pomofocus?
No — task lists, project tracking, and productivity reports are Pomofocus's core strength, and Polytimer doesn't attempt to replace that. Polytimer focuses purely on timing: countdown, stopwatch, Pomodoro, and running many timers at once, without any task-management layer.
Does Polytimer integrate with Todoist like Pomofocus?
No. Pomofocus offers Todoist import as a Pro-plan feature. Polytimer has no task list and no third-party integrations — it's a pure timer tool, so there's nothing to connect Todoist to.
Try it yourself: the Pomodoro timer or the stopwatch.