# Pomodoro vs Timer

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pomodoro at free with in-app purchases against Timer's subscription. Pomodoro also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 20%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pomodoro sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pomodoro holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pomodoro has 11K ratings behind it against 442, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Pomodoro's written reviews are positive against 20% of Timer's.

Pomodoro ships an update monthly, Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pomodoro | Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-focus-timer/id1265128036/reviews)** | [4.4 (442 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-minimal-timer/id1661418622/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **11K** | 442 |
| Positive reviews | **50.2% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 106 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DelightApps Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1634225208) | [Studio 1J, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1639917300) |

## What reviewers say

### Pomodoro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-focus-timer/id1265128036)

Enhance your focus and productivity with a timer that breaks work into intervals. This app helps you manage tasks using the Pomodoro technique, offering customizable timers, relaxing sounds, and progress tracking. It supports various Apple devices and works offline.

**Highlights:** Pomodoro technique timer, Customizable intervals, Relaxing sound player, iOS widgets and Apple Watch support, Task management, Progress tracking, White noise integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Club | $0.99 | per month |
| Pomodoro - premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $7.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and efficient
- 🎨 Customizable timers and sounds
- 📊 Helpful statistics and tracking
- 👍 Effective for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy notifications and timers
- 💰 Too many features locked behind paywall
- 🔇 Unreliable audio playback
- 🔍 Lacking basic functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Timer stops counting when switching apps
- Notifications not working consistently
- Premium features not functioning as expected
- App crashing or freezing on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to sync timers across devices
- More customization options for backgrounds and sounds
- Improved statistics and reporting
- Better support and communication from developers


### Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-minimal-timer/id1661418622)

This app offers a simple and intuitive way to manage your time for various activities. Set custom timers, utilize quick presets, and adjust alarm volumes to suit your needs. Stay on track with home screen widgets and an optional ambient ticking sound.

**Highlights:** Easy timer setting, Customizable presets, Adjustable alarm volume, Ambient ticking sound option, Home screen widgets, Flexible subscription options

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Minimal Timer+ | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Minimal Timer+ | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Minimal Timer+ | $79.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Minimal and simple design
- 👍 Great for meditation timers
- 👍 Custom volume feature
- 👍 Sleek and wonderful app
- 👍 Imposes discipline for time monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Extremely high weekly subscription cost
- 💸 Unfair trial requiring subscription
- 💸 Predatory pricing model
- 💸 No free version for basic use
- 💸 App is too expensive

**Reported bugs**

- App swirls for over a minute before loading
- No widgets found after paying for subscription
- Unable to get past the first screen without subscribing

**Requested features**

- Allow limited access to try before subscribing
- Add an option to control the timer from the widget
- Add shortcuts support for setting and naming timers
- Add a 24-hour timer option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pomodoro free?

Pomodoro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Timer free?

Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pomodoro or Timer?

Pomodoro is rated higher. Pomodoro averages 4.7 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Timer averages 4.4 from 442 ratings.

### Do Pomodoro or Timer have ads?

Pomodoro shows ads; Timer does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pomodoro or Timer?

Pomodoro ships an update monthly, and Timer every 4 days. Most recently, Pomodoro was updated on September 23, 2026 and Timer on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*