Pomodoro Focus Timer vs StarTimer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Pomodoro Focus Timer
This app combines a minimalist timer with a to-do list to enhance focus and productivity. It utilizes the Pomodoro Technique to help users manage tasks and work sessions effectively, offering customizable breaks and session lengths. Real-time syncing ensures your progress is available across all your Apple devices.
- Customizable focus and break sessions
- Integrated to-do list with task pinning
- Apple Watch app with complications
- Home Screen & Lock Screen widgets
- Live Activity and Dynamic Island support
- Real-time iCloud sync
- Focus session statistics and heatmap
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Focus better. Do more. One beautifully simple app. Pomodoro Focus Timer combines a clean, minimal work timer with a built-in to-do list — so you can plan your tasks and stay focused without juggling separate apps. Built on the proven Pomodoro Technique, it helps you work and study with minimal distraction and maximum productivity, whether you're at the office, in class, or working from home. No clutter. No noise. Just you and your next focus session. HOW IT WORKS 1. Add the tasks you want to work on 2. Pin a task to keep it front and center 3. Start the timer (the classic 25 minutes — or set your own) 4. Take a 5-minute break when it rings (fully customizable) 5. Mark your task complete and repeat A TIMER THAT WORKS THE WAY YOU DO • Customizable focus sessions, short breaks, and long breaks • Auto-start your next break or session — stay in flow, hands-free • Long breaks after every few sessions, on your schedule • Pause, skip, or reset anytime • Keep-screen-on mode and optional completion sounds • A simple, minimal timer that gets out of your way BUILT-IN TO-DO LIST • Add, edit, reorder, and complete tasks in seconds • Pin your most important task to the timer screen • Swipe to complete — or check tasks off right from a widget • Your tasks, always in sync across your devices FULL APPLE WATCH APP • Start, pause, stop, and skip the timer from your wrist • Add tasks and mark them complete — no iPhone needed • Watch face complications for timer, tasks, and your streak • Use your watch as a remote for the timer on your phone WIDGETS & LIVE ACTIVITIES • Home Screen & Lock Screen widgets for timer, tasks, and stats • Live Activity + Dynamic Island — see your countdown and pinned task at a glance • Control Center timer toggle (iOS 18) • Tap to play, pause, skip, or complete a task right from a widget STATS THAT KEEP YOU MOTIVATED • Track focus sessions for today and all-time • Current streak and best streak • GitHub-style activity heatmap • Scrubbable charts by day, week, month, and year • See your most-worked-on tasks and personalized insights SIRI SHORTCUTS • "Hey Siri, start a focus timer" — go completely hands-free SYNCS EVERYWHERE • Real-time iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch • Your tasks, settings, and stats follow you everywhere MADE TO BLEND IN • Beautiful Dark Mode everywhere • 8 accent colors to match your style • Clean, distraction-free design Whether you're studying for exams, powering through deep work, or just trying to beat procrastination, Pomodoro Focus Timer is the simple, minimal productivity companion that keeps you on track. Terms of Use: https://pawan.info/legal/pomodoro/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://pawan.info/legal/pomodoro/privacy.html
StarTimer
This app helps you manage your time with smart scheduling and customizable timers. It offers real-time progress tracking, voice control, and a beautiful, privacy-focused design. Perfect for daily routines, focus sessions, and workouts.
- Smart scheduling with reminders
- Recurring schedules for routines
- Live Activities for real-time progress
- Dynamic Island integration
- Customizable icons and color themes
- Siri Shortcuts for voice control
- Privacy-focused, no data collection
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Transform your productivity with StarTimer - the most beautiful and intuitive timer app for iOS. SMART SCHEDULING & REMINDERS Never forget to start important activities again. Schedule reminders to start your timers at specific times - perfect for daily meditation at 7 AM, workout sessions at 6 PM, or focus blocks throughout your workday. Set one-time or recurring schedules that fit your routine perfectly. LIVE ACTIVITIES & DYNAMIC ISLAND Watch your timer progress in real-time without opening the app. StarTimer's Live Activities appear in your Dynamic Island and Lock Screen, keeping you informed at a glance. EXPRESS YOUR STYLE Choose from 20 beautiful icons and 13 stunning color themes. From meditation bells to cooking timers, find the perfect visual match for every activity. "HEY SIRI, START MY TIMER" Voice control makes timing effortless. Create custom Siri Shortcuts for your most-used timers and start them hands-free. FEATURES YOU'LL LOVE * Smart scheduling: Set reminders to start timers at specific times * Recurring schedules: Daily meditation, weekly workouts, custom routines * Live Activities for real-time progress tracking * Dynamic Island integration on supported devices * 20 beautiful icons: meditation, cooking, workout, study, and more * 13 stunning color themes to match your style * Siri Shortcuts for voice-activated timing * Haptic feedback for satisfying interactions * Premium design that feels native to iOS PERFECT FOR * Daily meditation reminders at your preferred time * Scheduled Pomodoro sessions throughout your workday * Cooking timer reminders for meal prep schedules * Workout interval scheduling for consistent fitness routines * Study session reminders to maintain learning habits * Meeting prep timers and scheduled break reminders PRIVACY FOCUSED Your timer data stays on your device. No accounts, no tracking, no data collection. Just beautiful, private timing that respects your privacy. Whether you need a daily reminder to start your 2-minute meditation, a scheduled 25-minute focus session, or automated workout timer prompts, StarTimer transforms time management into a beautiful, effortless experience. Download StarTimer today and never miss another important activity with smart scheduling and elegant design.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Pomodoro Focus Timer at Free against StarTimer's $2.99. Pomodoro Focus Timer also leads on ratings volume (294 vs 1) and device support (6 vs 2). StarTimer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly). On rating and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Pomodoro Focus Timer is free to download; StarTimer costs $2.99 up front. Pomodoro Focus Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. StarTimer asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Pomodoro Focus Timer against 5.0 for StarTimer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pomodoro Focus Timer has 294 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update monthly, StarTimer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and June 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pomodoro Focus Timer | StarTimer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (294 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 82.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 294 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pawanpreet Singh | Saptak Sen |
Customer experience
Pomodoro Focus Timer
StarTimer
Bugs and requests
Pomodoro Focus Timer
Reported bugs
9 issues- Timer doesn't work when screen is off or app is in background
- Apple Watch notifications don't arrive until app is reopened
- Pause/resume function doesn't actually pause the timer
- App crashes occasionally
- Tasks with similar names don't create properly
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- Pomodoro counter resets at 500
- Creating tasks can be glitchy
- Timer doesn't stay running on Apple Watch
- Notification doesn't trigger until app is opened
Requested features
15 requests- Dark theme/dark mode
- Vibration option on timer completion
- Horizontal/landscape mode support
- Background sound options (rain, ocean waves, etc.)
- Customizable notification sounds and volume
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- Statistics and activity tracking (daily/weekly/monthly charts)
- Task history and suggestions
- Continuous timer option
- App blocker for distraction prevention
- Mac version with sync capability
- Donation option in app
- Tips section for Pomodoro technique
- Reset to default button
- Queue tasks from timer screen
- Keep timer running when app is closed
StarTimer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Pomodoro Focus Timer
- Pomodoro Pro (Monthly)3 Days trial$0.991 Month
- Pomodoro Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Snack-Sized Tip$3.99
- Lunch-sized Tip$9.99
- Pizza-sized Tip$14.99
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- Pomodoro Pro - Lifetime$29.99
StarTimer
No in-app purchases








