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Alternatives · Focus

Flow alternatives

Flow compared with 9 alternatives: Session, Be Focused, Focus Keeper, Focused Work, Pomofocus and 4 more.

Flow has a free plan. Paid plans start at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store). 7 of the 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

9 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
FlowThis toolFree plan · from $17.99/yrYesmacOS, iOS
SessionFree plan · from $3.33/moYesmacOS, iOS
Be FocusedFree plan · from $2.99/moYesmacOS, iOS
Focus KeeperFree plan · from $3.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Focused WorkFree plan · from $4.99/moYesmacOS, iOS
PomofocusFree plan · from $3/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
Focus - Deep Work TimerFree plan · from $6.99/moYesmacOS, iOS
HazeOverFree trial · from $4.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS
TomatoBarFreeFreemacOS
Vitamin-RFree trial · from $29.95 one-timeTrial onlymacOS

How each one differs from Flow

  1. Session

    Pomodoro focus timer with analytics for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Session starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Flow can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Session also covers time tracking.
    • Flow also covers menu bar app.

    Suits: Mac and iPhone users who work in Pomodoro intervals

  2. Be Focused

    Pomodoro timer with tasks for iPhone, iPad and Mac

    • Be Focused starts at $2.99 / month, or $19.99 / year (US App Store). Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Be Focused also covers tasks.
    • Flow also covers menu bar app.

    Suits: Apple users who want a Pomodoro timer tied to a task list

  3. Focus Keeper

    Pomodoro timer with progress charts for iPhone, Android and web

    • Focus Keeper starts at $3.99 / month or $34.99 / year (US App Store; several amounts listed). Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Only Focus Keeper lists a web app.
    • Only Focus Keeper lists an Android app.
    • Only Flow lists a macOS app.
    • Flow can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Students timing study sessions and exam preparation

  4. Focused Work

    Focus timer with custom sessions for iPhone, iPad and Mac

    • Focused Work starts at $4.99 / month, or $29.99 / year (US App Store). Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Focused Work also covers time tracking.
    • Flow also covers menu bar app.

    Suits: Apple users who want structured focus sessions, not only a countdown

  5. Pomofocus

    Browser-based Pomodoro timer with a task list and reports

    • Pomofocus starts at $3 / month, or $18 / year. Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Only Pomofocus lists a web app.
    • Only Pomofocus lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Flow lists an iOS app.
    • Pomofocus also covers templates, tasks and time tracking.

    Suits: People who want a Pomodoro timer that opens in a browser tab

  6. Focus - Deep Work Timer

    Pomodoro timer with tasks and time tracking for Apple devices

    • Focus - Deep Work Timer starts at $6.99 / month, or $39.99 / year (US App Store). Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Flow can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Focus - Deep Work Timer also covers tasks and time tracking.
    • Flow also covers site & app blocker.

    Suits: Apple users who want a timer and a task list in one app

  7. HazeOver

    Mac utility that dims every window except the active one

    • HazeOver starts at $4.99 one-time purchase. Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Flow has a free plan. HazeOver does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Flow lists an iOS app.
    • Flow also covers site & app blocker and Pomodoro timer.

    Suits: Large or multiple displays, where the active window is easy to lose

  8. TomatoBar

    Free open-source Pomodoro timer for the Mac menu bar

    • TomatoBar is free. Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Only Flow lists an iOS app.
    • TomatoBar is open source, according to its own site.
    • Flow can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Flow also covers site & app blocker.

    Suits: Mac users who want a plain Pomodoro timer at no cost

  9. Vitamin-R

    Time-boxing and Pomodoro timer for the Mac

    • Vitamin-R starts at $29.95 one-time purchase (Single User license). Flow starts at $17.99 / year ($1.49 / month), or $2.99 monthly (US App Store).
    • Flow has a free plan. Vitamin-R does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Flow lists an iOS app.
    • Vitamin-R also covers time tracking and focus music.
    • Flow also covers site & app blocker.

    Suits: People who keep postponing vague or intimidating tasks

Limits worth knowing in Flow

  • Apple platforms only: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple Vision. There is no Windows, Android or web version.
  • App and web blocking, custom durations, session titles, timer sync and Apple Calendar sync all need Pro.
  • Flow notes that App Store prices vary by country; the figures here are from the US App Store.
  • Organizations buying in volume use a separate app, Flow Pro: Schools & Businesses, which Yugen enables per organization on request.
Flow pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Flow?

The alternatives to Flow in this directory are Session, Be Focused, Focus Keeper, Focused Work, Pomofocus, Focus - Deep Work Timer, HazeOver, TomatoBar and Vitamin-R. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Flow.

Is there a free alternative to Flow?

Yes. TomatoBar is free to use. Session, Be Focused, Focus Keeper, Focused Work, Pomofocus and Focus - Deep Work Timer have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Flow alternatives work on Windows?

The Flow listing does not include a Windows app. Pomofocus lists one.

Which Flow alternatives work on Linux?

The Flow listing does not include a Linux app. Pomofocus lists one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Flow?

TomatoBar is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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