Focusbuddy vs Pomodoro Timer Online (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Pomodoro Timer Online grades higher than Focusbuddy: 3.2 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Pomodoro Timer Online grades higher on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use. They get the same grade on platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Focusbuddy
Chrome extension combining categorized tasks with a countdown timer
Pomodoro Timer Online
Free browser Pomodoro timer with lofi music and a task list
Which one is for you
Pick Focusbuddy if
- Fits if you live in Chrome and want one timer per task
- Works for people comfortable loading an unpacked extension
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you won't use developer mode, since install is a ZIP loaded unpacked in Chrome
- Not for you if you want break cycles, as the timer has fixed lengths only
- Not for you if you use another browser or a phone; Chrome is the only one listed
- Watch out: the site says free 'for now' and calls the extension new, with room to improve
Pick Pomodoro Timer Online if
- Fits if you want a free Pomodoro timer on a desktop browser with no sign-up
- Works for people who like music and streaks beside the timer
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you work across devices, as tasks, streaks and settings live only in one browser
- Not for you if you mostly use a phone or tablet; the vendor says mobile browsers can freeze the timer
- Watch out: the lofi music streams, so it needs a connection even in the installed app
- Watch out: the pop-out mini timer works only in Chromium browsers
How we grade them
| 2.0GPAFocusbuddyFair | 3.2GPAPomodoro Timer OnlineVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | BFree, though the site says only 'for now', so the price may change. | AFree with no account; the FAQ says there is no paid tier. |
| Free plan and trial | BThe site calls it completely free, with the words 'for now', and no paid plan is listed. | AFree outright, with nothing locked and no sign-up. |
| Features | DTask categories, a task list and a timer per task. The timer offers fixed lengths with no break cycle, and the site calls it new and simple. | BPomodoro cycles, tasks, lofi music and backgrounds, streaks and challenges, a pop-out mini timer and an installable web app. Nothing in the listing is missing from the job. |
| Ease of use | DNo store rating on record. Installing means downloading a ZIP from Google Drive and loading it unpacked in Chrome's developer mode. | BNo store rating on record. Open the page and start; there is nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | CChrome only; no other browser or device is listed. | CWeb only, with an installable web app. No sync, no integrations, and the vendor recommends desktop over phones. |
| Best for | a task list with timers in a Chrome extension | a free Pomodoro timer in the browser |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Focusbuddy and Pomodoro Timer Online. How we grade
Price against what you get
Focusbuddy has no paid plan and scores 1.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Pomodoro Timer Online has no paid plan and scores 2.7.
Pomodoro Timer Online scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other focus apps on the chart, none scores higher than Focusbuddy for less, and none scores higher than Pomodoro Timer Online for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Pomodoro Timer Online also covers focus music.
At a glance
| Focusbuddy | Pomodoro Timer Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | The site calls it completely free, with the words 'for now'. | Free with no account; the site's FAQ says there is no paid tier and nothing locked. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | GroupFunnels LLC | Pomodoro Timer |
| Price read from | focusbuddy.app | pomodorotimer.online |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Focusbuddy
- Installation means downloading a ZIP from Google Drive and loading it unpacked in Chrome's developer mode.
- The site calls it new and simple, with room to improve, and free only 'for now'.
- Chrome only; no other browser or device is listed.
- The timer offers fixed lengths only, with no break cycle.
Pomodoro Timer Online
- Tasks, streaks and settings live only in the browser's storage, with no account or sync across devices.
- The vendor says the experience on phones and tablets is poor, because mobile browsers can freeze the timer or drop alerts, and recommends desktop use.
- The lofi music streams, so it needs an internet connection even in the installed app.
- The pop-out mini timer works only in Chromium browsers.
Key features
Focusbuddy
- Task categories
- Group tasks under titles such as health or wealth.
- Task list
- List the tasks inside each category.
- Timer per task
- Pick a task, then choose a 5, 15, 30, 60 or 90 minute timer.
- Toolbar extension
- Pin the extension to the Chrome toolbar and open it from the icon.
Pomodoro Timer Online
- Pomodoro cycles
- Classic 25 and 5 minute focus and break intervals, with custom intervals and auto-start.
- Tasks beside the timer
- A to-do list sits next to the timer, with per-task time tracking.
- Lofi music and backgrounds
- Background tracks with their own volume, plus scenes or up to 8 of your own photos as backgrounds.
- Streaks and challenges
- Daily streaks and a daily focus goal that unlocks a reward.
- Pop-out mini timer
- In Chromium browsers the timer can float in a picture-in-picture window.
- Installable web app
- Installs from Chrome or Edge on a desktop and keeps the timer, tasks and settings working offline.
Plans
Focusbuddy
Free$0
The whole extension, installed from a ZIP file. The site says it is free for now.
Pomodoro Timer Online
Free$0
Everything: timer, tasks, lofi music, backgrounds, streaks, challenges and the pop-out mini timer.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Focusbuddy or Pomodoro Timer Online?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Focusbuddy and Pomodoro Timer Online are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Focusbuddy or Pomodoro Timer Online?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Focusbuddy and Pomodoro Timer Online have a free plan.
Which platforms do Focusbuddy and Pomodoro Timer Online run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Focusbuddy lists a browser extension and only Pomodoro Timer Online lists a web app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.