Skip to content
ToolGPA

TomatoBar

Free open-source Pomodoro timer for the Mac menu bar

FreeFocusChecked Oct 9, 2026
Visit github.com
TomatoBar, as pictured on github.com
How TomatoBar presents itself. Image from github.com.

What is TomatoBar?

TomatoBar is a free, open-source Pomodoro timer that sits in the macOS menu bar. It covers the basics of the technique: adjustable work and rest intervals, optional sound effects, notifications when a break starts or ends, and a global keyboard shortcut to start or stop the timer. The app runs sandboxed with no entitlements and is published on GitHub under the MIT license.

TomatoBar is free to use. See every plan

Good for

  • Mac users who want a plain Pomodoro timer at no cost
  • People who prefer open-source software they can inspect or modify
  • Scripting a timer from the command line or reading its log

Worth knowing

  • macOS only. Version 3.0 and later need macOS Big Sur or newer; older macOS versions and the Touch Bar are supported only by releases before 3.0.
  • The README describes no task list, reports or sync between devices; session history is kept only as a JSON log file.
  • Homebrew marks its tomatobar cask as disabled since September 1, 2026 for failing the Gatekeeper check, though the README still gives the Homebrew command.
  • The latest stable version, 3.6.1, is dated February 19, 2026. Before the 3.6 releases that month, the previous one, 3.5.0, came out in September 2023.

Key features

Adjustable intervals
Set the length of the work interval, the short rest and the long rest, and how many work intervals make up a set before the long rest is taken.
Menu bar timer
Start and stop the timer from a menu bar popover. Showing the countdown in the menu bar, stopping after a break and launching at login are each a setting.
Optional sounds
Three sound effects, named Windup, Ding and Ticking, can each be switched on or off. Version 3.6.0 added volume controls for them.
Break notifications
A notification says when it is time for a short or long break and when the break is over. The break notification carries a Skip button.
Global shortcut and URL control
A global keyboard shortcut starts or stops the timer, and so does opening the tomatobar://startStop URL, for example from the command line.
JSON event log
Each change of timer state is written in JSON to a log file inside the app's container, which other tools can read to analyze how time was spent.

TomatoBar pricing

Starts at
Free
Free plan
Free and open-source software under the MIT license, downloaded from the project's GitHub releases. The repository lists no paid version.
Free trial
None listed
TomatoBar$0The complete Mac app: adjustable intervals, three sound effects, break notifications, a global shortcut and a JSON event log.

Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with TomatoBar before you buy.

Pricing in detail

TomatoBar alternatives

All TomatoBar alternatives comparedAll focus apps

Common questions

Is TomatoBar free?

Yes. TomatoBar is free to use. Free and open-source software under the MIT license, downloaded from the project's GitHub releases. The repository lists no paid version.

How much does TomatoBar cost?

TomatoBar lists one plan. TomatoBar: $0. Prices were read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.

What platforms does TomatoBar work on?

TomatoBar is available on macOS.

Does TomatoBar have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. TomatoBar is listed for macOS.

Does TomatoBar have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. TomatoBar is listed for macOS.

Is TomatoBar open source?

Yes. TomatoBar is open source, according to its own site.

Who makes TomatoBar?

TomatoBar is made by Ilya Voronin. It dates from 2018.

What are the alternatives to TomatoBar?

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

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.