I don’t use all of the advanced features in this application. These are the things that matter to me: a) Quick and easy access in the toolbar, b) Some sort of ability to log the total number of sessions in a single day, c) the ability to abort or pause sessions/breaks when interrupted and then quickly restart a session at will. You would be surprised to know how many pomodoro applications lack this basic feature. Also, this application hits the goldilocks spot as far as notifications are concerned. Just like the porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold, the notification levels are just right. I have looked at many different pomodoro applications during the past several years, and this is the one I always come back to using. // I only have one recommendation for people using this time management technique: Be sure to stand up and walk around when the timer beeps. Also, drink *tons* of water. Several years ago, I was using the pomodoro technique (not with this application) when working on an intense writing project. I made the mistake of not standing up and walking around, and I didn’t drink nearly enough water. I ended up with a blood clot in my leg and experienced a bilateral pulmonary embolism. (DVT induced pulmonary embolisms kill more people each year than motor vehicle accidents and HIV combined.) This is a powerful productivity technique, but please drink water and walk around. The application is awesome.
I started off with the free version, which works great and is still used on my laptop, but ended up buying the pro-version for my phone/ipad when they had a huge discount on it. With all the reading and studying that I have to do for nursing school, I was going insane (mostly because I can't stay focused for long periods of time) because I already have bad study habits and I just didn't know where to begin. I stumbled on to this app while looking for useful study habits that actually help. This app is very simple to use without having to too many "bells and whistles". I haven't really dove too deep into the extra stuff this app may have but maybe when I get a little more freetime I'll explore it a little deeper. While I love this app, I do have 1 issue (then again I may just not have the correct settings) that I wish it had (the phone/ipad versions)... I wish the alarms would still sound even when the phone is in "silent mode" or "ringer off" mode. I don't like having to turn the ringer on just to hear the "break start/end" alarm go off. Anyways, I LOVE this app and I'm glad I stumbled upon this. Thank you for being so simple yet so powerful!!!
This is great; negative reviews seem to describe some other app
I only have one quibble with this app being less than great for me: I would like it to take the computer’s focus away from whatever I’m doing to the app so that I have to actually decide and click to keep working. I usually work with music so the alarm sounds are either lost, ignored, or too jarring. There’s another Pomodoro-style app that I had been using that does the focus switch, but it doesn’t have the flexibility this one does, like pausing the work period and being able to log the task. I read through a bunch of negative reviews here, and they are all complaining about things that just are not true. Yes, you can change the length of the work period and the length of breaks, yes, you can turn on a ticking sound and control its volume. The only complaint I found to be actually true was that the default end-of-work alarm was too loud. But seriously, you knew you were setting an alarm from the app description; yet you didn’t check the volume? OK, people do just just jump in and a gentler default would be nice, but it hardly seems something to downrated to a 3 about. The rest of the complaints seem to more of that kind of thinking: it wasn't set to MY preferences out of the box and I didn’t bother to look at the settings before complaining. Seriously? Do you eat at McDonalds too much (where the default is just the way you like it) or what?
I teach classes on productivity and focus. One of the most imporant parts of a "productive" life is having focused time, with all distractions turned off, to do your core work. For years, I would just use a simple timer to keep track of focus time, and also remind me to take breaks. This worked okay, but many of the timers were clunky. Plus, I had no idea where/how I was spending my time overall, unless I wanted to separately track it. Then, along comes Be Focused. A perfect solution. It combines the timer with a lot more. It allows you to keep track of specific activities that you're engaging in, and how much time you're spending there. It automatically alternates between focus sessions and break sessions. It allows you specify how much time you want to alternate between focus and breaks, and will automatically remind you to stay on track. I haven't yet tried the pro version, but just this free version does a lot and is very useful.
I've used this for years, can't go wrong with free!
I've been using the free version of this app for about 5 years now and it is amazing. I've downloaded it on my laptop and have used it to help pace myself for take-home exams and for studying. I expecially like the ticking chronometer feature, as I can set the clock to tick every 15min (custom time) to pace myself when I'm on a time crunch. Everything is very customizable (time intervals, sounds, etc). I've very recently bought the Pro version just to support the company that has helped me through so much. :) However, for most there is no need to buy the pro as there are no ads nor restricted content aside from syncing. To the company, thank you for keeping all the main features free without hassle!
When it comes to studying , i struggle a lot with staying focused. Specially if i need to be on my laptop because i always procrastinate and do other things intead of focusng completely on my tasks .So i decided to search for apps that could help me be more sucessful . I subbled upon this app and im so grateful for it . Its crazy how a simple timer can help me stay focused and get a lot done .Plus the rest option helps sooo much its like a little reward that makes me feel so good for staying focused .Before i discovered this timer i never included rests for my studying . I would alwasy end up burned out . Its the little things that make such a big impact .Now thanks to this app i have developed better strategies that will help me in life/work 10/10 :)
I highly recommend this app to those who want a better time management. “Be Focused” had been very helpful to me, a highschool student. “Be Focused” has a simple, but highly functional and useful interface. I haven’t yet experienced any bugs with the app. The a lot of features in the app can be customized by users. The break time, intervals, focus time, and notification sounds and volume can all be adjusted. Some of its best features to me are the goal setter, the fact that it shows the timer when hidden, and the chronometer sound that can be played in the background. These features make “Be Focused" stand out from numerous focus apps in the market. A lot of thanks to the developers for the attention to details!
I love this App. I have never been more productive as through this accountability alarm! Not only do I stay working, but it assures I take a brain break from my study and writing. Thank you. However, I was promised a syncing of my timers with my phone if I bought the Mac version of the app. Yet, when I downloaded the app on my phone, it is requiring me to BUY the app on the phone too! This seems inconsistent with what was promised. Please be more consistent in your promise. If you are requiring buyers to buy both apps, please explain that in the initial promise before purchase or make one or the other app (mobile/mac) free with the purchase of one or the other (mobile/mac). Does that make sense? If you do this, I am willing to give you all a 5 star ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️! Thanks again!
This is a great pomodoro app, I highly recommend it. It has a lot of customizations (once you figure out where they are). I took off one star only because I think the UI/UX for menus and layout could be better. (While my list, below, seems long, I assure you that it's still a great and useful app.) Qualms/Suggestions: * The 'done' button shouldn't be on the home/main view, it should go in the task list view. * The 'done' button — which uses a check icon that hardly looks like one — should be labelled with the text "done" or "mark done", instead of an icon (or at least allow the user to choose which style). * The 'task list' button should go to the top-left of the home/main view, because (by UX "law of proximity") it is associated with the dropdown list of possible tasks. * While a task (countdown) is running, if the user selects a different task in the home/main view, the app should ask if the current timer should be paused or cancelled, instead of using the same timer for the newly selected task. * In the task list view, the placement of the 'new task' and 'back' buttons should be swapped, because (by UX "Jakob's Law") back buttons are generally on the left.
Useful app with features not found in every pomodoro-type app
Like I said in the title this productivity timer has useful features not found in other pomodoro-type apps. Those features are: - You can choose the interval of time you wish to remain focused (and not have to stick with the typical 25 minutes) - You can choose the break length (as opposed to the typical 5 minutes) - You can track your work minutes for each type of work you are doing. For example, I have a categories set up for the different programming languages I’m learning. I can select a category before starting my timer and the minutes will automatically be totalled for you for that category. - You have the option of using the app without having to do a lot of clicking. It has the feature that once the timer for one period ends, the break timer begins running, and once that ends the next work timer begins runnings… - You can use keyboard shortcuts to some of the tasks for this app The best part about this app is that it is completely free. However, it does offer a paid version I believe (but you will likely never need that).
I've tried many, many Pomodoro timers. Mostly on my phone. And what was missing was a good option for my laptop because when I want to focus, the last thing I need is to have notifications and sounds on my phone! So when I found Be Focused, I was stoked. I love that I can see the timer in the toolbar at the top and don't have to keep a separate window open. The free version options are great in that I'm not limited to sticking to whatever Pomodoro intervals Be Focused has by default, and the sounds being customizeable is great, too. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a simple Pomodoro timer on their computer.
No way to auto-start breaks but NOT auto-start the next focus
I like this app, but I wish it had the same feature as their simple pomodoro timer version where I can have the breaks auto-start while not also having the next focus auto-start. I like to manuanny have the focuses start but I want the breaks to auto-start and there's no way that I can find to do that. I'd just use the simpler app, but I love the feature of being able to set up and track specific tasks and the other app is only the timer. Please add the feature to differentiate the auto-start options between the focuses and breaks! Then this app would be PERFECT in my opinion. I'd even upgrade to the Pro Version if this was an option!!
I used to procrastinate and constantly check Yahoo or Facebook while supposedly working. I felt I had no self-discipline. Using this app has completely transformed how I work and made my efficiency and effectiveness go through the roof. Sometimes after only about ten 25 minute sessions per day (doing the traditional four sets before taking a long break) I’m mentally shot, but I have accomplished more of my top priority work items in those four+ hours than I used to get done in multiple days! As for the functionality of the app, to me it’s perfect for the job. You can customize the intervals, targets, alarm sounds, etc. It does all I need it to with no fuss.
I've been using this application throughout my academic and entrepreneurial journey. I notice a huge difference in my level of focus and productivity when I am using this product. The free version is great for tracking progress and adjusting intervals. The only drawback with the free version of course is the advertisements. Thankfully the advertisements are not too cumbersome, so I haven't found upgrading to the pro version to be necessary. I highly recommend this tool for professionals, writers, college students, graduate students, and anyoene else looking to work better, longer, and more effectively over all.
The pomodoro technique is very useful. There are a zillion trackers, but this one is free and does the basics well. The time periods are adjustable, it’s unobtrusive when not in use, etc. So this is the one I ended up keeping on my machine. One needed improvement: it uses 1.7% of my CPU even when it is not active! That is not much, but for an app that is supposedly doing nothing (except waiting to be started), it seems excessive. Update July 2017: I’m still using it. The only ability I would add is a “stall” button. Often the end of a 30 minute period does not coincide with a natural break point, so I end up continuing to work. There is no way to “tell” the app that I’m still working, or ask it to “remind me” to take a break in a few minutes.
Whats the best way to eat a whale? One bite at a time. This app helps break down big projects into small chuncks by reminding you to get up and walk around for a minute or two before getting back into the work groove. The interface is great, I love that it lives in the top menu bar for easy access and checking the timer at a glance. Its also neat that the app can help you track how much time you have worked on certain projects and create a report for you to use (though I don’t need one for the jobs that I do, it still is handy for jobs that need that information). Easy to use, clean interface, and not full of unneeded extras. Overall, Its great!
I really like this application, it made me much more productive but I have one very big and one tiny problem with it. The big problem is that I can’t control the volum of the alarms and I jump out of my skin EVERY SINGLE TIME when it goes off. I really appreciate it if I can get the possibility to set the volum MYSELF =)) My other problem is that I can't pause the timer during the break time, it jumps to start my next 25min which is not what I want. New feature I would like to see: I also would like the possibility to tell the app that I am still working if 25min is over but I am still working so that it can remind me later to take my break. Thank you very much for the app and I hope to see some improvements soon.
I tend to binge write both for legal projects and creative publishing. I will lose track of time, often for hours, until my focus becomes exhausted and the quality of work nosedives. Now with this very easy to use app I concentrate for a set period of time, then am forcfully reminded to take a break, get up, move around, do two minutes of exercise, then back to work, refreshed. I get more total writing time in daily with obviously improved quality. By the way, that's why school classes are standardized to 55 minutes, and why why Army convoys must stop for 5 minute breaks every 55 minutes.
Useful app for anyone who needs to remain focused!
I’ve loved this app since I started using it. For starters-it’s very minimal and simple. It is a small icon that will appear up at the top of your screen and is no bigger than the wifi or bluetooth icon, when open it remains minimal-and simople to navigate-no extra bells/whistles, gives you an area to list out task that you need to accomplish. You can adjust settings for timer/alert noises to your preference. It helps me to be able to do 30minutes of focused work and then take a 10 minute break from the computer and go work on something away from a screen. It’s great at helping you stay productive and not wander, etc.
I’ve had a problem keeping track of time and staying focused on mundane/boring tasks for as long as I can remember. I’m now 23 and this is the first I can say I’ve been able to stick to some kind of scehdule with any sort of consistency. It’s also excellent in that it allows you to see what you’ve accomplished and how much time it takes (in the form intervals) you to do a certain task. You can set the times that you spend working or on a break (short and long) and how often they occur. I’ve also found that the default times set work well, but everyone’s different and this app totally gets that. I’d give it 6 stars if I could.
This app has dramatically improved my study habits and productivity. I start the timer when I sit down at the computer and then start working with the goal of reaching my first break. I can forget about the break while working because I know the timer will tell me when I can take it. Rather than constantly wondering if I have worked enough to “earn” taking focus away from my work. I also like how it will not automatically start the break session but does not let you pause the break session either. This let’s me continue working if I am in the middle of something and does not let me "cheat" on my break.
Soft, yet effective – if you use this tool in the way it was designed, it can save you an enormous amount of time and wasted energy. It sharpens focus. Work time becomes important once more, as it is part of a rhythm. Breaks are a part of that rhythm too, and are welcomed and treasured for the gift they become. No more distractions and grumbles and missed deadlines. With this simple tool, you can transform all of that into gifts and opportunities and completed tasks! Also, I suggest you buy the Pro version. This developer deserves a fiver for the money they have made me back in saved time. The Pro version helps me to see that more clearly. Especially the reports.
This app is really great in terms of helping me focus and be productive. Once you figure your productive time interval, you can make adjustments on the time. I used to set 25 minutes work time and 5/10 min rest time, but I realized that it was too much of a distraction for me. Now I do 45 min intervals and it is helping me greatly. I have been using the app (free version) on and off since 2013, but activaly using for three year. I definitely suggets the app to those who need help for focusing for a certain amount of time an who want to keep track of how much work they have done for a certain task.
Summary: I've been using this app for about a month now and I've never had any problems. The design and features are great, and the free version is more than suitable for my needs. These views and opinions are my own :) Pros: -Minimalistic without compromising on features -The UI (visual features, graphics) is not distracting and the font is easy to read -As for the features, I really only use the timer but there is an easy way to create a list of tasks to complete -Unlike other apps, the ads are practically unnoticeable and only appear at the bottom of the timer, not as a large pop-up window -Personally, I don't think you need the paid version but if you would like more features and want to support the creators, be my guest -You CAN change the time and number of work periods and breaks -You CAN change the sound of the timer -You can view how much time is left just by looking at the menu bar at the top of your screen Cons: -You haven't downloaded this app yet!
Study life could be so much more productive if I had know this app before.
This app is perfect, because it helps me to easily timing up my studies. I’d use to have Pomodoro, but 25 minutes it’s generally to short for me. With be focused I can schedule the exact amountof time I want, from study time to brake times, from short brakes to long brakes. And the best thing is that it keeps track of all of my progress, arranging them in different projects, so I can select different subjects to time. And in the end I have such a nice report with the details about time spent in each project along the time (month, days, weeks…). It really helps me keeping focused!
Downloaded this app after purchasing a productivity planner and have seen a major increase in my output thanks to the focus. The best part of this is the clock at the top of my computer that lets me know I’ve only actually been working at that task for 10 minutes and not the hour I thought it was Perfect for people who get easily distracted and need the right cues to signal everything. The noise make it nice and easy to tell when to start and stop working, and when to reward yourself with a break. Ads are minimal in the free version and never get in the way.
i like this for my computer, since Forest doesn’t quite work as well on a laptop as it does on my phone. This doesn’t block me from anything, but it does help direct me with a schedule, at least a little bit. My only criticism would be that you can’t chose how long your work/rest cycles are. They’re only available as twenty five minutes and five (sometimes fifteen) minutes segments at a time, which can be a bit inconvinient if I want to work in longer or shorter sections. Other than that, i love it! The beeping is loud enough to catch my attention no matter what, and it has a very clean and clear layout which is always a plus. Thanks for the app!
Truthfully, Be Focused does exactly what it say - it’s a great time tracker and pomodoro app. It’s a nice feature to have especially when working offline instead of utilizing some of the other online timers such as the Marinara Timer or Tomato Timer. Additionally, it helps me to clear map out my focused time versus my short bursts of leisure time. My main sticking point and reason for taking off 1 start is that it would be great to have a feature to change the sound. The loud buzzing is a bit jarring, and occasionally makes me go back to some of my online tools as I’d rather not having a screeching alarm noise in my ears when I’m using some of my headphones.
Keeps even a chronic distraction sufferer focused~
i’m a bit notorious among my friends for getting distracted easily in my quest to do everything at once. i don’t know why or how, but this app keeps me focused and on taks like never before. i have heard of the Pomodoro Technique and tried another app for it a year or so ago, but abandonded it thinking it wasn’t for me. but after downloading this app a week or so ago, i went into an addictive study trance and 5 hours magically flew by. definitely worth the download! i will try to upgrade it when i can afford it one day as i want to support the developpers. excellent job, guys <3
This app is great because it is simple yet works. You can adjust the timer to be 25 minutes (Pomodoro method) or longer or shorter. By using this app I have been able to increase my study intervals from 25 to 50 minutes of full focus. It shows up on the top toolbar of the laptop next to the time and date, etc. so it's very easy to access. You can also assign names/categories to each session, so I name them after each school subject I am studying. I just use the free version and it works great for me.
This app is great for me! My problem is that I never remember to stop working and take a break. This app has forced me to do just that, and for an acceptable length of time. I love that I’m able to change the interval lengths, as some apps don’t allow this. I do have to pay attention however, and get up immediately when the notification appears / alarm sounds. It does this only once and briefly for each ‘interval’. I wonder if the pay version has a ‘repeat alarm every. . .” or an ‘auto screen sleep’ option, just for that extra kick in the pants.
I have found this app a tremendous help with my focus. Customizable keystrokes to start/pause timers means I can start or pause them no matter what app I'm in. Completing a work interval timer automatically primes a break timer. Completing a break timer automatically primes a work interval timer. All I have to do is start my work interval and work until the dinger goes off, then start a break timer and take a break until the dinger goes off, then start another work interval. Repeat until finished. Free version can do 10 timers/day, app sits in the menubar and is non-intrusive.
Focusing with ADHD is difficult. Often times I’ll go down a rabbit hole and get distracted from doing actual work. (this review is a great example) However, if you use the pomodoro technique of working for 25 minutes and taking a break for 5 minutes it can really help. [Enter Be Focused App] It’s easy, it’s loud enough that I hear it through my music, and best of all it’s free! No need for a kitchen timer in my office, no need to distract/interrupt my coworkers with excessive timer sounds, and it can even be set to automatically start so no need to even switch to your timer. Thanks for such a great app!
Last year, I was working on a project that was so demanding that I would work several hours on my computer without taking a break. The mental and physical stress of such a schedule ended me in burnout and severe adrenal fatigue. This app helps really me to take care of my health while I work on a project that is even larger than the last one. I’m very, very thankful for it. I’ll likely get a paid subscription, simply because this is such a helpful addition to my life, and I want to support the developers financially. Also, love how clean and simple it is to use! Fits into my workflow like a charm!
I'm so thankful for this app, even the free version — it's so nice to be able to choose my intervals and switch up the notification sounds to keep it fun. I use 20 mins / 2 mins to keep ciliary spasm (eye strain) at bay. One feature I would have like is the ability to restart the day's count — sometimes I wake up to find the timer was accidentally going all night, and so my count for that day will be inaccurate. Maybe this is a paid thing, if so, fair. Thanks to this developer for the elegant and unobtrusive tool!
I get distracted a lot while studying so this app is fantastic so far! I timed it so that I study for 30 mins each cycle with a 6 minute break in between. After 3-4 cycles, I take a long break for 15 minutes. You can set up this routine in the app and customize your time lenghts for the cycles and breaks! The only thing is I wish there was a setting for the alarm volume, I use earbuds and sometimes it’s way too loud (I have sensitive hearing). Maybe there’s an option to do so in the pro version, I’m not sure since I’m only using the free version. So far so good, I recommend the download! It’s simple and aestheically pleasing too.
I started using this app as a study tool to keep from burning out during long days of studying for finals. The 25 minutes work/5 minute break is a great way to motivate yourself to stay focused for small periods of time and then take a break both from the material but also from staring at the screen for 5 minutes. The app design is simple and easy to use. I suggest taking a minute to set the volume and tone you want to use for your break start and end so you aren't startled by a loud alarm sound. Overall a really useful app!
As a doctoral candidate working on my dissertation, I have been struggling to stay focused on my writing and research and to remember to take breaks, primarily to reduce eye strain. One suggestion from eye specialists was to make sure I take a break from the computer screen at least once every 20 minutes and look at things at a distance to allow my eyes to "rest" and refocus. I lacked a tool to remind me to take those breaks, however, and Be Focused was highly rated, so I gave it a whirl. I am very impressed and satisfied, and only wish I had discovered it sooner!
I purchased the app a while ago and have used it sporadically. When I have I will say that it's done a good job and it looks very clean. I like the menu bar addition as well. There is a mobile app as well, which I was hoping to connect with the desktop app. I also wanted to set up automations and shortcuts involving the app so I could do everything quickly and easily (I hoped). The issue I've run into is that I haven't had any of my emails to the developer returned, and just recently when I tried again the email was sent back a few days later which didn't happen the first gew times. I'd like to give this more but if I can't get support on something I paid for I can't rate it too highly.
It is simple, effective, and does the thing. I have been using it for years, which has helped me when I need to nail down and focus. You can start sessions/breaks quickly, pause sessions/breaks, skip breaks if need be, restart your machine, and pick up where you left off. It helps me with work (coding), hydration, studying, investing, and working out. I use one to two cycles to warm up, work out, and stretch some days. As I consider this another form of deep-focus work
I must have been using a different app than everyone else who reviewed this. There’s no notification when a period is over (despite the preference to notify on completion being checked in the settings). It looks like the app only notifies by sound, which obviously doesn’t work in an office; I can’t have my computer dinging every 5 minutes. I tried to skip a work interval to the rest interval after discovering that I missed half a rest interval due to the above problem (received no notification when the work interval completed) but the option to skip the work interval just started the work interval again; it didn’t go to the rest interval at all, and I was unable to make the app actually skip the work interval.
Helps me stay focused with frequent breaks. I tend to just study study study and havent had a break for hours and then I feel groggy by the end of my study session. This app allows me to set what I want my work interval to be and how long my break is. Like someone else mentioned, I wish the bells would sound while my phone is in silent mode. I hate having to hear my texts or voice calls just to hear the sounds for the app. Otherwise, the app is great. Ive stuck to the free version for a couple of years and it does just what I need.
The app allows you to change the focus time and break time lengths which is great if you are just starting out with this concept. At first it may seem difficult to focus on just one thing for a period of time however, after a bit you may find break time comes too soon. No problem! Just bump up the focus time and you can keep working. I like that there are projects that you can add so you see where you spent your focus time…great for logging hours when working with clients.
simple application that helps track how much time I am spending studying certain subjects. Although, sometimes the timer will be going but when I stop the timer it won't track the entire time. Also, when I open the application itself it won't pause or stop the timer, but it will menu/top bar. Overall, I enjoy this app just some technical issues. It would be cool if I was able to "add" a time slot that has already passed esp when the timer doesn't log it. Also, if there was a way to track the amount of breaks on a seperate timer.
I first became interested in Pomodoro after learning about it from a psychology course. I found this timer app and I love it. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I think it would be outstanding if it synced perfectly with Apple's Reminders to-do's and because I find 5 stars to signify something close to perfection. Anyways, if what you want is a good Pomodoro timer then this is it and it does an excellent job. 5 stars on that. If what you want is an evolution of this fine app, then you'll have to wait.
Perfect little applet that lets you set work times, rest times, and long rest times. It's got ads, but only when you click the applet to check on your time (which you shouldn't be doing anyway!). So, after the first setup, you'll only see ads maybe once when you start it for the day, and then maybe once more when you stop it. Only thing I would change is allowing users to set a start and stop time so it does so automatically. But then we'd literally never see the ads, and the devs wouldn't get paid!
I just downloaded the application the other day while powering through a major Human Movement assignment for OT grad school. There's so much that goes into didactic learning that you can easly stray and get behind quickly. The timer keeps me on schedule - although, the break section I have not fully committed to stopping to give my brain a break, it is a helpful reminder to zone out for a quick fiver. I will be using this for the remainder of the term to see if it is helpful!!
The interface is easy to use. I like being able to track unique tasks with the labels. It’s easy to switch between which labels are being tasked. One feature I wish I could config was a count up clock on / off after breaks and after pomodoro. Often I walk on break and I wonder if I”m away to long, or if I get pulled into a side-conversation at work, I’d like to be able to track that amount (unnecessary but possible to add that side conversation time to a task, but I know that’s not the purpose of pomodoro more a time tracking app).
This simple but super effective tool has been a game changer for me. I tend to hyperfocus on whatever project I'm working on, so when I have multiple, long-term important projects, none of which are urgent, this app really helps me spend the right amount of time across all of them. The "Time for a Break" feature keeps me sharper for more of the day because I'm taking breaks instead of just pushing through and getting less efficient over time. Highly recommend this app!
Only reason free version not five stars is that I cannot sync it with my phone (not that I'm aware of) so when its time for my long 30 minute break, if I'm not within hearing and sight distance of my Mac, I'm not sure how much time I have left on my break. I might already have a timer or two set on my phone for laundry or baking food. Also, if I skip a ten minute break, then want to take a break part way into my next work interval, I can only hit pause. I would need to use my phone to set a separate ten minute timer for my short break.
Staying on task seems is a real challenge for our screen-bound generation. The Be Focused lets you get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals, separated by short breaks. It’s a surprisingly effective way to retain motivation and focus. Create tasks, configure breaks and track your progress throughout the day, week or custom period. Key features: - Start, pause, or skip intervals - Auto-start the next timer (option) - Customize the timer settings to maximize productivity: • Work interval duration • Short break duration • Long break duration • Number of intervals between long breaks • Target number of intervals per day - Manage your tasks - Specify different timer settings for different tasks - Add notes and due dates to tasks - Estimate the number of intervals required to complete a task and track the estimation error - View and manage completed intervals - Customize reports for fast and easy goal tracking - Ability to paste a task list from other apps - Global hotkeys to start or stop the timer from any app - Optional chronometer ticking sound - Customizable frequency of the chronometer sound - Wide range of alarm sounds - Ability to adjust alarm and chronometer volumes - Launch at startup (option) - Also available for iPhone and iPad* - Dark and Light mode support - Optimized for Mac with M1 Upgrade to Pro version to: - Sync data between iPhone, iPad and Mac * - Block distracting apps and websites - Use tags and filters to keep focussed - Export data to a CSV file - Auto backup your account data daily - Integrate with Focus Matrix to manage tasks using urgent/important principle ** - Remove banners and ads * Sync with iOS devices requires Be Focused Pro for iOS, sold separately. ** Integration with Focus Matrix requires the Pro version of Focus Matrix, sold separately.
