7 Best Focus Timer Apps for iPhone in 2026

What makes a good focus timer?

Before diving into individual apps, here's what we looked for. A good focus timer should do three things well: it should keep running when you lock your phone, it should handle interruptions gracefully, and it shouldn't cost a monthly subscription for basic timer functionality.

Surprisingly few apps nail all three. Most focus timers stop counting when you switch apps or lock your screen. Many penalize you for pausing. And the subscription trend has hit productivity apps hard — several popular timers now charge $3-5 per month for features that used to be free.

We also weighted ADHD-friendliness, since a significant portion of focus timer users are neurodivergent. Rigid 25-minute intervals don't work for everyone, and the best apps acknowledge this.

1. Nudge — Best for non-punitive focus

Free (Pro: $6.99 one-time) · iOS 17+

Nudge is built on a simple premise: pausing your timer shouldn't feel like failure. When life interrupts — a phone call, a doorbell, a child who needs attention — you hit pause and come back when you're ready. Your session stays valid.

The timer uses real timestamps instead of tick counting, so it stays accurate even when the app is in the background or your phone is locked. The silent vibration alerts use a custom triple-pulse haptic pattern that works in silent mode — a feature that's surprisingly rare among competitors.

The Pro tier ($6.99, one-time) adds count-up mode for open-ended deep work, time-awareness nudges for ADHD users, per-timer statistics, and data export. The free version includes everything most people need: Pomodoro and countdown timers, 3 presets, full session history, and the home screen widget.

Best for: People who get interrupted, ADHD users, anyone tired of punitive timer mechanics.

Limitations: No gamification element, no cross-device sync, iPhone only.

2. Forest — Best for gamification lovers

$3.99 + subscription · iOS 13+

Forest is the most well-known focus timer on the App Store, with 47,000+ ratings and a beautiful tree-growing mechanic. Plant a virtual tree, focus for the set time, and the tree grows. Leave the app early, and the tree dies.

The gamification is genuinely motivating for many people. The app also partners with a real tree-planting organization, adding an environmental angle that feels good.

However, Forest has made some controversial changes in recent updates. The 2025 update introduced a $4.99/month subscription for Pro features, removing them from the original one-time $3.99 purchase. Reddit's r/forestapp saw significant backlash. The punitive pause mechanic — your tree dies if you leave the app for any reason, including answering a phone call — is polarizing. Some users love the accountability; others find it stressful.

Battery drain has also been reported as worse post-2025 updates, with some users seeing 10-20% faster depletion.

Best for: Users motivated by gamification and visual rewards.

Limitations: Punitive pause model, subscription pricing, battery drain concerns.

3. Focus Keeper — Best simple Pomodoro

Free (Pro: $3.99/month) · iOS 13+

Focus Keeper is a straightforward Pomodoro timer with a clean circular interface. It does one thing well: count down 25 minutes with a visual progress ring. The design is simple and the app is easy to pick up.

The main issue is a well-documented bug: the timer stops counting when you switch apps or lock your phone. This defeats the purpose of a timer that's supposed to let you put your phone down and focus. Over 15 recent App Store reviews mention this problem.

The 2025 update also removed customizable tomato counters in favor of vague visuals, and added a $3.99/month Pro subscription for full analytics. The free version limits you to 3-day charts.

Best for: Users who want basic Pomodoro without complexity and keep the app open.

Limitations: Timer stops on app switch/lock, monthly subscription for analytics.

4. Session — Best for power users

Free (Pro: $4.99/month) · iOS 16+

Session is the most feature-rich Pomodoro app on the list. It offers detailed session tracking, calendar integration, Apple Watch support, and cross-platform sync (iOS, macOS, watchOS). The UI is polished and feels premium.

The downsides are the price and the limited free tier. At $4.99/month, Session is the most expensive focus timer in this list. The free version limits you to basic Pomodoro without advanced reporting or unlimited categories. Multiple App Store reviews note the subscription feels too expensive for a timer app, with users wishing for a one-time purchase option.

Best for: Users who need cross-device sync, calendar integration, and detailed reporting.

Limitations: Expensive subscription, limited free tier.

5. Flora — Best for accountability

Free (Pro: $1.99-29.99) · iOS 14+

Flora is similar to Forest in concept — grow virtual plants by staying focused. What sets it apart is the social accountability feature: you can focus with friends, and if anyone breaks the session, they pay a real-money fine (starting at $0.10) that goes toward planting real trees.

The social pressure can be motivating, but it's also the app's biggest weakness. The punitive pause model is even harsher than Forest's: any app switch kills your plant. The app requires a Facebook login for social features, which raises privacy concerns. And whitelisting essential apps (like Slack for remote workers) requires a $1.99/month Pro upgrade.

Bug reports in 2026 reviews mention garden reset delays lasting days and the UI becoming cluttered after recent updates.

Best for: Users motivated by social accountability and real consequences.

Limitations: Harsh penalties, Facebook login required, app-switch kills sessions.

6. Be Focused — Best for Mac integration

Free (Pro: $9.99 one-time) · iOS 13+

Be Focused has been around for years and offers both iOS and Mac versions with iCloud sync. The Pro version ($9.99 one-time) includes unlimited intervals, customizable task names, and cross-device sync.

The app's age shows in its UX. Navigation is clunky, with nested menus that make simple edits tedious. The most-cited bug: alarms don't sound in silent mode. This has been reported by 8+ users over several years and remains unfixed. For a focus timer, the inability to alert you in silent mode is a significant flaw.

Best for: Mac users who want a simple timer with iCloud sync.

Limitations: No silent-mode alerts, dated UX, slow updates.

7. Pomofocus — Best free web option

Free · Web (mobile browser)

Pomofocus is a 100% free web-based Pomodoro timer that works in any browser. There's no app to install, no account to create, and no features behind a paywall. You open the website, set your intervals, and start focusing.

The simplicity is both the strength and limitation. Since it runs in a browser, there are no background notifications, no haptic alerts, no widget, and no native performance. You have to keep the browser tab open. But if you just need a simple countdown timer on your laptop, it works perfectly.

Best for: Users who want a simple, free timer with zero friction.

Limitations: No native app, no background alerts, no offline support.

Comparison table

The bottom line

The best focus timer depends on what you need. If gamification motivates you and you don't mind the punitive model, Forest is proven. If you need cross-device sync and don't mind paying monthly, Session is the most full-featured option.

But if you want a timer that handles real-world interruptions gracefully, works silently in the background, and doesn't charge you every month — Nudge fills a gap that the other apps leave open. It's the timer for people who need focus without the guilt.

Frequently asked questions