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The pomodoro technique is a time/focus management technique that helps you concentrate on a particular task for 25 minutes with a kitchen timer. However, there are situations where using a kitchen timer is inappropriate, such as in an open office.

Many iPhone applications can be used as pomodoro timer substitutes. I searched for pomodoro in the app store and downloaded every applications. This post looks further at the experience I had with each of them. I have placed a next to my favorite app.

Built-in iPhone Timer (free)

If you don’t want to bother installing a pomodoro app, you can always use the built-in timer on the iPhone.

• Pros
  
  • Customizable ring sound
  • Timer goes on even if the app is closed
• Cons
  • No tick sound

iPomodoro by Surya Gaddipati (free)

This app is as is simple as it can get. There is start/abort button, the hand of the timer updates in real time and it has basic statistics capabilities.

• Pros
  
  • Customizable break length
• Cons
  • Does not work with when screen is locked
  • No tick sound when the phone is in vibration mode

Pomodoro by Jani Brezavscek (free)

This app has the most minimalist interface of all, but it gets the job done nonetheless. The added value over the built-in timer is a simple count that resets every 4 pomodoros.

• Pros
  • Shake your iPhone to start a pomodoro
• Cons
  • No tick sound
  • Unpolished
  • Not customizable

Timer by Francis Bonnin ($0.99)

This is a timer replacement for the built-in iPhone timer. It has precision to seconds instead of minutes.

• Pros
  • Precision to seconds
  • Can be used for other purposes than pomodoros
  • Customizable tick and ring sound
  • Landscape support
  • Best value of all
• Cons
  • Not free

Pomodoro Time Management by rapidrabbit ($0.99)

This app is very well polished, has a built-in task management system and has pomodoro break support. They also have a lite version which is free.

• Pros
  • Very well designed & highly polished interface and easy to use.
  • Tick and ring sound can be turned on/off
  • Timer for breaks
• Cons
  • Not free
  • No support for online task management systems such as remember the milk.

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  Pomodoro Timer by Navel Labs ($0.99)

  
  

  This app has a very well polished finish. You have to manually rewind the timer to perform a pomodoro.

  • Pros
    • Customizable volume for both tick and ring
    • Customizable time (not stuck to 25 min)
    • Highly polished
    • Tick sound when the screen is locked
  • Cons
    • Sometimes the tick sound is not there when rewinding. (You have to restart the app).
    • No timer for breaks
    • Not free

Happy pomodorying on your iPhone!