Quick Comparison
| Feature | Tired Budgie | Forest | Marinara | Pomofocus | Tomato Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ✓ 100% free | Freemium | ✓ Free | ✓ Freemium | ✓ Free |
| Chrome Extension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Web only | Web only |
| Distinctive Alert | ✓ Screaming bird | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Tab Monitoring | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Site Blocking | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Gamification | ✗ | ✓ Trees | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Account Required | ✓ No account | Required | ✓ No account | For sync | ✓ No account |
| Customizable Times | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Limited |
Detailed Reviews
Tired Budgie
Best for: People who ignore gentle notifications
Let's be honest—this is our app, so we're biased. But here's what makes it different: the screaming budgie sound is impossible to ignore. Unlike soft chimes that blend into the background, Diwa demands attention.
- Pros: Memorable alerts, tab count tracking, completely free, no account needed, lightweight
- Cons: No site blocking, no gamification, might annoy coworkers if volume is up
Best choice if you need aggressive reminders and want to track tab hoarding.
Forest
Best for: Gamification lovers, phone addiction
Forest grows virtual trees while you focus. If you leave the app, your tree dies. It's a clever psychological trick that works well for many people, especially for avoiding phone use.
- Pros: Beautiful design, gamification motivates, plants real trees (paid tier), cross-platform
- Cons: Freemium model, requires account, focuses on phone avoidance more than computer work
Best choice if gamification motivates you and you want to limit phone usage too.
Marinara: Pomodoro Assistant
Best for: Customization enthusiasts
A highly customizable Chrome extension with multiple timer modes. Good for people who want precise control over their work/break ratios.
- Pros: Very customizable, multiple timer presets, free, good statistics
- Cons: UI feels dated, standard notification sounds, can feel complex
Best choice if you want maximum control over timer settings.
Pomofocus
Best for: Clean interface lovers
A web-based Pomodoro timer with a beautiful, minimalist design. Includes task management and reporting features.
- Pros: Beautiful design, task integration, progress reports, works anywhere
- Cons: Web-only (no extension), premium features require subscription
Best choice if you want task management integrated with your timer.
Tomato Timer
Best for: Simplicity seekers
A bare-bones web timer with no frills. Does exactly one thing: counts down 25 minutes.
- Pros: Dead simple, no distractions, no setup, works instantly
- Cons: No customization, no tracking, no mobile app, no extension
Best choice if you just want a countdown with zero complexity.
The honest truth: The best timer is the one you'll actually use. Try a few and see what sticks. Features matter less than consistent use.
How to Choose
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you ignore gentle reminders? → You need aggressive alerts (Tired Budgie)
- Are you motivated by gamification? → Forest's tree-growing mechanic might work
- Do you need precise customization? → Marinara offers the most control
- Do you want task management too? → Pomofocus integrates tasks
- Just want simplicity? → Tomato Timer or any basic timer works
Try Tired Budgie Free
No account. No premium tier. Just a screaming bird that refuses to let you forget your breaks.
Add to Chrome — Free