PomoDuck vs PomoFocus: Which Free Pomodoro Timer Should You Use?
April 28, 2026 · 6 min read
PomoFocus has been the default web-based Pomodoro timer for years — clean, fast, and free. PomoDuck is the newer, gamified take on the same idea: every focus session feeds a duck and grows a streak. Both are free. Both run in the browser. The right one depends on what you actually want from a Pomodoro app.
This is an honest comparison written by the team behind PomoDuck. We use PomoFocus too — it is a great product. The goal here is to help you pick the one that fits your workflow, not to bash a competitor.
At a glance
| PomoDuck | PomoFocus | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Customizable intervals | Yes | Yes |
| Task list | Yes (sync across devices on login) | Yes (local until premium) |
| Statistics | 120-day calendar + bar charts | Daily / weekly summary |
| Streaks | Yes — daily streak counter | No |
| Gamification | Eggs, ducks, leaderboard, achievements | None |
| Sound | Configurable ticking + bell | Configurable ticking + bell |
| Mobile | Telegram Mini App + responsive web | Responsive web |
| Browser extension | Chrome extension (free) | None |
| Account sync | Yes (Google, Telegram, WorldCoin) | Premium only |
Where PomoFocus wins
- Minimal interface. If you want a clean timer with zero distraction and zero learning curve, PomoFocus is excellent.
- Brand recognition. It has been around longer and many study-with-me streamers use it.
- No login required. Open the page, click start. PomoDuck also works without login but the gamification only persists once you sign in.
Where PomoDuck wins
- Gamification that actually keeps you coming back. Each finished session earns eggs that hatch into ducks. The mascot growing alongside your habit makes the timer something you want to return to, not just tolerate.
- Streaks. A visible daily streak counter is a proven habit-building lever — and the single biggest reason users stick with the app long-term.
- 120-day calendar view. See a GitHub-style activity grid of your last four months of focus sessions. PomoFocus does not offer this.
- Browser extension. The PomoDuck extension keeps the timer in your toolbar across any tab, and supports a focus-mode site blocker. PomoFocus is web-only.
- Free account sync. Sign in with Google, Telegram, or WorldCoin and your data follows you across devices — no premium subscription required.
- Telegram Mini App. If you live inside Telegram, PomoDuck runs as a native Mini App with notifications when sessions end.
- Leaderboard and friends. Optional social layer — see how your weekly focus minutes compare with friends who join your referral.
Which one should you pick?
Pick PomoFocus if: you want the leanest possible web timer and you do not care about long-term tracking, streaks, or gamification.
Pick PomoDuck if: you have struggled to keep a focus habit going, you want progress to feel rewarding, or you want the same timer state across web, mobile (Telegram), and a Chrome extension. The duck is optional. The structure is what makes the difference.
Both apps are free. The cheapest test is to use each one for a week and see which one you actually open on day eight.
Try PomoDuck
Open the PomoDuck timer, run a 25-minute session, and see the egg counter tick up. If you want the longer rationale for the technique itself, start with What Is the Pomodoro Technique.
