PulsePomPulsePom and Focusmate at a glance
What each app offers, from PulsePom itself and from Focusmate's own listings.
| Feature | PulsePom | Focusmate |
|---|---|---|
| Focus timer | Pomodoro timer, and a Normal stopwatch or countdown; every session is saved to a subject | Booked sessions of 25, 50 or 75 minutes |
| Use without an account | Timer, Stats and Planner, saved on your device and moved into your account when you sign in | Free sign-up needed to book sessions |
| Study with friends | Study groups that show who is studying and for how long, with Studicons, challenges, quizzes and polls | One-to-one coworking with a partner |
| Video study rooms | No video or voice rooms | Live video sessions; you stay on camera |
| Group chat | Group chat with AI-moderated images and virus-scanned files | Not listed |
| Leaderboards | Global (daily, 7 and 30 days) and in every group | Not listed |
| Stats | Basic, Advanced and Subjects & Tasks stats: heatmap, hourly chart, streaks | Not listed |
| To-do list and planner | Planner with lists and a Board view; Calendar Pro (Premium) | Not listed |
| Habit tracking | Weekly and monthly habit tracker, with daily mood and motivation ratings | Not listed |
| App blocking | Android: apps and websites, during focus, on schedules or when a usage limit runs out Free | Not listed |
| Price | Free; Premium (monthly, yearly, or Lifetime on Android) adds PulsePom AI and Calendar Pro | Free: 3 sessions a week; Plus: unlimited, $8 a month billed yearly or $12 monthly |
| Platforms | Web, Android, Windows; iPhone, iPad and Mac in the browser | Browser on a computer or phone; no download |
Where Focusmate is the better choice
- Live, one-to-one video sessions of 25, 50 or 75 minutes, with a partner who sees you working.
- Sessions you book ahead and sync with your calendar, which makes them hard to skip.
- Nothing to install: it runs in the browser on a computer or phone.
Where PulsePom is different
- No camera and no booking: open the app and study, and your group sees you studying.
- Free with no limit. Focusmate's free plan has 3 sessions a week; Plus costs $8 a month billed yearly or $12 monthly.
- Study groups that last, with chat, challenges, attendance and leaderboards.
- A timer, stats, planner, habit tracker and Android blocker in the same app.
Choose Focusmate if…
- you need someone watching to get started
- you like booking focus sessions in your calendar
- you work on many kinds of tasks, not only study
Choose PulsePom if…
- you'd rather not be on camera
- you want to study with the same group every day
- you want unlimited sessions for free
- you want stats and blocking with your study time
How to switch from Focusmate to PulsePom
- Open PulsePom on the web, or install it from Google Play or the Microsoft Store.
- Sign in, free, and create a study group, or find one with Find Groups.
- Start the timer when you study. Your group sees you studying, and you can nudge each other with wake-up calls.
Focusmate and PulsePom: questions
Is PulsePom a body-doubling app?
In a looser sense. There's no video: your study group shows who is studying right now and how long each member has studied today, which many people find keeps them going. For live body doubling on camera, Focusmate is the better fit.
Is PulsePom free?
Yes. Study groups, group chat, the timer, stats, the planner and every Android blocking feature are free, with no limit on sessions and no ads.
Can I study with strangers on PulsePom?
Yes. Find Groups lists public study groups you can join, or you can join a group from an invite link.
Sources and disclaimer
PulsePom's column comes from the app itself. The other apps' details come from their own store listings and websites, checked on 9 November 2026. "Not listed" means we didn't find the feature in those sources, not that the app lacks it. Apps change often, so check each app for its latest features and prices.
- Focusmate (checked 9 November 2026): focusmate.com, Focusmate pricing
Focusmate is a trademark of its owner. PulsePom isn't affiliated with it.
Ready to focus together?
PulsePom is free on the web, Android and Windows. Start the timer now, with no account, and bring your friends when you're ready.