PulsePomWho made this list: we make PulsePom, and it's on this list. We've tried to be fair: every app here is the best choice for someone, and each entry says what it does well and what to keep in mind.
What the free versions include
PulsePom gives the most away for free among the apps here: its timer, study groups, group chat, planner, habit tracker, stats and every Android blocking feature are free with no ads, and only the AI study coach and Calendar Pro are Premium. ScreenZen is completely free but sticks to screen time, while Forest, Pomofocus, TickTick, Focusmate, BlockSite and Flora keep some features for paid plans.
| App | Best for | Price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PulsePom | the most features free, with no ads | Free; Premium (monthly, yearly, or Lifetime on Android) adds PulsePom AI and Calendar Pro | Web, Android, Windows; iPhone, iPad and Mac in the browser |
| 2. ScreenZen | completely free screen-time control | Completely free; donations welcome (its FAQ) | Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows |
| 3. Forest | a generous free plan, with ads | Free; Forest Plus subscription | Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome and Firefox extensions |
| 4. Pomofocus | a free no-sign-up web timer | Free; Premium adds projects, yearly reports, CSV download, integrations and no ads | Web; downloads for Mac, Windows and Linux |
| 5. TickTick | free tasks, calendar and Pomodoro timer | Free; Premium US$49.99 a year | Web, Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Wear OS |
| 6. Flora | free tree-growing with no ads | Free; in-app purchases ($0.99–$134.99 per item on Google Play) | Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome extension |
| 7. Focusmate | three free video sessions a week | Free: 3 sessions a week; Plus: unlimited, $8 a month billed yearly or $12 monthly | Browser on a computer or phone; no download |
| 8. BlockSite | free blocking of up to 5 apps | Free; Premium ($0.49–$199.99 per item on Google Play) | Android, iPhone, iPad; browser extensions; desktop app |
How we chose
- What the free version includes, from each app's own plans or listing
- Whether the free version shows ads
- Limits on the free version
- What the upgrade costs, where it's published
We compared each app's own Google Play and App Store listings and official website, on the date shown under Sources, and PulsePom from the app itself. We haven't tested every app hands-on for this list: when we call an app the best for something, it's because its own listing describes that most fully among the apps here.
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1. PulsePom
Best for the most features free, with no ads
Free: the Pomodoro and Normal timers, study groups with 370+ Studicons, group chat, challenges, quizzes and polls, the Planner (lists and Board view), the habit tracker, all stats, leaderboards, and every Android blocking feature, including Shorts and Reels blocking, YouTube University, Study Mode, Strict Mode, limits and triggers. No ads. Premium adds the PulsePom AI study coach and Calendar Pro.
Good
- Study groups, group chat, challenges and leaderboards, all free
- Every Android blocking feature is free, Shorts and Reels blocking included
- Web, Android and Windows apps with one account, and no sign-up needed to start
Keep in mind
- No App Store app: on iPhone, iPad and Mac it runs in the browser
- Blocking is Android-only
- No focus sounds, video study rooms or smartwatch app
- The AI study coach is part of Premium
Price: Free; Premium (monthly, yearly, or Lifetime on Android) adds PulsePom AI and Calendar Pro · Platforms: Web, Android, Windows; iPhone, iPad and Mac in the browser
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2. ScreenZen
Best for completely free screen-time control
Its website's FAQ says ScreenZen is completely free, with optional donations: pauses before opening apps, scroll interruptions, daily usage goals and website blocking.
Good
- Completely free, per its FAQ
- Gentle friction that builds intention
- Android, iPhone, Mac and Windows
Keep in mind
- Made for screen time only: no timer, groups or planner in its listing
- Adds friction rather than strict blocking by default
Price: Completely free; donations welcome (its FAQ) · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows
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3. Forest
Best for a generous free plan, with ads
Free, according to Forest's plan comparison: the timer and stopwatch, ambient sounds, Deep Focus app blocking, one Time Guard app or site, focus tracking, Focus Challenge, Plant Together and the leaderboard. Forest Plus adds the custom allowlist, multi-app Time Guard, Focus Analytics, custom tags, all soundscapes and no ads.
Good
- A simple, motivating idea that works
- Plants real trees with Trees for the Future
- Native Android and iPhone apps, plus Chrome and Firefox extensions
Keep in mind
- The free version shows ads (Google Play label)
- The custom allowlist, multi-app Time Guard and Focus Analytics need Forest Plus
- No to-do list or habit tracker in its listing
Price: Free; Forest Plus subscription · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome and Firefox extensions
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4. Pomofocus
Best for a free no-sign-up web timer
Free: the timer, task list, up to 3 templates, a finish-time estimate and daily, weekly and monthly reports, with ads. Premium adds projects, yearly reports, CSV download, Todoist and webhook integrations, and no ads.
Good
- Open the page and press Start: no sign-up
- Task templates, a finish-time estimate and Todoist import
- Downloads for Mac, Windows and Linux
Keep in mind
- Ads in the free version (“No Ads” is a Premium feature)
- Yearly reports and CSV download need Premium
- No study groups or app blocking in its features
Price: Free; Premium adds projects, yearly reports, CSV download, integrations and no ads · Platforms: Web; downloads for Mac, Windows and Linux
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5. TickTick
Best for free tasks, calendar and Pomodoro timer
Free: tasks, a calendar, the Pomodoro timer and up to 5 habits. Premium (US$49.99 a year) raises the limits, to 299 habits for example, and adds calendar views and themes.
Good
- One of the most complete to-do and calendar apps
- Pomodoro timer and white noise built in
- Apps for every major platform
Keep in mind
- The free plan has 5 habits; more need Premium (US$49.99 a year)
- No study groups or app blocking in its listing
- Made for tasks first, studying second
Price: Free; Premium US$49.99 a year · Platforms: Web, Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Wear OS
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6. Flora
Best for free tree-growing with no ads
Free with no ads, according to its listing: the tree-growing timer, groups with friends and stats. Planting real trees needs a Flora Care subscription.
Good
- No ads, per its listing
- Grow trees together with friends, and chat
- Real trees with a Flora Care subscription
Keep in mind
- No app blocking in its listing: leaving kills the tree instead
- No web or Windows app in its listing
- Real tree planting needs a subscription
Price: Free; in-app purchases ($0.99–$134.99 per item on Google Play) · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad; Chrome extension
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7. Focusmate
Best for three free video sessions a week
Free: 3 video coworking sessions a week. Plus: unlimited sessions for $8 a month billed yearly, or $12 monthly.
Good
- Real accountability from a live partner
- Works in any browser, nothing to install
- Sessions sync with your calendar
Keep in mind
- You stay on camera
- The free plan has 3 sessions a week; Plus is $8 a month billed yearly or $12 monthly
- No stats, planner or app blocking among its listed features
Price: Free: 3 sessions a week; Plus: unlimited, $8 a month billed yearly or $12 monthly · Platforms: Browser on a computer or phone; no download
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8. BlockSite
Best for free blocking of up to 5 apps
Free: blocking up to 5 apps, block lists, schedules, a Pomodoro-style Focus Mode, blocking by words, sync and insights, with ads. Premium adds category and adult-site blocking, password protection and uninstall prevention.
Good
- Blocks in the browser and on the phone
- Clear list of free and Premium features
- Block by keyword
Keep in mind
- Free blocks up to 5 apps
- Adult and category blocking need Premium
- Shows ads (Google Play label)
Price: Free; Premium ($0.49–$199.99 per item on Google Play) · Platforms: Android, iPhone, iPad; browser extensions; desktop app
Questions
What is the best completely free focus app?
PulsePom keeps its timer, study groups, chat, planner, habits, stats and every Android blocking feature free with no ads; only the AI coach and Calendar Pro are paid. ScreenZen is completely free too, but it's a screen-time app without a timer, groups or a planner.
Do free focus apps have ads?
Some do. Google Play labels Forest, YPT, BlockSite, Stay Focused, StudyStream and Focustown as containing ads. PulsePom has no ads, and Flora's listing says it has none.
What does PulsePom Premium add?
PulsePom AI, a study coach that builds study plans from your own study data and helps with homework from a photo, and Calendar Pro. It's a monthly or yearly subscription, with a one-time Lifetime purchase in the Android app. Everything else is free.
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.
- ScreenZen (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, screenzen.co (FAQ: completely free), App Store listing
- Forest (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, forestapp.cc (Free vs Plus plans), App Store listing
- Pomofocus (checked 9 November 2026): pomofocus.io (home page, opened in a browser)
- TickTick (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, TickTick Premium page, App Store listing
- Flora (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing, flora.appfinca.com, App Store listing
- Focusmate (checked 9 November 2026): focusmate.com, Focusmate pricing
- BlockSite (checked 9 November 2026): Google Play listing (free and Premium features), blocksite.co, App Store listing
ScreenZen, Forest, Pomofocus, TickTick, Flora, Focusmate, BlockSite are trademarks of their owners. PulsePom isn't affiliated with them.
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.