What Is Pomotroid?
The free, open-source Pomodoro timer for your desktop — what it does, who it’s for, and how it compares.
Updated October 2026 · 7 min read
⚡ Quick Answer
Pomotroid in one paragraph
Pomotroid is a desktop application that implements the Pomodoro Technique: you work in focused intervals (traditionally 25 minutes), take short breaks (5 minutes), and after four sessions take a longer break (15 minutes). Unlike web timers, it’s a native app — it can float always-on-top of your work, run fully offline, and stay out of your browser-tab chaos. It’s built with Tauri and Svelte (since v1.2.0), making it far lighter than typical Electron apps, and it’s completely free and open source on GitHub (5,500+ stars).
Key features
- Customizable timer: adjust focus, short break, and long break durations; optional auto-start.
- 20+ themes: community-made JSON themes (Dracula, Nord, Tokyo Night…) — make it yours.
- Mini mode & always on top: a tiny floating countdown that stays visible while you work.
- Keyboard shortcuts: start, pause, reset, and skip without touching the mouse.
- Tick sounds: optional ticking to anchor your attention during sessions.
- Multi-language UI: including full Turkish support (v1.7.1+).
- Offline & private: no account, no cloud — everything stays on your machine.
A brief history
Pomotroid was created by developer Splode as an open-source side project and quickly became one of GitHub’s most-starred Pomodoro timers. The v1.2.0 rewrite moved it from Vue/Electron to Tauri/Svelte — cutting its size dramatically and making it feel native. Development continues: v1.7.1 shipped in May 2026. (If you read old articles calling it “abandoned,” they’re out of date.)
Who is Pomotroid for — and not for
Perfect for: desktop workers, students, programmers, and writers who want a beautiful, distraction-free timer that lives outside the browser — free forever.
Not for: people who need a mobile app (there is none — see our Android and iPhone guides), cloud sync across devices, or built-in task management. For those, see our alternatives guide — most people pair Pomotroid with Todoist for tasks.
How to get started
Download it free for your system from our download page, then follow the beginner’s guide — you’ll run your first Pomodoro within two minutes of installing.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps these guides free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pomotroid used for?
Pomotroid is a Pomodoro timer for desktop computers — it helps you work in focused 25-minute sessions separated by breaks, following the Pomodoro Technique.
Is Pomotroid free?
Yes, completely free and open source. There is no paid version and no feature locked behind payment.
Is Pomotroid still maintained?
Yes. v1.7.1 was released in May 2026 and the GitHub repository is active. Old ‘abandoned’ claims are outdated.
What platforms does Pomotroid support?
Windows, macOS (universal binary, Apple Silicon native), and Linux. There is no mobile or web version.
Who created Pomotroid?
Developer Splode, as an open-source project on GitHub (github.com/Splode/pomotroid), where it has 5,500+ stars.
Is it spelled Pomotroid or Promotroid?
The correct spelling is Pomotroid (Pomodoro + Metroid). Common misspellings include promotroid, pomodroid, and pomodoro timer — they all refer to the same free, open-source Pomodoro timer for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Read this guide in other languages