PomodoroBar vs TomatoBar
Open source menu bar Pomodoro timer.
The verdict
TomatoBar is a free, open-source alternative that covers the basics. PomodoroBar adds polished design, focus stats tracking, and a more refined experience for users willing to invest $4.99 in their productivity.
Pricing
PomodoroBar $4.99 one-time One-time purchase
TomatoBar Free (open source) free
Feature comparison
| Feature | PomodoroBar | TomatoBar |
|---|---|---|
| Menu bar native | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus statistics | ✓ | ✗ |
| Native notifications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lightweight (<10 MB) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Privacy-first (no account) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works offline | ✓ | ✓ |
| Platform | macOS | macOS |
| Pricing | $4.99 one-time | Free (open source) |
Pros & Cons
PomodoroBar
- ✓ Lives entirely in the menu bar — zero UI clutter
- ✓ One-time purchase, no subscription
- ✓ Native macOS notifications
- ✓ Daily & weekly focus tracking
- ✓ Fully offline, no account required
- ✓ Under 5 MB, instant launch
- ✗ macOS only (no Windows/iOS)
- ✗ No team/collaboration features
TomatoBar
- ✓ Completely free and open source
- ✓ Menu bar native
- ✓ Lightweight
- ✗ No focus statistics
- ✗ Basic UI with minimal polish
- ✗ Infrequent updates
- ✗ No support beyond GitHub issues
Who should choose TomatoBar?
Developers who want a free, no-frills timer and don't mind a basic UI.
Who should choose PomodoroBar?
You want a dead-simple, menu-bar-native Pomodoro timer for macOS. No subscriptions, no accounts, no clutter — just a one-click timer with focus stats. At $4.99 once, it's the most lightweight option for developers, writers, and creators who value simplicity.