What it does
Focus Keeper is a productivity tool designed to help users manage their time and tasks using the Pomodoro Technique. The app provides a customizable timer for focused work sessions and breaks. It also integrates task management features, allowing users to schedule focus blocks in a calendar or manage a separate to-do list, complete with subtasks and progress tracking.
Where it shines
Focus Keeper excels at connecting the abstract concept of time management to concrete actions. During onboarding, it brilliantly previews a populated analytics dashboard (00:18), showing users the satisfying outcome of tracking their time before they've even started. The core timer interface is clean and functional, offering intuitive controls to pause, skip, or end a session (01:10). Its strength lies in its flexibility, offering both a structured, calendar-based task system for planned deep work (01:33) and a simple checklist for quick to-dos (03:39).
UX highlights
- Dual Task Systems: The app provides two distinct ways to manage tasks. A calendar view is used for scheduling specific focus sessions, while a separate, simpler to-do list is available for general task management.
- Actionable Analytics: The analytics dashboard (06:13) is straightforward, with daily, weekly, and monthly views. Tapping the share icon (06:22) generates a clean, downloadable summary image, making it easy to share progress.
- In-Timer Adjustments: While a focus session is running, users can pause and reveal simple 'Skip' and 'End' buttons, providing clear controls without cluttering the main view.
- Thoughtful Modals: Before ending a session early, a modal appears (01:30) asking "Are you sure you want to stop?" and encouraging the user to "Keep going." This small intervention can help users stick to their goals.
- Comprehensive Task Creation: When adding a new task to the calendar (02:40), the app offers a rich set of options, including setting custom Pomodoro timers, repeat schedules, and reminders.
- Customizable Sounds: The app provides a wide variety of ticking and alarm sounds (01:48), from a simple clock tick to ambient sounds like 'Fiji Beach,' allowing for deep personalization of the focus environment.
Monetization & growth
Focus Keeper uses a free trial model with a soft paywall. After a brief onboarding quiz, the app presents its subscription options at 00:25. The paywall highlights an annual plan as the 'Most Popular' choice, showing the monthly cost breakdown and a '27% OFF' discount to encourage a longer commitment. The screen also uses social proof, featuring a scrolling section of positive user reviews with star ratings (00:28) to build trust. The primary call-to-action is to "Start Free Trial," which initiates a 7-day trial before the annual subscription begins.
Who it’s for
This app is ideal for students, freelancers, writers, and anyone looking to implement structured work habits. Its dual task management systems cater to both meticulous planners who like to time-block their day and those who prefer a more flexible to-do list. The emphasis on the Pomodoro Technique makes it particularly well-suited for individuals who struggle with focus, procrastination, or burnout and need a system to break down their work into manageable intervals.
Notes & opportunities
The app offers two separate task systems (calendar vs. to-do list), which might cause confusion for some users. It's not immediately clear how or if these two lists sync or relate to each other. A small onboarding tip explaining the purpose of each list could clarify this. Additionally, while the timer is running, adjusting the time requires pausing first, which adds an extra tap. Allowing for on-the-fly time adjustments could streamline the experience further.