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Best Focus software, apps and tools

91 hand-picked focus tools, apps and resources, each one checked by a real person. 83 of them are free or have a free plan.

Updated

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Focus tools help you stay with one task long enough to make real progress. They work by cutting the noise around you, giving each work session a clear start and end, and making it easier to notice when your attention drifts.

This category covers ambient sound mixers that mask background noise, focus timers built on short work and break cycles, and apps that keep your phone out of reach while you work. Try one tool at a time for a week, pick a fixed time of day for your hardest work, and keep sessions short at first so the habit sticks.

All resources

Type

Pricing

Platform

91 resources

BreakTimer

An open-source desktop app that reminds you to take regular breaks.

Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS

Time Out

A Mac break reminder with free Normal and Micro breaks.

Mac AppFree planmacOS

Flocus

A free focus dashboard with timers, ambient sounds and a to-do list.

Web AppFree planWeb

ghostwriter

A distraction-free Markdown editor with focus and Hemingway modes.

Desktop AppFreeWindows, Linux

Cuckoo

A shareable Pomodoro timer that keeps a remote team in sync.

Web AppFreeWeb

Workrave

A free break reminder that nudges you to rest your eyes and hands.

Desktop AppFreeWindows, Linux

Lichess

A free, open-source chess site with games, puzzles and lessons.

WebsiteFreeWeb, iOS

Radio Garden

Listen to live radio stations from around the world by spinning a globe.

Web AppFreeWeb, iOS

Zellij

A friendly terminal workspace with panes, tabs and saved layouts built in.

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux

Focus To-Do

A Pomodoro timer and to-do list combined in one simple app.

Mobile AppFree planiOS, Android

Smiling Mind

A free mindfulness and mental fitness app from a not-for-profit.

Mobile AppFreeiOS, Android

KOReader

A free ebook reader for e-ink devices that handles PDFs and EPUBs with ease.

Mobile AppFreeAndroid, Linux

StudyStream

Study or work alongside others on camera in silent focus rooms.

Web AppFree planWeb, iOS

LifeAt

An immersive focus space with ambient scenes, sounds, timers and to-dos.

Web AppFree planWeb, Chrome

Insight Timer

A large free library of guided meditations, talks and sleep sounds.

Mobile AppFree planiOS, Android

Showing 36 of 91

Focus at a glance

Counted from the listings on this page.

Pricing
Of 91 picks, 64 are completely free, 19 have a free plan and 8 are paid.
Highest rated
Raycast (4.9/5), Lichess (4.8/5) and uBlock Origin (4.8/5) have the highest ratings in our reviews.
Formats
Most common: Web App (22), Desktop App (19), Mac App (14) and Browser Extension (13).
Often also listed under
Personal Productivity (39), Time Management (22), Deep Work (19) and Distraction Blocking (16).
Platforms
Most listed: Web (40), macOS (37), Windows (20) and Android (19).
Best for
Picked most often for Personal Use (59), Students (51) and Professionals (48).
Learning curve
73 beginner-friendly, 12 intermediate and 6 advanced.
Newest addition
RescueTime, added 12 November 2026.

Focus tools: common questions

Straight answers to what people ask before picking a tool.

What are the best focus tools?
The highest-rated focus picks in the directory right now are Raycast, Lichess and uBlock Origin. Each one is checked by hand, and the full list above is sorted by our recommendation.
What is the best free focus tool?
Lichess and uBlock Origin are the top-rated completely free options. If a free plan is enough, Raycast is also worth a look.
How many focus tools are listed?
91 focus resources are listed: 64 completely free, 19 with a free plan and 8 paid. New ones are added as they are checked.

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