Best Timer Apps for Mac in 2025-2026: Complete Guide
Looking for the perfect timer app for your Mac? We've tested dozens of options and narrowed it down to the top 5 timer apps for different use cases. Whether you need a quick Pomodoro timer, gesture-based controls, or advanced focus features, this guide will help you find the right app.
Our Top Picks
1. Peachy Timer — Best for Speed
Peachy Timer is our top pick for users who want the fastest possible timer creation. Its unique gesture-based interface lets you set timers by dragging down from the menu bar — no clicks, no typing.
- Gesture-based input (drag to set duration)
- Multiple simultaneous timers
- Custom presets for quick access
- Color customization
- Freemium model with no ads
Best for: Anyone who values speed and simplicity. Perfect for Pomodoro technique, cooking timers, quick reminders, or managing multiple tasks.
Price: Free tier available, Premium via subscription or one-time purchase
2. Horo — Best for Natural Language
Horo excels at parsing natural language input. Type "25m", "1h 30m", or even "@3pm" to set timers. Great for users who prefer typing to dragging and need precise durations.
- Natural language parsing ("45 minutes", "@3pm")
- Multiple simultaneous timers
- Menu bar integration
- Native macOS notifications
- Free with no ads
Best for: Users who prefer typing and need exact times. Keyboard-centric workflows.
Price: Free
3. Be Focused — Best for Pomodoro
Be Focused is purpose-built for the Pomodoro technique with work/break cycles, task lists, and productivity statistics.
- Built-in Pomodoro timer with customizable intervals
- Task list integration
- Productivity statistics and reports
- Goals and tracking
- Free with optional Pro upgrade
Best for: Dedicated Pomodoro practitioners who want task tracking and stats.
Price: Free (Pro version $4.99)
4. Gestimer — Best Alternative to Peachy Timer
Gestimer pioneered the gesture-based timer concept. It's similar to Peachy Timer but costs $3.99 and lacks customization options. Still a solid choice if you want to support the original creator.
- Gesture-based timer creation
- Multiple timers
- Menu bar integration
- Simple, minimalist interface
Best for: Users who want gesture-based timers and don't mind paying.
Price: $3.99 (one-time purchase)
5. Focus Timer — Best for Focus Sessions
Focus Timer combines timer functionality with website blocking and distraction prevention. Great for deep work sessions.
- Timer with website blocking
- App blocking during focus sessions
- Customizable block lists
- Session history and analytics
Best for: Users who struggle with distractions and need enforced focus.
Price: $2.99/month or $19.99/year
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Peachy Timer | Horo | Be Focused | Gestimer | Focus Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input method | Gesture | Natural language | Click/type | Gesture | Click/type |
| Multiple timers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Custom presets | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Pomodoro mode | Via presets | Manual | ✅ Built-in | Manual | ✅ Built-in |
| Task tracking | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Website blocking | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Color themes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Price | Freemium | Free | Free / $4.99 | $3.99 | $2.99/mo |
How We Tested
We evaluated each timer app based on five key criteria:
- Speed of timer creation — How quickly can you set a timer?
- Feature set — Does it have the features you need?
- Design quality — Is the interface intuitive and pleasant to use?
- Resource usage — Does it slow down your Mac?
- Value for money — Is it worth the price (or free)?
All apps were tested on macOS Sonoma running on an M1 MacBook Pro. We used each app for at least a week to understand its strengths and weaknesses in real-world scenarios.
Conclusion
For most Mac users, Peachy Timer offers the best combination of speed, features, and value. Its gesture-based interface is genuinely faster than any other method we tested, and the custom presets make it perfect for Pomodoro or any repeated timer needs.
If you prefer typing to gestures, Horo is an excellent free alternative. For dedicated Pomodoro users who want task tracking, Be Focused is worth considering. And if you struggle with distractions, Focus Timer's website blocking might justify the subscription.
Our Top Recommendation
Peachy Timer wins for its unbeatable combination of speed, features, and flexible pricing. The gesture-based timer creation is incredibly fast, custom presets save time for repeated tasks, and it offers a generous free tier with no ads. Premium features are available via subscription or one-time purchase for those who need them.
Download Peachy Timer