Side-by-side
| Question | Pomodoro timer | Subject timer | Study Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main job | Pace one work block | Record minutes per course | Pace a session and store it on a subject |
| Typical length | 25 minutes + a short break | As long as you actually study | Stopwatch, 25m Focus, or 50m Deep |
| Subjects | Usually none | Required | As many as you need; one timer at a time |
| Daily goal | Count of pomodoros | Minutes per day | Minutes toward a daily goal |
| Tasks and reports | Rare | Sometimes | Tasks, streaks, and yearly stats |
| Devices | Varies by app | Varies by app | Android, iOS, and web on one account |
When to use Pomodoro
Choose a Pomodoro-style block when starting is the hard part, or when you want a visible end time. A 25-minute Focus session is enough for a problem set, a reading chunk, or language drills. Then take a short break and start another block if you still have energy.
When to use a subject timer
Choose a subject timer when you care about the weekly picture: “Did Chemistry get enough hours?” or “Why is Programming always last?” A generic clock cannot answer that. Create one subject per course, start the timer only while you are actually studying, and review the week — not every few minutes.
How Study Time combines both
Study Time is a subject timer first. You pick Mathematics, start a session, and that time is stored on Mathematics. If you want a Pomodoro rhythm, choose 25-minute Focus or 50-minute Deep instead of the stopwatch. The session still belongs to that subject and still counts toward your daily goal.
Pair the timer with tasks so you know what you finished, not only how long you sat. The study guide walks through subjects, goals, and a weekly review.
What Study Time is not
- It is not a class timetable or calendar
- It is not a blocked-website “focus lock” app
- It does not run two subjects at once
- It is not a paid productivity suite — the core tracker is free
Start with one honest session
Add two or three real subjects, set a modest daily goal, and run one Focus session today. After a week the reports show where your hours went — which is the reason to use a subject timer instead of a clock.