A free productivity app that doesn't ask for your email

How to choose a free productivity app, and where FocusOS fits.

What to look for in a free productivity app

"Best" depends on what's getting in your way. If you lose track of tasks, you need a to-do app. If you do know what to do but keep drifting away from it, you need something that protects your attention. FocusOS is the second kind.

A good free app for focus should pass a few simple tests:

• Is it free to use properly? Some apps put their real blocking behind a subscription or a time limit.
• Do you have to sign up first? An account adds a step, and gives a company one more record about you.
• Does it cover your phone? Blocking your computer helps little if your phone is the distraction.
• Is it hard to ignore? A timer alone relies on willpower, which is what you were short of.
• Where does your data go? Your work habits are personal.

Why this matters

Researcher Gloria Mark at UC Irvine found that people stay on one screen for about 47 seconds on average, and it can take around 25 minutes to get back to what you were doing after an interruption. Getting more done often starts with fewer interruptions.

What FocusOS does

FocusOS is free for Windows and Android, with no paid tier, ads or sign-up.

1. Say what you're working on and for how long.
2. Open what you need. That becomes your list.
3. Lock in. Anything else is hidden and has to ask first.
4. Enter one key on your Android phone, and it locks for the same session. Calls and emergency calls still work.

When it's a good fit

• You're studying for an exam or working on something that needs long stretches of attention.
• Your phone is a big part of the problem.
• You don't want another account.
• You use Windows, with or without an Android phone.

When it isn't

• You need it on an iPhone or a Mac today.
• You're looking for a to-do list, calendar or notes app.
• You want a team tool with shared reports.

Try it

Download FocusOS free from focusoslive.xyz. The how to use it page and the 3-minute guide on the home page walk you through setup.