Pomobee vs TickTime: Same Hexagonal Shape, Different Worlds
TickTime is the original hexagonal flip timer. It started on Indiegogo and got refined into TickTime V2. The idea is simple: flip it to the side showing the duration you want, and the countdown starts. No app, no setup.
Pomobee has the same hexagonal form factor. That's roughly where the similarities end. Pomobee has a color LCD display, a BLE mobile app, configurable modes, native Pomodoro cycles, and cloud-synced session history. TickTime is a standalone timer. Pomobee is a standalone timer that also feeds data into a mobile app and web dashboard.
If you want the simplest possible physical timer and don't care about tracking, TickTime at $32.99 makes sense. It ships today. If you want a physical timer that connects to your data, Pomobee is what you're waiting for.
Choose TickTime if...
- →You want a simple timer with no digital components at all
- →Budget matters: TickTime V2 is $32.99
- →You need something available to buy right now
- →You don't use the Pomodoro technique
- →You prefer minimal, app-free operation
Choose Pomobee if...
- →You want to track your focus sessions over time
- →Pomodoro technique is part of your daily workflow
- →You want configurable modes, not fixed presets
- →A color display matters for readability
- →You want a physical timer + a productivity data layer
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TickTime V2 | Pomobee |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Hexagonal (6 sides) | Hexagonal (6 sides) |
| Display | LED display | ✓Color LCD (280×240, ST7789V2) |
| Modes | 6 fixed presets (flip countdown) | ✓6 configurable modes |
| Mobile app | None | ✓React Native + BLE sync |
| Pomodoro support | None (manual workaround only) | ✓Native 25/5 cycles |
| Session history | None | ✓Cloud-synced |
| Statistics | None | ✓Web + mobile dashboard |
| Notification modes | Sound, vibration, silent | Sound, vibration, silent |
| Magnetic side | Yes | Yes |
| Charging | USB (phone charger) | USB-C (104050 LiPo) |
| Price | ✓$32.99 | €79 early bird (planned) |
| Availability | ✓In stock, ships now | Pre-launch (Q4 2026) |
The App Gap: Why It Actually Matters
TickTime's no-app design is intentional. The product is a purely physical tool. Your phone stays in your pocket, and the timer does its one job. For people who want zero digital involvement, this is genuinely the right call.
But there's a cost. When a TickTime session ends, it's gone. You have no record of how many 30-minute blocks you completed today. You can't see whether Tuesday was more productive than Monday. You can't identify which type of work you consistently underestimate. The timer does its job and then leaves no trace.
Pomobee was designed around a different premise: physical commitment for the session itself, digital tracking for the bigger picture. You still flip a physical object to start. Your phone isn't involved during the session. But after the session, data syncs over BLE and builds into a history you can actually learn from.
Whether that matters depends on how you approach productivity. Pure minimalists: TickTime. People who want to improve over time: Pomobee.
LED vs Color LCD: The Display Difference
TickTime V2 uses an LED display, functional, readable, and power-efficient. It shows the countdown clearly and does what it needs to do.
Pomobee uses a 280×240 color LCD (ST7789V2 driver). This allows each mode to have distinct visual presentation. A Pomodoro mode can show the full cycle progress differently than a stopwatch, which looks different from a countdown. Color also enables a richer interface for the DISPLAY_UP and DISPLAY_DOWN orientation modes.
For basic countdown use, the difference is minimal. For a device with 6 distinct modes that all need to be clearly distinguishable at a glance across a desk, it matters.
Which One Fits Your Situation?
Situation
You want the cheapest hexagonal timer available now
→ TickTime V2
At $32.99 and in stock, TickTime V2 is the most affordable hexagonal flip timer currently shipping. Pomobee will cost more and launches Q4 2026.
Situation
You use the Pomodoro technique and want it automated
→ Pomobee
Pomobee's POMODORO mode runs automatic 25/5 cycles: flip once and the technique handles itself. TickTime has no Pomodoro mode; you'd need to manually restart it every 25 minutes.
Situation
You want to understand your focus patterns over weeks
→ Pomobee
Session data, daily totals, and weekly trends live in Pomobee's web dashboard. TickTime records nothing.
Situation
You want zero digital involvement, ever
→ TickTime V2
TickTime is fully standalone. No app needed, no account, no Bluetooth. Pomobee works standalone too, but it's optimized for use with the app.
Situation
You have ADHD and need configurable timing structures
→ Pomobee
Six configurable modes let you build a physical interface that matches your actual working patterns. TickTime's fixed presets are less adaptable to non-standard workflows.
Honest Limitations of Each
TickTime V2
- —No mobile app, all sessions leave no record
- —No Pomodoro mode, manual cycling required
- —6 fixed presets, durations cannot be customized per side
- —LED display only, no color or rich visual modes
- —No statistics or progress tracking whatsoever
Pomobee
- —Pre-launch, not yet available to buy
- —Requires app for full session tracking features
- —Kickstarter launch Q4 2026, delivery timeline TBD
- —Higher price than TickTime (€79 early bird vs $32.99)
- —Needs periodic charging, not passive like TickTime
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TickTime Cube the same as TickTime V2?
No. TickTime V2 (also called just 'TickTime') is hexagonal. The TickTime Cube is a newer, cube-shaped version at $36.99. This comparison focuses on TickTime V2, the hexagonal model, since it shares Pomobee's form factor.
Can I customize which duration appears on each TickTime side?
No. TickTime V2 has 6 fixed preset durations that you can't change. Pomobee's 6 sides are configurable: you choose which mode (POMODORO, COUNTDOWN, STOPWATCH, etc.) and what duration each side represents.
How long does TickTime battery last?
TickTime V2 is rechargeable via USB. The TickTime Cube (different product) lists 20 hours continuous use and 180 days standby. TickTime V2 battery life isn't prominently listed on their store.
Will Pomobee work without charging if the battery dies?
No. Pomobee requires battery power to function. TickTime V2 is also rechargeable. Neither device runs on replaceable batteries.