Built a free study timer because everything online was either trash or behind a paywall
Built a free study timer because everything online was either trash or behind a paywall
So I was looking for a decent study timer. Not asking for much — just something that doesn’t look like it was designed in 2014, with maybe some ambient videos, Spotify, different focus techniques. Basically a nice study space, not just a countdown.
Opened like 50 tabs. Everything interesting? Paywall. Every single one.
Got annoyed. Decided to build it myself.
Meet Hourglass — a completely free study timer with:
Ambient video backgrounds (rain, cafés, forests, train rides, Tokyo streets, fireplaces)
Spotify playlists for each vibe
Pomodoro, Deep Focus, 52/17, Ultradian, custom timers
No login, no ads, no “premium tier surprise”
Deployed on Vercel, open-sourced on GitHub. Took me less time to build than I’d spend on subscriptions over a semester lol.
Most satisfying part? I’m actually using it while prepping for GATE instead of just having another bookmarked tab I never touch.
If you try it, would genuinely love to hear feedback or what you’d add to it.