How To Use Focusmate
What It Does
Focusmate pairs you with a stranger on video for 25, 50, or 75-minute focus sessions where you both work on your own tasks. The presence of another person (even virtually) helps you stay accountable, beat procrastination, and finish what you started.
Getting Started (5 steps)
- Sign up for free at focusmate.com (no credit card required for 3 sessions per week)
- Book your first session by picking a time and session length (25, 50, or 75 minutes)
- Focusmate matches you with another user from anywhere in the world
- Join the video call at your scheduled time, greet your partner, and share what you're working on (30 seconds each)
- Mute, get to work, and check in at the end to celebrate what you accomplished
Key Features
- Body Doubling: Work alongside someone virtually to stay focused (backed by science)
- 25-75 Minute Sessions: Pick the length that matches your task or energy level
- Global Community: 500 million+ minutes of focus logged by users in 150+ countries
- Favorite Partners: Found someone who's great to work with? Favorite them and book sessions together
- No Downloads Needed: Join sessions directly in your browser or on mobile
Pro Tips
- Schedule your session the night before so you wake up with accountability already locked in
- Keep your camera angled so your partner can see you working (it's what makes the system work)
- Try a 25-minute session first if focus is hard, you can always add a second session back-to-back
What It's NOT Good For
- Tasks that require total silence (you'll be on camera and need to check in briefly at the start/end)
- Deep work that takes 3+ hours (book multiple sessions instead or use a 75-minute slot)
Pricing
- Free: Up to 3 sessions per week (no credit card required)
- Paid: Focusmate Plus for $8/month (yearly) or $12/month (monthly) for unlimited sessions
Time to Value
Useful in 25 minutes, book your first session and you'll finish more in that focused block than you would've in an hour alone.