What is Momentum Dash?
Level – Light
Essentially, it’s a browser “skin” or focus browser extension that expands your browser’s capabilities and adds useful features. This makes sense because, for me, the first thing I always do on my laptop is open a browser. Do you do the same? Feel free to share in the comments.
With momentum extension, you no longer need separate apps for note-taking, task management, or timing how long you’ve been in focus mode. There’s also no need to search your music service for the right playlist to help you stay focused.
Additionally, this plugin includes a Focus Mode that blocks selected categories of websites—perfect for those times when you’re working at your computer and the temptation to open a social network or YouTube is strong. Focus Mode prevents you from accessing those distractions.
Pros and Cons of Momentum Dash
Advantages
- It includes all the essential productivity features in one place
- Convenient navigation
- Excellent background noise settings
- Several interesting extra features, such as a custom counter and note-taking
Disadvantages
- The biggest downside for me is the “soft” blocking, which can be easily circumvented
- Browser plugins only affect what happens in the browser
Who is Momentum Dash for?
It’s primarily for people who don’t have serious issues with procrastination. All restrictions in the browser can be easily bypassed, and this plugin doesn’t affect your phone or other apps—it only works in your browser.
Otherwise, it’s designed for those who do much of their work or study through the browser. Note that it won’t help with phone-based procrastination because it doesn’t sync with your phone, nor will it help you avoid PC games.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive productivity app that monitors your time across all devices and applications, you might want to check out our RescueTime app review.
Often, our main source of distraction is web surfing. Through a browser, we can watch YouTube, visit social networks, browse adult sites, and more. Depending on your habits, it could be your primary source of distraction or just one among many.
Momentum chrome can be a great tool for those who get distracted specifically in the browser—for example, anyone who prefers watching YouTube on a laptop or desktop, scrolling through Twitter or Instagram on a computer, or even playing browser games.
Put simply, if most of your time-wasting happens in a desktop browser (rather than a mobile phone), Momentum Dash might be a good fit for you.
Intro to Momentum Dashboard
Using Momentum Dash starts with a quick, almost unnoticeable registration process.
After that, you’ll be offered a brief tour of the extension’s features.
Essentially, Momentum Dash becomes the interface for your browser. When you open new tabs, they default to the stylized Momentum Dash layout.
Main Menu
The main menu of this motivation Chrome extension is quite good and consists of links to various features that can help you stay productive, a field to enter your main task for the day, and basic information such as the current time, weather, and a motivational quote, among other things.
Also, this becomes your start page, so it’s what you’ll see every time you launch your browser. I’m more used to the standard Chrome page, but we’re here for productivity, not just convenience. Another drawback is that there’s no search bar for a search engine. On the plus side, you get quick access to all of this plugin’s features.
Because the background changes daily (as do the quotes), I enjoy starting my workday with a really beautiful landscape and a motivational quote. Over time, it becomes a habit and an additional source of motivation.
Now, let’s take a look at the main features of the Momentum Chrome Extension:
Momentum Focus Mode
When you enter this mode, you can choose to block entertainment websites that people typically visit to distract themselves from work.
At first glance, it might seem like just another Pomodoro timer, but the Momentum extension has really enhanced it. When you activate this mode, you automatically start a 25-minute Pomodoro timer, which in turn activates your Primary Task for the day (if you’ve set one).
Here’s what your screen looks like when you try to open an entertainment site or something that isn’t productive:
As you can see, a reminder for the task you’re currently working on appears on the screen. In my case, it’s Finish the main menu review. You can close this notification or go ahead and visit the site you intended to open—and that’s my main concern. In my opinion, the path to a distracting website is just too easy.
On the plus side, the setup for which sites should be blocked is incredibly flexible and straightforward. By default, there are five categories: social media, entertainment, news, shopping, and email.
However, it’s quite simple to create your own new group or add a site (that isn’t already listed) to an existing group.
Background sounds
In addition, Focus Mode automatically activates background sounds, at least if you’ve set them up beforehand.
I’d like to draw particular attention to this feature. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s always a quest to find something to listen to during work or focused time. I can’t be at peak productivity without some kind of background noise, but at the same time, I can’t concentrate if there are lyrics. So I’m always looking for something that suits my mood at the moment. Although Spotify generally does a decent job, it still takes time—and sometimes a lot of it.
Momentum Dash’s Background Sounds feature is implemented brilliantly. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. You have 15 standard categories of background sounds to choose from, for example:
Each of these categories typically contains subcategories, where you can fine-tune the volume of each component within the background track. It might seem a bit complicated at first, but here’s what I mean:
The Garden sound option, for example, consists of wind chimes, birdsong, and wind. You can adjust the volume of each component individually to create your own unique combination.
If that’s still not enough, you can switch to Custom Mode, where you have access to 38 different sounds that you can combine however you like—even turning them all on at once if you wish.
Momentum – perfect focus chrome extension?
To answer that question, let’s take a closer look at the other features this Chrome extension offers. There aren’t many, but they’re more than enough:
Metrics
There’s a custom counter feature that might initially seem unnecessary. However, it can actually be pretty interesting. You can integrate metrics from, for example, Fitbit or Strava, or you can create your own tracker.
I personally use the custom counter to keep track of how many times I’ve gone to the gym this week.
I named the counter Gym and set it to reset once a week. That way, each day I’m reminded of how many times I’ve already gone to the gym that week, and if it’s not enough, it gives me an extra push to get moving.
It’s a very simple but incredibly convenient and useful feature.
Task Tracker
You can create your own task list, or integrate tasks from other task trackers if you already use them.
This integration is quite convenient because it brings all your tasks into one place. It might seem like an extra step, but consider this: opening a task tracker is an extra step, and there’s no guarantee you’ll actually do it. However, what you definitely will do is open your browser. Over 80% of users open a browser at least once during every computer session.
Here’s what your task list looks like:
Reasoned for a few seconds
Considering note-taking dynamics
I’m slowly leaning towards integrating a new app for note-taking, intrigued by its speed and built-in AI features, though missing a feature for task conversion post-meeting.
Momentum Dash Notes: Quick Capture and AI Assistance
I rarely use this feature. I usually make notes on my phone or in Google Docs. However, I might start using it, because when you want to jot something down, speed is key—you need to do it before you lose the thought. Another bonus is the built-in AI integration, which can correct mistakes, summarize text, break it down into steps, and more.
The only thing I feel is missing here is the ability to convert or transfer notes into tasks. That would be really helpful, especially after work meetings when you need to quickly summarize and create a plan based on what was just discussed.
Conclusion: Momentum Dash – Simple Yet Functional Focus Chrome Extension
Momentum Dash is a good, simple yet fairly feature-rich focus Chrome extension designed to keep all the basic functionalities for work and study right at your fingertips in the browser—just one click away. Its background sounds are implemented exceptionally well, and the Pomodoro timer plus Focus Mode are both solid.
As for drawbacks, I’m unsure about the price: it’s $39 per year. On the other hand, that’s $3.25 per month, which is minimal if this focus extension increases your productivity by even 1%. After all, $3.25 can be earned in about 20 minutes at a not-so-high-paying job.
FAQ
- Is Momentum Dash free?
Momentum Dash offers a free version with limited functionality. For access to advanced features (like custom background sounds, additional task integrations, and Focus Mode enhancements), you can upgrade to Momentum Plus, which costs $39/year.
- How do I cancel my Momentum Dash subscription?
To cancel, go to Momentum Dash’s official website, log into your account, open your billing or subscription settings, and select “Cancel Subscription.” If you run into any issues, contact Momentum Dash’s support team.
- Is Momentum Plus worth it?
If you value advanced features like custom background sounds, an upgraded Pomodoro timer, and additional integrations, Momentum Plus can be worthwhile. Otherwise, the free version may suffice for basic needs.