Software · head to head
Any.do vs Forest
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Any.do bare-bones free plan: lacks recurring tasks and third-party integrations available only in paid plans; Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions
- They diverge on capability: Any.do covers Task lists, Forest covers Focus timer.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Any.do and Forest actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Any.do
- Task lists
- Calendar integration
- Reminders
- Daily planner
- Voice input
- Drag and drop
- Smart suggestions
- Focus mode
Only in Forest
- Focus timer
- Virtual forest building
- Real tree planting partnership
- Website/app blocking
- Statistics tracking
- Achievements & rewards
- Social features
- Custom tree species
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Any.do
- Personal task managementnot Forest
- Daily planningnot Forest
- Shopping listsnot Forest
- Project managementnot Forest
- Team collaborationnot Forest
Forest
- Study sessionsnot Any.do
- Work focus timenot Any.do
- Digital detoxnot Any.do
- Pomodoro techniquenot Any.do
- Phone addiction managementnot Any.do
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Any.do
- Bare-bones free plan: lacks recurring tasks and third-party integrations available only in paid plans
- Short planning window: only allows planning up to seven days ahead, limiting long-term project planning
- Limited desktop performance: web and desktop versions struggle with functionality and responsiveness
- Slow customer support: email support takes approximately 48 hours to respond
- Missing drag-and-drop: inability to drag tasks between lists creates workflow friction
Forest
- No standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions
- Mobile app pricing varies by platform; iOS one-time purchase vs. Android different model
- Forest Plus features required for advanced analytics and custom tag tracking
Pricing, plan by plan
Any.do
Free- Premium$7.99/month
- Recurring tasks
- Location reminders
- WhatsApp reminders
- Family$9.99/month
- All Premium features
- Family sharing space
- Up to 4 members
Forest
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Any.do if
- You need task lists.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
- You also want calendar integration.
Choose Forest if
- You need focus timer.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
- You also want virtual forest building.
Questions people ask
- Is Any.do or Forest better?
- Neither clearly leads. Any.do starts at Free and Forest at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Any.do or Forest?
- Any.do starts at Free and Forest at Free.
- Does Any.do or Forest run on more platforms?
- Any.do runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
- Can I use Any.do for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Any.do best used for?
- Any.do is most often used for personal task management, daily planning, shopping lists, project management. Of those, personal task management and daily planning are not what Forest is typically brought in for.
- What can Any.do do that Forest cannot?
- Any.do covers Task lists, Calendar integration, Reminders, Daily planner. Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Both handle Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Any.do: Does Any.do have a free version?
Yes, Any.do offers a free plan with no time limit or credit card required. The free plan includes basic tasks, lists, calendar sync, and daily planner features. Premium features like recurring tasks, location reminders, and AI features require a paid subscription starting at $4.99/month.
SourceForest: How much does Forest cost?
Forest has a free version with core features (timer, app blocking, group focus). Forest Plus subscription costs $3.33/month when billed annually at $39.99, with pricing varying by region and platform.
SourceAny.do: Can you share tasks with other users?
Task sharing is limited on Any.do. With a single-user license, you cannot share personal tasks. Team collaboration requires purchasing additional licenses at $5 per user per month on top of your base plan.
SourceForest: What platforms does Forest support?
Forest is available on iOS (one-time purchase $3.99), Android (free with ads, or $1.99 one-time for ad-free), and as a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox.
SourceAny.do: Does Any.do integrate with Google Calendar?
Yes, Any.do syncs with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud. However, users report some difficulties with the depth of Google Calendar integration compared to competing products.
SourceForest: What is Forest's tree planting program?
Forest has partnered with Trees for the Future to plant real trees. Users can spend earned focus coins to fund tree planting in Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Cameroon. Over 2.1 million real trees have been planted.
SourceAny.do: Does Any.do work offline?
Any.do is primarily a cloud-based application and does not have robust offline functionality. The web and desktop versions sometimes struggle with performance when offline.
SourceForest: Does Forest work offline?
Yes. Forest's core focus experience including the timer, tree growth, and stats works completely offline. This allows use on airplanes, subways, and areas without internet connectivity.
SourceAny.do: What platforms does Any.do support?
Any.do is available across desktop (Mac and Windows), web browsers, iOS, and Android, providing cross-platform access to your tasks and calendar.
SourceForest: Is there a Forest desktop app?
No. Forest does not have an official standalone desktop application. Desktop access is available through browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox only. Some users run the mobile app via emulators like BlueStacks.
SourceForest: What features are in Forest Plus?
Forest Plus includes all Mindful Space soundscapes, custom app allowlists, advanced analytics with custom tags, exclusive tree species, 3x coin boost, and the ability to plant up to 5 real trees annually.
Source