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Education · head to head

Evernote vs Forest

Evernote logo

Evernote

Education

Remember everything and tackle any project

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Forest logo

Forest

Productivity

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Evernote free tier limited to 50 notes, 1 notebook, 5 spaces; 20GB storage with Single device sync; Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions
  • They diverge on capability: Evernote covers Note creation and organization, Forest covers Focus timer.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Evernote and Forest actually diverge.

Attributes where Evernote and Forest differ
AttributeEvernoteForest
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, SafariiOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox
CategoryEducationProductivity
Founded20082014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Evernote

  • Note creation and organization
  • Web clipper
  • Document scanning
  • Handwriting recognition
  • Audio notes
  • Templates
  • Tags and notebooks
  • Advanced search

Only in Forest

  • Focus timer
  • Virtual forest building
  • Real tree planting partnership
  • Website/app blocking
  • Statistics tracking
  • Achievements & rewards
  • Social features
  • Custom tree species

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Evernote

  • Cross-platform note-taking and organisationnot Forest
  • Web clipping and content capture with web clipper extensionnot Forest
  • Task management and calendar integrationnot Forest
  • Document scanning with OCR capabilitynot Forest
  • Real-time collaboration with team membersnot Forest

Forest

  • Study sessionsnot Evernote
  • Work focus timenot Evernote
  • Digital detoxnot Evernote
  • Pomodoro techniquenot Evernote
  • Phone addiction managementnot Evernote

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Evernote

  • Free tier limited to 50 notes, 1 notebook, 5 spaces; 20GB storage with Single device sync
  • AI features (AI Assistant, Semantic Search, Transcription) only available in Advanced plan
  • Advanced and Enterprise plans require custom pricing for enterprises
  • Note limit constraints in Starter plan: 1000 notes vs unlimited in Advanced

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

Evernote

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 notes
    • 1 notebook
    • 1GB storage
  • Starter$null/mo
    • 1,000 notes
    • 20 notebooks
    • 5GB storage
  • Advanced$null/mo
    • Unlimited notes
    • Unlimited storage
    • Unlimited device sync

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Evernote if

  • You need note creation and organization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari.
  • You also want web clipper.
Evernote review

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.
Forest review

Questions people ask

Is Evernote or Forest better?
Neither clearly leads. Evernote 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, Evernote or Forest?
Evernote starts at Free and Forest at Free.
Does Evernote or Forest run on more platforms?
Evernote runs on Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari. Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
Can I use Evernote for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Evernote best used for?
Evernote is most often used for cross-platform note-taking and organisation, web clipping and content capture with web clipper extension, task management and calendar integration, document scanning with ocr capability. Of those, cross-platform note-taking and organisation and web clipping and content capture with web clipper extension are not what Forest is typically brought in for.
What can Evernote do that Forest cannot?
Evernote covers Note creation and organization, Web clipper, Document scanning, Handwriting recognition. Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Evernote: Does Evernote publish specific pricing for its paid plans?

No. Evernote's pricing page displays plan tiers (Starter, Advanced, Enterprise) with different features but does not disclose any dollar amounts, subscription costs, or pricing information.

Source
Forest: 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.

Source
Evernote: What storage limit comes with Evernote's free plan?

The free plan includes 1GB of storage, 50 notes, 1 notebook, 5 spaces, and 20 tags with access limited to 1 device.

Source
Forest: 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.

Source
Evernote: What are the key differences between Evernote's free, Starter, and Advanced plans?

Free includes 1GB storage and 50 notes. Starter adds 5GB storage and 1,000 notes. Advanced provides unlimited storage, notes, and devices with full AI features.

Source
Forest: 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.

Source
Forest: 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.

Source
Forest: 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.

Source
Forest: 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
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