Software · head to head
Focusmate vs Forest App
Focusmate
Software
Virtual co-working platform for accountability and productivity
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Forest App
Software
Gamified focus timer and productivity app
- From
- $1.99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Focusmate has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Focusmate the free plan caps sessions at 3 per week; Forest App requires active user initiation to function, so it is ineffective if users forget to start a session
- They diverge on capability: Focusmate covers 25-minute work sessions, Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Focusmate and Forest App actually diverge.
| Attribute | Focusmate | Forest App |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $1.99/one-time |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox |
| Founded | 2017 | 2014 |
Identical on both: 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 Focusmate
- 25-minute work sessions
- Partner matching
- Video co-working
- Goal setting and tracking
- Session history
- Reflection notes
- Weekly sessions
- Mobile-friendly
Only in Forest App
- Focus timer with gamification
- Virtual tree growing system
- Forest building and sharing
- Focus statistics
- Real tree planting partnership
- Distraction tracking
- Themes and customization
- Cloud sync
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Focusmate
- Booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partnernot Forest App
- Building a focused work routine with timed sessionsnot Forest App
Forest App
- Productivitynot Focusmate
- Collaborationnot Focusmate
- Task managementnot Focusmate
- Organizationnot Focusmate
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Focusmate
- The free plan caps sessions at 3 per week
- Unlimited sessions require the Plus plan at $8 per month billed annually or $12 per month billed monthly
- The Business plan is priced by quote with no published rate
Forest App
- Requires active user initiation to function, so it is ineffective if users forget to start a session
- Virtual coin awards are limited without additional in-app purchases for unlocking new content
- Apple Watch app is very limited, allowing only viewing of the current day's forest
- Website blocklist feature has poor discoverability
Pricing, plan by plan
Focusmate
Free- FreeFree
- 25-minute sessions
- Limited sessions per week
- Basic matching
- Plus$5/month
- Unlimited sessions
- Priority matching
- Session history
Forest App
$1.99/one-time- Lite$1.99/one-time
- Basic forest building
- Focus timer
- Statistics
- Pro Subscription$4.99/month
- All Lite features
- Advanced themes
- Real tree planting partnership
Which should you pick?
Choose Focusmate if
- You need 25-minute work sessions.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want partner matching.
Choose Forest App if
- You need focus timer with gamification.
- You work on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
- You also want virtual tree growing system.
Questions people ask
- Is Focusmate or Forest App better?
- Neither clearly leads. Focusmate starts at Free and Forest App at $1.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Focusmate or Forest App?
- Focusmate has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Focusmate and $1.99/one-time for Forest App.
- Does Focusmate or Forest App run on more platforms?
- Focusmate runs on Web, IOS, Android. Forest App runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
- Can I use Focusmate for free?
- Yes. Focusmate has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Forest App starts at $1.99/one-time.
- What is Focusmate best used for?
- Focusmate is most often used for booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partner, building a focused work routine with timed sessions. Of those, booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partner and building a focused work routine with timed sessions are not what Forest App is typically brought in for.
- What can Focusmate do that Forest App cannot?
- Focusmate covers 25-minute work sessions, Partner matching, Video co-working, Goal setting and tracking. Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification, Virtual tree growing system, Forest building and sharing, Focus statistics.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Forest App: Is Forest available on multiple platforms?
Yes. Forest is available on iOS, Android, Chrome browser extension, and Firefox browser extension with cross-platform account sync.
SourceForest App: Does Forest have a free version?
Yes. Forest offers a free tier that includes the core timer, app blocking, group focus sessions, basic soundscape, and focus tracking with no credit card required.
SourceForest App: What does Forest Plus subscription include?
Forest Plus subscription offers exclusive and seasonal tree species, full soundscape library, custom app allowlists, advanced analytics, 3x coin boost, and the ability to plant up to 5 real trees.
SourceForest App: Can I use Forest to block distracting apps during work sessions?
Yes. Forest includes Deep Focus mode that blocks distracting apps during sessions, and Time Guard that schedules app blocks throughout the day.
Source