Software · head to head
Forest vs Any.do
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Any.do bare-bones free plan: lacks recurring tasks and third-party integrations available only in paid plans
- They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Any.do covers Task lists.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Forest and Any.do 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 Forest
- Focus timer
- Virtual forest building
- Real tree planting partnership
- Website/app blocking
- Statistics tracking
- Achievements & rewards
- Social features
- Custom tree species
Only in Any.do
- Task lists
- Calendar integration
- Reminders
- Daily planner
- Voice input
- Drag and drop
- Smart suggestions
- Focus mode
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Forest
- Study sessionsnot Any.do
- Work focus timenot Any.do
- Digital detoxnot Any.do
- Pomodoro techniquenot Any.do
- Phone addiction managementnot Any.do
Any.do
- Personal task managementnot Forest
- Daily planningnot Forest
- Shopping listsnot Forest
- Project managementnot Forest
- Team collaborationnot Forest
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Forest
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.
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
Which should you pick?
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.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Forest or Any.do better?
- Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Any.do at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Forest or Any.do?
- Forest starts at Free and Any.do at Free.
- Does Forest or Any.do run on more platforms?
- Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Any.do runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Forest for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Forest best used for?
- Forest is most often used for study sessions, work focus time, digital detox, pomodoro technique. Of those, study sessions and work focus time are not what Any.do is typically brought in for.
- What can Forest do that Any.do cannot?
- Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Any.do covers Task lists, Calendar integration, Reminders, Daily planner. Both handle Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceAny.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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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.
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: 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