Softwr

All industries · head to head

Forest vs Forest App

Forest logo

Forest

All industries

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Forest App logo

Forest App

Productivity

Gamified focus timer and productivity app

From
$1.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Forest has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Forest App requires active user initiation to function, so it is ineffective if users forget to start a session
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Forest App actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Forest App differ
AttributeForestForest App
Starting priceFree$1.99/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
CategoryAll industriesProductivity

Identical on both: platforms (iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2014).

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
  • Website/app blocking
  • Statistics tracking
  • Achievements & rewards
  • Social features
  • Custom tree species
  • Data privacy

Only in Forest App

  • Focus timer with gamification
  • Virtual tree growing system
  • Forest building and sharing
  • Focus statistics
  • Distraction tracking
  • Themes and customization
  • Cloud sync

Both cover

  • Real tree planting partnership

What people use each for

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

Forest

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

Forest App

  • Productivitynot Forest
  • Collaborationnot Forest
  • Task managementnot Forest
  • Organizationnot 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

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

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

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 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

Choose Forest App if

  • You need focus timer with gamification.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
  • You also want virtual tree growing system.
Forest App review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Forest App better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest 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, Forest or Forest App?
Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and $1.99/one-time for Forest App.
Does Forest or Forest App run on more platforms?
Both run on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Forest for free?
Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Forest App starts at $1.99/one-time.
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 Forest App is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Forest App cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Website/app blocking, Statistics tracking. Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification, Virtual tree growing system, Forest building and sharing, Focus statistics. Both handle Real tree planting partnership.

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.

Source
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.

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
Forest 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.

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 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.

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 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
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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Forest

More on Forest App

Keep looking

Other head to heads