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Software · head to head

Forest vs Freshteam

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Freshteam logo

Freshteam

Software

Smart HR software for growing businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Freshteam freshworks HRMS (formerly Freshteam) paid tiers as captured 19 February 2023 combined a per-employee monthly charge ($1.20 to $2.40+/employee/month) with a separate flat platform fee ($71 to $119+/month), on top of a $0 free tier
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Freshteam covers Applicant Tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Freshteam actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Freshteam differ
AttributeForestFreshteam
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20142010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Freshteam

  • Applicant Tracking
  • Onboarding
  • Time Off
  • Employee Directory
  • Time Tracking
  • Documents
  • Org Chart
  • Freshdesk

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 Freshteam
  • Work focus timenot Freshteam
  • Digital detoxnot Freshteam
  • Pomodoro techniquenot Freshteam
  • Phone addiction managementnot Freshteam

Freshteam

No use cases recorded yet. See the Freshteam review.

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

Freshteam

  • Freshworks HRMS (formerly Freshteam) paid tiers as captured 19 February 2023 combined a per-employee monthly charge ($1.20 to $2.40+/employee/month) with a separate flat platform fee ($71 to $119+/month), on top of a $0 free tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Freshteam

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 Employees
    • Basic ATS
    • Time Off
  • Growth$1.2/month
    • All Free features
    • Onboarding
    • Time Tracking
  • Pro$2.4/month
    • All Growth features
    • Custom Reports
    • Advanced Workflows

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 Freshteam if

  • You need applicant tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want onboarding.
Freshteam review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Freshteam better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Freshteam at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Freshteam?
Forest starts at Free and Freshteam at Free.
Does Forest or Freshteam run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Freshteam runs on Web, 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 Freshteam is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Freshteam cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Freshteam covers Applicant Tracking, Onboarding, Time Off, Employee Directory. 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.

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: 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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