Softwr

Software · head to head

Forest vs Google Workspace

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Workspace logo

Google Workspace

Software

Everything you need to get work done, all in one place

From
€3.4/month
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; Google Workspace starter tier storage limited to 30 GB per user, requiring upgrade to Standard or higher for adequate document storage
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Google Workspace covers Gmail business email.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Google Workspace actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Google Workspace differ
AttributeForestGoogle Workspace
Starting priceFree€3.4/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb
Founded20142006

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 Forest

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

Only in Google Workspace

  • Gmail business email
  • Google Drive storage
  • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Meet video conferencing
  • Google Chat
  • Google Forms
  • Google Sites

What people use each for

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

Forest

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

Google Workspace

  • Business email and calendar managementnot Forest
  • Collaborative document editingnot Forest
  • Video conferencing and meetingsnot Forest
  • Secure document storage and sharingnot 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

Google Workspace

  • Starter tier storage limited to 30 GB per user, requiring upgrade to Standard or higher for adequate document storage
  • Starter and Standard tiers both capped at maximum 300 users per organisation
  • Video meetings limited to 100 participants on Starter tier, 150 on Standard tier
  • Recording capabilities only available on Standard tier and above
  • eDiscovery, Vault, and advanced security features only available on Plus and Enterprise tiers

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Google Workspace

€3.4/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Workspace review.

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 Google Workspace if

  • You need gmail business email.
  • You also want google drive storage.
Google Workspace review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Google Workspace better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Google Workspace at €3.4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Google Workspace?
Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and €3.4/month for Google Workspace.
Does Forest or Google Workspace run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Google Workspace runs on Web.
Can I use Forest for free?
Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Workspace starts at €3.4/month.
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 Google Workspace is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Google Workspace cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Google Workspace covers Gmail business email, Google Drive storage, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Calendar.

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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Forest

More on Google Workspace

Keep looking

Other head to heads