All industries · head to head
Forest vs Gusto
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; Gusto customer service can be slow and unresponsive to issues
- They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Gusto covers Automated payroll.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Forest and Gusto actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated).
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 Gusto
- Automated payroll
- Tax filing
- Benefits administration
- Time tracking
- Employee onboarding
- HR compliance
- Workers' comp
- 401(k) management
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Forest
- Study sessionsnot Gusto
- Work focus timenot Gusto
- Digital detoxnot Gusto
- Pomodoro techniquenot Gusto
- Phone addiction managementnot Gusto
Gusto
- Payroll processingnot Forest
- Benefits administrationnot Forest
- Tax compliancenot Forest
- Employee onboardingnot Forest
- Time trackingnot 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
Gusto
- Customer service can be slow and unresponsive to issues
- Weak reporting capabilities, cannot export data to spreadsheets for analysis
- Support staff lacks deep payroll expertise and knowledge
- Rehired employees do not have settings reset, causing manual cleanup work
- City tax handling requires additional monitoring and monitoring
- Onboarding can have issues with bank account verification and tax registration
Pricing, plan by plan
Forest
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.
Gusto
$49/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Gusto 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Forest or Gusto better?
- Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Gusto at $49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Forest or Gusto?
- Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and $49/month for Gusto.
- Does Forest or Gusto run on more platforms?
- Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Gusto runs on Web.
- Can I use Forest for free?
- Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Gusto starts at $49/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 Gusto is typically brought in for.
- What can Forest do that Gusto cannot?
- Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Gusto covers Automated payroll, Tax filing, Benefits administration, Time tracking.
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.
SourceGusto: What is Gusto's starting price?
Gusto starts at $49 per month plus $6 per person. The company also offers a Contractor-only plan for $35 per month plus $6 per contractor.
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.
SourceGusto: Does Gusto include unlimited payroll runs?
Yes, all Gusto plans include unlimited payroll runs at no extra charge, including off-cycle payrolls.
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.
SourceGusto: What core features are included in Gusto?
All plans include payroll processing, tax administration, digital onboarding, benefits enrollment, time tracking, performance management, and next-day direct deposit for most plans.
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.
SourceGusto: Does Gusto support integrations?
Yes, Gusto integrates with accounting software, applicant tracking systems, benefits providers, time-tracking tools, and other business platforms to reduce data entry.
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.
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