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Software · head to head

Forest vs Hive

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hive logo

Hive

Software

Project management built for speed

From
On request
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; Hive the free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Hive covers Tasks.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Hive actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Hive differ
AttributeForestHive
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20142015

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 Hive

  • Tasks
  • Gantt view
  • Kanban
  • Time tracking
  • Forms
  • Slack
  • Zoom
  • Google Drive

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

Hive

  • Project and task management with multiple project viewsnot Forest
  • Coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teamsnot 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

Hive

  • The free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • The Starter plan at $5 per user per month is limited to 10 projects
  • Eight capabilities are sold as $5 per user add ons on the Teams plan, including CRM, timesheets, proofing, resourcing, advanced dashboards, external users and SSO
  • Buying SSO plus a few of those add ons therefore costs more than the $12 base seat itself
  • AI credits are metered monthly at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 by plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Hive

On request
  • FreeFree
    • Basic features
    • 10 users
  • Teams$12/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Time tracking
    • Automations

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 Hive if

  • You need tasks.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want gantt view.
Hive review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Hive better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Hive at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Hive?
Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and On request for Hive.
Does Forest or Hive run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Hive runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Forest for free?
Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hive starts at On request.
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 Hive is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Hive cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Hive covers Tasks, Gantt view, Kanban, Time tracking. 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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