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Software · head to head

Forest vs Kanbanize

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kanbanize logo

Kanbanize

Software

Enterprise Kanban software for agile teams

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; Kanbanize no per user price or minimum user count is published, despite the page being headed simple pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Kanbanize covers Kanban boards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Kanbanize actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Kanbanize differ
AttributeForestKanbanize
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20142012

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 Kanbanize

  • Kanban boards
  • Portfolio Kanban
  • Workflow automation
  • Analytics
  • Timeline
  • Jira
  • Azure DevOps
  • Slack

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

Kanbanize

  • Kanban boards and portfolio management for scaled agile teamsnot Forest
  • Linking strategy and OKRs to delivery workflowsnot 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

Kanbanize

  • No per user price or minimum user count is published, despite the page being headed simple pricing
  • Automation rules are a paid add on on both plans, capped at 300 on Standard
  • SSO is a paid add on rather than included at either tier
  • File storage is 100 GB on Standard against 1 TB on Enterprise, and API calls are capped on Standard without the limit being stated
  • A dedicated cloud instance, IP whitelisting and 24/7 support are Enterprise only

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Kanbanize

On request
  • Team$149/month
    • 15 users
    • Unlimited boards
    • Kanban analytics
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom pricing
    • SSO
    • Advanced security

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 Kanbanize if

  • You need kanban boards.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want portfolio kanban.
Kanbanize review

Questions people ask

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