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Software · head to head

Forest vs MeisterTask

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MeisterTask logo

MeisterTask

Software

The most intuitive project and task management tool

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; MeisterTask the free plan is limited to 3 projects, 5 notes and 20 AI credits
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, MeisterTask covers Kanban boards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and MeisterTask actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and MeisterTask differ
AttributeForestMeisterTask
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, Ios, Android
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 MeisterTask

  • Kanban boards
  • Automations
  • Time tracking
  • Checklists
  • Attachments
  • Slack
  • GitHub
  • Zendesk

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

MeisterTask

  • Kanban task and project management for small teamsnot Forest
  • Tracking work across projects with automations and 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

MeisterTask

  • The free plan is limited to 3 projects, 5 notes and 20 AI credits
  • Recurring tasks and automations are excluded from the free plan entirely
  • Timeline views, subtasks, custom fields and custom reports require the Business plan at $24 per user per month
  • Subtasks being a Business feature means task breakdown is unavailable on the $12.50 Pro plan
  • SSO, workload planning and portfolios are Enterprise only with no published price

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

MeisterTask

On request
  • BasicFree
    • 3 projects
    • Basic features
  • Pro$8.25/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Automations
    • Integrations

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 MeisterTask if

  • You need kanban boards.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want automations.
MeisterTask review

Questions people ask

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