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Software · head to head

Forest vs Microsoft To Do

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

Microsoft To Do

Software

Your personal task management app

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Microsoft To Do covers My Day suggestions.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Microsoft To Do actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Microsoft To Do differ
AttributeForestMicrosoft To Do
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, Ios, Android, Windows, Macos
Founded20141975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Microsoft To Do

  • My Day suggestions
  • List sharing
  • Steps
  • Due dates
  • Reminders
  • Outlook
  • Microsoft 365
  • Microsoft Teams

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 Microsoft To Do
  • Work focus timenot Microsoft To Do
  • Digital detoxnot Microsoft To Do
  • Pomodoro techniquenot Microsoft To Do
  • Phone addiction managementnot Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do

  • Schedulingnot Forest
  • Appointment bookingnot Forest
  • Time trackingnot Forest
  • Resource managementnot Forest
  • Team coordinationnot 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

Microsoft To Do

Nothing recorded yet. See the Microsoft To Do review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Microsoft To Do

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited tasks
    • My Day
    • List sharing

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 Microsoft To Do if

  • You need my day suggestions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want list sharing.
Microsoft To Do review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Microsoft To Do better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Microsoft To Do at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Microsoft To Do?
Forest starts at Free and Microsoft To Do at Free.
Does Forest or Microsoft To Do run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Microsoft To Do runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows, Macos.
Can I use Forest for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Microsoft To Do is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Microsoft To Do cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Microsoft To Do covers My Day suggestions, List sharing, Steps, Due dates. 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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