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Productivity · head to head

Forest vs Mimestream

Forest logo

Forest

Productivity

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mimestream logo

Mimestream

Productivity

Native Mac email client built specifically for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts, and nothing else

From
$4.99/month
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; Mimestream it only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Mimestream actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Mimestream differ
AttributeForestMimestream
Starting priceFree$4.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownPer user per month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxMac
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

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 Mimestream

  • Native Gmail labels
  • Gmail filters
  • Fast local search
  • Conversation threading
  • Multiple account support
  • Native macOS integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Forest

  • Study sessionsnot Mimestream
  • Work focus timenot Mimestream
  • Digital detoxnot Mimestream
  • Pomodoro techniquenot Mimestream
  • Phone addiction managementnot Mimestream

Mimestream

  • A Mac user whose email is entirely Gmail or Google Workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the Gmail web appnot Forest
  • Someone who finds Apple Mail handling of Gmail labels and search unreliable or confusingnot Forest
  • A Google Workspace user managing multiple accounts who wants them combined in one native menu bar appnot Forest
  • A user who wants Gmail-specific filters and search operators without opening a browser tabnot 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

Mimestream

  • It only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.
  • It is a subscription with no permanent free tier or lifetime purchase option, so the cost is ongoing for as long as it is used.
  • It is Mac only, so it does nothing for a Windows machine or for mobile email, which still relies on the standard Gmail app or another client.
  • Because it depends entirely on Gmail API access, any change Google makes to that API could affect Mimestream functionality outside the developer control.
  • A user who wants one email client for multiple different providers has to run Mimestream alongside a second app for non-Gmail accounts, rather than consolidating everything in one place.

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Mimestream

$4.99/month
  • Mimestream$4.99/month
    • 49.99 USD per year if billed annually
    • Free trial before purchase
    • Covers multiple Gmail or Google Workspace accounts

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 Mimestream if

  • You need native gmail labels.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want gmail filters.
Mimestream review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Mimestream better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Mimestream at $4.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Mimestream?
Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and $4.99/month for Mimestream.
Does Forest or Mimestream run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Mimestream runs on Mac.
Can I use Forest for free?
Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mimestream starts at $4.99/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 Mimestream is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Mimestream cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels, Gmail filters, Fast local search, Conversation threading.

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
Mimestream: Does Mimestream work with Outlook or iCloud Mail?

No. It connects only to Gmail and Google Workspace accounts and cannot be used with any other provider.

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
Mimestream: Is Mimestream free?

No. It is a subscription at 4.99 US dollars a month or 49.99 dollars a year, with a free trial but no permanent free tier.

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
Mimestream: Is it available on iPhone or iPad?

No. Mimestream is a Mac-only native app with no iOS version.

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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