Softwr

Software · head to head

Forest vs Nifty

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nifty logo

Nifty

Software

The operating system for your workflow

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; Nifty the free plan allows 100 MB of storage and 2 active projects
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Nifty covers Tasks.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Nifty actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Nifty differ
AttributeForestNifty
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20142017

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 Nifty

  • Tasks
  • Milestones
  • Docs
  • Chat
  • Time tracking
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Zoom

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

Nifty

  • Project management with milestones, docs and team chat in one workspacenot Forest
  • Tracking client projects with guest access 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

Nifty

  • The free plan allows 100 MB of storage and 2 active projects
  • The standard plans are flat monthly fees with hard member caps, at 20 on Pro and 50 on Business, so the 21st member forces a jump from $79 to $124 a month
  • Active projects are capped at 100 on Pro despite the flat fee
  • Time tracking, custom fields and workflow automations all require the Pro plan
  • Microsoft SSO is Business only and SAML is Unlimited only, at $399 a month
  • White labelling and IP restriction are Unlimited only

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Nifty

On request
  • FreeFree
    • 2 projects
    • Basic features
  • Starter$5/month
    • 40 projects
    • Roadmaps
    • Time tracking

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 Nifty if

  • You need tasks.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want milestones.
Nifty review

Questions people ask

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