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Forest vs ProtonVPN

Forest logo

Forest

All industries

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

Security & Cybersecurity

High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and ProtonVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and ProtonVPN differ
AttributeForestProtonVPN
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoryAll industriesSecurity & Cybersecurity

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2014).

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 ProtonVPN

  • No-logs policy
  • Secure Core
  • Kill Switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Tor over VPN
  • Split tunneling
  • NetShield ad-blocker
  • VPN Accelerator

Both cover

  • English language support
  • French language support
  • German language support

What people use each for

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

Forest

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

ProtonVPN

  • Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Forest
  • Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Forest
  • Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot 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

ProtonVPN

  • Free plan limited to one device at a time
  • Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
  • Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

ProtonVPN

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.

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 ProtonVPN if

  • You need no-logs policy.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want secure core.
ProtonVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or ProtonVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or ProtonVPN?
Forest starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free.
Does Forest or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
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 ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that ProtonVPN cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. Both handle English language support, French language support, German language 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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