Softwr

All industries · head to head

Forest vs Remember The Milk

Forest logo

Forest

All industries

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Remember The Milk logo

Remember The Milk

Productivity

The smart to-do app for busy people

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Remember The Milk interface looks dated compared to modern task managers
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Remember The Milk covers Smart lists.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Remember The Milk actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Remember The Milk differ
AttributeForestRemember The Milk
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
CategoryAll industriesProductivity
Founded20142004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Remember The Milk

  • Smart lists
  • Location reminders
  • Task sharing
  • Advanced search
  • Subtasks
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook
  • Evernote

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 Remember The Milk
  • Work focus timenot Remember The Milk
  • Digital detoxnot Remember The Milk
  • Pomodoro techniquenot Remember The Milk
  • Phone addiction managementnot Remember The Milk

Remember The Milk

  • 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

Remember The Milk

  • Interface looks dated compared to modern task managers
  • Limited mobile app features compared to desktop version
  • No advanced project management features like Gantt charts or timeline views

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Remember The Milk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Task creation and organization
    • Basic reminders
    • List sharing
  • Pro$39.99/year
    • All free features
    • Advanced sorting
    • Attachments

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.

Choose Remember The Milk if

  • You need smart lists.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want location reminders.

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Remember The Milk better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Remember The Milk at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Remember The Milk?
Forest starts at Free and Remember The Milk at Free.
Does Forest or Remember The Milk run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Remember The Milk runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
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 Remember The Milk is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Remember The Milk cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Remember The Milk covers Smart lists, Location reminders, Task sharing, Advanced search. 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
Remember The Milk: Is there a free version of Remember The Milk?

Yes. Remember The Milk is free to download and use with core features like task creation, lists, reminders, and basic sharing. A Pro subscription at $39.99 annually unlocks advanced features like advanced sorting, attachments, and Apple Watch support.

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
Remember The Milk: What devices and platforms does Remember The Milk support?

Remember The Milk is available across desktop, mobile, web, and wearable platforms with native applications, ensuring tasks remain synchronized across all devices.

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
Remember The Milk: Can I share tasks with others in Remember The Milk?

Yes, Remember The Milk allows you to share lists and assign tasks to others to coordinate work and get things done faster.

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
Remember The Milk: Does Remember The Milk integrate with other apps?

Yes, Remember The Milk integrates natively with Gmail, Google Calendar, Evernote, and Zapier, allowing you to capture tasks from multiple sources.

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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