Software · head to head
Forest vs RescueTime
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; RescueTime no free tier since 2023, making it costly for individual experimentation
- They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, RescueTime covers Automatic time tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Forest and RescueTime actually diverge.
| Attribute | Forest | RescueTime |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $12/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox | Windows, macOS, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2014 | 2006 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 RescueTime
- Automatic time tracking
- Productivity scoring
- Detailed categorization
- FocusTime blocking
- Goal setting
- Alerts & notifications
- Offline time entry
- API access
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Forest
- Study sessionsnot RescueTime
- Work focus timenot RescueTime
- Digital detoxnot RescueTime
- Pomodoro techniquenot RescueTime
- Phone addiction managementnot RescueTime
RescueTime
- Personal productivity trackingnot Forest
- Time auditnot Forest
- Focus improvementnot Forest
- Work-life balancenot Forest
- Team productivity analysisnot 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
RescueTime
- No free tier since 2023, making it costly for individual experimentation
- Limited iOS support compared to competitors that offer full mobile app access
- Requires integration via categories and rules rather than direct app detection on some platforms
Pricing, plan by plan
Forest
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.
RescueTime
$12/month- Standard$12/month
- Automatic time tracking
- Focus Time
- Idle time monitoring
- Team$6/month
- All Standard features
- Team analytics
- Cross-device 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.
Choose RescueTime if
- You need automatic time tracking.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Android, Web.
- You also want productivity scoring.
Questions people ask
- Is Forest or RescueTime better?
- Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and RescueTime at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Forest or RescueTime?
- Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and $12/month for RescueTime.
- Does Forest or RescueTime run on more platforms?
- Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. RescueTime runs on Windows, macOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Forest for free?
- Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RescueTime starts at $12/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 RescueTime is typically brought in for.
- What can Forest do that RescueTime cannot?
- Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. RescueTime covers Automatic time tracking, Productivity scoring, Detailed categorization, FocusTime blocking.
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.
SourceRescueTime: Does RescueTime still have a free tier?
No. RescueTime discontinued its free tier in 2023. The service now requires a paid subscription starting at $12 per month or $78 per year.
SourceForest: 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.
SourceRescueTime: What platforms does RescueTime support?
RescueTime supports Windows, macOS, Android, and web. iOS support is limited to passive features like calendar sync and mobile summary emails.
SourceForest: 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.
SourceRescueTime: What are the key productivity features in RescueTime?
RescueTime offers automatic time tracking, Focus Time for blocking distractions, idle time monitoring, goal-setting with reminders, and in 2026 adds AI-Based Focus Sessions with real-time alerts to detect poor focus patterns.
SourceForest: 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.
SourceRescueTime: Is there a team plan for RescueTime?
Yes. The team plan costs $6 per user per month when billed annually, with a minimum of 3 users required.
SourceForest: 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.
SourceForest: 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