Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Forest vs Streaks

Forest logo

Forest

Productivity

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Streaks logo

Streaks

Productivity

iOS habit tracker sold as a one-time purchase, not a subscription

From
$5.99/one-time
Rated
-

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; Streaks it is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Streaks covers Streak tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Streaks actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Streaks differ
AttributeForestStreaks
Starting priceFree$5.99/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownOne-time purchase
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxiOS
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 Streaks

  • Streak tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • Apple Watch app
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Widgets
  • iCloud sync

What people use each for

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

Forest

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

Streaks

  • Someone wanting a simple visual habit tracker without recurring subscription feesnot Forest
  • A person wanting habits like step count or sleep to auto-complete via Apple Health datanot Forest
  • An Apple Watch user wanting to log habits without pulling out a phonenot Forest
  • Someone tracking a mix of daily and weekly recurring to-dos in one placenot 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

Streaks

  • It is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • The base app caps at 24 tracked habits, which is enough for most users but a real limit for anyone wanting to track a larger number of items.
  • Sync is via iCloud only, so there is no web or cross-platform account, which limits use to Apple devices exclusively.
  • It has fewer social or accountability features, such as shared habit tracking with friends, compared with some subscription-based competitors.
  • A single lifetime purchase means no ongoing development revenue tied to the individual user, so it depends on new sales and occasional priced major updates rather than recurring income to fund development.

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Streaks

$5.99/one-time
  • Streaks$5.99/one-time
    • Full app, no subscription
    • Up to 24 tracked habits
    • Apple Watch app included

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 Streaks if

  • You need streak tracking.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want apple health integration.

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Streaks better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Streaks at $5.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Streaks?
Forest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Forest and $5.99/one-time for Streaks.
Does Forest or Streaks run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Streaks runs on iOS.
Can I use Forest for free?
Yes. Forest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Streaks starts at $5.99/one-time.
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 Streaks is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Streaks cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Streaks covers Streak tracking, Apple Health integration, Apple Watch app, Flexible scheduling.

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
Streaks: Is Streaks a subscription?

No, it is a one-time App Store purchase, currently priced around 5.99 USD, with no recurring fee.

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
Streaks: Does it work on Android?

No, it is iOS and Apple Watch only.

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
Streaks: Does it integrate with Apple Health?

Yes, habits tied to metrics like steps or sleep can auto-complete based on Apple Health data.

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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