All industries · head to head
Forest vs Todoist
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Todoist no built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
- They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Todoist covers Natural language input.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Forest and Todoist actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (All industries).
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 Todoist
- Natural language input
- Recurring tasks
- Projects and sub-tasks
- Labels and filters
- Priority levels
- Productivity tracking
- Templates
- Notifications
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Forest
- Study sessionsnot Todoist
- Work focus timenot Todoist
- Digital detoxnot Todoist
- Pomodoro techniquenot Todoist
- Phone addiction managementnot Todoist
Todoist
- Personal task managementnot Forest
- Team project coordinationnot Forest
- Goal trackingnot Forest
- Habit buildingnot Forest
- Daily planningnot 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
Todoist
- No built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
- Free plan limited to 5 personal projects only
- No Gantt charts, resource allocation, or advanced project management features for large enterprises
- Phone support not available; email and help center only
- Calendar view and advanced filtering only available on paid plans
Pricing, plan by plan
Forest
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.
Todoist
Free- BeginnerFree
- 5 personal projects
- Smart Quick Add
- Task reminders
- Pro$5/month
- 300 personal projects
- Calendar layout
- Custom task reminders
- Business$8/month
- Everything in Pro
- Shared team workspace
- Up to 500 team projects
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 Todoist if
- You need natural language input.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
- You also want recurring tasks.
Questions people ask
- Is Forest or Todoist better?
- Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Todoist at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Forest or Todoist?
- Forest starts at Free and Todoist at Free.
- Does Forest or Todoist run on more platforms?
- Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Todoist 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 Todoist is typically brought in for.
- What can Forest do that Todoist cannot?
- Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Todoist covers Natural language input, Recurring tasks, Projects and sub-tasks, Labels and filters.
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.
SourceTodoist: Does Todoist work offline?
Basic editing and task management work offline, but advanced features like syncing reminders and shared updates require internet connectivity.
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.
SourceTodoist: Does Todoist have a free plan and what does it include?
Yes, Todoist offers a free Beginner plan with 5 personal projects, Smart Quick Add, task reminders, flexible layouts, 3 filter views, and 1 week activity history. More advanced features require the Pro or Business plans.
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.
SourceTodoist: Can I use Todoist on mobile devices?
Yes, Todoist offers native apps for both iOS and Android with over 30 million downloads. Mobile apps provide full task management functionality across devices.
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.
SourceTodoist: What integrations does Todoist support?
Todoist integrates with over 100 apps including Slack, Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, and Toggl Track. Additional integrations are available through Zapier, Make, and IFTTT automation platforms.
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.
SourceTodoist: How much does Todoist cost?
Free plan is $0. Pro plan costs $5/month (billed annually) or $7/month (monthly billing). Business plan costs $8/month per user (annual) or $10/month per user (monthly), as of December 2025.
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