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Software · head to head

Forest vs Toggl Track

Forest logo

Forest

Software

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Toggl Track logo

Toggl Track

Software

Time tracking that's easy, powerful, and frictionless

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Toggl Track no native invoicing or billing generation despite having billable rates feature
  • They diverge on capability: Forest covers Focus timer, Toggl Track covers One-click time tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Toggl Track actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Toggl Track differ
AttributeForestToggl Track
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Founded20142006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 Toggl Track

  • One-click time tracking
  • Manual time entry
  • Billable hours tracking
  • Project & client tracking
  • Detailed reports
  • Team timesheets
  • Browser extensions
  • Offline tracking

What people use each for

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

Forest

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

Toggl Track

  • Billable hours trackingnot Forest
  • Project time managementnot Forest
  • Team productivity analysisnot Forest
  • Client reportingnot Forest
  • Payroll processingnot 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

Toggl Track

  • No native invoicing or billing generation despite having billable rates feature
  • No payroll integration, requiring manual data export to payroll systems
  • No GPS tracking or shift scheduling for field teams
  • Anti-surveillance policy limits manager visibility in certain work scenarios

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Toggl Track

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users
    • Unlimited time tracking
    • Unlimited projects
  • Starter$9/month
    • Billable rates
    • Project estimates
    • Saved reports
  • Premium$18/month
    • Team approvals
    • Profitability reports
    • Project budgets

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 Toggl Track if

  • You need one-click time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want manual time entry.
Toggl Track review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Toggl Track better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Toggl Track at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Toggl Track?
Forest starts at Free and Toggl Track at Free.
Does Forest or Toggl Track run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Toggl Track runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
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 Toggl Track is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Toggl Track cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking. Toggl Track covers One-click time tracking, Manual time entry, Billable hours tracking, Project & client tracking.

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
Toggl Track: Does Toggl Track offer a free plan?

Yes, Toggl Track has a permanent free plan supporting up to 5 users with unlimited time tracking, unlimited projects, autotracker, idle detection, Pomodoro timer, calendar integration, and 100+ integrations.

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
Toggl Track: Can I track time offline with Toggl Track?

Yes, Toggl Track supports offline tracking on both mobile apps and desktop app. Entries are stored locally and sync automatically when reconnected to the internet.

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
Toggl Track: Does Toggl Track integrate with invoicing software?

Toggl Track integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero for accounting, but lacks native invoicing capabilities. Users must export hours to create invoices manually.

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
Toggl Track: What platforms does Toggl Track support?

Toggl Track runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS with browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

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
Toggl Track: How much does Toggl Track cost for a team?

Toggl Track pricing is $9 per user per month (annual) for Starter plan or $18 per user per month for Premium. Free plan supports up to 5 users.

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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