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Productivity · head to head

Forest vs Xmind

Forest logo

Forest

Productivity

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xmind logo

Xmind

Productivity

For anyone to explore classic and essential mind mapping features to organize their ideas easily

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions; Xmind free plan limited to 10 maps
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Forest and Xmind actually diverge.

Attributes where Forest and Xmind differ
AttributeForestXmind
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, Chrome, FirefoxWeb
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Xmind

Nothing recorded that Forest does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Forest

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

Xmind

  • Team mind mapping and brainstormingnot Forest
  • Project management with Gantt chartsnot Forest
  • Real-time collaborative 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

Xmind

  • Free plan limited to 10 maps
  • 7-day free trial only available for annual Premium subscriptions, not monthly
  • Pro plan limits collaboration to 50 maps

Pricing, plan by plan

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Xmind

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 10 online maps
    • Basic themes and stickers
    • 3-day version history
  • Pro$4.92/month
    • Up to 50 online maps with basic collaboration
    • Links, numbering, and attachments
    • Custom themes
  • Premium$8.25/month
    • Unlimited collaborative maps
    • Real-time collaboration
    • 30-day version history

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 Xmind if

  • You want to start without paying.
Xmind review

Questions people ask

Is Forest or Xmind better?
Neither clearly leads. Forest starts at Free and Xmind at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Forest or Xmind?
Forest starts at Free and Xmind at Free.
Does Forest or Xmind run on more platforms?
Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Xmind runs on Web.
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 Xmind is typically brought in for.
What can Forest do that Xmind cannot?
Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app 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.

Source
Xmind: Can I use XMind free?

Yes, free plan includes up to 10 online maps, basic themes, 3-day version history, map publishing, and 50 AI credits.

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
Xmind: How much is the Premium plan monthly?

Premium plan is $8.25 per month with unlimited collaborative maps and 500 monthly AI credits.

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
Xmind: Does yearly billing save money?

Yes, yearly billing offers up to 50% off compared to monthly pricing on all paid plans.

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
Xmind: How many devices can one subscription cover?

One subscription covers up to 5 Mac/PC devices and 5 mobile devices simultaneously.

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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