Software · head to head
Things 3 vs Forest App
Forest App
Software
Gamified focus timer and productivity app
- From
- $1.99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Things 3 no team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features; Forest App requires active user initiation to function, so it is ineffective if users forget to start a session
- They diverge on capability: Things 3 covers Today view, Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Things 3 and Forest App actually diverge.
| Attribute | Things 3 | Forest App |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9.99/one-time | $1.99/one-time |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS | iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox |
| Founded | 2004 | 2014 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Things 3
- Today view
- Projects and areas
- Quick entry
- Tags
- Calendar integration
- Apple Calendar
- Siri
- Shortcuts
Only in Forest App
- Focus timer with gamification
- Virtual tree growing system
- Forest building and sharing
- Focus statistics
- Real tree planting partnership
- Distraction tracking
- Themes and customization
- Cloud sync
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Things 3
- Schedulingnot Forest App
- Appointment bookingnot Forest App
- Time trackingnot Forest App
- Resource managementnot Forest App
- Team coordinationnot Forest App
Forest App
- Productivitynot Things 3
- Collaborationnot Things 3
- Task managementnot Things 3
- Organizationnot Things 3
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Things 3
- No team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
- Apple ecosystem only, with no Windows, Android, or web version
- No third-party app integrations beyond Apple's ecosystem
- Cannot attach files or images to tasks, only text notes
- No time blocking or calendar integration for scheduling tasks into specific time slots
Forest App
- Requires active user initiation to function, so it is ineffective if users forget to start a session
- Virtual coin awards are limited without additional in-app purchases for unlocking new content
- Apple Watch app is very limited, allowing only viewing of the current day's forest
- Website blocklist feature has poor discoverability
Pricing, plan by plan
Things 3
$9.99/one-time- iPhone/Watch$9.99/one-time
- iPad$19.99/one-time
- Mac$49.99/one-time
Forest App
$1.99/one-time- Lite$1.99/one-time
- Basic forest building
- Focus timer
- Statistics
- Pro Subscription$4.99/month
- All Lite features
- Advanced themes
- Real tree planting partnership
Which should you pick?
Choose Things 3 if
- You need today view.
- You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
- You also want projects and areas.
Choose Forest App if
- You need focus timer with gamification.
- You work on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
- You also want virtual tree growing system.
Questions people ask
- Is Things 3 or Forest App better?
- Neither clearly leads. Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time and Forest App at $1.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Things 3 or Forest App?
- Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time and Forest App at $1.99/one-time.
- Does Things 3 or Forest App run on more platforms?
- Things 3 runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS. Forest App runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
- What is Things 3 best used for?
- Things 3 is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what Forest App is typically brought in for.
- What can Things 3 do that Forest App cannot?
- Things 3 covers Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry, Tags. Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification, Virtual tree growing system, Forest building and sharing, Focus statistics.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Things 3: Does Things 3 support team collaboration?
No. Things 3 is designed for individual use only with no task sharing, team workspaces, task assignment, or commenting features.
SourceForest App: Is Forest available on multiple platforms?
Yes. Forest is available on iOS, Android, Chrome browser extension, and Firefox browser extension with cross-platform account sync.
SourceThings 3: What platforms does Things 3 run on?
Things 3 is exclusive to Apple devices: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS. There is no Windows, Android, or web version.
SourceForest App: Does Forest have a free version?
Yes. Forest offers a free tier that includes the core timer, app blocking, group focus sessions, basic soundscape, and focus tracking with no credit card required.
SourceThings 3: How much does Things 3 cost?
Things 3 uses a one-time purchase model: $9.99 for iPhone/Watch, $19.99 for iPad, and $49.99 for Mac. Total cost for all platforms is approximately $80 with no subscription required.
SourceForest App: What does Forest Plus subscription include?
Forest Plus subscription offers exclusive and seasonal tree species, full soundscape library, custom app allowlists, advanced analytics, 3x coin boost, and the ability to plant up to 5 real trees.
SourceThings 3: Does Things 3 sync across devices?
Yes. Things Cloud keeps your to-dos in sync across all your Apple devices automatically. There is no extra cost for cloud synchronization.
SourceForest App: Can I use Forest to block distracting apps during work sessions?
Yes. Forest includes Deep Focus mode that blocks distracting apps during sessions, and Time Guard that schedules app blocks throughout the day.
SourceThings 3: Can you attach files or images to tasks in Things 3?
No. Things 3 does not support attachments. You can only add notes (text) to tasks.
Source