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Software · head to head

Time Doctor vs Forest App

Time Doctor logo

Time Doctor

Software

Employee time tracking and productivity monitoring

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Forest App logo

Forest App

Software

Gamified focus timer and productivity app

From
$1.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Time Doctor historical tracking data retention is capped by plan: 3 months on Basic and 6 months on Standard, versus 2 years on Premium and Enterprise; Forest App requires active user initiation to function, so it is ineffective if users forget to start a session
  • They diverge on capability: Time Doctor covers Time tracking with timer, Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Time Doctor and Forest App actually diverge.

Attributes where Time Doctor and Forest App differ
AttributeTime DoctorForest App
Starting price$4/month$1.99/one-time
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, WindowsiOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox
Founded20112014

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Time Doctor

  • Time tracking with timer
  • Activity monitoring
  • Screenshots
  • GPS tracking
  • Webcam monitoring
  • Reports and invoicing
  • Mobile apps
  • Team management

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.

Time Doctor

  • Productivity
  • Collaboration
  • Task management
  • Organization

Forest App

  • Productivity
  • Collaboration
  • Task management
  • Organization

Both are used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Time Doctor

  • Historical tracking data retention is capped by plan: 3 months on Basic and 6 months on Standard, versus 2 years on Premium and Enterprise
  • HRIS and Payroll native integrations are paid add-ons at $200 per integration per month
  • Software Cost Insights add-on costs $3 per user per month on top of the base plan

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

Time Doctor

$4/month
  • Basic$4/month
    • Time tracking
    • Reports
    • Mobile apps
  • Standard$6/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Activity monitoring
    • Screenshots
  • Premium$10/month
    • Everything in Standard
    • GPS tracking
    • Webcam snapshots

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 Time Doctor if

  • You need time tracking with timer.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want activity monitoring.
Time Doctor review

Choose Forest App if

  • You need focus timer with gamification.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
  • You also want virtual tree growing system.
Forest App review

Questions people ask

Is Time Doctor or Forest App better?
Neither clearly leads. Time Doctor starts at $4/month 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, Time Doctor or Forest App?
Time Doctor starts at $4/month and Forest App at $1.99/one-time.
Does Time Doctor or Forest App run on more platforms?
Time Doctor runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. Forest App runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
What is Time Doctor best used for?
Time Doctor is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization.
What can Time Doctor do that Forest App cannot?
Time Doctor covers Time tracking with timer, Activity monitoring, Screenshots, GPS tracking. Forest App covers Focus timer with gamification, Virtual tree growing system, Forest building and sharing, Focus statistics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Forest 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.

Source
Forest 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.

Source
Forest 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.

Source
Forest 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.

Source
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Related pages

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