Softwr

All industries · head to head

Todoist vs Forest

Todoist logo

Todoist

All industries

The world's #1 task manager and to-do list app

From
Free
Rated
-
Forest logo

Forest

All industries

Stay focused, be present

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Todoist no built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl; Forest no standalone desktop app; limited to browser extensions
  • They diverge on capability: Todoist covers Natural language input, Forest covers Focus timer.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Todoist and Forest actually diverge.

Attributes where Todoist and Forest differ
AttributeTodoistForest
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsiOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox
Founded20072014

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 Todoist

  • Natural language input
  • Recurring tasks
  • Projects and sub-tasks
  • Labels and filters
  • Priority levels
  • Productivity tracking
  • Templates
  • Notifications

Only in Forest

  • Focus timer
  • Virtual forest building
  • Real tree planting partnership
  • Website/app blocking
  • Statistics tracking
  • Achievements & rewards
  • Social features
  • Custom tree species

What people use each for

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

Todoist

  • Personal task managementnot Forest
  • Team project coordinationnot Forest
  • Goal trackingnot Forest
  • Habit buildingnot Forest
  • Daily planningnot Forest

Forest

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Forest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Forest review.

Which should you pick?

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.

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.

Questions people ask

Is Todoist or Forest better?
Neither clearly leads. Todoist starts at Free and Forest at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Todoist or Forest?
Todoist starts at Free and Forest at Free.
Does Todoist or Forest run on more platforms?
Todoist runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. Forest runs on iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox.
Can I use Todoist for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Todoist best used for?
Todoist is most often used for personal task management, team project coordination, goal tracking, habit building. Of those, personal task management and team project coordination are not what Forest is typically brought in for.
What can Todoist do that Forest cannot?
Todoist covers Natural language input, Recurring tasks, Projects and sub-tasks, Labels and filters. Forest covers Focus timer, Virtual forest building, Real tree planting partnership, Website/app blocking.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Todoist: Does Todoist work offline?

Basic editing and task management work offline, but advanced features like syncing reminders and shared updates require internet connectivity.

Source
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
Todoist: 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.

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
Todoist: 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.

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
Todoist: 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.

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
Todoist: 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.

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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