AppBreakup
Submit an app

Forest alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Forest: no desktop app; computers are covered only by browser extensions, and not a timesheet tool: no billing, projects or client reports. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Forest, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Pomofocus currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Pomofocus logoPomofocusFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +14 of 466.5
2RescueTime logoRescueTimePaidNoWindows, macOS, iOS +24 of 457.5
3FoFocus To-DoFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, iOS +23 of 354.4
4Freedom logoFreedomFree plan + paidNomacOS, Windows, iOS +25 of 550.3
5Cold Turkey Blocker logoCold Turkey BlockerFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS4 of 448.9
  1. Pomofocus logo

    1. PomofocusTop pick

    Best for: Students and remote workers who want a browser Pomodoro timer linked to a daily task list

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Forest

    A free browser Pomodoro timer with task lists, for anyone who wants the timer without the game layer.

    Pros

    • Works in any browser with nothing to install
    • Task list with pomodoro estimates and finish-time prediction
    • Daily, weekly and monthly focus reports

    Cons

    • Free version shows ads
    • Projects, CSV export and Todoist import need premium
    • Windows desktop app is unsigned and triggers a security warning
    Visit Pomofocus Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pomofocus a good Forest alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Runs on
    Desktop and mobile browsers
    Checked Oct 30, 2026pomofocus.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    Mac, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 30, 2026pomofocus.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    Todoist, webhooks (premium)
    Checked Oct 30, 2026pomofocus.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Data export
    CSV (premium)
    Checked Oct 30, 2026pomofocus.io(opens source in a new tab)
  2. RescueTime logo

    2. RescueTime

    Best for: Individuals who want to see where their screen time goes and cut distractions

    PaidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Forest

    Tracks where your computer time actually goes and adds focus sessions, for data over gamification.

    Pros

    • Fully automatic, no timers to remember
    • Focus sessions block distracting sites
    • Goals and weekly reports show trends

    Cons

    • Timesheets cost extra on Solo+
    • Category-based scores can misjudge your work
    • Background tracking raises privacy considerations
    Visit RescueTime Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is RescueTime a good Forest alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Solo price
    $7/month billed annually ($84/year)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rescuetime.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Solo+ price
    $12/month billed annually ($144/year)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rescuetime.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team price
    $10 per user/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rescuetime.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Automatic tracking
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rescuetime.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Fo

    3. Focus To-Do

    Best for: Students and Pomodoro fans who want a timer attached to every task

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    54.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Forest

    Combines a Pomodoro timer with a full to-do list and runs on desktop as well as phones.

    Pros

    • Pomodoro timer started from each task
    • Reports on time spent per project
    • Apps on mobile, desktop and Chrome

    Cons

    • Basic task organisation and filtering
    • No collaboration
    • Interface feels utilitarian
    Visit Focus To-Do Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Focus To-Do a good Forest alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Method
    Pomodoro Technique
    Checked Oct 29, 2026focustodo.cn(opens source in a new tab)
    Reports
    Time per day, week, month and project
    Checked Oct 29, 2026focustodo.cn(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Android, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Windows, Chrome
    Checked Oct 29, 2026focustodo.cn(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Freedom logo

    4. Freedom

    Best for: People who want one blocking session to cover their laptop and phone together

    Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Forest

    Blocks distracting sites and apps across phone and computer at once, with scheduled sessions.

    Pros

    • Syncs blocking sessions across desktop and mobile devices
    • Can block websites, apps or the entire internet
    • Scheduling and recurring sessions for routine focus time
    • One-time Forever license as an alternative to a subscription

    Cons

    • Scheduling, Locked Mode and long sessions need Premium
    • Website exceptions only on Mac and Windows
    • No Linux app
    Visit Freedom Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Freedom a good Forest alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026freedom.to(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $3.33/month billed yearly
    Checked Oct 29, 2026freedom.to(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly price
    $8.99/month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026freedom.to(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Chromebook
    Checked Oct 29, 2026freedom.to(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026freedom.to(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Cold Turkey Blocker logo

    5. Cold Turkey Blocker

    Best for: Windows and Mac users who need a hard-to-bypass block on sites and apps

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS

    48.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Forest

    A strict desktop blocker for people who need locks they can't easily undo.

    Pros

    • Blocks desktop apps as well as websites in Pro
    • One-time payment covers all your personal computers on both OSes
    • Strong locking options make blocks hard to bypass
    • Free tier covers timed website blocking

    Cons

    • No Linux, ChromeOS, iOS or Android support
    • Scheduling and app blocking require Pro
    • Strict locks can't easily be undone if set by mistake
    Visit Cold Turkey Blocker Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cold Turkey Blocker a good Forest alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro pricing
    One-time lifetime purchase
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days of Pro
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund
    30 days
    Checked Nov 1, 2026getcoldturkey.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Forest alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Pomofocus logo

Best Forest alternative for most people

Pomofocus

A free browser Pomodoro timer with task lists, for anyone who wants the timer without the game layer.

Fo

Best Forest alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Focus To-Do

Combines a Pomodoro timer with a full to-do list and runs on desktop as well as phones.

RescueTime logo

Best Forest alternative for Mac

RescueTime

Tracks where your computer time actually goes and adds focus sessions, for data over gamification.

Freedom logo

Best Forest alternative for Windows

Freedom

Blocks distracting sites and apps across phone and computer at once, with scheduled sessions.

Pomofocus logo

Best Forest alternative for Linux

Pomofocus

A free browser Pomodoro timer with task lists, for anyone who wants the timer without the game layer.

RescueTime logo

Best Forest alternative for iPhone and Android

RescueTime

Tracks where your computer time actually goes and adds focus sessions, for data over gamification.

Pomofocus logo

Best Forest alternative for working in the browser

Pomofocus

A free browser Pomodoro timer with task lists, for anyone who wants the timer without the game layer.

Forest alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Forest?

Pomofocus ranks first right now. A free browser Pomodoro timer with task lists, for anyone who wants the timer without the game layer. RescueTime and Focus To-Do follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Forest?

Yes. Pomofocus (free plan + paid), Focus To-Do (free plan + paid), Freedom (free plan + paid) and Cold Turkey Blocker (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Forest?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Forest alternatives work on Linux?

Pomofocus runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Forest?

The complaints we hear most: no desktop app; computers are covered only by browser extensions; not a timesheet tool: no billing, projects or client reports; free tier shows ads; allowlists and full stats need Plus.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Forest, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.