Forest
A gamified focus timer that grows a virtual tree while you stay off your phone.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About Forest
Forest is a phone-first focus timer built around a simple trick: when you start a session, a virtual tree begins to grow, and if you leave the app to check something else, the tree dies. Finished sessions add up to a forest that doubles as a visual record of how much focused time you have put in. Beyond the timer it can block chosen apps during a session (Deep Focus) or on a schedule (Time Guard), shows focus statistics and tags, lets a group share one session where everyone's tree is at stake, and includes short breathing breaks. Coins earned from focusing can be spent to fund real trees through the nonprofit Trees for the Future. The core app, including app blocking, is free with occasional ads; a Plus subscription adds custom allowlists, more tree species and sounds, and advanced statistics, priced through the App Store or Google Play. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Android, with Chrome and Firefox extensions for the browser. It suits students and anyone who reaches for their phone too often; people who want detailed time tracking for billing will need something else.
Best for: Students and phone-distracted people who respond to a playful, visual reward for focused time.
Pros and cons
What works
- App blocking is included in the free tier
- Visual forest makes progress feel concrete and motivating
- Group sessions add shared accountability
- Real tree planting through a nonprofit partner
Why people leave
- 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
Top Forest alternatives
See all 5- 1
Pomofocus66.5A free browser Pomodoro timer with task lists, for anyone who wants the timer without the game layer.
- 2
RescueTime57.5Tracks where your computer time actually goes and adds focus sessions, for data over gamification.
- 3FoFocus To-Do54.4
Combines a Pomodoro timer with a full to-do list and runs on desktop as well as phones.
- 4
Freedom50.3Blocks distracting sites and apps across phone and computer at once, with scheduled sessions.
- 5
Cold Turkey Blocker48.9A strict desktop blocker for people who need locks they can't easily undo.
Why people left Forest
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Forest: common questions
Is Forest free?
Forest has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Yes, no time limit (checked on Forest's own site).
Is Forest open source?
No, Forest is not open source.
What platforms does Forest run on?
Forest is available for iOS, Android and Browser extension.
What are the best alternatives to Forest?
The highest-ranked Forest alternatives right now are Pomofocus, RescueTime and Focus To-Do. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.