Forest
Forest - Stay focused, grow trees, and beat phone addiction
Quick Overview
Type: Mobile App (iOS & Android) / Browser Extension / Desktop App
Pricing: Paid ($3.99 one-time cost for mobile on the App Store, Free to download browser extension and Sync with Forest App which should already have been downloaded and paid for or you can pay when you download it)
Best For: Students, remote workers, and anyone struggling with phone addiction and digital distractions
Website: https://www.forestapp.cc
What is Forest?
Forest is a beautifully designed focus app that gamifies productivity by turning your focused work sessions into a virtual forest. The concept is simple yet brilliant: when you want to focus, you plant a virtual tree. If you stay focused and don't use your phone or visit distracting websites, your tree grows. If you give in to distraction and leave the app, your tree dies. Over time, you build an entire forest representing your productive hours.
What makes Forest special is how it transforms the struggle against distraction into something visual, rewarding, and even fun. Instead of willpower alone, you're motivated by watching your tree grow and not wanting to kill it. The app taps into our natural desire to nurture and build, creating a positive feedback loop that makes focusing feel less like deprivation and more like achievement.
Beyond the personal motivation, Forest has a real-world impact: the company partners with Trees for the Future to plant actual trees based on the virtual coins you earn through focused sessions. You're not just building a digital forest - you're contributing to reforestation efforts around the world. Since 2016, Forest users have helped plant over 1.5 million real trees across the globe.
Key Features
Focus Timer - Set a timer for your focus session (anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours) and watch your tree grow
Phone Lock Mode - Once you plant a tree, leaving the app kills it, creating strong motivation to stay focused
Allowlist - Whitelist essential apps you need during work sessions (like music or reference apps)
Forest Building - Earn coins for successful sessions to unlock different tree species and customize your forest
Statistics & Insights - Track your focus time daily, weekly, and monthly with beautiful charts and productivity insights
Tag System - Label sessions by project or activity to see where you're spending focused time
Friends & Competition - Plant trees together with friends, compete on leaderboards, and share your forest
Real Tree Planting - Spend virtual coins to plant actual trees through partner organizations
Cross-Platform - Desktop browser extension works alongside mobile app for comprehensive distraction blocking
Soundscapes - Optional nature sounds and white noise to enhance focus
👍 Pros
Beautifully designed interface that's calming and aesthetically pleasing
Gamification makes focusing genuinely fun instead of a chore
Visual representation of productivity is incredibly motivating
Real-world impact through actual tree planting adds meaningful purpose
One-time purchase (no subscription) is refreshingly affordable
Works equally well for short Pomodoro sessions or longer deep work blocks
Gentle approach to productivity that doesn't feel punishing or stressful
Helps build awareness of phone usage patterns and improves digital habits
Great for people who struggle with traditional time management methods
👎 Cons
Effectiveness depends on your commitment not to circumvent it (you can kill the tree and move on)
Separate purchases required to Sync the Free Browser Extension with the mobile app which you need to install and pay $3.99 one time payment.
No desktop standalone app (browser extension only for computers)
Limited functionality compared to full-featured focus apps like Freedom
Can't block specific websites on mobile (only locks you in the Forest app)
Some users find the gamification childish or not motivating enough
Statistics and insights are relatively basic
No integration with calendar or task management tools
Pricing
Forest Mobile App:
iOS: $3.99 one-time purchase
Android: Free with ads, or $1.99 one-time to remove ads and unlock all features
Forest Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge):
Free to download (separate from mobile app)
Works on desktop/laptop to block distracting websites during focus sessions
No Subscriptions:
Unlike many productivity apps, Forest uses one-time payments
No recurring fees or premium tiers
Full features available after purchase
In-App Purchases (Optional):
Soundscape packs for ambient focus sounds
Cosmetic tree species and decorations
All optional - core functionality included in base price
Integrations
Limited integrations: Works independently. Some users pair it with other productivity tools manually, but no native integrations with task managers or calendars.
Learning Curve
Beginner Friendly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Forest is incredibly simple to learn. Open the app, set a timer, plant a tree, don't touch your phone. That's it. You can start using it productively within 30 seconds of downloading. Advanced features like tags and friends are optional and intuitive to explore when you're ready.
Best Use Cases
Beating Phone Addiction - Break the habit of constantly checking your phone during work or study sessions
Pomodoro Technique - Perfect for implementing 25-minute focus sessions with 5-minute breaks
Student Study Sessions - Helps students stay focused during homework, exam prep, and online classes
Deep Work Blocks - Create distraction-free periods for writing, coding, or creative work
Building Focus Habits - Gradually increase your ability to concentrate through consistent practice and visual progress tracking
Alternative Apps
If Forest isn't right for you, consider:
Freedom - More powerful website/app blocking across all devices, but subscription-based ($40/year)
Focus@Will - Combines focus timer with scientifically designed music, different approach
Flora - Nearly identical to Forest with real tree planting, some users prefer the interface
Cold Turkey - Free desktop blocking software, more aggressive blocking but no mobile version
Be Focused - Simple Pomodoro timer for iOS/Mac, less gamified, free with pro upgrade
Bottom Line
Forest is the rare productivity app that manages to be effective, beautiful, and genuinely enjoyable to use.
If you struggle with phone distraction or procrastination, the simple act of planting a tree creates just enough friction and motivation to keep you on task. The one-time purchase price ($3.99 or less) is exceptional value compared to subscription-based alternatives, and the real tree planting adds a feel-good element that goes beyond personal productivity. While it won't physically prevent you from using your phone like some more aggressive tools, the psychological motivation of not wanting to kill your tree is surprisingly powerful for most users. It's particularly effective for students, remote workers, and anyone who responds well to visual progress and gentle gamification. Forest won't solve deep focus issues caused by underlying problems, but for typical digital distraction, it's one of the most delightful and affordable solutions available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest free?
Forest is not free. The iOS app costs $3.99 as a one-time purchase. The Android app has a free version with ads, or you can pay $1.99 once to remove ads and unlock all features. The browser extension is Free. Unlike many productivity apps, Forest doesn't use subscriptions - you pay once and own it forever, making it very affordable compared to subscription-based alternatives.
Does Forest actually plant real trees?
Yes! Forest partners with Trees for the Future, a nonprofit reforestation organization. When you earn enough virtual coins through focused sessions in the app, you can spend them to plant real trees. Forest covers the cost of planting actual trees in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. Since launching this feature in 2016, Forest users have collectively planted over 1.5 million real trees, making your productivity efforts contribute to genuine environmental impact.
Can you cheat Forest?
Technically yes - you can close the app and kill your tree if you really want to use your phone. Forest relies on your intrinsic motivation not to kill the tree rather than physically blocking your phone. However, this "soft" approach is actually effective for most people because the visual punishment of a dead tree and the desire to build your forest provides enough psychological friction to prevent distraction. If you need harder blocking that physically prevents phone use, apps like Freedom might be more suitable.
Does Forest work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, Forest is available for both iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android devices. The iOS version costs $3.99 as a one-time purchase. The Android version offers a free version with ads, or you can purchase the premium version for $1.99 to remove ads and unlock all features. There's also a Free browser extension for desktop use.
How does Forest compare to Freedom?
Forest and Freedom serve different needs. Forest uses gentle gamification and visual motivation to encourage focus, relying on your commitment not to kill your virtual tree. It's more affordable ($4 one-time vs $40/year) and better for building habits gradually. Freedom is more aggressive, physically blocking apps and websites across all your devices simultaneously, making distraction impossible rather than just discouraged. Freedom is better if you need hard enforcement, while Forest is better if you respond to positive reinforcement and want environmental impact.
Can I use Forest on my computer?
Yes, Forest offers a Free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The browser extension lets you block distracting websites during focus sessions and syncs your forest across devices. However, there's no standalone desktop app - you must use the browser extension. If you want comprehensive desktop app blocking, you might need additional tools like Freedom or Cold Turkey.
What happens if I get a phone call during a Forest session?
Forest allows you to take phone calls without killing your tree. The app recognizes incoming calls as legitimate interruptions and pauses your session. After the call ends, you can resume growing your tree. Similarly, you can add essential apps to an allowlist (like messaging apps for work emergencies or music apps) so using them won't kill your tree. This flexibility makes Forest practical for real-world use while still maintaining focus on avoiding unnecessary distractions.
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Last Updated: October 2025
Category: Focus & Productivity
