Forest review
Grow virtual trees by staying off your phone
- Seekrtech Co., Ltd.
- Paid
- iPhone & iPad, Android
Does it deserve #7?
The verdict
Forest turns focus into something you can see. Start a timer and a tree grows; leave to check social media and it withers. Over time you build a forest that reflects your focused hours, and earned coins can fund real tree planting through a partner charity. It is charming and simple. On iPhone it doesn't block other apps, so it relies more on willpower than strict tools do.
- Pomodoro-style focus timer
- Virtual forest of focus sessions
- Real tree planting with coins
- Plant together with friends
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Playful motivation that works well for students
- Paid once on iPhone, with no subscription required
- Group sessions keep friends accountable
What could be better
- Doesn't block other apps on iPhone
- Limited stats compared with dedicated focus tools
Students and procrastinators who respond to playful, visual rewards
you need hard blocking of apps and websites across devices
Questions about Forest
Is Forest free?
On iPhone and iPad, Forest is a one-time paid download. On Android it is free with ads, and an optional Pro upgrade removes them and adds features.
Does Forest plant real trees?
Yes. You can spend virtual coins earned while focusing to fund real tree planting through Forest's partner organization.
What are the best alternatives to Forest?
The closest alternatives are Opal, one sec and Waking Up. See all of them ranked on our Forest alternatives page.
Where does Forest rank?
Forest ranks #7 of 9 in our Mind & Focus ranking, with an overall score of 8.4 out of 10.