What is Forest used for?

Forest is a mobile focus timer in which a virtual tree grows while you stay off your phone and dies if you leave to use other apps. It is a good fit for studying without phone distraction, building focus habits at work and digital detox sessions.

How much does Forest cost?

Forest is a paid product with no free plan.

Is Forest open source?

No. Forest is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Forest include Foqos.

What are some alternatives to Forest?

Forest competes with Freedom and RescueTime. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Forest alternatives.

Forest: features, pricing and alternatives

About Forest

Forest is a mobile focus app built around a Pomodoro-style timer with a twist. The user picks a focus length and a tree species, and the tree grows in real time while they concentrate. If they leave to use other apps, the tree dies, and completed sessions add trees to a growing forest.

The vendor positions the app as a mindful tool for cutting phone distraction and doomscrolling, and says it is free to start. Forest is distributed through app stores and the vendor's website lists features, plans and an FAQ, with the app available on iOS and Android. Sessions are short and repeatable, so it works for study blocks as well as for working days.

Forest runs on the user's own device and is not a self-hosted server product. It suits students and professionals who want a light, game-like nudge to stay focused during study or work sessions, and who prefer a visual reward to strict blocking.

Key features

Pomodoro-style focus timer
Virtual tree that grows as you focus
Tree dies if you leave to use other apps
Forest that builds from completed sessions
Choice of focus length and tree species

Good fit for

→Studying without phone distraction
→Building focus habits at work
→Digital detox sessions

Tags: focus; pomodoro; timer; productivity; mobile; digital-detox; study

Forest: questions and answers

What is Forest used for?: Forest is a mobile focus timer in which a virtual tree grows while you stay off your phone and dies if you leave to use other apps. It is a good fit for studying without phone distraction, building focus habits at work and digital detox sessions.
How much does Forest cost?: Forest is a paid product with no free plan.
Is Forest open source?: No. Forest is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Forest include Foqos.
What are some alternatives to Forest?: Forest competes with Freedom and RescueTime. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Forest alternatives.