Forest
FreemiumFocus timer app that gamifies productivity. Plant virtual trees that grow while you stay focused — leave the app and the tree dies. Partners with real tree-planting organizations.
What does this tool do?
Forest is a focus timer app that uses gamification to combat phone distractions and build sustained work habits. The core mechanic is straightforward: users plant a virtual tree when starting a focus session (typically 30 minutes), and the tree grows in real-time as long as they stay in the app. Leaving the app kills the tree, creating psychological pressure to maintain focus. The app accumulates trees into a personal forest, providing visual progress tracking. Forest's distinctive feature is its partnership with Trees for the Future—users earn virtual coins during focus sessions that can be converted into real tree-planting donations. The app is available as mobile apps (iOS/Android) and browser extensions (Chrome/Firefox), allowing users to focus during work, study, or personal time across different platforms.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Virtual tree planting with growth animation tied to real-time focus session duration
- Forest visualization showing accumulated personal trees as progress history
- Virtual currency system earned during sessions convertible to real tree donations
- Partnership integration with Trees for the Future for authentic environmental impact
- Multi-platform availability: native iOS/Android apps plus Chrome and Firefox browser extensions
- Focus session timer (30-minute default sessions)
- Personality test feature for customization
- Related app SleepTown for establishing sleep habits using similar gamification
Use Cases
- 1Students studying for exams or completing assignments with a structured timer and visual accountability
- 2Office workers blocking out deep work time to minimize Slack, email, and browser distractions
- 3Remote workers creating work-life boundaries by deliberately planting trees during dedicated work hours
- 4Individuals with phone addiction breaking the habit through gamified negative reinforcement (killing virtual trees)
- 5Teachers or managers using Forest as a group activity to cultivate focus culture within teams or classrooms
- 6Content creators (writers, programmers, designers) maintaining focus sessions during creative work blocks
- 7Environmentally-conscious users combining personal productivity with real-world environmental impact
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Elegant psychological design: the fear of 'killing' a virtual tree creates genuine behavioral change without external punishment
- Meaningful social impact: real tree-planting partnership (109,760+ trees planted) gives productivity gains tangible environmental value
- Multi-platform consistency: seamless experience across iOS, Android, Chrome, and Firefox extensions allows focus sessions anywhere
- Low barrier to entry: free tier likely allows basic usage; simple one-tap interaction with zero learning curve
- Extensive press validation: featured in NYT, Washington Post, Lifehacker, Business Insider, and 40+ major publications building credibility
Limitations
- Limited flexibility: 30-minute sessions appear fixed, potentially unsuitable for tasks requiring longer/shorter deep work blocks
- Relies on self-enforcement: extension can be closed or bypassed by determined users; no robust device-level focus lock like iOS Focus Mode
- Minimal advanced features shown: no integration with calendar, task management, team collaboration, or analytics to track productivity trends over time
- Pricing model not transparent: website lacks clarity on freemium tier limitations, premium pricing, or what features require payment
- Gamification fatigue risk: novelty of virtual trees may wear off quickly for some users after initial weeks of use
- Browser distraction loophole: Chrome/Firefox extensions can't prevent switching tabs to other sites—only monitors the app itself
Pricing Details
Pricing details not publicly available on the website. The site displays App Store and Google Play download buttons but lacks explicit pricing information, freemium tier limits, or premium feature breakdown. A free tier likely exists given user reviews mentioning 'paid version,' but specific costs and feature gates are not disclosed.
Who is this for?
Students and academics needing structured study timers; remote workers and office professionals seeking distraction-free deep work blocks; individuals struggling with smartphone addiction; environmentally-conscious users wanting productivity tied to environmental action; teachers and team leads wanting to build group focus culture; knowledge workers (programmers, writers, designers) who benefit from Pomodoro-style focus sessions.