Forest

Forest is a unique focus and productivity app that gamifies staying off your phone by growing virtual trees. Set a timer for focused work, and a tree grows during that period—but if you leave the app to check social media or other distracting apps, your tree dies. Over time, you build a forest representing your focused work sessions, creating visual motivation to stay productive.

Best For

Students, remote workers, and anyone struggling with phone distractions during study or work sessions. Ideal for people who compulsively check their phones, teams wanting to encourage focus time, parents helping kids develop study habits, and anyone who responds well to gamification and visual progress.

Perfect for study sessions, deep work blocks, reading time, meditation, exercise, or any activity where phone distractions derail focus. Also great for building awareness of screen time habits and creating intrinsic motivation to stay focused.

Key Features

How does the tree-growing mechanic work?
Set a focus timer (10 minutes to 2 hours) and choose a tree species. Your virtual tree grows during the timer. If you leave Forest to use blacklisted apps (social media, games, etc.), your tree dies. Successfully staying focused grows a healthy tree added to your forest. Your forest becomes a visual record of productive time.

Can I customize which apps kill the tree?
Yes (on mobile app). Configure a blacklist of distracting apps. Opening those apps during a focus session kills your tree. Whitelisted apps (work tools, music, maps) can be used without penalty. Customize based on your specific distractions.

What about team and social features?
Plant trees with friends or coworkers in shared "rooms" where everyone focuses together. See each other's forests and encourage accountability. Tag focus sessions by project or activity to track where your focused time goes.

Can I plant real trees?
Yes! Forest partners with Trees for the Future. Spend virtual coins earned through focus sessions to plant real trees. To date, Forest users have planted millions of real trees, adding environmental impact to personal productivity.

Pricing & Plans

iOS: $3.99 one-time purchase
Android: Free with in-app purchases ($1.99 for Pro features)
Chrome Extension: Free (basic features)

Most features included in one-time purchase; no subscription required

Getting Started

1. Download Forest app (iOS, Android) or Chrome extension
2. Set focus timer length and choose tree species
3. Start timer and put phone down (or stay in focus mode)
4. Complete session to grow tree; break focus to kill tree
5. Build forest over time and track productivity stats

Limitations

• Only prevents distractions on device where Forest is running (not cross-device)
• Gamification may feel juvenile to some users
• Doesn't track what you're working on (only that you stayed focused)
• iOS and Android versions have slightly different features
• Effectiveness depends on self-discipline to not bypass the app