Spend your time well
with Forest.

Take back the hours you keep losing. A mindful focus timer for intentional living — free to start your digital detox.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
60M+ downloads  ·  ★★★★★ 4.8 on App Store  ·  Google Play Editors' Choice
Top productivity app in 157 countries

Your hours keep slipping away.
Take them back.

Procrastination, phone addiction, endless feeds — sometimes we all scroll too long. Forest helps you come back to what matters.

A phone overflowing with notifications and apps — life before focus

✗Distracted & doomscrolling

We lose hours a day to feeds, procrastination, and the scrolling we didn't choose. By evening, the day feels wasted.

A calm screen with a Forest tree growing — life with intentional focus

✓Focused & in control

You decide where your hours go — not your feeds. Real focus, real presence, time well spent on what actually matters.

From Seedlings to Lush Forests

Forest is a pomodoro-style focus timer with a twist — every minute of concentration grows a tree. Lose focus, and you lose the tree.

A newly planted Forest sapling — step 1 of a focus session

Start focusing

Pick a focus length and a tree species. Your tree grows in real time as you focus.

A withered tree — what happens when you leave Forest to use another app mid-session

Distraction kills it

Use other apps and your tree dies.

A fully grown tree — the reward for completing a Forest focus session

Stay focused and earn a tree

Finish the session — your tree joins your forest forever.

Forest diorama — your accumulated focus sessions across seasons

Every minute of focus, grown into a forest.

Over time, your focus sessions grow into a diverse, vibrant forest — a visible record of every minute you chose depth over distraction.

Whatever you're focusing on, Forest fits.

Studying for exams, working through deep tasks, or putting the phone down for a real digital detox with the people in front of you.

Student studying with Forest focus timer running

Studying

Exam crunch or long study sessions. The pomodoro timer turns hours into trees; Deep Focus blocks what's stealing your attention.

Remote worker focused on deep work with Forest

Working

Slack and feeds one tab away. Time Guard locks them during work; Mindful Space turns breaks into real rest, not scrolling.

Person putting their phone aside to be present with friends, with Forest growing a tree

Digital detox

Family dinner, date night, time with kids. Put the phone down and stay present with the people in front of you.

The original focus app that plants real trees on Earth.

2,102,946
Real trees planted — and still growing.

Through our partnership with Trees for the Future, your focus contributes to a real forest on Earth. Forest covers the cost from app revenue.

Loved by students, remote workers, and ADHD focusers.

★★★★★ 4.8 on the App Store · 1M+ user ratings across App Store and Google Play
★★★★★

Genuinely helps me keep away from my phone and progress is visualized wonderfully as a neat looking forest.

★★★★★

This app is a lifesaver, especially for my exam year. I've been using it for a bit now and I'm totally hooked.

★★★★★

I'm an unmedicated ADHD adult. I've struggled with executive function for a long time. This has made a big difference.

★★★★★

Actually super cool — I've been using it for being more focused at work, and it works. I would LOVE it if I can be focused for as long as, like, 12 hours, but I'm not complaining, I still love the app.

★★★★★

Have used for the past 6 years, will use forever it's so good ❤

Reviews shown above are real App Store and Google Play ratings; nicknames appear as published on the platforms.

Recognized by

Forest answers, in one place

Is Forest free?
Yes — the core focus experience is free, including the Focus Timer with tree planting, Deep Focus mode (app blocking), Time Guard (screen time management), Mindful Space (breathing breaks), and Plant Together (group focus). No credit card required. Forest Plus is an optional subscription that unlocks additional soundscapes, all seasonal tree species, custom app allowlists, advanced focus analytics, an always-on 3× coin boost, and an ad-free experience. See all Plus perks →

How is Forest different from other focus or pomodoro apps?

Most focus apps help you save time. Forest helps you spend it well. The heart of Forest is a tree: it grows while you focus, dies if you wander off, and joins your forest if you make it through. Your concentration becomes something visible — a record of time you chose. Around that, Forest packs Deep Focus app blocking (free on every tier — most competitors paywall theirs), Time Guard scheduling, Mindful Space breaks, and Plant Together — synchronized group focus where the whole forest falls if anyone gives up, a feature few competitors even attempt. Forest also plants real trees on Earth — over 2 million and counting.

As The New York Times put it: "Forest works well, and if your goal is to be more in the moment, ignore your phone and actually talk to your friends when you are with them, this is the app for you."

Forest is a companion, not a coach — no shame, no preaching, no productivity-bro language. Trusted by 60 million since 2014.

What do I get if I upgrade to Plus?

Plus is Forest's current subscription tier. You get everything in Free plus custom app allowlists, focus pauses (with optional toggle), custom focus tags, advanced analytics, all seasonal tree species and soundscapes, an always-on 3× coin boost (Sunshine Elixir), and VIP tier in seasonal events. Compare all plans →

Does Forest really plant real trees?

Yes. Forest partners with Trees for the Future, a nonprofit that plants real trees across five countries in Africa. Pro and Plus users can spend their earned coins to plant a real tree — Forest covers the cost from app revenue. View Forest's sponsorship at Trees for the Future →
See all FAQs →

Ready to focus, and
take back your time?

Start free. Join 60 million people who finally spent time on what mattered.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Take your time. Spend it well.

Forest, beyond the focus timer.

App blocking, screen time, analytics and mindful breaks — every tool shaped to make focus feel natural, not forced.

Forest analytics dashboard showing weekly focus hours, streaks, and tree species count
Forest app — focus timer with growing tree

The app blocker for distraction-free focus sessions.

Try to switch apps mid-focus, and Deep Focus pulls you back. The only way out is to give up — and let the tree die. Build a custom allowlist for what you actually need, and block everything else.

Screen time on your schedule — for digital detox that sticks.

Set the windows when apps shouldn't reach you — no social media 9 to 5, no feeds before bed. Time Guard holds the line, so you can reduce phone use without having to remember.

Mindful breaks and guided breathing meditations.

Close your eyes. Follow the breath. Let the soundscape do the work. Mindful Space is a sound-led breathing room designed to restore focus — not distract you from it.

A forest that feels like yours.

Every focus session plants something beautiful. Your forest is a living record of your focused time — progress you can see at a glance, not a dashboard.

Your focus, turning into real trees on Earth.

Earned coins from your focus fund real trees, planted by our nonprofit partner Trees for the Future across five African countries. Forest covers the cost from app revenue — over 2 million planted since 2014, still climbing.

More focus features, just as thoughtful.

Stats, sounds, social, and seasonal — across every device.

Focus Analytics

Know where your time goes. Track focus patterns, streaks, and total focused hours by day, week, or month.

Focus Challenge

Daily and monthly missions that reward exclusive tree species.

Ambient Sounds

Audio library — rain, cafe, forest — layered over your focus session.

Plant Together

Sync focus sessions with friends — everyone plants the same tree. If anyone gives up, the whole forest falls.

Seasonal Events

Themed event tracks — Spring Focus Season, World Earth Day, and more.

iOS, Android, Apple Watch, and Browser

Cross-platform sync — your account and focus history follow you between iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, and your browser.

What makes Forest different from other focus apps.

A gamified focus app with real consequences

The original gamified focus app since 2014. Switch apps mid-focus and your tree dies — Deep Focus blocks the attempt before it starts.

A complete concentration app, not just a timer

A concentration app, app blocker, screen time scheduling, mindful breaks, and focus analytics — all in one.

A free tier that's genuinely useful — not a trial

Deep Focus (the app blocker), Plant Together, and the full tree-planting mechanic — free. No trick, no expiration.

Real trees planted on Earth — over 2 million since 2014

Not just symbolic. Through our nonprofit partner Trees for the Future, your focus funds real trees across five African countries.

Mindful productivity, not hustle. Time well spent, not just saved.

No shame, no preaching, no "crush your goals." Just encouragement when you're close — a soft reset when you're not.

Works offline, anywhere

Core focus works offline. Timer, tree growth, and stats keep running without a signal — plane, subway, dead zone.

Time well-spent starts today.

Every tool you need to take your hours back.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Forest app plans — Free vs Plus, features and pricing

Free for core focus — no credit card, no expiration. Plus unlocks advanced features. Existing Pro stays yours, permanently.

Free
Start here. No credit card required.
  • ✓ Focus Timer (countdown + stopwatch)
  • ✓ Deep Focus Mode (app blocking)
  • ✓ Time Guard (1 app or site)
  • ✓ Mindful Space (1 soundscape)
  • ✓ Focus Tracking
  • ✓ Your Forest (every session, visible)
  • ✓ Plant Together (group focus rooms)
  • ✓ Tree Species & Land Styles
Most popular
Plus
Try Plus free. Subscribe only if you want.
  • ✓ Everything in Free
  • ✓ Exclusive + seasonal + early-access tree species & land styles
  • ✓ All Mindful Space soundscapes
  • ✓ Custom App Allowlist
  • ✓ Time Guard with multiple apps / sites
  • ✓ Focus Analytics + Custom Tags
  • ✓ Unlimited Sunshine Elixir (3× coin boost)
  • ✓ VIP tier in seasonal events
  • ✓ Plant real trees (up to 5 per account)
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Free vs Plus — full feature comparison

Every feature, side-by-side.

Feature Free Plus
Focus Tools
Focus timer (countdown + stopwatch) ✓ ✓
Pause during session (can be disabled) — ✓
Auto-focus after break — ✓
Ambient Sounds ✓ ✓
Custom Phrases (encouragement during focus) — ✓
Anti-Distraction
Deep Focus mode (app blocking) ✓ ✓
Custom App Allowlist — ✓
Time Guard 1 app/site Multiple apps/sites
Tracking & Habits
Focus Tracking ✓ ✓
Focus Analytics — ✓
Custom Focus Tags — ✓
Focus Challenge ✓ ✓
My Favorite (saved focus presets) — ✓
Wellness & Social
Mindful Space 1 soundscape All soundscapes
Plant Together (Focus Room) ✓ ✓
Friends & Leaderboard ✓ ✓
Trees & Rewards
Earn coins from focus ✓ ✓
Classic tree species & land styles ✓ ✓
Exclusive Plus tree species & land styles — ✓
All seasonal tree species & land styles — ✓
Early access to new tree species & land styles — ✓
Plant real trees with coins (up to 5) — ✓
Unlimited Sunshine Elixir (3× coin boost) — ✓
Seasonal event VIP tier — ✓

Existing Pro users retain all applicable features permanently — see below for details.

Already have Pro? Your perks are here to stay.

Forest Pro isn't sold to new users anymore. But what you paid for is still yours — on every device you sign in on, with no expiration and no action needed from you. Thank you for supporting Forest early.

See what's included in Pro

Pro included these advanced features:

  • Custom App Allowlist
  • Focus Analytics
  • Custom Focus Tags
  • Pauses during focus sessions
  • Ad-free experience
  • My Favorite (saved focus presets)
  • Auto-focus after break
  • Custom Phrases (encouragement during focus)
  • Plant real trees with coins (up to 5 per account)
  • 🎁 Exclusive Pro gift: Cotton Puddles land style + Bald Cypress tree

Pro did not include Plus-only features (all Mindful Space soundscapes, exclusive/seasonal/early-access tree species & land styles, multi-app Time Guard, unlimited Sunshine Elixir, seasonal event VIP tier).

Plan Questions

Can I try Plus for free?
Yes. You can start a free Plus trial, and only continue as a paid subscriber if you decide to. Start it from inside the Forest app — no commitment, cancel anytime.

What happens after I cancel Plus?

Your Forest stays yours. All past sessions, trees, and focus history are preserved. Plus features stay active until the end of your current billing period — after that, your account returns to the Free tier. You can resubscribe anytime.

Can I get a refund?
Refunds are handled by the platform you subscribed through (Apple App Store or Google Play). Please contact them directly.

I have Pro. Can I also subscribe to Plus?

Yes — Plus is a separate subscription. Your Pro perks stay yours, and Plus adds the Plus-only benefits (multi-app Time Guard, exclusive seasonal trees, VIP event tier, unlimited Sunshine Elixir, and more).

Start free.
Upgrade only if you want more.

No credit card. No expiration.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Forest — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you might want to know about Forest, focus, and real-world tree planting.

About Forest

What is Forest?
Forest — officially Forest: Focus for Productivity on the App Store and Google Play — is a mindful productivity app where you grow a virtual tree during each focus session. Our purpose isn't to help you save time — it's to help you spend it well. Some people use Forest as a sharp focus tool (study, deep work, app blocking); others as a daily companion for intentional living. Since 2014, 60 million+ people have used Forest to take back their time from distractions and feel in control — and Forest has partnered with Trees for the Future to plant over two million real trees.

How does Forest work?
You set a focus timer and plant a virtual tree. The tree grows as long as you stay focused. Using other apps during a focus session kills it. Your completed sessions build into a visible forest — a living record of your focused time. Focus becomes something you tend, not fight — mindful, not forced.

Who made Forest?
Forest was created by Seekrtech Co., Ltd., an indie studio based in Taiwan, co-founded by Marcus Pi and Amy Cheng. Forest launched on iOS on May 10, 2014.

How is Forest different from other focus or pomodoro apps?

Most focus apps help you save time. Forest helps you spend it well. The heart of Forest is a tree: it grows while you focus, dies if you wander off, and joins your forest if you make it through. Your concentration becomes something visible — a record of time you chose. Around that, Forest packs Deep Focus app blocking (free on every tier — most competitors paywall theirs), Time Guard scheduling, Mindful Space breaks, and Plant Together — synchronized group focus where the whole forest falls if anyone gives up, a feature few competitors even attempt. Forest also plants real trees on Earth — over 2 million and counting.

As The New York Times put it: "Forest works well, and if your goal is to be more in the moment, ignore your phone and actually talk to your friends when you are with them, this is the app for you."

Forest is a companion, not a coach — no shame, no preaching, no productivity-bro language. Trusted by 60 million since 2014.

What's the idea behind the tree metaphor?

The tree leverages loss aversion — the fear of losing something you've invested in is a stronger motivator than the promise of future rewards. You don't focus because you have to; you focus because you don't want to kill your tree. Over time, the tree becomes a visual record of your choices.

Is Forest for me?
Forest works for students studying for exams, remote workers resisting feed-scrolling, writers seeking flow, parents modeling phone discipline, and anyone with ADHD who responds well to gamified habit-building. If you've tried willpower alone and want a gentler system, Forest is likely for you.

Does Forest help with procrastination?

Yes. Forest's visible-tree mechanic addresses procrastination by making abstract goals concrete. Many users report that the loss-aversion design (not wanting to kill the tree) breaks the procrastination loop where normal willpower fails. The Pomodoro-style focus structure also helps by keeping sessions short and achievable.

Does Forest help with phone addiction?

Forest is designed as a behavioral tool, not a medical treatment. Research by Ward et al. (2017) found that the mere physical presence of a smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity, even when users successfully resist checking it. Forest has helped many users reduce compulsive phone use through three mechanisms that address this: the growing tree creates emotional stake in staying off the phone, Deep Focus mode physically redirects you away from other apps, and Time Guard schedules app limits throughout your day. For clinical phone addiction, please consult a qualified professional.

Is Forest good for ADHD?
Many users with ADHD find Forest helpful because the mechanics align with ADHD-friendly design: visible progress feedback (the tree), immediate consequences (using other apps kills the tree), short structured sessions (Pomodoro-style), and gamification (tree species, seasonal events). Forest is not an ADHD treatment, but users with ADHD often report it's the first focus app that actually stuck for them.

Is Forest a screen time app?

Yes — and more. Forest includes screen time features (Deep Focus blocks apps during focus sessions; Time Guard schedules recurring app limits), but it's more than that. Unlike passive screen time tools that just report your usage, Forest gives you a positive reason to stay off the phone — a growing tree and, eventually, a real tree planted on Earth.

Is Forest a digital detox app?

Yes. Forest is one of the most cited digital detox apps because it tackles the hardest part of digital detox — making it stick. Instead of just blocking your phone (which most people bypass within a day), Forest gives you a tree to keep alive. You're not avoiding your phone out of willpower; you're protecting something that grows. Use it for daily focus sessions, family-time phone-down moments, or weekend digital detox stretches.

What's the difference between Forest and iPhone's Screen Time?

iPhone's Screen Time is a passive monitoring tool — it reports usage and sets blanket limits across your device. Forest is an active focus tool — you commit to a session, plant a tree, and the tree dies if you switch apps. Screen Time relies on you respecting limits you set in advance; Forest creates an immediate stake during the session itself. The two complement each other: Screen Time for daily macro limits, Forest for the deep-focus moments when you really need to commit.

Focus & Timer

What happens if I use other apps during a focus session?

With Deep Focus mode on, Forest blocks non-allowlisted apps and guides you back. To actually open another app, you'd have to tap "Give Up" — which kills your tree. Without Deep Focus, you can switch apps without consequence, but we recommend Deep Focus on for the stricter experience. Dead trees stay in your forest as an honest record of the journey, not a verdict. Forest doesn't hide failed sessions or shame you for them — what matters is the forest you grow over time.

Can I pause a focus session?

Yes (Pro/Plus only). You can pause when you need to (each pause lasts up to 5 minutes), and your tree is safe during a pause. If you find pause distracting, you can disable it in settings to keep your sessions strict end-to-end. Free users don't have access to pause.

What is Deep Focus mode?
Deep Focus is a stricter mode that blocks you from other apps or redirects you back to Forest when you try to open one. You can't toggle it off mid-session (the commitment is part of the point). Free on all tiers; Pro/Plus add a customizable App Allowlist for apps you're allowed to use.

Can Forest block Instagram, TikTok, and other social apps?

Yes. Forest can block Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube, or any other app you choose — through two complementary tools. Deep Focus blocks apps during a focus session: try to switch and Forest pulls you back, until you give up and let the tree die. Time Guard schedules recurring blocks throughout your day — no social media 9 to 5, no feeds before bed. Both are free; Plus extends them with custom App Allowlists and multi-app scheduling.

How do I use Plant Together (Focus Room)?

Create a room, invite friends via code, and everyone plants the same tree during a synchronized session. iOS and Android users can join the same room. Everyone shares the stake — if one person gives up, everyone's tree dies. It's cooperative accountability: you show up for each other, not just yourself.

Rest & Wellness

What is Mindful Space?
A sound-led breathing room for intentional rest with guided breathing. Choose from different music styles, ambient soundscapes, and immersive visual scenes — all crafted for deep restoration. Use it between focus sessions to recharge before the next one, or open it anytime you need a moment to slow down. Free includes one soundscape; Plus unlocks the full library.

Can I listen to music during focus?

Yes — Forest has a library of Ambient Sounds (rain, cafe, meadow, etc.) you can layer over your focus session. Individual tracks are purchasable with in-app coins. Plus gets rotating seasonal access.

Habits & Analytics

What is Focus Challenge?
Daily and monthly missions designed to help you build a consistent focus habit. Small daily missions reward you with coins and items; monthly arcs build toward a signature tree — making consistency feel rewarding, not forced.

What are Focus Tags?
Labels you assign to sessions — Study, Work, Writing, or custom tags (Pro/Plus). You can filter analytics by tag to see where your focus hours go.

What does Forest show me about my focus?

The most distinctive view is your visible forest — every focused session as a tree, your time made visible at a glance. Forest also shows total focus time, focus patterns by day, week, or month, streaks, and breakdowns by tags (Study, Work, Writing) and tree species. Together, these help you understand your own focus rhythm and where your hours really go.

Real Trees

How many real trees has Forest planted?

Forest has funded over 2 million real trees through Trees for the Future since 2014, with the number growing continuously — see the live counter on our homepage for the current total. Trees are planted across five sub-Saharan African countries (Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon) as part of the Forest Garden Program, which trains local farmers in sustainable agroforestry. Forest covers the planting cost from app revenue.

Does Forest really plant real trees?

Yes. Forest partners with Trees for the Future, a nonprofit, to plant real trees across five countries in Africa. Over 2 million real trees have been planted through this partnership. Pro and Plus users can spend their earned coins to trigger a real tree being planted on their behalf — Forest covers the cost from app revenue.

Which organization plants the trees?

Trees for the Future (TFtF) is a US-based nonprofit that plants trees as part of reforestation and sustainable agriculture programs. They train local farmers to plant diverse tree species that restore soil, provide food, and generate long-term income.

How many real trees can I plant?

Pro and Plus users can plant up to 5 real trees per account by spending accumulated coins earned from completing focus sessions. Free users cannot redeem real trees, but Forest still plants trees at the brand level through Trees for the Future funded by app revenue. Occasional events extend the personal 5-tree limit temporarily.

How can I verify the trees are really planted?

Your planting record in the Forest app shows every real tree you've triggered. Trees for the Future publicly documents Forest's sponsorship on their official site, and publishes regional impact reports separately. Individual per-tree GPS verification isn't available — TFtF prioritizes planting scale and farmer training over per-tree telemetry.

Plans & Pricing

Is Forest free?
Yes — the core focus experience is free — no credit card, no expiration — including the Focus Timer, tree growth, Plant Together (group focus), Deep Focus mode (app blocker), and Mindful Space. The free tier shows occasional ads (never during active focus sessions) that can also earn in-app rewards. Plus is an optional subscription for advanced features and an ad-free experience.

Can I still buy Forest Pro as a one-time purchase?

No. Forest Pro has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase on any platform. New users can use Forest Free (core focus experience, no subscription) or subscribe to Forest Plus for advanced features. If you previously purchased Pro, you keep all Pro features permanently.

What's the difference between Free, Pro, and Plus?

Free covers the core focus experience. Pro was a one-time purchase that added advanced features (now discontinued — existing users keep everything). Plus is the current subscription, adding exclusive/seasonal/early-access tree species, full soundscapes, Focus Analytics, custom allowlists, and an always-on 3× coin boost. See the full comparison →

How much does Plus cost?
Plus pricing varies by region and platform. Please check the App Store or Google Play for your current local price.

Privacy & Technical

Is my focus data private?
Yes — your session data is stored with your account and not sold to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Does Forest work offline?
Yes — for the core focus experience. The timer, tree growth, and your focus data work completely offline. Most other features (Plant Together, Focus Challenge, Shop, events, real-tree planting) need an internet connection.

Does Forest work on Apple Watch, iPad, and browser?

Forest works across iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple Watch (watchOS 8+), and as a browser extension (Chrome and Firefox). On iPhone and iPad, you get the full Forest experience — focus timer, tree gallery, Plant Together, Mindful Space. On Apple Watch, start, pause, and complete focus sessions from your wrist with Live Activities and StandBy support. The browser extension brings Deep Focus and the timer to desktop browsing. Your account, focus history, and forest sync across all platforms.

Ready to give Forest a try?

Start free. No credit card, no expiration.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Take your time. Spend it well.