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Alternatives · Focus

Forest alternatives

Forest compared with 12 alternatives: Session, Opal, Freedom, Brain.fm, Cold Turkey Blocker and 7 more.

Forest has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store). 11 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
ForestThis toolFree plan · from $5.99/moYesiOS, Android, Browser extension
SessionFree plan · from $3.33/moYesmacOS, iOS
OpalFree plan · from $8.29/moYesmacOS, iOS, Android
FreedomFree plan · from $3.33/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Brain.fmFree trial · from $99.99/yrTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Cold Turkey BlockerFree plan · from $45 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, Browser extension
EngrossFree plan · from $5.99YesiOS, Android
FloraFree plan · from $0.99YesiOS, Android
Focus FriendFree plan · from $3.99/moYesiOS, Android
Focus KeeperFree plan · from $3.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Focus To-DoFree plan · from $1.99YesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
GoodtimeFree plan · from $6.99 one-timeYesiOS, Android
OttoFree plan · from $29/yrYesWeb, Browser extension

How each one differs from Forest

  1. Session

    Pomodoro focus timer with analytics for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Session starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Session lists a macOS app.
    • Only Forest lists an Android app.
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Session also covers time tracking.

    Suits: Mac and iPhone users who work in Pomodoro intervals

    Session vs ForestSession pricing and details

  2. Opal

    Screen time app that blocks distracting apps on phone and Mac

    • Opal starts at $8.29 / month, billed annually ($99.99). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Opal lists a macOS app.
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Opal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Forest also covers Pomodoro timer.

    Suits: Phone users who want distracting apps blocked automatically by rule

    Opal vs ForestOpal pricing and details

  3. Freedom

    Website and app blocker that runs across computers and phones

    • Freedom starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Freedom lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Freedom can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Forest also covers Pomodoro timer.

    Suits: People who want one blocking session to cover a computer and a phone together

    Freedom vs ForestFreedom pricing and details

  4. Brain.fm

    Functional music for focus, relaxation, sleep and meditation

    • Brain.fm starts at $99.99 / year, billed annually. Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Forest has a free plan. Brain.fm does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Brain.fm lists a web app.
    • Only Brain.fm lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.

    Suits: People who find lyrics distracting while they work

    Brain.fm vs ForestBrain.fm pricing and details

  5. Cold Turkey Blocker

    Website and app blocker for Windows and Mac with strict locks

    • Cold Turkey Blocker starts at $45 one-time purchase (Blocker Pro). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Cold Turkey Blocker lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Only Forest lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Cold Turkey Blocker can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Forest also covers focus music.

    Suits: People who talk themselves out of softer blockers mid-session

    Cold Turkey Blocker vs ForestCold Turkey Blocker pricing and details

  6. Engross

    Pomodoro timer with to-do list and planner for phones

    • Engross starts at $5.99 for Engross Premium (US App Store; billing basis not shown). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Engross also covers tasks, calendar and time tracking.

    Suits: Students planning study blocks and tracking study time

    Engross vs ForestEngross pricing and details

  7. Flora

    Free focus timer that grows trees, alone or with friends

    • Flora starts at $0.99 to $1.99 per tour, one-time (US App Store). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Flora also covers tasks, habit tracking and goals.
    • Forest also covers focus music.

    Suits: Students who stay off their phone better with a visual reward

    Flora vs ForestFlora pricing and details

  8. Focus Friend

    Gamified focus timer with a bean character and a house to decorate

    • Focus Friend starts at $3.99 / month, or $19.99 / year (US App Store). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Focus Friend can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Forest also covers focus music.

    Suits: People who keep to a timer more easily when it comes with a character and rewards

    Focus Friend vs ForestFocus Friend pricing and details

  9. Focus Keeper

    Pomodoro timer with progress charts for iPhone, Android and web

    • Focus Keeper starts at $3.99 / month or $34.99 / year (US App Store; several amounts listed). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Focus Keeper lists a web app.
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Focus Keeper also covers tasks and time tracking.
    • Forest also covers site & app blocker and focus music.

    Suits: Students timing study sessions and exam preparation

    Focus Keeper vs ForestFocus Keeper pricing and details

  10. Focus To-Do

    Pomodoro timer combined with a task list and time reports

    • Focus To-Do starts at $1.99 (period not shown), $3.99 / 3 months or $11.99 lifetime (US App Store). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Focus To-Do lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Focus To-Do can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Focus To-Do also covers tasks and time tracking.
    • Forest also covers site & app blocker and focus music.

    Suits: People who want a Pomodoro timer and a to-do list in one app

    Focus To-Do vs ForestFocus To-Do pricing and details

  11. Goodtime

    Minimalist open-source Pomodoro timer for Android

    • Goodtime starts at $6.99 one-time in-app purchase (Google Play, US). Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Goodtime is open source, according to its own site.
    • Goodtime can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Goodtime also covers time tracking.

    Suits: Android users who want a plain timer with no ads or account

    Goodtime vs ForestGoodtime pricing and details

  12. Otto

    Pomodoro timer and website blocker extension for Chrome

    • Otto starts at $29 for a one-year license, or $66 once for a lifetime license. Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Otto lists a web app.
    • Only Forest lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Otto can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Otto also covers tasks and time tracking.

    Suits: People who do most of their work inside Chrome

    Otto vs ForestOtto pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Forest

  • Seekrtech does not publish Forest Plus prices on its site; it says they vary by region and platform and points to the app stores.
  • No Mac or Windows app is listed; on a computer Forest runs only as a Chrome or Firefox extension.
  • Custom app allowlists, focus analytics, custom tags and real-tree planting need Forest Plus.
  • Forest Pro, the earlier unlock, is no longer available to new users; existing Pro holders keep it.
Forest pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Forest?

The alternatives to Forest in this directory are Session, Opal, Freedom, Brain.fm, Cold Turkey Blocker, Engross, Flora, Focus Friend, Focus Keeper, Focus To-Do, Goodtime and Otto. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Forest.

Is there a free alternative to Forest?

Yes. Session, Opal, Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, Engross, Flora, Focus Friend, Focus Keeper, Focus To-Do, Goodtime and Otto have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Forest alternatives work on Windows?

The Forest listing does not include a Windows app. Freedom, Brain.fm, Cold Turkey Blocker and Focus To-Do list one.

Which Forest alternatives work on macOS?

The Forest listing does not include a macOS app. Session, Opal, Freedom, Brain.fm, Cold Turkey Blocker and Focus To-Do list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Forest?

Goodtime is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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