Forest vs Freedom: Which Productivity App Wins in 2026?
Choosing between Forest and Freedom? This comprehensive comparison covers pricing, features, pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Quick Summary
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Forest | Freedom |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Starting Price | $4/mo | $7/mo |
| Category | Focus & Deep Work | Focus & Deep Work |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Chrome extension | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
Key Features
Forest Features
- Virtual tree growing
- Focus timer
- Statistics
- Friend challenges
- Real tree planting
- Whitelist apps
- Tags
- Widgets
Freedom Features
- Cross-device blocking
- Scheduled sessions
- Blocklists
- Locked mode
- Ambient sounds
- Statistics
- Annotation
- Focus sessions
Pros & Cons
Forest
Pros
- + Fun gamification
- + Plants real trees
- + Social accountability
- + Simple concept
- + Affordable
Cons
- - Mobile focused
- - Limited desktop features
- - Can lose trees accidentally
- - Basic statistics
Freedom
Pros
- + Works across all devices
- + Powerful blocking
- + Scheduled sessions
- + Locked mode option
- + Ambient sounds
Cons
- - No free tier
- - Subscription model
- - Can be bypassed
- - macOS issues sometimes
Pricing Comparison
The Verdict
Both Forest and Freedom are excellent focus & deep work tools, but they serve different needs.
Choose Forest if: You value fun gamification and plants real trees.
It's best for students and individuals.
Choose Freedom if: You prioritize works across all devices and powerful blocking.
It's ideal for writers and professionals.
Forest vs Freedom FAQ
It depends on your needs. Forest (8.5/10) excels at fun gamification, while Freedom (8.2/10) is known for works across all devices. Forest has the higher overall rating.
Forest is more budget-friendly. Forest has a free tier, while Freedom starts at $7/mo.
Yes, many users combine Forest and Freedom in their productivity stack. You can connect them using automation tools like Zapier or Make. This works well if Forest handles your virtual tree growing while Freedom manages cross-device blocking.
Forest offers: Virtual tree growing, Focus timer, Statistics. Freedom provides: Cross-device blocking, Scheduled sessions, Blocklists. The "better" features depend on what you need most.
Forest is generally user-friendly. Freedom is generally user-friendly. Both offer tutorials and onboarding to help you get started.
Forest is available on iOS, Android, Chrome extension. Freedom supports macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox. Both offer cross-platform sync.
For teams, consider: Forest is more individual-focused. Freedom is better for personal use.
Consider switching if Freedom's strengths (Works across all devices, Powerful blocking) address pain points you have with Forest. Both tools typically offer data export, making migration possible. Test Freedom with a free trial first.
Key differences: Pricing (free tier vs $7/mo), Focus (Focus & Deep Work vs Focus & Deep Work), Platforms (3 vs 6 platforms).
Forest users love: Fun gamification, Plants real trees. Common complaints: Mobile focused. Freedom users appreciate: Works across all devices, Powerful blocking. Common issues: No free tier.