Flat Tomato vs Forest

Flat Tomato is a time-management application for iOS and macOS centered on a timer for reducing distractions and tracking time spent on activities. A calendar records tasks and helps estimate the effort required for them, while progress statistics provide a way to review activity over time. Users can choose among color themes. On iOS, Flat Tomato supports Todoist and Evernote integrations and Apple Watch complications. The iOS version is a free download with in-app purchases. Listed premium choices are $0.99 a month or $2.49 a year. The Mac app costs 2.99 USD once and requires macOS 10.12 or later; a Perpetual Pro Upgrade is listed at 7.99 USD once. The maker’s EULA describes a limited, personal, non-commercial license. Support, bug reports, and feature ideas go to [email protected]. Apple’s Mac listing says privacy-practice and data-handling details have not been provided.

Forest is a focus timer that makes a virtual tree grow during a session and die if the user leaves or breaks the session. Deep Focus can block or redirect attempts to open other apps, including on the free tier. Time Guard schedules recurring app or site blocks; Free covers one app or site, while Plus supports multiple. Plant Together synchronizes a session among friends, and the group’s trees die if anyone gives up. Mindful Space offers guided breathing and soundscapes, and Focus Analytics reports focus patterns and hours by day, week, or month. Plus adds analytics and custom tags. Forest says focus-earned coins can fund real trees through its partnership with Trees for the Future, up to five per account on eligible plans. The timer, tree growth, and local focus data work offline, but group focus, challenges, the shop, seasonal events, and real-tree planting require internet. Forest works on iPhone, iPad, Android, and as a Chrome or Firefox extension; account and focus history can sync across platforms. Forest describes it as a behavioral tool, not an ADHD medical treatment.