Forest vs Pomello

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.

Pomello turns Trello cards into timed Pomodoro tasks. After connecting a Trello account, it can read and modify cards; by default, it adds a pomodoro count to titles, records events in comments, and tracks productivity statistics. These behaviors can be customized by board or list. Users can also create Trello tasks in Pomello and set the board, list, title, description, and labels. The timer uses timed intervals, gives short breaks after pomodoros, and switches to a long break after four valid pomodoros. Its Productivity panel shows pomodoros, distractions, and related activity, and requires a Pomello account login. Basic costs nothing, while Premium costs $20 a year. Both plans list unlimited boards and lists, productivity and time tracking, checklist items as tasks, custom timer sounds, and productivity data export. Pomello is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The Android download page says the Android version is coming soon.