Forest vs Session

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.

Session is a focus app that blocks selected distractions and tracks work progress. It is built around uninterrupted 25-minute sessions: while a session runs, selected apps and websites are blocked, then restored when the session ends. Afterward, Session asks what the user learned and provides an end-of-day progress review. Its website blocker works with Safari, Chrome, Brave, and Microsoft Edge, but not browsers such as Firefox. Session is available as an extension and on iOS and macOS. Progress syncs between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with data saved and backed up on Session’s server. The Free plan is free and includes unlimited sessions and rests, analytics from the past two days, and calendar-event viewing. Pro adds custom session and break durations, full session logs, Mac app and website blocking, Slack status controls, calendar features, and AppleScript and Apple Shortcuts automation. Pro Yearly is $3.33 a year, billed at $39.99 per year; Pro Monthly is $4.99 a month. A seven-day trial is listed.