An honest comparison
Forest rewards you for not touching your phone. Don't Forget assumes you'll get interrupted anyway and makes coming back easy. Which one fits depends on whether your problem is distraction by your phone or losing your place in your work.
Forest
How Forest works
Forest turns focus into a game: you plant a virtual tree that grows while you stay focused and dies if you leave the app. It can block distracting apps, supports focusing with friends, and partners with a charity to plant real trees.
Don't Forget
How Don't Forget works
Don't Forget times the real task you're working on. Leaving isn't a failure: switch to what needs you, and the task you left waits with its time and next step until you come back.
Side by side
| Feature | Forest | Don't Forget |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Gamified focus sessions (grow a tree) | Track the task you're on and get back to it after interruptions |
| When you get interrupted | Leaving the app can end the session | Switch in one tap; the task is parked, not lost |
| Tasks and steps | Tags for sessions | Named tasks with steps, due dates, reminders and folders |
| App blocking | Yes | No |
| Mac | Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox) | Native menu bar app with floating widget |
| Pricing | Free, Plus by subscription | Free, optional one-time Pro purchase |
Forest details checked on from Forest's website. Features and prices change, so check there for the latest. Spotted something out of date? Let me know.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Forest if…
- Picking up your phone is your main distraction
- You're motivated by games and visible rewards
- You want to focus together with friends
Choose Don't Forget if…
- Interruptions are part of your job and can't be blocked
- You want to know what you were doing, not just how long you stayed off your phone
- You'd like a native Mac app
Want to see how Don't Forget handles interruptions? See how it works.
Next time you get pulled away, you'll know where you were.
Free on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. No account, no subscription.
