Big Issue eBikes vs Forest
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Big Issue eBikes
Rent affordable electric bikes in multiple UK cities. This service creates local jobs and helps reduce car usage for cleaner air. Easily find, unlock, and track your rides through the app.
- Rent affordable electric bikes
- Create and authorize account quickly
- Select ride plans (pay-as-you-go or monthly)
- Find nearest eBike on map
- Unlock eBike via QR code
- Track trip and payment history
Read full descriptionHide full description
ABOUT THE BIG ISSUE EBIKES APP The Big Issue eBikes app lets you rent affordable electric bikes in several cities across the UK, and is one of the first eBike schemes of its kind. We create new Living Wage jobs for unemployed and vulnerable people in your area. What’s more, we help take cars off the road improving air quality for everyone. Welcome to #BikingForGood HOW IT WORKS Download the app, then create and authorise your account in seconds by confirming your phone number and/or email. Select your town/city, pick a ride plan (pay as you go, or pay monthly), add a payment method, scan the QR code on the eBike, and you are ready to start your ride. You’ll find the nearest available eBike on the map or your personal dashboard. The dashboard also includes a weather forecast, your personal trip counter, and more... Features include: • Register in seconds, selecting your town/city, and ride plan • Find your nearest eBike on the map • Unlock the eBike by scanning the QR code on the handlebars • Track your full trip and payment history • Get in touch with us to report a problem
Forest
This app provides access to shared electric bikes across London for a faster, fun, and sustainable commute. Enjoy free ride minutes on every Pay As You Go trip after a small unlock fee.
- Shared electric bike service
- Thousands of ebikes across London
- Free ride minutes daily
- Pay As You Go pricing
- Ride bundles available
- Subscription option
- Watch ads for more free minutes
Read full descriptionHide full description
Get from A to B with Forest, London’s homegrown shared ebike. Switch your usual journey by train or bus for a faster, fun, and more sustainable way to get around. Plus, we’re the only shared ebike app that after a £1 unlock, gives you up to 30 free ride minutes on every Pay As You Go (PAYG) ride. HOW TO GET STARTED: 1. Download the app, create a free account and accept our Terms and Conditions. 2. Find your nearest Forest bike out of thousands across London using the map in the app. 3. Unlock a bike for £1 using the QR codes on the bike itself, or by tapping the selected bike on the app. 4. Enjoy an emissions free ride! WAYS TO RIDE: 1. PAYG: Simply unlock a bike for £1, get up to 30 free ride minutes, then pay 29p thereafter. 2. Buy a bundle: If you’re making longer trips, or planning multiple trips over a longer time. 3. Subscribe to Forest Plus: If you want the best value riding option. Always ride responsibly, respect other road users, and follow the safety guidance provided in the Forest app. WHY YOU SHOULD RIDE WITH FOREST: Choose from thousands of ebikes available across 18 boroughs of London with free ride minutes available every day. Gain additional free ride minutes by watching ads. We’re B Corp Certified and have run a zero-emissions operation since day one.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Forest at every 9 days against Big Issue eBikes's every 5 weeks. Big Issue eBikes's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.5). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Big Issue eBikes ships an update every 5 weeks, Forest every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Big Issue eBikes | Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (826 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews | 11.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 826 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 103 MB | 228 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sharebike.com | Human Forest Limited |
Customer experience
Big Issue eBikes
Forest
Bugs and requests
Big Issue eBikes
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Forest
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes and freezes frequently
- Inability to properly end rides and park bikes
- Inconsistent GPS tracking and bike availability
- Login and password reset issues
Requested features
4 requests- Improve app stability and responsiveness
- Provide clearer information on parking and no-ride zones
- Maintain high service quality and bike condition
- Offer transparent and fair pricing structure
In-app purchases
Big Issue eBikes
No in-app purchases
Forest
No in-app purchases
