Comparison

Forest vs Neilson

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

Neilson

Enhance your active holiday experience with this comprehensive travel companion. Discover and book over 20 activities, manage your schedule with live updates, and explore resort facilities with an interactive map. Plan for the whole family, including kids' club activities and spa treatments.

Highlights
  • Discover and book 20+ activities
  • Live activity calendar and updates
  • Kids Club activity planner
  • Interactive resort map
  • Book spa treatments
  • Hotel and facility information
Features
Read full description

Your Ultimate Neilson Active Holidays Companion Make the most of your Neilson Active Holiday with the newly designed Neilson App! Whether you’re cycling scenic roads, playing tennis or setting sail on the water, the app ensures your holiday is full of Good Energy. Plan, Book & Explore with Ease From discovering activities to booking spa treatments, the Neilson App gives you everything you need at your fingertips. Enjoy a stress-free getaway with these exciting features: • Discover & Book Activities – Explore 20+ included activities and secure your spots effortlessly. • Manage Your Schedule – Stay organized with a live activity calendar and real-time updates. • Kids Club Planner – Plan exciting experiences for your little adventurers. • Interactive Resort Map – Easily navigate your resort and find key facilities. • Book Spa Treatments – Unwind and rejuvenate with a simple tap. • Hotel & Facility Info – Get quick access to essential resort details. Wherever your holiday takes you, the Neilson App is your perfect holiday companion. Download now and bring the Good Energy to your next trip!

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
Neilson4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Neilson at free against Forest's free with in-app purchases. Neilson also leads on review sentiment (21% vs 12%). Forest's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update every 8 days, Neilson monthly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Forest versus Neilson: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestNeilson
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (830 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews11.9% of reviews21.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings830 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.515.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size219 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHuman Forest LimitedMobail

Customer experience

Forest

All ratings830 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.7%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews630 reviews
Positive11.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative81.6%

Neilson

Written reviews19 reviews
Positive21.1%
Neutral15.8%
Negative63.2%

Bugs and 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

Neilson

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Forest

No in-app purchases

None

Neilson

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Neilson free?
Neilson is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Forest or Neilson have ads?
Neither Forest nor Neilson shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forest or Neilson?
Forest ships an update every 8 days, and Neilson monthly. Most recently, Forest was updated on October 17, 2026 and Neilson on October 17, 2026.

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