Comparison

Forest vs TimeGuard

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 uses a gamified timer to help users stay focused and reduce phone distractions. Users plant virtual trees that grow while they concentrate, but wither if they leave the app. It encourages productivity and offers features like personalized allow lists and real tree planting.

Highlights
  • Gamified focus timer
  • Virtual tree planting
  • Personalized allow lists
  • Unlockable tree species and white noises
  • Real tree planting initiative
  • Detailed time statistics
  • Cross-device synchronization
Features
Read full description

**Stay off your phone and a tree grows. Leave early and it withers. That's Forest, the focus timer used by 60 million people worldwide.** Top productivity app in 136 countries. Recommended by The New York Times and Business Insider. "Forest works well, and if your goal is to be more in the moment, ignore your phone and actually talk to your friends when you are with them, this is the app for you." — The New York Times Together, our community has planted over 2 million real trees on Earth through our partnership with Trees for the Future. --- STAY FOCUSED Forest helps you overcome phone addiction, reduce distractions, and build deep work habits. Whether you are studying for exams, working from home, or simply trying to be more present, Forest gives you a reason to stay on task. - A gamified focus timer that turns screen-free time into a growing virtual forest - Create personalized Allow Lists to block distracting apps during focus sessions (iOS 16 or above) - Track your daily phone usage and screen time GET MOTIVATED - Unlock tree species and soundscapes as you reach focus milestones - Co-plant trees with friends and family during shared focus sessions - Compete with users around the world and share your forest - Unlock achievements and earn extra rewards - Plant real trees on Earth through our partnership with Trees for the Future TIME GUARD: BLOCK DISTRACTIONS ON SCHEDULE Time Guard helps you set phone-free windows throughout your day. Block distracting apps on a schedule, limit when you can access them, and track how much time you spend on your phone. MINDFUL SPACE: RESET YOUR MIND Mindful Space combines calming soundscapes, breathing exercises, and gentle animations to help you decompress between focus sessions. STATISTICS & INSIGHTS - Create custom tags and view detailed statistics of how you spend your focused time - Review your weekly, monthly, and yearly focus history as a visual forest - Revisit your focus journey with Forest Timeline - Sync your focused time with Apple Health It is never too late to build better habits. --- FOREST PLUS Love Forest? Try Forest Plus. - 3x coin rewards and unlock new trees faster - Exclusive Plus-only tree species and early access to seasonal new trees - Turn your focus into a real tree on Earth Start your free trial today, cancel anytime. --- NOTICE Forest is available on iPhone and iPad. Sign in with the same account to sync your data and access Forest Plus across all platforms. The Allow List feature requires iOS/iPadOS 16 or above. Forest is the original app. Similar apps on the App Store are not developed by the Forest team. --- Follow us on Instagram or visit forestapp.cc to learn more. Browser extensions also available. --- Privacy Policy: https://www.forestapp.cc/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://forest-subscription.seekrtech.com/terms/

About

TimeGuard

This app helps you regain control of your time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers personalized screen time reports, smart reminders, and custom focus sessions to improve concentration and productivity.

Highlights
  • Real-time app blocking
  • Personalized screen time reports
  • Smart reminders
  • Custom focus sessions
  • Deep focus mode
  • Rewards and milestones
Features
Read full description

TimeGuard: Regain Control of Your Time, Stay Focused, and Be Productive Imagine having the power to optimize your day with less time spent scrolling through distractions. TimeGuard helps you do just that by providing real-time app-blocking, personalized screen time reports, and smart reminders, allowing you to achieve your goals with clarity. With TimeGuard, you can: • Maximize Focus: Block social media and other distractions during critical hours or whenever you need deep concentration. • Smart Sessions: Schedule focus sessions throughout your day with timed blocking of specific apps and websites, so you stay on track without temptation. • Daily Reports: Track your screen time, measure your productivity, and compare progress with insightful reports. • Stay Mindful: With TimeGuard’s prompts, get reminded of your intention each time you try to access a blocked app. • Unplug and Reconnect: Set dedicated hours for family, work, or personal time without interruptions from your device. TimeGuard is trusted by users who want to reclaim hours of their day, reduce stress, and improve their overall focus. Whether you’re working on personal projects or simply trying to reduce mindless scrolling, TimeGuard empowers you to stay in control. Features: • Custom Block Sessions: Tailor specific time slots where apps or websites are blocked, perfect for work or downtime. • Detailed Focus Insights: Get personalized statistics on your screen usage, with actionable insights to help you adjust your habits. • Deep Focus Mode: Need a serious break from distractions? Use TimeGuard’s strict focus mode to lock yourself out of certain apps completely. • Rewards & Milestones: Unlock rewards as you hit focus milestones, boosting your motivation to reduce screen time. • Community Challenges: Compete with peers on a leaderboard to see who maintains the best focus. Take back control of your time, improve your mental clarity, and achieve more with TimeGuard. Whether you’re battling procrastination, managing ADHD, or just want to use your phone more mindfully, TimeGuard has the tools to help. Enjoy all features with a subscription for the best experience. Terms of Service (EULA): https://www.mindfusion.app/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.mindfusion.app/privacy

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
TimeGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Forest at 58% against TimeGuard's 0%. Forest also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (50K vs 7). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Forest sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and TimeGuard sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Forest holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Forest has 50K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Forest's written reviews are positive against 0% of TimeGuard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update every 9 days, TimeGuard weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Forest versus TimeGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestTimeGuard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (50K ratings) — better4.6 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews58.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings50K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#201 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size826 MB113 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSEEKRTECH CO., LTD.RMGO

Customer experience

Forest

All ratings49,540 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews2,291 reviews
Positive58.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative34.7%

TimeGuard

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Forest

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashing and freezing issues
  • Syncing and data loss problems
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching apps

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to pause/resume timers
  • More customization options for the forest
  • Integration with other productivity apps
  • Easier way to earn coins for new trees

TimeGuard

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

19 purchases

Forest

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly (Early Bird)7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Monthly (Early Bird)$5.991 Month
  • Annual (Early Bird)7 Days trial$32.491 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual (Early Bird)7 Days trial$35.991 Year
One-time15
  • Bottle of Sunshine Elixir$0.99
  • Shovelful of Crystal$0.99
  • Starter Bonus Pack$1.49
Show 12 more
  • Box of Sunshine Elixir$1.99
  • Select Pack$2.99
  • Advanced Package$2.99
  • Small pot of Crystal$4.99
  • Supreme Package$4.99
  • Advanced Bonus Pack$6.99
  • Elite Package$9.99
  • Large bag of Crystal$10.99
  • Select Pack$12.99
  • Supreme Bonus Pack$14.99
  • Deluxe Pack$18.99
  • Cartful of Crystal$21.99
4 purchases

TimeGuard

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly Subscription$9.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • TimeGuard Yearly With Trial3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Subscription$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeGuard free?
TimeGuard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Forest or TimeGuard?
Forest is rated higher. Forest averages 4.8 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while TimeGuard averages 4.6 from 7 ratings.
Do Forest or TimeGuard have ads?
TimeGuard shows ads; Forest does not.
Which is updated more often, Forest or TimeGuard?
Forest ships an update every 9 days, and TimeGuard weekly. Most recently, Forest was updated on October 19, 2026 and TimeGuard on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons