Comparison

Forest vs offtime

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

offtime

This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications. It uses a unique physical barrier method, requiring you to move to disable blocks, fostering self-control and digital discipline. Gain insights into your saved time and create custom blocking profiles for different situations.

Highlights
  • Physical barrier app blocking
  • QR code or NFC activation
  • Custom app/category blocking
  • Blocking profiles for situations
  • Scheduled blocking times
  • Time saved insights
  • Offline and local operation
Read full description

OFFTIME – THE APP AGAINST APPS Block distracting apps – and reclaim your time. Offtime is the app against apps – helping you enjoy more of real life. With a simple scan, you block digital distractions and focus on what truly matters. The special part: the unlock code is physically removed – you have to move to disable the block. That creates distance, clarity, and focus. HOW IT WORKS * Select distracting apps or categories * Activate the block via QR code or NFC tag * Place the code out of reach – for example, in the hallway or on a shelf * Apps remain blocked until you scan the code again or the timer expires FEATURES - APP BLOCKING WITH PHYSICAL BARRIER You must actively move to disable the block – this helps prevent impulsive unlocking - QR CODE OR NFC ACTIVATION Start your focus session by scanning a physical trigger - STOPWATCH AND TIMER MODE Use the built-in stopwatch or set a timer for how long you want to block - CUSTOM APP OR CATEGORY SELECTION Block only the apps or categories that distract you. Keep the tools you need. - BLOCKING PROFILES Create templates for different situations: such as work, studying, or bedtime - SCHEDULED BLOCK TIMES Set automatic block times that repeat daily or weekly - INSIGHTS Get insights on how much time offtime has saved you, with our weekly and monthly overview - MINIMALISTIC DARK DESIGN Focus on function, not distraction – ideal for digital minimalism - FULLY OFFLINE AND LOCAL No cloud, no tracking, no data sharing WHY OFFTIME? Offtime takes a different approach. Instead of a simple software-based app blocker, it adds a physical layer. You place your unlock key – like a printed QR code or NFC tag – deliberately out of reach. This creates a real-world hurdle: you must actively choose and physically move to lift the block. This simple idea strengthens your self-control and makes digital discipline effortless. UNLOCK THE PRO VERSION * Unlimited number of blocking profiles * Up to 20 active schedules simultaneously * No limits on scheduled block times * Monthly insights Privacy Policy: https://useofftime.com/privacy.php?section=app Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
offtime4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Forest at every 9 days against offtime's every 2 months. Forest also leads on ratings volume (50K vs 1). offtime's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, 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 offtime sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

offtime holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Forest has 50K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update every 9 days, offtime every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Forest versus offtime: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestofftime
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (50K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings50K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size826 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSEEKRTECH CO., LTD.Louie Gaiser

Customer experience

Forest

All ratings49,540 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews2,295 reviews
Positive58.2%
Neutral6.9%
Negative34.9%

offtime

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

offtime

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

offtime

Subscriptions3
  • offtime Pro - Weekly$1.997 Days
  • offtime Pro - Monthly$5.991 Month
  • offtime Pro - Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • offtime Pro - Lifetime$17.99

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is offtime free?
offtime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Forest or offtime?
offtime is rated higher. Forest averages 4.8 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while offtime averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Forest or offtime have ads?
Neither Forest nor offtime shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forest or offtime?
Forest ships an update every 9 days, and offtime every 2 months. Most recently, Forest was updated on October 21, 2026 and offtime on October 2, 2026.

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