Comparison

Forest vs Scroll Counts

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

Scroll Counts

This app helps you become more mindful of your scrolling habits by tracking each scroll instead of just screen time. Set daily limits, build awareness, and enter focus mode when you reach your goal. It works across supported platforms with short-form video and infinite scrolling content.

Highlights
  • Track daily scrolls
  • Set daily scroll limits
  • Focus Mode to pause scrolling
  • Build mindful scrolling habits
  • Works on supported platforms
  • Awareness of scrolling patterns
Features
Read full description

Scroll Count Track and limit scrolling, not minutes. Every time you scroll, you’re reinforcing the habit of moving on the moment something stops holding your attention. Scroll Count helps you become aware of that pattern — and take control of it. Instead of focusing only on screen time, Scroll Count tracks each scroll, helping you slow down and use short-form content more intentionally. Set Daily Scroll Limits Choose how many scrolls you allow per day and stay within a limit that works for you. Start where you are and adjust over time. Track Your Scrolling See how many short videos you scroll through each day and build awareness around your habits. Stay consistent and keep your streak going. Focus Mode When you reach your daily scroll limit, scrolling is paused within the app until the next day — helping you stay accountable. Works Across Popular Platforms Use Scroll Count while browsing supported websites that feature short-form video and infinite scrolling content. Build Mindful Scrolling Habits. Scroll Count encourages slower, more intentional scrolling — without timers or complicated rules. All users are entitled to a 3-day free trial with full access to all features. After the free trial ends, an active subscription is required to continue using Scroll Count and its features. Subscriptions help support the ongoing operation of the app and allow us to continue improving and maintaining Scroll Count. Thank you for understanding. Subscription options include monthly and yearly plans. Pricing is shown in the app. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
Scroll Counts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Scroll Counts at 100% against Forest's 58%. Forest's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (50K vs 13). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Forest sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Scroll Counts sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. 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 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Forest's written reviews are positive against 100% of Scroll Counts's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update every 9 days, Scroll Counts weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Forest versus Scroll Counts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestScroll Counts
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (50K ratings) — better4.6 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings50K — better13
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size826 MB45 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSEEKRTECH CO., LTD.Mohamed Yassin

Customer experience

Forest

All ratings49,540 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews2,278 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral6.9%
Negative34.6%

Scroll Counts

All ratings13 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
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

Scroll Counts

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
3 purchases

Scroll Counts

Subscriptions3
  • Scroll Counts Premium$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Special3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Scroll Counts Premium3 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scroll Counts free?
Scroll Counts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Forest or Scroll Counts?
Forest is rated higher. Forest averages 4.8 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while Scroll Counts averages 4.6 from 13 ratings.
Do Forest or Scroll Counts have ads?
Neither Forest nor Scroll Counts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forest or Scroll Counts?
Forest ships an update every 9 days, and Scroll Counts weekly. Most recently, Forest was updated on October 17, 2026 and Scroll Counts on October 16, 2026.

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