Comparison

Forest vs SelfBlock

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 helps you stay focused by growing a virtual forest while you avoid your phone. Earn rewards, unlock new trees, and even plant real trees on Earth through a partnership. It offers tools to block distractions and track your progress.

Highlights
  • Gamified focus timer
  • Virtual forest growth
  • App blocking with Allow Lists
  • Real tree planting partnership
  • Detailed statistics and insights
  • Co-planting with friends
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

SelfBlock

Features
Read full description

Every blocker fails the same way: you turn it off. SelfBlock doesn't let you. When you try to open a blocked app, a friend gets the request — and they decide. No friend available? Ask the anonymous community instead. Someone always answers. ► BUDDY SYSTEM When you try to open a blocked app, your buddy gets a request. They set the time and decide for you. They can respond instantly from a notification or Apple Watch. ► COMMUNITY MODE Don't want to assign a friend? Get anonymous support from the community. A random user reviews your request. Your identity stays hidden. ► 5 BLOCKING MODES – Full Block: Completely prevent app access – Schedule: Auto-block during work, study, or sleep hours – Usage Limit: Set daily time limits per app – Open Limit: Control how many times you open an app – Solo Mode: Manage with your own willpower ► BLOCK ANY APP Block YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X (Twitter), Facebook, Reddit, WhatsApp, Discord and any distracting app or website. ► LIVE FOCUS TRACKING – Daily focus moment counter and day streak – Weekly report with progress summary – Daily check-in to track your mood – Home screen widgets and Live Activity support ► APPLE WATCH Approve or reject requests from your wrist. Track focus stats right from your watch face. ► CUSTOM SHIELD THEMES Personalize your block screen with 6 themes and custom colors. ► STRICT MODE Prevent bypassing blocks with PIN code, wait timer, or time lock. Extra protection options: block app installs, deletions, and in-app purchases. ► PRIVACY FIRST SelfBlock uses Apple's Screen Time API (Family Controls). Your data stays on your device. No tracking, no ads. ► FREE TO START Download free and start using right away. Go Pro for unlimited buddy and community mode, custom themes, weekly reports, strict mode, and more. SelfBlock works as a screen time blocker, app blocker, phone addiction tool, digital detox app, focus timer, social media blocker, dopamine detox aid, website blocker, app lock, and productivity tool. Compatible with Apple Watch and Home Screen widgets. Terms of Use: https://ismailpalalii.github.io/selfblock-site/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://ismailpalalii.github.io/selfblock-site/privacy.html

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
SelfBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Forest at weekly against SelfBlock's monthly. Forest also leads on chart position (#191 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). 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. Forest sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and SelfBlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update weekly, SelfBlock monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Forest versus SelfBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestSelfBlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (50K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings50K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
Best chart rank#191 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size840 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSEEKRTECH CO., LTD.ismail Hakki Palali

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

SelfBlock

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Forest

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly (Early Bird)7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Monthly (Early Bird)$5.991 Month
  • Annual (Early Bird)7 Days trial$35.991 Year
One-time6
  • Shovelful of Crystal2 variants$0.99
  • Bottle of Sunshine Elixir$0.99
  • Box of Sunshine Elixir$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Small pot of Crystal$4.99
  • Large bag of Crystal$10.99
  • Cartful of Crystal$21.99
3 purchases

SelfBlock

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$4.491 Month
  • Pro Yearly3 Days trial$27.491 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$82.99

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SelfBlock free?
SelfBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Forest or SelfBlock have ads?
Neither Forest nor SelfBlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forest or SelfBlock?
Forest ships an update weekly, and SelfBlock monthly. Most recently, Forest was updated on November 4, 2026 and SelfBlock on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons