Comparison

Forest vs Hustly

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

Hustly

This app generates real-time binaural frequencies to enhance concentration for intellectual work and study. It offers customizable focus blocks, detailed frequency exploration, and smart onboarding tailored to your goals. Track your progress with comprehensive statistics and enjoy a distraction-free, offline experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time binaural frequency generation
  • Customizable focus blocks
  • Frequency exploration and benefits
  • Smart onboarding based on user profile
  • Detailed tracking and statistics
  • Offline functionality
  • iOS Control Center integration
Features
Read full description

Hustly is a focus app that uses real-time binaural frequencies to promote an optimal state of concentration — no pre-recorded music, no distractions. Designed for intellectual work, study and deep work. — REAL-TIME BINAURAL SOUNDS Hustly generates frequencies directly on your device using a precision audio engine. No audio files, no streaming. • 9 frequencies across 3 categories: Sharp — Balanced Flow (12 Hz), Brain Power (25 Hz), Hyper Focus (70 Hz) Neuro — Mental Flow (10 Hz), Logical Focus (18 Hz), Neural Sync (40 Hz) Aura — Zen Flow (432 Hz), Mental Reset (741 Hz), Inner Connection (963 Hz) • Local generation, zero latency • Works 100% offline • iOS Control Center integration — CUSTOMIZABLE FOCUS BLOCKS Organize your concentration with 6 block types: Studies, Project, Reading, Skill, Meditation and Journal. • Choose your frequency and duration (15 min to 3 h) • Schedule your sessions by day and time • Customize the title, emoji and color of each block • Set your commitment level (easy quit, hard quit or hardcore) — FREQUENCY COLLECTION Explore each frequency in detail: description, benefits, recommended use cases. Progress through tiers (5, 15, 50, 100 sessions) and add your discoveries directly to your blocks. — SMART ONBOARDING During sign-up, Hustly adapts the experience to your profile: • Age range • Focus goals • Activity type (studies, projects, reading, creativity, meditation) • Main distraction factors The app automatically recommends a frequency and session structure tailored to you. — TRACKING & STATISTICS • Consecutive day streaks • Completed sessions and total focus time • Weekly chart with week-by-week navigation • Productivity percentage • Post-session assessment (focused, neutral, distracted) • Emotion breakdown by frequency • Activity calendar (heatmap) — SECURITY & PRIVACY • Sign in with Apple • Encrypted cloud sync • Row-Level Security data protection • No advertising data collection • No third-party tracking — WHO IS HUSTLY FOR? • Students during exam season • Professionals and remote workers • Creatives and developers • Anyone looking to structure their focus — Hustly is a productivity and focus tool. It is not a medical device. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Hustly requires a premium subscription to access all features. Pricing available in the app.

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
Hustly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Forest at free with in-app purchases against Hustly's subscription. Forest also leads on ratings volume (50K vs 60) and review sentiment (58% vs 44%). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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 Hustly sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 60, 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 44% of Hustly's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update weekly, Hustly every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Forest versus Hustly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestHustly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (50K ratings) — better4.6 (60 ratings)
Positive reviews57.8% of reviews — better43.6% of reviews
Number of ratings50K — better60
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size829 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSEEKRTECH CO., LTD.Aurelien Moretto

Customer experience

Forest

All ratings49,559 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews2,321 reviews
Positive57.8%
Neutral7.0%
Negative35.2%

Hustly

All ratings60 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive43.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative53.8%

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

Hustly

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

Hustly

Subscriptions2
  • Hustly - Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Hustly - Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time2
  • Hustly - Lifetime$22.99
  • Hustly - Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hustly free?
Hustly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Forest or Hustly?
Forest is rated higher. Forest averages 4.8 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while Hustly averages 4.6 from 60 ratings.
Do Forest or Hustly have ads?
Neither Forest nor Hustly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forest or Hustly?
Forest ships an update weekly, and Hustly every 9 days. Most recently, Forest was updated on October 26, 2026 and Hustly on October 26, 2026.

Other comparisons