Comparison

Forest vs PomPom

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

PomPom

Features
Read full description

PomPom is a focus timer app that makes the Pomodoro technique simple, fun, and effective. PomPom helps you study and work in intervals, outsmart procrastinating, and achieve your goals. Why PomPom? It offers customizable sessions, making it ideal for study, while detailed stats help you monitor your progress. The pomodoro timer includes calm music to enhance concentration. Sessions can be managed effortlessly through motion controls such as flipping, and shaking. Key Features: Simple Pomodoro Technique: Easily apply the proven method: 25 minutes of focus, followed by a short break. Perfect for study and daunting tasks. Customizable Sessions: Adjust session lengths to fit your workflow, making it ideal for ADHD, students, and professionals alike. Productivity Stats: Track your progress with daily and weekly reports, usage heatmaps, focus/break balance, and productivity trend. Sounds & Music: Improve concentration with a curated library of lofi music, brown noise, focus soundscapes, and concentration boosting audio. Intuitive Motion Controls: Use flip and shake movements to start, pause, or skip your timer. Effortless and engaging pomodoro timer management. Aesthetic & Minimal Design: Enjoy an intuitive and cute interface that will keep you coming back. Managing your pomodoro sessions has never been easier. Fully Functional Offline: This pomodoro focus timer app works in any environment, no login or internet connection required, everything you need for a more productive life. Perfect for Everyone: - Students: Use PomPom as your go-to study timer to stay on track. - Professionals: Boost your work sessions with a pomodoro focus timer that adapts to your needs. - ADHD Users: A simple, distraction-free tool to help you find your flow and reduce procrastination. Premium Features: - Gesture Control: Manage your timer with simple movements. - Custom Sessions: Tailor your focus time to fit your needs. - Full Sound Library: Unlock every sound for the perfect ambiance. - Exclusive Items: Access accessories and items to customize your PomPom. - Session Themes: Choose your background for focus and break modes. Your path to success starts here! EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Forest4 screens
PomPom4 screens

Verdict

The call

Forest and PomPom are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 PomPom sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forest ships an update weekly, PomPom every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Forest versus PomPom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForestPomPom
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (50K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings50K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size829 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSEEKRTECH CO., LTD.Kateryna Kontorovych

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

PomPom

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

PomPom

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly3 variants$2.991 Month
  • Anual$19.991 Year
  • Annually$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime3 variants$34.99

Questions

Is Forest free?
Forest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PomPom free?
PomPom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Forest or PomPom have ads?
Neither Forest nor PomPom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forest or PomPom?
Forest ships an update weekly, and PomPom every 2 weeks. Most recently, Forest was updated on October 31, 2026 and PomPom on October 28, 2026.

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