App Review: Is Forest The Best Productivity App? -

What if I told you there’s a simple and highly effective way to triple your productivity for only $1.99 (or for FREE on Android devices)? When I came across this app a couple of years ago, I quickly realized how easily distracted I would get when I had my phone around me while studying. Even when completing a task, I would pick up my phone numerous times just out of habit.

Forest prides itself on being able to keep you off of your phone when you need to stay focused. And if you’re anything like me, this sounds like the perfect solution for you. So I am here to give you a review from a long-time user of the app. The pros, cons, and if I recommend this popular productivity app. This post is all about the Forest App.

Very rarely do I download a productivity app and use it for (literal) years. Forest has been an app that I have consistently used multiple times a week for about four years. After referencing this app in so many of my blog posts, I decided to give it a proper review.

You can find this productivity app on the app store for only $1.99 and you can get it for free if you have an Android device. Forest is simple, yet so effective. I have ALWAYS preferred the most simple techniques and tools to enhance my learning process. Too much complexity can make studying even harder and unnecessarily complicated.

This amazing app allows you to set timers for each task you’re accomplishing whether it be work, homework, cleaning, reading, or even sleeping. While you complete the task you’re growing a virtual tree. The goal is to grow the plants without letting them die.

FOREST IS AN EXTREMELY USER-FRIENDLY APP

So first, you pick which type of plant you want to grow. There are sooo many different types of plants and you redeem more by accumulating points. Each completed time gives you more points. After choosing the plant species you want to grow (they are constantly adding new ones), you set the time to whatever amount of time you want to allot for that particular task. For instance, I typically study in increments of 25 minutes to get homework done. If you want to find out why I study with time increments check out this post! While I’m completing my homework my little seedling is growing into a beautiful and strong plant. Once the timer is done, I now have a new addition to my forest.

THIS APP IS NOT JUST A TIMER APP

One of my favorite things about the Forest app is that it is not just a timer. It has various features that make you want to do the work.

The first and arguably the most important feature of this app is deep focus mode. Enabling this mode means that when you start the timer, leaving the app will KILL the plant you’re growing.

This mode is essential for me because whenever I get the urge to pick up my phone and check a text or scroll through Instagram, I think twice. The app will give you little messages to get you off your phone. This is such a simple but insanely useful way to increase your productivity.

In addition to this mode, you can use this app as a timer or a stopwatch. You can also categorize and leave a note for each session if you ever want to look back and assess how you use your time!

Another super useful way to use the app is to do productive things with friends or family. When you invite friends to study with you (and use “deep focus mode”) you all have to stay off of your phones. Using this with friends while studying is so great. Let’s be honest, most of us have a problem with screen time. We are constantly checking texts, emails, social media, YouTube… This will hold every person accountable! Because when my friend is the reason for our plant dying, that dead plant shows up in my forest too. The goal is to create a beautiful forest full of lively plants so working together makes it a team effort.

THIS APP GROWS REAL TREES AROUND THE WORLD.

Something extremely unique and cool about the creators of this app is that they are making the world a better place. Through their tree-planting partner, Trees for the Future, they are improving the livelihoods of impoverished farmers by revitalizing degraded lands. They have 14 projects in five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and they have seen incredible results from their efforts. The best part is YOU can be a part of this change as well.

I Have Seen Significant Improvements In My Work Ethic Using This App

I have used this app for years. I have gotten my friends to start using this app, and I am actually using it right now to complete this blog post for you. Deep focus mode is the main reason to get this app if anything. It’s partially a mental game and it’s partially me wanting to prove to myself that I can stay focused. A bonus is growing real trees for areas that desperately need them.

Not only does your productivity and work ethic improve by using this app, but you also have the chance to make a huge impact in other people’s lives. Like I said earlier, the concept of this app is very simple, but the various features and aesthetics of the app make this tool worth way more than the $1.99 price tag it has.