Forest vs SelfRestraint

Struggling to choose between Forest and SelfRestraint? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Forest is a Productivity solution with tags like pomodoro, time-management, concentration.

It boasts features such as Virtual tree planting, Time tracking and productivity monitoring, Focus mode to block distracting apps, Customizable tree types and settings, Collaborative mode for group challenges, Progress tracking and achievements, Reporting and analytics and pros including Effective in encouraging focused work, Visually appealing and engaging interface, Supports both individual and collaborative use, Available on both web and mobile platforms, Free basic version with option to upgrade.

On the other hand, SelfRestraint is a Productivity product tagged with productivity, focus, website-blocking, open-source.

Its standout features include Allows blocking access to distracting websites, Customizable blocking periods, Open source and available for Windows, Mac and Linux, and it shines with pros like Improves productivity by limiting distractions, Free and easy to use, Open source allows community contributions.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Forest

Forest

Forest is a web and mobile app that helps people focus by letting them plant virtual trees that grow over time. If the user leaves the app, the tree dies, incentivizing them to stay focused.

Categories:
pomodoro time-management concentration

Forest Features

  1. Virtual tree planting
  2. Time tracking and productivity monitoring
  3. Focus mode to block distracting apps
  4. Customizable tree types and settings
  5. Collaborative mode for group challenges
  6. Progress tracking and achievements
  7. Reporting and analytics

Pricing

  • Free
  • Freemium

Pros

Effective in encouraging focused work

Visually appealing and engaging interface

Supports both individual and collaborative use

Available on both web and mobile platforms

Free basic version with option to upgrade

Cons

Limited customization options in free version

May not be suitable for those who prefer more structured productivity tools

Potential for gamification to become a distraction itself


SelfRestraint

SelfRestraint

SelfRestraint is a free and open-source website blocking software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows users to block distracting websites for a set period of time to improve productivity and focus.

Categories:
productivity focus website-blocking open-source

SelfRestraint Features

  1. Allows blocking access to distracting websites
  2. Customizable blocking periods
  3. Open source and available for Windows, Mac and Linux

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Improves productivity by limiting distractions

Free and easy to use

Open source allows community contributions

Cons

Requires some technical know-how to setup and configure

Not as full-featured as some paid website blockers

Only blocks web access, not other distractions