Cold Turkey
Aggressive site and app blocker for deep focus.
Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to Forest
Mobile focus app that grows a tree while you work.
2 hand-curated alternatives from MintedSaaS's directory. See the Forest listing →
Forest is a mobile-first app that gamifies focus sessions by growing a virtual tree while you work—the tree dies if you leave the app. It's built for individuals and teams who want behavioral reinforcement around distraction-free work, with a social component that lets you grow forests with others. The app runs on iOS and Android, syncs across devices, and integrates with some calendar and task systems.
People reach for Forest when they struggle with phone distractions during work blocks, or when they want accountability baked into their workflow. It's a focused tool: it doesn't manage your to-do list, calendar, or email. Instead, it sits on top of those systems as a timer-plus-game hybrid. Students, remote workers, and teams doing sprints are its main user groups. You'll see it recommended in focus-technique communities and by people looking for the lightest possible friction to "just lock my phone and work for 25 minutes."
What we offer that competes
Freedom
Cross-device blocker for distracting apps and websites.
What to look for
- Whether the tool blocks at the OS level or app level—Cold Turkey freezes your entire desktop, while Freedom blocks selectively by app and website.
- Whether you can manually whitelist specific apps during a focus block or override the timer without restarting your device.
- Whether the tool tracks and displays your completed focus sessions across days or weeks for accountability and trend-spotting.
- Whether the product works on mobile phones or is desktop-only, since phone distractions are the primary focus drain for most users.
- Whether the alternative charges per device or offers cross-platform pricing, since users often work on laptop and phone simultaneously.
- Whether focus sessions can be scheduled to auto-start at specific times or tied to calendar events, versus requiring manual initiation each time.
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to Forest?
Freedom and Cold Turkey are the most direct alternatives. Freedom blocks distracting websites and apps across devices with a focus-session overlay, while Cold Turkey freezes your entire computer for a set duration. Both are stricter enforcement than Forest's gamification layer.
Are there free alternatives to Forest?
Forest itself has a free tier on mobile with limited sessions. Freedom and Cold Turkey both offer free versions with reduced features—Freedom's free plan blocks distractions on two devices, and Cold Turkey's free version doesn't include scheduling. Many users pair free timers like Toggl Track with built-in phone settings to replicate Forest's behavior at no cost.
What platforms do Forest alternatives support?
Forest runs on iOS and Android. Freedom works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android with cross-device blocking. Cold Turkey is Windows and Mac only. Choose based on where your distractions live—if you're primarily distracted on your phone, Forest or Freedom mobile are your options; if it's your desktop, Cold Turkey is stronger.
How do I choose a focus app if I also need to block notifications and calendar blocks?
Forest doesn't block notifications or tie into calendars; it's purely a timer with a game layer. Freedom handles app and website blocking across devices. If you want notification management and time blocking in one system, look at calendar-integrated tools like Fantastical or your OS calendar plus a separate blocker like Freedom.
Can I use these alternatives on a work computer I don't own?
Forest and Freedom can both run as user apps on company devices without admin privileges. Cold Turkey often requires admin access to enforce its hard blocks, making it less suitable for locked-down corporate machines.
Which focus alternative works best if I'm constantly switching between tasks?
Forest enforces one session at a time—you start a tree, work, and either finish or lose it. Cold Turkey also locks you into a block with no escape hatch. Freedom is the most flexible: you can set custom blocklists per task or manually disable blocks mid-session. If task-switching is your reality, Freedom gives you the most control.
Do these alternatives share session data with my team?
Forest has a public forest-planting feature where teammates can work together and see each other's trees. Freedom and Cold Turkey don't have built-in team or social features—they're individual blockers without a social accountability layer.
What happens if I accidentally close the app during a focus session?
In Forest, closing the app kills your tree. Freedom can enforce blocks even if you force-quit it on most systems. Cold Turkey prevents you from killing the process—the timer runs whether you like it or not. Cold Turkey is the most draconian; Freedom is more forgiving.