PagewoodA free Forest app alternative, with real app blocking
Forest made the idea famous: plant a tree, stay off your phone, and the tree grows. Pagewood keeps that idea and changes three things: distracting apps are actually blocked on Android, there are no ads, and every session goes into a field journal.
Pagewood vs Forest on Google Play
| On Google Play | Forest | Pagewood app |
|---|---|---|
| "Contains ads" label | Yes | No |
| "In-app purchases" label | Yes | No (free during early access) |
| Downloads | 10M+ | New in 2026 |
Labels and download counts as shown on each app's Google Play page on 1 October 2026. Store pages change; check them before you choose.
What Forest does well
- A huge, proven community: Forest says over 60 million people use it.
- Real trees: Forest says its users have planted over 2,000,000 real trees on Earth.
- On Android and iOS, with a long track record; its listing cites Google Play Best App of the Year and Editors' Choice.
Where Pagewood is different
| Forest | Pagewood | |
|---|---|---|
| How it keeps you off your phone | Your tree withers if you give in to scrolling (Forest's description) | Strict sessions cover apps you haven't allowed with a calm "can wait" page (Android) |
| Ads | Listed as "Contains ads" on Google Play | None |
| Purchases | Listed as "In-app purchases" on Google Play | None during early access; seeds can never be bought |
| Count-up sessions | — | Yes, and they block apps too |
| Session record | Your forest of trees | A field journal: dated specimens, intentions, tags |
| Platforms | Android and iOS | Android only (for now) |
"—" means we haven't verified it either way.
Apps like Forest for free, for studying and for Android
Most people searching for apps like Forest want one of three things: something free, something built for studying, or something that works well on Android. Pagewood is all three: free during early access with no ads, built around study sessions and subject tags, and made for Android first, where it can really block apps. If you need an app like Forest for PC, use the free online focus timer in your browser.
Who should choose which
Choose Pagewood if your problem is that you open apps without thinking and a withering tree isn't enough to stop you, if you want no ads at all, or if you like keeping a written record of your study.
Choose Forest if you need iPhone, want to plant real trees, or want to focus with friends in a big established app.
Sources: Forest on Google Play and Forest's website, read on 1 October 2026. Pagewood is not affiliated with Forest; product names belong to their owners.
Questions people ask
Are there apps like Forest for free?
Yes. Pagewood grows a tree while you focus, like Forest, and is free during early access with no ads and no in-app purchases. It also blocks distracting apps on Android during Strict sessions.
What is the best Forest app alternative for Android?
If you want app blocking and no ads, Pagewood is built for exactly that on Android. If you want the largest community and real-tree planting, Forest itself is hard to beat. If you study with friends and want rankings, look at YPT.
Does Pagewood plant real trees like Forest?
No. Pagewood's trees are virtual. Forest says its users have planted over 2,000,000 real trees, and that's a genuine strength of Forest.
Can I move my Forest data to Pagewood?
Not at the moment. Pagewood starts a fresh journal. You can export Pagewood's own data as CSV at any time.
Is Pagewood on iPhone or desktop like Forest?
Not yet. Pagewood is Android-only for now. The free web study timer works on any device.
Keep reading
Focus & Study Timer: Pagewood · Android
Plant your next session.
Block distracting apps, grow a tree for every session and keep a field journal of your study. Works offline, no ads, no tracking.
