Lock In Squad vs Forest
Both are free and both block apps while you focus, so the difference is in how. Forest's Deep Focus blocks your other apps during a session, and giving up early kills your tree. Lock In Squad blocks the apps you pick, or everything except them (Android now, iPhone next update), and makes you hold a button to quit early.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Lock In Squad | Forest |
|---|---|---|
| App blocking | Yes | Yes (Deep Focus) |
| Free core features | Yes | Yes |
| Hold to unlock | Yes | No |
| Whitelist mode | Android now, iPhone in the next update | Yes (Forest Plus) |
| Gamification | Yes | Yes |
| Focus stats and streaks | Yes | Yes |
Prices checked on September 22, 2026. Source: Forest.
The verdict
Forest is great if a gentle, charming nudge is all you need. Its Deep Focus mode keeps you in the Forest app, while Lock In Squad blocks the specific apps you choose and leaves the rest of your phone open. You still get the gamification and streaks Forest fans love, and the whitelist mode, which Forest keeps for Plus subscribers, is free on Android and comes to iPhone in the next update.
Want to see how Lock In Squad stacks up against every major blocker? See the full comparison.
Questions
Is the Forest app free now?
Yes. Forest's own site says the core focus experience is free on iPhone and Android, including the timer and the Deep Focus app blocker. Forest no longer sells Pro, its old single purchase, so new users who want more than the free tier choose the Forest Plus subscription.
What is the difference between Forest's free app and Forest Plus?
Forest Plus adds extras to a free app that already blocks apps with Deep Focus. Among them are a custom allowlist for apps you still need during a session and the option to spend earned coins on planting real trees, up to 5 per account. On the US App Store, Plus is $5.99 a month or $35.99 a year.
What is a Forest alternative for Android or iOS?
Lock In Squad runs on both and is free too. Like Forest, it pairs a focus timer with streaks and a reward, though its reward is minutes you spend on cosmetics in place of trees. It also offers a stopwatch mode for work with no set length and a streak that counts only the work days you choose.
Try Lock In Squad free
Real blocking, stats, and streaks, free on iOS and Android with no subscription. The App Store and Google Play list it as Lock In until the next update.
