Forest vs Freedom:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Forest had more branded searches than Freedom among focus apps worldwide. Forest had about 33,100 branded searches, while Freedom had 14,800. Forest made up 39.3% of all focus app searches we track, and Freedom accounted for 17.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about focus apps, Freedom appeared in four of the five answers and Forest in three. Freedom was mentioned before Forest in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Forest, about 2 searches for every 1 for Freedom
Who does AI mention more?
Freedom, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Forest in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Freedom, named ahead of Forest in 4 of 5 answers
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Top focus apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Freedom was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Forest was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Freedom was listed before Forest in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Opal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Freedom4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Forest3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ScreenZen3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
one sec3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Clearspace0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about focus apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which focus app should I use to cut my screen time?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best app blockers and focus apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best app for blocking social media on my phone?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“focus app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“app blocker”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Forest or Freedom more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Forest and Freedom by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six focus apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Forest, Freedom. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Forest | Opal | Freedom | ScreenZen | one sec | Clearspace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.4% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 9.1% | 4% | 0.99% |
| Nov 2025 | 47% | 21% | 17.2% | 9.4% | 4.2% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 39% | 26.1% | 17.4% | 9.5% | 6.4% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.6% | 25.9% | 17.3% | 11.5% | 5.2% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.7% | 25.3% | 20.6% | 11.3% | 4.1% | 1% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.6% | 19.9% | 16.3% | 13.3% | 4.8% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.4% | 25.1% | 20.5% | 11.2% | 5% | 0.81% |
| May 2026 | 40.9% | 22.4% | 18.3% | 12.2% | 5.4% | 0.73% |
| Jun 2026 | 38% | 25.4% | 16.9% | 13.9% | 5% | 0.83% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.1% | 26.2% | 21.4% | 14.3% | 5.2% | 0.85% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.3% | 26.4% | 17.6% | 11.8% | 4.3% | 0.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.3% | 26.3% | 17.6% | 11.7% | 4.3% | 0.85% |
How has the Forest and Freedom comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Forest was ahead of Freedom in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Forest’s share of searches among focus apps worldwide moved from 45.4% to 39.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 33.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freedom’s share of searches among focus apps worldwide moved from 20.3% to 17.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for focus apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Forest’s and Freedom’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among focus apps
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