tree planting app comparison
Compare Tree-Planting and Eco-Impact Tools
There are several ways to turn everyday browsing into real trees, and they work very differently. This page groups the main options by how they actually fund planting, so you can find the right fit and go deeper on any head-to-head.
At a glance
The main tree-planting tools at a glance
This table stays shallow on purpose. It orients; the linked pages go deep.
| Tool | Type | How it funds trees | Search switch? | Go deeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 IdleForest | Extension and desktop app | Idle bandwidth funds verified trees | No | How it works |
 Ecosia | Search engine | Search ad revenue | Yes | IdleForest vs Ecosia |
 OceanHero | Search engine | Search revenue, ocean plastic | Yes | IdleForest vs OceanHero |
 TreeClicks | Shopping extension | Affiliate fees when you shop | No | 3-way comparison |
 Forest | Focus app | Earned coins fund real trees | No (mobile-first) | See comparisons |
Comparison directory
Compare IdleForest with each tool
IdleForest vs Ecosia
Search-funded planting that needs a search switch, versus passive planting that does not. See which fits, and why many people run both.
Read the full comparisonIdleForest vs OceanHero
Both are easy to add, but OceanHero funds ocean-plastic recovery through search and IdleForest funds tree planting through idle bandwidth.
Full comparisonIdleForest vs Ecosia vs TreeClicks
Three different funding models side by side: search, shopping, and idle bandwidth. The detailed three-way breakdown lives here.
Open the three-way comparisonFocus apps and other tools
Tools like Forest plant trees as a reward for focus sessions, a different job from passive planting.
See the tool tablePaid conservation memberships
Planet Wild and Mossy Earth use paid monthly memberships for active rewilding, not a free browser tool.
Planet Wild vs Mossy EarthWhere IdleForest fits
A passive layer, not another habit
Most tools ask you to change something, switch your search engine, shop a certain way, or run a focus timer. IdleForest funds verified planting from bandwidth you are not using, so it adds impact without changing how you browse, and it stacks on top of any of the tools above.
The trees are traceable through named partners and a live counter. Read how it works or check the verified planting records.
Looking for alternatives, not comparisons? If you want a list of options to replace Ecosia rather than a head-to-head, see our Ecosia alternatives guide.
Trust signals
Why people choose IdleForest
FAQ
Tree-planting tool comparisons: common questions
What is the best tree-planting app or extension?
It depends on how you want to contribute. Search engines suit people happy to switch their default, shopping and new-tab tools suit specific habits, and IdleForest suits people who want passive impact with no change at all.
Do these tree-planting tools really plant trees?
The credible ones publish records. IdleForest names its partners and shows a live counter on its transparency page, so its planting is verifiable.
Can I use more than one at once?
Yes. Because they fund trees in different ways, you can stack them, for example a tree-funding search engine plus IdleForest for the time between searches.
Which tree-planting tool needs no search switch?
IdleForest and shopping or new-tab tools like TreeClicks do not change your search engine. Search-based options like Ecosia and OceanHero do.
Are these tools free?
The tools compared here are free to use. IdleForest is funded by idle-bandwidth revenue, search tools by ad revenue, and shopping tools by affiliate fees. Paid conservation memberships are a separate subscription model.
Start passive
Not sure which to pick? Start passive.
Whatever else you use, IdleForest adds verified planting in the background with no switch and no effort. Add it, then explore the detailed comparisons above.
Add IdleForest to Chrome