What is idle bandwidth?
Even with your browser open, you use only a small slice of your connection. IdleForest borrows only the rest, and steps back the moment you need it.
Your browsing, streaming and downloads always come first.
How does IdleForest work?
How IdleForest works
Your spare bandwidth runs small paid data tasks. The money plants verified trees. You pay nothing and change nothing.
From idle bandwidth to trees
You install the app
One click for Chrome, or a small app for Mac, Windows or Linux. No account, no payment.
It runs small tasks
Sessionless data tasks, like uptime checks, run on your spare bandwidth in the background.
Companies pay for them
Businesses pay to run tasks across many connections. Your share is small; together it adds up.
Verified trees get planted
The money goes to Trees for the Future, Tree-Nation and 1ClickImpact, who plant and verify on the ground.
What moves through your connection?
Automated requests from paying clients, like âis this website up?â. Nothing of yours.
- Sessionless: no cookies or identifiers
- No logins, files or browsing history
- Spare capacity only
Details in the transparency report and privacy policy.
Quick answers
Is IdleForest really free?
Yes. No cost, subscription or donation. Idle bandwidth tasks fund the trees, not you.
Will it slow my computer or internet?
No. It only uses bandwidth you are not using and steps aside when you need it, like on a video call.
Is it safe to install?
Yes. IdleForest is featured on the Chrome Web Store with 4.8 stars from 33 reviews, and it never touches your personal data.
Can I use it with Ecosia or another search engine?
Yes. It changes no setting and works alongside Ecosia, Brave, Chrome and Edge, so the impact stacks.
How do I know the trees are real?
Named partners plant and verify them, and the transparency page shows running totals and partner reports.
Does it work on mobile?
Not yet. It runs as a Chrome extension and a desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux. Mobile is on the roadmap.
How do I pause or uninstall it?
Pause from the extension menu, or remove it like any program. Trees you already funded stay funded.
Start planting trees in 10 seconds
Install it once, change nothing, and let it run.
Explore free tree planting
Compare ways to plant trees for free
Choose between computer apps, search engines, local giveaways, and volunteering.
Plant trees with a Chrome extension
See how IdleForest works while your browser is open and how to install it.
Check IdleForestâs planting records
Open public project records and certificates before choosing a tool.
Does Ecosia actually plant trees?
Look at the reporting behind search-funded tree planting.