DuoLock vs. Forest: Which app fits shared phone-free time?
DuoLock is for shared, voluntary phone-free time with a partner, friends, or family. Each person pauses only the apps they chose on their own phone and can unlock early.
Independent comparison of public product information, checked on October 22, 2026. DuoLock is not affiliated with Forest. Features can change. Forest’s features are not described on this page, because they are not in the manufacturer facts this comparison uses.
DuoLock in this comparison
There is no Forest column. Manufacturer facts for Forest are not part of the notes this page is allowed to use, so nothing here is attributed to Forest.
| Question | DuoLock |
|---|---|
| Shared use | Couple. Friends, up to 12 people, started with a QR code or an 8-digit code. Family, up to 8 people. One Together Pass covers everyone in that family. |
| Joining without blocking | In Friends and Family, joining without blocking apps stays possible. |
| What pauses | Each person chooses their own apps. That selection stays on their phone. |
| Stopping early | Anyone can unlock early on their own phone. |
| Platforms | iPhone and Android, including in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. |
When DuoLock fits
- You want phone-free time with a partner, and both people agree first.
- You are with friends, up to 12 people, and start with a QR code or an 8-digit code.
- You are with family, up to 8 people. One Together Pass covers everyone there. Family is a shared ritual, not parental control.
- Someone in Friends or Family wants to join without blocking apps.
- Each person should choose what pauses, keep that choice private, and be able to unlock early.
How a DuoLock moment works
Everyone agrees
A session starts only when the people in it say yes. One person does not lock someone else’s phone. On the Couple page, both people agree first.
Private app selection
Each person chooses the apps that pause on their own phone. The others see the shared moment, not that list.
Unlock early
Anyone can end the pause on their own phone. The other people can keep theirs running.
Couple, Friends, and Family
Couple is for two. Friends is for up to 12 people in the same place, started with a QR code or an 8-digit code. Family is for up to 8 people, and one Together Pass covers everyone in the family. In Friends and Family, joining without blocking apps stays possible.
No score at the center
DuoLock does not center the moment on points, streaks, or a leaderboard. The time together is the point.
Where DuoLock runs
DuoLock is live on iPhone and Android, including in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Download it from the App Store or Google Play. The buttons below use the same store links as the rest of duolock.app.
FAQ
Can you use Forest with friends?
Forest’s group features are not described on this page, because they are not in the manufacturer facts this comparison uses. DuoLock Friends is for up to 12 people together. The session starts with a QR code or an 8-digit code, each person chooses their own apps, and joining without blocking apps stays possible.
What is a Forest alternative for couples?
DuoLock Couple is for two people who both agree to a phone-free moment. Each person pauses only the apps they chose on their own phone and can unlock early. Friends mode fits up to 12 people. Family mode fits up to 8 people, and one Together Pass covers everyone in that family. DuoLock is on iPhone and Android, including in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Sources
- DuoLock on the App Store (Apple App Store)
- DuoLock on Google Play (Google Play)
- DuoLock Couple (DuoLock)
- DuoLock Friends (DuoLock)
- DuoLock Family (DuoLock)
Make room for more of the moment.
DuoLock creates a shared pause from the phone, voluntarily, privately, and together.