Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Bear vs DeskTime

Bear logo

Bear

Productivity

Markdown notes for Apple devices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Productivity

Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DeskTime has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bear built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client; DeskTime screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bear and DeskTime actually diverge.

Attributes where Bear and DeskTime differ
AttributeBearDeskTime
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux
FoundedUnknown2013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bear

Nothing recorded that DeskTime does not also cover.

Only in DeskTime

  • Automatic activity tracking
  • Application and website tracking
  • Daily reports
  • Weekly summaries
  • Privacy-first design
  • Detailed analytics
  • Goal setting
  • Mobile apps

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bear

No use cases recorded yet. See the Bear review.

DeskTime

  • Automatic time tracking of desktop app and website usagenot Bear
  • Measuring team productivity and idle timenot Bear
  • Scheduling shifts and tracking absencesnot Bear

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bear

  • Built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client
  • Free tier is limited to 3 themes, 1 app icon and restricted export formats; iCloud sync requires Bear Pro
  • Bear Pro is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year after a 7 day free trial

DeskTime

  • Screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium
  • Integrations and API access require the Premium plan
  • Shift scheduling requires the Premium plan
  • Enterprise is aimed at 200+ users and is priced by quote with no published rate
  • The advertised $6.42 and $9.17 per user rates require annual billing; monthly billing costs more
  • The trial lasts 14 days

Pricing, plan by plan

Bear

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bear review.

DeskTime

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Activity tracking
    • Basic reports
    • Weekly emails
  • Pro$9/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Advanced reports
    • Detailed analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Bear if

Nothing in the data separates Bear from DeskTime on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Bear review

Choose DeskTime if

  • You need automatic activity tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want application and website tracking.
DeskTime review

Questions people ask

Is Bear or DeskTime better?
Neither clearly leads. Bear starts at On request and DeskTime at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bear or DeskTime?
DeskTime has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bear and Free for DeskTime.
Does Bear or DeskTime run on more platforms?
Bear runs on Web. DeskTime runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use DeskTime for free?
Yes. DeskTime has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bear starts at On request.
What can Bear do that DeskTime cannot?
DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries.
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Related pages

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