Software · head to head
Brain.fm vs DeskTime
Brain.fm
Software
Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity
- From
- $14.99/month
- Rated
- -
DeskTime
Software
Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only DeskTime has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Brain.fm monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent); DeskTime screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium
- They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Brain.fm and DeskTime actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Brain.fm
- Neuroscience-designed music
- Focus tracks
- Relaxation tracks
- Sleep tracks
- Offline mode
- Multiple genres
- Cross-platform access
- Ad-free experience
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.
Brain.fm
- Knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocksnot DeskTime
- ADHD individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentrationnot DeskTime
- Students preparing for exams with learning and meditation supportnot DeskTime
DeskTime
- Automatic time tracking of desktop app and website usagenot Brain.fm
- Measuring team productivity and idle timenot Brain.fm
- Scheduling shifts and tracking absencesnot Brain.fm
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Brain.fm
- Monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent)
- ADHD mode available only with active subscription; no trial access to specialised features
- No offline mode documented; requires internet connectivity for audio delivery
- Content library composition not published (proprietary vs. licensed music distinction unclear)
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
Brain.fm
$14.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Brain.fm 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 Brain.fm if
- You need neuroscience-designed music.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
- You also want focus tracks.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Brain.fm or DeskTime better?
- Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and DeskTime at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or DeskTime?
- DeskTime has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $14.99/month for Brain.fm and Free for DeskTime.
- Does Brain.fm or DeskTime run on more platforms?
- Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. 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. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month.
- What is Brain.fm best used for?
- Brain.fm is most often used for knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocks, adhd individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentration, students preparing for exams with learning and meditation support. Of those, knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocks and adhd individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentration are not what DeskTime is typically brought in for.
- What can Brain.fm do that DeskTime cannot?
- Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries.