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Software · head to head

DeskTime vs Granola

DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Software

Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Granola logo

Granola

Software

AI notepad that transcribes meetings and merges transcripts with user notes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DeskTime screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium; Granola free plan limits note access to 30 days; older notes become inaccessible unless upgraded

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DeskTime and Granola actually diverge.

Attributes where DeskTime and Granola differ
AttributeDeskTimeGranola
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, LinuxmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
Founded2013Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 DeskTime

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

Only in Granola

Nothing recorded that DeskTime does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

DeskTime

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

Granola

  • Automatic meeting documentation without dedicated note-takernot DeskTime
  • Action item extraction and task assignmentnot DeskTime
  • Meeting context retrieval via AI agent queriesnot DeskTime
  • Multi-language meeting transcriptionnot DeskTime
  • Compliance-friendly note generation for regulated industriesnot DeskTime

Where each one falls short

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

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

Granola

  • Free plan limits note access to 30 days; older notes become inaccessible unless upgraded
  • Premium pricing not published on main website; requires account signup or sales contact
  • Requires local computer audio; not suitable for purely phone-based calls via traditional phone lines
  • Note retention limits may affect long-term project documentation

Pricing, plan by plan

DeskTime

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

Granola

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited note-taking
    • 30-day note retention
    • No credit card required
  • Premium$null/month
    • Access and search notes older than 30 days
    • Specific pricing not detailed on available pages

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Granola if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.
Granola review

Questions people ask

Is DeskTime or Granola better?
Neither clearly leads. DeskTime starts at Free and Granola at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DeskTime or Granola?
DeskTime starts at Free and Granola at Free.
Does DeskTime or Granola run on more platforms?
DeskTime runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux. Granola runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.
Can I use DeskTime for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is DeskTime best used for?
DeskTime is most often used for automatic time tracking of desktop app and website usage, measuring team productivity and idle time, scheduling shifts and tracking absences. Of those, automatic time tracking of desktop app and website usage and measuring team productivity and idle time are not what Granola is typically brought in for.
What can DeskTime do that Granola cannot?
DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries.
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