Softwr

Productivity · head to head

DeskTime vs Microsoft 365

DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Productivity

Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

Microsoft 365

Productivity

Productivity apps with built-in AI, security and cloud storage in one plan

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; Microsoft 365 free web tier caps storage at 5GB; Basic tier is $1.99/month for only 100GB

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DeskTime and Microsoft 365 actually diverge.

Attributes where DeskTime and Microsoft 365 differ
AttributeDeskTimeMicrosoft 365
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, LinuxWeb
Founded2013Unknown

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

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

Only in Microsoft 365

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 Microsoft 365
  • Measuring team productivity and idle timenot Microsoft 365
  • Scheduling shifts and tracking absencesnot Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365

No use cases recorded yet. See the Microsoft 365 review.

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

Microsoft 365

  • Free web tier caps storage at 5GB; Basic tier is $1.99/month for only 100GB
  • Family plan tops out at 6 people and AI features cannot be shared across family members even on paid plans

Pricing, plan by plan

DeskTime

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

Microsoft 365

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft 365 review.

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 Microsoft 365 if

  • You want to start without paying.
Microsoft 365 review

Questions people ask

Is DeskTime or Microsoft 365 better?
Neither clearly leads. DeskTime starts at Free and Microsoft 365 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DeskTime or Microsoft 365?
DeskTime starts at Free and Microsoft 365 at Free.
Does DeskTime or Microsoft 365 run on more platforms?
DeskTime runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux. Microsoft 365 runs on Web.
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 Microsoft 365 is typically brought in for.
What can DeskTime do that Microsoft 365 cannot?
DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on DeskTime

More on Microsoft 365

Keep looking

Other head to heads