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Productivity · head to head

DeskTime vs Microsoft OneNote

DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Productivity

Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Productivity

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

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 OneNote full-featured OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (from $9.99 per month for Personal); the standalone free version is web and mobile only
  • They diverge on capability: DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where DeskTime and Microsoft OneNote differ
AttributeDeskTimeMicrosoft OneNote
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, LinuxWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows
Founded20131975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 OneNote

  • Digital notebook with sections and pages
  • Rich text formatting
  • Drawing and handwriting
  • Image and file attachments
  • Web clipper
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Collaboration and sharing
  • Search functionality

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

Microsoft OneNote

  • Productivitynot DeskTime
  • Collaborationnot DeskTime
  • Task managementnot DeskTime
  • Organizationnot 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

Microsoft OneNote

  • Full-featured OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (from $9.99 per month for Personal); the standalone free version is web and mobile only

Pricing, plan by plan

DeskTime

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

Microsoft OneNote

Free
  • OneNoteFree
    • Unlimited free notes
    • Cross-device sync
    • Collaboration

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 OneNote if

  • You need digital notebook with sections and pages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want rich text formatting.
Microsoft OneNote review

Questions people ask

Is DeskTime or Microsoft OneNote better?
Neither clearly leads. DeskTime starts at Free and Microsoft OneNote at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DeskTime or Microsoft OneNote?
DeskTime starts at Free and Microsoft OneNote at Free.
Does DeskTime or Microsoft OneNote run on more platforms?
DeskTime runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux. Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
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 OneNote is typically brought in for.
What can DeskTime do that Microsoft OneNote cannot?
DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries. Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments.
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Related pages

More on DeskTime

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