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Productivity · head to head

Focusmate vs Time Doctor

Focusmate logo

Focusmate

Productivity

Virtual co-working platform for accountability and productivity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Time Doctor logo

Time Doctor

Productivity

Employee time tracking and productivity monitoring

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Focusmate has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Focusmate the free plan caps sessions at 3 per week; Time Doctor historical tracking data retention is capped by plan: 3 months on Basic and 6 months on Standard, versus 2 years on Premium and Enterprise
  • They diverge on capability: Focusmate covers 25-minute work sessions, Time Doctor covers Time tracking with timer.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Focusmate and Time Doctor actually diverge.

Attributes where Focusmate and Time Doctor differ
AttributeFocusmateTime Doctor
Starting priceFree$4/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows
Founded20172011

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 Focusmate

  • 25-minute work sessions
  • Partner matching
  • Video co-working
  • Goal setting and tracking
  • Session history
  • Reflection notes
  • Weekly sessions
  • Mobile-friendly

Only in Time Doctor

  • Time tracking with timer
  • Activity monitoring
  • Screenshots
  • GPS tracking
  • Webcam monitoring
  • Reports and invoicing
  • Mobile apps
  • Team management

What people use each for

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

Focusmate

  • Booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partnernot Time Doctor
  • Building a focused work routine with timed sessionsnot Time Doctor

Time Doctor

  • Productivitynot Focusmate
  • Collaborationnot Focusmate
  • Task managementnot Focusmate
  • Organizationnot Focusmate

Where each one falls short

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

Focusmate

  • The free plan caps sessions at 3 per week
  • Unlimited sessions require the Plus plan at $8 per month billed annually or $12 per month billed monthly
  • The Business plan is priced by quote with no published rate

Time Doctor

  • Historical tracking data retention is capped by plan: 3 months on Basic and 6 months on Standard, versus 2 years on Premium and Enterprise
  • HRIS and Payroll native integrations are paid add-ons at $200 per integration per month
  • Software Cost Insights add-on costs $3 per user per month on top of the base plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Focusmate

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 25-minute sessions
    • Limited sessions per week
    • Basic matching
  • Plus$5/month
    • Unlimited sessions
    • Priority matching
    • Session history

Time Doctor

$4/month
  • Basic$4/month
    • Time tracking
    • Reports
    • Mobile apps
  • Standard$6/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Activity monitoring
    • Screenshots
  • Premium$10/month
    • Everything in Standard
    • GPS tracking
    • Webcam snapshots

Which should you pick?

Choose Focusmate if

  • You need 25-minute work sessions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want partner matching.
Focusmate review

Choose Time Doctor if

  • You need time tracking with timer.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want activity monitoring.
Time Doctor review

Questions people ask

Is Focusmate or Time Doctor better?
Neither clearly leads. Focusmate starts at Free and Time Doctor at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Focusmate or Time Doctor?
Focusmate has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Focusmate and $4/month for Time Doctor.
Does Focusmate or Time Doctor run on more platforms?
Focusmate runs on Web, IOS, Android. Time Doctor runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Focusmate for free?
Yes. Focusmate has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Time Doctor starts at $4/month.
What is Focusmate best used for?
Focusmate is most often used for booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partner, building a focused work routine with timed sessions. Of those, booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partner and building a focused work routine with timed sessions are not what Time Doctor is typically brought in for.
What can Focusmate do that Time Doctor cannot?
Focusmate covers 25-minute work sessions, Partner matching, Video co-working, Goal setting and tracking. Time Doctor covers Time tracking with timer, Activity monitoring, Screenshots, GPS tracking.
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