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Productivity · head to head

Microsoft OneNote vs DeskTime

Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Productivity

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Productivity

Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; DeskTime screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft OneNote and DeskTime differ
AttributeMicrosoft OneNoteDeskTime
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, WindowsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux
Founded19752013

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 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

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.

Microsoft OneNote

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

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Microsoft OneNote

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

DeskTime

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft OneNote or DeskTime better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and DeskTime at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft OneNote or DeskTime?
Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and DeskTime at Free.
Does Microsoft OneNote or DeskTime run on more platforms?
Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. DeskTime runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Microsoft OneNote for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Microsoft OneNote best used for?
Microsoft OneNote is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization. Of those, productivity and collaboration are not what DeskTime is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft OneNote do that DeskTime cannot?
Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments. DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries.
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Related pages

More on Microsoft OneNote

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