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Software · head to head

OmniFocus 3 vs DeskTime

OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Software

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Software

Automatic computer activity tracking and productivity analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DeskTime has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OmniFocus 3 apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app; DeskTime screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium
  • They diverge on capability: OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OmniFocus 3 and DeskTime actually diverge.

Attributes where OmniFocus 3 and DeskTime differ
AttributeOmniFocus 3DeskTime
Starting price$39.99/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, WebWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux
Founded19932013

Identical on both: 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 OmniFocus 3

  • GTD-based task organization
  • Projects and subprojects
  • Contexts and tags
  • Custom perspectives
  • Automation
  • Quick entry
  • Sync across devices
  • Deferred and due dates

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.

OmniFocus 3

  • Getting Things Done style task and project management on Apple devicesnot DeskTime
  • Capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cyclesnot DeskTime
  • Syncing a personal task database across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watchnot DeskTime

DeskTime

  • Automatic time tracking of desktop app and website usagenot OmniFocus 3
  • Measuring team productivity and idle timenot OmniFocus 3
  • Scheduling shifts and tracking absencesnot OmniFocus 3

Where each one falls short

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

OmniFocus 3

  • Apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • Web access is not included with a perpetual licence and costs an extra $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
  • The Pro perpetual licence costs $149.99 against $74.99 for Standard
  • Future major upgrades are a paid discount rather than free for perpetual licence holders
  • The $99.99 per year subscription is the only option that bundles Pro plus web access

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

OmniFocus 3

$39.99/year
  • Standard$39.99/year
    • Mac and iOS apps
    • Cloud sync
    • Core features
  • Pro$99.99/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Advanced automation
    • Perspective management

DeskTime

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

Which should you pick?

Choose OmniFocus 3 if

  • You need gtd-based task organization.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
  • You also want projects and subprojects.
OmniFocus 3 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 OmniFocus 3 or DeskTime better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and DeskTime at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus 3 or DeskTime?
DeskTime has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39.99/year for OmniFocus 3 and Free for DeskTime.
Does OmniFocus 3 or DeskTime run on more platforms?
OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web. DeskTime runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use DeskTime for free?
Yes. DeskTime has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year.
What is OmniFocus 3 best used for?
OmniFocus 3 is most often used for getting things done style task and project management on apple devices, capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cycles, syncing a personal task database across mac, iphone, ipad and watch. Of those, getting things done style task and project management on apple devices and capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cycles are not what DeskTime is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus 3 do that DeskTime cannot?
OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives. DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries.
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