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Spreadsheets · head to head

Redash vs RescueTime

Redash logo

Redash

Spreadsheets

Connect and visualize your data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RescueTime logo

RescueTime

Technology

Take back control of your time

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Redash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Redash pricing model not disclosed on dedicated pricing page; RescueTime no free tier since 2023, making it costly for individual experimentation
  • They diverge on capability: Redash covers SQL Query Editor, RescueTime covers Automatic time tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redash and RescueTime actually diverge.

Attributes where Redash and RescueTime differ
AttributeRedashRescueTime
Starting priceFree$12/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, CloudWindows, macOS, Android, Web
CategorySpreadsheetsTechnology
Founded20132006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Redash

  • SQL Query Editor
  • Multiple Data Sources
  • Visualizations
  • Dashboards
  • Alerts
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • BigQuery

Only in RescueTime

  • Automatic time tracking
  • Productivity scoring
  • Detailed categorization
  • FocusTime blocking
  • Goal setting
  • Alerts & notifications
  • Offline time entry
  • API access

What people use each for

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

Redash

  • Data visualization and business intelligence for analyticsnot RescueTime
  • Query result sharing and collaborative dashboard creationnot RescueTime

RescueTime

  • Personal productivity trackingnot Redash
  • Time auditnot Redash
  • Focus improvementnot Redash
  • Work-life balancenot Redash
  • Team productivity analysisnot Redash

Where each one falls short

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

Redash

  • Pricing model not disclosed on dedicated pricing page
  • Open-source offering may require self-hosting technical expertise
  • Managed hosting or commercial support pricing not published

RescueTime

  • No free tier since 2023, making it costly for individual experimentation
  • Limited iOS support compared to competitors that offer full mobile app access
  • Requires integration via categories and rules rather than direct app detection on some platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

Redash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full Features
    • Self-hosted
    • Community Support
  • Cloud$49/month
    • Managed Hosting
    • Automatic Updates
    • Support

RescueTime

$12/month
  • Standard$12/month
    • Automatic time tracking
    • Focus Time
    • Idle time monitoring
  • Team$6/month
    • All Standard features
    • Team analytics
    • Cross-device tracking

Which should you pick?

Choose Redash if

  • You need sql query editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud.
  • You also want multiple data sources.
Redash review

Choose RescueTime if

  • You need automatic time tracking.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want productivity scoring.
RescueTime review

Questions people ask

Is Redash or RescueTime better?
Neither clearly leads. Redash starts at Free and RescueTime at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Redash or RescueTime?
Redash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Redash and $12/month for RescueTime.
Does Redash or RescueTime run on more platforms?
Redash runs on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud. RescueTime runs on Windows, macOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Redash for free?
Yes. Redash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RescueTime starts at $12/month.
What is Redash best used for?
Redash is most often used for data visualization and business intelligence for analytics, query result sharing and collaborative dashboard creation. Of those, data visualization and business intelligence for analytics and query result sharing and collaborative dashboard creation are not what RescueTime is typically brought in for.
What can Redash do that RescueTime cannot?
Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Multiple Data Sources, Visualizations, Dashboards. RescueTime covers Automatic time tracking, Productivity scoring, Detailed categorization, FocusTime blocking.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Redash: What is Redash's pricing?

Redash is a popular open-source project with no pricing tiers listed on the pricing page. The project emphasizes no vendor lock-in and community contribution. Paid managed hosting or commercial support options may be available but are not published on this page.

Source
RescueTime: Does RescueTime still have a free tier?

No. RescueTime discontinued its free tier in 2023. The service now requires a paid subscription starting at $12 per month or $78 per year.

Source
RescueTime: What platforms does RescueTime support?

RescueTime supports Windows, macOS, Android, and web. iOS support is limited to passive features like calendar sync and mobile summary emails.

Source
RescueTime: What are the key productivity features in RescueTime?

RescueTime offers automatic time tracking, Focus Time for blocking distractions, idle time monitoring, goal-setting with reminders, and in 2026 adds AI-Based Focus Sessions with real-time alerts to detect poor focus patterns.

Source
RescueTime: Is there a team plan for RescueTime?

Yes. The team plan costs $6 per user per month when billed annually, with a minimum of 3 users required.

Source
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