Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Time Doctor vs DeskTime

Time Doctor logo

Time Doctor

Productivity

Employee time tracking and productivity monitoring

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DeskTime logo

DeskTime

Productivity

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: 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; DeskTime screenshots are excluded from the Pro plan and start at Premium
  • They diverge on capability: Time Doctor covers Time tracking with timer, DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Time Doctor and DeskTime differ
AttributeTime DoctorDeskTime
Starting price$4/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, WindowsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux
Founded20112013

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 Time Doctor

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

Only in DeskTime

  • Automatic activity tracking
  • Application and website tracking
  • Daily reports
  • Weekly summaries
  • Privacy-first design
  • Detailed analytics
  • Goal setting

Both cover

  • Mobile apps

What people use each for

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

Time Doctor

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

DeskTime

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

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

DeskTime

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

Which should you pick?

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

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 Time Doctor or DeskTime better?
Neither clearly leads. Time Doctor starts at $4/month and DeskTime at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Time Doctor or DeskTime?
DeskTime has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4/month for Time Doctor and Free for DeskTime.
Does Time Doctor or DeskTime run on more platforms?
Time Doctor runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. 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. Time Doctor starts at $4/month.
What is Time Doctor best used for?
Time Doctor 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 Time Doctor do that DeskTime cannot?
Time Doctor covers Time tracking with timer, Activity monitoring, Screenshots, GPS tracking. DeskTime covers Automatic activity tracking, Application and website tracking, Daily reports, Weekly summaries. Both handle Mobile apps.
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