DeskTime vs ActivityWatch

Struggling to choose between DeskTime and ActivityWatch? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

DeskTime is a Office & Productivity solution with tags like time-tracking, productivity, analytics.

It boasts features such as Automatic time tracking, Productivity analytics, Website and app blocking, Idle time monitoring, Project time tracking, Team management, Integrations and pros including Detailed productivity analytics, Automatic time tracking, Helps minimize distractions, Browser extensions available, Free version available.

On the other hand, ActivityWatch is a Productivity product tagged with time-tracking, productivity, open-source.

Its standout features include Tracks time spent in applications and websites, Provides timeline visualization of computer usage, Open source and cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), Stores data locally by default to protect privacy, Web extension and desktop app available, Customizable using Python scripts and REST API, Can ignore/exclude apps and websites, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Simple graphical timeline, Lightweight resource usage, Protects privacy by default, Cross-platform support.

Feature	DeskTime	ActivityWatch
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Office & Productivity	Productivity

Product Overview

DeskTime

Description: DeskTime is a time tracking and productivity software. It automatically tracks the time you spend on applications and websites. It shows detailed analytics on how you use your time and helps improve productivity by reducing distractions.

ActivityWatch

Description: ActivityWatch is an open-source automated time tracker that monitors what you do on your computer. It helps analyze and visualize how you spend your time so you can become more productive.

Key Features Comparison

DeskTime Features

• Automatic time tracking
• Productivity analytics
• Website and app blocking
• Idle time monitoring
• Project time tracking
• Team management
• Integrations

ActivityWatch Features

• Tracks time spent in applications and websites
• Provides timeline visualization of computer usage
• Open source and cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Stores data locally by default to protect privacy
• Web extension and desktop app available
• Customizable using Python scripts and REST API
• Can ignore/exclude apps and websites

Pros & Cons Analysis

DeskTime

Pros

• Detailed productivity analytics
• Automatic time tracking
• Helps minimize distractions
• Browser extensions available
• Free version available

Cons

• Can be perceived as spying on employees
• Requires discipline to avoid cheating the system
• Premium version expensive for solopreneurs
• Limited integrations in free version

ActivityWatch

Pros

• Free and open source
• Simple graphical timeline
• Lightweight resource usage
• Protects privacy by default
• Cross-platform support

Cons

• Limited analytics and data visualization
• Requires technical knowledge to customize
• No mobile app
• Not as full-featured as commercial competitors

Pricing Comparison

DeskTime

• Freemium
• Subscription-Based

ActivityWatch

• Open Source
• Free