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Head-to-head · Activity Tracking

DeskTime vs ActivityWatch

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score DeskTime #3 in Activity Tracking 8.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit DeskTime
ActivityWatch #8 in Activity Tracking 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit ActivityWatch

DeskTime leads on 0 checks, ActivityWatch on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDeskTime · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly ActivityWatch
  • Free trialonly DeskTime

DeskTime scores higher on our rubric for activity tracking: 8.9 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

ActivityWatch offers free plan; DeskTime doesn't.

DeskTime is the better fit for teams tracking work across projects and devices. ActivityWatch is the better fit for privacy-conscious individuals tracking their own activity.

  • DeskTime fits best

    Teams tracking work across projects and devices

  • ActivityWatch fits best

    Privacy-conscious individuals tracking their own activity

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Side by side

Feature DeskTime 8.9/10 Visit ↗ ActivityWatch 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.4
Ranking #3 in Activity Tracking #8 in Activity Tracking
Best for Teams tracking work across projects and devices Privacy-conscious individuals tracking their own activity
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $6.42/user/mo Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 9,000+ integrations 6 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features DeskTime 0/3 · ActivityWatch 0/3
Activity reports Not checked yet Not checked yet
App & website tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Idle detection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Screenshots Not checked yet Not checked yet
Activity history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Automatically tracks desktop time, apps, websites, and document titles.
  • Combines project and task tracking with attendance and shift scheduling.
  • Offers web, desktop, and mobile access plus project and calendar integrations.
  • Tracks active apps, windows, browser activity, and idle time automatically
  • Stores activity locally and supports JSON export
  • Works across desktop, Android, and browser extensions
Cons
  • There is no free plan.
  • Screenshot capture is included with Premium, not Pro.
  • DeskTime does not track GPS location.
  • Its features are aimed more at individuals and small teams than larger organizations
  • Browser tracking requires extensions
  • Support is through community resources and documentation
Our verdict

DeskTime is a time-tracking and workforce analytics service for businesses coordinating in-office, remote, and hybrid teams. Its desktop app automatically records work time and active apps and websites, while browser and mobile tools…

Read the review →

ActivityWatch records application and window use, browser activity, and idle periods, then organizes that activity into timelines and categories. Its local-storage approach makes it a fit for individuals who want to review their own work…

Read the review →
  1. DeskTimeActivity Tracking 8.914-day trial
  2. ActivityWatchActivity Tracking 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DeskTime — where it wins

    • Automatically tracks desktop time, apps, websites, and document titles.
    • Combines project and task tracking with attendance and shift scheduling.
    • Offers web, desktop, and mobile access plus project and calendar integrations.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan.
    • Screenshot capture is included with Premium, not Pro.
    • DeskTime does not track GPS location.

  • ActivityWatch — where it wins

    • Tracks active apps, windows, browser activity, and idle time automatically
    • Stores activity locally and supports JSON export
    • Works across desktop, Android, and browser extensions

    Where it doesn't

    • Its features are aimed more at individuals and small teams than larger organizations
    • Browser tracking requires extensions
    • Support is through community resources and documentation

More comparisons

All activity tracking comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update