Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Employee Desktop Monitoring Software

DeskTime vs EmpMonitor

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score DeskTime #5 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software 8.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit DeskTime
EmpMonitor #8 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software 8.6/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit EmpMonitor

DeskTime leads on 0 checks, EmpMonitor on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDeskTime · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceEmpMonitor · $3/user/mo
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresEmpMonitor · 2 of 2

DeskTime scores higher on our rubric for employee desktop monitoring software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

EmpMonitor is cheaper to start at $3/user/mo against $6.42/user/mo.

DeskTime is the better fit for teams needing time, attendance, and desktop monitoring. EmpMonitor is the better fit for budget-conscious teams needing broad monitoring.

  • DeskTime fits best

    Teams needing time, attendance, and desktop monitoring

  • EmpMonitor fits best

    Budget-conscious teams needing broad monitoring

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature DeskTime 8.9/10 Visit ↗ EmpMonitor 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #5 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software #8 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software
Best for Teams needing time, attendance, and desktop monitoring Budget-conscious teams needing broad monitoring
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $6.42/user/mo $3/user/mo (best)
Free plan — —
Free trial 14 days 15 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 15 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, ISO 27001, 2FA GDPR
Integrations 9,000+ integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DeskTime 0/2 · EmpMonitor 2/2
Idle detection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Screen recording Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Screenshots Not checked yet Automatic
Activity tracking Not checked yet Apps_and_websites
Data retention Not checked yet 180 days
Desktop platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux/Ubuntu
Our review
Pros
  • Automatically tracks desktop time, apps, websites, and document titles
  • Combines attendance, shift scheduling, screenshots, and productivity reports
  • Lists integrations including Google Calendar, Jira, Asana, and Zapier
  • Tracks apps, websites, activity, attendance and keystrokes
  • Includes screenshots, screen recording, live viewing and USB controls
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
Cons
  • No free plan; entry plan starts at $6.42/user/month
  • Screenshots, integrations, API, and shift scheduling start with Premium
  • Does not track GPS location
  • No permanent free plan; access is through a 15-day trial
  • Keystroke monitoring and screenshots may be excessive for some teams
  • Diamond pricing requires a personalized quote
Our verdict

DeskTime combines automatic desktop time tracking with workforce analytics for businesses managing in-office, remote, and hybrid teams. It suits managers who need visibility into attendance, app and website activity, projects, and…

Read the review →

EmpMonitor combines employee activity monitoring and workforce management for organizations overseeing office, remote, hybrid or on-premise teams. It records application and website use, active and idle time, attendance, screenshots and…

Read the review →
  1. DeskTimeEmployee Desktop Monitoring Software 8.914-day trial
  2. EmpMonitorEmployee Desktop Monitoring Software 8.615-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DeskTime — where it wins

    • Automatically tracks desktop time, apps, websites, and document titles
    • Combines attendance, shift scheduling, screenshots, and productivity reports
    • Lists integrations including Google Calendar, Jira, Asana, and Zapier

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; entry plan starts at $6.42/user/month
    • Screenshots, integrations, API, and shift scheduling start with Premium
    • Does not track GPS location

  • EmpMonitor — where it wins

    • Tracks apps, websites, activity, attendance and keystrokes
    • Includes screenshots, screen recording, live viewing and USB controls
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • No permanent free plan; access is through a 15-day trial
    • Keystroke monitoring and screenshots may be excessive for some teams
    • Diamond pricing requires a personalized quote

More comparisons

All employee desktop monitoring software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update