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Head-to-head · Activity Tracking

Hubstaff vs ActivityWatch

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Hubstaff #2 in Activity Tracking 9.1/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Hubstaff
ActivityWatch #8 in Activity Tracking 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit ActivityWatch

Hubstaff 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 scoreHubstaff · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly ActivityWatch
  • Free trialonly Hubstaff

Hubstaff scores higher on our rubric for activity tracking: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

ActivityWatch offers free plan; Hubstaff doesn't.

Hubstaff is the better fit for teams needing tracking plus workforce workflows. ActivityWatch is the better fit for privacy-conscious individuals tracking their own activity.

  • Hubstaff fits best

    Teams needing tracking plus workforce workflows

  • ActivityWatch fits best

    Privacy-conscious individuals tracking their own activity

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Side by side

Feature Hubstaff 9.1/10 Visit ↗ ActivityWatch 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #2 in Activity Tracking #8 in Activity Tracking
Best for Teams needing tracking plus workforce workflows Privacy-conscious individuals tracking their own activity
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $4.99/user/mo Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 35+ integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Hubstaff 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
  • Tracks project and task time with automated timesheets and billable rates
  • Adds approvals, scheduling, attendance, and payroll automation on Team
  • Desktop and mobile apps support offline tracking with later synchronization
  • 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
  • No perpetual free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
  • Productivity monitoring can include app, URL, idle-time, and optional screenshot tracking
  • Starter has no listed approvals or scheduling; those features begin on Team
  • 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

Hubstaff brings time tracking and workforce management together for freelancers, agencies, distributed teams, field workers, and larger organizations. Teams can record time against projects and tasks, generate timesheets and reports,…

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. HubstaffActivity Tracking 9.114-day trial
  2. ActivityWatchActivity Tracking 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hubstaff — where it wins

    • Tracks project and task time with automated timesheets and billable rates
    • Adds approvals, scheduling, attendance, and payroll automation on Team
    • Desktop and mobile apps support offline tracking with later synchronization

    Where it doesn't

    • No perpetual free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
    • Productivity monitoring can include app, URL, idle-time, and optional screenshot tracking
    • Starter has no listed approvals or scheduling; those features begin on Team

  • 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