DeskTime
Things 3
| Feature | DeskTime | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $7/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | managers, remote-teams, freelancers, agencies | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2011 | 2009 |
| Automatic Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Productivity Calculation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Screenshots | ✓ | ✗ |
| Url Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Project Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Absence Calendar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ DeskTime Pros
- Automatic productivity tracking
- Good free plan for individuals
- Screenshot monitoring option
- Detailed reports
✗ DeskTime Cons
- Can feel invasive to employees
- Limited project management features
- Desktop app required
✓ Things 3 Pros
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
- Stunning Apple-native design
- GTD workflow built in
- Keyboard shortcuts and natural language
✗ Things 3 Cons
- Apple ecosystem only
- No collaboration features
- No web version
The Verdict
DeskTime is built for managers and remote teams, with a focus on automatic-tracking and productivity-calculation. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
Pricing is close: DeskTime starts at $7/mo versus $9.99/mo for Things 3 — not a deciding factor on its own.
DeskTime has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Things 3 requires a paid subscription from day one.
Things 3 edges out on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.3). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Bottom line: Things 3 has a slight overall edge — but if automatic productivity tracking matters most to you, DeskTime may still be the right call.