DeskTime
Timing
| Feature | DeskTime | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $7/mo | From $8/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | managers, remote-teams, freelancers, agencies | mac-users, freelancers, consultants, lawyers |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Automatic Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Productivity Calculation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Screenshots | ✓ | ✗ |
| Url Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Project Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Absence Calendar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Categorization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Timeline View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Project Rules | ✗ | ✓ |
| Calendar Sync | ✗ | ✓ |
| Reporting | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Timing Pros
- Completely automatic tracking on Mac
- AI-powered activity categorization
- Beautiful timeline visualization
- Syncs with calendar events
✗ Timing Cons
- Mac only - no Windows or Linux
- Requires initial rule setup
- No team/collaboration features in lower plans
The Verdict
DeskTime is built for managers and remote teams, with a focus on automatic-tracking and productivity-calculation. Timing targets mac users and freelancers and leads with automatic-tracking and ai-categorization.
Pricing is close: DeskTime starts at $7/mo versus $8/mo for Timing — 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. Timing requires a paid subscription from day one.
Both tools are a solid fit for freelancers — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
Bottom line: Timing has a slight overall edge — but if automatic productivity tracking matters most to you, DeskTime may still be the right call.