DeskTime features automatic time tracking so that the hours an employee works are tracked from the moment they turn on their computers until the moment they turn them off. You'll see what websites and apps the employee is using and be able to categorize which of them is productive or unproductive. DeskTime will take this data and calculate the employees’ average productivity. In addition, you'll be able to see the title of the documents your employees are working on to give you a good idea of how much time they are spending on a given project or task.
If you want to drill down even further into how productive your employees are, you can set DeskTime to automatically take screenshots of your employees' screens every 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes. If you wish to get an idea of productivity without violating your emplyees' privacy, you can program DeskTime to take blurred screenshots.
DeskTime also has a number of reporting features, so that you can see how much time was spent on a project in total and estimate how long future tasks are likely to take. You can set hourly rates for employee time, so that you can automatically calculate costs and how much clients should be billed. You can also create customized reports which can filter the data collected by DeskTime in whichever way you need.
Other key features of DeskTime include:
DeskTime has a clean and easy-to-understand interface with simple stats that you should have no problem digesting. Time tracking is automated, which further simplifies the process. You can download the software to your computer with the click of a button and setup is guided step-by-step.
DeskTime has an FAQ section that covers all the bases, as well as multiple channels to contact support for those who need further help. There is no telephone number to call, but you can request that a DeskTime agent call you. Additionally, there is an email support option and a live chat. Support is not available 24/7, so you may have to wait for an agent to get back to you outside of business hours, however, paid users get priority support which guarantees a quicker response.
DeskTime offers a free plan which is only good for single users who want to keep track of their own time. The plan offers basic features but doesn’t offer advanced features, such as URL tracking and reports. Businesses will have to opt for DeskTime Pro, which offers all of the software’s features, plus priority support starting at $5.94 per user each month, totalling to $95 per month. The per-user price goes down the more users you have. There is a 14-day free trial to test the paid version.
| Lite | Features | Pro | Premium | Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeskTime Free | Free | Time and app tracking, mobile app | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| DeskTime Pro | $5.94/month | All DeskTime features, plus priority support | $95/month* | $124/month* | $190/month* |
* Price for 16 users. The price of the Pro plan fluctuates with the number of users, ranging from 5 to 120+ users.
While it’s not a comprehensive project management solution, DeskTime can help companies and individuals understand how to work more efficiently and boost their productivity significantly. It’s easy to use, and features such as URL tracking and auto screenshots will help ensure your employees are working to their maximum capabilities.
Phillip Richardson writes for Top10.com as a tech writer with 13+ years of experience in IT. He holds a BSc in Audio and Music Technology and a PhD in Acoustics from Anglia Ruskin University. His career includes roles as Laboratory IT Manager at the University of Cambridge, Linux Engineer on a British Atlantic Survey expedition, and IT Officer at Newnham College.
