DeskTime review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Automatic time tracker with productivity scoring, optional screenshots and shift scheduling, priced per user.
Our take for buyers
DeskTime is a sensible shortlist pick for small and hybrid teams that want automatic time and app tracking, and especially for EU companies that want data hosted in Germany. The primary data center is in Germany, with additional services on AWS in Ireland. Reviewers praise automatic tracking, ease of use, responsive support and easy setup, while one theme of complaint is that setup could be more streamlined.
It is not for buyers who need SSO, since it is not documented, or deep project billing and invoicing. There is no free plan. Premium is needed for screenshots, API, integrations and shift scheduling, and Enterprise starts at 200 users. The vendor, tied to Draugiem Group in Latvia, rates 4.5 on G2 from 401 reviews.
Pros
- Automatic tracking and easy to use.
- Responsive support, easy setup.
Cons
- Some reviewers want a more streamlined setup.
- Best for
- Small and hybrid teams wanting automatic time and app tracking cheaply.
- Starting price
- EUR 5.50/user/month (Pro, EUR only)
- G2 rating
- 4.5 (401 reviews)
What is DeskTime?
Automatic time tracker with productivity scoring, optional screenshots and shift scheduling, priced per user. Managers who want time and app usage captured without anyone pressing a timer should trial this. Data can be hosted in Germany or Ireland, a plus for EU compliance reviews. There is no free plan, no invoicing, and SSO is not documented, so check those gaps early. DeskTime is based in Latvia (vendor Draugiem Group per G2).
Category: Time Tracking Software
DeskTime key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Timers and timesheets | Automatic tracking plus project timers; offline time approval on Premium. |
| Project budgets and reporting | Custom reports; unlimited projects only on Enterprise. |
| Payroll and accounting integrations | Zapier, Jira, Asana, calendars; API on Premium. |
| Attendance and compliance | Absence tracking and shift scheduling on Premium. |
| Pricing model | Per user per month, no free plan. |
| Target company size | Startups and small to mid teams; Enterprise for 200+ users. |
DeskTime plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | EUR 5.50 | per user per month, excl. VAT, billed annually | Document title tracking, productivity calculations, calendar integrations |
| Premium | EUR 8.25 | per user per month, excl. VAT, billed annually | Adds screenshots, integrations and API, shift scheduling |
| Enterprise | Custom | 200+ users | Custom API, account manager, employee training |
The current vendor pricing page shows EUR prices; no USD price is published there. Third-party sites (Capterra, Clockify review) cite $7 / $10 monthly and about $6.42 / $9.17 annual, and DeskTime's own 2021 blog (desktime.com/blog/per-user-pricing/) states $7 Pro and $10 Premium; treat USD as unconfirmed. 14-day trial.
Who should shortlist DeskTime
A strong fit for
- Small and hybrid teams wanting automatic time and app tracking cheaply.
- EU companies that want data hosted in Germany/Ireland.
A weak fit for
- Teams needing SSO (not documented)
- Buyers wanting a free plan (none)
- Teams needing deep project billing and invoicing.
DeskTime alternatives
Time DoctorRemote or hybrid teams and BPO/outsourcing firms that want activity and productivity visibility.
HubstaffRemote and distributed teams that pay contractors across countries (Gusto, Deel, Wise, PayPal listed)
TimeCampSmall teams that want a free plan with unlimited users and projects.
ClockifyBudget-conscious teams that want unlimited free tracking.
actiTIMESmall teams (1-3 users free) and SMBs wanting simple timesheets and approvals.
EverhourSmall agencies and project teams that track time inside Asana, Trello, Jira or similar tools.
Security, admin and compliance
Published: the primary data center is in Germany with additional services on AWS Ireland, GDPR compliance per the vendor, and ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 alignment, with the footer listing certification. Not published: SSO, SCIM, audit logs and a DPA. Because DeskTime can capture screenshots and app usage, involve your works council or data protection officer, and ask for the DPA, the retention settings, and the exact certification status. Contract is monthly or annual.
- Data residency
- Germany primary data center, AWS Ireland for additional services.
- Certifications
- Aligned with ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 (vendor wording; footer lists certification), GDPR compliant per vendor.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- Monthly or annual billing.
- Implementation
- Personalized onboarding listed; training on Enterprise.
- Support
- Account manager and VIP support on Enterprise.
- Starting price
- EUR 5.50/user/month (Pro, EUR only)
- Pricing model
- Per user.
- Free plan or trial
- Free trial.
What to test in a DeskTime demo or trial
Run Pro and Premium side by side with a small group for the 14-day trial. Check how automatic tracking categorizes apps and documents, and whether the productivity scores feel fair to staff. If you want screenshots, test them on Premium and decide your policy before rollout. Try the calendar, Zapier, Jira and Asana integrations you use, and offline time approval. Reviewers want a more streamlined setup, so time how long onboarding takes. Ask about invoicing needs early, as billing is not a strength.
Questions to ask DeskTime before you sign
These are the points DeskTime's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Which plan includes SAML SSO, and what does it cost for our seat count?
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- Can we sign your standard DPA without changes?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- Primary data center in Germany, extra services on AWS Ireland (vendor security page)
- Screenshots, API and integrations only from the Premium plan.
- Enterprise starts at 200+ users.
- Switched to per-user pricing in November 2021 (vendor blog)
DeskTime FAQ
What is DeskTime used for?
Managers who want time and app usage captured without anyone pressing a timer should trial this. Data can be hosted in Germany or Ireland, a plus for EU compliance reviews. There is no free plan, no invoicing, and SSO is not documented, so check those gaps early. It suits small and hybrid teams wanting automatic time and app tracking cheaply.
Where does DeskTime store data?
The primary data center is in Germany, with additional services on AWS in Ireland, according to the vendor security page.
Does DeskTime support SSO?
SSO is not documented. If it is a requirement, ask the vendor in writing before you start a trial.
Who is DeskTime best for?
Small and hybrid teams that want automatic time and app tracking cheaply, and EU companies that want data hosted in Germany and Ireland.
Vendor profile
- Headquarters
- Latvia (vendor Draugiem Group per G2)
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from DeskTime's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.