DeskTime

Overview

DeskTime is an automatic time tracking software that monitors productivity by tracking applications and websites used during work hours. The company is famous for research discovering the 52/17 rule - that top 10% of productive employees work for 52 minutes then break for 17 minutes.

Features

• Automatic Tracking: Tracks apps and URLs without manual timers
• Productivity Calculation: Categorizes activities as productive, unproductive, or neutral
• Screenshots: Optional screenshot monitoring (configurable frequency)
• Project Time Tracking: Assign time to specific projects
• Shift Scheduling: Create and manage employee schedules
• Absence Calendar: Track vacations and time off
• Invoicing: Generate invoices from tracked time
• Custom Reports: Detailed productivity and time reports
• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android for mobile tracking
• Offline Tracking: Continue tracking without internet

The 52/17 Rule

DeskTime research in 2014 found:

• Top 10% most productive employees work for 52 minutes
• Then take 17-minute breaks
• This 75/33 work-rest ratio (updated research) is optimal
• Regular breaks prevent burnout and maintain focus

Productivity Categories

• Productive: Work-related apps (development tools, design software, email)
• Unproductive: Time-wasting sites (social media, entertainment)
• Neutral: Could be either (browsers, Slack)
• Custom Rules: Define your own productivity categories

Privacy Options

• Private Time: Users can mark periods as private
• URL Masking: Hide specific websites from reports
• Screenshot Controls: Employees can disable during private work
• Transparent Tracking: Employees see what's being tracked

Benefits

• Understand actual time allocation
• Identify productivity patterns and distractions
• Improve time estimates with historical data
• Reduce time theft and non-work activities
• Data-driven insights for productivity improvement

Use Cases

• Remote team productivity monitoring
• Freelancers tracking billable hours
• Agencies monitoring project time
• Companies measuring productivity trends

Integrations

• Jira for project tracking

Pricing

DeskTime offers:

• Lite (Free): 1 user, basic tracking
• Pro: $7 per user/month, full features
• Premium: $10 per user/month, includes screenshots
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Free trial available on paid plans.