DeskTime vs Hubstaff: Time Tracking Compared (2026)
DeskTime and Hubstaff are time tracking and productivity tools for teams.
- Verified 13 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 5 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
DeskTime vs Hubstaff: the short answer
DeskTime and Hubstaff are time tracking and productivity tools for teams.
DeskTime tracks time automatically in the background with app and URL insights and Pomodoro timers. Hubstaff adds screenshots, GPS and activity monitoring for remote and field teams.
We compare what the dated sources support and mark the rest Unknown. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and how you work.
Choose DeskTime if you- Want fully automatic tracking
- Need app and URL productivity reports
- Prefer DeskTime’s simplicity
Choose Hubstaff if you- Need GPS for field teams
- Want the lowest entry price
- Pay contractors by tracked time
DeskTime and Hubstaff at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
DeskTime
DeskTime (Draugiem Group) · Time Tracking Software
DeskTime is an automatic time tracking and workforce productivity tool that records working time, app and URL usage, idle time and optional screenshots, with project tracking and Pomodoro timers, sold per user in Pro, Premium and Enterprise plans.
- Pricing
- Pro $6.42 per user a month billed annually.
- Best for
- Agencies tracking billable time
Hubstaff
Hubstaff · Time Tracking Software
Hubstaff is a time tracking and workforce management platform with timers, screenshots, app and URL activity, GPS, idle detection and contractor payroll.
- Pricing
- Starter $4.99, Grow $7.50, Team $10 per seat a month (annual); Enterprise $25; 2-seat minimum.
- Best for
- Distributed and contractor-heavy teams wanting time plus activity visibility
DeskTime vs Hubstaff: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the two profiles and their sources. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  DeskTime |  Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Core model | YesDeskTime is an automatic time tracking and workforce productivity tool that records working time, app and URL usage, idle time and optional screenshots, with project… | YesHubstaff is a time tracking and workforce management platform with timers, screenshots, app and URL activity, GPS, idle detection and contractor payroll. |
| Product type | YesAutomatic time tracking and productivity | YesTime tracking and workforce monitoring |
| Vendor | YesDeskTime (Draugiem Group) | YesHubstaff |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | YesPer user, seat or unit | YesPer user, seat or unit |
| Free plan | NoNo | NoNo |
| Free trialDiffers | NoNo (per guide) | YesYes (14 days) |
| Starting price | YesPro $6.42 per user a month billed annually. | YesStarter $4.99, Grow $7.50, Team $10 per seat a month (annual); Enterprise $25; 2-seat minimum. |
| Platform and deployment | ||
| PlatformsDiffers | YesWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | YesWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Deployment | YesCloud (SaaS) | YesCloud (SaaS) |
| Key integrations | YesJira and Asana (vendor); Google Calendar (vendor); Zapier (vendor) | YesJira; Asana; QuickBooks |
| Fit | ||
| Team sizeDiffers | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| Best for | YesAgencies tracking billable time | YesDistributed and contractor-heavy teams wanting time plus activity visibility |
| Built for India | UnknownNot flagged as India-specific in its profile | UnknownNot flagged as India-specific in its profile |
| AI | ||
| AI features | UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed | UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed |
DeskTime vs Hubstaff pricing.
DeskTime pricing
Per user, monthly or annual.
- Starting pointPro $6.42 per user a month billed annually.
- Free planNo
- Free trialNo (per guide)
From the DeskTime profile. Checked 13 Nov 2026.
All DeskTime plans and sources
Hubstaff pricing
Per user, seat or unit
- Starting pointStarter $4.99, Grow $7.50, Team $10 per seat a month (annual); Enterprise $25; 2-seat minimum.
- Free planNo
- Free trialYes (14 days)
From the Hubstaff profile. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Hubstaff plans and sourcesDeskTime Pro is $6.42 and Premium $9.17 per user a month billed annually. Hubstaff Starter is $4.99, Grow $7.50 and Team $10 per seat a month billed annually, with a two-seat minimum and a 14-day trial.
List prices rarely tell the whole story. Check minimum terms, user or volume minimums, add-ons and taxes such as GST before comparing totals.
Prices and plans change. Confirm current terms with each vendor before you decide.
DeskTime vs Hubstaff: implementation, ecosystem, AI and security.
Ease of implementation and trials
We did not test setup or migration for either product. DeskTime free trial: No (per guide). Hubstaff free trial: Yes (14 days). Pilot one real process in each before committing.
Integrations and ecosystem
DeskTime: Jira and Asana (vendor); Google Calendar (vendor); Zapier (vendor). Hubstaff: Jira; Asana; QuickBooks. Check each integration directory for the tools you actually use.
AI capabilities
DeskTime does not document AI features in the sources reviewed. Hubstaff does not document AI features in the sources reviewed. We did not test output quality, so run both against a real task before treating AI as a deciding factor.
Deployment, security and administration
DeskTime runs as cloud (SaaS); Hubstaff runs as cloud (SaaS). We did not review certifications or data residency in detail. Request current security documentation from both vendors if you are regulated.
DeskTime and Hubstaff: each option, in balance.
DeskTime
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Automatic tracking.
- Low per-user price.
- App and URL insights.
- Desktop and mobile apps.
- No free plan.
- Monitoring can raise privacy concerns.
- Advanced features need Premium.
- Small annual discount.
Hubstaff
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Time plus activity visibility.
- GPS and screenshots.
- Built-in contractor payments.
- No free plan.
- Monitoring can hurt team trust.
- Limited invoicing.
DeskTime or Hubstaff: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose DeskTime if you…
- Want fully automatic tracking
- Need app and URL productivity reports
- Prefer DeskTime’s simplicity
Choose Hubstaff if you…
- Need GPS for field teams
- Want the lowest entry price
- Pay contractors by tracked time
Switching between DeskTime and Hubstaff.
Export historical time data, invite users to the new tool, reconnect project integrations and tell employees what is tracked.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
DeskTime vs Hubstaff: questions and answers
What is the difference between DeskTime and Hubstaff?
DeskTime and Hubstaff are time tracking and productivity tools for teams. DeskTime tracks time automatically in the background with app and URL insights and Pomodoro timers.
Which is cheaper?
Hubstaff Starter at $4.99 per seat a month billed annually versus DeskTime Pro at $6.42.
Do they offer trials?
Hubstaff offers 14 days; a cost guide reports no free plan or trial for DeskTime.
Do both track automatically?
DeskTime tracks automatically in the background; Hubstaff uses a timer with activity monitoring.
Which is better for small businesses, DeskTime or Hubstaff?
DeskTime is documented for small teams, mid-size teams; Hubstaff for small teams, mid-size teams, large enterprises. Choose DeskTime if you want fully automatic tracking; choose Hubstaff if you need GPS for field teams.
What are the alternatives to DeskTime and Hubstaff?
Both are listed in Stack18’s Time Tracking Software directory. See the DeskTime alternatives guide and the Hubstaff alternatives guide for sourced shortlists of competitors.
Where this comparison comes from.
- All DeskTime Plans & Pricing Costbench Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- DeskTime pricing DeskTime Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Best Time Tracking Software in 2026 (updated 21 Aug 2026) Rework Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- Best Time Tracking Software in 2026 (prices as of June 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- Time Tracking Software Pricing 2026 CostBench Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
Comparison rows summarise the sources listed and the two profiles. Confirm current details with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested either product.
Ready to test DeskTime and Hubstaff?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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