RescueTime
An automatic productivity tracker that logs app and website time and blocks distractions, with a free Lite tier and Premium at about $12 a month.
- Free tier
- Per user
- Desktop and mobile
- Automatic
- Independent sources
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is RescueTime?
RescueTime is an automatic time and productivity tracker that records app and website usage in the background and offers Focus Sessions to block distractions.
- Best forIndividuals improving focus and understanding their time
- Team size fitSmall teams
- PricingLite free; Premium about $12 a month; team option about $9 per user (2-seat minimum).
- Main limitationNot project or client aware.
- AlternativesTimely, Time Doctor, Toggl Track · compare all
RescueTime overview: who it is for and what it does.
RescueTime runs in the background and categorises time spent in apps and websites, giving trend reports and focus goals.
A June 2026 guide lists a free Lite tier, Premium at $12 a month and a team option at about $9 per user with a two-seat minimum. Another pricing index lists Solo $7, Solo+ $12 and Team $10, so tiers vary by source.
Focus Sessions block distracting sites. The guide notes it is not project or client aware and cannot replace a billable-hours tracker.
Main problem it solves
Shows individuals where their attention goes.
Typical customer segment
Individuals and small teams.
Target users
- Knowledge workers
- Writers and developers
- Students
Primary use cases
- Automatic time logging
- Distraction blocking
- Productivity trends
What makes it distinct
- Fully automatic tracking.
- Focus Sessions.
- Long trend history.
RescueTime features explained.
Plans (reported)
- Lite
- Free.
- Premium
- About $12 a month.
- Team
- About $9 per user; 2-seat minimum.
Focus
- Focus Sessions
- Block distracting sites.
- Goals
- Daily focus goals.
- Trends
- Long history.
Limits
- Projects
- Not project or client aware.
- Billing
- Not for billable hours.
- Tiers
- Vary by source.
RescueTime pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 10 Nov 2026 against Dupple · CostBench.
Pricing model
Per user per month.
Free plan
Yes (Lite)
Free trial
Not documented
RescueTime plans and prices (USD)
Lite
$0
Free
Basic tracking.
Premium
About $12 per month
Not specified
Focus Sessions.
Team
About $9 per user per month
Not specified
2-seat minimum.
Dupple (June 2026); CostBench lists Solo $7, Solo+ $12, Team $10.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesRescueTime integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Slack
- Google Calendar
Supported platforms
- Web
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
API
Not reviewed for this profile.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check RescueTime's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.
RescueTime pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Limitations
Best for
- Individuals improving focus and understanding their time
- Developers and writers
- People reducing distractions
May be less suited to
- Agencies billing clients
- Teams needing timesheets
Top RescueTime alternatives and competitors.
Timely
An AI time tracker that captures activity in the background and drafts timesheets, from $9 per user a…
Explore →Related productTime Doctor
Time tracking with productivity analytics for remote teams, from $6.67 per user a month (Basic, annual).
Explore →Related productToggl Track
A simple one-click time tracker with a free plan for up to 5 users and paid plans from $9 per user a…
Explore →RescueTime compared with similar time tracking software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Starting price | Free plan | Tracking style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RescueTime | Per user | ~$12/mo (Premium) | Yes (Lite) | Automatic | Personal focus |
| Clockify | Per user | $3.99/user/mo (annual) | Yes (limits vary) | Manual + auto tracker | Budget teams |
| Everhour | Per seat | $8.50/seat/mo (annual) | Yes (up to 5 seats) | Embedded timer | Asana/ClickUp teams |
| Harvest | Per seat + usage | $9/seat/mo | Yes (1 seat, 2 projects) | Manual timer | Agencies billing hours |
| Hubstaff | Per seat | $4.99/seat/mo (annual) | No; 14-day trial | Monitoring | Remote and contractor teams |
| Jibble | Free + per user | Free; ~$2.99/user/mo (reported) | Yes (unlimited users) | Attendance | Shift teams |
RescueTime vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Each comparison has a feature table, pricing side by side, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios.
RescueTime discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
RescueTime questions and answers
What is RescueTime used for?
RescueTime is an automatic time and productivity tracker that records app and website usage in the background and offers Focus Sessions to block distractions. Typical uses include automatic time logging, distraction blocking, productivity trends.
How much does RescueTime cost?
Lite is free; Premium is about $12 a month, per a June 2026 guide; other sources list Solo and Solo+ tiers.
Does RescueTime track time automatically?
Yes, it logs app and website usage in the background.
Can RescueTime track billable hours?
Not well; a 2026 guide says it is not project or client aware.
How does RescueTime compare with its competitors?
Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Timely vs RescueTime, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.
What are the main alternatives to RescueTime?
The main alternatives to RescueTime covered on Stack18 are Timely, Time Doctor and Toggl Track. Timely may suit agencies whose billable staff forget to log time. Time Doctor may suit managers of remote or outsourced teams wanting productivity evidence. Toggl Track may suit freelancers and small teams wanting a simple timer and clean reports. See the RescueTime alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What are the pros and cons of RescueTime?
Strengths: Fully automatic tracking. Focus Sessions block distractions. Limitations: Not project or client aware. Cannot replace a billable tracker.
Who is RescueTime best for?
RescueTime may suit individuals improving focus and understanding their time; developers and writers; people reducing distractions. It may be less suited to agencies billing clients; teams needing timesheets.
What integrations does RescueTime support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Slack, Google Calendar. API: Not reviewed for this profile.
When was the RescueTime profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 2 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- 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
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Facts come from Dupple (June 2026) and CostBench. Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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