TimeCampus vs RescueTime
RescueTime shows you where your desktop time went. TimeCampus shows you where your whole day went — across every tool — and helps your team plan without surveillance.
Feature comparison
Side-by-side capabilities, from how time is captured to how it is analyzed and optimized.
| Capability | TimeCampus | RescueTime | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic capture | Extension, CLI, IDE, calendar & email capture (built); chat/docs/PM via capture API | Desktop/Android; iOS Screen Time only | TimeCampus |
| Focus / distraction blocking | Focus scoring, Pomodoro and adaptive focus blocks | Focus Sessions + focus music | Competitor |
| Burnout signals | Recommendation nudges and work-pattern insights | Smart warnings / Daily Focus Coach | Competitor |
| Project & client hierarchy | Included | Team+ only | TimeCampus |
| Billing / invoicing | Billing-grade data with approvals, expenses and client portals | Not offered | TimeCampus |
| Team planning | Aggregate capacity + resource planning | Limited team reports | TimeCampus |
| Mobile capture | Android: real automatic capture (opt-in). iOS: foreground-only (Apple platform limit) | Android full; iOS limited | TimeCampus |
| Developer platform | CLI, MCP server, Node and Python SDKs, open APIs and an applet store | API only | TimeCampus |
Pricing comparison
Both columns show current public list pricing. TimeCampus plans are published on our Pricing page.
| Aspect | TimeCampus | RescueTime |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Free plan — $0/mo, no card required | Lite plan (limited) |
| Individual focus plan | $99/mo flat Starter — sized to the team you manage, not billed per seat | $7/mo Solo Focus |
| Individual capture + timesheets | $99/mo flat Starter — sized to the team you manage, not billed per seat | $12/mo Solo+ |
| Team plan | $399/mo flat Growth — sized to the team you manage, not billed per seat | $16/user/mo Team+ |
Why TimeCampus wins vs RescueTime
Four structural advantages for teams that want automatic time intelligence without surveillance.
Cross-tool intelligence
RescueTime sees desktop apps and URLs. TimeCampus unifies chat, email, code, docs, and PM tools for a complete picture.
Billing & project hierarchy
TimeCampus is built for freelancers and agencies. RescueTime has no native billing and limited project support.
Privacy-first team planning
Aggregate-by-default capacity and budgeting views give leaders insight without exposing individual activity.
Programmable platform
CLI, MCP server, Node and Python SDKs, open APIs and an applet store. RescueTime only exposes an API.
Life-time intelligence, not just work hours
A built finite-life view — life-in-weeks, time-well-spent, dead-time radar, life goals, and values alignment — extends tracking beyond billable work. No time-tracking competitor offers this.
When RescueTime is the better fit
We are honest about where incumbents still lead. RescueTime may be a better choice if:
- You want a simple, affordable automatic tracker for desktop productivity.
- Focus blocking and distraction alerts are your top priority.
- You do not need project hierarchy, client billing, or team planning.
- You prefer a mature, lightweight tool from a long-standing vendor.
Ready to replace RescueTime?
Observe, analyze and optimize your time — privacy-first and AI native.