Top 20 Desktop Monitoring Software and Apps in 2024

Did you know that your company is at risk of wasting $400 billion a year due to lost productivity? 

After all, the American Payroll Association discovered that 75% of U.S. businesses are affected by employee time theft. 

Indeed, it’s high time you invested in desktop monitoring software.

However, once you start searching online, you’ll find heaps of options.

Which one is the ideal computer monitoring software for you?

Best Desktop Monitoring Software – Comparison Table

Time Tracker	Pros	Cons	Pricing
#1 Traqq – Best Overall Try for free	✔ Premium features on the free version ✔ Online and offline tracking ✔ URL and app usage monitoring ✔ Screenshots and screen video recordings ✔ Generating reports	Lack of third-party integrations	Premium Starter – $0 for up to three seats Premium Teams – $6 per seat, per month Enterprise – Contact the sales team to get a plan for teams over 100 people
#2 Clockify	GPS location tracking Comprehensive pricing schemes Cloud access	Limitations in scheduling No attendance management	Free plan – Unlimited users Basic plan – $4.99 per user, per month Standard plan – $6.99 per user, per month Pro plan – $9.99 per user, per month Enterprise plan – $14.99 per user, per month
#3 ActivTrak	Highly intuitive user interface Versatile productivity reports Real-time tracking	Slow loading of reports and dashboard Not ideal for contractors and freelancers Heavy desktop app	Free – $0 for up to three users Advanced – $9 per user, per month Premium – $15 per user, per month Enterprise – contact the sales team for custom pricing
#4 Hubstaff	Third-party app integration URL and app tracking GPS location monitoring	GPS location tracking for mobile devices only	Desk Free – $0 for one user with feature limitations Desk Starter – $7 per user, per month Desk Pro – $10 per user, per month Enterprise – contact the sales team for custom pricing
#5 Apploye	GPS location monitoring Pomodoro timer Budget reports for projects Manual time adjustments	Limited reporting features Complicated onboarding	Solo – $2 per user, per month Standard – $2.5 per user, per month Premium – $3 per user per month Elite – $3.5 per user, per month
#6 DeskTime	Built-in Pomodoro timer Shared leave calendar Productivity monitoring	Lack of automated reminders and alerts Few features on the free version	Free – $0 for one user Pro – $7 per user, per month Premium – $10 per user, per month Enterprise – $20 per user, per month
#7 Monitask	Customization options Intuitive user interface Notifications and alerts	Limitations in non-billable hours No integration with PM apps Limited historical time tracking data	Pro – $5.99 per month Business – $8.99 per month Enterprise – $19.99 per month
#8 Insightful	Built-in data dispute management Monitoring and time recording Easier identification	Ineffective app for macOS Limited email reporting data	Employee Monitoring – $6.40 per user, per month Time Tracking – $8 per user, per month Enterprise – contact the sales team for custom pricing
#9 Time Doctor	User-friendly interface Mobile version monitoring Desktop screenshots Webcam snapshots	Impractical pricing scheme Delayed customer support response Distracting notifications	Basic – $7 per user, per month Standard – $10 per user, per month Premium – $20 per user, per month
#10 RescueTime	Third-party app integration Flexible time tracking Features for processing payroll	No option for integrating sales tax Limited pricing options Lack of batch assignment features	Lite – Free for 1 user Premium – $9 per user, per month

1. Traqq

Whether you’re managing a small team or a huge enterprise, Traqq simplifies employee monitoring for you. The free version of the app provides access to all premium features.

So, if you’re managing a team of three, you can monitor performance and productivity for free. Besides, Traqq time tracker is easily scalable. Upgrading to one of the paid versions won’t cost an arm and leg.

What’s more, Traqq has a user-friendly interface. All it takes is a click of a button and the app will start monitoring your desktop.

Another key feature of this app is ethical employee monitoring. Traqq takes random desktop screenshots and videos. Even so, the images are blurred to the extent that would prevent sensitive information from becoming legible.

Also, users have control over which screenshots to submit. They can turn off the tracker anytime or delete the screenshots that they don’t want to be included in the report.

Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• Web browsers

Pros:

• Access to all premium features even on the free version
• Online and offline desktop monitoring and time tracking
• URL and app usage monitoring
• Multiple options for generating reports

Cons:

• Lack of third-party integrations

Pricing:

• Premium Starter – $0 for up to three seats (comes with all Premium features)
• Premium Teams – $6 per seat, per month
• Enterprise – Contact the sales team to get a customized plan for teams of over 100 people

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

As a freelancer, it gives my manager detailed reports about my progress with screenshots of the work, so the client can track my time and quality of work.

Negative:

My first remark will be on making the app also available for Linux users. It will be quite annoying getting used to the app and not being able to use it with a client because he\she is using the Linux OS.

Ideal For:

Contractors, freelancers, remote staff, and local teams looking for affordable, user-friendly, and feature-rich desktop monitoring software.

2. ActivTrak

ActivTrak is a great option if you need computer monitoring software that promotes transparency. This app will record the number of hours worked.

All the while, it will also gather data on how engaged an employee is. As a manager, you will see reports about unproductive and productive activities.

Another key feature of this desktop monitoring software is URL and app monitoring. Managers can keep distractions at bay by blocking specific websites and programs. You can also access additional security features like trail auditing, risk reporting, and USB activity tracking.

Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• Android
• iOS
• Web browsers

Pros:

• Highly intuitive user interface
• Comprehensive productivity reports
• Real-time desktop productivity tracking

Cons:

• Slow reports and dashboard loading
• Not ideal for contractors and freelancers
• Heavy desktop app

Pricing:

• Free – $0 for up to three users
• Advanced – $9 per user, per month
• Premium – $15 per user, per month
• Enterprise – contact the sales team for custom pricing

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

What I liked most about it is the ease of deployment and the stealth of the service, it is almost undetectable which makes it the perfect tool for the consulting services we offer as a company.

Negative:

I really hate the annual auto-renewal. Nobody likes to be surprised by an invoice before they are able to evaluate their licensing situation

Ideal For:

IT managers, business owners, team leaders, and HR managers in small to large-sized enterprises.

3. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a computer monitoring program that can track time, record GPS locations, generate invoices, and manage schedules. Even when you’re using your desktop offline, this app will continue monitoring your productivity. It will sync the data once you get back online.

As a manager, you can access real-time productivity reports. Because Hubstaff also has a GPS tracker, you’ll know your employee’s location while monitoring their activities.

Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS

Pros:

• Comprehensive third-party app integration
• URL and app tracking
• Geofencing and GPS location monitoring

Cons:

• GPS location tracking for mobile devices only

Pricing:

• Desk Free – $0 for one user with feature limitations
• Desk Starter – $7 per user, per month with one integration
• Desk Pro – $10 per user, per month with unlimited integrations and more advanced features
• Enterprise – contact the sales team for custom pricing

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

Easy to use and it can show you various dashboards. It gives you an idea of what hours you are more efficient so you can better plan your time.

Negative:

More than once the system has not allowed users to clock in their time and it has to be manually input by management. Also, the time tracking cannot be customized to your payout schedule.

Ideal For:

Businesses with mobile employees like cleaning teams and construction workers.

4. Apploye

Apploye is a simple desktop monitoring software that allows managers to track the productivity of in-office and remote staff. All employees need to do is click the timer and the app will start logging time. It even comes with a Pomodoro timer that helps workers manage their time and productivity.

Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android

Web Browsers

Pros:

• GPS location monitoring
• Pomodoro timer
• Budget reports for projects
• Manual time adjustments

Cons:

• Limited reporting features
• Complicated onboarding

Pricing:

• Solo – $2 per user, per month
• Standard – $2.5 per user, per month
• Premium – $3 per user per month
• Elite – $3.5 per user, per month

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

The best feature is the monitoring of my team. I am now able to see what kind of web pages they are visiting.

Negative:

I felt it could have been better if they had an app for iPad tracking.

Ideal For:

Freelancers and contractors, as well as field, remote, and hybrid teams that need GPS location tracking, desktop screenshots, and project management features.

5. DeskTime

Besides functioning as a desktop monitoring software, DeskTime also helps teams manage their project budgets. It also has features that ensure employees are productive and are still taking their breaks.

DeskTime’s Pomodoro timer reminds employees to rest at regular intervals. This way, they can optimize their productivity. What’s more, workforce scheduling can be done conveniently through the app’s Leave Calendar feature. Everyone on the team can coordinate their vacation days through a shared calendar.

Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Web Browsers

Pros:

• Built-in Pomodoro timer
• Workforce scheduling features via a shared leave calendar
• Productivity monitoring

Cons:

• Lack of automated reminders and alerts
• Few features on the free version

Pricing:

• Free – $0 for one user
• Pro – $7 per user, per month
• Premium – $10 per user, per month
• Enterprise – $20 per user, per month

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

Overall, I have learned to use DeskTime as a tool to know where I should be prioritizing my work and where I should be cutting time.

Negative:

If your team is working on multiple projects for multiple clients, understanding which screenshot belongs to which project is not an easy task.

Ideal For:

Companies looking for a simple yet secure desktop monitoring app that also helps boost productivity and efficiency.

6. Monitask

Monitask functions as a computer monitoring program and an automated time mapping tool. There’s no need to submit time manually for projects.

Users can also access comprehensive reporting features. As a manager, you can check project progress and spot activities that are wasting time and money. 

Monitask helps streamline workflows by identifying low-value processes.

Platforms:

• macOS
• Windows
• Chromebook
• Web Browsers

Pros:

• Comprehensive options for customization
• Intuitive user interface
• Notifications and alerts

Cons:

• Lack of features for adding non-billable hours
• No integration with project management apps
• Limited historical time tracking data

Pricing:

• Pro – $5.99 per month
• Business – $8.99 per month
• Enterprise – $19.99 per month

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

I really like all the different personalization you can do, it’s cool that you can have different settings for different team members. I also like the ability to have different projects.

There were a couple of errors in the time-keeping due to users being double logged in, but the issue was fixed quickly, and everything is now running smoothly.

Ideal For:

Teams of all sizes, companies, and remote workers looking for desktop monitoring software that can also be accessed through any device.

7. Clockify

If you want to know how your employees spend their time at work, consider using Clockify. 

This desktop monitoring app generates comprehensive reports about worker activities, clients, and projects. You will see what’s wasting people’s time.

Platforms:

• macOS
• Windows
• Linux
• Chromebook
• Android
• iOS
• Web browsers

Pros:

• GPS location tracking for on-the-go employees
• Comprehensive pricing schemes
• Cloud access via different devices

Cons:

• Lack of options for scheduling
• No attendance management features

Pricing:

• Free plan – Unlimited users
• Basic plan – $4.99 per user, per month
• Standard plan – $6.99 per user, per month
• Pro plan – $9.99 per user, per month
• Enterprise plan – $14.99 per user, per month

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

It’s been super helpful to keep myself focused and devote the time I should each week to each project.

Negative:

For me, the only downsides have occurred after user error. If you forget to start or stop the timer, it’s rather difficult to edit your time within the app.

Ideal For:

Remote workers, consultants, contractors, digital agencies, small to medium businesses, NGOs, enterprises, and universities.

8. Insightful

Formerly known as Workpuls, Insightful allows employees to provide proof of productivity for their logged hours. Managers can also use it to ensure that resources are properly used within the organization.

With its real-time monitoring feature, managers can track desktop activities to know what a worker is doing at a given time. Automated time tracking also eliminates human errors that are usual in manual time entries.

Platforms:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Web browsers

Pros:

• Built-in data dispute management
• Customizable monitoring and time recording features
• App/website categorization for easier identification of time wasters

Cons:

• Ineffective app for macOS
• Limited email reporting data

Pricing:

• Employee Monitoring – $6.40 per user, per month
• Time Tracking – $8 per user, per month
• Enterprise – contact the sales team for custom pricing

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

This app allowed us to improve our overall operations and provided me with an opportunity to have a clear picture of our time spent and the quality of work that our team is providing.

Negative:

Improved reporting or access to how the data is diced up is needed. Another layer in Project & Task management. Ability to adjust punched time records through management authorizations (subjective for digital recording I know).

Ideal For:

Businesses around the world who are looking for an affordable yet simple monitoring tool with workforce analytics and productivity insights.

9. Time Doctor

Time Doctor is one of the few desktop monitoring apps that allow customization. You can configure the app to monitor specific activities or capture screenshots. It’s also easily scalable. So, it’s perfect for freelancers, small teams, and even larger enterprises.

Platforms:

• macOS
• Windows
• Linux
• iOS
• Android
• Web browsers

Pros:

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface
• Monitoring features on the mobile version
• Desktop screenshots and webcam snapshots

Cons:

• Impractical pricing scheme
• Delayed customer support response
• Distracting notifications and alerts

Pricing:

• Basic – $7 per user, per month
• Standard – $10 per user, per month
• Premium – $20 per user, per month

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

First time to use a Performance and Activity monitoring program. It is great and I’m amazed somehow that a program like this has been created.

Negative:

Not all users are able to search a project’s name from the app, they have to open the dropdown and search by themselves. It’s bad because when we have many projects it gets odd.

Ideal For:

Freelancers, contractors, and teams that need a desktop monitoring app for boosting productivity.

10. RescueTime

If you want a computer monitoring app that doubles as a tool that manages distractions, consider using RescueTime. This app allows you to block apps and websites that may prevent you from focusing on your work. Besides, it lets you configure notifications so that you’re always reminded to get back on track.

As a manager, you can filter the generated reports based on the time spent on specific applications, tasks, and websites. This way, you can easily identify non-productive activities.

Platforms:

• macOS
• Windows
• Linux
• Android
• Web browsers

Pros:

• Several options for third-party app integration
• Flexible yet simple time tracking features
• Features for processing payroll

Cons:

• No option for integrating sales tax
• Limited pricing options
• Lack of batch assignment features

Pricing:

• Lite – Free for 1 user (with access to 2 projects)
• Premium – $9 per user, per month

What Users Have to Say:

Positive:

RescueTime is a great tool when it comes to keeping track of your precious time online. It monitors each and every website you visit and the apps you use.

Negative:

The ability to change tracked sections of the day or week is somewhat limited; there are only one or two generic filters for declaring which days and hours to run the tracking. I have noticed that the categories are geared mostly toward organizations more than individuals.

Ideal For:

Businesses looking for a computing monitoring app that can help manage time and improve employee productivity.

Other Notable Desktop Monitoring Apps

1. Kickidler – This computer monitoring software comes with a keylogging feature that lets managers record everything that’s happening on their employee’s desktop.
2. Veriato Cerebral – If you need a desktop monitoring app for analyzing employee engagement and security threats, this tool is a great option.
3. SentryPC – Since this is a cloud-based computer monitoring software, you can use its content filtering, tracking, and user activity management features from any device.
4. TimeSolv – This app is a combination of time tracking, invoicing, and project management features.
5. Teamwork – If you want to understand where time is spent, use this desktop monitoring app to track your tasks and projects.
6. FlexiServer – This program is ideal for companies that need to monitor app usage, workforce scheduling, and productivity.
7. BeeBole – This desktop monitoring software sends automated reminders to nudge employees to focus on their work.
8. Teramind – Aside from tracking productivity, Teramind also monitors security threats.
9. Deputy – This app allows you to streamline workflows by providing time, task, and schedule management features.
10. InterGuard – If you’re managing a remote team, you can use this program to monitor employee productivity.

Wrapping Up

Experts continue to declare that remote work will stay for good and it isn’t showing signs of slowing down. So, if you want to stay competitive in the dynamic, virtual workplace, you must have all the right tools.

Of course, these tools include a robust desktop monitoring app. While our list may not be extensive, it is enough to help you choose the one that will get you started.

By Samuel Mbanaso