Comparison

DeskTime vs Focus Buddy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DeskTime

This app automatically tracks how employees spend their time online and offline, boosting productivity. It allows for project-based time tracking, cost calculation, custom reporting, and managing employee time off. The mobile version includes a timer and remote team performance viewing.

Highlights
  • Automatic time tracking
  • Project-based time tracking
  • Cost calculation
  • Customizable reports
  • Vacation and time-off planning
  • Mobile timer
Features
Read full description

DeskTime is fully automatic time tracking software that has proven to boost employee productivity by 30% within the first weeks of using it. See how you and your employees spend their time online and offline, track time by projects, and automatically calculate their costs based on workers' hourly rates. Additionally, generate custom reports for in-house use or your customers, plan employee vacations and time offs, calculate overtime pay, and store your team member's contact information in one place. The iOS app with mobile timer feature allows you to manually start and stop a timer on the app, fill in your idle time gaps, get a remote view of the office and see how teams are performing, what projects/programs they're working on, who's been late and more. Key Features: - mobile timer - see who's working, slacking, late, or absent in real-time - assign idle time gaps - view your profile - view and change your settings Let us know what you think, send feedback and questions to support@desktime.com

About

Focus Buddy

Features
Read full description

Focus Buddy helps you stay consistent with deep work, study, and daily routines. Use flexible Pomodoro timers, ADHD-friendly focus flows, and simple progress tracking to build momentum every day. What you can do: - Start focused work sessions with customizable Pomodoro lengths - Plan study blocks and breaks with clear visual guidance - Track habits, streaks, and completed focus sessions - Use a friendly buddy system for motivation and accountability - Reduce distractions and return quickly when attention drifts Focus Buddy is designed for students, professionals, and anyone who wants calmer, more consistent productivity. Subscription Information Some features require a subscription to access premium content and advanced AI functionality. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.notion.so/lmaktstudio/Privacy-Policy-2b98d972f8dd807ab42de7b4f8dbefbd

Screenshots

DeskTime4 screens
Focus Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DeskTime at none against Focus Buddy's 3. DeskTime also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). Focus Buddy's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Focus Buddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. DeskTime asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DeskTime ships an update every 6 months, Focus Buddy fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DeskTime versus Focus Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeskTimeFocus Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDeskTimeLingga Kusuma Sakti

In-app purchases

None

DeskTime

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Premium$1.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$24.99

Questions

Is DeskTime free?
DeskTime is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focus Buddy free?
Focus Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DeskTime or Focus Buddy have ads?
Neither DeskTime nor Focus Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DeskTime or Focus Buddy?
DeskTime ships an update every 6 months, and Focus Buddy fortnightly. Most recently, DeskTime was updated on September 7, 2026 and Focus Buddy on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons