ActivityWatch vs Hubstaff: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ActivityWatch and Hubstaff comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Hubstaff is our overall pick for time tracking workflows. Pick ActivityWatch if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ActivityWatch
Automatically track your time on devices with this open-source, privacy-first application.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Automatically tracks device usage time.
- • Open-source and privacy-focused.
Hubstaff
Time tracking and workforce management
Best for you if:
- • Hubstaff is a comprehensive time tracking and workforce management platform trusted by over 112,000 businesses.
- • It offers detailed productivity metrics, automated administrative tasks, and robust reporting for team and project management.
| At a Glance |  ActivityWatch |  Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Time Tracking | Time Tracking |
Rating | - | 4.5/5 |
Choose ActivityWatch or Hubstaff?
Choose ActivityWatch if
Automatically track your time on devices with this open-source, privacy-first application.
- Automatically tracks time without manual input
- Open-source, allowing for transparency and community contributions
- Privacy-focused, keeping data local to your device
- You want a fully free tool (Hubstaff requires payment)
Choose Hubstaff if
Time tracking and workforce management
- Provides tangible time tracking data for improved decision-making and productivity insights.
- Automates team operations including timesheets, payroll, time-off requests, reporting, and invoicing.
- Offers advanced reporting with over 20 customizable reports for monitoring team performance and project progress.
| Feature | ActivityWatch | Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 3,712 reviews |
| Categories | Time TrackingProductivity | Time TrackingProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
ActivityWatch
Automatically track your time on devices with this open-source, privacy-first application.
Strengths
- +Automatically tracks time without manual input
- +Open-source, allowing for transparency and community contributions
- +Privacy-focused, keeping data local to your device
- +Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- +Helps identify and improve screen habits
Key features
Hubstaff
Time tracking and workforce management
Strengths
- +Provides tangible time tracking data for improved decision-making and productivity insights.
- +Automates team operations including timesheets, payroll, time-off requests, reporting, and invoicing.
- +Offers advanced reporting with over 20 customizable reports for monitoring team performance and project progress.
- +Features real-time alerts for projects nearing budget limits, enabling effective cost control.
- +Integrates with over 35 high-end tools like Salesforce, Jira, Slack, Deel, and PayPal.
Weaknesses
- -The productivity monitoring features, such as screenshots and activity levels, may raise privacy concerns for some employees.
- -While it offers customization for monitoring, the presence of such features could still be perceived as intrusive by some teams.
- -The emphasis on mouse and keyboard activity for productivity tracking might not accurately reflect productivity in all roles or tasks.
Key features
Pricing: ActivityWatch vs Hubstaff
| Plan | ActivityWatch | Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $4.99 Starter |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $7.5 Grow |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ActivityWatch pricing and Hubstaff pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
ActivityWatch is free. Hubstaff is freemium.
Go with: ActivityWatch
Want the highest-rated option?
Hubstaff is rated 4.5/5. ActivityWatch has no ratings yet.
Go with: Hubstaff
Value user reviews?
ActivityWatch: no ratings yet. Hubstaff: 3,712 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Hubstaff
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
ActivityWatch is free. Hubstaff is freemium. Go with ActivityWatch if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are time tracking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Hubstaff is rated 4.5/5; ActivityWatch has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Hubstaff
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
ActivityWatch
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Hubstaff is our pick. That said, ActivityWatch is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActivityWatch or Hubstaff better?
Hubstaff is rated in our evaluation. ActivityWatch is free and Hubstaff is freemium.
What are ActivityWatch and Hubstaff used for?
ActivityWatch: Automatically track your time on devices with this open-source, privacy-first application.. Hubstaff: Time tracking and workforce management.
What does ActivityWatch cost vs Hubstaff?
ActivityWatch is completely free. Hubstaff is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.