Productivity and organisation
RescueTime: review, pricing, data and alternatives
RescueTime automatically measures time spent in applications for people who want to track their activity. It produces reports, blocks distractions, and prepares timesheets organized by project. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $84 per year. Access and transparency score: 73/100, #5 of 22 in its category.
What is RescueTime?
RescueTime automatically measures time spent in applications for people who want to track their activity. It produces reports, blocks distractions, and prepares timesheets organized by project.
According to its documentation, RescueTime lets you:
- automatically measure time spent in applications
- categorize activities and produce reports
- block distractions during a focus session
- set goals and receive alerts
- prepare timesheets by project
We file it under Productivity and organisation, the category of tools to save time every day. The category lists 22 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is RescueTime, Inc., based in United States. The service launched in 2007, which gives it some track record.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: freelancers, project managers, developers, and students. The need it covers is simple to state: save time every day.
RescueTime is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
- you also work from your phone
The best test is a concrete case from your daily work: if the tool does not beat your current method within a week, move on to an alternative.
How much does RescueTime cost?
Pricing model: freemium (limited free use, then paid). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $84 per year (Solo Focus, billed annually; equivalent to USD 7 per month), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is cheaper than the category median ($15.5 per month, based on tools with a published price).
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
The publisher does not clearly state where data is hosted. Assume your content may leave your region.
For professional use, check that a data processing agreement (DPA) is offered, and do not send customers' personal data or confidential documents without one.
Exporting your content: CSV et Excel. Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
RescueTime runs on: web browser, Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone and iPad, Android, and API.
The interface is available in 9 languages.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
How we scored it
Our 73/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 30/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 20/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 23/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
RescueTime against other tools in the productivity and organisation category:
Verdict
RescueTime is among the most accessible and transparent tools in its category.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Cheaper than its category median
- Public API
- Established since 2007
- Available on many platforms
Limitations
- Data hosting not disclosed
Avoid if…
- You handle sensitive personal data without a processing agreement
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is RescueTime free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $84 per year.
Where is RescueTime data stored?
The publisher does not clearly say so in its public documentation.
Does RescueTime have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to RescueTime?
In the same category: Microsoft 365 Copilot, forms.app, Pieces, and Tally.
RescueTime or Microsoft 365 Copilot: which one to choose?
RescueTime starts at $84 per year, Microsoft 365 Copilot at $9.99 per month and our score is 73/100 for RescueTime and 83/100 for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score