Pastely
ArchlyRescueTime vs Freedom
These two do different jobs. RescueTime measures where your time goes and adds focus sessions that block distracting sites. Freedom doesn't track anything: it blocks sites and apps on schedules, across your computer and phone.
Choose RescueTime if
Best for: cross-platform teams that need timesheets
- You work on Windows or Linux, or want your phone in the same reports.
- You need timesheets and team reports.
- You want focus sessions that run across all your devices.
Choose Freedom if
Best for: scheduled blocking on every device
- You want the same blocklist on your phone and computer.
- You want blocks on a schedule, like no social media before noon.
- You don't want anything tracked at all.
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Feature by feature
| RescueTime | Freedom |  Timecard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracking | |||
| Tracks apps automatically | Yes | No | Yes |
| Tracks websites | Yes | Blocks them; doesn't track them | Yes, in Safari, Chrome, Arc, Dia, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera and Comet |
| History | Unlimited on paid plans | None | Forever, plus the weeks Screen Time already kept |
| Privacy | |||
| Account | Required | Required | Not needed |
| Where your data lives | RescueTime's cloud | Freedom doesn't track activity | On your Mac, in one local file |
| Limits | |||
| Limits that block apps and sites | Focus Sessions block distracting sites | Yes: scheduled blocks, blocklists, Locked Mode | Yes: blocks the tab or covers the app, then asks why |
| Beyond tracking | |||
| AI coding usage | No | No | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, opencode, Gemini CLI: time, tokens, API value |
| Daily summary | Reports and goals | No | A timecard printed from the notch every evening |
| Teams and client billing | Yes, team plans and timesheets | No | No, it's built for one person |
| Availability | |||
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Chromebook | Mac, macOS 14 or later |
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Pricing
RescueTimeSubscription, 14-day trial
- LiteWhat you keep after cancellingFree
- Focus$9 billed monthly$7/month, billed yearly
- Solo+Adds timesheets; $15 monthly$12/month, billed yearly
- Team$10/user/month, billed yearly
FreedomSubscription or one-time
- FreeBasic blocking$0
- Premium$8.99 monthly$3.33/month, billed yearly
- ForeverSale price; normally $199$99.50once
On a Mac? There's a third option.
Timecard tracks every app and website automatically, keeps it on your Mac, blocks apps and sites when a daily limit runs out, and tracks AI coding usage. One payment, no account.
RescueTime vs Freedom
questions
Which is better, RescueTime or Freedom?
It depends on the job. RescueTime is best for cross-platform teams that need timesheets. Freedom is best for scheduled blocking on every device.
Is there an alternative to RescueTime and Freedom without a subscription?
On a Mac, Timecard tracks every app and website automatically, blocks apps and sites when a daily limit runs out, and tracks AI coding usage, for one payment with no account.
Do RescueTime and Freedom work on Mac?
RescueTime: Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android. Freedom: Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Chromebook.
More head-to-heads