RescueTime review: what it is, pricing and who it's for
Automatic time tracking that shows where your work hours go and helps you block distractions.
In short: Automatic time tracking that shows where your work hours go and helps you block distractions. Starting price: US$7/month billed annually (Solo). Free plan / trial: Free Lite plan; 14-day free trial on paid plans. Best for: Freelancers and teams who want to understand and improve focus time.
What is RescueTime?
RescueTime runs in the background on your computer and phone and records which apps and websites you use. It sorts that time into categories and shows reports, so you can see how much of your day goes to focused work versus distractions.
Paid plans add focus sessions, distraction blocking, goals and alerts. The "+" plans add timesheets for tracking time by client, project and task, which is useful for billing.
Key features
- Automatic activity tracking with idle time detection.
- Distraction blocking during Focus Sessions.
- Goals and alerts for daily work habits.
- Detailed, searchable reports with unlimited history.
- Timesheets with client, project and task tracking on Solo+ and Team+.
- Billable rates, time rounding and CSV/Excel export.
- Integrations with tools such as Asana, Slack, GitHub and Google or Outlook calendars.
- Team reports, role-based access and SSO on team plans.
Plans and pricing
| Plan | Price / limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | Free | Basic tracking (features not detailed on pricing page) |
| Solo | US$7/month annual (US$9 monthly) | Focus features for one person |
| Solo+ | US$12/month annual (US$15 monthly) | Focus features plus timesheets |
| Team | US$10/user/month annual (US$12 monthly) | Focus features and team reports |
| Team+ | US$16/user/month annual (US$18 monthly) | Team focus features plus timesheets |
Prices in US$ from the official pricing page on 14 Nov 2026; the lower prices need annual billing, and monthly billing costs more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tracking is automatic, with no timers to start or stop.
- 14-day free trial without being charged until it ends.
- Timesheet add-on helps with client billing.
- Clear per-user pricing for teams.
Cons
- Timesheets cost extra (only on Solo+ and Team+).
- Best prices need a full year paid upfront.
- Background tracking may raise privacy concerns on team accounts.
- Invoice billing only for teams of 100+ users.
Who it's for
RescueTime fits remote workers, freelancers and small teams who want honest data on how they spend time. If you only need a simple manual timer for invoicing, a basic time tracker may be enough.
Frequently asked questions
What is RescueTime?
RescueTime runs in the background on your computer and phone and records which apps and websites you use. It sorts that time into categories and shows reports, so you can see how much of your day goes to focused work versus distractions.
How much does RescueTime cost?
RescueTime starts at US$7/month billed annually (Solo). Prices in US$ from the official pricing page on 14 Nov 2026; the lower prices need annual billing, and monthly billing costs more.
Does RescueTime have a free plan or free trial?
Free Lite plan; 14-day free trial on paid plans.
Who is RescueTime best for?
RescueTime fits remote workers, freelancers and small teams who want honest data on how they spend time. If you only need a simple manual timer for invoicing, a basic time tracker may be enough.
What are the downsides of RescueTime?
Main drawbacks: Timesheets cost extra (only on Solo+ and Team+). Best prices need a full year paid upfront. Background tracking may raise privacy concerns on team accounts. Invoice billing only for teams of 100+ users.
What are some alternatives to RescueTime?
Other small business software options we cover include OnceHub, Invoice Ninja, Zoho Projects, 99designs (by Vista) and Zoho Bookings.
Head-to-head comparisons
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This summary is based on RescueTime's official website, pricing page and public documentation as of November 14, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm the details on the official site. Some links on this site may be affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.