Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API
Workpuls Hubstaff Toggl TimeDoctor Harvest TimeCamp Timely Everhour Tick TMetric
OVERVIEW
Price (per month) $6 per user $5.83 per user $9 per user $9.99 per user $10.80 per user $5.25 per user $99 for 5 users $7 per user $19 for 10 projects $5 per user
Free trial 7 days 14 days 30 days 14 days 30 days Yes 14 days 14 days 30 days 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Difficult Very easy Easy Very easy Easy Difficult Very easy Difficult
TIME TRACKING METHODS
Manual
Start/stop buttons
Automatic time mapping
IN-DEPTH TASK AND PROJECT ANALYSIS
Screenshots
App and website usage
Activity levels coming soon
Real-time tracking
TASK AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project adding
Project templates
Project status
Task assignment
Task priorities
Budgeting coming soon
Mark billable/non-billable hours
Payroll calculation
Invoicing
ALERTS
Idle time reminders
Deadline alerts coming soon
Budget alerts coming soon
REPORTING
Client login
Productivity analysis
Email reports coming soon
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app coming soon
iOS app Beta
Android app
Browser extension Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge
OTHER
Support Phone and online Email and online Email and online Online Online, email and phone Email, online and support ticket Email and chat Email and chat Email Chat
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations coming soon
API
On-premise hosting

The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most popular time management techniques. Many people swear by it, but it also causes a lot of stress for some people as it either interrupts them when they are in a flow stage and working, or it exhausts them into dragging out work for longer than they want to work.


If you like the Pomodoro Technique, but it sometimes dreads you to do it, you should consider trying Flowtime. Flowtime is an alternative to the Pomodoro time management technique designed for people who like the idea of being focused on a single task but hate when the pomo timer goes off.


What Is the Flowtime Technique?


Since Flowtime is a twist to the Pomodoro technique, we first need to revisit the Pomodoro.


It is a time management technique based on budgeting your time into 25-minute increments and 5-minute breaks. After you have completed four work periods (called 'pomodoro'), you take a more extended – 15 to 30 minutes – break. 


For a deeper dive into the Pomodoro technique, make sure to read Pomodoro: A Simple Time Management Technique to Be More Productive.


Since Pomodoro is based on 25-minute work intervals, some people may feel constrained by such short timing, meaning they are likely to get interrupted from their in-depth work sessions. On the other hand, 25 minutes can sometimes feel like forever, as some tasks take a lot less time, meaning that you would have to either stretch out the assignment or break the Pomodoro.  


Two exceptional use cases for the Pomodoro technique are all those tasks that you do not like doing or that do not require a lot of thought. Pomodoro works with these types of tasks because it rewards you at each Pomodoro, which is a little push of encouragement all of us sometimes need.


However, if you are working on tasks that require you to be innovative, creative, or solve a particular problem, the Pomodoro technique might fail. Limiting how much time you have to do these tasks could prevent you from entering a flow state, which means you will not be able to tap into your full potential.


How Flowtime Solves One of Pomodoro's Problems?


Flowtime works like this: You start by writing down a single task you plan will focus one during one Flowtime session. Next, you write down the time you begin working on the task and then work on that one task until you feel you need a break. 


Since you do not have to race against a clock to finish your task, all you have to do is focus on the work. When you start feeling tired, or your mind starts wandering off, it is time to take a break. 


It is up to you to determine the length of the break. Most suggest you take a five-minute break for all the work that lasts under 25 minutes. For work that is over 25 but under 50 minutes, take an eight-minute break. If you have worked for over 50 but less than 90 minutes, take a ten-minute break. And finally, if you have worked for more than 90 minutes, it is suggested that you take a 15-minute break. 


However, Flowtime's rules are not strict, so you are free to choose a break time that works the most for you.


Tools and Tips to Help You With Flowtime


Most humans can easily get distracted, as the sheer number of potential distractions surrounding everyone these days is huge. No matter if it is your phone, emails, people, or temptations to check your Instagram, we all have our weaknesses. Flowtime and other time management techniques will not work if you let distractions get in your way. 


The best way to ensure that this does not happen to you is to learn to block out the distractions and manage interruptions. Here are some ways you can do that:


Only keep the browser tabs you need for that task open, close all the rest. The more tabs you have open, the more easily will be for you to get distracted by other stuff.


Turn off the notifications for all email, Slack, and other instant messaging services or keep them in Do Not Disturb mode. This will stop all the constant distractions that come from those nagging notifications and you will be able to keep your focus on work.


Keep your phone away from your eyesight, or at least keep it in Airplane mode. The same as turning off your notifications, you will not pick up your phone constantly to check new notifications.


"Eat that frog" or start by working on your biggest, hardest, or most important task first. By getting it out of the way first, the rest of your tasks will feel like a breeze.


If you are looking for software and tools to help you create a less distracting work environment, make sure to check out this awesome list from Caveday.


Benefits of Flowtime


The most significant benefit of Flowtime is the previously mentioned flow state. Other benefits of Flowstate include the ability to easily use Flowtime data for time tracking and figuring out how much time it takes you to complete specific tasks. Knowing how to track computer usage time can prove beneficial for Flowtime as it will help make your time tracking efforts even more straightforward.


If one of your goals with time management is to be productive for a certain number of hours per day, it is easy to pull that off if you know how to track computer usage and use the Flowtime technique.


Flowtime can also help you keep track of distractions if you add a third column next to the time you stopped working. Additionally, if you work at different places or at different times of the day, Flowtime and knowing how to track computer usage time can help you figure out where and when you are most productive.


Final Thoughts


Flowtime is a perfect example of how to take something that many people already use and modify it so that more people are now able to enjoy it. Time management techniques were designed in the first place to disrupt the way people were doing work up until that point. 


Be sure to give Flowtime a try, even if Pomodoro works for you. Who knows, a Flowtime and Pomodoro hybrid might be perfect for you and your needs.


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