DeskTime vs Jibble vs TMetric

DeskTime, Jibble, and TMetric all track work hours but are optimized for different workforces: DeskTime automates tracking around desktop activity and…

DeskTime

Freemium · From Free

Best for: Desk-based teams that want automatic tracking and productivity scoring without employees managing manual timers

Jibble

Freemium · From Free

Best for: Hourly, shift-based, or field workforces that need GPS geofencing and facial recognition attendance verification on a free plan

TMetric

freemium · From Free (up to 2 seats); paid plans from $7/user/month

Best for: Freelancers and agencies that need project budgeting, client invoicing, and a timer embedded across other web apps

At a Glance

 DeskTimeJibbleTMetric
Primary categoryTime TrackingTime TrackingTime Tracking
RatingNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemiumfreemium
Starting priceFreeFreeFree (up to 2 seats); paid plans from $7/user/month
Free planYesYesYes
Free trialYesYesYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Mac, WindowsWeb, iOS, Android, Mac, WindowsWeb, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
Team collaborationNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
AI featuresNot documentedNot documentedNot documented
Public APIYesYesYes

Standout Differences

Jibble's free plan has no user cap

Jibble offers unlimited users on a genuinely free-forever plan with GPS tracking, facial recognition verification, and unlimited integrations, no credit card required.

Jibble

DeskTime tracks without manual timers

DeskTime starts and stops tracking automatically based on computer activity and classifies apps and URLs into productivity categories out of the box.

DeskTime

Jibble verifies identity with biometrics

AI-based facial recognition and selfie capture at clock-in, combined with configurable geofences, help prevent buddy punching for on-site and field teams.

Jibble

TMetric is built around budgets and billing

TMetric lets teams set per-project budgets with spend alerts and turn tracked billable hours directly into client-ready invoices.

TMetric

TMetric's timer follows you into other apps

TMetric's cross-app timer works inside more than 50 popular web apps, letting users track time without leaving their existing workflow.

TMetric

Feature-by-Feature

Tracking Method

FeatureDeskTimeJibbleTMetric
Fully automatic tracking without starting a manual timerAvailableLimitedLimited
Timer embedded inside other web appsNot documentedNot documentedAvailable

Monitoring and Verification

FeatureDeskTimeJibbleTMetric
Periodic screenshot captureAvailableLimitedLimited
GPS location tracking and geofencingNot documentedAvailableNot documented
Facial recognition clock-in verificationNot documentedAvailableNot documented

Workforce Management

FeatureDeskTimeJibbleTMetric
Shift schedulingAvailableNot documentedLimited

Pricing and Billing

FeatureDeskTimeJibbleTMetric
Free plan supports unlimited usersUnavailableAvailableLimited
Client invoicing from tracked hoursAvailableNot documentedAvailable

Pricing Compared

Starting price reflects the lowest paid tier, not the full cost for every team size or usage level.

DeskTime

Free — $0 N/A
Pro — $7/user/month ($6.42 annual) Monthly or annual
Premium — $10/user/month Monthly or annual
Enterprise — Custom Annual contract

Jibble

Free — Free forever
Premium — $4.49/user/month billed annually
Ultimate — $7.99/user/month billed annually
Enterprise — Custom pricing annual contract

TMetric

Free — $0 N/A (up to 2 seats)
Professional — $7/user/month Monthly or annual (annual saves up to 20%)
Business — $9/user/month Monthly or annual (annual saves up to 20%)
Enterprise — Custom Custom

Pros & Cons

DeskTime

Pros

  • Fully automatic tracking removes the need for employees to manually start and stop timers.
  • Built-in productivity scoring works out of the box with minimal configuration.
  • Free plan available for single users, making it accessible for freelancers.
  • Combines time tracking, scheduling, and invoicing in a single product.

Cons

  • Screenshot capture and scheduling tools are gated behind the higher Premium tier.
  • Employee monitoring features like screenshots can raise privacy concerns among tracked staff.
  • Free tier is limited to a single user, so teams must move to a paid plan almost immediately.
  • Enterprise pricing is not publicly listed and requires contacting sales.

Jibble

Pros

  • Unlimited users on a genuinely free-forever plan with no credit card required
  • Biometric facial recognition and geofencing help prevent buddy punching even on the free tier
  • Works across web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and shared kiosk devices
  • Fast setup and simple interface suited to non-technical hourly workforces
  • Strong offline support for field, construction and remote teams

Cons

  • Advanced reporting, screenshots and priority support require paid Premium or Ultimate tiers
  • Premium and Ultimate prices rose sharply in March 2026, roughly 60 to 80 percent higher than before
  • Less scheduling and shift-planning depth than dedicated workforce platforms like Deputy or When I Work
  • Some users report occasional GPS or facial recognition accuracy issues on older mobile devices
  • Support responsiveness can be slower for customers on the free plan

TMetric

Pros

  • Generous free plan with unlimited projects and clients for up to two seats
  • Affordable per-seat pricing compared to many competing time trackers
  • Timer can be embedded inside dozens of other web apps for frictionless tracking
  • Strong budgeting and invoicing tools for freelancers and agencies
  • Backed by Devart, an established developer tools company with decades of experience

Cons

  • Interface and reporting feel more utilitarian than modern competitors like Toggl Track
  • Screenshot and activity monitoring are gated behind the higher Business tier
  • Fewer built-in integrations than larger time tracking platforms
  • Mobile app functionality is more limited than the desktop and web experience
  • Enterprise pricing is not published and requires contacting sales

Use Cases

Choose DeskTime: Desk-based teams that want automatic tracking and productivity scoring without employees managing manual timers
Choose Jibble: Hourly, shift-based, or field workforces that need GPS geofencing and facial recognition attendance verification on a free plan
Choose TMetric: Freelancers and agencies that need project budgeting, client invoicing, and a timer embedded across other web apps

DeskTime

  • Remote team productivity monitoring — Distributed teams use DeskTime to automatically track work hours and understand productivity patterns without manual timesheets.
  • Freelance client billing — Freelancers use DeskTime's automatic tracking and invoicing to accurately bill clients for hours worked on specific projects.
  • Outsourced team verification — Companies working with outsourced or contractor teams use DeskTime's screenshot capture and productivity reports to verify billed work.

Jibble

  • Field service and construction attendance — GPS-verified clock-ins and geofencing confirm crews are on the correct job site before hours are logged, reducing payroll disputes.
  • Shift-based retail and hospitality teams — Kiosk mode lets multiple hourly staff clock in on one shared device with facial recognition to prevent buddy punching.
  • Remote and distributed agency billing — Project-level time tracking and automated timesheets let agencies convert tracked hours directly into client invoices.

TMetric

  • Freelance Time and Billing Tracking — Freelancers track billable hours across multiple clients, set project budgets, and generate invoices directly from logged time.
  • Agency Team Time Management — Agencies use screenshots, activity monitoring, and team timesheets to track how staff time is spent across client projects.
  • Embedded Tracking Inside Existing Tools — Teams that already use Jira, ClickUp, or Redmine add TMetric's timer directly inside those apps to log time without switching tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these three has a genuinely free plan with no user limit?

Jibble. Its free-forever plan supports unlimited users with GPS tracking, facial recognition verification, and unlimited integrations, with no credit card required. DeskTime's free plan is capped at a single user and TMetric's at 2 seats.

Does DeskTime require me to start and stop a timer manually?

No. DeskTime tracks automatically based on computer activity, starting and stopping without employees managing a manual timer, and classifies app and URL usage into a productivity score.

Does Jibble really use facial recognition for clock-ins?

Yes. Jibble uses AI-based facial recognition and selfie capture to verify employee identity at clock-in, combined with configurable geofences, specifically to prevent buddy punching.

Can TMetric turn tracked time directly into a client invoice?

Yes. TMetric lets teams turn tracked billable hours directly into client-ready invoices, alongside per-project budgets with spend alerts.

Which tool is best suited to a field or hourly workforce?

Jibble, given its GPS geofencing, facial recognition verification, kiosk mode for shared devices, and offline mode for field and remote employees without signal.

Do these tools integrate with payroll or project management software?

Jibble integrates natively with QuickBooks, Xero, and Deel for payroll; TMetric integrates with Jira, Redmine, ClickUp, and QuickBooks; DeskTime's documented integration strength is its own built-in automated invoicing.

Read the full DeskTime review · Read the full Jibble review · Read the full TMetric review