RescueTime

Automated time management for control and simplicity.

time management productivity tool automated tracking behavioral insights personal goals setting real time alerts

Tool Information

Primary Task	Time tracking
Category	operations-and-management
Sub Categories	time-tracking personal-assistants
Country	United States

RescueTime is a time management software designed to help users understand their daily habits and increase productivity. This automated tool provides detailed reports and insights about the time spent on various apps, websites, and even offline activities, eliminating the need for manual time tracking. Its defining feature is the ability for users to block distracting sites and apps that impair focus, thereby optimizing productivity. RescueTime also enables setting personalized goals, which, with the assistance of real-time alerts, guide users behavior throughout the day. An additional feature, referred to as FocusTime, reduces digital distractions, further boosting productive hours. For those looking to integrate productivity tracking into their existing workflow, RescueTime provides integrations with popular applications. There is also an extension, 'Timesheets AI' that allows users to efficiently track and assign time to different projects or clients. Whether it's meeting schedule management or distraction-blocking, RescueTime offers a comprehensive package for time management and productivity enhancement.

RescueTime is a Seattle-based productivity software company founded in 2007 by Brian Fioca, Tony Wright, and Mark Wolgemuth. With a team of 15-16 employees, it has supported over 2 million registered users, logging more than 1.37 billion hours of screen time. The company specializes in helping individuals and teams enhance their digital habits through automated time-tracking and productivity analytics.

RescueTime offers automatic time tracking that categorizes computer and mobile device usage into productive and distracting activities. It provides detailed productivity analytics, including reports and visualizations of time allocation patterns. The platform also features focus tools to minimize distractions, such as real-time alerts and goal-setting functionalities. Users can access RescueTime across various platforms, including desktop apps for Windows and macOS, browser extensions for Chrome, and mobile apps for Android and iOS.

The company serves freelancers, remote workers, small businesses, and individuals seeking to improve their work-life balance. RescueTime emphasizes user privacy with local data processing and offers both a free plan and premium tiers with advanced features. Its mission is to help users reclaim focus and achieve sustainable productivity.

Pros
Automated time tracking Detailed reports and insights Offline activity tracking Blocks distracting sites/apps FocusTime reduces digital distractions Setting of personalized goals Real-time alerts Popular application integrations Efficiently track different projects Assign time to clients Meeting schedule management Efficient distraction-blocking Guided Focus Sessions Allows improvement in work habits RescueTime Assistant feature Integrates with favorite apps Upgrades apps with RescueTime tools Set smart goals Tracks productivity from calendar Auto updates Slack status Real-time habit building alerts Timesheet creation with drag-and-drop Automated Billing accuracy No reliance on manual timers Accurate time management Blocks distractions and manages schedule Automation of Time Tracking Has been in business for years Tried by millions of users

Cons
No iOS app Limited app integrations Inaccurate offline activity tracking Requires continuous user intervention Doesn't track mobile device usage Limited project/client tracking No manual time tracking Cannot assign time to tasks Limited report customization Requires constant internet connection

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is RescueTime?

RescueTime is a fully automated time management software which helps users boost their productivity by providing insights about their daily habits. It also eliminates the need for manual time tracking, and includes features for blocking distracting sites and apps, setting personal goals, receiving real-time alerts, reducing digital distractions and integrating with other popular applications.

2. Can RescueTime automatically track time spent on different apps and websites?

Yes, RescueTime can automatically track time spent on different applications and websites. It also tracks specific documents and automatically generates detailed reports about a user's time allocation throughout the day.

3. How does RescueTime help block distracting sites and apps?

RescueTime uses a feature known as FocusTime to block distracting websites and apps. FocusTime helps users maintain their focus by reducing digital distractions and enhancing productive hours.

4. What is the difference between RescueTime and other time tracking software?

RescueTime differentiates itself in its ability to help users regain control of their time. More than simple time tracking, RescueTime offers automatic distraction-blocking and an automated assistant to keep tabs on a user's behavior. Also, the RescueTime software offers an additional feature, called 'Timesheets AI' that efficiently tracks and assigns time to different projects or clients.

5. Does RescueTime provide real-time alerts?

Yes, RescueTime does provide real-time alerts. These alerts are used to guide users throughout the day, helping them stick to their set personal goals and optimize productivity.

6. Can RescueTime integrate with other applications?

Yes, RescueTime has the capability to integrate with other applications to maximize productivity. It also allows users to upgrade these apps with RescueTime's own tools and data for a more streamlined workflow.

7. What are the personalized goals setting features in RescueTime?

In RescueTime, users can set personalized time goals. Whether it's spending less time on email or more time writing, designing, or coding, users are able to define their objectives. These goals are then monitored with real-time alerts to keep users on track.

8. What does the 'FocusTime' feature in RescueTime do?

RescueTime’s 'FocusTime' feature reduces digital distractions by blocking the websites and apps that most negatively impact a user's focus. This helps to boost productivity by ensuring the user stays focused on their tasks.

9. How does RescueTime help in tracking offline activities?

RescueTime has an 'Offline Time Tracking' feature, which prompts the user to add offline time when they've stepped away from their devices. This helps provide a full picture of how they spend their day, both online and offline.

10. Can RescueTime assign time to different projects or clients using 'Timesheets AI' extension?

Yes, RescueTime's 'Timesheets AI' extension can automatically track and assign time to different projects or clients. The application becomes smarter and more accurate with use, reducing the time users spend manual logging their time.

11. Can RescueTime be used for meeting schedule management?

Yes, RescueTime can be helpful in managing meeting schedules. It helps users to focus on their tasks and blocks distracting apps and websites, which ensures that meetings and other tasks are scheduled and carried out efficiently.

12. Does RescueTime provide detailed reports and behavioral insights about my daily habits?

Yes, RescueTime provides detailed reports and behavioral insights about a user's daily habits. The software tracks time spent on apps and websites—even specific documents—and generates detailed reports, trends, and insights about how a user's time is spent.

13. How does RescueTime's automated time tracking feature work?

RescueTime's automated time tracking feature works by tracking the time a user spends on applications, websites and specific documents with no manual entry required. This automatic tracking is crucial in giving detailed reports and insights into a user's time management.

14. Does RescueTime's 'Timesheets AI' get smarter the more I use it?

Yes, RescueTime's 'Timesheets AI' feature gets smarter the more you use it. It continually learns from the user's behaviors and preferences to better allocate time to projects or clients, improving its accuracy over time.

15. Is RescueTime compatible with both iOS and Android devices?

Yes, RescueTime is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The respective mobile apps allow users to track their time and productivity even on-the-go.

16. Can RescueTime be used to block specific documents or files for a set duration of time?

While RescueTime is able to track time spent on specific documents, there is no explicit feature listed for blocking specific documents or files for a set duration. RescueTime's main strength lies in blocking distracting apps and websites.

17. Does RescueTime offer a free trial?

Yes, RescueTime does offer a free trial. Users can experience all features of the software with a free 14-day trial before deciding to purchase a subscription plan.

18. What types of goals and alerts can I set in RescueTime?

RescueTime allows users to set various kinds of goals like spending less time on email, or more time on productive tasks like writing, designing, or coding. Alongside these goals, users can also create customized alerts to track their progress and maintain productivity.

19. Can RescueTime be integrated with slack and other productivity apps?

Yes, RescueTime can be integrated with Slack and several other productivity apps. This integration allows RescueTime to automatically update a user's Slack status based on their activity, and provide RescueTime’s tools and data to enhance other apps.

20. How does RescueTime help in enhancing productivity?

RescueTime helps in enhancing productivity through various features. It provides detailed insights into a user's daily habits, helps set personal goals, offers real-time productivity alerts, reduces digital distractions by blocking distracting sites and apps, integrates with other software solutions, and tracks offline activities, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of a user's time usage, and helping them become more productive.