Toggl vs. ActivTrak. How do you choose? Each is similar in key features but also has unique selling points. Do you go for Toggl, with its time tracking and project management tools, or ActivTrak, with its employee monitoring and remote workforce management?
Let’s make a detailed comparison to see which option is best for your company (and why you might want to consider Teramind instead).
ActivTrak Overview
ActivTrak handles workforce analytics, productivity analytics, and employee monitoring. It collects real-time data from employees’ computers about their device usage, website, and app usage, their idle time, among others.
ActivTrak Features
- Track Time: ActivTrak tracks time spent on various tasks. This real-time data builds up a deeper level picture of work habits and productivity potential. That can be used to see where the company can be improved.
- Productivity Monitoring: ActivTrak provides insights into employee productivity levels, helping managers identify areas for improvement. Unproductive staff can receive special training in areas they are struggling with.
- Remote Workforce Management: ActivTrak offers features to support a remote team including screenshot monitoring and activity tracking.
ActivTrak Use Cases
Remote Team Management
With office teams transforming into remote employees, remote team management is becoming vital. ActivTrak provides insights into employee engagement and team performance.
Productivity Analysis
Companies always want to optimize workflows and increase employee productivity. ActivTrak provides employee productivity tracking to identify company weaknesses, and methods to improve team performance. This can include categorizing productive time and idle time, and analyzing unproductive actions.
Read more: The Top 11 ActivTrak Alternatives & Competitors
Toggl Overview
Toggl is a time tracking and productivity management tool designed to give skilled team leaders the digital workplace tools to help overwhelmed teams stay organized and focused, and reach team goals.
Toggl Features
- Time Tracking: Toggl offers time tracking tools, allowing users to record time on tasks, projects, and clients. Unlike similar platforms, Toggl users have to manually start and stop timers.
- Project Management: The software provides project management features, such as task organization and team collaboration tools. Interesting features include integration with Google Calendar and Slack, as well as visualizing projects on a timeline.
- Reporting and Analytics: Toggl generates deeper level reports and analytics, providing insights on time usage and team productivity. Reports include an overview of tasks and projects, weekly reports, and customized reports.
Toggl Use Cases
Freelance and Consultant Time Tracking
Toggl’s basic time tracking features make it an ideal choice for freelancers, independent contractors, and consultants who need accurate billing, and provide clients with detailed reports and invoices.
Project Management
With its project management feature, called Toggl Plan, Toggl can be used by the entire team to collaborate on projects, assign tasks, prioritize tasks, and track progress. Third-party workplace tools can be integrated to help improve team productivity and collaboration.
Feature Comparison
Here’s a quick recap of Toggl vs ActivTrak:
| Feature | ActivTrak | Toggl |
| Time Tracking | ActivTrak offers comprehensive project time tracking features, allowing users to monitor active time spent on applications, websites, and tasks. | Toggl is primarily designed for manual time tracking, with users starting and stopping timers for each task or project. |
| Productivity Monitoring | ActivTrak provides detailed insights into employee productivity levels, including application and website usage, idle time, and more. | While Toggl offers time tracking capabilities, it does not provide in-depth workforce productivity monitoring features. |
| Remote Workforce Management | ActivTrak is well-equipped for managing remote teams, with features like screenshot monitoring and activity tracking. | Toggl does not offer specific remote workforce management features but can be used for time tracking by remote teams. |
| Project Management | ActivTrak’s project management capabilities are limited compared to dedicated project management tools. | Toggl offers robust project management features, including task organization, team collaboration, and project tracking. |
| Reporting and Analytics | ActivTrak generates detailed reports and analytics on employee productivity and time usage. | Toggl provides comprehensive reporting and analytics for time tracking and project management. |
| Integrations | ActivTrak offers custom integrations with various productivity tools and project management platforms. | Toggl can be integrated with a wide range of tools and services, including project management software, communication platforms, and more. |
Use Cases
ActivTrak Use Cases
Productivity Optimization for Office-Based Teams
ActivTrak’s productivity monitoring features make it an ideal choice for office-based teams, allowing managers to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to boost productivity.
Remote Workforce Management
With its remote employee management capabilities, ActivTrak is well-suited for companies with distributed teams, enabling managers to monitor employee activity and ensure efficient collaboration.
Toggl Use Cases
Freelance and Consultancy Time Tracking
Toggl’s time management features make it an excellent choice for freelancers, consultants, and independent contractors to accurately record employee time and client billing in one central source. Toggl timers are not automated – they must be manually started and stopped.
Project Management for Small Teams
With its project management capabilities, Toggl Track can be used by small teams to collaborate on projects, assign tasks, and track progress. Third-party app integration ensures you always have a complete overview of your company.
Pros Compared
ActivTrak Pros
Comprehensive Productivity Monitoring
Compared to Toggl, ActivTrak’s productivity monitoring tool is feature-rich. It provides users with valuable analytics to make data-driven decisions about areas needing improved.
Remote Workforce Management
When stacked up against Toggl, ActivTrak comes out ahead with remote management tools. Time is tracked on websites and apps, activity monitoring shows the level of employee engagement, and insights suggest ways to improve employee satisfaction.
Detailed Reporting and Analytics
Customizable dashboards let users see the reports and metrics that matter to them. Data can be viewed through graphs, bar charts, or tables. User activity reports give an overview of employee activity, while productivity reports delves into employee engagement.
Toggl Pros
User-Friendly Time Tracking
Nobody likes complicated setups, so users will appreciate Toggl’s easy manual timers. Accurate timekeeping will ensure clients get detailed, accurate invoices and work reports. The Toggl mobile app means time entries can be entered on mobile devices, wherever the employee is.
Robust Project Management Capabilities
Toggl Plan and Toggl Track are two tools for project management. Projects can be easily created with team members assigned. Visual timelines give users the information they need at a glance. Project sharing tools improve team collaboration.
Extensive Integrations
Toggl supports third-party integrations. Big names such as Asana, Trello, Basecamp, Slack, Google Calendar, and Outlook mean that companies can efficiently communicate with one another and synchronize daily tasks on a single dashboard.
Cons Compared
ActivTrak Cons
Limited Project Management Features
While ActivTrak offers productivity monitoring and time tracking capabilities, its project management features are limited compared to dedicated project management tools. Its lack of task assignment, team collaboration, or project planning will put some people off.
Privacy Concerns
ActivTrak’s productivity monitoring features, such as screenshot monitoring, mouse activity, and activity tracking, may raise company culture concerns. These employee monitoring features could turn into a potentially serious employee privacy issue and affect employee morale.
Lack of Customization Options
ActivTrak’s reporting and analytics features may not be as customizable as some users require, limiting their ability to tailor reports. Users may often struggle to customize features beyond ActivTrak’s default options.
Read More: ActivTrak vs. Teramind – Which is Best in 2024?
Toggl Cons
No Productivity Monitoring
While Toggl offers time tracking and project management capabilities, it does not provide in-depth productivity monitoring. Toggl positions itself as a time-tracking tool.
Limited Remote Workforce Management
Toggl does not offer specific remote workforce management, which will hinder companies with distributed teams. Its productivity analytics are lacking, there is no employee monitoring, and remote workplace data protection is not addressed.
Manual Time Tracking
Unlike ActivTrak, which offers automatic time tracking, Toggl users must manually start and stop timers which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. While manual usage of timers can result in recording more accurate times, it relies on people remembering to do it.
Pricing Comparison
ActivTrak Pricing
ActivTrak has a tiered pricing plan with affordable prices for the budget-conscious company. The price is based on the number of users, but unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be an annual billing option.
- Free – up to three users per month. Features are extremely limited.
- Essentials – $10 per user per month.
- Essentials Plus – $15 per user per month.
- Professional – $19 per user per month.
- Enterprise – Large companies can ask for custom pricing if they have unique needs.
Toggl Pricing
Toggl’s pricing model provides small discounts on annual billing, as well as a slightly more flexible free option.
- Free – up to five users per month, and restricted features.
- Starter – $10 per user per month (or $9 if paid annually.)
- Premium – $20 per user per month (or $18 if paid annually.)
- Enterprise – large organizations can request custom pricing.
When To Use ActivTrak or Toggl
When to Use ActivTrak
- When you need productivity monitoring and need to track employee activity and application usage.
- If you have a remote or distributed workforce and require powerful tools for remote workforce management.
- If you need detailed real-time reporting and employee productivity tracking.
When to Use Toggl
- If your primary focus is on accurate time tracking and billing for projects and tasks.
- If you require project management for small teams.
- If you prefer a simple and user-friendly time tracking solution.
Teramind: A Better Alternative to ActivTrak and Toggl
ActivTrak and Toggl are popular tools, but alternative solutions such as Teramind (which offers more powerful features and deeper-level analytics) are also worth considering.
| Feature | ActivTrak | Toggl | Teramind |
| Time Tracking | ActivTrak offers comprehensive time tracking features, allowing users to monitor time spent on applications, websites, and tasks. | Toggl is primarily designed for manual time tracking, with users starting and stopping timers for each task or project. | Teramind provides advanced time tracking capabilities, including automatic tracking and detailed activity logs. |
| Productivity Monitoring | ActivTrak provides detailed insights into employee productivity levels, including website and app usage, idle time, and more. | While Toggl offers time tracking capabilities, it does not provide in-depth productivity monitoring features. | Teramind offers comprehensive productivity monitoring features, including application and website tracking, idle time analysis, and behavior analytics. |
| Remote Workforce Management | ActivTrak is well-equipped for managing remote teams, with features like screenshot monitoring and activity tracking. | Toggl does not offer specific remote workforce management features but can be used for time tracking by remote teams. | Teramind is designed for efficient remote workforce management, with screen monitoring, live remote assistance, and centralized access control. |
| Project Management | ActivTrak’s project management capabilities are limited compared to dedicated project management tools. | Toggl Track offers project management features, including task organization, team collaboration, and project tracking. | Teramind integrates with popular project management tools, allowing seamless collaboration and task management. |
| Reporting and Analytics | ActivTrak generates detailed reports and analytics on employee productivity and time usage. | Toggl provides comprehensive reporting and analytics for time tracking and project management. | Teramind offers advanced reporting and analytics, with customizable dashboards, real-time monitoring, and detailed activity logs. |
| Integrations | ActivTrak offers integrations with various productivity tools and project management platforms. | Toggl can be integrated with a wide range of tools and services, including project management software, communication platforms, and more. | Teramind integrates with a wide range of business tools and platforms, enhancing its functionality and seamless workflow. |
| User Behavior Analytics | ActivTrak and Toggl do not offer user behavior analytics capabilities. | ActivTrak and Toggl do not offer user behavior analytics capabilities. | Teramind provides advanced user behavior analytics, allowing organizations to identify potential risks, insider threats, and compliance violations. |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | ActivTrak and Toggl do not offer data loss prevention features. | ActivTrak and Toggl do not offer data loss prevention features. | Teramind offers robust data loss prevention capabilities, including content monitoring, data exfiltration prevention, and encryption. |
| Compliance and Security | ActivTrak and Toggl offer basic security features. | ActivTrak and Toggl offer basic security features. | Teramind is designed with compliance and security in mind, offering features such as audit trails, role-based access control, and secure data storage. |
How Teramind Stands Apart
Teramind is the leading productivity and employee monitoring solution. Here’s how Teramind benefits your organization.
Comprehensive Workforce Management Solution
Teramind offers a comprehensive workforce management solution that combines time tracking, productivity monitoring, daily activities, remote workforce management, and user behavior analytics on a single platform.
Advanced User Behavior Analytics
Teramind’s user behavior analytics capabilities allow organizations to identify potential risks, insider threats, suspicious actions, and compliance violations, ensuring a secure workplace.
Robust Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Teramind’s data loss prevention features include content monitoring, data exfiltration prevention, and encryption, which help organizations protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
Compliance and Security-Focused
Teramind is designed with compliance and security in mind, offering features such as audit trails, role-based access control, and secure data storage, ensuring organizations meet regulatory requirements and maintain a secure environment.
FAQs
Which companies use ActivTrak?
ActivTrak is utilized by a diverse range of companies, including small businesses and large enterprises, across various industries such as technology, healthcare, and finance. Organizations leverage ActivTrak’s productivity monitoring and workforce analytics to enhance employee performance and ensure accountability in remote work settings.
What is the difference between Toggl Track and Toggl Plan?
Toggl Track focuses on time tracking, allowing users to log hours spent on tasks and generate detailed reports. This makes it ideal for freelancers and teams looking to manage their time effectively. In contrast, Toggl Plan is designed for project management, enabling users to plan, collaborate, and visualize workflows with timelines and team schedules, which helps improve overall productivity.
Does Toggl track mouse movement?
No, Toggl does not track mouse movements. Unlike some other productivity tools, Toggl primarily focuses on time tracking and task management. It allows users to log hours spent on specific projects and generate reports without monitoring user activity in real time.
What is the difference between Hubstaff and Toggl?
Hubstaff and Toggl differ in their primary functionalities; Hubstaff includes time tracking along with productivity monitoring features like GPS tracking and screenshots, making it suitable for remote teams. In contrast, Toggl focuses solely on time tracking and project management without user activity monitoring, making it ideal for freelancers and individuals looking for straightforward task management.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, ActivTrak and Toggl each have pros and cons, which make them both feasible solutions, but each one lacks in certain areas. By comparison, Teramind amply fills the gaps, providing deeper-level analytics, time-tracking tools, and the best productivity-tracking software available.
