Time tracking with Toggl and RescueTime
Since Alborz mentioned it last week I decided to write about the apps that I use to track time spent on each client and overall productivity.
RescueTime – Find out where you’re wasting time
RescueTime is a great little application that logs how long you spend using different applications and visiting different websites. This is all sent back to your RescueTime dashboard, where you can tag applications and websites, and give them a rating from -2 (very unproductive) to +2 (very productive). It then uses these ratings to calculate your overall efficiency score (on a scale of -2 to +2) and compares you to the average efficiency score of everyone else using RescueTime.
Pros
- Free
- Doesn’t require any day to day input, just some occasional tagging of applications
- Runs in the background
- Low resource footprint
- Really nice reports
Cons
- Can’t really separate time spent for different clients or projects
- Privacy concerns?
Toggl – Time logging made easy
Toggl is a very simple and easy to use time tracking service with a very nice desktop application (built on Adobe AIR so it’s available on Windows, Mac, and Linux) that allows you to track what you are working on with a single click. Although it takes a bit of work when getting started to remember to change tasks or stop the timer, it’s totally worth it once you’ve been using it for a while.
Pros
- Accurate tracking of specific projects and tasks
- Desktop app available
- On / Off simplicity
- Reports that allow you to see how much time you spent on each project
Cons
- You have to manually tell it what you’re working on
So with the combination of RescueTime and Toggl, you should be able to accurately show where you’re spending your time. If you’re lazy or don’t really need to log the time you spend on projects, you can probably do without Toggl, but there is no reason not to install RescueTime to start collecting information, even if you don’t open the dashboard for a while.
Comments
In Response to Your Reponse of Someone Else's Response
Submitted by Jessica (not verified) on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6:51pm.
RescueTime's got a good idea in regards to rating work. It looks like it would help in evaluating a job well done, and in challenging yourself with quantifiable variables.
However, Bill4Time can help you in separating the time you spent per client and project. And it has a widget based on Adobe Air to use on your desktop. Then you can take all that data to make an invoice.
There are so many applications out there! But what's important is what fits your needs. Don't ever settle to "work" with something. Thought I'd throw that out there. :)
By the way, I find it very commendable that you wrote an article based on a response from a reader. That shows professionalism & the fact that you're paying attention to your audience. Nice.
True Time Tracker - really
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 5:02am.
True Time Tracker - really great and free time tracking software - http://www.truetimetracker.com/
Time Doctor Software
Submitted by Mary Jorvonivich (not verified) on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 2:40am.
There's a new time-tracking tool called Time Doctor if you're looking for an alternative to rescuetime.
I've found the lesson very
Submitted by Designer hand bags australia (not verified) on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 4:10pm.
I've found the lesson very valuable tutorial about time tracking with toggle and rescue time. The lessons seems easy to comprehend and practical. thanks for the informative post.
Since, time tracking
Submitted by email maketing (not verified) on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 10:25pm.
Since, time tracking applications are very useful for tracking all your tasks, issues, projects and time spend on your project, it is a must read article for a developer.
I've been really benefited by
Submitted by Evicting a Tenant (not verified) on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 10:54am.
I've been really benefited by the useful lesson on how to track time with toggle and rescue time. This feature would help keep track of important information about your daily activities.
It is very pertinent and
Submitted by sell abusiness (not verified) on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 3:01pm.
It is very pertinent and important to learn about this feature, its functioning and uses. It is a very essential for every visitor. Thanks for sharing.
These features would help you
Submitted by media agency (not verified) on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 2:29pm.
These features would help you grow wise, punctual and economical so far as time in business concerned. Now on you the business schedules would be in your control. It is so easy to track time with goggl and rescuetime.
There are a number of time
Submitted by bed bug on bed (not verified) on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 5:42am.
There are a number of time tracking applications available to track time spend on all your activities in the project. I'm interested in these excellent features.
RescueTime
Submitted by rad (not verified) on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 3:30am.
RescueTime works good for me but I'm not familiar with Toggl. RescueTime has this feature called automated time tracking to measure which Application, website or document that is being actively use. Unlike Toggl as stated by the author you must manually tell what's you're working on. For RescueTime works perfectly great.
There is little doubt that
Submitted by engineering design (not verified) on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 4:13pm.
There is little doubt that the post would help fix the problem in time tracking with toggl and rescue time which would ultimately save your time and energy. It is a very useful post.
RescueTime
Submitted by time tracking solutions (not verified) on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 9:09am.
I've been using RescueTime for almost 3 weeks now and have greatly improved my productivity.. RescueTime is a reliable time tracking tool that helps individuals and businesses track how they spend their time at the computer, and consequently, find ways to become more productive.
I think this feature of time
Submitted by portland mortgage (not verified) on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 11:33am.
I think this feature of time tracking with toggl and rescue time would save a lot of time and energy in our day to day schedules. If we compare the merits and demerits of this feature, we would certainly go for it.
I am glad that these useful
Submitted by used truck parts (not verified) on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 1:22pm.
I am glad that these useful tips on time tracking with toggl and rescuetime would save a lot of time and energy for us. I appreciate the useful information posted. thanks.
Toggl is working really
Submitted by Gothic Decor (not verified) on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 9:24pm.
Toggl is working really awesome for me. Yes, you have to manually type what task you are working on, but the reminder that pop up frequently help keep you on track.
Like all other desktop
Submitted by sectional sofas (not verified) on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 12:20pm.
Like all other desktop applications, these time tracking toggl and rescue time work wonderfully to your benefit. A single click or a minor operation would help you delivering your very efficiently.
you tins tickets diligence
Submitted by packaging boxes (not verified) on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 11:41pm.
you tins tickets diligence and websites, and give them a invention from -2 (very unproductive) to +2 (very productive). It then uses these ratings to calculate your overall efficiency score (on a flake of -2 to +2) and compares you to the banner efficiencies score of everyone else using RescueTime.
