Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

TimeSnapper VS Qbserve

Compare TimeSnapper VS Qbserve and see what are their differences

TimeSnapper logo TimeSnapper

TimeSnapper is an Automatic Screenshot Journal. Play back your week just like a movie.

Qbserve logo Qbserve

Freelance time tracking, invoicing, and productivity improvement
  • TimeSnapper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12
  • Qbserve Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Mac time tracker that tracks both productivity and work hours automatically by intelligently observing active sites and apps.

TimeSnapper features and specs

  • Automatic Screen Capture
    TimeSnapper continuously captures screenshots of your computer activity, allowing users to have a detailed visual record of their workday.
  • Time Tracking
    It provides users with insights into how time is being spent by analyzing the captured screenshots, helping improve productivity by identifying time-wasting activities.
  • Historical Reference
    The application allows users to review past activities quickly, making it easier to recall projects, tasks, or decisions made without the need for note-taking.
  • Privacy Options
    TimeSnapper includes privacy settings that allow users to manage which screenshots are taken and stored, helping to protect sensitive information.
  • Integration
    The software can be integrated with other productivity tools and calendars to enhance the benefits of time tracking and management.

Possible disadvantages of TimeSnapper

  • Privacy Concerns
    The constant screenshot capturing can raise privacy concerns, especially if managing sensitive information or if the software is used in a shared environment.
  • Resource Usage
    Continuous screenshot capturing can consume system resources such as CPU and storage, which may affect device performance.
  • Overhead Review
    Reviewing and analyzing a large number of screenshots can be time-consuming, potentially reducing the time saved by the productivity enhancements.
  • Limited Context
    Screenshots provide only visual context and may not capture the full scope of activities, such as verbal communications or intangible tasks performed.
  • Cost
    Though offering a range of features, the cost of the software may not be justified for all users, especially those with basic time-tracking needs.

Qbserve features and specs

  • Automatic Time Tracking
    Qbserve automatically tracks the time you spend on various activities, eliminating the need for manual time entry.
  • Detailed Reports
    The application provides detailed reports and statistics that help you understand how you invest your time.
  • Customizable Tracking
    Users can customize what activities and applications are tracked, allowing for more personalized data collection.
  • Focus on Privacy
    Data is stored locally on your device, minimizing privacy concerns related to cloud storage.
  • Productivity Goals
    Qbserve allows you to set productivity goals to help track and improve your efficiency.
  • Distraction Detection
    The software can detect and log distracting activities, helping users identify time-wasting habits.
  • No Subscription Fee
    Qbserve has a one-time purchase model instead of a recurring subscription fee, which may be more cost-effective in the long run.

Possible disadvantages of Qbserve

  • MacOS Only
    Qbserve is only available for macOS, limiting its use for those who use different operating systems like Windows or Linux.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    The application has a range of features that may require a learning period for new users to fully utilize.
  • Cost
    While there is no subscription fee, the one-time purchase price might be considered high for some users, especially those who are unsure if they'll get value from it.
  • Limited Integration
    Qbserve doesn't integrate directly with as many third-party applications as some other time-tracking tools, which might limit its utility for some users.
  • No Mobile Version
    Lack of a mobile version means you canโ€™t track your time on-the-go effectively.

Analysis of Qbserve

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Qbserve is highly regarded by users for its ease of use, intuitive interface, and comprehensive tracking features. It is deemed a valuable tool for those who want to enhance their productivity by recognizing time-wasting habits and focusing more on productive tasks.

Why this product is good

  • Qbserve is an automatic time-tracking application designed to help users increase productivity by monitoring activities on their computer. It provides real-time feedback on how time is spent, including detailed reports and productivity scores. The application is particularly useful for freelancers, remote workers, and anyone who wishes to cultivate better time management habits.

Recommended for

  • Freelancers looking to track billable hours
  • Remote workers aiming to manage their time efficiently
  • Individuals seeking to improve productivity and time management
  • People who want an automatic and non-intrusive way to monitor computer activity

TimeSnapper videos

Timesnapper

Qbserve videos

Weekly tip #2 - Qbserve

More videos:

  • Review - 5 Mac Apps of the Month | Qbserve, PDFElement 6, GIF Brewery 3, Camtasia & Unclutter

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to TimeSnapper and Qbserve)
Time Tracking
17 17%
83% 83
Time Management
100 100%
0% 0
Invoicing
8 8%
92% 92
Employee Monitoring
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Qbserve might be a bit more popular than TimeSnapper. We know about 11 links to it since March 2021 and only 9 links to TimeSnapper. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

TimeSnapper mentions (9)

  • Windrecorder โ€“ Personal Memory Search Engine
    This idea is as old as writing itself! Hereโ€™s an app from the 2000s that did this sort of thing. https://timesnapper.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Show HN: Rem: Remember Everything (open source)
    Looks like it's available for macOS as well: https://timesnapper.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: Timeretain โ€“ Track, visualize, and export your hours
    A recent comment here on HN pointed me to https://timesnapper.com/. It takes screenshots across your entire workday and you can go through a video of what you were doing. Total gamechanger for me, I absolutely love it. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What are good self hosted time tracking software for consultants?
    I used TimeSnapper for a long time. It screenshots your desktop at an interval that you define, allows you to markup with notes on the screenshots, builds your screenshots into a gif of your day, tracks active window, allows you to delete irrelevant screenshots, log database and screenshots can be password-protected, etc. The developer was quick to reply to questions about the software and how to take advantage of... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Take More Screenshots
    This looked interesting but my antivirus didn't like it as it detected "SWF.Exploit.Kit.Rig.tht.Talos" when downloaded from http://timesnapper.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
View more

Qbserve mentions (11)

  • Show HN: I quit my job and made an automatic time tracker
    - Ability to bucket (or discard) my time AFK. Useful if it was a client call. Good luck on your product! I'm sure you can bring additional innovations to the space. [https://qotoqot.com/qbserve/]. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Show HN: Rem: Remember Everything (open source)
    Somebody else pointed out RescueTime, but if keeping it local is a priority, I recommend Qbserve, which I've been using (mostly passively in the background) for a few years now. [0] https://qotoqot.com/qbserve/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Is there anything youโ€™ve found immensely helpful in grad school?
    One of the hardest things for me about grad school (that I'm still struggling with!) is figuring out how to schedule my own day when I have few external things keeping my day in shape for me. it's been really helpful just to have the data of how much time I usually spend on things/what I've done that day... I can see where all my time is going lmao and readjust as needed. I use toggl track in conjunction with... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is there any other app who tracks time automatically by monitoring every app, document, and website ?
    Is https://qotoqot.com/qbserve/ actually doing this ? I can't seem to figure out if it tracks individual files inside apps. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What are your strategies for a productive writing session?
    An unconventional, and somewhat uncomfortable bit of discipline: I used Qbserve (for mac), which is an automatic time tracker. I taught it which websites were productive (/r/LaTeX, StackExchange, and ArXiV.org) and which were not (/r/GradSchool etc lol). It notified me when I was spending too much time not being productive, and also notified me when I had done "enough". Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing TimeSnapper and Qbserve, you can also consider the following products

RescueTime - Time management software that shows you how you spend your time & provides tools to help you be more productive.

Toggl - Toggl is an online time tracking tool. It features 1-click time tracking and helps you see where your time goes. Free and paid versions are available.

Monitask - Employee Monitoring Software with Screenshots, Internet, Activity and Time Tracking

SnapLogger - SnapLogger keeps a visual track of your time so that you will never have to wonder how and where...

Timing - Timing is the best way to keep track of the time you spend with your Mac.

SurveilStar - SurveilStar is the best employee monitoring software which can prevent data leakage and improve employee productivity. It records all employees' PC activities and defines what your employees can do during working time.