Timely vs TimeWatch
A detailed comparison of Timely and TimeWatch covering features, pricing, integrations, strengths, and weaknesses to help you choose the right tool.
Quick Overview
Timely
Automatic Time Tracking
Timely by Memory AS is positioned as the world's first automatic time tracker. It uses an AI-powered Memory Tracker that captures activity across apps, websites, documents, emails, and meetings, presenting them on a private timeline for drag-and-drop into timesheets. It emphasizes privacy-first design with no screenshots or mouse tracking.
TimeWatch
Calendar-Based Time Tracking
TimeWatch is a calendar-first time tracking platform that reduces timesheet entry by converting Outlook, Teams, and Google Calendar appointments into timesheets automatically. With 30+ years in the market, it offers products spanning time tracking, billing, PSA, and resource scheduling with strong Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Feature Comparison
Timely Features
AI-powered Memory Tracker capturing activity across all apps
Private timeline with drag-and-drop timesheet creation
AI learns patterns and generates draft timesheets
Project and budget management with billable rates
Team capacity planning dashboards
Customizable branded reports
Basic invoicing with QuickBooks integration
TimeWatch Features
Calendar-to-timesheet conversion from Outlook, Teams, and Google Calendar
AI-powered automatic time tracking from calendar activity
OutlookTime turning Outlook into a full timesheet system
Outlook Optics for team activity views and capacity planning
Configurable charge rate management and multi-currency support
PSA suite combining scheduling, time recording, expenses, and billing
Resource scheduling for teams, projects, and equipment
Flexible deployment: public cloud, private cloud, or on-premises
Pricing Breakdown
Timely
$9/user/month
Starter: $9/user/month (annual). Premium: $16/user/month. Unlimited: $22/user/month. Enterprise: contact sales. No free plan. 14-day free trial.
TimeWatch
$10/user/month
Essentials: $10/user/month. Pro: $15/user/month. Corporate and Enterprise: custom quotes. No free version. Free trial available.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Timely
Strengths
AI automatic tracking eliminates manual timers entirely
Privacy-first approach with no screenshots or mouse tracking
Beautiful and intuitive user interface
Strong reporting and project management features
100+ integrations available
GDPR compliant with European data residency
Weaknesses
No offline tracking capability
No payroll integration
Expensive for small teams with steep tier price jumps
AI auto-tracking sometimes lacks granularity
Limited invoice functionality
No multi-currency rate support
Reports of desktop app being discontinued
TimeWatch
Strengths
Deep native integration with Outlook, Teams, and Google Calendar
Highly configurable while maintaining upgrade compatibility
Saves employees 1-3 hours per week on timesheet entry
Strong security: ISO 9001, ISO 27001, SOC2 certified
30+ years of market presence and maturity
No training required due to intuitive design
Weaknesses
Reported bugginess by some users
Very small market share of 0.01-0.02% in tracking categories
Limited number of independent third-party reviews
Some users raised security and access control concerns
Calendar-dependent approach may not capture non-calendar work
Integrations
Timely (14 integrations)
TimeWatch (8 integrations)
Target Market
Timely
Consultancies, agencies, and SaaS businesses billing by the hour. Freelancers and knowledge workers.
TimeWatch
Professional services firms (law, consulting, accounting, engineering). Organizations using Microsoft Outlook, Teams, or Google Calendar.
The Verdict
Both Timely and TimeWatch are solid time tracking tools, but they serve different needs.
Timely (Automatic Time Tracking) is best suited for consultancies, agencies, and saas businesses billing by the hour. freelancers and knowledge workers.. It starts at $9/user/month and offers 7 key features.
TimeWatch (Calendar-Based Time Tracking) is best suited for professional services firms (law, consulting, accounting, engineering). organizations using microsoft outlook, teams, or google calendar.. It starts at $10/user/month and offers 8 key features.
If neither tool quite fits your needs, consider comparing Timely with TimeSentry or comparing TimeWatch with TimeSentry. TimeSentry offers AI-powered time capture from 20+ integrations, built-in invoicing, multi-company workflows, and dedicated onboarding support.
The TimeSentry Guarantee
Free 7-day trial with full access to every feature. No credit card required.
White-glove onboarding so your team is set up correctly from day one.
AI that learns your patterns and gets more accurate the longer you use it.
Cancel anytime with no contracts, no lock-in, and no hidden fees.
Dedicated support from real humans who respond within hours, not days.
Need something better than both?
TimeSentry combines the best of AI-powered time tracking with built-in invoicing, multi-company workflows, and 20+ integrations. Try it free and see for yourself.