Trackpilots vs Timely: Free Screenshot Monitoring vs $9+/user AI Time Tracking
Timely is a well-regarded automatic time tracker built around AI and calendar data — but it deliberately has no screenshot monitoring, no stealth mode, and no free plan, starting at $9/user/month. Trackpilots gives you free screenshot capture, app and website tracking, and stealth mode for unlimited users, with a paid Starter Pack at $3.99/user/month — less than half Timely's entry price. This page breaks down every difference.
Trackpilots vs Timely 2026 — Full Feature Table
A direct comparison across the criteria that matter most for teams evaluating a Timely alternative with deeper monitoring capability.
| Feature | Trackpilots | Timely |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Unlimited users — free forever | ✗ No free plan — starts at $9/user/month |
| Screenshot Monitoring | ✓ Free — every 20 min; 1 min on paid | ✗ Not available at any tier |
| Stealth / Invisible Mode | ✓ Built-in (Starter Pack) | ✗ Not available |
| Entry Price | ✓ Free / $3.99 (Starter Pack) | $9.00/user/month |
| AI Time Categorization | ✓ AI auto productivity classification | ✓ AI-powered automatic tracking |
| Attendance Tracking | ✓ Included on free plan | Limited — not built for attendance |
| App & Website Tracking | ✓ Included on free plan | ✗ Not available |
| Calendar Integration | ✗ Not available | ✓ Deep calendar-based tracking |
| Linux Support | ✓ Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Web only |
Pricing accurate as of June 2026. Verify current terms on each vendor's website.
Trackpilots in Action
A real look at the dashboard and monitoring features you get free with Trackpilots — no demo request needed to compare against Timely.
Workforce engagement dashboard
Automatic screenshot capture
See How Much You Save vs Timely
Enter your team size to compare monthly cost between Trackpilots and Timely — all prices in USD.
Trackpilots / month
$39.90
$3.99/user × 10 users
Timely / month
$70.20
$7.02/user × 10 users
You save / year
$363.60
43% cheaper
Estimates based on publicly listed USD pricing as of May 2026. Trackpilots Free plan (unlimited users, $0) is not included in this calculator — actual savings are higher if any users stay on the free tier.
Trackpilots vs Timely: Which Fits Your Team?
Agencies billing clients by the hour
Timely's AI-driven automatic time categorization and calendar integration are purpose-built for accurate client billing.
Better fit: TimelyTeams needing visual proof of work
Timely never takes screenshots by design. If you need to see what was actually worked on, Trackpilots is the only option here.
Better fit: TrackpilotsCost-conscious small teams
Timely starts at $9/user with no free tier; Trackpilots is free for the same team size with screenshots included.
Better fit: TrackpilotsPrivacy-first cultures avoiding screenshots entirely
If your team explicitly wants automatic tracking without any screenshot capture, Timely's privacy-first design fits that philosophy.
Better fit: TimelyWhy Teams Switch from Timely to Trackpilots
Timely's core limitation is that it was never built as a monitoring tool — it has no screenshot capture at any price tier, by design. For businesses that need visual verification of remote work, not just AI-estimated time entries, this is a dealbreaker. Trackpilots delivers screenshot monitoring to unlimited users on its free plan.
Cost reinforces the gap. Timely starts at $9/user/month with no free tier — a 10-person team pays at least $90/month before accessing any features. Trackpilots' core monitoring features are free for the whole team, with the Starter Pack at $3.99/user/month for advanced features like stealth mode and 1-minute screenshots.
Stealth capability is the other dealbreaker. Timely has no invisible mode — it's designed for transparent, self-reported time tracking, which works for agencies billing clients but not for teams needing covert oversight. Trackpilots' Starter Pack includes true stealth mode with no visible system tray icon.
Timely's strength is genuinely excellent AI-driven automatic time categorization and calendar integration for agencies and consultants who bill by the hour. If that's your primary use case, Timely remains strong. For teams that need screenshot-based monitoring and stealth capability, Trackpilots is the better fit at a fraction of the cost.
Our Verdict
For teams that need screenshot evidence, stealth monitoring, and a genuinely free entry point, Trackpilots wins decisively over Timely. Timely's AI time categorization is excellent for agency billing, but it's not a substitute for real monitoring.
Choose Timely if your priority is automatic, privacy-first time tracking for client billing. Choose Trackpilots if you need screenshots, stealth mode, and productivity oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Timely take screenshots of employees' screens?
No. Timely is built around AI-powered automatic time tracking from app and calendar activity, and deliberately does not capture screenshots. Trackpilots captures screenshots on its free plan for unlimited users, which is essential if your team needs visual proof of work.
Is there a free alternative to Timely with screenshots?
Yes. Trackpilots offers a permanently free plan with screenshot capture, app and website tracking, and attendance for unlimited users — Timely has no free plan and starts at $9/user/month.
Does Timely have stealth or silent monitoring?
No. Timely's privacy-first design has no stealth mode and is not intended as a covert monitoring tool. Trackpilots' Starter Pack includes true stealth mode with no visible tray icon.
How does Trackpilots pricing compare to Timely?
Timely starts at $9/user/month with no free plan, scaling up to $22/user/month for higher tiers. Trackpilots' Starter Pack is $3.99/user/month — less than half Timely's entry price — and the Basic plan is free.
Can I use Timely and Trackpilots together?
Some agencies use Timely for client billing while running Trackpilots separately for internal productivity monitoring, since the two tools serve different purposes and don't overlap in functionality.
Does Timely support teams outside agencies?
Timely works for any team needing automatic, calendar-based time tracking, but it lacks the screenshot and attendance features most non-agency businesses use Trackpilots for.
Switch to Trackpilots — Free for Your Entire Team
Set up takes under 10 minutes. Unlimited users, screenshot monitoring, attendance tracking, and productivity dashboards — all at a fraction of Timely's price. No credit card, no time limit.
Still Need Help?
Drop us a line at team@trackpilots.com or hit us up in the chat at the bottom right corner, and we'll help you out.