WhatPulse vs ManicTime
An in-depth comparison of WhatPulse and ManicTime for individual productivity tracking. Explore how WhatPulse's automatic stats stack up against ManicTime's time-tracking and tagging approach.
Quick summary
WhatPulse is about automatically capturing counts and usage stats (keys, clicks, uptime, etc.) with gamification. ManicTime is a traditional time tracker that logs time spent in each application with manual tagging for categorization.
Core differences
WhatPulse
Answers "how much do you use your computer and in what ways" through automatic counting and community features.
- Tracks keystrokes, clicks, mouse distance, uptime
- Gamification with leaderboards and achievements
- Network bandwidth usage by application
- Community features and team competitions
ManicTime
Answers "how long did you spend on X and what were you doing" through detailed time tracking and categorization.
- Automatic time logging with window titles
- Manual tagging and categorization system
- Timeline view of your entire day
- Timesheet generation for billing
Overview of ManicTime
ManicTime is a popular personal time tracking software, especially appreciated for its offline functionality and data privacy (data stays on your machine unless you use their Cloud).
Automatic Time Logging
ManicTime quietly runs in the background and records which application is in focus and for how long. It goes further by noting window titles and detecting idle time.
"At the end of the day, you have a timeline showing colored bars for each app/window you were active in, interspersed with grey for idle periods."
Manual Tagging & Categorization
Tag time segments for project tracking. For instance, tag 9am-11am as "Client A project work" or set up auto-tagging rules.
"Great for freelancers who want to categorize their time after the fact without having to start/stop timers proactively."
Privacy First
Offline app with local data storage. Your data doesn't leave your PC unless you explicitly use their cloud sync.
Detailed Reports
Generate timesheet-like reports showing time spent on each application, document, or tagged project.
Screenshots (Pro)
Capture periodic screenshots to help remember what you were doing when tagging time later.
Feature comparison
| Feature/Aspect | WhatPulse | ManicTime |
|---|---|---|
| Data Captured |
Keystrokes, mouse clicks, scrolls Application usage time System uptime Download/upload per app |
Application usage timeline Window titles/document names Start/stop times Idle time detection Optional screenshots (Pro) |
| Output Format |
Numeric totals and simple charts Leaderboards for totals Focus on numbers and ranking |
Timeline graph of your day Bar charts of app usage Time breakdown by tag/project Timesheet view of data |
| Interactivity |
Low - mostly automatic logging Review stats passively No editing of logged data |
High - pause tracking, edit entries Add tags and split time Active engagement for categorization |
| Community/Gamification |
Yes - join teams, compare stats Achieve milestones Social element and competitions |
None - purely personal tool No gamification Productivity tool, not a game |
| Use of Data |
Personal curiosity and motivation Internet bragging rights General awareness building |
Self-management and time auditing Billing clients Identifying inefficiencies Concrete actionable insights |
When to choose each tool
Choose WhatPulse if:
- You're intrigued by quantified self metrics and enjoy stats for their own sake
- You appreciate the competitive/fun element and leaderboards
- You don't need to categorize time or produce timesheets
- You're okay with cloud storage and like having an online profile
Choose ManicTime if:
- You want a serious productivity tool to manage and analyze your time
- You prefer a timeline view of your day for detailed analysis
- Privacy is a big concern and you want all data stored locally
- You need to track billable hours or generate client invoices
Example: 8-Hour Work Day
15,000 keystrokes
3,000 clicks
Top app: VSCode 2h
Second: Chrome 2h
Third: Zoom 1h
High-level picture with self-assessment: "Chrome 2h - if that was YouTube, I procrastinated 2h."
2h VSCode (tagged "Project X")
1h Zoom (tagged "Meetings")
30m idle (breaks)
2h Chrome "YouTube" (untagged)
Detailed breakdown showing exactly how time was allocated, ready for analysis and optimization.
Privacy and pricing considerations
ManicTime Privacy
Keeps data local by default (unless you choose cloud sync). Free version covers automatic tracking and local reports. Pro adds screenshots, Outlook integration, and advanced features.
WhatPulse Privacy
Sends data to cloud by design for online accounts and teams. Free for core use, Premium adds multiple computers, more history, and online backups. Secure by default. encrypted data.
Conclusion
WhatPulse
Like a fun mirror that shows you the raw numbers of your computer usage. Lightweight, motivating, and focused on quantity of activity.
ManicTime
Like a detailed journal of your computer time. Requires more involvement but provides actionable insights for quality improvement.
Both tools can boost personal productivity through very different means: WhatPulse through raw motivation and awareness, ManicTime through structured analysis and time management. Some users even run both tools together for comprehensive insights!