Comparison: Focusmate vs Harvest
Verdict
Focusmate is our clear winner with a 0.3-point rating advantage. It offers powerful accountability and is rated higher by users. Consider Harvest if best for billing clients or if it integrates better with your existing tools.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Focusmate | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | Free + $7/mo | Free + $11/seat/mo |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 567 | 1,567 |
| Best For | Deep work sessions | Agency time tracking and billing |
| Key Feature | Live video accountability sessions | Time tracking with timer |
Overview
Focusmate and Harvest are both popular tools in the Time Tracking & Productivity space. Focusmate Focusmate pairs you with a real person for 25 or 50-minute video co-working sessions. Harvest Harvest combines time tracking with invoicing and expense management, making it ideal for agencies and consultants who need to bill clients.
This comparison will help you decide which tool is right for your team based on features, pricing, and use cases.
Pricing Comparison
Focusmate pricing starts at $7/mo with a free tier available. Harvest pricing starts at $11/seat/mo with a free tier available.
Both tools offer free plans, making it easy to test before committing. Focusmate's free tier includes 3 sessions per week, 25 or 50 min sessions. Harvest's free tier includes 1 seat, 2 projects.
Key Features
Focusmate key features include: Live video accountability sessions, 25 or 50-minute options, Partner matching, Goal sharing.
Harvest key features include: Time tracking with timer, Automatic invoicing, Expense tracking, Budget monitoring.
Both tools offer strong feature sets, but they excel in different areas. Focusmate has slightly better overall ratings from users.
Pros and Cons
Focusmate pros: Powerful accountability, Great for remote workers, Simple and effective.
Focusmate cons: Requires video (camera shy may struggle), Dependent on partner showing up, Limited free sessions.
Harvest pros: Best for billing clients, Built-in invoicing, Budget tracking.
Harvest cons: Free tier very limited, More expensive than competitors, Overkill if you do not bill by hour.
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose Focusmate if: Deep work sessions, Overcoming procrastination, or if your team values powerful accountability.
Choose Harvest if: Agency time tracking and billing, Consultant invoicing, or if your team needs best for billing clients.
Both tools integrate well with popular remote work tools and support teams of various sizes.
Final Thoughts
Full Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Focusmate or Harvest?
Focusmate is rated slightly higher (4.8/5) by users. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. Focusmate excels at deep work sessions, while Harvest is better for agency time tracking and billing.
Is Focusmate free?
Yes, Focusmate offers a free tier with 3 sessions per week. Paid plans start at $7/mo.
Is Harvest free?
Yes, Harvest offers a free tier with 1 seat. Paid plans start at $11/seat/mo.
Can I use both Focusmate and Harvest together?
Yes, many teams use both tools together. Focusmate and Harvest can complement each other—Focusmate for deep work sessions and Harvest for agency time tracking and billing. Check each tool's integrations to ensure they work with your existing stack.