Head to head

ActivTrak vs Hubstaff

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

ActivTrak

$10/worker/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

ActivTrak is workforce analytics software for companies that want data on productivity, capacity and AI adoption without heavy surveillance features. Paid plans run from $10 to $21 per worker per month, billed annually, and there is a free plan for up to 3 workers. A 14-day trial covers the Workforce Management plus Productivity Optimization bundle.

Where ActivTrak fits

  • Operations leaders sizing team capacity and workload
  • Companies measuring AI tool adoption across staff
  • Hybrid teams tracking schedule adherence
  • Small teams starting on the free 3-worker plan

Hubstaff

$5/user/mo 14 day free trial

Time tracking with screenshots, GPS, and payroll hooks, plus a 1-seat free plan and paid seats from $5/user/mo.

Where Hubstaff fits

  • Remote agencies that need screenshots and client invoices
  • Field teams that add GPS Locations on Team or Enterprise
  • Desks that want MCP or API access to time data
  • Solo freelancers who can live on the 1-seat free plan

At a glance

DetailActivTrakHubstaff
Starting price$10/worker/mo$5/user/mo
Free tier✓Yes–No
Free trial14 day free trial14 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underPeople analytics, Workforce managementTime & attendance
Capterra4.5 from 591 reviews4.5 from 1,613 reviews

Where they pull apart

ActivTrak

Stands out: Pricing is public and granular, from $10 Work Activity Tracking to $21 Workflow, with a free 3-worker plan. ActivTrak also ships its own hosted MCP server for Claude, so managers can ask productivity and utilization questions in plain language while their ActivTrak permissions still apply.

Watch out: Many useful pieces are add-ons: screenshots and full URLs need Screen Details, API and BI access need ActivConnect, and AI Insights and HRIS sync cost extra. Contracts are annual only, and more than 50 licenses requires a paid support plan.

Not the right fit for

  • Security teams that need DLP, keystroke logging or blocking
  • Buyers who want month-to-month billing

Hubstaff

Stands out: First-party MCP server and a public REST API at developer.hubstaff.com, with a 14-day trial and no credit card.

Watch out: Starter caps screenshots and app/URL tracking at 500 per seat per month and allows only 5 clients. Grow allows one integration.

Not the right fit for

  • Restaurant Fair Workweek shift scheduling
  • Companies that refuse activity monitoring and screenshots

Pros and cons

ActivTrak

  • Public per-worker pricing and a free 3-worker plan
  • 14-day trial of the top workforce bundle
  • Vendor-built MCP server for Claude
  • Screenshots, API and HRIS sync are paid add-ons
  • Annual contracts only
  • Paid support required above 50 licenses

Hubstaff

  • 1-seat free plan plus a 14-day trial with no credit card
  • First-party MCP server and documented REST API
  • GPS Locations and payroll inside the same product on Team and above
  • Starter screenshot and client caps are tight for agencies
  • Grow is limited to one integration
  • Paid plans have a 2-seat minimum

What each one costs

ActivTrak

$10/worker/mo

ActivTrak has a Free plan for up to 3 workers with 30 days of data history. Paid plans are billed annually per worker per month: Work Activity Tracking $10, Workforce Management $15, Productivity Optimization $17 and Workflow $21. Bundling Workforce Management with Productivity Optimization saves 30%. Add-ons include Screen Details, ActivConnect API, HRIS integration, AI Insights and extra data history at $1 per worker per month. Only annual contracts are offered, and a paid support plan is required above 50 licenses. The 14-day free trial unlocks the Workforce Management plus Productivity Optimization bundle, then drops to the Free plan. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Hubstaff

$5/user/mo

A 1-seat free plan covers individual freelancers. Paid seats start around $5/user/mo. Small Business Essentials is $144/year for 3 paid seats plus a free owner seat, annual only, with no add-ons. Insights is $2.50/seat/mo on Starter and Grow. Locations is $3.33/seat/mo on Team and included on Enterprise. Starter caps screenshots at 500 per seat per month. Paid plans have a 2-seat minimum. 14-day trial, no credit card. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is ActivTrak cheaper than Hubstaff?
Hubstaff starts lower, at $5/user/mo against $10/worker/mo for ActivTrak. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try ActivTrak or Hubstaff for free?
ActivTrak carries a free tier on our listing. ActivTrak offers a 14 day free trial. Hubstaff offers a 14 day free trial.
Does ActivTrak or Hubstaff have an MCP server?
ActivTrak and Hubstaff ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?