Comparison

Amethyst vs RescueTime

Amethyst and RescueTime both help answer where time goes, but they sit at different points on the privacy and scope spectrum. RescueTime is a full productivity suite with cloud-backed reporting. Amethyst is a local-first Chrome extension focused on browser attention.

DimensionAmethystRescueTime

Primary model

Chrome extension that tracks active browser attention by domain.

Desktop app and productivity suite for automatic app and website tracking, focus sessions, goals, alerts, and reports.

Storage model

Local-first browser storage; no account required for the core dashboard.

RescueTime's FAQ says the app sends activity data to its servers to generate website reports.

Data collected

Active browsing time by domain, designed not to read page content.

RescueTime's privacy policy says it records active app or website, window title, start/end time, device information, and related report data, while not collecting keystrokes, form input, screenshots, or page body content.

Best fit

People who want lightweight browser attention visibility with local storage.

People who want a mature cross-app productivity suite, cloud reports, team options, and automated timesheets.

Bottom line

Choose Amethyst when local-only browser attention data is the constraint.
Choose RescueTime when cross-app tracking, cloud reports, team workflows, or timesheets matter more than local-only storage.
The core tradeoff is narrow local visibility versus broader cloud-backed productivity reporting.

FAQ

Only if you mainly need browser attention visibility. RescueTime covers more surfaces, including apps, goals, focus sessions, reports, and timesheets.