GamePal vs PlayCounter
GamePal
gamepalapp.com
PlayCounter
playcounter.appSide by side
| Figure | GamePal | PlayCounter |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.50/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Playtime Trackers | 8.9 (#1) | 7.5 (#9) |
| Offline use | MacMagazine reports that the app works without an internet connection and stores data locally on the device. | The app can be used offline, but automatic game matching, cover images and update checks are unavailable without a server connection. |
| Purpose | GamePal helps users track their gaming and manage a collection of games. | PlayCounter automatically records playtime for recognized PC games in one library, regardless of launcher. |
| Session tracking | GamePal provides a session timer that can run in the background and automatic tracking is listed as a Platinum feature. | It shows a live session timer and saves a session when you quit a recognized game. |
Plans
GamePal
- GamePalFree
- GamePal (free)Free
- GamePal Platinum Monthly$2.99 a month
- GamePal Platinum Yearly$29.99 a year
- GamePal Platinum Lifetime$49.99, paid once
In their own words
GamePal
GamePal is an iOS app for tracking gaming activity and keeping a game collection. Users can mark games as played, completed or wishlisted, and record thoughts, memories and experiences in a journal. Live Activities show session updates on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, while widgets display gaming stats, recent games and upcoming releases. The app can track gaming events and alert users when upcoming games are about to release. Siri Shortcuts offer actions for logging games and checking stats. Discover provides personalized recommendations, curated lists and trending titles across platforms; Monthly Games lists titles available through services such as PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass. GamePal requires iOS 18.0 or later. The download is free, though some features require Platinum. Platinum adds features including unlimited collections, advanced journal entries with media, widgets, Live Activities, a Monthly Games calendar and Shortcut actions. Its prices are $2.99 a month, $29.99 a year, or $49.99, paid once for lifetime access.
PlayCounter
PlayCounter is a free Windows desktop app that automatically records playtime for recognized PC games across launchers. It displays a live session timer and saves a session when a recognized game closes. The library shows game covers, total hours, and session counts; history includes dates, session lengths, streaks, and playtime summaries. Users can track milestones, add notes, and keep separate playthroughs for each game. Listed sources include Steam, Epic, Battle.net, Xbox app, GOG, EA app, Ubisoft Connect, Riot Client, itch.io, disc installs, and standalone executables. Steam, Xbox, and Epic imports can bring in the playtime those services report; Battle.net import supplies a game list but no playtime. Sessions, notes, and history stay on the user’s PC, and the desktop app requires no account. It can run offline, though automatic game matching, cover images, and update checks need a server connection. The public installer is for Windows; the site says macOS, Linux, and console live tracking are not supported by that installer. The app sends a pseudonymous installation identifier at startup and about hourly, and process identifiers for online game matching.