Gameplay Time Tracker vs PlayCounter

Gameplay Time Tracker records time spent in selected games and applications by monitoring their executables. Its Windows desktop interface can launch tracked programs and display a graph of the past seven days of playtime. It also handles remote game-save backups: create them manually or have them run when a session ends, retain them for a chosen number of days, and restore a save by selecting an available backup. A SteamGridDB API key enables retrieval of application icons and hero images. The project describes the app as written in C# with WPF and licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0, which permits use, modification, and distribution under that license. Settings are generated in the user's Documents folder under Gameplay Time Tracker/settings.json. The documented configuration uses Windows-specific paths and startup-folder behavior. Version 2.0.0 removed legacy data conversion; the project recommends converting legacy data with a pre-2.0.0 build. The app is free, with no free trial listed.

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.