PlayCounter vs Steins;Tracker

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.

Steins;Tracker is a Windows desktop app that automatically records game time and displays statistics in an interactive dashboard. It detects games in the background and tracks total time, daily averages, session history, streaks, goals, and yearly heatmaps. Users can add games manually or by folder, then set friendly names and custom icons. System monitoring covers CPU, RAM, GPU, temperatures, network speed, ping, and FPS. The interface can be adjusted with themes, wallpapers, blur, opacity, dark mode, and controls for hiding interface elements. A QR code opens the dashboard on a phone over the user's local network. The maker says data is stored locally in the Documents folder and is not sent to external servers without explicit action. However, a Google account is required even for free use for validation and fraud prevention. The app supports CSV log export and JSON import of visuals and settings. Compatibility is listed as 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, and the maker provides an all-in-one installer with an embedded local server and automatic updates through GitHub Releases.