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ActivityWatch

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Automatically track your time on devices with this open-source, privacy-first application.

Free, no paid tier
Free Time Tracking Productivity Habit Tracking
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Coverage from ZDNet How To Geek
1 review tracked 2 press mentions

The Bottom Line

Price
Free, no paid tier. Compare plans

Key facts

  • Automatically tracks device usage time.
  • Open-source and privacy-focused.
  • Helps analyze productivity and screen habits.

Pros

  • Automatically tracks time without manual input
  • Open-source, allowing for transparency and community contributions
  • Privacy-focused, keeping data local to your device
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Helps identify and improve screen habits

What is ActivityWatch?

ActivityWatch is an open-source, cross-platform application designed to automatically track how you spend your time on your devices. It operates in the background, recording your activity without manual input, making it a privacy-first alternative to other time-tracking services. The tool helps users gain insights into their productivity, monitor time spent on various projects, identify and reduce unproductive screen habits, or simply understand their daily digital routines. This application is ideal for individuals, freelancers, or small teams looking for an automated and transparent way to monitor their computer usage. Its benefits include fostering better time management, improving focus by highlighting distractions, and providing data-driven insights into work patterns. Users can leverage the collected data to optimize their workflow, allocate time more effectively, and achieve better work-life balance.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android

Data compiled by Toolradar How we evaluate
Source activitywatch.net

Ratings Across the Web

5 (1 reviews)

ActivityWatch holds an aggregate rating of 5 out of 5 from 1 reviews across SourceForge, last checked September 11, 2026.

SourceForge 1 reviews
5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

  • Automatic time tracking
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Privacy-first design
  • Open-source code
  • Productivity monitoring

Pricing

Free

ActivityWatch is completely free to use with no hidden costs.

View pricing

Reviews

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Best ActivityWatch Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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Toggl Track logo
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Effortless time tracking across projects, clients, and teams

4.6
Timely logo
Timely Paid

AI-powered automatic time tracking to maximize margins, optimize utilization, and drive profitability.

4.6
Time Doctor logo
Time Doctor Paid

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4.4
RescueTime logo
RescueTime Freemium

Understand your time usage automatically and block distractions

4.4
ManicTime logo
ManicTime Paid

Automatic time tracking software for individuals and teams to accurately monitor computer usage.

4.4
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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

All ActivityWatch alternatives 8+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pick ActivityWatch vs Clockify Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins ActivityWatch vs Hubstaff Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins ActivityWatch vs DeskTime Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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ActivityWatch FAQ

How does ActivityWatch ensure user privacy, especially compared to other time trackers?

ActivityWatch prioritizes user privacy by keeping all tracked data stored locally on the user's device. Unlike many closed-source alternatives, it never uploads personal data to the cloud, ensuring that your activity remains private and under your control.

What operating systems does ActivityWatch support for automatic time tracking?

ActivityWatch is a cross-platform application designed to automatically track time across various operating systems. It is fully supported on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices.

Can ActivityWatch be used to monitor time spent on specific projects or manage screen time habits?

Yes, ActivityWatch is designed for multiple use cases, including monitoring time spent on different projects. Users can leverage it as a productivity tracker to understand their screen time habits and manage how they allocate their time.

How does ActivityWatch differentiate itself from services like RescueTime, ManicTime, and WakaTime?

ActivityWatch stands out as a free and open-source alternative to these services. Its key differentiator is its privacy-first approach, ensuring that all user data remains on the device and is never uploaded to external servers.

Is there a way to contribute to the development of ActivityWatch?

Yes, ActivityWatch is an open-source project and encourages community contributions. Users interested in contributing can find more information and participate in its development on GitHub.

Source: activitywatch.net

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