ActivityWatch

Name: ActivityWatch
Brand: ActivityWatch
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Unclaimed

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

Time Tracking Productivity Habit Tracking

Visit Website

FreeVisit Website

Reviews onSourceForge

1 review tracked·2 press mentions

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Automatically tracks time without manual input

TL;DR - ActivityWatch

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

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

What is ActivityWatch?

Editorial review

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

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceactivitywatch.net ↗

Pros & Cons

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

Ratings Across the Web

5(1 reviews)

SourceForge1 reviews

5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Automatic time trackingCross-platform compatibilityPrivacy-first designOpen-source codeProductivity monitoring

Pricing

Free

ActivityWatch is completely free to use with no hidden costs.

View pricing

Reviews

Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT cover

$99Free with your review

Review ActivityWatch, get a free AI guide

Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.

Write a review

Best ActivityWatch Alternatives

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

View full list →

ClockifyFreemium

Free time tracking for teams and freelancers

4.7

HubstaffFreemium

Time tracking and workforce management

4.5

DeskTimeFreemium

Automatic time tracking for productivity

4.5

Time DoctorPaid

Employee time tracking and productivity software

4.5

TimelyPaid

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

4.5

RescueTimeFreemium

Understand your time usage automatically and block distractions

4.4

ManicTimePaid

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

4.5

Toggl TrackFreemium

Effortless time tracking across projects, clients, and teams

See all time tracking tools →

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 alternatives8+ tools ranked, pricing + verdict per pick ActivityWatch vs ClockifyHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins ActivityWatch vs HubstaffHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins ActivityWatch vs DeskTimeHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

Explore More

Best Time Tracking Tools Best Productivity Tools Best Habit Tracking Tools Best Free Time Tracking Best Free Productivity Best Free Habit Tracking

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

Guides & Articles

Best AI Productivity Tools in 2026

Expert guide

Best Time Tracking Software in 2026

Expert guide

Best Password Managers in 2026

Expert guide