Alternatives · Time Tracking
ActivityWatch alternatives
ActivityWatch compared with 9 alternatives: RescueTime, WakaTime, ManicTime, Timing, Rize and 4 more.
ActivityWatch is free to use. 6 of the 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
9 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActivityWatchThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, Browser extension |
| RescueTime | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| WakaTime | Free plan · from $8.25/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, Browser extension |
| ManicTime | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Timing | Free trial · from $9/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS |
| Rize | Free trial · from $9.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Browser extension |
| Chronoid | Free trial · from $8/mo | Trial only | macOS |
| Simple Time Tracker | Free | Free | Android |
| TimeScribe | Free | Free | macOS, Windows |
| TimeTagger | Free plan · from €3/mo | Yes | Web |
How each one differs from ActivityWatch
- Free plan · from $7/mo
RescueTime
Automatic time tracking with distraction blocking and timesheets
- RescueTime starts at $7 per month, billed annually ($84). ActivityWatch is free.
- Only RescueTime lists a web app.
- Only RescueTime lists an iOS app.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a Linux app.
- ActivityWatch is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want to see where computer time goes without running timers
- Free plan · from $8.25/mo
WakaTime
Automatic coding time tracking and AI usage analytics
- WakaTime starts at $8.25 per month, billed yearly ($99); $9 billed monthly. ActivityWatch is free.
- Only WakaTime lists a web app.
- Only ActivityWatch lists an Android app.
- ActivityWatch is open source, according to its own site.
- WakaTime also covers goals, invoicing and reports.
Suits: Developers who want coding time logged automatically by project and language
- Free plan · from $7/mo
ManicTime
Automatic time tracker, in the cloud or on your own server
- ManicTime starts at $7 per month, billed yearly ($9 billed monthly). ActivityWatch is free.
- Only ManicTime lists an iOS app.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
- ManicTime is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- ManicTime can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: People who want a record of the day without running timers
- Free trial · from $9/mo
Timing
Automatic time tracking for Mac with no timers to start
- Timing starts at $9 per month, billed annually ($11 billed monthly). ActivityWatch is free.
- ActivityWatch has a free plan. Timing does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Timing lists a web app.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
Suits: Mac users who want time recorded without starting timers
- Free trial · from $9.99/mo
Rize
Automatic time tracker with focus tools and AI reports
- Rize starts at $9.99 / month, billed annually. ActivityWatch is free.
- ActivityWatch has a free plan. Rize does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Linux and Android apps.
- ActivityWatch is open source, according to its own site.
- Rize also covers site & app blocker and focus music.
Suits: Freelancers and agencies that bill by the hour and dislike manual timers
- Free trial · from $8/mo
Chronoid
Automatic, local-first time tracking and invoicing for Mac
- Chronoid starts at $8 per month, billed yearly at $96 ($15 billed monthly). ActivityWatch is free.
- ActivityWatch has a free plan. Chronoid does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
- Chronoid can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Mac freelancers and consultants who bill by the hour
- Free
Simple Time Tracker
Free, open-source activity time tracker for Android
- Simple Time Tracker is free. ActivityWatch is free.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
- Simple Time Tracker also covers Pomodoro timer and goals.
Suits: Android users who want a free tracker with no ads and no account
- Free
TimeScribe
Free, open-source local time tracker for macOS and Windows
- TimeScribe is free. ActivityWatch is free.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Linux and Android apps.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
- TimeScribe also covers reports and menu bar app.
Suits: Individuals who have to record working hours, breaks and overtime
- Free plan · from €3/mo
TimeTagger
Open-source time tracker built on tags and a timeline
- TimeTagger starts at €3 per month, billed annually (€4 billed monthly). ActivityWatch is free.
- Only TimeTagger lists a web app.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Android apps.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
- TimeTagger is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Freelancers who want a low-cost tracker and PDF reports for clients
Limits worth knowing in ActivityWatch
- No iOS app is listed; platforms are Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
- The homepage describes syncing activity between devices as still being worked on.
- The stable macOS download (v0.13.2) is listed for Intel; Apple Silicon builds are in the v0.14 pre-release.
- Maintainers say they do not work on the project full-time, so development may slow at times.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to ActivityWatch?
The alternatives to ActivityWatch in this directory are RescueTime, WakaTime, ManicTime, Timing, Rize, Chronoid, Simple Time Tracker, TimeScribe and TimeTagger. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with ActivityWatch.
Is there a free alternative to ActivityWatch?
Yes. Simple Time Tracker and TimeScribe are free to use. RescueTime, WakaTime, ManicTime and TimeTagger have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which ActivityWatch alternatives work on iOS?
The ActivityWatch listing does not include an iOS app. RescueTime and ManicTime list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.