# TimeScribe

> Free, open-source local time tracker for macOS and Windows

TimeScribe is a free, open-source desktop app for recording working hours, breaks, projects and overtime on macOS and Windows. Everything is stored locally on the device, with no account, no cloud and no paid tier, and the app works offline. It is built for individual users rather than teams, and times export as PDF, Excel or CSV for invoices or accounting.

- **Category:** Time Tracking
- **Made by:** TimeScribe
- **Website:** https://timescribe.app
- **Runs on:** macOS, Windows
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 6, 2026

## Pricing

TimeScribe is free to use.

- **Pricing model:** Free
- **Free plan:** Completely free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license. The vendor's FAQ says there are no hidden costs, no subscriptions and no restrictions.
- **Free trial:** None listed.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free | $0 | Every feature on macOS and Windows, with no account, no premium plan and no paywall. |

Read from https://timescribe.app/ on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with TimeScribe before buying.

## Key features

- **Timer in the menu bar:** Work and break tracking starts, pauses and stops with one click, and the timer can be controlled from the menu bar, including switching between projects.
- **Time balance and overtime:** Day and week views show work patterns and whether you are ahead of or behind your hours, so overtime and missed time are visible at a glance.
- **Projects and hourly rates:** Time is tracked per project with descriptions, and an optional hourly rate produces billing calculations for client work.
- **Absences and holidays:** Vacation and sick days are planned and recorded separately from work, and public holidays can be included in the overview.
- **App activity and automatic start:** Optional app tracking, off by default, shows which apps were used and sorts work from distractions. The timer can start and pause by itself based on screen time and idle status.
- **Exports, shortcuts and deep links:** Times export as PDF, Excel or CSV. Custom keyboard shortcuts and timescribe:// links let tools such as Shortcuts, Alfred, Raycast or AutoHotkey start and stop the timer.

## Good for

- Individuals who have to record working hours, breaks and overtime
- Freelancers who want free tracking with exports for invoices
- People who do not want an account or their time data in the cloud

## Worth knowing

- It is built for individual users; the vendor's FAQ recommends other tools for teams.
- All data is stored locally on the device, without a cloud or an account.
- There are apps for macOS and Windows only; no Linux, mobile or web version is listed.
- Help and feature requests go through GitHub issues and discussions.

## Works with

Apple Shortcuts, Alfred, Raycast, AutoHotkey

**Tags:** Time tracking, Open source, Local-first, Works offline, Menu bar app, Reports

## Alternatives

- [Tim](https://toolgpa.com/tools/tim): Menu bar time tracker for Mac with reports and invoicing. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/tim-vs-timescribe)
- [ActivityWatch](https://toolgpa.com/tools/activitywatch): Free, open-source automatic time tracker that keeps data local. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/activitywatch-vs-timescribe)
- [ManicTime](https://toolgpa.com/tools/manictime): Automatic time tracker, in the cloud or on your own server. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/manictime-vs-timescribe)
- [Timing](https://toolgpa.com/tools/timing): Automatic time tracking for Mac with no timers to start. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/timescribe-vs-timing)
- [Toggl](https://toolgpa.com/tools/toggl-track): Team time tracker with billing reports and capacity planning. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/timescribe-vs-toggl-track)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026:

- https://timescribe.app/
- https://github.com/WINBIGFOX/TimeScribe

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/timescribe
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).