The TimeScribe Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about TimeScribe in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
TimeScribe
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source local time tracker for macOS and Windows
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among time tracking apps, read from TimeScribe’s own pages.
Made by TimeScribe · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from TimeScribe’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on TimeScribe’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 34 of the 42 other time tracking apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about TimeScribe, taken from its own pages and our grades.
There's no phone, Linux or web version, help runs through GitHub issues, and the vendor itself points teams elsewhere.
- 1
Best for free, private tracking of your own hours
Everything stays on the one computer, which also means no sync to a second machine.
- 2
It is free
TimeScribe has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and Windows.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
Projects and hourly rates
Time is tracked per project with descriptions, and an optional hourly rate produces billing calculations for client work.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 34 of 42
That is against the other time tracking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
TimeScribe is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
TimeScribe at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows
- Made by
- TimeScribe
- Category
- Time Tracking
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for free, private tracking of your own hours
TimeScribe is a free, open-source app for clocking your own working hours, breaks and overtime on a Mac or a Windows PC, with no account and no cloud. Everything stays on the one computer, which also means no sync to a second machine. There's no phone, Linux or web version, help runs through GitHub issues, and the vendor itself points teams elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | It's free, and there's no paid tier at all to grow into. The vendor's FAQ says there are no hidden costs, no subscriptions and no restrictions, where the rest of this category wants $4.50 a month and up. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Every feature on macOS and Windows is free, with no account, no premium plan and no paywall. It's open source under the GPL-3.0 licence too, so you can read exactly what it does. |
| Features | C | A one-click timer for work and breaks, a balance that shows overtime, projects with hourly rates, vacation and sick days, public holidays and PDF, Excel or CSV export, with optional app tracking. It does one person's hours fully, and that's a smaller job: the FAQ sends teams elsewhere. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: no account to make, and one click from the menu bar starts, pauses or stops the timer. It can even start itself from screen time and idle status. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Computers only, and two of them: macOS and Windows. No Linux, no phone, no web, and your data lives on the one device with no cloud. Keyboard shortcuts and timescribe:// links do let Shortcuts, Alfred, Raycast or AutoHotkey drive it. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who TimeScribe is for
- Fits if you have to record your own working hours, breaks and overtime on one computer
- Works for freelancers who want free tracking with PDF, Excel or CSV exports and no account
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you need a team tracker, because the vendor's own FAQ recommends other tools for that
- Not for you if you track on a phone or on Linux, as the apps are for macOS and Windows only
- Tight if you work across two computers, since everything is stored locally on the one device
- Watch out: there's no support desk; help and feature requests go through GitHub issues and discussions
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
TimeScribe is free to use.
It's free, and there's no paid tier at all to grow into.
Free
$0
Every feature on macOS and Windows, with no account, no premium plan and no paywall.
The 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.
Read from timescribe.app on Oct 6, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and Windows
Free, open-source local time tracker for macOS and Windows. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, local-first, time tracking, reports, menu bar app.
It does one person's hours fully, and that's a smaller job: the FAQ sends teams elsewhere.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
What it works with
- Apple Shortcuts
- Alfred
- Raycast
- AutoHotkey
TimeScribe is made by TimeScribe.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
34/42
Other time tracking apps it is graded above
TimeScribe's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 42 other time tracking apps we grade, and level with 4.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 37 of 42) and worst on features (C, above 0).
TimeScribe has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 43 time tracking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. TimeScribe’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 36 of 42
- AFree plan and trialAbove 37 of 42
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 42
- BEase of useAbove 23 of 42
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 3 of 42
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 39 time tracking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. TimeScribe is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
TimeScribe is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 42 other time tracking apps we grade.
What you could make
- Time tracking and reports: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- A real app for macOS and Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. TimeScribe’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Tim, ActivityWatch, ManicTime, Timing and Toggl
The 5 tools TimeScribe is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Tim
Free plan · from $12.99/yr
Menu bar time tracker for Mac with reports and invoicing.
- Only TimeScribe lists a Windows app.
- TimeScribe is open source, according to its own site.
- Tim can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 3.0GPA
ActivityWatch
Free
Free, open-source automatic time tracker that keeps data local.
- Only ActivityWatch lists Linux and Android apps.
- Only ActivityWatch lists a browser extension.
- TimeScribe also covers reports and menu bar app.
- 2.4GPA
ManicTime
Free plan · from $7/mo
Automatic time tracker, in the cloud or on your own server.
- Only ManicTime lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- TimeScribe is open source, according to its own site.
- ManicTime is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
Timing
Free trial · from $9/mo
Automatic time tracking for Mac with no timers to start.
- TimeScribe has a free plan. Timing does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only TimeScribe lists a Windows app.
- Only Timing lists a web app.
- 3.0GPA
Toggl
Free plan · from $9/mo
Team time tracker with billing reports and capacity planning.
- Only Toggl lists a web app.
- Only Toggl lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Toggl lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is TimeScribe free?
Yes. TimeScribe is free to use.
How much does TimeScribe cost?
TimeScribe lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does TimeScribe work on?
TimeScribe is available on macOS and Windows.
Does TimeScribe have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. TimeScribe is listed for macOS and Windows.
Does TimeScribe have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. TimeScribe is listed for macOS and Windows.
Is TimeScribe open source?
Yes. TimeScribe is open source, according to its own site.
Does TimeScribe work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does TimeScribe integrate with?
TimeScribe's listing names Apple Shortcuts, Alfred, Raycast and AutoHotkey.
Who makes TimeScribe?
TimeScribe is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to TimeScribe?
The closest alternatives to TimeScribe in our directory are Tim, ActivityWatch, ManicTime, Timing and Toggl.
How does TimeScribe compare with other time tracking apps?
TimeScribe's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 42 other time tracking apps we grade, and level with 4.
Is TimeScribe good value for money?
ToolGPA grades TimeScribe A for value for money. TimeScribe has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of TimeScribe?
TimeScribe is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 42 other time tracking apps we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from TimeScribe’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from TimeScribe's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-06-25.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by TimeScribe. Prices change, so check timescribe.app before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- TimeScribe, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/timescribe
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "TimeScribe: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/timescribe
Know someone choosing between time tracking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/timescribe/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded time tracking apps after TimeScribe, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Time Tracking Insider's GuideEvery one of the 43 time tracking apps we grade, compared
- Jibble Insider's GuideFree time clock and attendance tracker with GPS and face recognition3.4 GPA
- Clockify Insider's GuideTeam time tracker and timesheets with a free plan for 5 users3.2 GPA
- TimeCamp Insider's GuideTime tracking with attendance, billing and a free plan for any team3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what TimeScribe’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. TimeScribe is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by TimeScribe. Prices and plans change: check timescribe.app before you buy.