ReddRadar
What is ActivityWatch?
ActivityWatch is a free and open-source automated time tracking application designed to help you understand how you spend your digital time. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and tracks active applications and website usage without sending any data to the cloud. All information is stored locally on your device, ensuring complete privacy and control.
With ActivityWatch, you can monitor productivity, track time on projects, manage screen habits, and explore behavioral trends. It offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, editor plugins for developers, and synchronization features across devices. As a community-driven project, it relies on volunteers and donations to remain free and accessible.
Features
- Automated Tracking: Tracks active application and window title out of the box, with additional watchers available.
- Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
- Privacy-First: All data is stored locally on your device; never uploaded to the cloud.
- Browser Extensions: Track active tabs using extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
- Editor Plugins: Track time spent writing code with editor watchers.
- Categories: Break down usage into categories for better overview.
- Synchronization: Sync activity between devices (in development).
Use Cases
- Monitor personal productivity and screen time habits.
- Track time spent on different projects and tasks.
- Measure work-life balance and digital well-being.
- Log digital life for lifelogging or quantified self.
- Research attention, productivity, and behavior.
- Manage screen time and reduce distractions.
FAQs
-
What is ActivityWatch?
ActivityWatch is a free, open-source, automated time tracker that runs on your computer and monitors which applications and websites you use. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Unlike cloud-based time trackers, all data is stored locally on your device for maximum privacy. -
Is ActivityWatch really free?
Yes. ActivityWatch is completely free and open-source software, licensed under the MPL-2.0 license. There are no premium tiers, no usage limits, and no ads. It is developed and maintained by volunteers. -
How does ActivityWatch compare to RescueTime?
ActivityWatch is a privacy-first, open-source alternative to RescueTime. While RescueTime sends your data to their cloud servers, ActivityWatch keeps everything local on your device. ActivityWatch also supports more platforms (including Linux) and offers browser extensions for both Chrome and Firefox. -
Does ActivityWatch track my data privately?
Yes. ActivityWatch follows a local-first approach. All your time tracking data is stored on your own device and is never sent to any server. You have full control over your data and can export, delete, or back it up at any time. -
What platforms does ActivityWatch support?
ActivityWatch runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox to track your web activity. macOS version and architecture support varies by release.
