Side by side
ActivityWatch vs WakaTime
Both stand on time tracking software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4
ActivityWatch offers local, extensible time tracking without premium tiers, ads, or usage limits. Wayland support, estimated accuracy, and an evolving API are important limitations to consider.
Visit ActivityWatch Free plan WebWindowsMac+1
WakaTime combines cross-platform project tracking with offline support and data export. The free plan provides a starting point, while paid tiers expand history, goals, developers, and team dashboards.
Visit WakaTimeThe facts
| ActivityWatch | WakaTime | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Lowest paid plan | Personal yearly: $50 a year | Basic: $9 a month |
| Plans published | 4 | 5 |
| Maker | ActivityWatch | WakaTime |
| Website | activitywatch.net | wakatime.com |
| On time tracking software | #1 of 77 | #44 of 77 |
ActivityWatch: what it does well
- Free with no usage limits
- Tracks applications and websites
- Stores data locally
- Export, delete, and backup controls
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
What to know first
- Wayland active-window watcher is disabled
- Statistics are estimates
- API may change
- Volunteer development may slow
WakaTime: what it does well
- Free plan includes unlimited projects
- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Supports offline tracking and data export
- Team plan includes unlimited team dashboards
What to know first
- No mobile apps are listed
- Free plan keeps one week of history
- Paid plans limit developer capacity by tier
Alternatives to ActivityWatch Alternatives to WakaTime The whole list