ActivityWatch
ActivityWatch automatically records time spent using applications and websites, then organizes activity into categories for review.
What ActivityWatch is
ActivityWatch automatically records time spent using applications and websites, then organizes activity into categories for review. Its window watcher notes the active application or window, while the AFK watcher detects mouse and keyboard inactivity. Browser extensions can follow the active tab; listed extensions cover Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The system uses modular watchers, and users can create their own through its REST API. Community watchers are available for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Spotify. ActivityWatch stores tracking data in a local SQLite database rather than sending it to a cloud service, and users can export, delete, or back up their data. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, though macOS version and architecture availability varies by release. The project says its software has no premium tiers, usage limits, or ads and is licensed under MPL-2.0. The API is under development and may change, and reported activity statistics are estimates whose accuracy varies by use case and data type. Wayland users should note that the active-window watcher is disabled in compositors such as GNOME Mutter, with an experimental Tauri distribution offering awatcher support starting with v0.14.
Good
- Tracks applications, windows, and browser tabs
- Breaks activity into categories
- Stores tracking data in a local SQLite database
- Users can export, delete, or back up data
- No premium tiers, usage limits, or ads
Watch out
- Active-window watcher is disabled in Wayland compositors
- API is under development and may change
- Statistics are estimates with variable accuracy
Who it suits
ActivityWatch suits people who want to review how they spend time across apps and websites while keeping tracking data locally. Its modular watchers may also suit users who want to extend tracking through the REST API.
Verdict
ActivityWatch offers local activity tracking across desktop and mobile platforms, with data controls and no premium tiers. Check the Wayland limitation and treat its activity statistics as estimates.
Plans and prices
From ActivityWatch's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $5 a month | For individuals · all features remain free; subscription funds development |
| Business | $20 a month | For teams and companies · minimum one seat · VAT invoice with reverse-charge for EU VAT numbers · Per user / month |
| Personal yearly | $50 a year | For individuals · two months free · all features remain free |
| Believer | $450, paid once | One-time contribution · described as a ten-year vote of confidence |
The facts
Each one read from ActivityWatch's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accuracy
- The project describes its collected data and statistics as estimates whose accuracy varies by use case and data type.checked 9 Oct 2026
- API
- ActivityWatch uses a REST API for communication between its server and clients, and its documentation says the API is under development and subject to change.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Categories
- Users can break down usage into categories to get an overview of their activity.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Core tracking
- The included window watcher tracks the active application or window, and the AFK watcher detects mouse and keyboard inactivity.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data export
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Extensibility
- ActivityWatch uses modular watchers, and users can create custom watchers through its REST API; community watchers include VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Spotify.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Local data
- The FAQ says tracking data is stored in a local SQLite database and is not sent to a cloud service.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The FAQ says the active window watcher is completely disabled in Wayland compositors such as GNOME Mutter, while an experimental Tauri distribution starting with v0.14 bundles awatcher for Linux Wayland support.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Project tracking
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- ActivityWatch automatically tracks how users spend time on their devices, including applications and websites.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project offers community discussion through its forum and Discord server, and says development is volunteer-built and may slow at times.checked 9 Oct 2026
- User control
- Users can export, delete, or back up their data at any time.checked 9 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Browser extensions
- Browser extensions track the active tab, and the FAQ lists Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions for web activity tracking.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Mobile apps
- bothchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Platform support
- ActivityWatch runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android; macOS version and architecture availability varies by release.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free access
- The project states that its software has no premium tiers, usage limits, or ads and is licensed under MPL-2.0.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
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