Actually Played

Actually Played is a client-side Minecraft mod that tracks playtime separately for each server and singleplayer world. It suits players who want a local, AFK-adjusted record without installing anything on a server. Its clear strengths are privacy and durable local history; the trade-offs are its Minecraft-only scope, excluded Realms, and file-based settings on newer versions.

Overview

Tracking starts automatically, with no server installation required. The mod distinguishes active play from idling: after five minutes without activity, it stops the counter and reclassifies the just-counted idle time as AFK. Movement intent, camera rotation, keyboard and mouse input, and interactions such as breaking or placing blocks count as activity. Because it reads intent rather than position, being carried by water or a minecart does not count as active input—an important distinction for AFK farms.

Sessions retain full detail for 90 days, then older sessions are merged into monthly summaries. History is readable, hand-editable JSON in Minecraft’s local configuration directory. Atomic writes, autosaving the running session every 60 seconds by default, and preserving damaged files under a renamed filename are sensible safeguards for a record that lives on one machine.

Key features

• Per-world and server tracking: Separate totals make it useful for players dividing time among multiple Minecraft destinations.
• AFK handling: The five-minute rule keeps unattended time out of active totals, though it may not suit every definition of activity.
• Local privacy: The project says it uses no network traffic or telemetry and keeps data on the user’s machine.
• Editable history: JSON storage offers basic data export and direct control over the record, but it is not a hosted or cross-device history service.

Pricing

Actually Played is free: the Free plan costs nothing for the client-side Minecraft mod, with no dependencies. There is no free trial because there is no paid tier to try. That makes the full stated offering straightforward for an individual player; the price of that simplicity is a narrow focus on Minecraft rather than broad game-library tracking.

Platforms

The mod is listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and tracks Minecraft servers and singleplayer worlds. The README lists Minecraft 1.7.10, 1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.20.1, and 1.21.1, with Forge, Fabric, or NeoForge support depending on version. Install the matching loader and put the mod jar in .minecraft/mods/; no server-side installation is needed. Realms are not tracked because the client receives no stable identifier for them.

On Minecraft 1.16 and later, settings are edited in a properties file rather than through an in-game settings screen. Players who expect to adjust options in the client interface may find that less convenient. The project invites bug reports, translation contributions, and pull requests through its issue tracker and repository. Its MIT license permits modification, modpack bundling, and commercial redistribution when the copyright notice is retained.

Who it's for

Choose it if you play Minecraft across multiple worlds or servers and want automatic, AFK-adjusted totals that remain local and editable. Look elsewhere if you need Realms tracking, a cross-game tracker, or—in newer Minecraft versions—in-game settings.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Client-side operation. It works without server installation, so tracking does not depend on server operators adding a mod.
• Pro: Local, editable history. JSON storage and the project’s stated lack of telemetry give privacy-minded players direct control over their records.
• Pro: Practical data safeguards. Atomic writes, regular autosaves, and keeping damaged files reduce the risk of losing a long-running history.
• Con: No Realms support. The absence of a stable client-side identifier prevents tracking those connections.
• Con: AFK classification is rule-based. Movement caused by water or a minecart is not treated as active input, which may diverge from how some players count farm time.
• Con: File-based settings on newer versions. Minecraft 1.16 and later require editing a properties file instead of using an in-game settings screen.

Alternatives

Game Playtime Trackers is the category list for comparing playtime tools. For broader game coverage, PlayTracker has a free gamer plan and supports Android, iOS, web, and Windows; its Indie plan is €12 a month. Arknights: Endfield Playtime Tracker is a free Windows and web option if you only need tracking for Arknights: Endfield.

Outplayed is a Windows freemium alternative with Core hosting for three months and Premium with unlimited hosting, ad removal, layout customization, and enhanced fullscreen mode. Game Time Manager is a free, open-source Windows-only option. PlayCounter is another free Windows option; its desktop client is MIT-licensed, while its production API, database migrations, and deployment code are maintained privately. Steins;Tracker offers free Windows game tracking, customization, and statistics, with a Pro tier for exclusive icons, themes, and advanced features.

wWaypoints is a free Linux, macOS, and Windows alternative. Steam Wrapped is a free Windows alternative.

Verdict

Actually Played is a strong fit for Minecraft players who want per-world or server totals without counting idle time or sending data off their machine. Its free, client-side approach and careful local saves are compelling reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if Realms, broad game tracking, or in-game settings on newer versions are essential.