ActivityWatch

Self-Hosted

Open-source automatic time tracking for privacy-focused users

Overview

ActivityWatch is an open-source automatic time tracking tool designed to keep your data private. It tracks time spent on apps, websites, and manual tasks across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Self-hostable via Docker (or run locally) to avoid third-party servers—your data stays under your control. Features include detailed activity logs, categorization of activities, productivity insights, and customizable reports. Cross-platform clients sync to your instance for consistency. Deployment is straightforward with Docker compose or local installation, making it ideal for users wanting to understand time usage without sacrificing privacy.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  activitywatch:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: activitywatch
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Automatic cross-platform time tracking
Self-hostable with Docker support
Full data privacy (no external servers)
Customizable activity reports and metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is ActivityWatch hard to install?

No—you can run it locally (download clients for your OS) or self-host via Docker. Local installation is as simple as opening the app, while self-hosting uses a basic compose file and is well-documented.

? Is it a good alternative to Toggl Track?

Yes, especially for privacy-conscious users. Unlike Toggl (cloud-based by default), ActivityWatch keeps data local/self-hosted. It lacks invoicing but excels at automatic tracking and data control.

? Is it completely free?

Yes! ActivityWatch is open-source under the MIT License. All features are free—no paid tiers, subscriptions, or hidden costs for self-hosting or usage.

Top Alternatives

Toggl Track Search Google

RescueTime Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Time Tracking

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (data stays local/self-hosted)
⊕ Automatic tracking reduces manual effort

Cons

⊖ Requires basic Docker knowledge for self-hosting
⊖ Limited mobile functionality compared to desktop