Wakapi
Self-HostedOpen-source self-hosted alternative to WakaTime backend
Overview
Wakapi is an open-source, self-hosted backend for coding activity tracking, fully compatible with WakaTime clients. It lets you monitor time spent on projects, languages, editors, and OSes without relying on third-party services. Deploy easily via Docker, binary, or Kubernetes; supports multiple users; generates detailed reports (daily/weekly stats, heatmaps); and ensures data privacy by keeping it on your server. Integrate with any WakaTime-compatible tool (VS Code, IntelliJ, Vim) to track productivity metrics while maintaining full control over your data.
Key Features
- Fully compatible with WakaTime clients
- Self-hostable via Docker, binary, or Kubernetes
- Detailed coding stats (time per language, project, editor)
- Multi-user support and visual reports (heatmaps, charts)
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Wakapi hard to install?
Wakapi is straightforward to install—you can use Docker (with a single docker run command) or download a precompiled binary for your OS. For Kubernetes users, a Helm chart is available. It uses SQLite by default (no external DB needed) or PostgreSQL for scalability, making setup minimal.
? Is it a good alternative to WakaTime?
Yes—Wakapi works with all WakaTime-compatible tools (VS Code, IntelliJ, Vim) so you don’t change workflows. It offers similar stats (time tracking, language breakdowns) while keeping data private on your server. However, it lacks WakaTime’s premium features like team dashboards or advanced analytics.
? Is it completely free?
Absolutely—Wakapi is open-source under the MIT License, with no subscription fees or premium tiers. You only cover hosting costs if self-hosting (e.g., a small VPS) or use free cloud tiers (DigitalOcean, AWS) for deployment.
Top Alternatives
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Privacy-focused (data remains on your server)
- ⊕ No subscription fees (100% open-source)
- ⊕ Easy deployment options (Docker, binary)
- ⊕ Seamless integration with existing WakaTime tools
Cons
- ⊖ Requires server setup (no managed cloud option)
- ⊖ Limited to WakaTime-compatible clients
- ⊖ Less advanced features than WakaTime's premium tier
- ⊖ Basic sysadmin skills needed for maintenance