ActivityWatch vs WakaTime

Struggling to choose between ActivityWatch and WakaTime? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

ActivityWatch is a Productivity solution with tags like time-tracking, productivity, open-source.

It boasts features such as Tracks time spent in applications and websites, Provides timeline visualization of computer usage, Open source and cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), Stores data locally by default to protect privacy, Web extension and desktop app available, Customizable using Python scripts and REST API, Can ignore/exclude apps and websites and pros including Free and open source, Simple graphical timeline, Lightweight resource usage, Protects privacy by default, Cross-platform support.

On the other hand, WakaTime is a Development product tagged with time-tracking, productivity, coding-metrics.

Its standout features include Tracks time spent coding, Integrates with popular editors and IDEs, Provides insights into coding activity, Tracks language usage, projects worked on, editors used, etc., and it shines with pros like Easy to set up and use, Provides useful metrics on coding time and activity, Helps optimize workflow and productivity, Free version available with generous limits.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

ActivityWatch

ActivityWatch

ActivityWatch is an open-source automated time tracker that monitors what you do on your computer. It helps analyze and visualize how you spend your time so you can become more productive.

Categories:
time-tracking productivity open-source

ActivityWatch Features

  1. Tracks time spent in applications and websites
  2. Provides timeline visualization of computer usage
  3. Open source and cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
  4. Stores data locally by default to protect privacy
  5. Web extension and desktop app available
  6. Customizable using Python scripts and REST API
  7. Can ignore/exclude apps and websites

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Free and open source

Simple graphical timeline

Lightweight resource usage

Protects privacy by default

Cross-platform support

Cons

Limited analytics and data visualization

Requires technical knowledge to customize

No mobile app

Not as full-featured as commercial competitors


WakaTime

WakaTime

WakaTime is a time tracking plugin that provides insights into how you spend time coding in your editor, IDE, or terminal. It tracks your programming language usage, projects worked on, editors used, operating system, and more.

Categories:
time-tracking productivity coding-metrics

WakaTime Features

  1. Tracks time spent coding
  2. Integrates with popular editors and IDEs
  3. Provides insights into coding activity
  4. Tracks language usage, projects worked on, editors used, etc.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Easy to set up and use

Provides useful metrics on coding time and activity

Helps optimize workflow and productivity

Free version available with generous limits

Cons

May feel intrusive or like micromanaging to some

Requires constant internet connection

Premium version required for full features