Screen Time vs ActivityWatch

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

Screen Time is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like screen-time, usage-tracking, parental-controls.

It boasts features such as Activity Report - Tracks how much time is spent in each app, website, etc., App Limits - Set time limits for app categories or specific apps, Downtime - Schedule time when apps/websites cannot be used, Content & Privacy Restrictions - Block or limit access to certain apps, features, websites, Communication Limits - Limit communication with specific people during downtime and pros including Helps manage screen time and set healthy limits, Can restrict use during certain times or lock device, Detailed activity reports provide insight into usage, Can limit access to certain apps or features, Free and built into iOS devices.

On the other hand, ActivityWatch is a Productivity product tagged with time-tracking, productivity, open-source.

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like Free and open source, Simple graphical timeline, Lightweight resource usage, Protects privacy by default, Cross-platform support.

Feature	Screen Time	ActivityWatch
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Os & Utilities	Productivity

Product Overview

Screen Time

Description: Screen Time is an app by Apple that allows users to monitor and limit screen time on iPhones and iPads. It tracks app usage, sets time limits for apps, and provides detailed reports on how devices are used.

ActivityWatch

Description: 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.

Key Features Comparison

Screen Time Features

• Activity Report - Tracks how much time is spent in each app, website, etc.
• App Limits - Set time limits for app categories or specific apps
• Downtime - Schedule time when apps/websites cannot be used
• Content & Privacy Restrictions - Block or limit access to certain apps, features, websites
• Communication Limits - Limit communication with specific people during downtime

ActivityWatch Features

• 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

Pros & Cons Analysis

Screen Time

Pros

• Helps manage screen time and set healthy limits
• Can restrict use during certain times or lock device
• Detailed activity reports provide insight into usage
• Can limit access to certain apps or features
• Free and built into iOS devices

Cons

• Can be bypassed or tricked by tech savvy users
• Requires discipline and commitment from users
• Some limitations compared to third party apps
• Kids may try to circumvent restrictions
• Only available on iOS devices

ActivityWatch

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

Pricing Comparison

Screen Time

• Free

ActivityWatch

• Open Source
• Free