Pastely
Archly01
Both private
Neither app sends your activity anywhere. ActivityWatch stores it on your device; Timecard stores it in one file on your Mac.
ComparisonActivityWatch alternative for Mac · Checked October 2026
Timecard vs ActivityWatch
ActivityWatch is a free, open-source tracker for Mac, Windows, Linux and Android that keeps your data on your device. Timecard shares that privacy stance but is a native Mac app: websites in every browser without extensions, limits that block, AI coding usage, and your day printed each evening.
Timecard
A
ActivityWatch
- $5 once
- Price
- Free, open source
- Not needed
- Account
- Not needed
- Mac
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux, Android
01
The short answer
A
Choose ActivityWatch if
Best for: free, open-source tracking on any OS
- You want free and open source, and don't mind setting things up.
- You use Windows or Linux.
- You want to build your own reports on raw data.
Choose Timecard if
Best for: seeing, and limiting, where your Mac day goes
- You want Safari, Arc and Brave tracked without installing extensions.
- You want limits that block apps and sites.
- You want a native Mac app with a menu bar readout and a printed day.
- You use AI coding tools and want them counted.
02
Pricing, side by side
ActivityWatch is free. Timecard is a single payment for what it adds.
TimecardPay once$5once, for 1 Mac
1 Mac · $52 Macs · $105 Macs · $2510 Macs · $50
- No subscription, ever
- Every update included
- No account; your activity stays on your Mac
- 14-day refund
A ActivityWatchFree; optional supporter plans
- ActivityWatchOpen source, MPL-2.0Free
- SupporterOptional, funds development$5/month
From ActivityWatch's own pages, October 2026.
03
Feature by feature
 Timecard | A ActivityWatch | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking | ||
| Tracks apps automatically | Yes | Yes |
| Tracks websites | Yes, in Safari, Chrome, Arc, Dia, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera and Comet | With a Chrome or Firefox extension |
| History | Forever, plus the weeks Screen Time already kept | Kept on your device |
| Privacy | ||
| Account | Not needed | Not needed |
| Where your data lives | On your Mac, in one local file | On your device |
| Limits | ||
| Limits that block apps and sites | Yes: blocks the tab or covers the app, then asks why | No |
| Beyond tracking | ||
| AI coding usage | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, opencode, Gemini CLI: time, tokens, API value | No |
| Daily summary | A timecard printed from the notch every evening | A dashboard in your browser |
| Teams and client billing | No, it's built for one person | No |
| Availability | ||
| Platforms | Mac, macOS 14 or later | Mac, Windows, Linux, Android |
04
What really sets them apart
02
Websites without extensions
ActivityWatch tracks the active tab through Chrome and Firefox extensions. Timecard reads the front tab of Safari, Chrome, Arc, Dia, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera and Comet directly.
03
A tracker vs a finished app
ActivityWatch shows your data in a dashboard at localhost. Timecard is a Mac app with a window, a menu bar readout, a daily card from the notch, limits that block and AI coding usage.
Timecard vs ActivityWatch
questions
What's the best ActivityWatch alternative for Mac?
For most people on a Mac, Timecard: it tracks every app and website automatically, keeps the data on your Mac, blocks apps and sites when a daily limit runs out, tracks AI coding usage, and costs one payment with no account. ActivityWatch is still the better fit if you want free and open source, and don't mind setting things up.
Is ActivityWatch good on Mac?
It works on Mac and is free. You view data in your browser, and website tracking needs an extension for Chrome or Firefox. Timecard is a native Mac app that covers more browsers without extensions.
Do both keep data local?
Yes. Neither needs an account, and both keep activity on your machine.
Why pay for Timecard?
For a native app with limits that block, AI coding usage, history imported from Screen Time and a daily card, for a one-time price.
Compare Timecard with
vs Screen Time
Apple's built-in Screen Time, with four weeks of history.
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vs RescueTime
A cross-platform tracker with focus sessions, on a subscription.
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Tvs Timing
A Mac time tracker built for projects and client billing.
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Rvs Rize
An AI time tracker with a distraction blocker, on a subscription.
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Tvs Toggl Track
Timers and reports for teams that bill hours.
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vs WakaTime
Coding time from editor plugins, on WakaTime's servers.
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vs Freedom
A cross-device blocker that doesn't track your time.
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vs Opal
A phone-first screen time app with Hard Mode, on a subscription.
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