Open-source alternatives guide · Updated 2026

Best open-source alternatives to Wakatime

Q: How should I evaluate Wakatime alternatives?

Map must-have Wakatime workflows, verify license and compliance fit, run a proof of concept with real data and integrations, then plan ownership for upgrades, backups, support, and an exit path.

Compare the best free and open-source alternatives to WakaTime — 6 verified projects with explicit catalog relationships. Inspect licenses, GitHub activity, self-hosting signals, and migration fit before you switch.

6verified alternatives
4self-hosted signals
4categories

Only explicit alternative relationships are shown—never inferred competitor claims.

Overview

This guide compares 6 verified open-source alternatives to WakaTime, including ActivityWatch, SolidTime, Wakapi, and TimeScribe.

Projects appear across Security & Privacy, Infrastructure, and Business Software. 4 options include a self-hosting signal — see the self-hosted catalog. Ranking follows public GitHub stars and recorded momentum—not vendor marketing. Compare projects side by side, then confirm license fit, migration effort, and operational ownership before adopting any option.

Strongest repository-activity signal: ActivityWatch · Jump to ranking · 18.2K stars

About WakaTime

Proprietary product with documented open-source alternatives cataloged on OpenSourceChoice. Compare licenses, repository activity, and self-hosting options befo

Ranked open-source alternatives to WakaTime

Compare capabilities, licensing, and ownership model. Stars help with discovery; they are not a security or product-fit guarantee.

ActivityWatch

Open-source alternative to WakaTime

Security & PrivacyMPL-2.0

The best free and open-source automated time tracker. Cross-platform, extensible, privacy-focused.

The best free and open-source automated time tracker. Cross-platform, extensible, privacy-focused. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documen

Best for: Security teams
Deployment: Inspectable source
License: MPL-2.0
Activity: Updated 10 days ago

Key capabilities

analytics

productivity dashboard cross-platform

SolidTime

Open-source alternative to WakaTime

AustriaInfrastructureAGPL-3.0Self-hosted

Modern open-source time-tracking app

Modern open-source time-tracking app Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before production adoption.

Best for: Infrastructure teams
Deployment: Self-hostable
License: AGPL-3.0
Activity: Updated 3 days ago

Key capabilities

self-hosted

vue

laravel time-tracker

Wakapi

Open-source alternative to WakaTime

InfrastructureMITSelf-hosted

📊 A minimalist, self-hosted WakaTime-compatible backend for coding statistics

📊 A minimalist, self-hosted WakaTime-compatible backend for coding statistics Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before produc

Best for: Infrastructure teams
Deployment: Self-hostable
License: MIT
Activity: Updated 14 days ago

Key capabilities

TimeScribe

Open-source alternative to WakaTime

Business SoftwareGPL-3.0Self-hosted

Modern & private time tracking for macOS & Windows. No cloud, no registration, no paywall. Just download and track your work hours 100% offline.

Modern & private time tracking for macOS & Windows. No cloud, no registration, no paywall. Just download and track your work hours 100% offline. Review the official repository, lic

Best for: Operations teams
Deployment: Self-hostable
License: GPL-3.0
Activity: Updated 1 month ago

Key capabilities

Ziit

Open-source alternative to WakaTime

InfrastructureAGPL-3.0Self-hosted

The Swiss army knife of code time tracking.

The Swiss army knife of code time tracking. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before production adoption.

Best for: Infrastructure teams
Deployment: Self-hostable
License: AGPL-3.0
Activity: Updated Jul 2, 2026

Key capabilities

self-hosted

developer-tools

productivity dashboard

Hackatime

Open-source alternative to WakaTime

Data & AnalyticsMIT

Free, open source, WakaTime-compatible coding time tracker

Free, open source, WakaTime-compatible coding time tracker Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before production adoption.

Best for: Data teams
Deployment: Inspectable source
License: MIT
Activity: Updated Jul 15, 2026

Key capabilities

svelte

rails wakatime hackatime

How to choose a WakaTime alternative

Map must-have capabilitiesList the workflows in WakaTime you cannot drop during migration.

Verify the licenseConfirm it fits your use, distribution, and compliance model. Browse license briefs.

Run a proof of conceptTest real data, integrations, clients, and failure modes. Use Compare for side-by-side checks.

Plan ownershipAssess upgrades, backups, support, and an exit path. Read when self-hosting is worth it.

Frequently asked questions about WakaTime alternatives

What are the best open-source alternatives to WakaTime?

OpenSourceChoice currently lists 6 projects with an explicit alternative relationship to WakaTime. Catalog highlights include ActivityWatch, SolidTime, and Wakapi. Rankings follow public GitHub stars and recorded momentum—not paid placement. Match capabilities and license fit to your workflow before adopting any option.

Are open-source alternatives to WakaTime free?

Most catalogued alternatives publish source under OSI or source-available licenses and are free to inspect. Hosting, commercial support, or cloud model APIs may still cost money. Always read the project license for your use case.

Can I self-host an alternative to WakaTime?

4 options in this list carry a self-hosting signal. Confirm the official install guide, backups, upgrades, and hardening steps before production.

How should I evaluate WakaTime alternatives?

Map must-have WakaTime workflows, verify license and compliance fit, run a proof of concept with real data and integrations, then plan ownership for upgrades, backups, support, and an exit path.