Comparison

An ActivityWatch alternative for Mac users who want less setup

ActivityWatch is great if you want open-source control and custom watchers. Trackr is for the other moment: you just want a Mac menu bar app that quietly records active time, idle time, and the rough shape of your workday locally, without tuning a tracking stack first.

Download for MacAll comparisons

Facts last checked June 20, 2026 against ActivityWatch official site

FactorTrackrActivityWatch setup and maintenance
Main jobMac-native private activity historyOpen-source activity tracking framework
SetupInstall the Mac app and grant permissionsConfigure watchers, browser tracking, categories, and local UI as needed
Best momentEnd-of-day recall and quick work-log reconstructionCustom analysis across devices and data sources
Data locationOn your MacOn your device
Account requiredNo Trackr accountNo cloud account required
Privacy modelNo screenshots, no keystroke contents, no cloud dashboardLocal by default, with extensibility depending on setup
Best forPrivate Mac workday recall with minimal fiddlingPeople who want open-source control and custom watchers

Why people choose Trackr

  • You tried open-source activity tracking but do not want to maintain a small tracking system.
  • You mostly need the answer to where did my Mac workday go, not a dashboard project.
  • You want local activity history without screenshots, keystroke contents, or a cloud account.
  • You care about billable-hour recall, work logs, and five-minute slices more than extensibility.

When ActivityWatch setup and maintenance is the better choice

  • You want free and open-source software above all else.
  • You need Linux, Windows, Android, browser extensions, or custom data watchers.
  • You enjoy building your own categories, exports, and analysis around raw activity data.
Trackr for Mac

Private activity tracking for $4.99 once.

Keep the shape of your day readable without a cloud dashboard or subscription.

Download for Mac