ActivityWatch is a free, open-source application that automatically records activity on a computer or Android device. Its project documentation says tracking data stays on the device in a local SQLite database rather than being sent to a cloud service; that is the project’s stated design, not an independent security audit. ActivityWatch is best understood as a personal activity-history tool: its records can help you understand how you use your devices, but they do not prove attention or measure work precisely.
How ActivityWatch works
ActivityWatch is a collection of components rather than one all-purpose tracker. Watchers collect events, a local server stores and exposes them, and a web interface lets you review the resulting history. The project describes its approach as retaining detailed raw records so they can be analyzed later. Users can add integrations or build custom watchers using the REST API. ActivityWatch’s overview explains the architecture.
What the default watchers record
- Active window: Records information about the app or window in focus.
- Keyboard and mouse inactivity: Detects periods without input to estimate when you are away from the device. The default threshold is three minutes, according to the ActivityWatch FAQ; you can change it.
On Linux, the inactivity watcher detects whether input occurred but does not record the content of keyboard or mouse input, according to the FAQ. ActivityWatch does not thereby capture what you typed.
Optional integrations add context
An optional browser extension can record active-tab details. Additional watchers can cover supported editors and other activity. What appears in your timeline therefore depends on which watchers and integrations you install and whether they work with your operating system and applications. The watcher documentation describes available integrations.
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Where your data is stored—and what that privacy claim means
ActivityWatch’s FAQ says that tracking records are stored in a local SQLite database on your device and are not sent to a cloud service. It also says users can export, delete, or back up their data. This describes the project’s documented design; it is not a claim that an independent auditor has verified every release or installation. The project’s FAQ is the place to review its current privacy and data-management statements.
Local storage may suit someone who wants a personal timeline without depending on a hosted tracking account. It also means you are responsible for the device’s security and for making any backups you need.
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How to install and start ActivityWatch
- Choose the release for your device. Use the official downloads page to select an installer for Windows, a disk image for macOS, a Linux archive, or the Android Play Store/APK route. The exact files can vary by release and, on macOS, processor architecture.
- Install and launch ActivityWatch. On desktop, start
aw-qt. The launcher creates a tray icon and starts the local server and default watchers. Follow the platform-specific steps in the getting-started guide. - Open the local web interface. The guide says it is available at
localhost:5600after the server starts. - Enable autostart if needed. If the installer did not configure ActivityWatch to launch automatically, enable autostart using the instructions for your operating system. Otherwise, tracking may not resume after you sign in or restart.
- Add only the watchers you need. Install optional browser or application integrations when their coverage is useful, and check their platform support before relying on the data.
Downloads are time-sensitive. When checked on October 4, 2026, the downloads page identified v0.13.2 as stable and v0.14.0b8 as a prerelease that may be unstable. Treat those labels as a dated snapshot, not as a current recommendation: check the official page for the release and assets available when you install.
How accurate are ActivityWatch’s time totals?
ActivityWatch’s own FAQ cautions that “The data that ActivityWatch collects and the stats it can present can only be seen as an estimate.” An active-window record indicates which window was in focus, not whether you were looking at it or concentrating. Conversely, you can be engaged in reading, thinking, or a conversation without using the keyboard or mouse, so an inactivity watcher may classify that period as away.
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Browser playback can also affect relevant AFK behavior: the browser watcher may treat a playing tab as active. For these reasons, use the timeline to spot patterns and reconstruct device activity, not as a verified record of attention, productivity, or billable work. Accuracy depends on the watcher and use case, as the FAQ notes.
Linux users: check Wayland support
The default window watcher may be disabled under Wayland compositors that do not expose active-window information. ActivityWatch’s FAQ suggests using X11 or an alternative watcher where appropriate. Support can depend on the desktop environment and watcher, so check the relevant watcher documentation before expecting complete window history.
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Who should consider ActivityWatch?
ActivityWatch is a reasonable option if you want automatic, configurable personal tracking, local data storage as described by the project, and the ability to extend the tool with integrations. Its modularity gives you flexibility, but it also makes setup and maintenance part of the experience.
If you need manual timers, billing workflows, team reporting, or a service that manages data for you, compare other time-tracking approaches against those needs. When evaluating a cloud tracker, check where its records are stored, which operating systems and desktop environments it supports, whether it relies on automatic monitoring or manual timers, what export and integration options it offers, and how much setup it requires. ActivityWatch’s local-first model and watcher extensibility are useful distinctions, but the right choice depends on the workflow you need.
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