Timing alternatives: 3 free & open-source picks
Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.
Cinco usuarios obtienen temporizadores y un rastreador automático privado; los informes se limitan a ventanas de 31 días y la exportación CSV es de pago.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup; install the Windows/macOS/Linux desktop app for automatic activity tracking
dataSaved time entries, projects and reports live in Clockify's cloud; raw auto-tracker app and website activity stays in a local desktop database and is uploaded only when converted into a time entry
the catch vs TimingIts generic desktop tracker captures app and site titles, but it is less deeply Mac-native than Timing at classifying applications, documents, websites and calls into projects automatically.
setupAn account is required, and automatic tracking needs the desktop app plus operating-system activity permissions
facts verified 2026-08-11
Una computadora obtiene historial automático de apps, sitios y documentos, etiquetas y exportación de hojas de tiempo; la sincronización en la nube es la parte de pago.
licenseproprietary, free
runson your machine
installInstall the native Windows, macOS or Linux desktop package
dataActivity history, tags and reports stay on the computer in local SQLite databases; the Windows client uses ManicTimeCore.db and ManicTimeReports.db
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs TimingIt provides comparable raw activity evidence, but its cross-platform interface and rules are less polished and less tightly integrated with Mac applications than Timing.
facts verified 2026-08-11
Temporizadores rápidos más un rastro privado de actividad de escritorio que puedes convertir en entradas; las aprobaciones formales tienen costo adicional.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup; optionally install the Windows/macOS desktop app, browser extension or mobile app
dataTime entries, projects and reports sync to the Toggl Track cloud account; the private desktop Timeline activity remains on that device unless the user turns it into a time entry
the catch vs TimingIts Timeline is a lightweight private trail, not Timing's detailed Mac activity database with automatic project rules, document paths and retrospective assignment.
setupAn account is required, and passive app/site history needs the desktop app and operating-system permissions
facts verified 2026-08-11
last updated 2026-08-11 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
ActivityWatchIt records the local history, but does not turn selected blocks into project time entries.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clockify Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android, browser-extension | — | — |
| ManicTime Free | proprietary, free | one-click install | macos, windows, linux | — | — |
| Toggl Track Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, ios, android, browser-extension | — | — |
People still pay for Timing because the timer is simple, but people pay for frictionless capture and a history they trust enough to invoice or change habits from. The recurring cost buys idle detection, permissions, app metadata, privacy, notifications, sync, reports, integrations, and backups, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $132 a year.
Is there a free alternative to Timing?
Yes: Clockify Free, ManicTime Free, Toggl Track Free. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Should I just build my own Timing?
Our verdict is SÍ. The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Timing, track Mac application activity privately and assign blocks to projects. The hard boundary is deep macos automation, rules, sync, calendar integration, and reporting polish, plus ubiquitous capture, coaching, and team workflow. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/timing.
