Free, open-source alternatives to RescueTime

RescueTime runs in the background and records which apps and websites you spend time on, then turns that record into reports, goals and alerts, with focus sessions that block distracting sites and apps. The open-source apps below do the same core job of tracking computer activity automatically so you can see where the day went, and they store that record on your Mac rather than in an online account.

ActivityWatch is the closest match, logging the active app, the window title and, with browser extensions, the sites you visit, then showing it in a local dashboard with categories. TimeScribe is built around work hours and projects, with an app-usage view that separates work from distractions and exports for timesheets. Dayflow takes periodic screen captures and has an AI model summarise them into a timeline and weekly reviews of focus and distraction, with local models as one option.