Timing alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Timing: mac only, and subscription tiers are priced per number of Macs. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Timing, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Timemator currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	ActivityWatch	Open source	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +2	4 of 4	55.3

1. ActivityWatchTop pick
Best for: Privacy-minded individuals who want automatic tracking without sending data to a cloud
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Browser extension
55.3
score / 100
Why switch from Timing
Free, open-source automatic tracker for Mac, Windows, Linux and Android.
Pros
Free and open source
All data stays on your device
Extensible with custom watchers and queries
Cons
No team, billing or invoicing features
Limited multi-device sync
Utilitarian dashboard
Visit ActivityWatch Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is ActivityWatch a good Timing alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
MPL-2.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026activitywatch.net(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Checked Oct 25, 2026activitywatch.net(opens source in a new tab)
Data location
Stays on your device
Checked Oct 25, 2026activitywatch.net(opens source in a new tab)
Supporter plans
From $5/month (optional)
Checked Oct 25, 2026activitywatch.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best Timing alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Timing alternative for most people

Timemator

Mac automatic tracker sold as a one-time purchase instead of a subscription.

Best Timing alternative for a free option

ActivityWatch

Free, open-source automatic tracker for Mac, Windows, Linux and Android.

Best Timing alternative for open source

ActivityWatch

Free, open-source automatic tracker for Mac, Windows, Linux and Android.

Best Timing alternative for Mac

Tyme

Manual and timer-based Mac and iOS tracker with billing features.

Best Timing alternative for Windows

Memtime

Automatic tracking that also runs on Windows and Linux, with data kept offline.

Best Timing alternative for Linux

Memtime

Automatic tracking that also runs on Windows and Linux, with data kept offline.

Best Timing alternative for iPhone and Android

Timely

Cross-platform automatic tracking with team planning and budgets.

Best Timing alternative for working in the browser

Timely

Cross-platform automatic tracking with team planning and budgets.

Timing alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Timing?

Timemator ranks first right now. Mac automatic tracker sold as a one-time purchase instead of a subscription. Tyme and Memtime follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Timing?

Yes. ActivityWatch (open source) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Timing?

Yes: ActivityWatch.

Which Timing alternatives work on Linux?

Memtime and ActivityWatch run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Timing?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; subscription tiers are priced per number of Macs; takes setup to get rules working well.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Timing, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.