ActivityWatch vs worklenz
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
ActivityWatch is an open-source time tracking and productivity tool that helps you stay focused and on track. It automatically tracks how you spend your time on your computer or mobile device, providing you with detailed statistics and insights to optimize your workflow.
Worklenz is a free, open-source project management platform for teams and agencies, bringing projects, tasks, resource planning, and client collaboration into one workspace. Tasks can be viewed as a list, a Kanban board, or a Gantt chart, and time is logged directly against them. Alongside delivery it tracks budgets, costs, and team utilization, so project health and profitability stay visible. Worklenz can be self-hosted under AGPL-3.0 or used as a managed cloud service that has a free plan.
- Automated time tracking saves time and effort
- Detailed statistics and insights help optimize workflow
- Customizable rules and filters ensure accurate time tracking
- Focus mode helps users stay concentrated and avoid distractions
- Free and open-source under AGPL-3.0, with a self-hostable Community edition
- Covers projects, tasks, resources, and budgets in one workspace
- Multiple task views including list, Kanban board, and Gantt
- Time logged directly on tasks feeds utilization and profitability reporting
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Limited integration with certain productivity tools
- Mobile app can be buggy at times
- Free cloud plan is capped at three active projects
- Self-hosting means running and maintaining your own Docker, Postgres, and storage stack
- Mobile access is through the web app; there are no native iOS or Android apps
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to ActivityWatch
View all →
Open‑source task manager that blends time tracking, kanban and agile planning for freelancers and small teams.
Alternatives to worklenz
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataActivityWatch is a free, self‑hosted tool with deep customization but a steeper learning curve, while worklenz offers a cloud SaaS with built‑in AI, richer integrations, and easier onboarding at a freemium cost.
Key differences
- •Deployment model: ActivityWatch is self‑hosted; worklenz is cloud/SaaS.
- •AI‑driven automatic tracking and idle detection are only in worklenz.
- •Worklenz integrates with Trello, Asana, Google Drive; ActivityWatch lists no key integrations.
- •Pricing: ActivityWatch is completely free; worklenz has a limited free tier and paid upgrades.
- •Support channels differ: ActivityWatch offers email and GitHub Issues; worklenz adds live chat.
Pricing & value
ActivityWatch is fully free, while worklenz uses a freemium model with paid tiers for full features.
Ease of use / learning curve
Worklenz provides a cloud UI and AI capture, making onboarding easier than ActivityWatch’s steep learning curve.
Features & depth
Worklenz adds AI detection, idle pause, role‑based permissions, and real‑time dashboards not present in ActivityWatch.
Integrations & ecosystem
Worklenz integrates with Trello, Asana, Google Drive; ActivityWatch lists no key integrations.
Collaboration
Worklenz includes team dashboards, role‑based permissions, and project‑tool sync, supporting small‑team collaboration.
Scalability
Cloud SaaS architecture of worklenz scales without user‑managed servers; ActivityWatch requires self‑hosting.
Support
Worklenz offers email and live chat; ActivityWatch only provides email and GitHub Issues.
Choose ActivityWatch if…
Freelancers or teams needing a zero‑cost, self‑hosted tracker and willing to invest time learning it.
Choose worklenz if…
Small teams wanting AI‑driven tracking, built‑in integrations, and ready‑made collaboration tools with minimal setup.
Common questions
Can I use ActivityWatch without installing anything on my own server?
No; ActivityWatch is self‑hosted only, requiring you to deploy it yourself.
Does worklenz’s free tier include AI automatic tracking?
Yes; AI automatic tracking is part of worklenz’s core functionality, but the free tier limits other features.
Which tool offers more integrations with project‑management apps?
Worklenz, with two‑way sync for Trello, Asana, and Google Drive; ActivityWatch lists no key integrations.
