Leantime vs ActivityWatch
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Leantime is a lightweight, open-source project management platform designed to help small teams and freelancers plan, track, and deliver projects efficiently. It combines task management, time tracking, and collaboration tools in a single web‑based interface. Self‑hosted and free to use, Leantime integrates with popular services like GitHub and Slack, allowing teams to keep work organized without costly licenses. Its intuitive UI and extensive documentation make onboarding quick for any small group looking to streamline their workflow.
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.
- Free and open-source, no licensing costs
- Self‑hosted gives full data control
- Integrates with GitHub and Slack for developer workflows
- Simple UI suited for small teams
- 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
- Limited advanced reporting compared to paid tools
- Requires own server or hosting setup
- Community support only; no phone or live chat
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Limited integration with certain productivity tools
- Mobile app can be buggy at times
More alternatives & similar tools
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Alternatives to ActivityWatch
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Open‑source task manager that blends time tracking, kanban and agile planning for freelancers and small teams.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth tools are free, open‑source, and self‑hosted, but ActivityWatch excels at automated personal time tracking, while Leantime offers broader project‑management and collaboration features.
Key differences
- •ActivityWatch automatically records app/website usage; Leantime requires manual time entry on tasks.
- •Leantime integrates with GitHub and Slack; ActivityWatch lists no key integrations.
- •ActivityWatch includes a focus‑mode for distraction reduction; Leantime provides Kanban, Gantt, and issue tracking.
- •Leantime supports project roadmaps and printable PDFs; ActivityWatch focuses on individual productivity statistics.
Pricing & value
Both are free and open‑source, offering comparable cost‑free value.
Ease of use / learning curve
Leantime’s simple UI is noted as easy for small teams; ActivityWatch has a steep learning curve for advanced features.
Features & depth
ActivityWatch provides automated tracking, detailed stats, and focus mode, deeper for personal productivity than Leantime’s manual logging.
Integrations & ecosystem
Leantime integrates with GitHub and Slack; ActivityWatch lists no key integrations.
Collaboration
Leantime includes Kanban boards, shared roadmaps, and team notifications; ActivityWatch is oriented to individual use.
Support
ActivityWatch offers email and GitHub Issues; Leantime offers email and documentation only.
Scalability
Leantime’s project‑management features scale to small teams; ActivityWatch is primarily for freelancers or single users.
Choose Leantime if…
Small teams that need shared project planning, GitHub/Slack integration, and basic time‑sheet reporting.
Choose ActivityWatch if…
Freelancers or solo workers needing hands‑free time tracking and focus tools.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use either tool?
Both ActivityWatch and Leantime are free, open‑source products with no licensing fees.
Can I automatically track time without manual entry?
Yes, ActivityWatch tracks time automatically; Leantime requires users to log work hours manually on tasks.
Do either of the tools integrate with my existing GitHub and Slack workflow?
Leantime integrates with GitHub and Slack; ActivityWatch does not list any key integrations.