Code Time costs $35/mo.
These cost $0.
4 free alternatives to Code Time, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Code Time is ActivityWatch (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 3 self-hostable tools are available (including Wakapi and Hackatime). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $2,100/year compared to Code Time's $35/mo subscription.
The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Code Time vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $35/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActivityWatch | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 19.5k | Code Time vs ActivityWatch → |
| Wakapi | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 4.5k | Code Time vs Wakapi → |
| Hackatime | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 216 | Code Time vs Hackatime → |
| Ziit | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 258 | Code Time vs Ziit → |
The picks
4 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
ActivityWatch
open sourceOpen SourceLocal19.5knov 2026Free open-source time tracker that automatically monitors your device usage. Cross-platform support with local data storage for complete privacy.
The catch vs Code TimeCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/activitywatch/activitywatch or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Wakapi
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host4.5knov 2026Open-source, self-hosted time tracking solution for developers. Analyze coding habits, improve productivity, and visualize progress.
The catch vs Code TimeRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Code Time.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/muety/wakapi or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Hackatime
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host216nov 2026Free, open-source coding time tracker compatible with VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, vim, emacs and more. No limits, no paywalls - your data stays yours forever.
The catch vs Code TimeRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Code Time.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/hackclub/hackatime or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
Ziit
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host258nov 2026Monitor your coding sessions, analyze productivity patterns, and gain insights into your development workflow with comprehensive time tracking statistics.
The catch vs Code TimeRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Code Time.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/0pandadev/ziit or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Code Time Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 4 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Code Time open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Code Time?+
The top free alternative to Code Time is ActivityWatch (open source, Open Source). Free open-source time tracker that automatically monitors your device usage. Cross-platform support with local data storage for complete privacy. Other popular Code Time replacements include Wakapi, Hackatime, Ziit.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Code Time?+
Yes. Of the 4 free alternatives to Code Time, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Wakapi (Open Source), Hackatime (Open Source), Ziit (Open Source).
How much does switching from Code Time to a free alternative save?+
Code Time starts at $35/month per seat ($420/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like ActivityWatch saves $2,100 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Code Time clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Code Time is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Code Time or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 4 battle-tested open-source alternatives like ActivityWatch.
What is the catch when switching from Code Time to ActivityWatch?+
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
