Toggl Track alternatives: 6 open-source picks
Toggl Track costs $12/mo — $144 a year. These 6 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Super Productivity, solidtime and Kimai. All 6 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
A local task timer with tags, reports and exports; collaboration is not the point.
licenseMIT
runson your machine
installDesktop or mobile installer, or installable browser PWA
dataLocal web-app data lives in IndexedDB; desktop backups use local app storage, and optional synchronization can use WebDAV, Dropbox, or encrypted SuperSync rather than being required.
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs Toggl TrackIt is a personal task timer rather than a client-time system, with no shared workspace, approvals, billable rates, client reporting, or invoicing.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Modern multi-user timers, clients and billable rates in one Compose stack; the desktop apps are still beta.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup, or Docker Compose with PostgreSQL and a reverse proxy
dataHosted records live in solidtime's cloud; self-hosted organizations, members, projects, clients, and entries live in PostgreSQL. Desktop activity capture stays local until the user converts it into a time entry.
the catch vs Toggl TrackThe hosted free plan is solo-only, and the unrestricted open-source path requires running PostgreSQL, a reverse proxy, mail, migrations, backups, and updates.
setupThe hosted free plan is solo-only; self-hosting needs Docker, PostgreSQL, application keys, a reverse proxy and TLS, migrations, mail configuration, and optional Gotenberg for PDFs.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Timesheets, rates, reports and invoices are all there; approvals need its free plugin and the server still needs an adult.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour server
installOfficial Docker Compose stack
dataUsers, projects, activities, rates, and timesheets live in MySQL or MariaDB; plugins, configuration, and generated files live in persistent server volumes.
the catch vs Toggl TrackKimai trades Toggl's polished hosted and native-app experience for a server, upgrades, backups, plugins, and ongoing administration.
setupA non-expert needs Docker, a domain and TLS, database and application secrets, email configuration, backups, upgrades, and optional plugins for some workflows.
facts verified 2026-08-10
A lean timeline, tags and PDF or CSV reports in one container; it is built for individuals, not payroll departments.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse the local web app, or self-host with pip or Docker Compose
dataA self-hosted instance persists records in its itemdb/SQLite-backed data store; exports include the project's VCSV format, TSV, and PDF.
the catch vs Toggl TrackTimeTagger is designed around individual timelines and tags, not Toggl's collaborative clients, projects, billable rates, approvals, and team reporting.
setupRemote self-hosting needs Python or Docker, HTTPS, and manually generated bcrypt credentials; the local single-user web app is considerably easier.
facts verified 2026-08-10
A tiny tag-based timer with useful dashboards in one container; invoices and mobile apps never arrive.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installSingle binary or one Docker container
dataUsers, tags, timers, and time spans live in a local SQLite database under the persistent Traggo data directory.
the catch vs Toggl TrackIts tag-only model omits conventional clients and projects, invoices, approvals, native mobile apps, and the broader reporting workflow Toggl users expect.
setupThe container is simple, but internet exposure still needs a reverse proxy and TLS, and the default administrator password must be changed immediately.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Automatic, privacy-first time tracker that logs app and browser usage locally.
licenseMPL-2.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Kimai · ActivityWatch
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a Toggl Track alternative
Easiest to get running
Super Productivity — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Super Productivity, with 21,156 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 6, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Runs on your own machine, no server
Super Productivity — nothing to host, your data stays on your disk.
Works on your phone
Super Productivity has a mobile app on iOS and Android.
Needs real ops to self-host
Kimai is capable but expects someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing it.
what you give up by leaving Toggl Track
- cross-platform apps, background tracking, integrations, team controls, and sync
- cross-device history
- team timesheets and payroll
- behavioral datasets
- blocking across every platform
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Toggl Track alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Productivity | MIT | one-click install | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android | 21,156 | 2026-08 |
| solidtime | AGPL-3.0+ | docker to self-host | web, macos, windows, linux, self-hosted | 8,846 | 2026-07 |
| Kimai | AGPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 4,900 | 2026-08 |
| TimeTagger | GPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 1,768 | 2026-05 |
| Traggo | GPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 1,615 | 2026-07 |
| ActivityWatch | MPL-2.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 14,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Toggl Track
People still pay for Toggl Track because the timer is simple, but people pay for frictionless capture and a history they trust enough to invoice or change habits from. The recurring cost buys idle detection, permissions, app metadata, privacy, notifications, sync, reports, integrations, and backups, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $144 a year.
questions about switching from Toggl Track
Is there an open-source alternative to Toggl Track?
Yes: Super Productivity, solidtime, Kimai and 3 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Toggl Track?
Our verdict is YES. Super Productivity (21k stars), ActivityWatch (14k stars), solidtime (9k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Toggl Track — self-host in one command and stop paying $12/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/toggl-track.
What is the easiest open-source Toggl Track alternative to set up?
Super Productivity — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Toggl Track alternative?
By GitHub stars, Super Productivity (21,156). ActivityWatch is next with 14,000.
