The 8 Best RescueTime Alternatives in 2026
For individuals who want private tracking, detailed timelines or blocking · Updated
The best RescueTime alternatives for individuals are ActivityWatch for free tracking that stays on your computer, ManicTime for detailed timelines, and Ascension for tracking combined with website blocking on Windows. Teams that need timesheets and billing are better served by Toggl Track, Clockify or TimeCamp.
Key takeaways
- RescueTime's free Lite plan keeps two weeks of history and one goal, and blocking needs a paid plan from $9 a month.
- ActivityWatch is the best free alternative, open source with data stored on your own device.
- Ascension and StayFree both track your time and block distracting websites on Windows.
- Toggl Track, Clockify and TimeCamp suit teams that bill time to clients.
- Most alternatives here run on Windows, and several keep your data local.
Details reflect each tool as of September 2026. Notice something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
Why people look for a RescueTime alternative
RescueTime records the apps, websites and documents you use without a timer. Its free Lite plan keeps two weeks of history and one goal, without Focus Sessions or offline tracking. Solo Focus costs $9 a month or $84 a year and adds Focus Sessions, which block selected websites and apps. People switch for a free or cheaper tool, data that stays on their own computer, or stronger blocking.
Comparison
Eight RescueTime alternatives compared on tracking, blocking, data storage, platforms and price, September 2026
| Tool | Automatic tracking | Blocks websites | Where data is stored | Platforms | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension | Yes | Yes | On your computer | Windows | $12.99/mo or $50 once |
| ActivityWatch | Yes | No | On your device | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android | Free |
| ManicTime | Yes | No | On your computer, cloud optional | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Free version for Windows |
| StayFree | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Windows | Free download |
| Toggl Track | Desktop activity timeline | No | Cloud | Windows, Mac, web, mobile | Free plan, from $9/user/mo yearly |
| Clockify | Auto tracker | No | Cloud | Windows, Mac, web, mobile | Free plan, from $3.99/seat/mo yearly |
| Rize | Yes | No | Cloud | Windows, macOS | From $9.99/mo yearly |
| TimeCamp | Premium plan | No | Cloud | Web, desktop, mobile | Free plan, Premium $6.99/user/mo yearly |
1. Ascension
Platforms: Windows 10/11 (iOS in development)
Price: 15-day free trial, then $12.99/month or $50 one-time
Ascension is a powerful Windows application designed to improve digital habits and productivity. It blocks distracting content on the web and tracks your digital usage automatically to give insights on how one can improve. Your activity data stays on your own computer.
Key features
- Automatic tracking: apps and websites recorded without starting a timer.
- Readable reports: see where your time went by day, week and category.
- Blocking with locks: schedules, daily time limits and locks that cannot be undone on impulse.
Limitations: Windows only (iOS in development), no team or billing features, no free version.
Best for: individuals on Windows who want to see their time and cut distractions in one app.
2. ActivityWatch
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
Price: Free and open source
ActivityWatch is a free, open source time tracker designed to record how you use your computer while keeping the data private. It tracks the active app and window title, and browser extensions add the websites you visit.
Key features
- Local data: everything is stored on your own device and never sent to a server.
- Open source: the code is public and free to use.
- Browser extensions: add website tracking to app tracking.
Limitations: no blocking, website tracking needs a browser extension.
Best for: people who want free tracking that stays on their computer.
3. ManicTime
Platforms: Windows, plus Mac, Linux, Android and iOS versions
Price: Free version for Windows, paid licence and cloud plans
ManicTime is a time tracker designed to build a detailed timeline of everything you do on your computer. It records apps, documents and websites, and works offline.
Key features
- Detailed timeline: every app and document shown across the day.
- Offline and local: a licence keeps all data on your own hardware.
- Free for Windows: the free version can be used in any setting.
Limitations: no blocking, advanced features need a paid licence.
Best for: people who want a detailed, private record of their work.
4. StayFree
Platforms: Windows
Price: Free download
StayFree is a Windows app designed to track and limit time on apps and websites. It shows usage and lets you block distractions with schedules and daily limits.
Key features
- Usage tracking: time on apps and websites.
- Block Now and schedules: stop distractions immediately or at set times.
- Daily and session limits: cap time before blocking.
Limitations: blocking is easier to switch off than a locked blocker.
Best for: a free way to track and limit time on Windows.
5. Toggl Track
Platforms: Windows, Mac, web, iOS, Android
Price: Free plan, Starter $9/user/month billed yearly
Toggl Track is a time tracker designed for work and client projects. Its desktop app adds an activity timeline of apps and websites used for more than 10 seconds.
Key features
- Desktop timeline: apps and websites shown alongside your time entries.
- Projects and clients: organise time for billing.
- Reports: summaries by project and client.
Limitations: built around timers and projects, no blocking.
Best for: freelancers and teams who bill time.
6. Clockify
Platforms: Windows, Mac, web, iOS, Android
Price: Free plan, paid from $3.99/seat/month billed yearly
Clockify is a time tracker designed for teams that log hours. Its auto tracker records the apps and websites you use, visible only to you.
Key features
- Auto tracker: apps and websites recorded automatically on the free plan.
- Timesheets: log hours by project.
- Team reports: combine time across people.
Limitations: built for teams, no blocking.
Best for: small teams that want a free time tracker.
7. Rize
Platforms: Windows 10 and later, macOS
Price: 7-day free trial, then from $9.99/month billed yearly
Rize is an automatic time tracker designed to measure focus during the work day. It records your activity and adds focus music and break reminders.
Key features
- Automatic tracking: work time recorded without timers.
- Focus music and breaks: prompts to rest between sessions.
- Work summaries: daily views of focus time.
Limitations: no free plan, no blocking, data stored in the cloud.
Best for: knowledge workers who want automatic focus summaries.
8. TimeCamp
Platforms: Web, desktop, iOS, Android
Price: Free plan, Premium $6.99/user/month billed yearly
TimeCamp is a time tracker designed for teams, projects and invoicing. App and website tracking is included on the Premium plan.
Key features
- Free forever plan: unlimited users with basic tracking.
- App and website tracking: on Premium.
- Invoicing: bill tracked time to clients.
Limitations: app and website tracking needs Premium, no blocking.
Best for: teams that want tracking and invoicing together.
How to choose
If you want free tracking that stays private, choose ActivityWatch. If you want a detailed offline timeline, choose ManicTime. If you used RescueTime to see your time and block distractions, Ascension or StayFree on Windows cover both. If you bill clients, choose Toggl Track, Clockify or TimeCamp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free RescueTime alternative?
ActivityWatch. It is free, open source, tracks apps and websites, and stores all data on your own device.
Does RescueTime still have a free plan?
Yes. RescueTime Lite is free, with automatic app and website tracking, two weeks of history and one goal. Focus Sessions and offline tracking need a paid plan.
Can RescueTime block websites?
Yes, on paid plans. Focus Sessions block selected websites and apps and silence notifications.
How much does RescueTime cost?
Solo Focus costs $9 a month or $84 a year. Solo+ costs $15 a month or $144 a year and adds projects and invoicing reports.
Which RescueTime alternative is most private?
ActivityWatch, ManicTime with a local licence, and Ascension all keep your activity data on your own computer.
Available on Windows 10 & 11