Why Time Tracking on Linux Is Different
If you have ever searched for time tracking software while running Linux, you already know the frustration. Most roundup articles list ten popular tools, and half of them turn out to be macOS and Windows only. The ones that do claim Linux support often mean nothing more than a web app that runs in your browser.
The Linux time tracking landscape in 2026 looks noticeably different from what Windows and Mac users see. Toggl Track killed its native Linux app in early 2024. RescueTime officially dropped Linux support in 2025. Meanwhile, open-source alternatives like ActivityWatch, Timewarrior, and Kimai have grown stronger, and a few commercial tools like Clockify and Hubstaff still ship genuine Linux desktop clients.
This guide covers 12 time tracking tools that actually work on Linux in 2026, organized by how they run: native desktop apps, CLI tools, self-hosted services, and web-based platforms. For each one, you will find current pricing, distro support, Wayland compatibility, and an honest assessment of what works and what does not. If you are looking for our broader roundup that covers all platforms, see the top time tracking software in 2026.
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Linux Support | Free Plan | Paid From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clockify | Native (.deb, AppImage) | Unlimited users | $3.99/user/mo | Best overall free option |
| Hubstaff | Native (.deb, AppImage) | 1 user | $4.99/user/mo | Teams needing monitoring |
| ActivityWatch | Native (zip, AUR) | Fully free | — | Privacy-focused auto tracking |
| Super Productivity | Native (AppImage, Snap, deb) | Fully free | — | Task management + tracking |
| Timewarrior | CLI (apt, snap, pacman) | Fully free | — | Terminal power users |
| Watson | CLI (pip) | Fully free | — | Simple CLI tracking |
| Kimai | Self-hosted (Docker, LAMP) | Free (self-hosted) | €2.99/user/mo (cloud) | Teams needing invoicing |
| Traggo | Self-hosted (Docker, binary) | Fully free | — | Tag-based flexibility |
| Toggl Track | Web + extension only | 5 users | $9/user/mo | Integrations (100+) |
| Harvest | Web only | 1 user, 2 projects | $10.80/seat/mo | Invoicing + expenses |
| Everhour | Web + extension only | 5 users | $8.50/user/mo | PM tool integration |
| RescueTime | Dropped Linux (2025) | Limited | $6.50/mo | Not recommended for Linux |
Tools with Native Linux Desktop Apps
These tools provide actual installable applications that run on your Linux desktop. That means features like idle detection, offline tracking, system tray integration, and automatic startup that web-based tools simply cannot offer.
1. Clockify — Best Free Option Overall
Clockify stands out as the most generous free time tracker available on any platform, and it happens to have solid Linux support. The free plan includes unlimited users, unlimited projects, and unlimited tracking. There is no trial period and no catch.
The Linux desktop app is available as an AppImage (runs on any distro) and a .deb package (Debian/Ubuntu). Both are offered in Intel 64-bit and ARM 64-bit variants, which means Clockify runs on everything from a standard Ubuntu workstation to a Raspberry Pi. The desktop app includes idle detection, offline tracking, a Pomodoro timer, and an auto-tracker that monitors which apps and websites you use.
Pricing:
- Free — Unlimited users, unlimited projects, timer + timesheet + manual entry, Pomodoro, idle detection, integrations, basic reports
- Basic — $3.99/user/month (annual). Adds time audit, custom fields, bulk editing, kiosk mode
- Standard — $5.49/user/month. Adds invoicing, time off, approval workflows, attendance tracking
- Pro — $7.99/user/month. Adds scheduling, GPS, screenshots, budget alerts, forecasting
- Enterprise — $11.99/user/month. SSO, SCIM, audit log, custom subdomain
Linux verdict: If you need one recommendation, this is it. The free tier alone covers what most individuals and small teams need, and the desktop app is a genuine native client with features that match the Windows and Mac versions.
2. Hubstaff — Best for Employee Monitoring
Hubstaff is one of the few employee monitoring tools that takes Linux seriously. The desktop app is available as a .deb package and AppImage, runs at under 50 MB of RAM and less than 1% CPU, and supports any Linux distribution from 2010 or later. It is also listed on the AUR for Arch Linux users.
The app includes everything you would expect from a full monitoring client: screenshots, activity level tracking, idle detection, and app/URL monitoring. This is not a dumbed-down web wrapper. It is the same feature set that Windows and Mac users get. For teams that need to track how Hubstaff monitors activity, the Linux version is functionally identical.
Pricing:
- Free — 1 user only, basic time tracking
- Starter — $4.99/user/month. Screenshots, activity levels, limited reports (min 2 users)
- Grow — $7.50/user/month. Daily limits, idle timeout, expenses, client invoicing
- Team — $10/user/month. Auto payroll, app/URL tracking, integrations, GPS
- Enterprise — $25/user/month (annual only). SOC-2, SSO, custom setup
Linux verdict: The go-to choice if your team requires activity monitoring, screenshots, or payroll automation. The lightweight resource footprint is a pleasant surprise for a monitoring tool.
3. ActivityWatch — Best for Privacy
ActivityWatch is an open-source, privacy-first alternative to RescueTime. It tracks which applications and websites you use, how long you spend in each, and when you are idle, but all data stays on your local machine. Nothing is sent to any server, ever.
The tool runs as a local service with a web dashboard accessible at localhost:5600. Install it by extracting a zip from GitHub releases or via the AUR on Arch Linux. With over 16,800 GitHub stars, ActivityWatch has a large and active community that produces plugins for VS Code, Vim, Emacs, and various Wayland compositors.
Pricing: Completely free and open source (MPL-2.0).
Key features:
- Automatic tracking of window titles, browser URLs, and AFK status
- Custom categorization rules for reporting
- Editor plugins for tracking coding activity
- Extensible watcher system for adding custom data sources
- Works on both X11 and Wayland (via dedicated watcher plugins)
Linux verdict: The best option if you care about data privacy and want automatic tracking without manual timers. It replaced RescueTime for many Linux users when RescueTime dropped support. Not suited for team billing or invoicing since it is a single-user tool with no project hierarchy.
4. Super Productivity — Best for Task + Time Combined
Super Productivity is an open-source tool that combines task management with time tracking in a single polished application. It integrates directly with Jira, GitHub, and GitLab, pulling in your issues and letting you track time against them without leaving the app.
On Linux, it is available as an AppImage, Snap, .deb package, and on the AUR. The interface is modern and responsive, built with Angular and Electron but well-optimized. Features include a Pomodoro timer, break reminders, daily planning, and backlog management.
Pricing: Completely free and open source.
Linux verdict: A strong choice for developers who want task tracking and time tracking in the same tool. The Jira and GitHub integrations are particularly well-done. It does not have team features or invoicing, so it is best for individual use.
Command-Line Time Trackers
For developers and system administrators who live in the terminal, CLI time trackers offer the fastest possible workflow with zero overhead. No GUI to click through, no Electron app eating RAM.
5. Timewarrior — Best CLI Tool
Timewarrior is the gold standard for command-line time tracking. It is maintained by the Gothenburg Bit Factory, the same team behind Taskwarrior, and follows a similar philosophy: simple commands, plain text data, and infinite scriptability.
Basic usage:
timew start coding projectX— Start tracking with tagstimew stop— Stop the current timertimew summary :week— See your weekly reporttimew track 9:00 - 12:00 meeting— Backfill a time block
The killer feature is Taskwarrior integration. When you run task start on a Taskwarrior task, Timewarrior automatically begins tracking time for it. When you mark the task done, tracking stops. This gives you seamless task management and time tracking in a single CLI workflow.
Installation: Available in virtually every Linux distro repository. sudo apt install timewarrior on Debian/Ubuntu, snap install timewarrior, or build from source. Current version is 1.9.1.
Pricing: Completely free and open source (MIT).
Linux verdict: If you already live in the terminal, Timewarrior fits your workflow perfectly. The Taskwarrior integration is unmatched. Data is stored as local JSON files, making it trivial to back up, sync, or feed into custom reporting scripts.
6. Watson — Simpler Alternative
Watson is a lightweight Python-based CLI tracker with a gentler learning curve than Timewarrior. Commands are intuitive: watson start project +tag, watson stop, watson report. Data is stored as human-readable JSON.
Install it with pip install td-watson or through your distro's package manager. Watson is maintained under the Jazzband collective and receives occasional updates, though development has slowed. Current status is maintenance mode — functional and stable, but do not expect new features.
Pricing: Completely free and open source.
Linux verdict: A good entry point if Timewarrior feels like too much. It lacks Taskwarrior integration and the extension system, but for basic project + tag tracking from the terminal, Watson does the job cleanly.
Self-Hosted Options
If you want full control over your data without depending on a third-party service, these self-hosted tools run on your own Linux server.
7. Kimai — Best Self-Hosted for Teams
Kimai is a mature, actively developed self-hosted time tracking application built with PHP and Symfony. It is the most feature-complete open-source option available, with invoicing, multi-user support, LDAP/SAML authentication, and a plugin marketplace.
Deploy it via Docker (official images on Docker Hub) or install directly on any LAMP/LEMP stack. The current version (2.56.0) requires PHP 8.2+ and runs well on a VPS with as little as 1 GB RAM. A mobile app (Kimai Mobile) adds offline tracking and GPS support.
Pricing:
- Self-hosted — Free (MIT license). You pay only for your server.
- Kimai Cloud — From €2.99/user/month (Standard) or €3.99/user/month (Premium). Non-profits get €0.99/user/month.
Key features: Multi-user timesheets, project/customer/activity hierarchy, invoicing with templates, expense tracking, REST API, 30+ languages, SAML/LDAP/2FA, team permissions, and a growing plugin ecosystem.
Linux verdict: The obvious choice for teams that want self-hosted time tracking with professional features. The trade-off is setup and maintenance effort, but Docker makes initial deployment straightforward.
8. Traggo — Lightweight and Tag-Based
Traggo takes a different approach to time tracking. Instead of rigid project hierarchies, it uses a tag-based system where you can attach any tags to a time entry and slice your reports by any combination of tags later. This is ideal if your work does not fit neatly into project/task buckets.
Deployment is minimal: a single Go binary with SQLite storage, or a Docker one-liner. No external database, no PHP, no complex dependencies. It just runs.
Pricing: Completely free and open source (GPL-3.0).
Linux verdict: Great for individuals or small teams who want a self-hosted web UI with minimal infrastructure. The tag-based model is genuinely useful for consulting work where time splits across multiple clients and projects in unpredictable ways. Development is steady but slow, so do not expect rapid feature additions.
Web-Based Tools (No Native Linux App)
These tools work on Linux through a browser, but they do not offer native desktop applications. That means you lose idle detection, offline tracking, and system tray integration. For many workflows this is perfectly acceptable; for others, it is a dealbreaker.
9. Toggl Track — Great Tool, No Linux App
Toggl Track is one of the most popular time trackers in the world, with over 100 integrations and a beautifully designed interface. But there is a significant caveat for Linux users: Toggl discontinued its native Linux desktop app in February 2024. The open-source toggldesktop repository on GitHub is archived, and the old app no longer creates new time entries.
Linux users are now limited to the web app and browser extension. Both work well for basic timer-based tracking, but you lose idle detection, auto-tracking, offline support, and the system tray timer. If you previously relied on the Toggl desktop app on Linux, this is a real downgrade. A community-built CLI client exists as an unofficial workaround.
Pricing:
- Free — Up to 5 users. Basic tracking, 100+ browser integrations, calendar sync
- Starter — $9/user/month (annual). Billable rates, project estimates, tasks
- Premium — $18/user/month. Timesheet approvals, SSO, scheduled reports
- Enterprise — Custom pricing
Linux verdict: Still a great tool if you are comfortable working entirely in the browser. If you need a desktop client with idle detection, Clockify is the better choice for Linux. For a deeper look at how Toggl compares to Clockify, see our side-by-side comparison.
10. Harvest — Built for Invoicing
Harvest combines time tracking with invoicing and expense management. It is popular with agencies and freelancers who need to bill clients directly from tracked time. On Linux, it is web-only — the desktop app exists only for macOS and Windows.
A major development to note: Bending Spoons acquired Harvest in July 2025 and restructured pricing with usage-based fees. Some existing customers reported renewal prices increasing dramatically. Check the current pricing carefully before committing.
Pricing:
- Free — 1 user, 2 active projects
- Pro — $10.80/seat/month (annual). Unlimited projects, invoicing, expense tracking, integrations
Linux verdict: A solid choice if invoicing is your primary need and you do not mind working in the browser. The pricing changes under new ownership are worth monitoring. For a comparison of Harvest vs Toggl, see our detailed breakdown.
11. Everhour — Best for Project Management Integration
Everhour's standout feature is native embedding inside your project management tools. Through browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, Everhour adds time tracking buttons directly inside Asana, Jira, Trello, ClickUp, Monday.com, Notion, and more. You never have to switch to a separate app.
There is no desktop app for any platform — everything runs through the browser extension and web dashboard. On Linux, this means the experience is identical to macOS and Windows.
Pricing:
- Free — Up to 5 users. Basic tracking, browser extension, unlimited projects
- Team — $8.50/user/month. All features included, no tiers within the paid plan
Linux verdict: If you live in Jira, Asana, or Trello and want time tracking embedded directly in those tools, Everhour is hard to beat. The browser-only approach actually works in its favor here since the PM integration is where all the value lies, not a desktop client.
12. RescueTime — No Longer Recommended for Linux
RescueTime was once the go-to automatic time tracker for understanding how you spend your day. It ran in the background, categorized your app and website usage, and gave you a daily productivity score. The concept is brilliant, and the tool still works well on Windows and macOS.
But RescueTime officially dropped Linux support in March 2025. Their help documentation now states that Linux is no longer supported, with only "community support" encouraged. Old Linux installers may still work on some distributions, but there is no active development, no bug fixes, and no guarantee of continued functionality.
For Linux users who want RescueTime-style automatic tracking, ActivityWatch is the direct replacement. It is free, open source, actively maintained on Linux, and keeps all your data local.
Pricing: Free (Lite) or $12/month ($6.50/month annual) for Premium.
Linux verdict: Do not build your workflow around RescueTime on Linux. It is unsupported, and the old client will eventually break with distro updates. Use ActivityWatch instead.
Wayland Compatibility Guide
The ongoing transition from X11 to Wayland is one of the biggest variables in Linux time tracking today. Many tools were built for X11 and use APIs like XScreenSaver or _NET_WM_NAME to detect idle state and window titles. On Wayland, these APIs are not available by design — Wayland's security model prevents applications from seeing other windows.
Here is how each tool handles Wayland:
- ActivityWatch — Best Wayland support. Dedicated watcher plugins exist for Sway, Hyprland, and other Wayland compositors. The community actively develops new watchers as compositors evolve.
- Clockify — The desktop app runs on Wayland, but some features like window title detection may be limited depending on your compositor and XWayland configuration.
- Hubstaff — Works on Wayland, but screenshots and window title tracking have known limitations. Best results on X11 or XWayland.
- RescueTime — Cannot read window titles on pure Wayland sessions. Since the Linux client is also unsupported, this is a non-starter.
- Timewarrior / Watson — CLI tools are unaffected by the display server. They work identically on X11, Wayland, or a headless server.
- Web-based tools (Toggl, Harvest, Everhour) — Unaffected. They run in your browser regardless of display server.
If you are running a modern GNOME or KDE desktop with Wayland by default and need window tracking, ActivityWatch is currently your most reliable option.
How to Choose the Right Tool
With 12 options covered, here is a quick decision framework:
- Freelancer who invoices clients? → Kimai (self-hosted, free) or Harvest (web, paid)
- Developer who lives in the terminal? → Timewarrior + Taskwarrior
- Team that needs monitoring? → Hubstaff (native Linux app with screenshots)
- Individual who wants to understand habits? → ActivityWatch (automatic, private, free)
- Team on a budget? → Clockify (unlimited free users, native app)
- Heavy Jira/Asana user? → Everhour (embeds in your PM tool)
- Privacy-first, self-hosted? → Kimai (full-featured) or Traggo (minimal)
- Task management + time tracking in one? → Super Productivity
For teams concerned about how employees interact with monitoring tools, it is worth understanding what each tool actually tracks before making a decision. Transparent deployment leads to better adoption than surveillance-first approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free time tracker for Linux?
Clockify offers the most generous free plan with unlimited users, unlimited projects, and a native Linux desktop app available as AppImage and .deb packages. It includes idle detection, offline tracking, and a Pomodoro timer at no cost. For developers who prefer the terminal, Timewarrior is completely free, open source, and available in most Linux distribution repositories. ActivityWatch is another strong free option that runs entirely locally and tracks your activity automatically without sending data to any server.
Does Toggl Track still have a Linux app?
No. Toggl discontinued its native Linux desktop app in early 2024 when they archived the open-source toggldesktop repository on GitHub. The old app no longer creates new time entries. Linux users can still use Toggl Track through the web app at track.toggl.com, the browser extension with over 100 integrations, or community-built CLI clients. However, this means Linux users lose access to idle detection, the auto-tracker, and offline tracking capabilities that the desktop app provided.
Which Linux time trackers work with Wayland?
Wayland compatibility varies significantly across tools. ActivityWatch has the best Wayland support through dedicated watcher plugins that can read window titles on compositors like Hyprland and Sway. Clockify and Hubstaff desktop apps work on Wayland but some features like window title tracking may be limited. RescueTime has known issues with Wayland since it cannot read window titles on pure Wayland sessions. For the most reliable experience on Wayland, ActivityWatch or a web-based tool like Clockify or Toggl Track are your safest options.
Can I self-host a time tracker on Linux?
Yes, several excellent self-hosted options exist. Kimai is the most mature choice with a full-featured web interface, invoicing, multi-user support, and Docker deployment. It runs on any standard LAMP or LEMP stack and has an active development community with frequent updates. Traggo is lighter weight, deploying as a single Go binary with SQLite storage and no external database required. ActivityWatch stores all data locally on your machine by default, giving you complete privacy without needing a server. All three are free and open source.
What is the best time tracker for Linux developers?
It depends on your workflow. Timewarrior is the top choice for terminal-centric developers because it integrates with Taskwarrior, stores data as local JSON files, supports custom reporting scripts, and is available in virtually every Linux package manager. For automatic tracking without manual timers, ActivityWatch monitors your IDE activity and browser usage in the background. If you need team features and project billing, Clockify offers a native Linux app with a generous free tier. Many developers combine tools — using Timewarrior for personal tracking and Clockify or Toggl for client billing.
Conclusion
The Linux time tracking landscape in 2026 is a mix of gains and losses. Toggl killing its desktop app and RescueTime dropping support entirely are real setbacks. But the open-source ecosystem has more than filled the gap. ActivityWatch has over 16,000 GitHub stars and growing. Timewarrior integrates seamlessly with the Taskwarrior ecosystem. Kimai offers professional invoicing and team management that rivals paid SaaS products. And Clockify continues to offer the most generous free tier in the industry with genuine Linux support.
The right choice depends on how you work. Terminal users will find Timewarrior hard to beat. Teams that need monitoring should look at Hubstaff. Privacy advocates will appreciate ActivityWatch's local-only approach. And anyone who just needs reliable free time tracking on Linux should start with Clockify.
For our broader comparison across all platforms, see the top time tracking software in 2026. If you are looking for the Mac equivalent of this guide, check out best time tracking software for Mac. And for help understanding how these tools monitor your activity, browse our guides on employee monitoring software and time tracking software.
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