TimeScribe
A free, private time tracking app for macOS and Windows that works 100% offline with no cloud, registration, or paywall.
What is TimeScribe?
TimeScribe is a free, privacy-focused desktop application for tracking work hours on macOS and Windows. It operates entirely offline, requiring no cloud services, user registration, or payments, and offers features like project tracking, billing calculations, and activity insights to help users manage their time effectively.
Freelancers, remote workers, and professionals who need to log hours for billing, productivity analysis, or client reporting without compromising their data privacy.
Developers choose TimeScribe for its commitment to privacy, zero-cost model, and full offline functionality, providing a robust alternative to subscription-based time trackers with no data leaving the local device.
Overview
Modern & private time tracking for macOS & Windows. No cloud, no registration, no paywall. Just download and track your work hours 100% offline.
Use Cases
Best For
- Freelancers needing to track billable hours across multiple projects
- Remote workers monitoring daily and weekly productivity patterns
- Teams or individuals requiring offline time tracking without cloud dependencies
- Users prioritizing data privacy and avoiding subscription fees
- Professionals who export time logs for client invoices or reports
- Automating time tracking via scripts with deep-link integrations
Not Ideal For
- Teams requiring real-time collaboration or cloud-synced time tracking across multiple users
- Users who need mobile access for time tracking on iOS or Android devices
- Organizations needing centralized admin controls, audit logs, or integration with project management tools like Jira
- Businesses that rely on automated invoicing or payroll systems requiring direct API integrations
Pros & Cons
Pros
All data stays locally on the device with no cloud dependencies, as emphasized in the README's '100% Offline & Private' philosophy, ensuring complete control over sensitive information.
No subscriptions, accounts, or paywalls, making it a cost-effective alternative to services like Toggl or Harvest, with the README explicitly stating 'No hidden costs.'
Includes project tracking with billing calculations, app activity insights, absence planning, and automatic controls, rivaling paid competitors while maintaining simplicity.
Native applications for both macOS and Windows, with specific downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel, as shown in the download badges and instructions.
Deep-Link API allows timer control from shortcuts and scripts (e.g., timescribe://start/work), enabling workflow integration without manual app interaction.
Cons
Data is stored locally only in SQLite, posing a risk of loss if the device fails, with no built-in backup features mentioned beyond manual exports.
Lacks mobile apps for iOS and Android, restricting time tracking to computers and missing on-the-go logging, which is a gap compared to cloud-based tools.
As a privacy-focused tool, it doesn't offer out-of-the-box connections to popular project management or invoicing platforms, relying on exports for external use.
Built with Electron via NativePHP, which can lead to higher memory usage compared to native applications, though this isn't directly addressed in the README.
Open Source Alternative To
TimeScribe is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Clockify is a free time tracking and timesheet software that helps teams track work hours across projects. It offers reporting, scheduling, and integration with various productivity tools.
Toggl is a time tracking software used for tracking work hours across projects and teams, with reporting and productivity analysis features.
Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing software that helps businesses track project hours, manage budgets, and create invoices.
Frequently Asked Questions
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