Toggl Track alternatives: 8 free & open-source picks
Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.
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
Five users get timers, projects and PDF reports one month at a time; CSV, billable rates and approvals are paid.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup; optional desktop, mobile, and browser apps
dataTime entries, projects, clients, tags, users, and reports live in Clockify's cloud; exports are plan-dependent and the internal storage format is not disclosed.
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs Toggl TrackFree reporting is limited to one month and PDF export, while billable rates, approvals, invoicing, and richer controls are paid.
facts verified 2026-08-10
A clean five-person timer with unlimited projects, clients and basic reports; approvals, rates and invoices are paid.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup plus optional mobile app
dataTime entries, projects, clients, tasks, and reports live in My Hours' cloud; the internal storage format is not disclosed.
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs Toggl TrackBillable rates, budgets, approvals, audit logs, invoices, scheduled reports, and richer exports are paid, making the free reporting layer thinner than Toggl.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Unlimited people and projects get timers, auto-tracking and basic reports; app analytics, billable controls and approvals are paid.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup; optional desktop and mobile tracking apps
dataTime entries, projects, users, activity records, and reports live in TimeCamp's cloud; its security page says production data uses AWS services and encrypted database storage.
the catch vs Toggl TrackThe free plan's reporting, export, billable controls, approvals, and invoicing are materially thinner, with free report export restricted to PDF.
setupThe timer is clean, but automatic activity tracking needs a desktop agent and operating-system monitoring permissions.
facts verified 2026-08-10
last updated 2026-08-10 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
| 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 |
| Clockify Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android, browser-extension | — | — |
| My Hours Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web, ios, android, browser-extension | — | — |
| TimeCamp Free | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android, browser-extension | — | — |
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.
Is there a free alternative to Toggl Track?
Yes: Super Productivity, solidtime, Kimai and 5 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Should I just build my own Toggl Track?
Our verdict is PARCIAL. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Toggl Track, track time quickly, edit entries, and report by project, client, and tag. The hard boundary is cross-platform apps, background tracking, integrations, team controls, and sync, plus ubiquitous capture, coaching, and team workflow. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/toggl-track.
