{"data":{"items":[{"id":"bd1db27b-01b9-4fd3-b599-7c532c4f13fb","excerpt":"[OS] Dayflow: a free and open source time tracker that shows what you actually did, not just which apps were open (RescueTime/Toggl alternative) — Hey r/macapps,\n\n**Problem**\n\nAbout a year ago, I got frustrated with time tracking apps.\n\nThey could tell me I spent 3 hours in Xcode, 2 hours in Chrome, and 45 minutes in S","url":"https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1uadqon/os_dayflow_a_free_and_open_source_time_tracker/","role":"request","weight":1.309,"occurredAt":"2026-06-19T21:05:40.000Z","sourceKey":"reddit","sourceName":"Reddit","credibility":0.62,"venue":"macapps","intent":"feature_request","painScore":0.36,"sentiment":0.45945945,"confidence":0.9625,"matchedPatterns":["frustrating","free_tier","missing_feature","manual_process"],"statement":"Since then it’s grown to 6k+ GitHub stars, and I’ve kept working on it because this still feels like a missing layer between “calendar” and “time tracker.” Dayflow runs quietly in the background and builds: \\- timeline cards of your workda…","title":"[OS] Dayflow: a free and open source time tracker that shows what you actually did, not just which apps were open (RescueTime/Toggl alternative)","body":"Hey r/macapps,\n\n**Problem**\n\nAbout a year ago, I got frustrated with time tracking apps.\n\nThey could tell me I spent 3 hours in Xcode, 2 hours in Chrome, and 45 minutes in Slack, but that still didn’t answer the question I actually cared about:\n\nWhat did I do today?\n\nXcode for two hours could mean shipping a feature, debugging auth, reviewing a PR, or being completely stuck. Chrome could be docs, Linear, Stripe, YouTube, research, or a distraction spiral. App names alone weren’t enough.\n\nThe way I think about it:\n\nCalendar: what was scheduled  \n\nTime tracker: which apps/sites were open  \n\nDayflow: what actually happened\n\nSo I started building Dayflow: an open-source Mac app that turns screen activity into a private timeline of what you actually did.\n\nI first shared an early version on Hacker News, and to my surprise people were interested. Since then it’s grown to 6k+ GitHub stars, and I’ve kept working on it because this still feels like a missing layer between “calendar” and “time tracker.”\n\nDayflow runs quietly in the background and builds:\n\n\\- timeline cards of your workday\n\n\\- daily standup summaries\n\n\\- weekly reviews with focus/distraction patterns\n\n\\- chat with your own data\n\n\\- Markdown export for updates, client notes, or personal logs\n\n**Comparison**\n\nCompared with tools like Timing, RescueTime, Rize, Timemator, Screen Time, and Toggl, Dayflow is less focused on strict billing/payroll-style time accounting and more focused on context.\n\nRescueTime and Screen Time are great for tracking high level app/site usage. Toggl is great if you want manual project timers. Timing, Rize, and Timemator are closer to automatic time tracking.\n\nDayflow’s goal is different: it tries to explain what you were actually doing inside those apps, then turn that into a private work journal you can search, summarize, and export.\n\nIt’s not meant to replace payroll/client-billing time trackers yet. I think of it more as an automatic work journal: something that helps you reconstruct your day without manually starting timers or writing notes.\n\n**Pricing**\n\nDayflow is completely free if you use local models, Gemini’s free tier, or your own existing AI provider setup.\n\nThere is also an optional Dayflow Pro plan for hosted AI if you don’t want to set up local models or API keys: $20/month, or $15/month when billed yearly.\n\nPricing page: [https://dayflow.so/pricing.html](https://dayflow.so/pricing.html)\n\n**Privacy / Trust**\n\nBecause this is sensitive software, I made it local-first and open source under the MIT License. You can inspect the code, build it yourself, and over 300 people have created forks of Dayflow.\n\nEverything lives on your Mac by default. You can run analysis locally with Ollama/LM Studio, use your own Gemini key, or use your existing ChatGPT/Claude subscription through their local CLI tools.\n\nIt does require Screen Recording permission, so I want to be very upfront about that tradeoff. You can configure apps that you never want recorded, like password managers.\n\nOne thing I care a lot about: I think open-source software should be beautiful. There are amazing open-source developer tools, but I don’t think there are enough examples of open-source consumer apps that feel polished, native, and delightful to use. I’m trying to make Dayflow one of them.\n\nIf you know examples of beautiful open-source Mac apps, I’d love to see them. I want to learn from the best ones.\n\nDownload/Repo: [https://github.com/JerryZLiu/Dayflow](https://github.com/JerryZLiu/Dayflow)  \n\nHomebrew: \\`brew install --cask dayflow\\`\n\nI’d especially love feedback from people who already use tools like Timing, RescueTime, Rize, Timemator, Screen Time, Toggl, etc.\n\nWhat would Dayflow need to do for you to trust it or make it useful enough to keep using?","offTopic":false},{"id":"dc2ad01d-f2cd-4852-a001-3dfefa0b96f9","excerpt":"I wanted to track time on tasks for clients and invoice them, so I built an entire productivity suite (Mac/Win/Linux/iOS/Android/Web) — Hey r/ProductivityApps,\n\nI've been a freelancer/contractor for a while and my workflow was always duct-taped together -- one app for task management, another for time tracking, a sprea","url":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ProductivityApps/comments/1u4z0jj/i_wanted_to_track_time_on_tasks_for_clients_and/","role":"demand","weight":1.2250237,"occurredAt":"2026-06-13T18:54:51.000Z","sourceKey":"reddit","sourceName":"Reddit","credibility":0.62,"venue":"ProductivityApps","intent":"alternative_search","painScore":0.36,"sentiment":0.25,"confidence":0.9007528,"matchedPatterns":["switching_from","missing_feature","workaround","manual_process"],"statement":"Website: I'd love to hear what you think, what's missing, or what would make you actually switch from your current setup.","title":"I wanted to track time on tasks for clients and invoice them, so I built an entire productivity suite (Mac/Win/Linux/iOS/Android/Web)","body":"Hey r/ProductivityApps,\n\nI've been a freelancer/contractor for a while and my workflow was always duct-taped together -- one app for task management, another for time tracking, a spreadsheet for invoicing. When the time tracker I relied on started having extended downtime and stopped meeting my needs, I decided to lock-in for a few months and just build what I actually wanted.\n\nTriggerFlo is the result. It's a Desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux),  Mobile (iOS, Android), and Web app that combines:\n\n* Time tracking with a floating timer -- sits on top of your other windows so you never forget to track. Comes in various styles, including a docked \"notch\" style.\n* Kanban-style task management -- projects with customizable columns, due dates, priorities, recurring tasks, subtasks, and a rich text editor for notes.\n* Invoicing from your tracked time -- select a date range, and it generates a professional invoice from your sessions. No more copy-pasting hours into spreadsheets or invoice tools.\n* Reports & analytics -- see where your time actually goes with charts, CSV exports, and session tracking.\n* Spotify integration -- link playlists or tracks to tasks so your focus music starts automatically when you begin a session.\n* Google Calendar sync -- pull in calendar events as tasks or (soon) push due dates to your calendar.\n* Team collaboration -- share projects, assign roles (owner/admin/member/viewer), and invite teammates by email.\n* Public Boards -- Let clients or stakeholders see progress in real time with public boards.\n* Surprising features  -- Many features that would make this post too long.\n\nIt's free to use (up to 3 projects, time tracking, kanban, reports all included). A trial and/or Pro unlocks unlimited projects, invoicing, team features, public boards, Google Calendar and Spotify integrations, and larger file uploads — $4.99/mo, $59.99/year, or $69.99 lifetime. Currently in beta so I'm actively looking for feedback.\n\nWebsite: [https://triggerflo.app](https://triggerflo.app)\n\nI'd love to hear what you think, what's missing, or what would make you actually switch from your current setup. Happy to answer any questions.\n\nPS: Coupon in comments!","offTopic":false},{"id":"4453cfc8-f9a6-4bfd-9a91-97d9f2a34cad","excerpt":"What time tracking software are you actually using (and not abandoning after a week)? — I’ve tried a bunch of time tracking software over the years, from spreadsheets and basic stopwatch timers, to fancy apps with dashboards and analytics, but I always end up falling off.\n\nEither they’re too clunky, require too much ma","url":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ProductivityApps/comments/1no2feq/what_time_tracking_software_are_you_actually/","role":"pricing","weight":1.1489615,"occurredAt":"2025-09-22T23:50:37.000Z","sourceKey":"reddit","sourceName":"Reddit","credibility":0.62,"venue":"ProductivityApps","intent":"pricing_complaint","painScore":0.36,"sentiment":0.4642857,"confidence":0.8448247,"matchedPatterns":["frustrating","free_tier"],"statement":"* **Vogara** – Lightweight with good reports and built-in task boar * **Connecteam** – Easy reminders without being annoying, helped one user stay consistent for the first time.","title":"What time tracking software are you actually using (and not abandoning after a week)?","body":"I’ve tried a bunch of time tracking software over the years, from spreadsheets and basic stopwatch timers, to fancy apps with dashboards and analytics, but I always end up falling off.\n\nEither they’re too clunky, require too much manual input, or just don’t match how I actually work (especially with a mix of deep work, meetings, breaks, and scattered tasks across tools like Notion, Slack, Chrome, etc).\n\nI’m not just looking to track hours for billing, but for personal productivity as well, I want something that helps with:\n\n* Understanding where my time goes\n* Improving focus\n* Setting better work/rest rhythms\n* Possibly even integrating with my calendar or project tools\n\nIdeally, it should:\n\n* Be easy to start/stop or run in the background\n* Have good visualizations or insights (not just raw logs)\n* Work across devices (desktop + mobile)\n* Not guilt-trip me for forgetting to track 1 day\n\nSo, what’s actually stuck for you long-term?\n\n**Most Popular Mentioned Time Tracking Software (Multiple Users):**\n\n* **Jibble** – Most popular software in this thread, and the one most users landed on after trying others. Praised as the best free time tracking software for teams, with Slack/MS Teams integration, facial recognition clock-in, solid reporting, and a genuinely generous free plan. Many switched here from Clockify and Toggl and haven't looked back. Works well across desktop, mobile, legal teams, startups, and field-based setups.\n* **Toggl Track** – A close second for many. Clean UI, reliable start/stop timer, and one of the better calendar integrations out there.\n* **Clockify** – Functional and free, but mixed reviews on reporting quality and how limiting the free tier feels over time.\n* **ActivityWatch** – Favorite among personal productivity users. Passive tracking with zero nagging — it just runs in the background.\n* **BigTime** – Best for anyone who needs billing tied directly to project time. Lightweight and clear.\n\n**Other Software That Got Mentioned:**\n\n* **MinuteShark** – Mentioned as reliable alongside Jibble and Toggl.\n* **TimeTagger** – Long-time user said it’s simple enough to stick with.\n* **Daily (Mac only)** – Periodically asks what you’re doing, good for staying mindful without toggling timers.\n* **Orakemu** – Gamified (XP-based) tracking in development. Users liked the concept.\n* **Work Tracker / Timeløgn** – Visual-focused tracker by a Redditor. Web version coming in 2026.\n* **ScreenTimerAI** – AI-based categorization after initial setup. Built by a community member.\n* **Time Champ** – Automatic tracking, no need to turn timers on/off.\n* **TimeTac** – Cloud-based, manual add-on option, multi-project tracking.\n* **EmpMonitor** – Automatic tracking in the background with helpful insights.\n* **Time Doctor** – Good for screen/mouse monitoring and building better break habits.\n* **Harvest** – Decent for multi-project tracking, though not ideal for solo users.\n* **Rize** – Tracks time automatically and gives insights into how it’s spent.\n* **CalFlow (Apple users)** – Tracks calendar events and reminders.\n* **Hubstaff** – Brief mention alongside Clockify/Toggl.\n* **Buddy Punch** – Added for good visualizations and used by some teams.\n* **Vogara** – Lightweight with good reports and built-in task boar\n* **Connecteam** – Easy reminders without being annoying, helped one user stay consistent for the first time.\n\n**I’ll keep updating this list as more come in.** Appreciate everyone’s input! it’s clear we’re not alone in trying a dozen apps before finding one that doesn’t get ditched by Friday.\n\nFeel free to keep adding what’s worked for you.","offTopic":false},{"id":"44f38ac8-d2f2-4897-93f3-6832a5d07226","excerpt":"Managing a fully remote team of developers and designers, I need visibility into project profitability to run the agency — I have been wrestling with this question for a while now. , but I refuse to implement the kind of \"Big Brother\" surveillance I know kills morale. I've seen it happen with other companies that use t","url":"https://www.reddit.com/r/advancedentrepreneur/comments/1vsn707/managing_a_fully_remote_team_of_developers_and/","role":"demand","weight":0.96542376,"occurredAt":"2026-08-19T13:57:27.000Z","sourceKey":"reddit","sourceName":"Reddit","credibility":0.62,"venue":"advancedentrepreneur","intent":"feature_request","painScore":0.2931637,"sentiment":0.5483871,"confidence":0.7465596,"matchedPatterns":["currently_i_use","missing_feature"],"statement":"However, for our agency needs, it was missing some of the deeper financial reporting and workload management features we wanted, so we would have needed extra integrations to get a complete picture .","title":"Managing a fully remote team of developers and designers, I need visibility into project profitability to run the agency","body":"I have been wrestling with this question for a while now. , but I refuse to implement the kind of \"Big Brother\" surveillance I know kills morale. I've seen it happen with other companies that use tools like Time Doctor or Hubstaff, where the team feels constantly watched and productivity suffers because of it .  \n  \nWe need to track billable hours accurately for client invoicing and also get a sense of team workload so we can prevent burnout . The old spreadsheet method was a mess, we were losing about 15% of billable hours because people would just forget to log their time at the end of the week.  \n  \nAfter testing a few options, I've landed on a solution that works for us, and I wanted to share my findings in case anyone else is in the same boat.  \n  \nHere are the tools we considered and what we found:  \n  \nTraqq: This is what we are currently using. It is the closest thing to a \"best of both worlds\" solution I have found. It's an ethical, privacy-first time tracker. It has a simple start/stop timer, which is easy for the team to use, and it also supports manual time entry for those times you forget to hit the button . The main reason we chose it is that it provides intelligent insights into team productivity and work patterns through AI-powered analytics, but it does not use screenshots or screen recording . We can see activity levels and work patterns, but it respects our team's privacy. It also helps us compare scheduled hours against actual time tracked, which has been a game-changer for managing workload and spotting if someone is overloaded .  \n  \nToggl Track: This is a fantastic tool and is very well-regarded for being simple and ethical. It does not take screenshots and has a beautiful interface. However, for our agency needs, it was missing some of the deeper financial reporting and workload management features we wanted, so we would have needed extra integrations to get a complete picture .  \n  \nHarvest: Another excellent tool, especially for agencies. It has great client invoicing and project budgeting features . The main reason we went with Traqq was the superior workload and capacity planning features, which Harvest seems to lack. Additionally, Harvest's free plan is quite limited, whereas Traqq's free plan is generous enough for a small team .  \n  \nSo my advice is this: avoid tools that feel like surveillance. Focus on tracking hours and activity, not private data. Explain to your team that the goal is to manage workload and ensure accurate client billing, not to spy on them. Being transparent about the why is just as important as the tool you choose. \n\nNow looking to see how do you handle if you're in similar situation?   \n","offTopic":false}],"breakdown":[{"sourceKey":"reddit","sourceName":"Reddit","count":4}],"total":4}}