Overview
WakaTime is an automatic time tracking tool designed specifically for developers, with plugins for dozens of code editors and IDEs. It tracks coding time automatically based on editor activity, providing insights into programming patterns, project time allocation, and productivity metrics without requiring manual timers.
Key Features
- Editor Integration: Plugins for 50+ editors including VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, Sublime Text, Vim, and Xcode
- Automatic Tracking: Tracks time spent coding automatically based on file editing
- Language Detection: Automatically categorizes time by programming language
- Project Recognition: Detects projects from Git repositories and file paths
- Private by Default: Dashboard and data private unless explicitly shared
- Open Source Plugins: All editor plugins are open source
- Goals and Streaks: Set coding goals and maintain coding streaks
- Team Dashboards: Optional team features for collaborative projects
- API Access: Full API for custom integrations and analysis
- Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Supported Editors
Popular IDEs
- Visual Studio Code
- JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.)
- Visual Studio
- Xcode
- Android Studio
Text Editors
- Vim/Neovim
- Emacs
- Sublime Text
- Atom
- Notepad++
Cloud IDEs
- GitHub Codespaces
- GitPod
- Repl.it
Metrics Tracked
- Coding Time: Total time spent actively coding
- Languages: Time per programming language
- Projects: Time allocation across projects
- Files: Which files you work on most
- Operating System: Development environment usage
- Editor/IDE: Tool usage patterns
- Branches: Git branch-specific time
- Daily Average: Coding hours per day
Privacy Features
- No code content captured (only metadata)
- Private dashboard by default
- Ability to exclude specific projects
- Local data processing options
- Can self-host WakaTime server
- Open source plugins for transparency
Use Cases
Individual Developers
- Track personal coding time
- Understand language and project distribution
- Set and achieve coding goals
- Analyze productivity patterns
- Invoice clients for development time
Development Teams
- Team productivity insights
- Project time allocation
- Code review time tracking
- Sprint velocity metrics
- Resource planning
Freelance Developers
- Accurate client billing
- Project time estimates
- Portfolio of work hours
- Productivity evidence for clients
Integration Ecosystem
- GitHub/GitLab integration
- Slack notifications
- Discord integration
- Telegram bot
- Email reports
- API for custom integrations
Benefits
- Completely automatic (no manual tracking)
- Works within natural workflow (inside editor)
- Accurate time capture down to the second
- Understand where time actually goes
- Improve time estimates for future projects
- Document billable hours effortlessly
Pricing
Free tier available with basic features. Premium plans start around $9-$12/month for individuals, team plans available.
