Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AppBlock VS ActivityWatch

Compare AppBlock VS ActivityWatch and see what are their differences

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AppBlock logo AppBlock

App blocking application

ActivityWatch logo ActivityWatch

Log what you do on your computer. Simple (yet powerful), extensible, no third parties.
  • AppBlock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-26
  • ActivityWatch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03

AppBlock features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    AppBlock offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all technical backgrounds.
  • Customizable Blocking
    Users can customize the blocking of certain apps and notifications during specific times to improve focus and productivity.
  • Password Protection
    The app allows users to set a password on the settings, ensuring that changes can't be made without authorization.
  • Recurring Schedules
    AppBlock supports recurring schedules, allowing users to regularly block apps at set times without the need for daily setup.
  • Battery Saver
    By limiting app access, AppBlock can help reduce battery drain, improving overall device performance.

Possible disadvantages of AppBlock

  • Limited Free Version
    The basic version of AppBlock may not offer all features, requiring a premium purchase for full functionality.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Certain devices may experience compatibility problems, potentially limiting app effectiveness or causing crashes.
  • Potential Overblocking
    Without careful setup, users might block important notifications or apps unintentionally, impacting usability.
  • Dependence on User Discipline
    AppBlock requires users to set up and adhere to its schedules themselves, which might not be effective for those lacking self-discipline.

ActivityWatch features and specs

  • Open Source
    ActivityWatch is an open-source project, which means its code is publicly available for review and contributions. This promotes transparency and security.
  • Cross-Platform
    ActivityWatch works on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile and accessible for users on different platforms.
  • Privacy-Focused
    Being an open-source project, ActivityWatch places a strong emphasis on user privacy, ensuring data is stored locally rather than in the cloud unless the user chooses otherwise.
  • Customizable
    The tool provides various frameworks and APIs for customization, allowing users to create custom trackers and reports to better fit their needs.
  • Detailed Analytics
    ActivityWatch provides comprehensive data and visualizations on how users spend their time on their devices, aiding in productivity analysis and improvement.

Possible disadvantages of ActivityWatch

  • Complex Setup
    For non-technical users, the initial setup and configuration may be complex and challenging compared to more polished, commercial solutions.
  • Resource Usage
    ActivityWatch can consume a notable amount of system resources, particularly on lower-end hardware, which might impact device performance.
  • Feature Limitations
    Compared to some commercial alternatives, ActivityWatch may lack certain advanced features like automated focus time recommendations or built-in integrations with other productivity tools.
  • UI/UX
    The user interface and user experience may not be as polished or intuitive as some of its proprietary competitors, potentially affecting user friendliness.
  • Maintenance
    Since it’s an open-source project, ongoing maintenance and updates depend on community contributions, which might result in slower development cycles for new features and bug fixes.

Analysis of ActivityWatch

Overall verdict

  • ActivityWatch is a good choice if you are looking for a privacy-respecting, customizable, and open-source solution for tracking your digital activities. Its detailed reports and ability to track various aspects of productivity make it a valuable tool for individuals interested in optimizing their time management.

Why this product is good

  • ActivityWatch is an open-source time-tracking tool that helps you understand how you spend your time across different activities and applications. It is designed to provide detailed insights and reports on your computer usage patterns, making it a good choice for productivity analysis. The tool is privacy-focused, as it stores data locally by default, ensuring that personal information is not shared without permission. Additionally, its extensible nature allows for customization and integration with other tools.

Recommended for

    ActivityWatch is recommended for remote workers, freelancers, productivity enthusiasts, and anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of their computer usage patterns without compromising on privacy. It is also suitable for developers and tech-savvy users who want to customize or extend its functionality.

AppBlock videos

AppBlock | iFocusMode | Review

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ActivityWatch videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AppBlock and ActivityWatch)
Time Tracking
9 9%
91% 91
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Invoicing
9 9%
91% 91
Project Management
10 10%
90% 90

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AppBlock and ActivityWatch

AppBlock Reviews

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ActivityWatch Reviews

49 Best Timesheet Alternatives - Features, pros & cons, pricing | Remote Tools
ActivityWatch tracks how you spend time on your devices. It can help you keep track of time spent on different projects, kick bad screen habits, or just understand how you spend your time.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ActivityWatch seems to be a lot more popular than AppBlock. While we know about 55 links to ActivityWatch, we've tracked only 1 mention of AppBlock. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AppBlock mentions (1)

ActivityWatch mentions (55)

  • Everyone knows all the apps on your phone
    > How hard would it be for an app to monitor all of your web traffic based on the title alone? Although not terribly accurate (because of the high variability of page titles), tools like ManicTime and ActivityWatch use windows titles to track your browser history if you don't install the browser plugin. https://www.manictime.com/ https://activitywatch.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • RemotePulse – Boost your remote work productivity with effortless tracking
    Try https://activitywatch.net/ Plus extensions for Chrome and VSCode: https://docs.activitywatch.net/en/latest/watchers.html It will give track how much time you spend per file, URL, window. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Windows Recall / Rewind.ai Alternatives?
    Are there any good alternatives? I know about OpenRecall and ActivityWatch but what are some other options? https://github.com/openrecall/openrecall https://activitywatch.net/ I remember there was an older Windows desktop app too (proprietary paid) which was linked here but I forgot to save the link... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Basic computer logon tracking/monitoring tools?
    But have a look at https://activitywatch.net/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • I am looking for an Ubuntu tool to keep track of time spent actively using the computer
    I have used a tool called Activity Watch, an open source project. But this is kind of too much for me. Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing AppBlock and ActivityWatch, you can also consider the following products

App Usage - Manage/Track Usage - App Usage is the easiest to use but powerful app/device usage management app. It provides the following key features: App usage history: gather the usage time about apps that you used Activity history: gather the time that you open apps -Play Store

RescueTime - Time management software that shows you how you spend your time & provides tools to help you be more productive.

ManicTime - Track your computer usage and use collected data to accurately tag time.

KosmoTime - The to do list with super powers

Toggl - Toggl is an online time tracking tool. It features 1-click time tracking and helps you see where your time goes. Free and paid versions are available.

Session - Complete photo session booking platform