A RescueTime alternative that keeps your data local
RescueTime popularized automatic time tracking, but it syncs your activity to its own servers and is built around productivity scoring. DayReplay covers the same “track my day without timers” need while keeping every byte on your own machine — and adds the invoice-ready export freelancers actually bill from.
| DayReplay | RescueTime | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your data lives | Local SQLite file on your device | Synced to RescueTime's cloud |
| Account required | No — just a license key | Yes (cloud account) |
| Automatic capture | Yes — every ~5s, no timers | Yes |
| Screenshots / keylogging | Never | Never |
| Browser URL + tab context | Yes, per session | Activity categorized into reports rather than per-session billing records |
| Invoice-ready CSV export | Yes — one row per session | Reports/dashboards, not per-session billing rows |
| Pricing | Free tier; Pro $7/mo or $59/yr | Free plan + paid subscription |
| Platforms | Native Windows + macOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
With DayReplay, your captured activity never leaves your computer — there is no server to sync to, no account to create, and no telemetry. See exactly what is and isn't stored on the security page.
Reasons to switch from RescueTime to DayReplay
- No cloud sync. If you handle client-confidential work, “my activity data stays on my machine” is the whole point.
- Per-session detail. DayReplay reconstructs your day into sessions with the app, window title, and browser URL/tab — not just a productivity percentage.
- Built to bill. Pro exports one row per session (start, end, duration, app, domain, category) — drop it into your invoice or spreadsheet.
- No subscription lock-in to a dashboard. The data is a plain SQLite file you can open yourself.
Where RescueTime is the better choice
Be honest with yourself about the job. If you want productivity scoring and goals, FocusTime-style distraction blocking, mobile tracking, or a cross-device cloud dashboard, RescueTime is purpose-built for that and DayReplay deliberately isn't. DayReplay is for reconstructing and billing a desktop workday, privately.
Try DayReplay
Free covers today's timeline so you can judge the capture before paying. Pro adds 30-day history, day navigation, custom category rules, and CSV export.
More: How it works · Security & privacy · Pricing · Compare all alternatives.