Why I Built TimeTrackly: A Private Time Tracker for Makers
I buit TimeTrackly - a local-first, privacy-focused time tracker for freelancers and makers.
I built it because I was tired of the endless parade of cloud-based time trackers that demanded my data and attention. I needed something that respected my privacy, worked offline, and let me start tracking in seconds.
How TimeTrackly Solves the Problem
Existing time trackers require:
- ❌ Creating an account and remembering another password
- ❌ Uploading your work data to someone else's servers
- ❌ Trusting a third party with your productivity patterns
- ❌ Dealing with ads, paywalls, or "freemium" upsells
TimeTrackly gives you:
- ✅ 100% Privacy - Your data stays on your computer, always
- ✅ No Setup Friction - Start tracking in 30 seconds (literally)
- ✅ Always Available - Works offline; no internet required
- ✅ You Own Your Data - Human-readable JSON files; export anytime
- ✅ Zero Dependencies - Just Node.js, nothing else (smaller attack surface, no supply chain risk)
Who’s It For?
TimeTrackly is perfect for:
- Freelancers who want to track billable hours without syncing to anyone else's server
- Privacy-conscious teams - each member runs locally, and you control your own data
- Developers and makers who love minimal dependencies and hackable tools
- Anyone who wants to own their data, with no vendor lock-in
Where to Find It
Head over to my GitHub repo.
All you need is Node.js and Git. Clone the repo, run npm start, and you’re tracking time at http://localhost:13331. Your data is saved locally - no cloud, no sign-up, no nonsense.