Ask HN: What are good self hosted time tracking software for consultants?

Yes, see ManicTime [0], Timing [1] and ActivityWatch [2] for that.

They passively record what you do, on computer and phone, and at the end of the day (or when invoicing is due) allow you to link what you did to projects.

Use ManicTime if you're mostly on Windows, Timing appears to be good if you're mostly on OS X, and ActivityWatch takes the same approach in an open-source cross-platform project.

I have ManicTime set to record a screenshot every 15 seconds, and record window title and document paths on every app switch. Invoicing still takes time, but knowing what you did and when helps to take all the guesswork out of it, especially for chaotic days.

[0] https://www.manictime.com/ [1] https://timingapp.com/ [2] https://activitywatch.net/

I used TimeSnapper for a long time. It screenshots your desktop at an interval that you define, allows you to markup with notes on the screenshots, builds your screenshots into a gif of your day, tracks active window, allows you to delete irrelevant screenshots, log database and screenshots can be password-protected, etc.

The developer was quick to reply to questions about the software and how to take advantage of all the options.

I don't know whether it was still supported but I found it incredibly useful after trying several others (2010). It is installed locally and you control it but the best thing about it (is/was) that you buy it once and use it forever. No subscription. Fuck SaaS.

I just checked and...

Check it out, it seems to be an ongoing business:

https://timesnapper.com/

Best of all, it is only $29.99. When I bought my version back in the day, the Pro version was $79.99. That was a bargain then considering all the useful features and value delivered to me as I ran my consulting work.

I used the screenshots and activity tracker to bill my clients to the minute. LOL. Near zero uncompensated time. Since I did so much remote work my billing started at the login prompt and ended at the logout prompt.

Props to the developers and maintainers of this excellent software!

I have self-hosted https://www.invoiceninja.org/ (PHP backend) for years. It is overkill if all you want is time tracking. But it is a good self-hosted solution for project-based time tracking and invoicing.

I use Emacs org-mode for planning and logging my work. I’m a full time remote employee and not a contractor, but the desire for another party to know what I’ve been up to from more than just commit messages appears the same to me. There’s even a clock that’s smart about tasks.

This is what I've always done. Spreadsheets do everything I need.