Read this first: this extension is only the browser half. It needs the ActivityWatch desktop app to work. Without the app, it has nothing to send data to. It is also a time tracker, not a Pomodoro timer.

Why it's a strong pick

Most browser time trackers are a single extension. This one plugs into ActivityWatch, an open-source tracker, so your browser time sits next to the rest of your computer time. The extension is open source under MPL-2.0, and its code is public on GitHub. It uses Manifest V3 in its Chrome build. The repo's latest release, v0.6.0, is dated 2026-09-08.

What it does

The README calls it "a cross-browser WebExtension that serves as a web browser watcher for ActivityWatch." It records what you do in the browser and passes it to ActivityWatch. The README says that without it, ActivityWatch can usually only see the browser window title.

Key features

Tab details. It records the active tab's title, URL, audible state and incognito state.
Fits ActivityWatch. Browser activity shows up in the same tracker as your other apps.
Options page and popup. Change settings from the extension.
Several browsers. The repo builds for Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
Open source. The code is public under MPL-2.0.

Who it's for

It is for people who already track their own time, or want to start, and like an open-source tool. It suits you if you want to see which sites take your hours. If you want a countdown timer for focus sessions, pick one of the timer extensions below instead.

What permissions does ActivityWatch Web Watcher ask for?

Its Chrome manifest asks for tabs, alarms, notifications, activeTab, offscreen and storage. It also asks for access to all sites (<all_urls>). That is broad, and it fits the job: the extension reads your tab details so it can log them. Read the install prompt before you add it.

Does it work without the ActivityWatch app?

No. The extension is a watcher for ActivityWatch, so it needs the desktop app running. The core app lives in the ActivityWatch repo on GitHub. Install and start the app first, then add the extension. On its own, the extension has nowhere to pass the tab data it records.

Does it record private browsing and page addresses?

It records the page title and URL of your active tab, and it records whether the tab is incognito. That is sensitive history. Check the extension's settings for incognito and exclude options before you rely on it. We did not test those options.

What about privacy?

The developer's README says it works with ActivityWatch, and its package list includes the ActivityWatch client. The README also mentions a privacy notice shown on Firefox. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing.

FAQ

Is it open source? Yes, under MPL-2.0.

Is it a Pomodoro timer? No. It logs activity for ActivityWatch. It does not count down work sessions.

Which browsers does it support? The repo builds for Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

Good to know

This extension is only useful with the app, and it sees every site you visit. Before you leave it on, open its settings and look at what it records. Then check your ActivityWatch data after a day, so you know what is being logged.

Other productivity timers to compare

ActivityWatch Web Watcher is one of 6 picks in our productivity timers guide:

Marinara: A plain Pomodoro timer in your toolbar. Set your own interval lengths. Open source under MIT.
Forest: A focus timer that grows a virtual tree. Leave a session early and the tree dies.
Focus To-Do: A Pomodoro timer and a to-do list in one extension. It works offline without an account. Sync needs one.
Tomato Clock: An open-source Pomodoro timer. Tomato intervals, stats and a dark theme. No task list, no site blocking.
Pomofocus: A Chrome listing that pairs a Pomodoro timer with a task manager and a website blocker. Check the publisher name before you install.