Time tracking 2026 Rank: #1967

drifty ✓

See where your focus actually goes.

182 views 6 saves Freemium
More categories (4)

Verdict

A quick read before you dig into the full page.

Best if
See where your focus actually goes
Skip if
Costly API key usage
Pick this when
Automatic time tracking

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Overview

drifty is an AI-based time tracker designed to monitor the use of different applications and provide insight into the user's workday. It differentiates between focus and drift time within an application, thus providing a clear representation of productivity.

The tool automatically records the apps, sites, and sessions utilized throughout a day and categorizes these into their respective work contexts, eliminating the need for manual timers or tagging.

Specifically, drifty uses an AI classification system called Gemini, DeepSeek, and Qwen to automatically tag captured activities as focus, neutral, or drift time.

Furthermore, drifty provides users with the flexibility to choose where they want their AI model to run - locally on their Mac, in the drifty Cloud, or via their own API key.

Privacy is a key feature, with no screen recording or saved screenshots, as well as an emphasis on minimal context label hints. Other functionalities of drifty include presenting a daily activity timeline, weekly focus profile, detailed session insights, and an alarm feature for returning the user to focus, all aiming to aid in understanding and enhancing productivity patterns.

drifty website

Access & connections

Where you can use drifty.

Platforms

Web

API

Public API available

Auth: API key

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Capabilities

What this tool accepts, produces, and is strongest at.

Input

  • API
  • Sensor data

Output

  • Tabular
  • API

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Automatic time tracking
  • Private time tracking
  • No manual timers
  • Activity context labeling
  • Automatic Tagging
  • Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen classifiers
  • Privacy protecting measures
  • No screen recording
Show 37 more
  • Minimal context labels
  • Activity timeline presentation
  • Weekly focus profile
  • Detailed session insights
  • Returning focus alarm
  • Enhancing productivity
  • Work pattern analysis
  • Work context categorization
  • Visual app/site/session capture
  • Context engine model routes
  • No model setup
  • Privacy control settings
  • Focus/Drift rhythm insights
  • Built for real work patterns
  • Background capture functionality
  • 3-minute recording blocks
  • No timer initiation needed
  • Daily activity timeline
  • Weekly calendar from captured activity
  • 9 smart categories
  • Session-level detail
  • Zero manual tagging
  • On-device operation
  • Recurring pattern insights
  • Weekly focus heatmap
  • Drift Alarm feature
  • Return to focus suggestions
  • Context-specific suggestions
  • Extreme nudge closes loop
  • Recorded app/site/session context
  • No screen recording or screenshots
  • Built for Mac
  • Same-app understanding
  • Displays work context
  • Alerts for returning to focus
  • Free starting price
  • Compare productivity trackers

Cons

  • Mac exclusive
  • Potential high RAM usage
  • Needs internet for certain features
  • No manual tagging option
  • Strict focus enforcement can interrupt
  • No visual surveillance
  • Missing in-app focus distinction
  • Costly API key usage

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Releases 1

Initial release August 5, 2026 Current
Initial release of drifty.

FAQ 12

What is drifty?
Drifty is an AI-based time tracker designed to monitor the use of different applications, providing insight into the user's workday. It goes beyond app-level tracking and distinguishes between focus and drift time within an application. This approach provides a clear representation of productivity.
What are the key features of drifty?
Drifty's key features include automated time tracking, activity classification (focus, neutral, or drift time), AI modeling, and flexible AI deployment. It does not require manual timers or tagging, as it automatically records apps, sites, and sessions used throughout a day and categorizes them into their respective work contexts. Other features include a daily activity timeline, weekly focus profile, detailed session insights, and a returning to focus alarm. Privacy is a dominant feature, with no screen recording or saved screenshots.
How does drifty's AI technology work?
Drifty's AI technology works by recording the active app, site, and session in the background and then using artificial intelligence to classify the captured activity. It employs fast model routes to label the captured activities as Focus, Neutral, or Drift, without asking the users to tag it. It reads the activity context and classifies each moment as focus or drift.
What does drifty monitor during a workday?
During a workday, Drifty records the use of different applications, websites, and sessions. It logs the time spent across these and categorizes them into their respective work contexts.
How does drifty differentiate between focus and drift time?
Drifty differentiates between focus and drift time by classifying each session's activity context. It monitors usage and automatically tags captured activities as focus, neutral, or drift time using its AI classification system.
How does drifty classify activities?
Drifty classifies activities using its AI classification system. Named Gemini, DeepSeek, and Qwen, these systems automatically tag captured activities as focus, neutral, or drift time by understanding the context in which each one is completed.
What AI classification systems does drifty use?
Drifty uses three different AI classification systems called Gemini, DeepSeek, and Qwen. These systems serve to automatically tag captured activities as focus, neutral, or drift time.
Can I choose where the AI model runs in drifty?
Yes, with Drifty, users have the flexibility to choose where they want their AI model to run. Options include running the model locally on the user's Mac, in the Drifty cloud, or via their own API key.
Does drifty respect my privacy?
Absolutely. Drifty has been designed with a privacy-first approach. It does not enable screen recording or save screenshots. The product operates around activity context not visual surveillance. Users also have control over where their AI model runs, giving them an additional layer of privacy control.
Does drifty record the screen or save screenshots?
No, Drifty does not record the screen or save screenshots. It is designed keeping privacy as a priority and operates around activity context, not visual surveillance.
What are the capabilities of drifty in terms of tracking and presenting productivity data?
Drifty has comprehensive capabilities for tracking and presenting productivity data. It automatically records apps, sites, and sessions used throughout the day and categorizes them into their respective work contexts. It also presents a daily activity timeline, a weekly focus profile, and detailed session insights. It goes beyond app-level tracking, using AI to separate focus from drift, and reveal clearer workday insights.
Can drifty provide detailed session insights?
Yes, Drifty does provide detailed insights for sessions. It categorizes the shape of the day, where it occurred (apps and sites used), and what was actually done during the time. This level of detail aids in analyzing and understanding productivity patterns.
drifty Free + from $4/mo