WakaTime vs Code Time

A detailed comparison of two popular developer tools — plus how VibeLog fits as a modern, AI-native alternative.

WakaTime

Dashboards for developers

WakaTime automatically tracks coding time via IDE plugins. It measures time spent per project, language, file, branch, and OS — then displays it in dashboards with leaderboards and goals.

Developer Time Tracker$9/month
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Code Time

Time tracking for developers, built in your editor

Code Time is a VS Code extension that tracks coding metrics including time, keystrokes, and lines of code. It provides flow state detection, work-life balance insights, and calendar integration.

Editor-Based Dev Tracker$6/month

Side-by-side comparison

WakaTimeCode TimeVibeLog
CategoryDeveloper Time TrackerEditor-Based Dev TrackerAI Session Tracker
Best forDevelopers wanting personal time metrics across many editorsVS Code users wanting personal productivity and focus insightsTracking what AI coding assistants build
Tracks what was builtNoNoYes
AI awarenessNoneNoneNative (MCP)
Free tierYesYesYes
Starting price$9/month$6/month$9/month
Developer-facingYesYesYes

Who each tool is best for

Choose WakaTime if:

  • Developers wanting personal time metrics across many editors
  • Teams tracking total coding hours by project
  • Competitive leaderboards and coding streaks

Choose Code Time if:

  • VS Code users wanting personal productivity and focus insights
  • Developers interested in work-life balance metrics
  • People who want coding time on their calendar

Choose VibeLog if:

  • You use AI coding assistants and want to track what they build
  • You need automatic, zero-effort session logging
  • You want client-ready reports showing deliverables
  • You want real-time insight into AI changes in your codebase

Strengths and weaknesses

WakaTime

Strengths
  • Massive plugin ecosystem with 60+ IDEs supported
  • Large established user base (400K+ developers)
  • Open-source plugins build community trust
Weaknesses
  • Only tracks time and activity — has no understanding of what was actually built
  • No AI coding assistant awareness — blind to AI-generated code
  • No session or change-level granularity — just time blocks by file/language

Code Time

Strengths
  • Deep VS Code integration with polished UX
  • Unique flow state and focus time detection
  • Calendar integration shows coding time alongside meetings
Weaknesses
  • Limited to VS Code only — no terminal or CLI coverage
  • No awareness of AI coding assistants or AI-generated code
  • Tracks activity metrics, not semantic output of what was actually built

Consider VibeLog

Neither WakaTime nor Code Time was built for the era of AI-assisted coding. VibeLog is the first tool that uses MCP to integrate directly into AI coding assistants and track what they build — automatically, in real-time, with semantic detail.

01

Semantic change tracking

Know what was added, changed, fixed, or removed — with descriptions and affected files.

02

Zero effort

Connect once via MCP. No timers, no plugins, no surveys. Code as usual.

03

Client-ready reports

Generate shareable reports showing exactly what was delivered. Perfect for freelancers and agencies.

Try VibeLog free

The first AI-native coding session tracker. No credit card required.