OpenHistory logo

OpenHistory

Open-source, private macOS app that turns your permitted activity into a searchable work timeline

Data verified Sep 30, 2026

48
Pundit
Score
Alternatives

Editorial Verdict

AI-researched, not hands-on tested

OpenHistory's deliberate exclusions — no screenshots, no keystrokes, no telemetry — make it one of the more privacy-conscious activity trackers available, open source or not, while still providing enough structured context for a local AI agent to answer real questions about a person's day.

Reviewed by AIToolPundit Editorial Team · last verified September 2026

About OpenHistory

OpenHistory is an open-source macOS app that builds a private, searchable timeline of a user's work by observing only the foreground activity they explicitly permit — window names, document context, browser domains, clicks, and visible interface text via macOS Accessibility APIs. It generates hourly and daily summaries and gives approved local AI agents a controlled way to answer questions about what the user did, using Apple's local Foundation Model by default or, optionally, OpenAI, Anthropic, or Kimi. By design, it does not capture screenshots, audio, camera or microphone input, passwords, private browser windows, or low-level keystrokes, and sends no analytics or telemetry of its own. All activity, timelines, summaries, settings, and agent connections are stored in a permission-restricted directory on the user's own Mac. It requires macOS 14 or later and is available on GitHub and via a direct download from its own site.

Screenshots

OpenHistory screenshot 1
OpenHistory screenshot 2

Commonly Cited Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • Explicit, narrow privacy design — no screenshots or keystroke logging even though it's an activity tracker
  • Data stays in a permission-restricted local directory rather than a cloud account

Limitations

  • macOS 14+ only — no Windows or older macOS support

Details

Pricing Model
Free
Starting Price
Free
Team Size
1-10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OpenHistory free?

Yes, OpenHistory is free to use.

Does OpenHistory have an API?

OpenHistory does not currently offer a public API.

Is OpenHistory open source?

Yes, OpenHistory is open source.

What are the downsides of OpenHistory?

macOS 14+ only — no Windows or older macOS support

What is the best alternative to OpenHistory?

AxonSheet is the closest alternative to OpenHistory, followed by Manus and Sista AI.

How does OpenHistory compare to AxonSheet?

OpenHistory and AxonSheet are both used for productivity & automation. See the full side-by-side comparison for pricing and feature differences.

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