Wakapi is a minimalist, self-hosted backend for coding statistics that speaks the WakaTime heartbeat API. Developers install any existing WakaTime editor plugin, point it at their Wakapi server with an API key, and get statistics, project summaries, dashboards, and leaderboards without paying for a proprietary service.[1][2]
Quick verdict
Wakapi is a free, open-source, self-hosted backend that turns WakaTime editor heartbeats into coding statistics, dashboards, and leaderboards. It reuses existing WakaTime plugins, runs on Docker or a single binary with SQLite by default, and suits developers and small teams that want their coding data on their own server.[1][2]
Key features
Accepts heartbeats through the WakaTime API, so every existing WakaTime editor plugin works by changing the server URL and API key.[1]
Renders statistics dashboards covering projects, editors, languages, operating systems, and time zones.[1]
Publishes leaderboards with best-day, streak, and top-language views, including public leaderboards for teams.[1]
Breaks time down per project, branch, file, language, machine, and editor with totals and averages.[1]
Installs with a Docker one-liner, a docker-compose setup, or a prebuilt binary, configured through a single config file.[1]
Stores data in SQLite by default and also supports MySQL, Postgres, and CockroachDB for larger deployments.[1]
Exposes a documented REST API with Swagger UI plus a Prometheus metrics endpoint for monitoring.[1][2]
Supports multiple users with organizations, members, and shared leaderboards behind API-key authentication.[1]
Who will love it
Who should avoid it
Editor coverage depends on the WakaTime plugin ecosystem, since Wakapi reuses existing WakaTime editor plugins rather than shipping its own.[1]
No enterprise SSO or support SLA is documented, so organizations needing either should verify before adopting.[1][2]
No explicit operating-system support list or cloud-region documentation is published, so capacity planning rests on the Docker and binary install paths.[1][2]
Alternatives and compatibility
Hackatime is the closest direct alternative: another free, open-source, self-hosted backend that ingests WakaTime-format heartbeats into dashboards and leaderboards.[1][2]
Switching between Wakapi and other WakaTime-compatible backends means repointing the same editor plugin at a new API URL and key, with no editor-side reinstall.[1]
Wakapi stores heartbeats it receives through the WakaTime API format; historical data lives wherever the previous backend kept it and does not transfer automatically.[1]
Questions worth asking
Is Wakapi really free, including the hosted version?
Yes. The official FAQ states Wakapi is free and open-source and always will be free, and that includes the hosted cloud version at wakapi.dev.[1]
How do I send data to Wakapi from my editor?
Install any existing WakaTime plugin for your editor, set the API URL to your Wakapi server, and paste in your Wakapi API key. The plugin then sends coding heartbeats in the background.[1]
Where is my data stored when I self-host Wakapi?
In a SQLite database by default, on your own server. For larger setups you can switch to MySQL, Postgres, or CockroachDB through the configuration file.[1]
How does Wakapi compare to Hackatime?
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 13, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- muety/wakapi repository README
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Repository README with features, installation, database, API, and multi-user documentation.
- Wakapi official homepage
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Official homepage with product positioning, feature list, and free-pricing FAQ.
- muety/wakapi LICENSE via GitHub API
official · Observed October 13, 2026
LICENSE file content confirming the MIT license.
- Hackatime quick-start documentation
official · Observed October 13, 2026
Competing WakaTime-compatible backend setup documenting the substitutable plugin workflow.
Compared with these products
No explicit proprietary baseline is recorded.