sneaktime.app

What It Is

SneakTime is a screenshot notification tool for Upwork Time Tracker. Its core purpose is not to block screenshots or evade tracking, but to alert users after an Upwork screenshot has been taken and show how much time remains in the current 10-minute billing segment. It also notifies users at :00, :10, :20, :30, :40, and :50 when a new billing segment starts, helping freelancers better understand Upwork’s screenshot rhythm.

Core Features and Compliance Boundaries

The product is highly focused: post-screenshot notifications, billing-segment start reminders, remaining-time display, and more noticeable browser notifications / sound alerts. The official website repeatedly emphasizes that SneakTime does not prevent screenshots, fake activity, modify Upwork, or interfere with Time Tracker; it only provides time awareness and reminders. In terms of positioning, it is more of a local productivity helper for freelancers than a full-fledged enterprise collaboration SaaS.

Privacy, Security, and Deployment

SneakTime says it detects screenshot events by reading Upwork’s local log files, without uploading screenshot images or screen content. If stats/login is enabled, it only stores screenshot timestamps and basic usage events. Installation includes a Chrome extension and a desktop backend daemon downloaded from GitHub, with the backend being open source. Mac and Linux are currently supported, while Windows is still under development. We did not find information about enterprise-grade security features such as team permissions, audit logs, enterprise SSO, or compliance certifications.

Pricing and Ease of Use

The official website clearly states that it is 100% free, with no trial, no subscription, and no hidden fees, making it very cost-effective. However, users need to install both the browser extension and the local backend daemon, then follow the setup instructions for about 5 minutes. Compared with a pure web-based SaaS, the setup barrier is slightly higher and may feel less smooth for non-technical users.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

Its strengths are that it is free, open-source and transparent, targets a clear pain point, and tries to avoid high-risk cheating-type behavior. It offers practical value for Upwork freelancers who bill hourly and worry about accidentally losing a 10-minute work segment. The drawbacks are its extremely narrow scope—it is almost exclusively for Upwork Time Tracker—plus Windows is not ready yet, and there is no clear disclosure of service support, API availability, or team collaboration features.

Access from China and Alternatives

The official website does not provide information about access from mainland China, payment methods, or localization, so access status should be considered unknown. Since the product is free, payment is not a major issue for now. Alternatives include Upwork’s native reminders and general time reminder tools. We do not recommend using tools that simulate activity, block screenshots, or modify input behavior, as these may create account compliance risks.