Actually Played

Actually Played is a free, client-side Minecraft mod that tracks playtime separately for each server and singleplayer world, distinguishing activity from AFK time. After five minutes without qualifying input, it stops the counter and marks the recently counted idle period as AFK. Signals include movement intent, camera rotation, keyboard and mouse input, and actions such as breaking or placing blocks. Reading movement intent means being carried by water or a minecart does not count as active input. The mod needs no server-side installation and says it sends no network traffic or telemetry. History stays on the user’s machine in readable, editable JSON. Sessions retain detail for 90 days before older records are combined into monthly summaries. Listed Minecraft versions are 1.7.10, 1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, with Forge, Fabric or NeoForge support depending on version. Realms are not tracked because the client receives no stable identifier. From Minecraft 1.16 onward, settings are edited in a properties file rather than an in-game settings screen.

Actually Played offers automatic, per-world and per-server tracking with local data storage and AFK detection. Check the listed game versions and loader support, and note that Realms are excluded.

It suits Minecraft players who want local playtime records separated by server and singleplayer world, including a distinction between active time and AFK time.

Actually Played is a free Minecraft mod that records time independently for every server and singleplayer world, while separating active play from idling. It is best for Minecraft players who want a private, machine-local history rather than a service account or server plugin. The focused design is convincing for supported Java versions, but its Minecraft-only scope and lack of Realms support narrow its audience.

Overview

Tracking begins automatically when you play on a supported server or singleplayer world, with no installation on the server itself. The mod is client-side and says it sends no network traffic or telemetry, so your history remains on your computer. That makes it a sensible choice for privacy-conscious players and for servers where adding a mod is not possible.

It distinguishes active play from inactivity using input intent rather than character position. Movement intent, camera rotation, keyboard and mouse input, and interactions such as breaking or placing blocks count as activity. After five minutes without activity, the counter stops and converts the just-counted idle period to AFK time. Being carried by water or a minecart therefore does not falsely appear to be active play, which matters for AFK farms.

Play history is readable, hand-editable JSON in Minecraft's local configuration directory. Sessions keep full detail for 90 days, then older records are consolidated into monthly summaries. Atomic writes, autosaving the current session every 60 seconds by default, and renaming damaged files instead of deleting them provide useful protection against crashes and corrupted data. The trade-off is that your records are tied to local files and require your own backup routine.

Key features

• Separate destinations: Per-server and per-world totals show where your Minecraft time actually goes instead of combining every session into one figure.
• Automatic AFK adjustment: The five-minute inactivity rule and intent-based signals produce a more meaningful active-play total than a simple login timer.
• Local, editable history: JSON gives advanced users direct control and basic export capability, while preserving a straightforward, human-readable archive.
• Durable saves: Frequent autosaves and preserved damaged files reduce the chance that a crash destroys an ongoing record.
• Open licensing: The MIT license permits modification, modpack bundling and commercial redistribution when the copyright notice is retained. Bug reports, translations and pull requests are welcomed through the repository.

Realms are not tracked because the client receives no stable identifier for those connections. On Minecraft 1.16 and later, configuration is edited in a properties file rather than an in-game settings screen, so players expecting menu-based controls may find maintenance less convenient.

Pricing

Free — free. This is a free Minecraft mod with automatic tracking, client-side operation, no dependencies, basic data export, and support for Minecraft servers and singleplayer worlds. There is no paid tier or trial to weigh against it, making the decision about compatibility and workflow rather than budget. Its limits are functional: local storage, 90-day detailed sessions before monthly rollups, and no Realms tracking.

Platforms

Actually Played supports Linux, macOS and Windows through Minecraft. The README lists Minecraft 1.7.10, 1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, with Forge, Fabric or NeoForge support depending on the version. Installation requires the matching loader and placing the mod JAR in .minecraft/mods/; no server-side component is required. Check both the Minecraft version and loader before choosing it, since support is version-specific rather than universal.

Who it's for

Choose it if you play Java Minecraft across several servers or worlds and want active-time totals that discount idle periods. It is particularly well suited to privacy-focused players, AFK-farm operators who need intent-aware accounting, and technically comfortable users who value editable local JSON and open redistribution terms.

Look elsewhere if you need Realms records, cross-device synchronization, a broader game catalog, or a graphical settings panel on newer Minecraft versions. The local, file-based approach is powerful but assumes you can manage those files yourself.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Accurate destination separation: Server and world totals remain distinct, making long-term comparisons useful.
• Meaningful active-time accounting: Input-based AFK detection avoids counting passive transport as play.
• Strong privacy posture: No telemetry or network communication keeps records on the player's machine.
• Resilient local history: Atomic saves, 60-second autosaves and retained damaged files protect accumulated records.
• Free and permissively licensed: There is no subscription, and MIT terms allow modpack and commercial redistribution with attribution.

Cons

• No Realms tracking: Players using Microsoft's Realms connections cannot include them in the same history.
• Narrow platform scope: It covers Minecraft rather than games generally, with only selected versions and loaders.
• File-based newer-version settings: Minecraft 1.16 and later use a properties file instead of an in-game settings screen.
• Local-only records: The archive does not automatically follow you to another computer, and detailed session data rolls into monthly summaries after 90 days.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of tracking tools, see Game Playtime Trackers.

GamePal is the better fit for iOS users who want a freemium mobile app with optional Platinum plans. PlayTracker suits readers seeking Android, iOS, web and Windows coverage, with a free gamer plan and a paid Indie tier. GameDiary is a free choice spanning Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosting, web and Windows.

Arknights: Endfield Playtime Tracker is preferable when your focus is that specific game on web or Windows. GamingGaiden is another free Windows option. Outplayed is aimed at Windows users wanting freemium recording and Outplayed.tv hosting features rather than Minecraft-only time logs.

Game Time Manager offers a free, open-source Windows-only alternative. PlayCounter is a Windows desktop option with an MIT-licensed client and a privately maintained production backend.

Verdict

Actually Played is the right choice for Minecraft players who want automatic, AFK-adjusted per-server and per-world accounting with private, editable local data at no cost. Its durable file handling and open license strengthen that focused proposition. Choose another tracker if Realms, multiple games, cloud-style portability or in-game configuration are essential.