This post continues a series where I shout out apps and services that improve my workflow. These tools often fly under the radar but deserve recognition. Today’s spotlight: a clever solution to the challenge of accurate time tracking.

As a software developer, accurate time tracking can be a challenge. While the ideal solution would be to diligently log my time as I go (a habit I’m still working on!), the reality often falls short of this ideal.

A while back, my friend Dave recommended a utility called InstantShot!. You can set the program to take screenshots at regular intervals. This way, you’ll have a visual record of your day that you can use to piece together timesheets later on. For years, this app was my go-to solution, documenting my day without fuss or fanfare.

While effective, InstantShot! has aged, prompting my search for an alternative—a search that ultimately brought me to ScreenMemory. ScreenMemory is a more elegant approach and offers several advantages over its predecessor.

Unlike InstantShot!, which simply saves screenshots to a directory, ScreenMemory is purpose-built. Its rolling storage allows me to save the past few months of history, and it provides an interface for browsing screenshots. This interface is laid out like a media player; you can browse by date and scrub through the day with a timeline.

I can see exactly what I was working on at any given moment, which allows me to fairly allocate client time and ensures that no billable hour goes unaccounted for.

Far more than just a time-tracking tool, its use extends to various valuable functions: recalling past events, retrieving meeting details, revisiting webpages, and even backing up text. This versatility makes it an indispensable aid for memory and productivity.

ScreenMemory is available for $27, but you can take it for a test drive with a limited free trial. It’s written by Jonathan Winger Lang and you can learn more at his website.