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SessionWatcher vs OpenQuota
OpenQuota is free, open source and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. If its twelve providers cover the tools you use, it is a good answer and costs nothing. SessionWatcher is paid, and the money buys specific things: 20 tools, a readout placed inside the Windows 11 taskbar, warnings at the thresholds you set, Claude and Codex accounts side by side, a Mac app signed by Apple on the same licence, and a developer who answers email.
Last updated October 6, 2026 · OpenQuota facts checked October 2026 from its README and releases (v0.5.0) · By Soren Starck, maker of SessionWatcher
What OpenQuota is
OpenQuota is an MIT-licensed desktop app built with Tauri, with about 220 GitHub stars. It shows session and weekly limits, reset times, token usage and estimated spend for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Antigravity, Copilot, Devin, Grok, OpenCode, OpenRouter, Z.ai, Kimi and MiniMax, in a compact popup from the tray (or the macOS menu bar) or a floating panel you can keep open. You can pin values to the tray, show used or remaining quota, see 30 days of history, and get pacing alerts. Most providers use credentials already on your computer; OpenRouter, Z.ai, Kimi and MiniMax need an API key, kept in the operating system's credential store.
OpenQuota is the better choice if
- You want it free, or you want to read the source.
- You use Linux, or a Mac older than macOS 14.
- You use MiniMax, which SessionWatcher does not track.
- A tray popup or a floating panel is all the visibility you need.
SessionWatcher is the better choice if
- You use Gemini CLI, Qwen, DeepSeek, Synthetic, Fireworks AI, Command Code, Mistral Vibe or Grok Bot: they are not in OpenQuota's list.
- You want the readout placed in the Windows 11 taskbar itself, next to the clock area rather than in a popup (what the taskbar readout shows).
- You want a notification at 70% and 90% of a limit, or every 10%, and when it resets.
- You run two Codex accounts as well as two Claude accounts (Codex multi-account, Pro).
- You also work on a Mac and want one key for both, with a notarized Mac app, desktop widgets and the iPhone and Apple Watch companion (TestFlight beta).
- You want someone to email when a provider changes its API and the numbers break.
Side by side
| OpenQuota | SessionWatcher | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, MIT open source | Paid; 7-day trial with no card |
| Windows | x64 and ARM64 installers; tray icon with pinned values, or a floating panel | x64 and ARM64; readout inside the Windows 11 taskbar, a small window beside it on Windows 10 |
| Mac | Universal build, macOS 11 or later; values in the menu bar | Menu bar, macOS 14 or later |
| Linux | Yes, AppImage and .deb | No |
| Tools | 12, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot and MiniMax | 20, including Gemini CLI, Qwen, DeepSeek and Mistral Vibe |
| Limits and reset times | Session and weekly limits, reset times | Session and weekly limits, reset times, pace |
| Warnings | Pacing alerts: whether usage will last to the reset | Notifications at 70% and 90% by default, or every 10%, and on reset |
| Several accounts | Claude Code | Claude Code and Codex (Pro) |
| Usage history | Today, yesterday and the last 30 days of tokens and estimated spend | 7, 30 or 90 days of daily usage; tokens and estimated cost |
| Signing | Windows not Authenticode-signed; Mac ad-hoc, not notarized | Mac signed and notarized by Apple; Windows not code-signed yet |
| iPhone and Apple Watch | Not stated | Companion app in TestFlight beta (synced from a Mac) |
| Desktop widgets | Not stated | Yes, on the Mac |
| One licence for Mac and Windows | Not applicable: free everywhere | Yes; Pro covers up to 5 devices |
| Support | GitHub issues | Email to the developer; 14-day refund |
OpenQuota column: its README and GitHub releases, checked October 6, 2026; we did not install or test it. SessionWatcher column: our facts page.
SessionWatcher
Twenty AI tools in the Windows taskbar.
One key for your Mac too.
Native app for the Mac menu bar and the Windows taskbar. Track Claude, Codex and 18 more tools' usage, costs, and rate limits in real time.
“Fast, simple, and does exactly what it should. Definitely worth it.”
@nicojerome on GitHub
Prices go up Nov 1, midnight Paris time. Prices go up Nov 1
macOS 14+. Free for 7 days, no credit card.
For Mac (macOS 14+). Claude Code and everything in Pro are included. Nothing is charged when it ends.
Pricing
OpenQuota is free. Solo is $6.99 and the Bundle is $14.99, both one-time. Pro is $59 one-time ($79 from November 1, Paris time) or $24 a year. Solo covers one of Claude Code, Codex or Cursor; the Bundle covers all three; Pro covers all 20 tools and several accounts, on up to 5 Macs and PCs. The 7-day trial unlocks all of Pro with no card, and every purchase has a 14-day refund window.
Other options on Windows
OpenQuota is one of several free Windows trackers. CodeZeno's Claude Code Usage Monitor sits in the taskbar, Win-CodexBar is a tray port of CodexBar, and Usage Monitor for Claude is a Claude-only tray app. Our Windows tracker comparison lines them all up, and CodexBar for Windows covers the ports.
The verdict
Start with OpenQuota if free matters most, or if you are on Linux. Move to SessionWatcher when you need a tool it does not list, warnings before a limit rather than a pacing hint, Codex accounts side by side, or one supported app across a Mac and a PC. The trial makes that a cheap thing to check.
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenQuota free?
Yes. OpenQuota is free and open source under the MIT licence, with installers for Windows (x64 and ARM64), macOS (a universal build for macOS 11 or later) and Linux (AppImage and .deb). Its README says it has no account, cloud backend, analytics or usage telemetry of its own.
What is the best OpenQuota alternative on Windows?
If you want to stay free, CodeZeno’s Claude Code Usage Monitor (a taskbar widget) and Win-CodexBar (a tray app) are the other open-source options. If you want the readout inside the Windows 11 taskbar for 20 tools, threshold notifications, several Claude and Codex accounts, and one licence that also covers a Mac, SessionWatcher is the paid option.
Which tools does OpenQuota track?
Its README lists twelve: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Antigravity, Copilot, Devin, Grok, OpenCode, OpenRouter, Z.ai, Kimi and MiniMax. Gemini CLI is not in that list. SessionWatcher tracks 20 tools, including Gemini CLI, Qwen, DeepSeek and Mistral Vibe, but not MiniMax.
Are the installers signed?
OpenQuota’s README says that, with native signing disabled (its current default), the Windows installers are not Authenticode-signed and the macOS app is ad-hoc signed and not notarized. SessionWatcher’s Mac app is signed and notarized by Apple; its Windows installer is not code-signed yet either, so SmartScreen asks once.
Does SessionWatcher run on Linux?
No. SessionWatcher runs on macOS 14 or later and on Windows 10 (version 2004) or later and Windows 11. On Linux, OpenQuota is the better answer.
How much does SessionWatcher cost?
Solo is $6.99 and the Bundle is $14.99, both one-time. Pro is $59 one-time ($79 from November 1, Paris time) or $24 a year. The 7-day trial unlocks all of Pro with no card, and every purchase has a 14-day refund window.
SessionWatcherTry all of Pro for 7 days.
Windows or Mac, no card.
Native app for the Mac menu bar and the Windows taskbar. Track Claude, Codex and 18 more tools' usage, costs, and rate limits in real time.
“Fast, simple, and does exactly what it should. Definitely worth it.”
@nicojerome on GitHub
Prices go up Nov 1, midnight Paris time. Prices go up Nov 1
macOS 14+. Free for 7 days, no credit card.
For Mac (macOS 14+). Claude Code and everything in Pro are included. Nothing is charged when it ends.