Comparative Review of Leading Time Tracking Software
By Richard "Rick" Callahan | Published: Review Period 4 | Category: Time Tracking Software
About Time Tracking Software
Time tracking software enables individuals and teams to record time spent on tasks and projects, facilitating accurate billing, payroll, project management, and productivity analysis. These tools range from simple timers to complex platforms with workforce management features.
Scoring Criteria
- → Ease of Use
- → Features
- → Integrations
- → Reporting
- → Pricing
- → Support
The Best Time Tracking Software
#10
ClickTime
By ClickTime
Robust time and expense tracking platform designed for businesses needing detailed reporting, project costing, and resource planning.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Mobile (iOS, Android)
Best For: Medium to Large Businesses, Consulting Firms, Non-profits, Government Contractors, Enterprises
Key Features
- ✓Timesheet Management: Easy time entry via timesheets, timers, or mobile app. (Yes)
- ✓Expense Tracking: Submit expenses with receipt capture. (Advanced)
- ✓Project Budgeting & Costing: Track project profitability, budgets, and costs in detail. (Advanced)
- ✓Resource Planning: Forecast resource needs and manage employee allocation. (Yes)
- ✓Time Off Management: Track employee leave and accruals. (Yes)
- ✓Reporting & Analytics: Over 80 pre-built reports and custom reporting options. (Advanced)
- ✓Approvals Workflow: Customizable approval paths for timesheets and expenses. (Yes)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.1 / 10.0)
Pricing
Starter
$10.00 / Per User/Month
- Time tracking
- Basic reporting
- Standard approvals
- Time off management
Limitations: Limited reporting, No expense tracking
Team
$13.00 / Per User/Month
- Expense tracking
- Advanced reporting
- Workflow approvals
- Billing rate management
Premier
$24.00 / Per User/Month
- Resource planning
- Project budgeting
- Utilization goals
- Advanced integrations
Enterprise
Contact Vendor
- Custom solutions
- Dedicated support
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
Pros
- + Extensive reporting and analytics capabilities
- + Strong expense tracking features
- + Robust project costing and budgeting
- + Includes resource planning and time off management
- + Scalable for larger organizations
Cons
- - Higher starting price point
- - No free plan
- - Interface can feel less modern
- - Primarily web and mobile, limited desktop presence
Verdict
"ClickTime is a comprehensive solution for mid-sized to larger businesses needing detailed control over time, expenses, project costs, and resource allocation, backed by powerful reporting."
#9
Timely
By Memory AS
AI-powered automatic time tracking that captures all computer activity and drafts time entries for review, minimizing manual input.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS), Mobile (iOS, Android)
Best For: Consultants, Agencies, Law Firms, Teams valuing accuracy, Users disliking manual timers
Key Features
- ✓Automatic Time Tracking (Memory AI): Records computer activity (apps, websites, documents, meetings) privately. (Advanced)
- ✓AI-Drafted Time Entries: Suggests time entries based on recorded activity for user confirmation. (Yes)
- ✓Project & Task Tracking: Organize tracked time against projects and tasks. (Yes)
- ✓Reporting: Detailed reports on time allocation, project progress, and team capacity. (Advanced)
- ✓Billable Hours & Budgeting: Track billable hours and monitor project budgets in real-time. (Yes)
- ✓Team Management: View team activity (aggregated or detailed based on settings) and manage workload. (Yes)
- ✓Integrations: Connects with calendars and some project management tools. (Good)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.1 / 10.0)
Pricing
Starter
$9.00 / Per User/Month
- 3 teams
- 50 projects
- Automatic time tracking
- AI assistance
- Basic reporting
Limitations: Limited projects and teams
Premium
$16.00 / Per User/Month
- Unlimited teams
- Unlimited projects
- Advanced reporting
- Project & capacity planning
- Budget tracking
Unlimited
$22.00 / Per User/Month
- Unlimited features
- Individual capacity planning
- Personalized onboarding
- Priority support
Pros
- + Innovative AI-powered automatic tracking
- + Significantly reduces manual entry effort
- + High accuracy in time capture
- + Strong focus on privacy (user controls data)
- + Excellent reporting capabilities
Cons
- - No free plan
- - Higher price point than many competitors
- - AI requires a learning period
- - Can feel complex initially
Verdict
"Timely offers a unique, AI-driven approach to automatic time tracking that ensures accuracy with minimal user effort, ideal for professionals who value precision but dislike timers."
#8
Everhour
By Weavora Consulting LLC
Time tracking software that integrates deeply into popular project management tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, Basecamp, and ClickUp.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari), Mobile (iOS)
Best For: Teams using integrated PM tools, Agencies, Software Development, Consultants
Key Features
- ✓Seamless PM Integration: Track time directly within Asana, Trello, Jira, etc. (Advanced)
- ✓Time Tracking (Timer & Manual): Start timers or log time manually from web or PM tool. (Yes)
- ✓Reporting: Customizable reports on time, budgets, and profitability. (Advanced)
- ✓Project Budgeting: Set time or fee-based budgets, track progress, get alerts. (Yes)
- ✓Resource Planning: Visualize team availability and schedule projects. (Yes)
- ✓Invoicing: Create invoices from tracked time and expenses. (Yes)
- ✓Expense Tracking: Log project-related expenses. (Yes)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.3 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Up to 5 users
- Basic time tracking
- Reporting
- Unlimited projects
- Website access
Limitations: No integrations, Limited features
Lite
$5.00 / Per User/Month
- All integrations
- Budgeting
- Billing
- Reminders
- Minimum 2 users
Limitations: No scheduling, No expense tracking
Team
$8.50 / Per User/Month
- All Lite features
- Scheduling
- Expenses
- Time off
- Timesheets approval
- Minimum 5 users
Limitations: Minimum user count
Pros
- + Exceptional integration with project management tools
- + Time tracking embedded within PM workflows
- + Good reporting and budgeting features
- + Includes resource planning and invoicing
Cons
- - Primarily relies on browser extension
- - Minimum user counts on paid plans
- - Free plan lacks core integration value
- - No Android app
Verdict
"Everhour is the best choice for teams heavily invested in project management platforms like Asana or Jira, offering unparalleled native integration."
#7
DeskTime
By DeskTime
Automatic time tracking and productivity analysis software with features for team management and project tracking.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), Mobile (iOS, Android)
Best For: Office-based Teams, Remote Teams, Agencies, Businesses tracking application usage, Productivity Monitoring
Key Features
- ✓Automatic Time Tracking: Tracks time automatically based on computer usage. (Yes)
- ✓Application & URL Tracking: Monitors software and website usage, categorizing productivity. (Yes)
- ✓Productivity Calculation: Calculates daily productivity based on app usage. (Yes)
- ✓Screenshots: Optional screenshot capturing for monitoring. (Yes (Paid Tiers))
- ✓Project Tracking: Assign tracked time to specific projects and tasks. (Yes)
- ✓Absence Calendar: Track employee time off and absences. (Yes)
- ✓Shift Scheduling: Plan employee work shifts. (Yes (Paid Tiers))
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pricing
Lite
Contact Vendor
- 1 user only
- Automatic time tracking
- App tracking
- Mobile app
Limitations: Single user, Basic features only
Pro
$6.42 / Per User/Month
- Productivity calculation
- URL tracking
- Project tracking
Limitations: No screenshots or integrations
Premium
$9.17 / Per User/Month
- Screenshots
- Absence calendar
- Company integrations (Jira, Asana, etc.)
Enterprise
$18.33 / Per User/Month
- VIP support
- Unlimited projects & data history
- Personalized onboarding
- Scheduling
Pros
- + Reliable automatic time tracking
- + Clear productivity categorization
- + Includes absence tracking
- + Optional screenshots for accountability
- + Project tracking capabilities
Cons
- - Free plan is very limited (single user)
- - Interface feels slightly dated compared to some
- - Advanced features like scheduling require top tier
Verdict
"DeskTime offers solid automatic time tracking and productivity monitoring, making it a good fit for teams needing visibility into application usage and work patterns."
#6
RescueTime
By RescueTime
Automatic time tracking focused on understanding and improving personal and team productivity habits by categorizing digital activity.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), Mobile (Android - limited), Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Brave)
Best For: Individuals seeking productivity improvement, Knowledge Workers, Teams focused on work habits, Understanding digital distractions
Key Features
- ✓Automatic Time Tracking: Automatically tracks time spent on websites and applications. (Yes)
- ✓Productivity Pulse: Real-time feedback on focus and work patterns. (Yes)
- ✓Distraction Blocking (FocusTime): Blocks distracting websites during focused work sessions. (Yes)
- ✓Goal Setting: Set goals for productive time or limiting distracting time. (Yes)
- ✓Detailed Reporting: Reports on application/website usage, productivity trends, and goal progress. (Advanced)
- ✓Work-Life Balance Tools: Features to encourage disconnecting outside work hours. (Yes)
- ✓Team Insights: Aggregated, anonymized productivity insights for teams. (Yes (Team Plan))
Scorecard (Overall: 7.9 / 10.0)
Pricing
Lite
Contact Vendor
- Automatic time tracking
- Website & App tracking
- Productivity score
- Goal setting
Limitations: Basic reporting, No distraction blocking
Premium
$6.00 / Per User/Month
- Distraction blocking (FocusTime)
- Unlimited historical data
- Real-time alerts
- Daily highlights
Limitations: Primarily individual focused
Teams
$6.00 / Per User/Month
- All Premium features
- Team productivity reports
- Team goal setting
- Centralized billing
Limitations: Focuses on aggregated data, not individual monitoring like Hubstaff
Pros
- + Excellent automatic tracking and categorization
- + Focuses on improving productivity habits
- + Insightful reports on digital behavior
- + Effective distraction blocking feature
- + Promotes work-life balance
Cons
- - Less focused on project/client billing
- - Limited invoicing or payroll features
- - Integrations are fewer than project-focused trackers
- - Android app has limited functionality, no iOS app
Verdict
"RescueTime is unique in its focus on personal and team productivity habits rather than just billable hours, ideal for users wanting to understand and optimize their digital work patterns."
#5
Hubstaff
By Netsoft Holdings, LLC
Time tracking with employee monitoring features like screenshots, activity levels, and GPS tracking, suited for remote and field teams.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), Mobile (iOS, Android), Browser Extension (Chrome)
Best For: Remote Teams, Field Services, Agencies, Businesses needing employee monitoring, Consulting Firms
Key Features
- ✓Time Tracking: Accurate time tracking via desktop and mobile apps. (Yes)
- ✓Screenshots & Activity Monitoring: Optional screenshots, app/URL tracking, and mouse/keyboard activity levels. (Advanced)
- ✓GPS & Geofencing: Track locations of mobile team members and automate time tracking based on job sites. (Yes)
- ✓Reporting & Productivity Metrics: Detailed reports on time, activity, and productivity. (Advanced)
- ✓Payroll & Invoicing: Generate payroll based on tracked time and create invoices. (Yes)
- ✓Scheduling: Team scheduling and attendance tracking. (Yes)
- ✓Project Budgeting: Set budgets for projects and get alerts. (Yes)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Time Free
Contact Vendor
- 1 user only
- Time tracking
- Timesheets
- Limited activity monitoring
- Limited reports
Limitations: Single user only, Very limited features
Time Starter
$5.83 / Per User/Month
- Time tracking
- Basic activity monitoring
- Basic reporting
- Per-user settings
Limitations: Minimum 2 users
Time Pro
$8.33 / Per User/Month
- Scheduling
- Invoicing
- Payroll
- Advanced integrations
- Idle time control
Limitations: Minimum 2 users
Enterprise
Contact Vendor
- VIP support
- Higher limits
- Custom solutions
Pros
- + Comprehensive employee monitoring features
- + Robust GPS and geofencing capabilities
- + Detailed reporting and productivity analysis
- + Integrated payroll and scheduling
- + Good for managing remote/field teams
Cons
- - Monitoring features can raise privacy concerns
- - Interface can be complex
- - Free plan is extremely limited
- - Minimum user count on paid plans
Verdict
"Hubstaff is the go-to solution for businesses requiring robust employee monitoring alongside time tracking, particularly for managing distributed workforces."
#4
TimeCamp
By TimeCamp
Automatic time tracking software with a focus on productivity analysis, billing, and project profitability.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), Mobile (iOS, Android), Browser Extension (Chrome, Edge)
Best For: Freelancers, Small to Medium Businesses, Agencies, Teams needing productivity insights
Key Features
- ✓Automatic Time Tracking: Tracks computer activity and assigns time to projects automatically. (Yes)
- ✓Productivity Tracking: Analyzes app and website usage to measure productivity. (Advanced)
- ✓Reporting: Detailed reports on time usage, productivity, and project budgets. (Advanced)
- ✓Billing & Invoicing: Set billable rates and generate invoices based on tracked time. (Yes)
- ✓Attendance Tracking: Track employee attendance, time off, and overtime. (Yes)
- ✓Integrations: Connects with various project management and business tools. (Good)
- ✓GPS Tracking: Optional mobile GPS tracking. (Yes (Pro Tier))
Scorecard (Overall: 8.3 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited projects & tasks
- Basic time tracking (manual/timer)
- Basic reporting
Limitations: No automatic tracking, Limited integrations, Basic features
Basic
$6.30 / Per User/Month
- Time rounding
- Billable time & budgeting
- Productivity reports
- Standard integrations
Pro
$9.00 / Per User/Month
- Invoicing
- Timesheet approvals
- Screenshots
- Custom user roles
- SSO Login
Enterprise
Contact Vendor
- Personalized training
- Private cloud implementation
- Self-hosted server
Pros
- + Strong automatic time tracking
- + Good productivity analysis features
- + Comprehensive reporting
- + Includes attendance and invoicing features
- + Offers a free plan
Cons
- - Interface can be less intuitive than competitors
- - Automatic tracking setup might require adjustment
- - Some features locked behind higher tiers
Verdict
"TimeCamp is a powerful option for those needing automatic time tracking and detailed productivity insights, offering a solid feature set across its tiers."
#3
Harvest
By Harvest
Streamlined time tracking and invoicing software, popular among agencies, consultancies, and professional services.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS), Mobile (iOS, Android), Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
Best For: Agencies, Consultants, Design Studios, Small Businesses, Freelancers
Key Features
- ✓Time Tracking: Easy timer-based or manual time entry. (Yes)
- ✓Invoicing & Payments: Create professional invoices from tracked time and accept online payments. (Advanced)
- ✓Reporting: Visual reports on time, projects, and team capacity. (Advanced)
- ✓Project Budgeting: Track project budgets and get alerts. (Yes)
- ✓Expense Tracking: Log project expenses and attach receipts. (Yes)
- ✓Integrations: Connects with project management, accounting, and other tools. (Extensive)
- ✓Timesheet Approval: Workflow for submitting and approving timesheets. (Yes)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.5 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- 1 user
- 2 projects
- Basic time tracking
- Basic reporting
Limitations: Strictly limited users and projects
Pro
$10.80 / Per User/Month
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited projects
- All features including invoicing, expense tracking, integrations, reporting
Limitations: No per-project user permissions
Pros
- + Excellent invoicing and payment features
- + Clean, intuitive user interface
- + Strong integration ecosystem (especially with Asana, Trello)
- + Reliable reporting for project profitability
- + Good mobile apps
Cons
- - Free plan is very limited
- - Pro plan can be costly for large teams
- - Lacks some advanced employee monitoring features
Verdict
"Harvest shines in combining time tracking with robust invoicing and expense management, making it ideal for businesses billing clients for time."
#2
Clockify
By COING Inc.
A popular free time tracker and timesheet app for teams of all sizes, offering a remarkably generous free tier.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), Mobile (iOS, Android), Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Best For: Freelancers, Startups, Small to Large Teams, Non-profits, Agencies
Key Features
- ✓Time Tracking (Timer & Manual): Flexible time entry via timer or manual input. (Yes)
- ✓Timesheets: Digital timesheets for review and approval. (Yes)
- ✓Reporting: Customizable reports on time usage and team productivity. (Advanced)
- ✓Project Management: Track time against projects and tasks. (Yes)
- ✓Team Management: Manage user roles, permissions, and groups. (Yes)
- ✓Billable Rates & Invoicing: Set rates, mark time as billable, and generate basic invoices. (Yes (Paid Tiers))
- ✓Scheduling: Basic project scheduling and resource allocation. (Yes (Paid Tiers))
- ✓Time Off Tracking: Manage vacation and leave requests. (Yes (Paid Tiers))
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited tracking
- Unlimited projects
- Reporting
- Basic integrations
Limitations: Limited advanced features like time off, invoicing, scheduling
Basic
$3.99 / Per User/Month
- Time audit
- Required fields
- Project templates
- Hide time & pages
Standard
$5.49 / Per User/Month
- Time off
- Invoicing
- QuickBooks integration
- Task rates
Pro
$7.99 / Per User/Month
- Scheduling
- GPS tracking
- Screenshots
- Labor cost & profit
Pros
- + Exceptionally generous free plan
- + Unlimited users on free tier
- + Comprehensive feature set on paid plans
- + Good reporting options
- + Cross-platform availability
Cons
- - Interface can feel slightly cluttered
- - Some advanced features require higher tiers
- - Support responsiveness can vary
Verdict
"Clockify offers outstanding value, especially its free tier which is arguably the best on the market. It's a versatile tool suitable for individuals and teams of any size."
View Top Ranked Software
Watch a short ad to unlock the details for the #1 ranked software.
Toggl Track
By Toggl
User-friendly time tracking with powerful reporting, ideal for freelancers, agencies, and teams valuing simplicity and flexibility.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), Mobile (iOS, Android), Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox)
Best For: Freelancers, Small Teams, Agencies, Consultants, Remote Work
Key Features
- ✓One-click Timer: Simple start/stop timer for tracking time. (Yes)
- ✓Manual Time Entry: Allows adding time entries manually or editing existing ones. (Yes)
- ✓Reporting: Detailed reports exportable in various formats. (Advanced)
- ✓Project Tracking: Assign time entries to specific projects and clients. (Yes)
- ✓Integrations: Connects with over 100 popular tools. (Extensive)
- ✓Billable Rates: Set billable rates per project, team member, or workspace. (Yes)
- ✓Idle Detection: Detects and optionally discards inactive time. (Yes)
- ✓Calendar Integration: View time entries in calendar format. (Yes)
Scorecard (Overall: 8.8 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Basic time tracking
- Unlimited projects
- Reporting
- Integrations (limited)
- Up to 5 users
Limitations: Limited team features, Basic reporting
Starter
$9.00 / Per User/Month
- Billable rates
- Time estimates
- Tasks (sub-projects)
- Project templates
- Team dashboard
Premium
$18.00 / Per User/Month
- Time tracking reminders
- Project profitability charts
- Team time tracking audits
- Scheduled reports
- Native Jira & Salesforce integrations
Pros
- + Extremely easy to use interface
- + Robust reporting capabilities
- + Wide range of integrations
- + Cross-platform availability
- + Reliable performance
Cons
- - Free plan limited to 5 users
- - Some advanced features only on Premium tier
- - Mobile app could be more feature-rich
Verdict
"Toggl Track excels with its simplicity and powerful core features, making it a top choice for users prioritizing ease of use and insightful reporting."
Final Thoughts
The time tracking software market offers diverse solutions, from simple timers to complex platforms with employee monitoring and resource planning. Key differentiators include the availability of automatic tracking, invoicing capabilities, integration depth, reporting flexibility, and pricing models. Leading tools balance ease of use with powerful features suitable for freelancers, teams, and enterprises.