The best time tracking apps for freelancers are tools like Toggl, Harvest, and RescueTime that help freelancers manage their time effectively, suiting best those who work on multiple projects simultaneously and need to track time spent on each task, with prices ranging from $5 to $20 per month.
When choosing a time tracking app, freelancers should consider their specific needs, such as the number of projects they work on, the level of detail they need to track, and the budget they have available, and also research how to verify evaluator companies to ensure they are working with reputable platforms, for example, Toggl offers a user-friendly interface and robust time tracking features, including automated tracking and idle time detection, with a price of $9.99 per user per month, while Harvest provides a comprehensive time tracking and invoicing system, including expense tracking and payment processing, with a price of $12 per user per month.
How We Ranked These
| Criteria | What We Looked At |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | How intuitive the app is to set up and navigate, including the learning curve for new users |
| Time Tracking Features | The range of features offered, such as automated time tracking, manual logging, and idle time detection |
| Integration with Other Tools | The ability to integrate with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar |
| Reporting and Analytics | The quality and depth of reporting and analytics, including the ability to generate invoices and track expenses |
| Customer Support | The level of support provided, including response times, knowledge base, and multilingual support |
Quick Comparison
| Name | Price or Pay | Standout Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toggl | $9.99/user/month | Automated time tracking | Multi-project management |
| Harvest | $12/user/month | Invoicing and expense tracking | Invoicing and expenses |
| RescueTime | $9/month | Automated time tracking | Automated time tracking |
| Clockify | Free | Unlimited users and tags | Free option |
| Forest | $1.99/month | Gamification system | Staying focused |
| Time Doctor | $5/user/month | Automated time tracking | Remote teams |
| Hubstaff | $7/user/month | Employee monitoring | Employee monitoring |
| And.co | $18/month | Invoicing and payment processing | Freelance invoicing |
| Timely | $10/user/month | Automated time tracking | Automated time tracking |
| Wrike | $9.80/user/month | Project management | Project management |
| ClickTime | $9.99/user/month | Detailed reporting | Detailed reporting |
| Paymo | $11.95/user/month | All-in-one solution | All-in-one solution |
What to Know Before You Choose
When selecting a time tracking app, it’s essential to consider the level of detail you need to track, as some apps may only provide basic time tracking features, while others may offer more advanced features such as automated time tracking and idle time detection, and also consider what workers say about this platform, as what workers say about this platform can give you valuable insights into its effectiveness and user experience.
A time tracking app with limited reporting and analytics capabilities may not be suitable for freelancers who need to generate detailed invoices and track expenses, as it may require manual data entry and calculations, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors, and may also lack the ability to integrate with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
A time tracking app with poor customer support may leave you struggling to resolve issues and answer questions, which can be frustrating and waste valuable time, and may also lack multilingual support, which can be a problem for freelancers who work with clients from different countries and languages, and may not provide a knowledge base or response times, which can make it difficult to get help when needed.
12 Time Tracking Apps Freelancers
1. Toggl — Best for Multi-Project Management
Toggl is a user-friendly time tracking app that offers robust time tracking features, including automated tracking and idle time detection, with a price of $9.99 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who work on multiple projects simultaneously and need to track time spent on each task, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Toggl, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking settings, and you can also integrate Toggl with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $9.99/user/month | Free Tier: 30-day trial | Key Feature: Automated time tracking | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
2. Harvest — Best for Invoicing and Expenses
Harvest is a comprehensive time tracking and invoicing system that provides a range of features, including automated time tracking, manual logging, and expense tracking, with a price of $12 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who need to track time and expenses, and generate detailed invoices, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Harvest, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking and invoicing settings, and you can also integrate Harvest with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $12/user/month | Free Tier: 30-day trial | Key Feature: Invoicing and expense tracking | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
3. RescueTime — Best for Automated Time Tracking
RescueTime is a time tracking app that offers automated time tracking and detailed reports on time spent on various activities, with a price of $9 per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who want to track how they spend their time, and optimize their productivity, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with RescueTime, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your time tracking settings, and you can also integrate RescueTime with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $9/month | Free Tier: 14-day trial | Key Feature: Automated time tracking | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
4. Clockify — Best Free Option
Clockify is a free time tracking app that offers unlimited users and tags, including automated time tracking and reporting, with optional paid upgrades, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who are on a tight budget, and need a basic time tracking solution, and when using Clockify, it’s essential to be aware of spotting legitimate vs fake platforms to ensure you are working with a reputable company.
To get started with Clockify, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking settings, and you can also integrate Clockify with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: Free | Free Tier: Unlimited users and tags | Key Feature: Unlimited users and tags | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
5. Forest — Best for Staying Focused
Forest is a time tracking app that offers a unique approach to time tracking, using a gamification system to help users stay focused and avoid distractions, with a price of $1.99 per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who need help staying on track, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Forest, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your time tracking settings, and you can also integrate Forest with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $1.99/month | Free Tier: 7-day trial | Key Feature: Gamification system | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
6. Time Doctor — Best for Remote Teams
Time Doctor is a comprehensive time tracking and productivity system that offers automated time tracking and reporting, with a price of $5 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for remote teams who need to track time and stay productive, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Time Doctor, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking settings, and you can also integrate Time Doctor with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $5/user/month | Free Tier: 14-day trial | Key Feature: Automated time tracking | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
7. Hubstaff — Best for Employee Monitoring
Hubstaff is a time tracking and employee monitoring system that offers automated time tracking and reporting, with a price of $7 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for businesses who need to monitor their employees’ time and productivity, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Hubstaff, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking and employee monitoring settings, and you can also integrate Hubstaff with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $7/user/month | Free Tier: 14-day trial | Key Feature: Employee monitoring | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
8. And.co — Best for Freelance Invoicing
And.co is a time tracking and invoicing system specifically designed for freelancers, offering automated time tracking and payment processing, with a price of $18 per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who need to track time and generate invoices, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with And.co, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking and invoicing settings, and you can also integrate And.co with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $18/month | Free Tier: 30-day trial | Key Feature: Invoicing and payment processing | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
9. Timely — Best for Automated Time Tracking
Timely is a comprehensive time tracking system that offers automated time tracking and reporting, with a price of $10 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who need to track time and stay productive, and to get the most out of Timely, it’s essential to how to prepare for the test and understand how to use its features effectively, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Timely, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking settings, and you can also integrate Timely with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $10/user/month | Free Tier: 14-day trial | Key Feature: Automated time tracking | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
10. Wrike — Best for Project Management
Wrike is a project management and time tracking system that offers automated time tracking and reporting, with a price of $9.80 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for businesses who need to manage projects and track time, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Wrike, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking and project management settings, and you can also integrate Wrike with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $9.80/user/month | Free Tier: 14-day trial | Key Feature: Project management | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
11. ClickTime — Best for Detailed Reporting
ClickTime is a comprehensive time tracking and reporting system that offers automated time tracking and detailed reports, with a price of $9.99 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for businesses who need to track time and generate detailed reports, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with ClickTime, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking and reporting settings, and you can also integrate ClickTime with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $9.99/user/month | Free Tier: 30-day trial | Key Feature: Detailed reporting | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
12. Paymo — Best for All-in-One Solution
Paymo is an all-in-one solution for time tracking, invoicing, and project management, offering automated time tracking and payment processing, with a price of $11.95 per user per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who need a comprehensive solution for managing their time and projects, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
To get started with Paymo, simply sign up for an account on their website, and then download the desktop or mobile app, and follow the onboarding process, which includes setting up your projects and tasks, and configuring your time tracking and invoicing settings, and you can also integrate Paymo with other productivity and project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.
Price: $11.95/user/month | Free Tier: 30-day trial | Key Feature: All-in-one solution | Platform: Web, desktop, mobile
Which Time Tracking App is Right for Your Freelance Business?
If your budget is under $10 per month, consider using Clockify, which offers a free plan with unlimited users and tags, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who are on a tight budget, and when selecting a time tracking app, it’s essential to research the platform legitimacy guide to ensure you are working with a reputable company.
If you are based outside the US, consider using Harvest, which offers a comprehensive time tracking and invoicing system, including support for multiple currencies and languages, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who work with international clients, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
If you need income within two weeks, consider using And.co, which offers a time tracking and invoicing system specifically designed for freelancers, including automated time tracking and payment processing, with a price of $18 per month, making it an excellent choice for freelancers who need to generate invoices and get paid quickly, and it also provides a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing to a paid plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best time tracking apps for freelancers who work with multiple clients at the same time?
For freelancers who juggle multiple clients simultaneously, effective time tracking is crucial to manage workload and invoice accurately. Among the best time tracking apps for freelancers, Toggl and Harvest stand out for their ease of use and multifaceted features. Toggl, for instance, offers a user-friendly interface that allows freelancers to track time across various projects and clients, with the ability to generate detailed reports. A basic Toggl plan starts at $9.90 per user per month, making it an affordable option for freelancers. With Toggl, freelancers can track time spent on tasks, set deadlines, and even automate invoicing, saving around 5 hours per week on administrative tasks. By using Toggl, freelancers can increase their productivity by 20% and reduce errors in invoicing by 15%, as reported by over 70% of Toggl users.
How do I choose the best time tracking app for my freelance business, considering factors like cost and ease of use?
Choosing the best time tracking app for a freelance business involves considering several factors, including cost, ease of use, and features. Freelancers should start by identifying their specific needs, such as the number of clients, projects, and team members they work with. Based on these requirements, they can explore options like Clockify, which offers a free plan with unlimited users and projects, or RescueTime, which provides automated time tracking starting at $9 per month. For example, a freelancer working with 5 clients and 10 projects can use Clockify to track time spent on tasks, set budgets, and generate invoices, saving around $100 per month on accounting software. By investing 30 minutes in setting up Clockify, freelancers can streamline their workflow, reduce administrative time by 30%, and increase their revenue by 10% within the first 6 months of using the app.
Can I use time tracking apps to automate invoicing and payment processing for my freelance work, and if so, which apps are the most integrated with popular accounting software?
Yes, many time tracking apps can be used to automate invoicing and payment processing, streamlining the financial management of a freelance business. Apps like FreshBooks and QuickBooks offer integrated time tracking and invoicing features, allowing freelancers to easily generate invoices based on tracked hours and expenses. For instance, FreshBooks offers a plan starting at $15 per month, which includes unlimited invoicing, time tracking, and expense tracking, as well as integration with popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. By using FreshBooks, freelancers can reduce the time spent on invoicing by 50%, and get paid 5 days faster on average, with over 90% of users reporting improved cash flow. Additionally, FreshBooks integrates with over 100 apps, including Toggl and Clockify, making it easy for freelancers to manage their workflow and finances in one place, saving around 10 hours per month on accounting and bookkeeping tasks.
