Keeping this fast-paced world and competitive market landscape in mind, the saying “what gets measured, gets managed” stands more accurate than ever.
Whether you’re a freelancer, solopreneur, or a small business owner, diligently tracking your time allows you to be more ‘productive’ – as most put it. However, this vague and elusive idea of being productive prevents business owners from measuring how efficient they actually are.
Luckily, time tracking softwares eliminates that, and you actively know where most of your time is spent.
Here are a couple of benefits of time-tracking software that can significantly impact you and your business:
Benefits of Using Time Tracking Software
Bill and Pay Accurately
If you are self-employed, time tracking actively helps you estimate the time spent on a project or a task so that you don’t undercharge with hefty projects or overload yourself with work.
When taken on a larger scale, you can assign tasks to the entire team, actively record each member’s spending on their respective projects and bill their hours accurately to avoid confusion.
Prevents Micromanagement
In companies where micromanagement is prevalent, employees don’t have considerable flexibility. With time-tracking software, managers can remotely track performance without breathing down their necks or micromanaging the entire working ambiance and scrutinizing it later.
Task Management Flexibility
Task management has always been a strenuous task for project managers. But with the use of paid or free time tracking software, it has become incredibly easy to allocate tasks and time to the employees. This sensible division of tasks makes processes efficient and flexible. Nowadays most time tracking apps come with built-in project management software features which come in very handy.
Increased Profitability
Using time tracking tools can help increase your profitability. For example, you can accurately track time and see where your money is going, outsource the tasks that take too much of your time and bring no value, and re-prioritize if you see something not paying off the way you planned for it to.
Set Clear Objectives
When you or your team members are tracking time toward each task, you can set realistic goals for yourself and your business. It helps clearly define what and how each person should be working towards achieving your business goals sooner than ever!
This is just the tip of the iceberg. A deeper evaluation of the advantages of time tracking can unravel a world of possibilities and advancements that can literally shoot your growth through the roof.
Now that we have learned why the use of time-tracking software is important, let’s move on to this blog’s prime focus – finding you the perfect time-tracking software.
Best Time Tracking Software
You have plenty of options in the market, with various features and prices. The new ones, in particular, come with advanced features that let you attribute time to various tasks, produce detailed reports, and even get integrated into the payroll for accurate billing.
Choosing software that gives you the best value for money is the easiest for you to function and suits your business, all at the same time, can be challenging. But, you don’t have to worry! Here’s my list of top ten time tracking software suitable for both individuals and businesses.
1. Time Doctor
| A robust team time tracking software focused on allowing clients to build distributed teams so they can work out of an office remotely, whenever they want.
Starting from: $7 user/month Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available (30-days)
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Hands down, Time Doctor is one of the best time-tracking tools. Packed with a set of advanced features, this one is one of the few fully remote teams on my list.
Ideal for all freelancers, small, mid-sized, and large businesses alike, Time Doctor has an expandable interface great for time tracking and project management.
From the most basic time tracking features to advanced AI-powered assistance and automated payroll management, Time Doctor sure helps you get things done easily. The best part – you can be a small business owner who’s just starting out and still be able to afford it!
Key Features
- Automated and manual time tracking
- Task segmentation
- Website and application usage monitoring
- Mobile time tracking with GPS
- Automated screenshot and webcam capture
- Detailed reports
- Seamless integration
- Client Login
- Optional payroll dashboard with basic HR software features
- Extensive customization options
- 24/7 support
Pros
- Supports manual time editing.
- Tracks time without selecting a task.
- Strict privacy and data protection policies.
- Provides a mobile app
- Employee-friendly settings
- Provides an API for integration of software applications
Cons
- Outdated user interface
- Idle time alerts can be distracting
- Linux and mac apps can have some issues
2. Toggl
| A cloud-based start-stop timer time tracking app, Toggl is perfect if you need a solid set of features and an intuitive interface.
Starting from: $9 per user/month Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Not Available (with a free version exception)
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Originally built with freelancers in mind, Toggl can support teams with up to 5 people. With the paid version, you can enjoy tracking billable hours and unlimited tags to keep your reports organized. The manual start and stop mechanic did cause some problems initially when people forgot to switch it on or off, but Toggl fixed the issue with email reminders.
It is ideal for solopreneurs or freelancers with small teams. However, if you have a large organization with multiple team members, this might not be the best on the list for you.
Key Features
- Unlimited time tracking
- Unlimited projects, clients, and tags
- Exportable reports
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Idle time detection
- Pomodoro timer
- Personal desktop activity tracking
- Track time in 100+ popular tools
- Manage multiple workspaces under one Organization
- Customizable solutions
- Volume discounts for large teams on an annual plan
Pros
- Available on all platforms
- A variety of features (reports, Pomodoro Timer)
- Reminders
- Calendar view
- Seamless Integrations with other apps
- Easy to use
- Free basic plan
Cons
- Slightly high fees considering the features
- A limited number of tags
- No Invoicing
3. Harvest
| Starting from: $10.80 per user/month
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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Launched in 2006, Harvest is an easy-to-use time-tracking app that bundles timekeeping and invoices. It makes it easier for employers to calculate payments by connecting the two features without exporting data elsewhere.
Whether it’s tracking projects, managing a team, or billing clients, Harvest does it all for you! Plus, with its sister app, Forecast, you can book projects in advance and compare the timelines so you can stay on top of every update.
Key Features
- API
- Accounting Integration
- Activity Tracking
- Billing & Invoicing
- Customizable Reports
- Invoice Management
- Mobile Time Tracking
- Multiple Billing Rates
- Project Management
- QuickBooks Integration
- Reminders
- Reporting/Analytics
- Reporting/Project Tracking
- Resource Management
- Task Management
- Timesheet Management
- Web-based Deployment
Pros
- Excellent user experience
- Intuitive interface
- Well-designed U.
- Slick mobile app
- Robust reporting
- Easy to create invoices
- Easy to use
- Chrome extension
Cons
- Missing timer on notification
- Lack of sales tax integration
- Desktop and web app disconnection
4. Hubstaff
| Starting from: Free for a single user
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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Starting off with an objective to help employers manage small teams, Hubstaff has gone crazy big! The app tracks activity by taking screenshots every ten minutes to see how and when they are working and let you know if someone is slacking off. Interesting, isn’t it? My favorite part is networking with fellow freelancers and employers using the free marketplace Hubstaff Talent.
Key Features
- Track apps & URLs
- Custom idle timeout
- Auto discard idle time
- Unlimited teams
- Payments & payroll
- Unlimited integration
- Limited public API
- Time off & holidays
- Scheduling & Attendance
- Invoices
- Client & project budgets
- Timesheet approvals
- Daily & weekly limits
- Expense tracking
Pros
- Easy to use
- Tracks key and mouse activity
- Tracks location
- Integrates with productivity, accounting, payroll, and other business apps
- Awards efficiency and completion of tasks
Cons
- Difficult to track employees who do tasks off of the computer
- Breaks, team meetings, or activities with low mouse or keyboard movement can be triggered as idle time
- Some integrations are glitchy
- Only offers Monday payroll
5. Clockify
| Starting from: $3.99 per user/month
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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Clockify is a super affordable yet comprehensive time-tracking app that allows you to track time across projects, clients, and devices. Besides, you can track attendance for payroll, optimize employee productivity, track billable time and share progress with clients.
It has a basic plan starting at a crazy affordable price, which is also, particularly, why it made it to my top ten list. The interface supports expansion, so you can still keep your membership even when your team grows.
Key Features
- Scheduling
- Labour cost & profit
- Budget & estimates
- Custom fields
- Targets & reminders
- Manager role
- Project Templates
- QuickBooks integration
- Customize kiosk
Pros
- Manual as well as automatic tracking
- Easy-to-use and intuitive timesheet
- Reminders for overdue tasks
- Offline time clocking
- Integrated calendar
- Project tracking
- In-depth reporting and filtering
- GPS location tracking
- Invoicing
- Record expenses
- Timesheet approval
- Record time off
Cons
- No shift scheduling tools.
- Lacks integrations with payroll providers
6. TimeCamp
| Starting from: Free plan available. The basic plan starts from $6.30 per user/month
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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Timecamp is not your ordinary time-tracking tool that simply tracks in/out times or records attendance. Instead, you log hours, and the app actively keeps track of the URLs visited so you can see what they’re spending their time on, even when they work remotely.
This may push the boundaries for some, but if you want a stringent check on your employees, TimeCamp is the best you got!
Key Features
- Time rounding
- Custom report
- Team productivity tracking
- Unlimited integrations
- Billable time & budgeting
- Personalized training
- Private cloud implementation
- Self-hosted server
- Screenshots
- Timesheet approvals
Pros
- Automatic time tracking
- Timesheet approval
- Track project productivity and profitability
- 10-plus in-built report templates
- Invoicing
- Recording attendance and time off
- Invite guests for project update
Cons
- Timesheets and approval available in paid plans
- No billing and invoicing
- Limited external integration
7. Timely
| Starting from: $9 per user/month
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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The Viking representative on the list, Timely, has team members self-declared as ‘obsessed with time’.
Now, this might come across as a little too exaggerated, no? Wait till you find out the features the software has to offer. For starters, you have the AI-powered Memory Tracker, so you don’t have to start the timer again and again. You can plan and compare schedules to see how much of your tasks and resources have been assigned.
One of the many great features is the team dashboard that helps you figure out who tracked time and who didn’t, allowing teams to avoid burnout and be more productive.
Key Features
- Automatic time tracking
- Project management
- AI integration
- Scheduling
- Timesheets
Pros
- Timely reminders through messages
- Cloud-based system
- Email reminders and security
- Integration with Google Calendar
- Automatic appointment bookings with SMS reminders
- Automatic Invoicing, Payments
- Facebook Integration
Cons
- Not many good reviews on customer support
8. TSheets
| Starting from: $8 per user/month
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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TSheets is another great cloud-based time tracking and scheduling that integrates seamlessly into your payroll and Xero accounting software to save hours of manual entry time.
The app drives everything it promises and more, but one feature that left me impressed was Tsheet’s data reports. The real-time reports brief you on where your employees are throughout the day, including who’s on the clock, who’s late, and who took the day off. They are conclusive and easy to understand, so you can be efficient, even as a new business owner.
Key Features
- Web-based
- Payroll integration
- Scheduling
- Timesheet approvals
- Mobile optimized
- Android app
- iPhone app
- GPS tracking
- PTO accruals and tracking
- Quickbooks integration
- Other Accounting & Payroll integrations
- SMS text messaging
Pros
- Intuitive pop-out window navigation.
- Customizable fields allow for advanced tracking.
- Convenient geofencing features.
- Ability to call to clock in.
- Handy “Who’s Working” window.
Cons
- Lacks keystroke recording features.
- Base fees increase the overall cost.
- Unable to schedule future time.
9. DeskTime
| Starting from: $6.42 per user/month
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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Whether it’s a small business or a large enterprise, DeskTime is the universal time tracker to project management, human resource planning, and running an office. My favorite thing about the software – everything is customizable; so you can turn the features on and off, according to the company’s use.
You can oversee work progress, optimize productivity and keep track of all the processes, all on one platform.
Key Features
- Automatic time tracking
- Offline time tracking
- Document title tracking
- Pomodoro timer
- Cost calculation
- Team’s contacts
- Custom reports
- Absence calendar
- Web time tracker
- Third-party Integrations
- Shift Scheduling
- Mobile app
- URL & App tracking
- Screenshots
- Project tracking
- Booking
Pros
- Tracks productivity
- Takes screenshots of activity
- Ranks users based on performance
- Can create and manage many teams
- Can see all hours worked, arrivals and departures
- Can dictate which websites are productive and unproductive
Cons
- Ability to change or modify private time by management account
- Inability for a user to turn off desk time
- More detailed tracking of internet-based activities
10. MyHours
| Starting from: $6 per user/month (free plan available)
Pricing model: Subscription Free Trial: Available
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MyHours is ideal for freelancers trying out time-tracking software for the first time. The user experience is amazing and super easy for beginners to navigate. As your business grows, you can always add unlimited projects and team members, even with the free plan. You have ready-made templates to create tasks for different projects.
If you are switching from recording time or making entries manually, the software allows you to keep up with your habit.
Key Features
- Timesheet Management.
- Multiple Billing Rates.
- Mobile Time Tracking
- Billable & Non-billable Hours.
- Automatic Time Capture.
- Employee Database.
- Leave Tracking (Vacation)
- Billing and Invoicing
- Detailed Reports
Pros
- Unlimited team members and projects
- Automatic and manual time tracking
- Powerful reporting
- Zapier integration
- Web app
- Track billable hours
Cons
- No mobile app
- Need a paid plan for tracking reminders
If you feel your favorite time tracking software hasn’t made the cut, let me know about it in the comments section below.