Time Tracking Software Comparison: 10 Best Tools for Freelancers in 2025
Choosing the right time tracking software can make or break your freelance business. The wrong tool adds friction to your workflow, while the right one saves hours of admin work and ensures you get paid for every minute.
We've tested and compared the 10 most popular time tracking tools to help you find the perfect fit for your needs. Whether you're tracking billable hours, managing a team, or generating automated invoices, this guide has you covered.
What to Look for in Time Tracking Software
Before we dive into the comparison, here are the key features that matter most:
- Ease of use: Can you start tracking in under 5 seconds?
- Invoicing integration: Does it convert time to invoices automatically?
- Project organization: Can you track time by client and project?
- Reports: Can you analyze where your time goes?
- Mobile app: Can you track time on the go?
- Team features: Does it support multiple users if you scale?
- Pricing: Is there a free plan for solo freelancers?
- Integrations: Does it connect with tools you already use?
The 10 Best Time Tracking Tools Compared
1. Miday
Best for: Freelancers who want time tracking + invoicing in one tool
Pricing: Free forever plan, Pro at $12/month
Standout Feature: Automated invoice generation from tracked time
Pros:
- ✅ Free forever plan with unlimited time tracking
- ✅ Built-in invoicing with automated generation
- ✅ Super simple interface - no learning curve
- ✅ Client and project management included
- ✅ Team features available
- ✅ Mobile-friendly web app
Cons:
- ❌ No desktop app (web-based only)
- ❌ Fewer third-party integrations than enterprise tools
Why freelancers love it: Miday combines time tracking and invoicing without overwhelming you with features you don't need. Clock in, track time, generate invoice—done. The free plan is genuinely unlimited, not a trial, making it perfect for solo freelancers just starting out.
Best use case: Solo freelancers and small agencies (2-10 people) who bill by the hour and want an all-in-one solution.
---2. Toggl Track
Best for: Simple time tracking with beautiful reports
Pricing: Free plan, Starter at $10/user/month
Standout Feature: One-click time tracking with desktop widget
Pros:
- ✅ Excellent desktop and mobile apps
- ✅ Beautiful, easy-to-understand reports
- ✅ Pomodoro timer built-in
- ✅ Browser extensions for all major browsers
- ✅ Idle time detection
Cons:
- ❌ No built-in invoicing
- ❌ Free plan limited to 5 users
- ❌ Project management features are basic
Best use case: Freelancers who only need time tracking and use separate invoicing software.
---3. Harvest
Best for: Professional invoicing with time tracking
Pricing: Free for 1 person + 2 projects, Pro at $12/user/month
Standout Feature: Robust invoicing and expense tracking
Pros:
- ✅ Professional invoice templates
- ✅ Expense tracking included
- ✅ Great reporting and analytics
- ✅ QuickBooks and Xero integration
- ✅ Team time approval workflow
Cons:
- ❌ Free plan very limited (only 2 projects)
- ❌ Expensive for teams ($12 per person)
- ❌ Interface feels dated
Best use case: Established freelancers and small agencies with accounting software who need professional invoicing.
---4. Clockify
Best for: Free time tracking for unlimited users
Pricing: Free forever, Basic at $4.99/user/month
Standout Feature: Unlimited users on free plan
Pros:
- ✅ Actually free for unlimited users (rare!)
- ✅ Desktop, mobile, and browser apps
- ✅ Kiosk mode for teams
- ✅ Time audit and approval workflow
- ✅ Auto tracker (paid feature)
Cons:
- ❌ No invoicing on free plan
- ❌ Advanced reports require paid plan
- ❌ Interface can feel cluttered
Best use case: Teams and agencies who need free time tracking for multiple users.
---5. RescueTime
Best for: Automatic time tracking and productivity analysis
Pricing: Free plan, Premium at $12/month
Standout Feature: Fully automatic tracking - no timers needed
Pros:
- ✅ Completely automatic - runs in background
- ✅ Productivity scoring and insights
- ✅ Website and app blocking
- ✅ Focus time sessions
- ✅ Detailed productivity reports
Cons:
- ❌ Not ideal for client billing
- ❌ Privacy concerns (tracks everything)
- ❌ No invoicing features
- ❌ Can't assign time to specific projects manually
Best use case: Freelancers who want to analyze productivity and understand where time goes, not for client billing.
---6. Everhour
Best for: Integration with project management tools
Pricing: Free for teams of 5, Team at $8.50/user/month
Standout Feature: Deep integrations with Asana, Trello, ClickUp, etc.
Pros:
- ✅ Integrates with 10+ project management tools
- ✅ Time estimates vs. actual tracking
- ✅ Budget tracking and alerts
- ✅ Invoicing included
- ✅ Chrome extension
Cons:
- ❌ Requires project management tool to be useful
- ❌ Learning curve for setup
- ❌ More expensive than alternatives
Best use case: Freelancers and agencies already using Asana, Trello, or similar who want seamless time tracking integration.
---7. TimeCamp
Best for: Automatic time tracking with desktop apps
Pricing: Free plan, Basic at $7/user/month
Standout Feature: Automatic time tracking with AI-powered categorization
Pros:
- ✅ Automatic time tracking
- ✅ Desktop apps for Mac, Windows, Linux
- ✅ Invoicing and budgeting
- ✅ Integrations with 50+ tools
- ✅ Attendance and screenshot monitoring (for teams)
Cons:
- ❌ Automatic tracking can be inaccurate
- ❌ Complex interface
- ❌ Free plan has limited features
Best use case: Computer-based freelancers who want automatic tracking without manual timers.
---8. FreshBooks
Best for: Full accounting + time tracking
Pricing: Lite at $17/month (1 user)
Standout Feature: Complete accounting and bookkeeping platform
Pros:
- ✅ Full accounting software included
- ✅ Professional invoice templates
- ✅ Expense tracking and receipts
- ✅ Client portal
- ✅ Proposal and estimate creation
Cons:
- ❌ Expensive ($17/month minimum)
- ❌ Overkill if you only need time tracking
- ❌ Time tracking feels like an afterthought
- ❌ Steep learning curve
Best use case: Established freelancers who need full accounting software, not just time tracking.
---9. Hubstaff
Best for: Team monitoring and proof of work
Pricing: Free for 1 user, Starter at $7/user/month
Standout Feature: Screenshot monitoring and activity tracking
Pros:
- ✅ Screenshots for proof of work
- ✅ Activity level monitoring
- ✅ GPS tracking for field work
- ✅ Payroll integration
- ✅ Productivity analytics
Cons:
- ❌ Surveillance-style features may damage trust
- ❌ Can feel invasive
- ❌ Not ideal for creative work
Best use case: Agencies managing remote teams or contractors who need activity verification.
---10. Paymo
Best for: Project management + time tracking combo
Pricing: Free for 1 user, Starter at $4.95/user/month
Standout Feature: Kanban boards with built-in time tracking
Pros:
- ✅ Project management features included
- ✅ Gantt charts and task dependencies
- ✅ Client invoicing
- ✅ Resource scheduling
- ✅ Affordable pricing
Cons:
- ❌ Free plan very limited
- ❌ Interface feels busy
- ❌ Too complex for simple time tracking
Best use case: Small agencies juggling multiple projects who need lightweight project management with time tracking.
---Head-to-Head Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Plan | Invoicing | Mobile App | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miday | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Yes | ✅ Web | Solo freelancers |
| Toggl Track | ✅ 5 users | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Simple tracking |
| Harvest | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Pro freelancers |
| Clockify | ✅ Unlimited | ? Paid | ✅ Yes | Teams |
| RescueTime | ✅ Basic | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Productivity |
| Everhour | ✅ 5 users | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | PM integrations |
| TimeCamp | ✅ Limited | ? Paid | ✅ Yes | Auto tracking |
| FreshBooks | ❌ Trial only | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Full accounting |
| Hubstaff | ✅ 1 user | ? Paid | ✅ Yes | Team monitoring |
| Paymo | ✅ 1 user | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Project mgmt |
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choose Miday if...
- You're a solo freelancer or small agency
- You want time tracking AND invoicing in one tool
- You prefer simple, no-frills software
- You want a truly free forever plan
- You bill by the hour and need automated invoicing
Choose Toggl Track if...
- You only need time tracking (use separate invoicing software)
- You want beautiful reports and analytics
- Desktop/mobile apps are important to you
- You're willing to pay for premium features
Choose Harvest if...
- You're an established freelancer with steady income
- You need professional invoicing features
- You use QuickBooks or Xero for accounting
- Expense tracking is important
Choose Clockify if...
- You have a team and need unlimited free users
- You don't need advanced invoicing
- Budget is tight but you need team features
Choose RescueTime if...
- You want to analyze productivity, not bill clients
- Automatic tracking without timers appeals to you
- You struggle with focus and time management
Common Questions
Can I use multiple time tracking tools?
Yes, but it's not recommended. Using multiple tools creates fragmented data and wastes time switching between apps. Pick one primary tool and stick with it.
Is automatic time tracking better than manual?
It depends. Automatic tracking captures everything but requires cleanup. Manual tracking is more accurate but requires discipline. Most freelancers prefer manual with quick-start timers.
Do I need a desktop app or is web-based fine?
Web-based tools work great for most freelancers. Desktop apps are nice-to-have but not essential unless you frequently work offline.
Should I track time in 1-minute or 15-minute increments?
Track to the minute, then round to 15-minute increments when invoicing. This gives you accurate data while keeping invoices clean.
What's the best free time tracking software?
Miday and Clockify offer the most generous free plans. Miday includes invoicing on the free plan, while Clockify offers unlimited users.
Final Recommendations
Best Overall: Miday - Perfect balance of features, pricing, and simplicity for freelancers.
Best Free: Clockify - Unlimited users on free plan makes it great for growing teams.
Best Premium: Harvest - Worth the $12/month if you need professional invoicing and accounting integrations.
Best for Teams: Everhour - Great if you already use Asana, Trello, or similar project management tools.
Best for Agencies: Paymo - Full project management with time tracking built in.
Conclusion
The right time tracking software depends on your specific needs, but here's the bottom line:
- If you're a solo freelancer who bills hourly → Start with Miday
- If you have a small team on a budget → Try Clockify
- If you're established and need pro features → Invest in Harvest
- If you want automatic tracking for productivity → Use RescueTime
Most importantly, start tracking your time TODAY. Even imperfect time tracking is better than none. Pick a tool, set it up, and start capturing those billable hours you're currently losing.
Your future self (and bank account) will thank you.
Ready to simplify time tracking and invoicing? Try Miday free and see why thousands of freelancers choose it for effortless time tracking and automated invoicing. No credit card required, unlimited tracking on the free plan. Start tracking free →