Final Verdict:

5 Best Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers in 2024

Now, there might be a bit of bias on that (I am the CEO after all) but believe me when I say that it’s got all the time tracking features that freelancers need to easily and accurately manage their billable hours. The freelancers on our team would surely agree.

Tracking time with Jibble is as easy as a few taps. You can track time per project or activity so you know exactly how much time you’re spending on each task. Jibble also supports setting billable hourly and overtime rates in your chosen currency, ensuring that every minute of your work is billed correctly. All tracked hours from the timer are synced straight to timesheets in real-time so you can keep accurate records without the hassle of manual entries.

Moreover, Jibble integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks Online, and Deel. This integration syncs your time and client data, simplifying your billing and invoicing needs.

Jibble also provides detailed reports of your hours by project, activity, or client. Reports can be exported in various formats, such as XLS or CSV, or directly to your accounting software. This not only helps you monitor your time effectively but also gives you valuable insights into where those hours are being allocated. This level of detail is invaluable for freelancers who need to analyze their productivity and ensure their efforts are being directed efficiently.

The cherry on top is that Jibble can be accessed on a wide range of devices, be it your phone, tablet, desktop computer, or laptop. This way, you can keep your hours in check wherever your freelancing work takes you.

Toggl Track offers a variety of features that cater to the unique needs of freelancers, making it easy to track time, organize projects, and generate reports.

One of the standout features of Toggl is its one-click timers, which provide a hassle-free experience when you need to start and stop your timers. This simplicity is crucial for freelancers who need to log their hours accurately without getting bogged down in complicated procedures. The app also offers an easily-editable calendar view, allowing users to see their logged hours at a glance and make adjustments as needed.

For freelancers who may work in areas with unreliable internet access, Toggl provides a seamless time tracking experience with its offline mode. The app records activities on your device and syncs them once you’re back online, ensuring no work hours are lost. Additionally, its automatic time tracking feature monitors app and browser activity, providing accurate records while allowing users to maintain privacy by controlling which entries are shared with clients or managers.

Another beneficial feature for freelancers is Toggl Track’s robust reporting capabilities. It generates detailed, client-ready reports with visually appealing graphics that can be exported in various formats. These reports can be customized to show specific data, helping freelancers provide clear and professional documentation of their work hours.

Harvest is a versatile time tracking app that can be particularly beneficial for freelancers. With its straightforward and user-friendly interface, Harvest makes it easy to track billable hours accurately and efficiently. Freelancers can use the timer feature to clock in and out or manually enter hours if they forget to start the timer. This flexibility ensures that all time spent on tasks is recorded accurately, whether through the desktop app, mobile app, or web interface.

One of the key features of Harvest is the ability to break down time spent on specific tasks within each project. This detailed tracking provides a comprehensive overview of how time is allocated across different activities, helping freelancers manage their workloads more effectively. The automated timesheets sum up all recorded hours, offering a clear total and detailed breakdown of time spent on each project.

Harvest also includes built-in notifications to prevent the timer from running indefinitely if users forget to stop it, automatically adjusting to ensure accuracy. This feature is particularly useful for busy freelancers who juggle multiple tasks and need a reliable way to ensure their time tracking is precise.

In addition to time tracking, Harvest is equipped with invoicing features. It simplifies the process of creating invoices based on billable hours and even lets you send them to clients so you can get paid online. This feature helps freelancers streamline their billing process, reducing administrative tasks and ensuring timely payments.

While often used by teams, Clockify also proves itself to be a useful time tracking tool for individual freelancers.

Clockify simplifies the process of recording billable hours with its easy-to-use start-and-stop timer system. It can also break down the time spent on specific tasks within each project. This allows freelancers to maintain detailed records of their work, which is crucial for accurate billing and client transparency.

Additionally, Clockify offers automated timesheets that sum up all hours worked, providing a clear total and detailed breakdown for each project. There’s even an expense and invoice tracking feature, making it easier for freelancers to manage their finances and ensure they get paid on time.

Should freelancers or employers need more detailed insights into time utilization, they can generate reports that analyze efficiency across various projects and clients. These reports can be exported and shared in multiple formats, adding a professional touch to client communications.

Trading in your manual timers for Timely would be a good move towards more efficient time tracking for freelancers.

One of the most beneficial aspects for freelancers is Timely’s automatic time tracking functionality, which operates seamlessly in the background while you work. This eliminates the need for manual timers, reducing the risk of underbilling or missing billable hours. Freelancers can track time spent on various tasks, projects, and clients, allowing for accurate billing and improving overall efficiency.

Timely also integrates with task management tools that can help freelancers organize their workload effectively. Users can prioritize tasks based on deadlines and capacity, ensuring they meet client expectations while managing their time efficiently. This feature not only aids in maintaining productivity but also helps freelancers balance multiple projects seamlessly.

Moreover, Timely’s reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into project profitability. Freelancers can generate detailed reports that analyze time spent across different clients or projects, helping them make informed decisions to maximize profitability. This feature is particularly useful for freelancers who need to ensure that their rates cover all operational costs effectively.

All in all, Timely presents itself as a great choice among freelancers, but maybe not for all types of freelancing work. Its focus on detailed time capture and project management may be more beneficial for freelancers who work on a project-based or client-billing model rather than those who engage in off-screen or non-computer-based activities extensively.