As a CEO of a time tracking software company I need to know what my competitors are up to. That means my team and I are often researching about and/or playing around with their products, you know, it’s part of the job. Here, I share my findings of that research, giving credit to those competitors where credit is due and being honest about which products I believe you really need to avoid. And so, there you have it, this review, and in it, I try to be honest, fair, and insightful. I hope it helps you make the right decision…
Overview
Every minute counts, even more so when you’re billing for them.
And whether you bill by the minute or hour, keeping track of your time as a freelancer is absolutely crucial. It’s not just about ensuring you get paid accurately; it’s also about maintaining professionalism and trust with your clients. You want to be able to justify every invoice with precise records of how your time was spent. And one of the best ways to do that is to use a reliable time tracking app.
I’ve rounded up the 5 best time tracking apps for freelancers, so you don’t have to waste your time searching far and wide. These time tracking tools aren’t only useful to freelancers themselves but also for employers who have freelancers on their teams. Check them out and see which one fits your needs best.
5 Best Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers
The definitive list
1. Jibble
Jibble has got to be the best time tracking app for freelancers.
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.
What Users Like
- Easy to use
- Detailed reporting
- Customizable work rates
- Project and activity tracking
What Users Don’t Like
- Glitches sometimes, but problems are generally quickly resolved
Key Features
- One-tap timer
- Multi-device compatibility
- Exportable time reports
- Billing and invoicing integrations
- Google Chrome extension timer
- Real-time data syncing
- Offline time tracking
- GPS and geofencing technology
2. Toggl Track
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.
What Users Like
- Easy to integrate with Google and Outlook calendars
- Retroactive time entry editing
- Over 100 integrations
- Well-designed user interface
What Users Don’t Like
- Limited reporting, lacks productivity data and proof of work features
- Time-consuming manual mode time entry processes
- Bugs and crashes
- Expensive plans
Key Features
- Time tracking with a timer or manual entry
- Offline tracking
- Multi-device support
- Detailed reporting
- Budget tracking
Why not check out our full, and of course, completely honest, Toggl Track review?
3. Harvest
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 then to clients so you can get paid online. This feature helps freelancers streamline their billing process, reducing administrative tasks and ensuring timely payments.
What Users Like
- Lets you create budgets for projects
- Project time tracking
- Create and send invoices
- Easy to use
What Users Don’t Like
- Syncing issues between desktop and mobile apps
- Integrations are limited and can be troublesome to use
- Lacks GPS tracking, screenshotting, and other productivity monitoring features
Key Features
- Multi-device time tracking
- Custom reminders and notifications
- Invoicing
- Budget monitoring
Why not check out our full, and of course, completely honest, Harvest review?
4.Clockify
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.
What Users Like
- Effective time tracking
- Rich free version
- Easy-to-use interface
- Good customer service
- 80+ integration
What Users Don’t Like
- Limited reporting
- Glitches with the mobile app
- App synchronization issues
- Slow loading times
Key Features
- Time tracking
- Leave management
- Budget and expense management
- Insightful reports
- Built-in Pomodoro timer
5. Timely
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.
What Users Like
- Memory tracker
- Efficient and in-depth reporting
- Gorgeous user interface
- Presentable and engaging timeline view
- Responsive customer service
What Users Don’t Like
- Occasional bugs, lagging, and glitching
- High price and lack of a free version
Key Features
- Project and team time management
- Non-billable and Billable hours tracking
- Customizable reports
- AI-assisted time logging
- Real-time project dashboards
