As freelancers, we are drawn to the freedom of being our own boss, having the thrill of creative/meaningful work, and the flexibility to avoid tasks we don’t enjoy doing…
Sorry to burst your bubble but it’s not realistic to assume that we could avoid tasks we don’t like. With the freedom and flexibility of freelancing comes the downside of juggling business tasks alongside our core focus – client work. This balancing act can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and even soul-crushing (at times, in my case…), especially when our business picks up and the need to systematize increases.
“It’s a no-brainer that focusing more on client work is far more rewarding! I just wanna focus my time and energy on developing and testing out ideas, rather than juggling both the roles of a creative genius and a grumpy administrative assistant.”
“Feddy”, our anonymous fed-up freelancer
According to a 2023 study by Freelancer’s Union, the average freelancer spends 20% of their time on non-billable administrative tasks. These typically include:
- Invoicing and financial management
- Client communications and scheduling
- Marketing and self-promotion
- Contract negotiations
- Tax preparation
Every hour spent on business tasks is another hour not spent on billable work or developing necessary skills. At the same time, completely eliminating these tasks isn’t realistic or advisable. The key is to find a balance that allows us to manage our business effectively while maximizing the time spent on client work.
Therefore, we’ve put together a list of some of the best freelance time tracking software:
- First contender – Traqq
- For billing and invoicing – Harvest
- For GPS tracking – Hubstaff
- Best all-in-one – Bonsai
- For project management junkies – Everhour
- More than solopreneurs – Timely
- Best for time-blockers – HourStack
- Remedy for teams – Time Doctor
Time Tracking Software for Freelancers: Quick Comparison
| Time Tracker | Functionality | Free Users | Cost to Upgrade |
 Traqq Try for free | • Online and offline time tracking • App and website monitoring • Online timesheets • Activity level monitoring • Exportable timesheets and productivity reports | 3 (with access to all Premium features) | $6 per user, per month |
| Harvest | • Time tracking • Expense monitoring • Automatic invoicing | 1 (with access to 2 projects only) | $12 per user, per month |
| Hubstaff | • Employee scheduling • Payroll management • Time tracking • Employee monitoring • Online invoicing • GPS tracking | 1 | $7 per user, per month |
Bonsai | • Built-in contract templates • Task and time tracking • Client CRM | None | $19 per month |
| Everhour | • Automated invoices • Budget and payroll management • Task management | None | $10 per user, per month |
| Timely | • AI-based activity tagging • Team and project management reports | None | $8 per user, per month |
| HourStack | • Time blocks for task management • Time budgeting for specific activities or projects • Alerts and notifications for staying within project expectations | None | $9 per user, per month |
| Time Doctor | • App and URL monitoring • Automated and random screenshots • Payment processor integration | None | $7 per user, per month |
Best Freelance Time Tracking Apps in 2024
As a freelancing boss answering to nobody else but your lovely clients (and your intuition), finding the right tools to maximize your operations and boost productivity is decisive. Whether you’re flying solo or managing a team, there’s a freelance time tracking solution out there that can help you conquer the chaos and focus on what really matters – delivering exceptional results.
If you struggle with productivity: distracted by social media, scrolling through feeds, difficulty prioritizing tasks, procrastinating on priority tasks, or balancing multiple clients and projects then time tracking app for contractors and freelancers is definitely what you have been missing!
First contender – Traqq
This comprehensive time tracker for freelancers is a game-changer for those who want to keep tabs on their own productivity but can’t pay for time-tracking solutions. Traqq has a super generous free plan available (the most generous one I’ve yet seen!) that allows up to 3 users with access to all premium features for absolutely free (and an upgrade for just $6 a month!)
Sounds too good to be true? Maybe, but there’s more!
Never lose sight of where your time is going, Traqq features both online and offline time tracking, app and website monitoring, exportable timesheets, and productivity reports. It also shows you the top apps and websites you have accessed throughout the day.
Notable Features:
- Online and offline time tracking
- Smart alerts and notifications for ensuring every minute worked will be paid
- Comprehensive timesheets and productivity reports
- Ethical employee monitoring
Platforms:
- macOS
- Windows
Pricing:
- Premium Starter – $0 for up to three seats (comes with all Premium features)
- Premium Teams – $6 per seat, per month
- Enterprise – Contact the sales team to get a customized plan for teams of over 100 people
Pros:
- All Premium features on the free version
- Few clicks to generate productivity stats and timesheet reports
Cons:
- No integration with third-party apps
What Users Have to Say:
For billing and invoicing – Harvest
If billing hours and expenses are your primary concern, Harvest is worth looking into.
Harvest offers comprehensive freelancer solutions beyond basic time tracking. Its features include invoice generation, billing, and payment processing. Freelancers can easily allocate their billable hours across multiple projects or clients.
With Harvest, you will never miss a billable minute or expense. The platform also caters to managers overseeing remote teams. It provides budget monitoring capabilities, alerting managers when contractors approach spending limits.
Downside though? You only get one free user with access to 2 projects, and upgrading costs $12 per user, per month.
Notable Features:
- Comprehensive task, time, and expense tracking and reporting
- Several third-party software integrations
- Customizable billable rates
- Online invoice payment processing
Platforms:
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- iOS
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Free – 1 user (with access to 2 projects)
- Pro – $12 per user, per month
Pros:
- Bank-grade security
- Alerts for project budgets
- Support for most devices and operating systems
Cons:
- Only two projects and one user for the free tier
- Upgrade necessary for tracking unlimited projects
- Glitchy mobile app
What Users Have to Say:
For GPS tracking – Hubstaff
For those of us who need advanced monitoring features like GPS tracking, Hubstaff is a great contender. In addition to employee scheduling, payroll management, and online invoicing, it also offers GPS tracking for remote teams or freelancers on the go. The user interface is also highly intuitive, and it integrates with various payment processors.
The free plan accommodates one user, and the paid version starts at $7 per user per month.
- Detailed online timesheet
- Team management, attendance monitoring, and shift planning
- GPS tracking for freelancers on the road
Platforms:
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- iOS, Android
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Desk Free – 1 user (limited features)
- Desk Starter – $7 per user, per month (one integration)
- Desk Pro – $10 per user, per month (unlimited integrations)
- Enterprise – Contact the sales team for custom pricing
Pros:
- Highly intuitive user interface
- Basic time and activity monitoring available on the free version
- Payment processor integration
Cons:
- Only one user for the free version
- Upgrade needed to access invoicing, expense tracking, and productivity monitoring
- App glitches from time to time
What Users Have to Say:
Best all-in-one – Bonsai
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that covers project management, task and time tracking, and client CRM, Bonsai is worth considering.
It even includes built-in contract templates, making it extra valuable for freelancers who want to streamline their operations.
All in all, Bonsai extends beyond freelance time tracking to offer comprehensive project management capabilities. Its integrated tools support the creation of contracts and other essential business documents. Also, the platform accommodates diverse client relationships by allowing contractors to set unique rates for different projects.
However, be prepared to pay a hefty $19 per month since there is no free plan.
Notable Features:
- Automated invoicing system
- Cloud-based app that allows users to work from desktop and mobile devices
- Built-in contracts and proposals
Platforms:
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Workflow – $19 per month
- Workflow Plus – $29 per month
Pros:
- Document tracking for different projects
- Convenient time recording features
- Comprehensive overview of ongoing projects on the dashboard
Cons:
- Limited features on the contract creation tool
- Only available in English
- No screenshots or screen video recordings
What Users Have to Say:
For project management junkies – Everhour
Everhour is made for freelancers who rely heavily on project management tools. Their integration capabilities might be a selling point here. It offers automated invoices, budget and payroll management, and task management. It also integrates with various third-party apps like QuickBooks, Basecamp, and Asana.
Everhour offers contractors a comprehensive time-tracking solution with advanced features for project budget visualization and team collaboration. The platform provides customizable reporting options, allowing users to tailor outputs to their specific needs.
Freelancers can leverage Everhour to generate professional invoices that include detailed project breakdowns. Thanks to its intuitive interface, the app simplifies the process of onboarding new clients, enhancing efficiency for contractors.
Again, there’s no free version here and it costs $10 per user, per month.
Notable Features:
- Automated invoice creation
- Individual user and team management
- Comprehensive dashboard that allows detailed reporting
Platforms:
- macOS, Windows
- iOS
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Cloud – $10 per user, per month
- Server – Contact the sales team for custom pricing
Pros:
- Integration with various third-party apps, including QuickBooks, Basecamp, and Asana
- User-friendly interface
- Task and activity overview
- Comprehensive reports according to projects or clients
Cons:
- No dashboard customization options for non-admin users
- Limited mobile app features
What Users Have to Say:
More than solopreneurs – Timely
If you’re part of a larger team or agency, Timely’s automated time tracking and AI-based activity tagging could be a solid choice. This is a freelancer-focused time-tracking app with a calendar-based interface.
It offers AI-based activity tagging, team and project management reports, task and activity monitoring for managers, project budgeting, and comprehensive productivity reports on the dashboard. With team and project management reports, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of your team’s productivity.
The paid plan starts at $8 per user per month with no free option.
Notable Features:
- Automated activity tagging and categorization via AI technology
- Team and project management reports
- Comprehensive dashboard functionalities
Platforms:
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- iOS, Android
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Starter – $8 per user, per month
- Premium – $14 per user, per month
- Unlimited – $20 per user, per month
- Unlimited +: Contact the sales team for custom pricing
Pros:
- Task and activity monitoring for managers
- Project budgeting
- Comprehensive productivity reports on the dashboard
Cons:
- No available free version
What Users Have to Say:
Best for time-blockers – HourStack
For visual learners and those who thrive on time blocks and budgeting, HourStack might be the perfect fit.
Its time-blocking functionality enhances task management while its time budgeting capabilities enable precise allocation for specific activities or projects. The app’s alert and notification system helps users stay within project expectations, ensuring deadlines and budgets are met. These features, working in tandem, provide freelancers with a comprehensive, visually-oriented platform.
The user-friendly reporting features, automated entries for recurring activities, and scheduling options that support flexible working hours are standout features here.
Their paid plan starts at $9 per user per month, no free option.
Notable Features:
- Time blocks for task management
- Time budgeting for specific activities or projects
- Alerts and notifications for staying within project expectations
Platforms:
- macOS, Windows, Linux, Chromebook
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Personal – $9 per month
- Team – $12 per member, per month
Pros:
- User-friendly reporting features
- Scheduling options that support flexible working hours
- Automated entries for recurring activities
Cons:
- Buggy and clunky mobile app
- Limited customization options for reports
- Limited admin functionalities
What Users Have to Say:
Remedy for teams – Time Doctor
Last but not least, Time Doctor is a standout choice for team activity tracking. With app and URL monitoring, automated and random screenshots, and payment processor integration, it’s a comprehensive solution for keeping tabs on your team’s productivity. The simple and user-friendly interface, comprehensive productivity reports, and automated timesheets and invoices are major advantages.
Like most of our options above, there’s no free version here. Upgrading costs $7 per user, per month.
Notable Features:
- URL and app monitoring
- Automated and random screenshots
- Integration with popular payment processors, including PayPal, Wise, and Payoneer
Platforms:
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- iOS, Android
- Web browsers
Pricing:
- Basic – $7 per user, per month
- Standard – $10 per user, per month
- Premium – $20 per user, per month
Pros:
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Comprehensive productivity reports
- Automated timesheets and invoices
Cons:
- Distracting idle time alerts
- Glitchy macOS and Linux versions
- Outdated user interface
What Users Have to Say:
Overview
Time is a freelancer’s most valuable asset so reclaim your time through time-tracking:
- Understand where your time really goes.
- Price your services accurately and sustainably.
- Identify and eliminate time-wasting activities.
- Provide transparent billing to clients.
- Balance is key: manage business effectively while maximizing client work time.
- Comprehensive time-tracking reveals true business costs, including hidden tasks.
This list of 15 time-tracking apps for freelancers in 2023 is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and effectively manage their time. As a freelancer myself, I know how crucial it is to track billable hours and stay organized, and these apps seem to offer a variety of features to meet those needs. With the rapidly advancing technology, it’s fascinating to see how these apps have evolved to cater specifically to freelancers. From simple interfaces to advanced reporting capabilities, there seems to be something for everyone on this list. I’m eager to explore these apps further and find the one that aligns best with my workflow and requirements.