Time Tracking Freemium

Hubstaff Review: Time Tracking & Monitoring for Freelancers

Fastlancer Team · Published: Feb 27, 2026

4.0/5 Fastlancer Rating

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Pros

Automatic time tracking with optional screenshot monitoring
GPS tracking for mobile and field workers
Integrated payroll for direct salary payments
Detailed productivity and activity reports

Cons

Screenshot monitoring can feel invasive for freelancers
Complex for solo freelancers — primarily designed for teams
Free plan is very limited

As a freelancer billing by the hour or day, you need a professional way to track your time and invoice clients transparently. That's exactly where Hubstaff comes in.

This time tracking tool combines precise time tracking, automated screenshots, and smart invoicing to document your work efficiently and transparently.

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What Is Hubstaff?

Hubstaff is a modern time tracking and productivity software founded in 2012. It is particularly popular among remote teams, solo freelancers, and digital nomads.

In addition to classic time tracking, Hubstaff offers features such as employee monitoring, project management, and automated billing. The software is available across platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.

The combination of time tracking, activity monitoring, and reporting makes Hubstaff a versatile solution for freelancers who bill hourly. Over 95,000 users worldwide rely on Hubstaff for transparent time tracking and structured project workflows.

Hubstaff positions itself as a leading time tracking software for modern freelancers – with a strong focus on transparency and automation (excerpt from hubstaff.com )

Key Features of Hubstaff

Automated screenshot capture for work documentation
Activity tracking based on keyboard and mouse usage
Automatic invoicing and payment processing
Project management with task and time allocation
GPS tracking for mobile work locations
Detailed reports and productivity analytics

The intuitive Hubstaff dashboard makes it easy to get started and provides instant insights into projects, tracked hours, and team activity (excerpt from hubstaff.com )

With Hubstaff's calendar feature, you can easily plan work hours, shifts, and time off – ideal for freelancers managing multiple clients (excerpt from hubstaff.com )

Why Is Hubstaff Ideal for Freelancers?

Many freelancers face the challenge of making their work visible and transparent to clients. Hubstaff addresses this with automated screenshots and accurate time tracking – ideal for transparent hourly billing.

Automated invoicing significantly reduces administrative work. Productivity reports help you identify work patterns and optimize your efficiency.

Whether you manage multiple projects at once or work remotely for international clients, Hubstaff provides the tools you need to stay structured and accountable.

Analyze app usage: Hubstaff shows how much time is spent in Slack, email, or Chrome – enabling productivity improvements (excerpt from hubstaff.com )

What We Like – and What Could Be Better

What We Like:

Highly accurate time tracking – no manual corrections required
Screenshot transparency builds client trust
Automated invoices reduce administrative workload
Reports support personal productivity optimization
Cross-platform availability (desktop & mobile)
14-day free trial – risk-free testing

What Could Be Improved:

Potential privacy concerns for sensitive client projects
Desktop app may consume system resources on older devices
Pricing increases quickly with multiple users

Hubstaff Pricing

Hubstaff offers four pricing tiers:

Starter ($7/month): Basic time tracking for individuals
Grow ($9/month per user): Includes screenshots and app integrations – ideal for freelancers
Team ($12/month per user): Adds GPS tracking and advanced reporting
Enterprise: Custom solution for larger teams

All plans include a 14-day free trial (no credit card required). Billing can be monthly or yearly, with annual plans offering approximately 17% savings. Accepted payment methods include credit card, PayPal, and bank transfer.

Hubstaff pricing overview: Time tracking for freelancers starting at $4.99 per month with annual billing – including productivity, team, and project management tools (excerpt from hubstaff.com )

Note: Prices may change at any time. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Final Verdict: Is Hubstaff Worth It for Freelancers?

Hubstaff is one of the best time tracking tools for demanding freelancers. If you work on an hourly basis, value transparency in client communication, and want to document your time efficiently, Hubstaff is a smart investment.

Especially for remote professionals managing multiple projects simultaneously, the tool provides a robust infrastructure. The free trial allows you to thoroughly test all features and evaluate whether Hubstaff fits your workflow.

For more time tracking tools, check out our article on the 10 best time tracking tools for freelancers.

Alternatives to Hubstaff

Toggl Track: User-friendly time tracking with a clean interface
RescueTime: Fully automated tracking without client-facing features
Clockify: Free time tracking for teams and solo freelancers
Harvest: Combines time tracking with strong invoicing and project management