Time Tracking Tools Compared
Smart time tracking tools for more focus, structure and output in your billable projects.
- From simple timers to automatic activity detection
- Timesheets, profitability tracking & accounting integrations
- Tested for solo freelancers and small teams
Time tracking tools log your working hours per project and client: the basis for hourly billing, proof of work and honest profitability analysis. Our comparison puts the best 2026 tools side by side, from one-click timers (Toggl Track) to permanently free options (Clockify) and tools with built-in invoicing (Harvest). All criteria, including free plans, team mode and invoicing, are in the table.
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| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Invoicing | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Team-ready | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Attendance mode EU work-time tracking ruling Since the 2019 ECJ ruling, every EU employer must systematically record working hours. Tools with an "attendance mode" support solo and employee time-stamping plus EU-compliant reports. | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Free trial | 30 days | 7 days | 30 days | 14 days | 14 days | — | 14 days | — | — | 14 days | 14 days | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 days | — | — | 7 days | 15 days |
| Available on | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Desktop | Desktop Mobile | Desktop | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Mobile | Web Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Mobile | Desktop Mobile | Web Mobile | Web Mobile | Web Desktop Mobile | Web Mobile | Web Mobile | Desktop | Web |
| Best for | Solo & Team | All | Solo & Team | Solo & Team | Solo & Team | Solo & Team | Solo & Team | Solo | Solo & Team | Solo | Solo | Team | Solo & Team | Solo | Team | Solo | Team | Team | Solo & Team | Agency | Team | Solo | Solo |
| View offer* | View offer* | Visit site | View offer* | Visit site | View offer* | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | View offer* | Visit site | Visit site | View offer* | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site |
All 23 time tracking tools at a glance
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To the newsletterFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best time tracking tool for freelancers?
Toggl Track is our 2026 top pick: one-click timer, strong reports, and a free plan for up to 5 users. Clockify is the best permanently free alternative (unlimited users), and Harvest is the pick if you want tracked hours turned into invoices directly. The comparison table above puts all criteria side by side.
Are there completely free time tracking tools?
Yes. Clockify is permanently free, including unlimited users and projects. Toggl Track also has a free plan (up to 5 users). Limits sit in advanced reporting and team features; for solo freelancers the free tiers typically last for years.
Do freelancers have to track their time?
No. There is no legal time-tracking requirement for solo freelancers (the EU working-time rulings apply to employers with staff). It still pays off: tracked hours are your proof of work for hourly clients, and they show you which projects actually earn their rate.
Which tools turn tracked hours into invoices?
Harvest and TimeCamp have built-in invoicing: tracked hours become an invoice in one click (see the “Invoicing” column in the table). If you'd rather keep your tracker, pair it with a dedicated invoicing tool.