Best Time Tracker Tools for Freelancers: Boost Your Billable Hours
Freelancers often juggle multiple projects and clients, making it essential to track their time accurately. Using the right time tracker tool can help you maximize your billable hours, manage your tasks more efficiently, and ensure you get paid for all your hard work. Here are some of the best time tracker tools that can help boost your productivity and streamline your workflow.
Key Takeaways
- Toggl Track offers simple time tracking and detailed reports, making it easy to manage your work hours.
- Harvest combines time tracking with invoicing, perfect for freelancers who need to bill clients directly.
- Clockify provides a free plan with unlimited tracking, suitable for freelancers on a budget.
- TimeCamp integrates with popular project management tools, helping you keep everything in one place.
- FreshBooks includes time tracking and accounting features, ideal for managing both time and finances.
1. Toggl Track
Toggl Track is a time management software with a simple interface, making it easy to record billable hours. You can attribute time activities to specific projects and start a timer when you begin working on each task. This way, your billable hours can be tracked down to the second. Some teams might also find Toggl Track’s round-up feature handy, which allows you to round up or down to your organization’s standard time interval.
Toggl Track works so effortlessly primarily because it doesn't ask much of you when you start timing a task. With many time tracking apps, you have to have a client, project, and task entered into your account before the app will let you track time. If you don't, you have to set your task aside for the time being and enter them. With Toggl Track, you can track your time right away, view your tracked time entries in a grid or calendar format, and worry about the details later.
Toggl offers straightforward project management and time monitoring. It’s ideal for simple time entry and creating detailed timesheets, suitable for freelancers and businesses. Toggl includes features for billable time, invoice creation, and payment tracking. It also supports employee monitoring and attendance tracking, providing smart time data storage.
Toggl is a leading time tracking software and is one of the most flexible and best free options. Using Toggl is intuitive and easy to pick up. The platform has a simple, user-friendly layout that easily allows you to start tracking time. The software is cloud-hosted with multi-device options across almost all browsers, operating systems, and devices. Toggl provides integration options for various other services, making it flexible to fit into your existing processes and systems.
Toggl Track is a time tracking software designed for businesses and freelancers who want to know where their hours go.
2. Harvest
Harvest is a fantastic tool for invoicing, billing, and taking payments. It's perfect for freelancers who juggle multiple clients or projects. You can track time for different projects at once, even if you bill clients at different hourly rates. The software includes built-in invoicing, expense tracking, and an easy way to accept payments online with PayPal or Stripe.
Harvest simplifies project management and time tracking, making it easy to enter time and create timesheets. It helps freelancers monitor billable time and generate invoices. Managers can also keep an eye on their teams' work.
Here's a quick look at some of Harvest's key features:
- User-friendly interface
- Integration with other tools
- Detailed reporting
The ultimate time tracker guide for freelancers provides tips on choosing the right time tracker, setting it up for success, and the importance of time tracking for freelancers.
Harvest offers flexible time tracking options. You can track your time as you work or enter your hours all at once. It's simple and easy to use, and there's even a free plan to get you started.
3. Clockify
Clockify is a fantastic time tracking tool that offers top-rated time-tracking features for free, making it a great choice for freelancers. With Clockify, you can track productivity, attendance, and billable hours effortlessly. The platform is incredibly user-friendly, and the learning curve is almost none, so you can start tracking your time right away.
Clockify works across multiple devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, ensuring that you can track your time from anywhere. It also syncs all your data online, so you never have to worry about losing your tracked hours.
Here are some of the key features that make Clockify stand out:
- Timer: Track work hours in real-time.
- Timesheet: Enter time in a weekly timesheet.
- Calendar: Visually block out and manage time.
- Auto tracker: Track apps and websites you use.
- Kiosk: Clock in from a shared device.
Clockify also offers robust reporting features, allowing you to generate summary and detailed reports. You can filter these reports by clients, projects, billed hours, and project status, making it easy to see where your time is going and how to improve your productivity.
Clockify is an excellent time tracking solution for small businesses because it provides top-rated time-tracking features and more for free, making it a great choice for freelancers.
If your business grows and you need more features, Clockify offers paid plans starting at $3.99 per user per month (billed annually). These plans include additional features like adding time for others, performing time audits, and including breaks for your employees. Overall, Clockify is a powerful and flexible tool that can help you boost your billable hours and manage your time more effectively.
4. TimeCamp
TimeCamp is a fantastic tool for freelancers who want to maximize productivity. It helps you track time, improve efficiency, and customize workflows. With TimeCamp, you can monitor how much time you spend on different tasks, making it easier to see where your time goes.
Key Features
- Productivity tracking
- Budgeting and billing
- Project planning
- Timesheets
TimeCamp also offers detailed reporting and billable hours tracking. This means you can easily create invoices based on the time you log, ensuring you get paid for every minute of work. The app even tracks URLs and apps you visit, giving you insights into your work habits.
TimeCamp is perfect for small businesses and freelancers who need to keep an eye on their productivity and billable hours. It's especially useful for remote teams.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Automatic time tracking
- Easy-to-use timesheet
- Reminders for overdue tasks
- Offline time clocking
- Integrated calendar
- In-depth reporting
- GPS location tracking
- Invoicing
- Expense recording
- Timesheet approval
- Time off recording
Cons:
- Projects can't be marked complete
- Summary report can be confusing initially
TimeCamp is a great choice if you want to maximize productivity with the best productivity tracker. It helps you track time, improve efficiency, and customize workflows. Future trends include AI insights and user-friendly tools.
5. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a powerful tool that combines time tracking with invoicing. It has a simple interface where you can log your billable time, capture time data, and manage your time effectively. The easy time entry feature is a favorite among freelancers and project managers. FreshBooks is designed specifically for freelancers, making accounting and tracking easier for the self-employed. The company has been around since 2004 and has over 3,000 reviews on Capterra, making it the most reviewed time tracking app on this list.
FreshBooks leans more towards the accounting and financial aspects of managing freelance work than other apps. While it lacks some productivity features like workflow monitoring and application usage, it provides all the necessary tools to run a successful freelancing business.
Features
- Customizable invoices and payment reminders
- Tax calculations and categorization of expenses
- Review and create project estimates
- Collaboration and file sharing
- Automatic payment recording
FreshBooks offers a cloud-based web application and downloadable apps for iOS and Android devices.
6. TopTracker
TopTracker is a fantastic option for freelancers who need a 100% free time tracking app. It works on Windows, iOS, and Linux, making it versatile for all kinds of freelancers. The app stays out of the way as much as possible but can be set up to give reminders, log time entries, and take screenshots for work purposes. It also has invoicing capabilities and permission levels for collaborators on its web app.
However, TopTracker does have some limitations. It lacks a mobile app and doesn't support integrations with other programs. Wage tracking is only available for hourly rates, and the invoicing features are somewhat limited.
If you're looking for a simple, no-cost solution to track your time wherever you are, TopTracker is a solid choice.
7. Everhour
Everhour is a fantastic tool for tracking time spent on tasks throughout the day. It integrates seamlessly with other software, making it simple for teams to use. This all-in-one solution is perfect for generating timesheet reports, managing billable hours, and mastering time management. Freelancers and teams handling multiple projects will find Everhour especially useful as it streamlines the time data recording process.
Everhour offers a range of features, including:
- Project management integration
- Timesheet reports
- Billable time tracking
- Budgeting
- Client invoicing
- Payroll management
Everhour is a great tool for tracking time spent on tasks throughout the day! It integrates well with other software and is simple for our team to use.
The pricing for Everhour starts at $10 per month, with a free 14-day trial available for the paid plan. This makes it one of the best values on the market. However, it's worth noting that some features can suffer from bugs, and the software is only available for use in Chrome, which may limit flexibility for some users.
8. Paydirt
Paydirt is a fantastic tool for freelancers who need a complete invoicing suite along with time-tracking capabilities. One of its standout features is the ability to collect payments directly from digital invoices via PayPal and Stripe. This means you can automatically track which invoices have been paid, saving you time and effort.
However, Paydirt does have some limitations. It doesn't offer desktop or mobile apps, and you can't use it offline. Additionally, there's no free version available, and it has limited support for integrations. Despite these drawbacks, Paydirt remains a strong contender for freelancers looking to balance productivity and efficiency.
Key Features
- Online payment options for clients
- Automatic tracking of paid invoices
- Collaboration support
Drawbacks
- No offline functionality
- No desktop or mobile apps
- Limited integrations
If you're a freelancer who values a robust invoicing system and can work around its limitations, Paydirt is worth considering.
9. Hours
Hours is a straightforward time tracking tool perfect for both solo freelancers and teams. It helps you keep track of billable hours with ease. The app is available on iOS and Apple Watch, making it convenient to log time on the go. One of its standout features is the timeline view, which provides a clear visual representation of your workday.
However, Hours does have some limitations. It doesn't support invoicing or expense tracking, and it lacks integration with other tools. Despite these drawbacks, it's a solid choice for those who need a simple, no-frills time tracker.
Hours is ideal for freelancers who need a basic tool to manage their time effectively without the extra bells and whistles.
10. OfficeTime
OfficeTime is a fantastic tool for freelancers who need to track their billable hours and expenses. One of its standout features is that it works offline, so you can log your time whenever and will sync their data to your account the next time they are connected. This is especially useful if you often work in areas with spotty internet. Another benefit of OfficeTime is that it sells for a one-time fee rather than a recurring subscription, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
While OfficeTime is excellent for solo workers, it does have some limitations. It's not ideal for team time tracking and doesn't offer project-based billing. However, if you're a freelancer looking for a reliable and straightforward time tracking tool, OfficeTime is worth considering.
OfficeTime is an excellent tool for solo workers who need to track billable hours and expenses, even while offline. Still, it's not ideal for teams or those who want to charge flat rates.
OfficeTime is your go-to tool for tracking work hours and boosting productivity. Imagine an AI that can type anywhere on macOS, understanding everything on your screen. Whether it's writing emails, handling terminal commands, or updating your team, OfficeTime makes it easy. Download it now, no waitlist!
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of freelancing, every minute counts. Using the right time tracker tools can make a huge difference in how efficiently you manage your billable hours. From automatic time tracking to detailed reporting, these tools help you stay organized, save time, and ensure you get paid for every second of your hard work. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your workflow, investing in a reliable time tracker is a smart move. So, explore the options, find the one that fits your needs, and watch your productivity soar!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to track billable hours?
The best way to track billable hours is by using time tracking software that accurately captures the time you spend working on client tasks and projects.
How can I track my billable hours for free?
There are several free time tracking tools available, such as Toggl Track and Clockify, which offer basic features to help you track your billable hours without any cost.
Why do freelancers need to track time?
Freelancers need to track time to ensure accurate billing, improve productivity, and gain insights into how they spend their working hours. This helps in managing projects more efficiently and maintaining transparency with clients.
What key features should I look for in a billable hours tracker?
Key features to look for include automatic time tracking, detailed reporting, integration with project management and accounting software, the ability to set different billing rates, and a user-friendly interface.
What is the best billable hours tracker for freelancers?
For freelancers, tools like Toggl Track, TimeCamp, and Clockify are highly recommended as they offer great value with pricing plans that fit individual budgets.
What are the must-haves in a billable hours tracker?
A good billable hours tracker should have features like automatic time tracking, detailed reports, easy integration with other software, customizable billing rates, and an intuitive interface.