Best Time Tracking Software for Freelancers 2025
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Tracking your time is key to getting paid for all your work. This guide will help you find the right tool. You'll learn which software is best for billing, productivity, and taxes.
Introduction
Let's be honest. Tracking your work hours can be a real pain. You might forget to start a timer or lose track of a task. This is where the right software can save you.
We tested over 20 different time trackers for this 2025 list. We only picked the top tools that truly help freelancers. Our goal is to save you hours of your own research time.
Why This List Matters
Getting paid for every minute you work is key. A good time tracker does more than just count hours. It helps you bill clients, see where your time goes, and even find ways to work smarter.
For example, one freelancer found she was spending 15 hours a month on admin work. Her tracker showed her this, so she could fix it. That's time she now uses for paid projects.
How We Made Our Picks
We looked for software with features you really need. Easy timers, simple reports, and fair prices were all important. We checked how they work on phones and computers too.
A tool also had to be trusted by working professionals. We read hundreds of user reviews from other freelancers. Their real-world experience helped guide our choices.
What You'll Find Here
This guide breaks down the best options for 2025. You'll see tools for different budgets and work styles. Some are great for simple tracking, while others handle full project management.
We give you clear pros and cons for each pick. You can quickly check which one fits your needs. Let's find the perfect tool to help you take control of your time and your income.
Top Picks (Items 1-3)
Now, let's look at the best tools. We tested many options. These three are the top picks for 2025. They each have different strengths.
Your choice depends on your work style. Think about what you need most. Do you want it simple or full of features?
1. Toggl Track: Best for Ease of Use
Toggl Track is famous for being simple. You can start timing work with one click. It feels easy and never gets in your way.
It works on every device you own. Use it on your phone, computer, or in a web browser. Your time data syncs everywhere instantly.
The free plan is very strong for starters. You can track time for unlimited projects. It also makes basic reports for you.
Key Features:
* One-click timer and easy manual entries.
* Clear reports showing your time by project or client.
* Apps for desktop, mobile, and web browsers.
Best For: New freelancers and anyone who hates complex software. If you just want to track time fast, try this.
Price: Free plan for solo users. Paid plans start at $10 per month. The paid plans add project budgets and more reports.
2. Clockify: Best Free Option
Clockify gives you a powerful tool for zero cost. Its free plan is the most complete you can find. Small teams can even use it for free.
You can track time, set project budgets, and see detailed reports. It logs every hour you work for different clients. This helps you see where your time really goes.
For example, you might set a 20-hour budget for a design project. Clockify will warn you when you get close. This stops you from working too much for free.
Key Features:
* Unlimited users and projects on the free plan.
* Tools for setting project budgets and estimates.
* Visual reports on your weekly and monthly work.
Best For: Freelancers on a tight budget and small teams. It's a great choice if you need lots of features but don't want to pay.
Price: Free plan is very strong. Paid plans begin at $4.99 per user each month. Paid versions add time approval and more.
3. Harvest: Best for Invoicing
Harvest is a two-in-one professional tool. It tracks time and then helps you get paid. It turns your hours into invoices right away.
You can send these invoices directly to clients. The system also tracks when they are paid. This makes your business money flow much smoother.
It also shows how profitable your projects are. You might learn a small project took too many hours. Next time, you can charge more for it.
Key Features:
* Turns time entries into invoices quickly.
* Tracks payments and sends reminders to clients.
* Shows reports on project profit and team performance.
Best For: Freelancers who bill by the hour and need strong invoicing. It's perfect if you want to handle time and money in one place.
Price: $12 per user per month. A free plan is not offered. However, you can try it free for 30 days to check the features.
Mid-Range Options (Items 4-6)
The top picks are great for many. But you might need more power. These mid-range choices offer more features. They still keep things simple and clear.
They are a step up for growing freelancers. You get better tools without a huge cost. Let's look at three strong options.
4. Clockify Pro
Clockify is a popular free tool. Its Pro plan adds key features for serious work. It turns a basic tracker into a full business helper.
You can track time across many projects. Set hourly rates for each client too. The app makes detailed reports on your work.
It also handles team billing if you hire help. You can mark time as billable or not. This helps with clean invoices.
Key features: Unlimited projects and reports. Time rounding for easier billing. Add team members for a small fee.
Best for: Freelancers who loved the free version. It's perfect if you need more data. Good for tracking small teams.
Price: The Pro plan starts at $9.99 per month. You pay for each user. It's a low-cost way to get strong features.
5. Toggl Track Premium
Toggl Track is known for its clean design. The Premium plan unlocks its best tools. It focuses on helping you work smarter.
It tracks time with one click. You'll get reminders if you forget to start the timer. The reports show where your time really goes.
A great feature is the project time forecast. It guesses how long future tasks will take. This helps you plan better and set fair prices.
Key features: Smart time tracking reminders. Project time estimates and forecasts. Clear, shareable reports for clients.
Best for: Freelancers who want deep insights. It's ideal if you often run over budget. Good for planning your work week.
Price: Premium is about $18 per user each month. Yearly plans save you some money. They offer a free trial to test it.
6. Harvest
Harvest mixes time tracking with getting paid. It's a full system for your business. You track time and send invoices in one place.
The timer works on any device. You can quickly turn time entries into an invoice. It even handles online payments from clients.
You'll see reports on project profit. Know which clients are most valuable. It helps you make better choices.
Key features: Time tracking and invoicing together. Accept credit card payments online. Reports on project budget and profit.
Best for: Freelancers who invoice often. It's a top pick if you want fast payments. Great for tracking project profit.
Price: The solo plan is $15 per month. You get unlimited projects and clients. They have a 30-day free trial with no card needed.
These tools offer a professional edge. They give you more control without being too complex. Try their free trials to see which fits your flow.
Budget & Specialty Picks (Items 7-10)
Now let's look at some final choices. These picks are great for tight budgets or special needs. They solve specific problems very well.
You might find your perfect tool right here.
7. Clockify: The Free Powerhouse
Clockify is a top choice if you need a free plan. It lets you track time for unlimited projects and users. This is rare for a free tool.
Its key features are strong time tracking and reports. You can run reports to see where your time goes. The calendar view helps you plan your week easily.
It works best for freelancers who are just starting out. It's also good for anyone watching their budget closely. You can test time tracking without any cost.
The price is its biggest advantage. The free plan is very full and has no user limit. Paid plans start at about $4 per user each month.
8. Toggl Track: Simple & Smart
Toggl Track is famous for being easy to use. You can start a timer with just one click. It works on your phone, computer, and web browser.
Key features include smart reminders and project dashboards. The app reminds you if you forget to track your time. Dashboards show your work patterns in clear colors.
It is best for people who hate complex software. If you want focus without fuss, try this. Teams who share projects also like it.
The price begins with a solid free plan for one user. Their paid plan starts around $10 per user each month. You get better reports and project planning tools.
9. Harvest: Great for Invoices
Harvest mixes time tracking with getting paid. You can turn tracked hours into invoices fast. This link saves you a lot of manual work.
Its key features are invoicing and payment tracking. You can see which invoices are still open. It also shows if a project is going over its budget.
It works best for freelancers who bill by the hour. If you send lots of invoices, this will help. Small teams that need clear budgets love it.
The price starts at $12 per user per month. There is no free plan, but a free trial is offered. You can test all its features for one month.
10. Timely: Automatic Tracking
Timely uses a different method. It runs quietly in the background on your computer. The software then suggests a timeline of your work day.
Key features are full automation and memory tracking. It records the apps and websites you use. This helps you build a full diary without a timer.
It is best for anyone who always forgets to hit “start.” If manual tracking slows you down, this is your answer. It's perfect for deep focus work.
The price is higher due to its special technology. Plans start at about $11 per user each month. You pay for the time it saves you.
How to Choose Your Pick
Think about your main problem right now. Is it cost, ease of use, or getting paid? Your biggest pain point should guide your choice.
Try the free trials or free plans first. Use the tool for real work for a week. See if it fits into your daily habits without stress.
Remember, the best software is the one you will actually use. A simple tool you love is better than a powerful one you ignore. Start tracking and take control of your time.
Comparison Table
This table gives you a quick look at all ten top picks. You can easily compare their main features and prices side-by-side.
Key Features at a Glance
Check the “Best For” column to match a tool to your main need. Look at the price to see if it fits your budget now. Remember, many offer free plans to try.
The “Standout Feature” shows what makes each one different. This helps you pick the one with the right advantage for your work style.
| # | Software Name | Best For | Starting Price (Monthly) | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toggl Track | Ease of use & clear reports | Free for 1 user | Super simple one-click timer |
| 2 | Harvest | Time tracking plus invoicing | $12 per person | Turns time into invoices fast |
| 3 | Clockify | Unlimited free users | Free forever plan | No user limit on free plan |
| 4 | TimeCamp | Automatic time tracking | Free for 1 user | Tracks computer activity for you |
| 5 | Timely | AI-powered time logs | $19 per person | AI drafts your time sheet |
| 6 | Hours | Visual timeline users | Free for 1 project | Drag-and-drop timeline editor |
| 7 | My Hours | Simple, low-cost plans | $7 per person | Great value core features |
| 8 | Everhour | Asana & Trello users | $10 per person | Works inside your project app |
| 9 | RescueTime | Focus & productivity | Free with limited history | Tracks distraction sites |
| 10 | ATracker | Mobile-first simplicity | Free with 5 projects | Simple phone app with charts |
How to Use This Table
Find your top two or three choices here. Then, go back and read their full review for more detail.
You can also sort by price if your budget is tight. A free plan is a great way to test a tool's quality before you pay.
Conclusion
Picking the right time tracker is a big step for your freelance work. It can help you get paid for every hour and find more free time.
For most freelancers, Toggl Track is the best place to start. It's simple, works anywhere, and its free plan is very full. You can track time, see basic reports, and manage up to five projects at no cost.
If you bill clients by the project, Clockify is a powerful free choice. Its free plan lets you add team members, which is a huge advantage for growing your business.
Remember, the best software is the one you will actually use every day. Try the free plans for our top picks. Use them for a real project to see which feels right.
Check out our other guides on freelance invoices and contracts. They will help you build a complete and professional business.
Content Notice: This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy, quality, and compliance. We use AI to help research and structure content, but all recommendations are based on thorough evaluation.
