ByHayat Amin· editorial direction, Top 11Updated
Productivity · Time
The 11 Best Time Tracking Software
A ranked list of the best time tracking tools for agencies, freelancers, and teams focused on billable hours, project profitability, and team productivity.
The short answer
The best time tracking software is Harvest for its superb invoicing and project budgeting features, followed closely by Toggl Track for its simplicity and Clockify for its unmatched free tier.
✓ Independent
Top 11 takes no payment from any provider on this list. Scores are computed from a public weighted rubric; methodology weights were locked before entry research began.
↻ Verified June 2026 · re-checked quarterly
Re-scored every 90 days.
Scored on a 9.4-point scale across 5 weighted criteria, reviewed quarterly.
[The 11 Best Time Tracking Software](https://11.market/time-tracking-software). Top 11, AI-native independent ranking. Methodology public at https://11.market/methodology.The Ranking
ALL 11| # | Provider · best for | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HarvestBest for agency billing & profitability | 9.2/9.4 |
| 2 | Toggl TrackBest for simplicity and integrations | 9.0/9.4 |
| 3 | ClockifyBest free time tracking software | 8.8/9.4 |
| 4 | EverhourBest for PM tool integration | 8.5/9.4 |
| 5 | TimeCampBest for profitability reporting | 8.3/9.4 |
| 6 | HubstaffBest for remote team monitoring | 8.1/9.4 |
| 7 | QuickBooks TimeBest for QuickBooks payroll users | 7.9/9.4 |
| 8 | ClickTimeBest for enterprise & compliance | 7.7/9.4 |
| 9 | RescueTimeBest for personal productivity | 7.5/9.4 |
| 10 | actiTIMEBest for simple timesheets | 7.3/9.4 |
| 11 | Timely by Memory.aiWILDCARDBest for AI-powered automatic tracking | 7.1/9.4 |
Best pick for your situation
Matched by the problem you're solving. Agents can query /api/lists/time-tracking-software/recommend?problem=… or the recommend MCP tool to get these matches as structured data.
Best for Streamlining agency billing
Harvest (#1, scores 9.2/9.4). The top choice for agencies, seamlessly blending time tracking with invoicing and project budget management. It also handles Tracking project profitability.
Best for Simple time tracking for teams
Toggl Track (#2, scores 9.0/9.4). The easiest-to-use tracker with over 100 integrations, perfect for frictionless team adoption. It also handles Integrating time data into workflows.
Best for Cost-effective time tracking
Clockify (#3, scores 8.8/9.4). The market leader for value, offering an incredibly generous free plan for unlimited users. It also handles Tracking time for unlimited users for free.
The Breakdown
Harvest
Solves: Streamlining agency billing · Tracking project profitability
Harvest: The top choice for agencies, seamlessly blending time tracking with invoicing and project budget management.
✓Exceptional invoicing and expense features.
✕Limited free tier forces upgrades.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: getharvest.com · Data verified June 2026
Toggl Track
Solves: Simple time tracking for teams · Integrating time data into workflows
Toggl Track: The easiest-to-use tracker with over 100 integrations, perfect for frictionless team adoption.
✓Beautifully simple one-click timer.
✕Billing features are less robust.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: toggl.com · Data verified June 2026
Clockify
Solves: Cost-effective time tracking · Tracking time for unlimited users for free
Clockify: The market leader for value, offering an incredibly generous free plan for unlimited users.
✓Unbeatable free plan for teams.
✕Interface is less polished.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: clockify.me · Data verified June 2026
Everhour
Everhour: Tracks time natively inside Asana, Trello, and Jira, eliminating the need to switch apps.
✓Seamless native PM tool integration.
✕Weak as a standalone app.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: everhour.com · Data verified June 2026
TimeCamp
TimeCamp: Offers powerful, detailed reports on project profitability, team productivity, and budget usage.
✓Excellent profitability analysis reports.
✕Dated and less intuitive UI.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: timecamp.com · Data verified June 2026
Hubstaff
Hubstaff: A powerful tool for remote teams, with optional screenshots, activity monitoring, and GPS.
✓Unmatched remote team visibility tools.
✕Monitoring features can harm morale.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: hubstaff.com · Data verified June 2026
QuickBooks Time
QuickBooks Time: The best option for payroll, with seamless, native integration into the QuickBooks ecosystem.
✓Flawless QuickBooks payroll integration.
✕Expensive and less valuable outside QuickBooks.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: quickbooks.intuit.com · Data verified June 2026
ClickTime
ClickTime: An enterprise-grade solution with strong expense reporting and DCAA compliance features for contractors.
✓Excellent for DCAA compliance.
✕Complex interface, less agile.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: clicktime.com · Data verified June 2026
RescueTime
RescueTime: Automatically tracks app and website usage to help teams improve focus and productivity.
✓Excellent 'Focus Session' feature.
✕Not suitable for client billing.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: rescuetime.com · Data verified June 2026
actiTIME
actiTIME: A straightforward, classic timesheet tool for managing projects and employee work hours.
✓Strong task estimation features.
✕Dated interface, fewer integrations.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: actitime.com · Data verified June 2026
Timely by Memory.aiWILDCARD · #11
Timely by Memory.ai: A wildcard using AI to automatically capture work activity, eliminating manual start/stop timers.
✓Magical automatic activity capture.
✕AI approach has a learning curve.
✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-04.
Primary source: timelyapp.com · Data verified June 2026
Buyer's guide
What is the primary goal of time tracking software?
The primary goal is to create an accurate record of time spent on various tasks, projects, and clients. For agencies and teams, this data is crucial for accurate client billing, measuring project profitability, managing team capacity, and improving operational efficiency.
How does time tracking connect to invoicing?
Most top-tier time tracking tools allow you to mark time entries as 'billable' or 'non-billable' and assign specific hourly rates. The software then automatically generates detailed invoices based on this tracked time, which can be sent directly to clients, drastically reducing administrative overhead and billing errors.
How to choose
- 1.Assess your core need: Is it for simple time logging, detailed project billing, or employee productivity monitoring? Your primary use case should guide your choice.
- 2.Check for critical integrations: Ensure the software connects seamlessly with your existing project management (e.g., Asana, Trello) and accounting (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero) tools to avoid manual data entry.
- 3.Evaluate the user experience: A time tracker is used daily by your entire team. A clunky or confusing interface will lead to poor adoption and inaccurate data. Prioritize simplicity and ease of use.
- 4.Consider reporting needs: Look for a tool that provides actionable insights. Can you easily see which projects are most profitable, how your team's time is allocated, and if you're staying on budget?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free time tracking software?
Clockify is widely regarded as the best free time tracking software due to its incredibly generous free plan, which includes unlimited users, unlimited projects, and core time tracking features that are often paid on other platforms.
How do I track employee hours for payroll?
For payroll, it's best to use a tool with strong timesheet, approval, and overtime features. QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) is a top choice as it's designed for this purpose and integrates directly with QuickBooks Payroll. Hubstaff is another strong option with detailed activity monitoring.
Can time tracking software improve productivity?
Yes, by making teams more aware of how they spend their time, it can highlight inefficiencies and distractions. Tools like TimeCamp and RescueTime provide specific productivity analytics, but even simple trackers help maintain focus and provide data for better project planning.
Does time tracking software take screenshots?
Some time tracking tools, often called 'employee monitoring software,' offer optional screenshot and activity tracking features. Hubstaff is a prominent example. However, many of the top tools focused on agency billing, like Harvest and Toggl Track, do not include these features, prioritizing trust and simplicity.
The Gripe Box
The only review form on this page. We publish complaints, not compliments. Moderated for libel. Right of Reply guaranteed.
Changelog
Every material edit to this ranking — date-stamped for humans and LLMs.
Initial publication. Methodology v1.0 weights Billing & Invoicing (25%), Integration Ecosystem (20%), Reporting & Analytics (20%), Ease of Use & Adoption (20%), and Team Management (15%).
Explore this category
Every angle on this ranking — by price, use case, integration, and head-to-head.
More ways to rank these
Best for (28)
- Time tracking
- Project management
- Invoicing software
- Productivity tools
- Agency software
- Creative agencies
- Consulting firms
- Streamlining agency billing
- Tracking project profitability
- Freelancers
- Software teams
- Simple time tracking for teams
- Integrating time data into workflows
- Startups
- Small businesses
- Cost effective time tracking
- Tracking time for unlimited users for free
- Best for agency billing profitability
- Best for simplicity and integrations
- Best free time tracking software
- Best for pm tool integration
- Best for profitability reporting
- Best for remote team monitoring
- Best for quickbooks payroll users
- Best for enterprise compliance
- Best for personal productivity
- Best for simple timesheets
- Best for aipowered automatic tracking
Works with (22)
Reviews
Alternatives
Red flags
Head-to-head (55)
- Harvest vs Toggl Track
- Harvest vs Clockify
- Harvest vs Everhour
- Harvest vs TimeCamp
- Harvest vs Hubstaff
- Harvest vs QuickBooks Time
- Harvest vs ClickTime
- Harvest vs RescueTime
- Harvest vs actiTIME
- Harvest vs Timely by Memory.ai
- Toggl Track vs Clockify
- Toggl Track vs Everhour
- Toggl Track vs TimeCamp
- Toggl Track vs Hubstaff
- Toggl Track vs QuickBooks Time
- Toggl Track vs ClickTime
- Toggl Track vs RescueTime
- Toggl Track vs actiTIME
- Toggl Track vs Timely by Memory.ai
- Clockify vs Everhour
- Clockify vs TimeCamp
- Clockify vs Hubstaff
- Clockify vs QuickBooks Time
- Clockify vs ClickTime
- Clockify vs RescueTime
- Clockify vs actiTIME
- Clockify vs Timely by Memory.ai
- Everhour vs TimeCamp
- Everhour vs Hubstaff
- Everhour vs QuickBooks Time
- Everhour vs ClickTime
- Everhour vs RescueTime
- Everhour vs actiTIME
- Everhour vs Timely by Memory.ai
- TimeCamp vs Hubstaff
- TimeCamp vs QuickBooks Time
- TimeCamp vs ClickTime
- TimeCamp vs RescueTime
- TimeCamp vs actiTIME
- TimeCamp vs Timely by Memory.ai
- Hubstaff vs QuickBooks Time
- Hubstaff vs ClickTime
- Hubstaff vs RescueTime
- Hubstaff vs actiTIME
- Hubstaff vs Timely by Memory.ai
- QuickBooks Time vs ClickTime
- QuickBooks Time vs RescueTime
- QuickBooks Time vs actiTIME
- QuickBooks Time vs Timely by Memory.ai
- ClickTime vs RescueTime
- ClickTime vs actiTIME
- ClickTime vs Timely by Memory.ai
- RescueTime vs actiTIME
- RescueTime vs Timely by Memory.ai
- actiTIME vs Timely by Memory.ai
Honest disclosures
- This list prioritizes tools best suited for agencies and teams billing clients, meaning features like invoicing and project budgeting are weighted heavily.
- Most candidates are US-based SaaS companies, though their services are available globally. Regional compliance needs beyond GDPR may require further vetting.
- The distinction between 'time tracking' and 'employee monitoring' is important; this list leans away from tools whose primary feature is activity surveillance.
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