12 Top Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers: Presenting Benefits, Features, Pros, and Cons

One significant change the pandemic-ridden year of 2020 brought was the boost in the freelance market. While freelancing provides freedom and flexibility, it also requires discipline and self-motivation to meet deadlines and stay productive. A time tracker can help you in such a scenario.

If you are a freelancer looking for a time-tracking tool to suit your exact needs, here are some options:

12 Best Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers

1. Moon Time-Tracker

As a freelancer, you often need to calculate the working hours during projects to get paid appropriately. Moon Time-Tracker is built with intuitive features that can make a freelancer’s project time management and tracking easier. It is designed for the ease of time management of small businesses and freelancers.

Features

• Interactive UI: Moon Time-Tracker makes it a priority to provide an intuitive and simple user interface for freelancers.
• Easy Time Logs: You can receive automated time logs for tasks performed. It has time-tracking features with an automatic pause and resume feature.
• Manually Manage Reports: Provides manual time entry and editing features for revisions.
• Easy Project Management: Project and task-tracking features.
  Detailed Analytics and Dashboard: It provides interactive reports and analytics features.

Platforms

Mobile app for Android.

Pricing

The pricing plan starts from $0.99 per month. You can also get the yearly package for $9.99.

Pros

• Time tracking with pause and resume
• Incorporation with other tracking features and tools
• Affordable pricing plans available
• Manage teams and get hourly work reports

Cons

• It lacks a desktop app.

2. Toggl

With a range of features, Toggl is a popular time-tracking app among freelancers that can efficiently handle projects and track time.
Here are the features, platforms, pricing, and pros & cons of Toggl.

Features

• For each project, client, or task you work on, Toggl enables you to track your time.
• Toggl generates reports that show you how much time you spend on different tasks, clients, or projects.

Platforms

It is accessible on the Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and more.

Pricing

• Toggl offers three pricing plans available for all requirement ranges:
• Free plan for freelancers.
• Starter for $10 per user per month.
• The premium for $20 per user per month.

Pros

• Toggl has user-friendly features that are pretty easy to use.
• Project management and reports are among the features offered by Toggl that are well-suited for freelancers.
• Toggl’s mobile app enables you to conveniently track your time while on the go.

Cons

• Toggl’s pricing can be expensive for freelancers who need advanced features and it lacks free time tracking apps.
• Some users find Toggl’s reporting functionality limited.

3. Harvest

Harvest is a popular time-tracking app that is widely used by freelancers, small businesses, and teams.

Features

• With Harvest, you have the option for tracking time either manually or automatically, and you can easily keep track of billable hours.
• Harvest provides you with reports on your time, expenses, and project budgets.

Platforms

Harvest is available on the web app, desktop, and mobile devices

Pricing

Harvest offers a free trial period and paid plans. The pricing plans are as follows:

• Solo: $12/month (1 user)
• Team: $10/user/month (2+ users)
• Business: $10/user/month (10+ users)

Pros

• Easy-to-use invoicing and billing features
• Integrates with popular tools
• Available on multiple platforms

Cons

• It has limited features on the free plan
• Prices can be high for freelancers on a tight budget or limited usage
• Customer support can be slow at times

4. Clockify

Clockify is a popular time-tracking app that is suitable for freelancers.

Features

• Clockify allows you to track time for different tasks and projects easily.
• Clockify generates reports based on your time data, which you can use to analyze your productivity and profitability.

Platforms

Clockify is available on multiple platforms, including Web and Mobile

Pricing

• Clockify has a free plan that includes most of the basic features.
• Plus Plan: Billed annually at a rate of $29.99 per user per month.
• Premium Plan: $29.99 per user per month, billed annually.

Pros

• Integrations: Clockify integrates with many other tools you may use, which makes it easier to manage your workflow.
• Customizable Reports: Clockify allows you to create custom reports that show you the data you need to make informed decisions.

Cons

• Limited Free Plan: The free plan has some limitations, which may not be suitable for freelancers who work on a lot of projects.

5. RescueTime

RescueTime is a powerful time-tracking app that can help freelancers manage their time, increase productivity, and identify areas for improvement.

Features

• RescueTime automatically tracks your time spent on different apps and websites in the background, allowing you to focus on your work without having to manually start and stop timers.
• It generates reports that show how you spend your time, which apps and websites you use the most, and which ones are the most distracting.
• It lets you block distracting websites and apps for a specified period, enabling you to concentrate on your work without any interruptions.

Platforms

RescueTime is available on desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) platforms.

Pricing

It offers a free plan. The premium version costs $9 per month or $72 per year.

Pros

• Detailed reports provide insight into how you spend your billable time and help identify areas for improvement.
• Goals and alerts help keep you on track and increase productivity.
• FocusTime allows you to block distractions and stay focused on your work.

Cons

• The free version has limited features.
• The mobile app needs more features.

6. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a popular time-tracking app that is designed for freelancers, remote teams, and small businesses. It is a comprehensive time-tracking app that offers a range of features for freelancers and small businesses.

Features

• Hubstaff allows you to track billable time manually or automatically using its desktop, mobile, or web app.
• The app tracks activity levels, websites visited, and keystrokes to help you understand how your team spends their time.
• The app generates online timesheets for each user and project, making it easy to manage billable time and invoicing.
• The app has basic project and team management features like task management, budgeting, and reporting.

Platforms

Hubstaff is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Web apps.

Pricing

• Hubstaff offers three pricing plans:
• Free plan for freelancers.
• A basic plan for $7 per month for 1 user
• A premium plan for $10 per month for 1 user

Pros

• Hubstaff app is easy to set up for freelancers.
• It offers automatic tracking, which is convenient for freelancers who often work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• The app generates reports, which can be helpful in analyzing productivity and billing clients accurately.
• Hubstaff integrates with popular project management and payment processing tools.

Cons

• Some users have reported that the app can be slow or buggy, especially when using the desktop app.
• The invoicing feature is simple and may not be appropriate for businesses with complex invoicing requirements.
• The app’s project management features are basic and may not be sufficient for large teams or unlimited projects.

7. Time Doctor

Time Doctor is a feature-rich time-tracking app that offers automatic tracking, productivity tracking, project management, and invoicing features.

Features

• Time Doctor tracks your time and productivity automatically when you start working on a task or project.
• It generates invoices based on the time tracked for each project or task.

Platforms

Time Doctor offers a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux, mobile apps for iOS and Android, and a web app.

Pricing

• Solo plan: $7/month for one user.
• Basic plan: $10/month per user for up to 2 users.
• Standard plan: $20/month per user for up to 5 users.
• Premium plan: $49/month per user for unlimited users.

Pros

• Accurate time tracking systems save time and reduce errors.
• Productivity tracking helps you identify time-wasting activities.
• Invoicing features save you time and ensure accurate billing.
• Integrations with other tools improve efficiency and reduce the risk of errors.

Cons

• The pricing can be expensive for larger teams.
• Productivity tracking may be considered invasive by some users.
• The interface can be overwhelming for those new to the system.

8. My Hours

My Hours is an excellent time-tracking app for freelancers who need to track their time and invoice clients.

Features

• Track your time manually or use the automatic time tracker to record your work hours automatically.
• Create professional invoices and bill clients based on the time you’ve worked.
• Generate detailed information on your billable hours, project progress, and profitability.

Platforms

My Hours is available on the web, iOS, and Android, making it easy to track your time on the go.

Pricing

• My Hours offers a free plan for 1 user.
• The premium plan starts at $6/month per user.

Pros

• Easy to use: My Hours provides an intuitive interface that simplifies time tracking and project management.
• Customizable: My Hours offers various pricing options to fit different budgets, including a free plan.

Cons

• Limited features: The free plan has limited features, and the premium plan may be expensive for freelancers on a tight budget.

9. Everhour

Everhour is a time-tracking app that offers numerous features.

Features

• This lets you organize your projects easily.
• Provides various reports on tasks and projects, team performance, and invoicing.

Platforms

It has a mobile app and web app and browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

Pricing

• Basic: $8/user or $10/user per month (billed monthly).
• Pro: $14/user or $18/user per month (billed monthly).
• Enterprise: Everhour provides a custom quote for enterprises.

Pros

• Easy to use and set up.
• Offers various features, including project management and invoicing.
• Integrates with many popular tools.
• Provides reports on time tracking, team performance, and invoicing.

Cons

• The basic plan does not include invoicing and project management features.
• For small teams or freelancers with limited budgets, the pricing of Everhour can be quite costly.

10. Timely

Timely is a comprehensive time-tracking app that offers a range of useful features for freelancers.

Features

• You can organize your work by creating projects and tasks, and tracking time for each one separately.
• Timely allows you to create and send invoices directly from the app, based on the time you have tracked.
• You can generate reports showing how you have spent your time, broken down by project, task, or client.

Platforms

Timely can be accessed as a mobile app, and web app and also downloaded on the desktop for both Mac and Windows operating systems.

Pricing

• Timely offers a 14-day free trial.
• Pricing starts at $8 per user per month for the “Starter” plan.
• The “Premium” plan, which includes more advanced features like project management and integrations, starts at $14 per user per month.
• Timely also offers a “Business” plan for larger teams, starting at $20 per user per month.

Pros

• Automatic tracking is a great feature for freelancers who may forget to start and stop timers manually.
• Timely’s project and task management features make it easy to organize your work and track work for each project separately.
• Integrations with other tools allow for seamless workflows.

Cons

• The automatic time-tracking feature may not work perfectly for everyone, and some manual adjustments may be needed.
• Some users may find the app’s interface and reporting options somewhat complex to navigate.

11. Harvest Forecast

Harvest Forecast is an excellent time-tracking app for freelancers and businesses that need to manage their team’s workload and time.

Features

• You can manage your team’s workload and availability and track their time off.
• Harvest Forecast offers various reports to help you analyze your team’s performance, including time and budget reports.
• Harvest Forecast integrates with various project management tools, invoicing software, and communication platforms.

Platforms

Downloadable as a web app and on mobile devices.

Pricing

• Harvest Forecast offers three pricing plans, including:
• Free plan
• Pro plan for $12 per user per month.
• Business plan for $24 per user per month and offers all the features of the Pro plan, plus additional reporting and resource management features.

Pros

• The app integrates with various project management and communication tools.
• The pricing plans are flexible, and there is a free plan for freelancers or small businesses just starting.

Cons

• The reporting options are limited.
• The automatic time-tracking feature may not be accurate, and manual tracking can be time-consuming.

12. DeskTime

DeskTime is a great time-tracking app for freelancers with a focus on productivity tracking and customizable reporting.

Features

• This feature automatically records the time spent on various activities and projects without requiring any manual input.
• Manual time tracking: This feature allows users to manually enter the time spent on various activities and projects.

Platforms

It offers services for mobile and desktop time trackers for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Pricing

• DeskTime offers a free 14-day trial period
• Freelancer plan: $7 per user per month (includes time tracker, productivity analysis, and billable hours)
• Pro plan: $9 per user per month (includes freelancer plan features plus project management, automatic invoicing, and integrations)
• Premium plan: $15 per user per month (includes pro plan features plus advanced reporting, team management, and dedicated support)

Pros

• Easy to use
• Automatic time tracker saves time
• Customizable reports and invoicing
• Good productivity tracking features
• Optional screenshot capture for improved accountability

Cons

• No free version available after the trial period
• The mobile app is not the best.

Crucial Features of Freelancer Time Tracking Apps

Freelancer time-tracking apps are essential for managing time, tracking progress, and billing clients. Here are some features of time-tracking apps for freelancers:

1. Time Tracking

The time-tracking software for freelancers should allow freelancers to track the time they spend on each task or project. It should provide a timer or a manual time entry feature.

2. Project Management

The app should allow freelancers to manage projects and tasks, assign priorities, and set deadlines.

3. Invoicing

The app should generate invoices based on the time tracked and allow freelancers to send invoices to clients.

4. Payment Processing

The time-tracking software should allow clients to make payments online and provide freelancers with an easy way to accept payments.

5. Reports

The app should provide reports on time spent, productivity, and earnings to help freelancers make informed decisions about their business.

6. Integration with Other Apps

For freelance time-tracking software to be effective, it should have the capability to seamlessly integrate with various productivity tools.

7. Security

Robust security is a primary need of any time-tracking app integrated with the system, as it is important to protect user data and any valuable information you are working with.

8. User Interface

The app should be easy to understand for freelancers to track their time and manage their projects.

9. Mobile Support

The app should have a mobile version that allows freelancers to track their time and manage their projects on the go.

10. Customization

Customizable settings and preferences are a must to suit the workflow requirements of clients and projects.

The Benefits of Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers

Accurate Invoicing

When you track your time, you can see exactly how much time you spend on each project, allowing you to bill your clients based on the actual time spent.

Better Time Management

When you track your time, you can see how long it takes you to complete different tasks, allowing you to plan your day and prioritize your work.

Improved Productivity

By recognizing time-consuming tasks and removing them from your routine, you can optimize your time and accomplish more within a shorter period.

Accurate Project Estimations

It can help you bid on projects more accurately and avoid underestimating the time required, leading to missed deadlines and unhappy clients.

Data-Driven Decisions

With a time-tracking tool, you can get the data you require to make informed decisions.

How to Choose the Best Time Tracking App for a Freelancer?

When choosing a time-tracking app as a freelancer here are some points to think of.

Features

You need to track time, create invoices, and generate reports. Make a list of the features that you need and prioritize them to make the decision-making

process easier.

User Interface

The app should also be compatible with the devices you use and should have a mobile app to track your time on the go.

Pricing

Time tracking tools come in various pricing models, including free, freemium, and paid. Some apps offer a free trial period, while others offer a limited free version with the option to upgrade.

Integration

Integrations save you time and reduce the risk of errors when transferring data between tools.

Security

Look for apps that use encryption, offer two-factor authentication, and have a backup system.

Support

Look for apps that offer multiple support channels, such as email, chat, and phone.

Reviews

Look for reviews that mention the features you need and any issues users have encountered. You must always check reviews before app or software selection to check what you are diving into.

Conclusion

Time tracking is a critical tool for freelancers to manage their time effectively, improve productivity, and accurately bill clients. When choosing a time-tracking app, it’s essential to consider features like automatic tracking, project management, productivity analysis, and invoicing.

Moon time-tracker provides automatic tracking, flexible reporting, and a user-friendly interface. With its cost-effective pricing plans, this software can be an excellent choice for businesses looking to save time and boost productivity.