Accurate time data fuels every modern business: payroll, invoicing, productivity analysis, project profitability, and compliance all hinge on reliable measurements of who worked when and on what. That’s where hour tracking software comes in. These systems replace paper timesheets and error-prone spreadsheets with automated clocks, project time logging, and integrated reports that help managers make faster, smarter decisions.
In 2025, the demand for hour tracking software has only grown. Remote and hybrid work models, distributed teams, and an increased focus on billable hours for agencies and consultancies mean organizations need reliable time capture that works across web, desktop, and mobile. Beyond simply recording hours, modern time tracking tools offer features like idle detection, automatic time capture, GPS-based field clocking, and integrations to payroll and invoicing systems. These capabilities make employee hours tracker tools far more useful than old-school punch-clocks.
There are meaningful differences between products. Some hour tracking software focuses on simple online timesheet software and free tiers for freelancers; others are full workforce management systems that tie time to scheduling, attendance, and labor compliance for enterprises. Time tracking tools like Toggl Track or Clockify appeal with low-friction timers and rich reporting for project billing. Platforms like Hubstaff and Time Doctor layer in productivity signals and remote employee monitoring for distributed teams. And then there are integrated suites that combine time tracking, resource planning, and billing for agencies and professional services.
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What Is Hour Tracking Software?
Hour tracking software is a category of applications designed to record the time people spend on tasks, projects, or simply on the clock. At the most basic level, they replace paper timesheets with digital timers and online timesheets. At a more advanced level, they become workforce management software that handles attendance, scheduling, payroll integration, project time allocation, and analytics.
Core features most businesses expect include manual and automatic time entry, project and task allocation, billable vs. non-billable tracking, and reporting. More sophisticated systems add features like GPS time stamping for mobile workers, screen/activity monitoring for remote teams, idle time detection, and integrations with payroll, accounting, and project management platforms. This makes them useful as both employee hours tracker tools and as foundational systems for billing and productivity analysis.
Common use cases span many industries:
- Freelancers and consultants use hour tracking software to log billable time and generate invoices.
- Agencies rely on timers and project time logging to calculate client costs and optimize resourcing.
- IT and professional-services firms use time data to forecast capacity and improve utilization.
- Field service companies and tradespeople use GPS clock-ins and scheduling modules to manage crew hours and routes.
From a compliance perspective, time tracking helps companies meet labor regulations, capture overtime accurately, and maintain defensible time records for audits. For payroll and HR teams, links between timesheets and payroll systems eliminate duplicate entry and reduce payroll errors.
When choosing an hour tracking solution, consider the size of your team, the need for project-level reporting, whether mobile or offline capture matters, and what payroll/accounting systems you must integrate with. The best tools feel invisible to users: minimal friction when starting or stopping a timer, clear rules for rounding and approvals, and reporting that maps directly to your invoicing and payroll processes.
Top 15 Hour Tracking Software
1. Toggl Track
Toggl Track began as a simple, delightful timer and grew into a popular time tracking platform loved by freelancers, agencies, and product teams. The company emphasizes speed of capture and clarity of reporting — its lightweight timer widget and browser extensions make starting and stopping time effortless, while projects and tags enable detailed project time logging.
Key Features:
- Cross-platform tracking with desktop, mobile apps, browser extensions, and web timer.
- Idle detection, reminders, and calendar view to ensure accurate time entries.
- Project dashboards showing billable vs. non-billable hours, utilization, and client profitability.
- Project estimates vs. actuals for budget tracking.
- Integrations with Asana, Jira, invoicing tools, and calendar apps.
- Exportable reports in CSV and PDF for accounting or client billing.
Pricing: Freemium model with a free tier for basic tracking. Paid plans unlock billable rates, team dashboards, billable targets, and priority support.
Pros:
- Exceptionally easy to use with minimal overhead.
- Strong reporting and project-level insights.
- Clean interface and quick onboarding.
- Cross-platform availability.
Cons:
- Less focus on advanced workforce management features.
- Not designed for heavy payroll compliance or enterprise labor rules.
Ideal users: Freelancers, consultants, small agencies, and product teams focused on project time tracking and client billing without added complexity.
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2. Clockify
Clockify is a widely-used free time tracking tool that grew into a full platform for teams of all sizes. Its appeal starts with a generous free tier offering unlimited users and time tracking, making it an attractive online timesheet software for startups and small businesses.
Key Features:
- Unlimited users and projects on the free plan.
- Timers, manual time entries, and project/task assignment with billable rates.
- Reporting by project, user, and client with exportable timesheets.
- Advanced features like approvals, time audits, custom fields, and dashboards on paid tiers.
- Desktop, mobile, and browser extensions for easy capture.
- Integrations with project management and accounting apps.
Pricing: Free core plan with unlimited users; affordable paid tiers unlock approvals, advanced reporting, and additional admin features.
Pros:
- Generous free tier with unlimited users.
- Simple, user-friendly interface.
- Scales well for teams of different sizes.
Cons:
- Advanced features require paid plans.
- Limited productivity-monitoring capabilities compared to some competitors.
Ideal users: Startups, small businesses, freelancers, and teams needing cost-effective, reliable time capture and reporting.
3. Harvest
Harvest is a veteran in hour tracking software, well-known for its clean interface and tight focus on billable time, invoicing, and expense capture. Founded with consultants and agencies in mind, Harvest pairs timers with simple invoicing workflows so teams can bill clients from tracked time quickly.
Key Features:
- One-click timers with manual entry options.
- Project budgets, estimates, and alerts for budget thresholds.
- Expense tracking alongside time tracking.
- Integrated invoices from tracked hours.
- Dashboards for team and project insights.
- Integrations with project management and accounting platforms.
Pricing: Free plan for solo users. Paid per-user tiers unlock team features, reporting, and management dashboards.
Pros:
- Excellent invoicing from tracked time.
- Simple, intuitive user interface.
- Good ecosystem of integrations.
Cons:
- Not designed for large-scale attendance or compliance management.
- Fewer workforce management features compared to enterprise solutions.
Ideal users: Agencies, consultancies, and freelancers needing streamlined invoicing from tracked time and clear project profitability reporting.
4. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is an hour tracking software built with remote and field teams in mind. It goes beyond simple timers by offering GPS and geofencing for field worker clock-ins, app and URL tracking, optional screenshots, and payroll automation. Hubstaff positions itself as a solution for managers who need visibility into remote work while tying time directly to payroll.
Key Features:
- Automatic payroll calculations with direct integrations to payroll processors.
- Timesheets with approval workflows.
- GPS-based mobile clock-ins and geofencing for field teams.
- Productivity analytics with optional screenshots and app/URL tracking.
- Role-based permissions for customizable privacy and monitoring.
Pricing: Per-user subscription model. Advanced features like screenshots and payroll automation are available in higher-tier plans.
Pros:
- Strong fit for remote and field teams.
- Built-in payroll automation saves admin time.
- GPS and geofencing are valuable for mobile crews.
Cons:
- Monitoring features may concern privacy-conscious teams.
- Costs increase as team size grows.
Ideal users: Distributed teams, field service firms, and managers needing payroll automation directly tied to tracked time.
5. Time Doctor
Time Doctor specializes in employee monitoring combined with precise hour tracking. It provides desktop and mobile apps that log active and idle time while optionally tracking app/website usage or capturing screenshots. Time Doctor’s analytics help teams identify inefficiencies and ensure payroll and client billing accuracy.
Key Features:
- Real-time hour tracking with distraction alerts.
- Idle-time detection and project/task assignment.
- Optional app/website usage tracking and screenshots.
- Payroll exports and integration with payroll and project management tools.
- Approval workflows for manual time adjustments and compliance.
Pricing: Per-user pricing model with tiers that unlock advanced productivity monitoring and reporting.
Pros:
- Detailed productivity insights and activity logs.
- Strong accuracy for payroll and billing.
- Integrates with many payroll and project management systems.
Cons:
- Monitoring features may raise privacy concerns.
- Heavier user experience compared to lightweight timers.
Ideal users: Remote-first organizations, support teams, and managers requiring detailed accountability alongside hour tracking.
6. QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets)
QuickBooks Time, formerly TSheets, is an employee hours tracker built for payroll and job costing, now tightly integrated with QuickBooks accounting. It provides robust mobile clock-in/out features, PTO and overtime rules, GPS tracking, and timesheet approvals to simplify workforce management.
Key Features:
- Mobile time capture with GPS and geofencing.
- Job and task tracking for payroll and job costing.
- Shift scheduling with overtime and PTO rules.
- Labor law compliance tools such as overtime warnings.
- Direct integration with QuickBooks Online and Desktop for payroll and reporting.
Pricing: Per-user subscription model with optional add-ons for advanced scheduling and workforce features.
Pros:
- Tight QuickBooks integration for payroll and accounting.
- Field-ready mobile apps with GPS support.
- Scheduling tools to help managers avoid overtime issues.
Cons:
- Best value for QuickBooks users; external integrations may be more complex.
Ideal users: Small businesses and contractors that run payroll via QuickBooks and need reliable mobile time capture.
7. Everhour
Everhour targets agencies and project-driven teams who need time tracking tied directly to project budgets and resource planning. It integrates with popular project management platforms like Asana, Trello, and ClickUp, allowing teams to log time in context while surfacing estimates vs. actuals and utilization metrics.
Key Features:
- Inline timers inside project management apps (Asana, Trello, ClickUp).
- Project estimates, billable rates, and budget alerts.
- Utilization tracking to manage workloads across teams.
- Invoice exports and custom reporting for client billing.
Pricing: Per-user subscription plans with team and enterprise tiers for advanced reporting and support.
Pros:
- Deep integrations with project management tools.
- Excellent for project budgeting and tracking estimates vs. actuals.
- In-context timers reduce friction and improve adoption.
Cons:
- Relies on external PM tools — not ideal as a standalone solution.
Ideal users: Agencies and project-based teams already working in Asana, Trello, or ClickUp who need precise project time logging and budget control.
8. Paymo
Paymo is an all-in-one work management suite that blends time tracking with project management and billing. It offers timers, task boards, Gantt charts, and invoice generation — making it useful for small agencies and freelance teams that want one tool for planning, tracking, and billing.
Key Features:
- Desktop and mobile timers with task-level time logging.
- Project budgets and profitability tracking.
- Invoice generation directly from tracked time.
- Visual project planning with task boards and Gantt charts.
- Resource scheduling and file sharing.
Pricing: Per-user subscription model with tiers unlocking advanced features and integrations.
Pros:
- All-in-one workflow for time, projects, and billing.
- Good value for small teams and agencies.
Cons:
- Larger enterprises may need more specialized payroll or workforce management tools.
Ideal users: Small agencies, freelancers, and consultancies that want integrated project time tracking and billing.
9. DeskTime
DeskTime is an automatic time tracker focused on productivity and attendance. Running in the background, it categorizes time as productive, unproductive, or neutral based on app and website usage. It also supports manual entries, project assignment, and absence management.
Key Features:
- Automatic URL and app tracking with productivity categorization.
- Manual time entries and offline time tracking.
- Daily productivity and attendance reports.
- Optional screenshots for monitoring.
- Absence management and shift scheduling.
Pricing: Per-user subscription with tiers for productivity tracking and advanced monitoring features.
Pros:
- Automatic tracking reduces manual entry.
- Strong productivity dashboards for managers.
Cons:
- Productivity categorization can be too simplistic.
- Monitoring features may raise privacy concerns.
Ideal users: Small-to-medium remote teams and managers needing productivity and attendance insights.
10. ClickTime
ClickTime is a mature hour tracking software focused on project time tracking, resource planning, and budget management. It helps professional services teams log hours, manage budgets, and analyze utilization with strong reporting.
Key Features:
- Flexible timesheet entry options (weekly timesheets, timers).
- Project-based budgeting and workforce utilization tracking.
- Expense capture and approval workflows.
- Customizable reporting for profitability and capacity planning.
- Integrations with payroll and billing systems.
Pricing: Per-user subscription that scales with reporting and advanced analytics needs.
Pros:
- Excellent reporting for project profitability and utilization.
- Well-suited for billable professional services.
Cons:
- Not focused on automatic desktop monitoring or GPS tracking for field work.
Ideal users: Professional services firms, consultancies, and agencies requiring precise time logging and utilization analytics.
11. RescueTime
RescueTime is a personal and team productivity tool that runs in the background to track application and website usage. It classifies time into productivity categories and provides detailed dashboards and weekly summaries.
Key Features:
- Automatic tracking of apps and websites with productivity categorization.
- FocusTime to block distracting sites.
- Goals and weekly summaries to improve work habits.
- Exportable reports for aggregate team analytics.
Pricing: Individual and team plans with team-wide dashboards for managers.
Pros:
- Passive tracking with minimal effort.
- Strong insights into productivity patterns.
- Personal coaching features to improve focus.
Cons:
- Not a full billing or timesheet system.
- Requires cultural buy-in for productivity improvements.
Ideal users: Knowledge workers, small teams, and organizations focusing on productivity rather than client billing.
12. Timely
Timely offers automatic time tracking with AI-assisted suggestions that map activity into projects and tasks. It captures all on-device activity and proposes a timeline for users to confirm, reducing manual timer work.
Key Features:
- Automatic activity capture and AI-assisted project suggestions.
- Memory feature to reconstruct daily activities.
- Calendar integration and project budgets.
- Exportable reports and integration with project management and billing tools.
Pricing: Per-user subscription, competitive for teams that value automatic capture and privacy-focused local storage.
Pros:
- Highly accurate automatic time capture.
- AI suggestions reduce manual effort.
- Minimizes friction for teams that dislike manual timers.
Cons:
- Requires review workflow to allocate time correctly.
- Not suitable for strict monitoring scenarios.
Ideal users: Consultants, agencies, and teams wanting near hands-off time capture for billing and reporting.
13. TrackingTime
TrackingTime focuses on team-oriented time tracking with shared timers, task lists, and reporting for project management. The platform supports manual logs, timers, timesheets, and simple approvals to help teams maintain consistent time records.
Key Features:
- Shared team timers and task lists.
- Project estimates and time approvals.
- Team dashboards with real-time tracking.
- Integrations with project management and invoicing tools.
Pricing: Per-user subscription, with team plans unlocking advanced features.
Pros:
- Team-focused and easy to use.
- Good for collaboration and shared projects.
Cons:
- Less oriented toward advanced payroll automation or productivity monitoring.
Ideal users: Small teams, creative teams, and agencies that collaborate closely on shared projects.
14. MyHours
MyHours is a simple and affordable online timesheet software built for freelancers and small teams. It emphasizes straightforward timers, project categorization, and invoice generation based on tracked hours.
Key Features:
- One-click timers for quick tracking.
- Project and task structuring.
- Report exports suitable for invoicing.
- Basic team time approvals.
Pricing: Low-cost subscription model, ideal for small businesses and solo professionals.
Pros:
- Affordable and user-friendly.
- Perfect for freelancers and small teams.
Cons:
- Limited advanced reporting and integrations for complex workflows.
Ideal users: Freelancers, consultants, and very small teams needing straightforward time capture and billing.
15. Jibble
Jibble is a free-to-start time tracking and attendance app that offers biometric-friendly features like facial recognition for clock-ins, GPS stamping for field teams, and simple timesheets. It’s designed to be lightweight yet effective for tracking hours and attendance.
Key Features:
- Mobile clock-ins with facial recognition options.
- GPS location stamping for field teams.
- Timesheet approvals and payroll-ready exports.
- Attendance dashboards for shift and overtime tracking.
- Integrations with payroll and HR tools.
Pricing: Free-tier available; paid plans include advanced reporting and admin controls.
Pros:
- Strong attendance and clock-in features.
- Free-tier accessibility.
- Good for shift-based teams.
Cons:
- Less suited for project-based billable time tracking in consulting or agency environments.
Ideal users: Retail, hospitality, construction crews, and any shift-based workforce needing reliable clock-ins and attendance tracking.
How to Choose the Right Hour Tracking Software
Choosing the best hour tracking software depends on your business model, team structure, compliance needs, and desired outcomes. Below is a practical framework to help you evaluate options and pick the right time tracking tool.
1. Clarify the Core Problem You Need to Solve
Are you primarily tracking billable hours for client invoicing, managing attendance and overtime for payroll, or measuring productivity? Solutions vary: Toggl, Clockify, and Harvest are great for project time logging and invoicing, while Hubstaff, Jibble, and QuickBooks Time are stronger for attendance, mobile clocking, and payroll integration.
2 Decide Between Manual Timers and Automatic Capture
Manual timers (Toggl, Harvest) give control and explicit context to entries. Automatic tools (Timely, RescueTime) capture details passively and reduce manual friction. Choose based on team preferences: consultants often prefer timers; knowledge workers may benefit from automatic capture.
3. Assess Project vs. Attendance Focus
If you bill by project or task, look for project budgeting, billable rates, and invoice exports (Harvest, Everhour, ClickTime). For workforce management and compliance, prioritize GPS, geofencing, overtime rules, and shift scheduling (QuickBooks Time, Jibble, Hubstaff).
4. Check Integrations with Your Stack
Connectors reduce duplicate work. If you use QuickBooks or Xero, confirm payroll and accounting integrations so timesheets flow into pay runs or client invoices. For agencies, deep integrations with Asana, Trello, Jira, or ClickUp keep time logged in context.
5. Consider Mobility and Field Needs
Mobile apps with offline support, GPS stamping, and quick clock-in features are essential for field teams. Evaluate how easy it is for frontline workers to record time under real conditions.
6. Review Compliance and Audit Features
For regulated industries or jurisdictions with strict labor laws, ensure the tool supports overtime rounding rules, breaks, timesheet approvals, and audit logs. Some platforms provide audit-ready reports for legal defense.
7. Evaluate Approvals and Payroll Workflow
Automated approvals and exports to payroll reduce administrative burden. Look for built-in payroll exports or integrations to payroll vendors to remove manual data entry.
8. Think About Privacy and Team Culture
Monitoring features (screenshots, app tracking) can help productivity analysis but may harm trust. Decide whether you need active monitoring or prefer voluntary time capture. Communicate clearly with staff and create policies before rolling out monitored tools.
9. Pilot with Real Data
Run a 4–8 week pilot with representative projects or teams. Measure baseline metrics (time under/over billed, invoice lag, payroll errors) and compare after the trial. Pilots expose UX issues and integration gaps early.
10.Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Factor in subscription price, per-user fees, implementation time, admin overhead, and integration/customization costs. A low subscription can become expensive if you need custom connectors or heavy admin time.
Final Thoughts on Hour Tracking Software in 2025
In 2025, hour tracking software is no longer just a way to measure attendance or collect billable hours. It has evolved into a strategic data source that informs pricing, staffing, project forecasting, and workplace culture. Organizations that treat time data as a first-class asset gain clarity on resource utilization, can invoice more accurately, and make smarter hiring and workload decisions.
Several key trends are shaping the landscape. AI and automation now streamline time capture and categorization, reducing administrative burdens on teams. Automatic capture tools, such as Timely, and AI-suggested allocations speed data entry while maintaining accuracy. Integrations are deeper than ever — time entries routinely flow into accounting systems, payroll software, and project management platforms with minimal manual intervention. This interconnected ecosystem reduces errors, accelerates cash flow, and ensures client billing stays accurate and timely.
Mobility and remote access remain central. Mobile apps with GPS tracking, offline support, and intuitive timers allow field teams and remote employees to log hours seamlessly. Platforms that combine project management, time tracking, and billing — like Paymo or Everhour — provide end-to-end visibility on projects, budgets, and team workload without juggling multiple tools.
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