Are you constantly juggling freelancing jobs, working long hours, and yet missing deadlines?
Have you come across paid-by-the-hour projects on freelancing platforms but do not know how to track billable hours accurately?
Are you concerned you’re spending more time on projects that pay less?
If the answer to any of these is yes, you’ve come to the right place.
As a freelancer, you are your own boss. This means that you’re free from the shackles of undesirable projects, long work hours, and unnecessary socializing that come with the corporate culture.
The one con, however, is that you’re responsible for keeping yourself accountable while managing everything. Fortunately, time-tracking apps are a quick and efficient solution to all your time management struggles.
What is a time-tracking app and how does it even work?
A time-tracking app is a software program that can track your work hours invested on individual clients, projects, and tasks.
These apps come with manual and automated tracking, timers, income trackers, and analytics.
Using a time-tracking app for freelancers can enable you to curate an efficient schedule, streamline projects, get credible invoices, and enhance productivity!
Here’s a list of the 10 best freelance time-tracking apps in 2025 that can make time management a piece of cake.
1. Toggl Track
Exceptional accessibility and sync through multiple mobile and desktop devices have made Toggl one of the most popular time-tracking apps for freelancers. It is an app used by both individuals and companies.
Toggl can automatically track time and create a timesheet after completion. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into your work hours that are analyzed to curate a roadmap toward improved work performance.
Distinctive Features:
- Automatic time-tracking and sync on apps, websites, and docs.
- Feature to generate and export detailed time logs for clients to enable work monitoring and establish credibility. Exportable documents are in PDF, Excel, and other formats.
- Option to choose between ‘Timer mode’ and ‘Manual mode’ for continuous time tracking even when you forget.
- Toggl can be integrated with 100+ web applications like Asana, Trello, and Slack, making it ideal for freelancers managing diverse workflows.
- Customized project log creator to manage different clients and set both expected and actual time consumed on each task.
- Sync and tracking also work offline. An Internet connection is required to get the final results.
- Personalized and user-friendly dashboard.
Shortcomings:
- The free version comes with very limited features. One has to upgrade to the Starter or Premium package to have access to features and integrations that track productivity.
Pricing
Free Version includes unlimited tracking. The Starter plan by Toggl is priced at a monthly cost of $9 per seat, billed annually. The premium plan costs $18 per seat/month, billed annually. The premium plans incorporate advanced features and integrations. The free trial period is 30 days.
2. Clockify
Clockify is a top choice for freelancers seeking a comprehensive time-tracking solution. It allows unlimited tracking for tasks and projects, making it ideal for managing multiple clients. With visual reports, exportable timesheets, and over 80 integrations, it is user-friendly and versatile.
Distinctive features:
- Clockify can automatically track and sync your work over 80 commonly used websites and applications.
- Can be integrated with management apps to streamline freelancing operations. Some management apps compatible with Clockify are Github, Asana, Monday.com, and Jira.
- Enables income tracking through the app. Clockify allows users to manually add time and set the hourly rate for each project. Data is available for invested time and income generated.
- Browser extension to track work on your desktop and the mobile app is perfect for mobile phones.
- Timesheets can be exported and sent to clients in Excel, CSV, or PDF formats.
- Functions even when you’re offline.
Shortcomings:
- Clockify users have reported delayed syncing.
- Lack of advanced automation features and analytics.
Pricing
The free version of Clockify offers unlimited time-tracking. To access advanced features, freelancers can switch to the Standard Plan, priced at $6.99 per seat/month and $5.49 per seat/month if billed annually. Clockify also extends a free seven-day trial of the Basic plan.
3. Timely
Timely is an AI-operated tracking app with accurate and efficient time-tracking. It enables users to monitor their billable hours on individual projects. It records the time consumed on each project and enables freelancers to choose things to be added to the log.
Distinctive features:
- Automated time tracking on desktop and mobile phones.
- A proficient analytics system that comes in handy when determining the profitability of individual projects.
- The surveillance policy makes your work secure from plagiarism or data leaks and protects from other privacy concerns.
- The memory app feature records the user’s activity and stores it in the Cloud. It can be accessed via the web from anywhere, anytime.
- AI assistance to quickly create timesheets for invoicing.
- Supports integration with project software tools including Asana, Basecamp, ClickUp, Trello, and Monday.com.
Shortcomings:
- Does not offer a free plan. Freelancers must pay to access tracking.
- An internet connection is a prerequisite for time-tracking to continue.
Pricing
The monthly plans offered by Timely start from $9/seat per month when billed annually.
4. RescueTime
RescueTime is an app designed to eradicate distractions and improve the productivity of freelancers. Designed with unique features like Productivity Analysis and Focus Sessions. These have been added to motivate freelancers to increase productivity with efficient time management and eradicate distractions.
Distinctive features:
- Focus Time sessions on the app eliminate the possibility of straying from work by blocking distracting website notifications.
- RescueTime provides automated time tracking across diverse websites that support 300+ integrations.
- Unique insights like productivity analysis scores and time-wasting activities analysis help increase efficiency. These insights prove to be extremely advantageous for freelancers struggling with discipline and consistency.
- Meeting reminders to keep you on top of your schedule.
- Workday overviews to analyze everyday performance.
Shortcomings:
- Limited manual time logging.
- The app and extension do not function offline.
- There’s no invoicing feature.
Pricing:
The free plan is available with unlimited time tracking. To benefit from the advanced features of the app, freelancers can upgrade to the Premium plan, priced at $12 per month.
5. Harvest
Harvest is a versatile, all-rounder app designed for freelancers who need time tracking combined with invoicing. It has a manual system that offers real-time tracking. It is the best time-tracking app for reporting and analytics and offers remarkable features even in the free version of the app.
Distinctive features:
- Integrated with 50+ web applications on various types of devices.
- The mobile app can be used not only to track time but also to make reports and send invoices.
- Custom reminders and notifications can be set up for each task.
- Option to integrate accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero.
- Facilitates sending email invoices and payment reminders.
Shortcomings:
- Automated time tracking is not enabled.
- Harvest doesn’t provide offline time tracking.
- Boring user-interface.
- Free Plan is limited to two projects and one user.
Pricing:
The free version of Harvest is limited to two projects. Premium subscription is available at $10.80 per month (billed annually). The free trial period is 30 days.
6. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a time tracking app that can be used for both automated background tracking and by starting and stopping the timer manually. Its popularity amongst freelancers is essentially dependent on a solid billing feature that includes completing payments through Paypal, Gusto, Deel, and other integrations.
Distinctive features:
- Efficient system to track billable and nonbillable hours.
- An invoicing system that can be integrated with payment partner apps to streamline the billing process.
- Desktop extensions can be used for time tracking even when you’re offline.
- 30+ web application integrations.
- Easy to keep track of paid, partially paid, and unpaid invoices.
- Offers great features to enhance freelancer-client transparency and credibility like Screenshots and Invites to monitor work.
Shortcomings:
- The free plan offers a few features. Some features in the starter plan can only be accessed when a minimum of two people log in.
- Over-tracking potential that may pose a privacy concern.
- 30+ integrated applications can seem like a bummer for freelancers who rely on multiple software to complete their projects.
Pricing:
The free version with unlimited time tracking is accessible to all. However, the starter plan requires a minimum of two users to log in to access advanced invoicing and analytics features. The price for the same is $4.99 per user. There is a trial period of 14 days.
7. TimeCamp
TimeCamp is a time-tracking app that stores every single minute of work that has been carried out when the timer is on. When used consistently, the data can be analyzed to maximize productivity, monitor tasks, and optimize workflows in real time. It has a one-click timer for manual tracking, though it can be automated with the help of keyword-based commands.
Distinctive features:
- Manual time-tracking with a start and stop switch. The app can be used for automatic tracking with the help of specific keywords.
- Full work is documented and stored on the Cloud and can be accessed anytime and anywhere.
- Supports 100+ tool integrations, including popular project management or sales tools, such as JIRA, Clickup, Notion, Zendesk, Salesforce, or Azure DevOps.
- TimeCamp offers exceptional customer support to its users.
Shortcomings:
- Setting up can be time-consuming.
- The user interface is a bit cumbersome.
Pricing:
The free version is available for unlimited projects. To access advanced features, one can upgrade to the Starter plan which is priced at $1.49 per user/month when billed annually.
8. MyHours
MyHours is a detailed time-tracking app for freelancers who need to manage multiple clients and projects. It offers task-level tracking, customizable reports for invoicing, and easy organization. The intuitive interface makes it simple to use, and its robust features can help freelancers stay on top of their schedules and deliverables.
Distinctive features:
- A simplified dashboard with traditional timesheets for tracking results and limited AI interference.
- Secure tracking platform that does not monitor all your screen time.
- Customizable projects with the option to insert additional information like project type, industry, etc.
- Flexible time logging with the possibility of logging time directly without the timer.
- Option to set daily and weekly reminders to complete time logging.
- Can be used to keep track of costs and income generated on the billable hours.
Shortcomings:
- Users have to manually add logs, the system is not automated.
- No offline time-tracking feature.
Pricing:
MyHours free plan includes time tracking for an unlimited number of projects and clients. Billing features are only available in the Pro Plan, which is priced at $8 per month, billed annually. The free trial period is 14 days.
9. TrackingTime
TrackingTime is a versatile tracking app that has flexible tracking modes and diverse options to personalize project and client information. It provides integration with over 50 apps including Asana, ClickUp, Figma, and Google Docs.
Distinctive features:
- Option to choose between automated, manual, and time-blocking time-tracking modes. Also includes manual tracking backup.
- Advanced reporting and invoicing features that can be adjusted to make timesheets visually appealing, track billing status, and run reports to determine project profitability.
- Browser extension compatibility with major search engines like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
- User-friendly interface.
- Schedule syncing feature that connects with the calendar to create event timers.
Shortcomings:
- Does not support offline tracking.
- Limited insights and reporting features.
Pricing:
The free Plan includes basic time-tracking features. The freelancer plan has been specially curated to support freelancers with advanced billing and can be subscribed for $8 per month billed annually.
10. Everhour
Everhour is a time-tracking app tailored for freelancers and small teams. It has a focus on collaboration that can be beneficial for freelancers closely working with their clients.
Distinctive features:
- Real-time tracking and estimates.
- Seamless integrations with tools like ClickUp and Asana are available on the upgraded version.
- Visual project dashboards that can be customized with details.
Shortcomings:
- Not ideal for freelancers who work with very limited collaboration with clients.
Pricing:
Free Plan of the app comes with unlimited tracking for unlimited projects, up to 5 users. The latest Plus Plan to be launched in 2025 is priced at $5 per user/month. It is soon to be launched and will be free to use during the Beta phase.
Conclusion
Time management is a key skill often neglected until one finds themselves in a pickle. Before it’s too late find a suitable time tracking for your needs and stay on top of your freelancing career.,
