So you’re a freelancer? Do you bill your clients by the hour or more precise? Of course you’re in dire need of a proper way to track the time you spent on a project so you can create an accurate invoice!
Here’s a list of time tracking software. Most are for Mac, but some are web-based so can you can use it on any operating system. Some feature built in invoicing, some are a bit simpler. Let’s just have a look, shall we?
1. Harvest
Time tracking is simple and lightning fast with Harvest. Set up takes seconds, and there’s nothing to install. We’ve simplified the timesheet and timesheets approval process so you can stay focused on work.
Harvest actually isn’t installable software: it runs right from your browser. This means it isn’t Mac-only and works on your PC as well.
2. Eon
We get it. You don’t need all the invoicing features, or other bloated features, just something that keeps track of your time. This app is for you!
Well, that quote pretty much sums it up: it’s a time tracking app for your Mac. The screenshot shows the entire layout =) I love it. The simplicity continues in the taskbar so can see the current (billable) time at all times.
3. Klok
Your time is your product. Every minute you spend working that goes unaccounted for is like giving away your product for free. Tracking your time accurately is essential to staying profitable.
I guess this must be some Dutch or Belgian team of developers, as the word “Klok” is simply the Dutch word for “clock”. The desktop app has quite a sexy black look and there’s also a beta version of an Android app available.
4. TimeTracker
It’s free and it’s easy. TimeTracker is an open-source project still under development.
These are the main features:
- simple and clean UI
- easily record your time using project/task organization hierarchy
- timer that nags you when you have been idle
- CSV export
- system menu bar remembers list of recent tasks and allows quick start without activating the GUI
- comments!
- ability to edit and reassign entries to different tasks / projects (double click on a recording)
- prevent duplicate project / task names which can seriously screw up the database
- laptop standby mode detection
- filter your recordings by creating your own custom filters
5. 1DayLater
1DayLater lets you keep an exact record of your activities and will give you confidence in your business, invoices and productivity.
Track your time, money and mileage, then use our reporting features to create invoices, mileage claims and visualise your activities.
Whether you freelance or run your own small business, tracking your time, mileage and daily cashflow is super important.
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Nice article!
Let me contribute by suggesting Timeduty.com, a cloud based timesheet software.
thanks for your reply Anders N. Did you develop Timeduty.com yourself?
Since I run my own business it is critical to keep accurate records of the time spent doing work for my clients. I will definitely check out some of those solutions for time management, especially that “Klok” option. (sorry I am a sucker for visual stuff lol) Thanks for the great post
that Klok program looks very slick indeed. Hope one of these apps works out for you!
Cheers
Did you ever heard of cronsync?
http://www.cronsync.com
cronsync supports time tracking and invoicing on a time and material or on a flatrate basis. Invoices are automatically generated based on time tracking and project data. You choose what level of invoice detail you want to grant your client.
There is a demo and a video tour.
We have launched cronsync this year. I look forward to your feedback!
Best, Jakob
Cool, thanks for sharing Jakob!
So how’s business been since launching this?
I’d also like to add my two pence in and add our timesheet software to the list – part of the Atlantic Global project management solutions.
thanks for sharing, hadn’t heard of that one before. Could you name some of the pros of your software compared to others?
Hi Sietse,
I’d like to have you check out my time tracking and invoicing system, Projectile. Actually, it does a lot more than that, but your list is about time tracking.
Once you check it out I’d love it if you’d write a review. I’ll be pushing out a big update soon (early next week) so wait until then to do it. A lot of great new features.
In answer to your question above to another commenter, some of the pros of my software compared to others:
1. Allows tracking time both for a workday (clock in, clock out) and for a specific project or task. So two timers at once, one for your workday (like employees) and one for billable hours. No other system that I’ve seen allows for this easily.
2. Easily import your time entries into an invoice, whether individually or combined (it will total up the hours).
3. The time tracking is not just based on duration of time but actually has a start and end time. This can be useful when you want to see when you started the day and when you ended, or when you’re the most productive during the day.
4. The project management part is fully integrated. For example, if you want to start your timer on a particular project and task, just click the button next to it and bam, you are tracking time against it. Done with a task? Just check the task off and the timer stops and enters a time entry.
5. Works great with teams. You can see who’s on the clock and what they’re working on.
We’ve tried the others (Harvest et al) and they just don’t allow for the integration and teamwork that Projectile does.
Looking forward to your reply.
Jamon Holmgren
Lead Developer – Projectile
Hi Jamon,
Thanks very much dropping by and sharing your work, it sounds like a quality product! Especially useful for companies of >1 people and, compared to some of the others.
I’m not much of a review writer, but I’d be happy to include your entry in the list. Your 5-point summary could work great as a guiding text and if you could send me a proper screenshot that would be awesome (please use webmaster[at]allyouneedislists[dot]com).
Hope to hear from you.
Cheers,
Sietse
Thank you for the post! I now have a Employee Time Tracking Software . It is a great asset to my new company!
Hi Sietse,
Thanks for the article! Here I’d like to recommend TABB to you.
TABB is the online to do list and time management software. This project Schedule Tool ‘s #1 priority is getting your tasks and projects done smartly.
Now 30 days free trial is available!
It is not a bad choice for the small business and team collabration.
Readers may also review CaseFox.com. CaseFox is a Web-based Time and Invoicing Software for tracking of your billable/non-billable hours and expenses, create client invoices, record payments, tracking case notes, managing case documents, monitoring unbilled hours, unbilled invoices and many other tasks. Multi-user role based access to cases. Special contract attorney access to your account.
This is not online (runs on your desktop) but worth a look for creating and sending invoices and quotes.
Receive all future software updates free. No monthly fees.
Runs on, Mac, P.C. & Linux
http://bee-software.net/invoice-software/