As a freelancer, time seems to slip through your fingers. You quickly start a task, and suddenly it’s noon. Where did your morning go? Time tracking doesn’t help you control yourself, but it does help you gain insight — into your projects, your planning, and especially your income.
In this blog, you will discover five high-quality apps for tracking your time as a freelancer. For each tool, we look at the pricing plans, where you can use the app, what you get in the free version, and which features are paid. That way, you can easily choose the one that suits your way of working.
Why tracking your time is so important
Time tracking may feel like an extra chore, but it yields surprisingly high returns:
- You know how much time projects really take
- You invoice correctly
- You see how much time goes into non-billable work
- You plan more realistically and estimate deadlines better
- You discover which customers or tasks are most profitable
If you charge by the hour, time tracking is essential. And even if you use fixed project prices, time tracking gives you valuable insights for future quotations.
1. Toggl Track (freemium)
Toggl Track is known for its ease of use and sleek design.
Pricing
- Free
- Starter: ± €9 per user per month with annual billing, ± €10 with monthly billing
- Premium: ± €18 per user per month with annual billing, ± €20 with monthly billing
- Customized Enterprise plan
Availability
- iOS and Android
- MacOS and Windows
- Browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
Free features
- For individuals and teams of up to 5 people
- Record billable and non-billable hours
- Basic reports and weekly overviews
- Pomodoro timer
- Integrations with Google Calendar, Asana, Slack, Jira, and more
- Synchronization between mobile, desktop, and web
- Record offline time, synchronize as soon as you have internet access again
Paid features
- Advanced reporting
- Time rounding
- Additional integrations
- More control over teams and rights
Perfect for those who want to get started quickly without complex settings.
2. Clockify (freemium)
Clockify stands out with its exceptionally comprehensive free version.
Pricing
- Free
- Basic: ± €4 per user per month with annual billing, ± €5 with monthly billing
- Standard: ± €5.50 per user per month with annual billing, ± €7 with monthly billing
- Pro: ± €8 per user per month with annual billing, ± €10 with monthly billing
Availability
- iOS and Android
- MacOS, Windows, and Linux
- Browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
- Web version and kiosk function
Free features
- Unlimited number of users
- Unlimited number of projects
- Time clock or individual time registration
- Manually add and adjust time
- Basic reports
- Offline registration with limited settings
Paid features
- Budget management
- Planning and schedules
- Administrative reminders
- Advanced reports
3. Harvest (freemium)
Interesting for freelancers who may want to scale up to a team.
Harvest focuses on simplicity and clarity.
Pricing
- Free
- Teams: ± €9 per user per month with annual billing, ± €11 with monthly billing
- Customized Enterprise plan
Availability
- iOS and Android
- MacOS and Windows
- Browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
Free features
- For individual freelancers
- Maximum of 2 active projects
- Track time and expenses
- Basic reporting
- Set a budget per project
- Reminders when a timer is running
- Offline tracking on your phone
Paid features
- Add teams
- Unlimited number of projects
- Invoicing from the app
- Payment tracking and reminders
- Phone support
Suitable for freelancers with a limited number of ongoing projects.
4. MyHours (freemium)
MyHours combines simplicity with strong support.
Pricing
- Free
- Pro: ± €8 per user per month with annual billing, ± €9 with monthly billing
- Customized Enterprise plan
Availability
- iOS and Android
- MacOS and Windows
- Browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari
Free features
- Up to 5 users
- Unlimited number of projects and clients
- Set default hourly rate
- Record expenses
- Generate reports
- 24/7 support
Paid features
- Invoicing
- Rates per task
- Additional rights and team control
- More advanced reporting
A good choice for those who want an overview without complex settings.
5. Tally (free / paid extensions available)
Tally is a simpler tool that focuses on individual freelancers.
Pricing
- Free basic version
- Paid extensions depending on features
Availability
- Web version
- Limited mobile support depending on device
Free features
- Simple time tracking
- Focus on personal productivity
- Minimalist interface
Paid features
- Additional features depending on the chosen extension
- Possible additional reporting or export options
Which time tracking app should you choose as a freelancer?
If you want maximum free functionality, Clockify is a strong contender. If you work alone and want a sleek design with simple reports, Toggl Track is a good choice. If you are looking for a tool with expense tracking and a clear structure, Harvest is an interesting option. MyHours offers a nice balance between simplicity and support.
The best tool is the one you use effectively. Feel free to test two or three for a week and find out which app best suits your workflow.
