Best Time Tracking for Freelancers 2026
Time Tracking solutions for freelancers address specific needs that generic tools often miss. Whether you're looking for specialized features, industry-specific workflows, or pricing models that match your use case, choosing the right platform can significantly impact productivity and ROI.
The best options combine essential core functionality with specialized capabilities for freelancers, offering intuitive interfaces, reliable performance, and pricing that scales with your needs. We evaluated leading platforms based on features, ease of use, pricing transparency, and real-world performance.
For freelancers, Clockify offers the best value with an unlimited free plan supporting unlimited users and projects. Toggl Track provides the most polished experience with a generous 5-user free tier and excellent reporting. Harvest is ideal for freelancers prioritizing invoicing and accounting integration at $10.80/user/month.
Our Rankings
Toggl Track
Toggl Track offers the best free plan for freelancers with up to 5 users, unlimited projects, and billable rates at $0/month. Paid Starter plan at $9/user/month adds project templates and forecasting. Premium at $18/user/month includes time approval workflows and profitability tracking. Best for freelancers who value an intuitive interface with excellent reporting and want room to grow a small team on the free tier.
- Industry-leading features
- Excellent user reviews
- Strong customer support
- Premium pricing
Clockify
Clockify provides an unlimited free plan with unlimited users, projects, and time tracking - unmatched value for freelancers. Paid plans start at just $3.99/user/month (Basic) with timesheet approvals, or $5.49/user/month (Standard) adding invoicing. Best for budget-conscious freelancers needing robust free features with optional affordable upgrades for invoicing and GPS tracking.
- Great price-to-value ratio
- Easy to get started
- Flexible pricing tiers
- Fewer advanced features
Harvest
Harvest excels at invoicing with a free plan for 1 user with 2 projects, or Pro at $10.80/user/month (annual) for unlimited projects and professional invoicing with Stripe/PayPal integration. Includes expense tracking and QuickBooks/Xero integration. Best for freelancers with 3+ clients who prioritize seamless billing and accounting integration over lower cost.
- Generous free tier
- No credit card required
- Quick setup
- Limited features on free plan
- Upgrade required for teams
Hubstaff
Hubstaff offers a free plan for 1 user but requires Starter at $4.99/user/month (annual, 2-user minimum = $10/month minimum) for screenshots and activity tracking. Grow at $7/user/month adds unlimited screenshots and project budgets. Best for freelancers needing detailed productivity proof for clients, though minimum user requirements and monitoring focus make it less ideal for typical freelance use cases.
- Generous free tier
- No credit card required
- Quick setup
- Limited features on free plan
- Upgrade required for teams
Time Doctor
Time Doctor Basic starts at $5.90/user/month (annual) but requires a 3-user minimum ($18/month minimum), making it the most expensive option for solo freelancers. Standard at $8.40/user/month adds better screenshots and client access. Best for freelancers with small teams who need client transparency and proof-of-work features, but poor value for solo consultants compared to Toggl, Clockify, or Harvest.
- Generous free tier
- No credit card required
- Quick setup
- Limited features on free plan
- Upgrade required for teams
Evaluation Criteria
- free tier generosity
- invoicing features
- ease of use
- pricing for solos
- client management
How We Picked These
We evaluated 15 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Total cost of ownership including hidden fees and usage charges
Learning curve, setup time, and user interface intuitiveness
Core functionality and specialized capabilities for this use case
Compatibility with existing tools and platforms
Documentation quality, response times, and available channels
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What is the best free time tracking for freelancers?
Clockify offers the best free time tracking for freelancers with unlimited users, unlimited projects, and unlimited time tracking at $0/month. Toggl Track also provides an excellent free plan for up to 5 users with unlimited tracking. Harvest's free plan is limited to 1 user with 2 projects but includes invoicing.
02 Which time tracking tool has the best invoicing for freelancers?
Harvest provides the best invoicing for freelancers with professional invoice templates, Stripe/PayPal payment integration, and seamless accounting software connections (QuickBooks, Xero) on the Pro plan at $10.80/user/month. Clockify offers basic invoicing starting at $5.49/user/month (Standard), while Toggl Track requires Premium ($18/user/month) for advanced billing features.
03 How much should a freelancer pay for time tracking software?
Most freelancers can use free plans from Clockify or Toggl Track. If you need invoicing and 3+ projects, budget $3.99-10.80/user/month: Clockify Basic ($3.99/month), Clockify Standard with invoicing ($5.49/month), or Harvest Pro with premium invoicing ($10.80/month). Avoid tools with minimum user requirements like Time Doctor (3-user minimum) or Hubstaff (2-user minimum) unless you have a small team.
04 Do freelancers need screenshots and activity tracking?
Most freelancers don't need screenshots or activity monitoring - clients typically care about deliverables and billable hours, not surveillance. However, some agencies or corporate clients may require proof-of-work. If needed, Hubstaff Grow ($7/user/month) or Time Doctor Standard ($8.40/user/month) provide robust monitoring, though this adds unnecessary cost for typical freelance relationships.
05 Can I track time for multiple clients as a freelancer?
Yes, all ranked tools support multiple clients and projects. Clockify and Toggl Track free plans offer unlimited clients and projects, making them ideal for freelancers juggling many clients. Harvest's free plan limits you to 2 projects, requiring the Pro plan ($10.80/month) for 3+ client projects with professional invoicing capabilities.
06 How much does time tracking for freelancers cost?
Pricing for time tracking targeting freelancers typically ranges from $0-$18 per user/month. Many platforms offer free tiers or trials, while enterprise solutions may require custom quotes based on team size and feature requirements.
07 What features should I look for in time tracking for freelancers?
Key features include free-tier-generosity, invoicing-features, ease-of-use, along with reliable customer support, data security, and pricing transparency. Specific needs vary by organization size and technical requirements.
08 Can I switch from my current time tracking solution?
Yes, most time tracking platforms offer data migration tools or services to help you switch from competitors. The migration process typically takes 1-4 weeks depending on data volume and complexity. Many providers offer free migration assistance for annual contracts.
Explore More Time Tracking
See all Time Tracking pricing and comparisons.
View all Time Tracking software →