Best Free Time Tracking Software in 2026
We evaluated 10 platforms and ranked them for time tracking software in 2026. Every tool is scored on workflow breadth, pricing fairness, client experience, automation depth, payments reach and setup speed.
Disclosure: this guide is written by the team that makes Arpixa, which is one of the tools ranked. Every tool is scored on the same criteria, and we point out where another tool is the better fit.
Quick answer
The best choice in 2026 is Clockify, best for unlimited users and projects on a free plan. Arpixa ranks #6 as the all-in-one option for client work. The full ranking:
- 1. Clockify - best for unlimited users and projects on a free plan. (8.5/10)
- 2. Toggl Track - best for individual tracking with powerful reporting. (8.2/10)
- 3. Harvest - best for small businesses needing invoicing and expense tracking. (7.8/10)
- 4. TimeCamp - best for automatic time tracking and productivity analysis. (7.5/10)
- 5. Everhour - best for seamless integration within project management tools. (7.1/10)
- 6. Arpixa - best all-in-one option: time logs next to projects and invoices. (7.0/10)
- 7. Timely - best for ai-powered automatic time tracking and privacy. (6.8/10)
- 8. Hours - best for simple, intuitive mobile time tracking. (6.3/10)
- 9. Tick - best for project-based time tracking with budget feedback. (5.8/10)
- 10. TrackingTime - best for basic task and project tracking for small teams. (5.4/10)
The top 10 at a glance
Every platform scored out of 10 for running client-service operations.
Clockify
Best for unlimited users and projects on a free plan.8.5/ 10
Toggl Track
Best for individual tracking with powerful reporting.8.2/ 10
Harvest
Best for small businesses needing invoicing and expense tracking.7.8/ 10
TimeCamp
Best for automatic time tracking and productivity analysis.7.5/ 10
Everhour
Best for seamless integration within project management tools.7.1/ 10
Arpixa
Best all-in-one option: time logs next to projects and invoices.7.0/ 10
Timely
Best for AI-powered automatic time tracking and privacy.6.8/ 10
Hours
Best for simple, intuitive mobile time tracking.6.3/ 10
Tick
Best for project-based time tracking with budget feedback.5.8/ 10
TrackingTime
Best for basic task and project tracking for small teams.5.4/ 10Comparison table
| Platform | Score | Best for | Starting from | Invoicing link | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClockifyEditor's choice | 8.5 /10 | Best for unlimited users and projects on a free plan. | Free to $4.99/user/mo | ||
| Toggl Track | 8.2 /10 | Best for individual tracking with powerful reporting. | Free to $9/user/mo | ||
| Harvest | 7.8 /10 | Best for small businesses needing invoicing and expense tracking. | Free to $12/user/mo | Partial | |
| TimeCamp | 7.5 /10 | Best for automatic time tracking and productivity analysis. | Free to $7.99/user/mo | Partial | |
| Everhour | 7.1 /10 | Best for seamless integration within project management tools. | Free to $8.50/user/mo | Partial | |
| Arpixa | 7.0 /10 | Best all-in-one option: time logs next to projects and invoices. | Free to $12/mo flat | Best-in-class | |
| Timely | 6.8 /10 | Best for AI-powered automatic time tracking and privacy. | Free to $10/user/mo | Partial | Partial |
| Hours | 6.3 /10 | Best for simple, intuitive mobile time tracking. | Free to $8/user/mo | Partial | |
| Tick | 5.8 /10 | Best for project-based time tracking with budget feedback. | Free to $19/mo (flat) | ||
| TrackingTime | 5.4 /10 | Best for basic task and project tracking for small teams. | Free to $7/user/mo | Partial | Partial |
Full reviews
Clockify
Free time tracking for any team size. · Best for unlimited users and projects on a free plan.Clockify offers a robust free plan, allowing unlimited users and projects, making it ideal for scaling teams. Its strength is its generous free tier and comprehensive feature set for basic time logging. The main trade-off is that advanced features like invoicing and detailed reporting require a paid upgrade.
Strengths
- Unlimited users and projects
- Simple interface, easy logging
- Comprehensive free feature set
Trade-offs
- Advanced reporting requires paid plan
- Limited integrations on free tier
Toggl Track
Effortless time tracking, powerful insights. · Best for individual tracking with powerful reporting.Toggl Track excels at simple, accurate time tracking with robust reporting capabilities, even on its free tier. Its strength is its user-friendly design and cross-platform availability, ensuring consistent tracking. A key trade-off is that team-focused features and project budgeting are reserved for paid subscriptions.
Strengths
- Intuitive timer, cross-platform sync
- Detailed personal activity reports
- User-friendly interface
Trade-offs
- Team management features limited
- Project budgeting requires paid upgrade
Harvest
Track time, bill clients, understand projects. · Best for small businesses needing invoicing and expense tracking.Harvest provides time tracking with integrated invoicing and expense management, making it suitable for client-based work. Its strength lies in its polished interface and seamless workflow from tracking to billing. The main trade-off is its free plan is limited to one user and two projects, quickly requiring an upgrade.
Strengths
- Professional invoicing features
- Clean, intuitive user interface
- Integrated expense tracking
Trade-offs
- Very limited free plan
- Only one user on free tier
TimeCamp
Automate time, analyze productivity, boost profits. · Best for automatic time tracking and productivity analysis.TimeCamp offers automated time tracking alongside productivity monitoring, ideal for understanding work habits. Its strength is the ability to track computer usage and categorize activities automatically. The key trade-off is that advanced features like billing rates and budgeting are only available in paid plans.
Strengths
- Automatic time tracking
- Productivity analysis features
- Integrates with many apps
Trade-offs
- Free plan lacks budgeting
- Advanced reporting limited on free
Everhour
In-app time tracking, budget control, reporting. · Best for seamless integration within project management tools.Everhour integrates directly into popular project management software, allowing in-app time tracking without switching contexts. Its strength is its deep integration capabilities, making time logging a natural part of the workflow. The main trade-off is that its free plan is limited to five users and basic features.
Strengths
- Excellent project tool integration
- User-friendly interface, budget tracking
- Track time within project apps
Trade-offs
- Free plan limited to five users
- Advanced features require paid tier
Arpixa
Time logged against projects, feeding utilisation and profitability. · Best all-in-one option: time logs next to projects and invoices.Team members log time against client projects in Arpixa, and that time feeds utilisation and client profitability reports next to invoices. It is not a timer app: there are no desktop or browser timers, idle detection or screenshots, which is why dedicated trackers rank well above it. The free plan covers one active client a month, so it suits trying the workflow more than running a business on it.
Strengths
- Time joined to projects and invoices
- Utilisation and profitability reports
- No exports between time and billing
Trade-offs
- No desktop or browser timer apps
- Free plan limited to one active client a month
Timely
AI-powered time tracking, memory-assisted logs. · Best for AI-powered automatic time tracking and privacy.Timely uses AI to automatically track your work, creating memory-assisted time entries while prioritizing user privacy. Its strength is its "Memory AI" feature, which learns your work patterns to suggest time logs. The key trade-off is that the free plan is very basic, offering only one project and limited automation.
Strengths
- AI-powered time logging
- Strong privacy focus
- Clean, modern interface
Trade-offs
- Free plan very restrictive
- Automation limited on free tier
Hours
Simple, beautiful, accurate time tracking. · Best for simple, intuitive mobile time tracking.Hours provides a clean, user-friendly interface primarily focused on mobile time tracking, making it easy to start and stop timers on the go. Its strength is its simplicity and excellent mobile experience for basic time logging. The main trade-off is its web app is less robust, and advanced features are missing.
Strengths
- Extremely simple to use
- Excellent mobile app design
- Quick start/stop timers
Trade-offs
- Limited web application
- Lacks advanced reporting features
Tick
Track time, stay on budget, deliver projects. · Best for project-based time tracking with budget feedback.Tick focuses on helping teams track time against project budgets, providing real-time feedback on progress. Its strength is its emphasis on project profitability and budget management, ensuring projects stay on track. The key trade-off is its free plan only supports one project, making it quickly outgrown.
Strengths
- Real-time budget feedback
- Integrates with Basecamp
- Simple project setup
Trade-offs
- Free plan limited to one project
- Higher starting price for paid
TrackingTime
Track tasks, manage projects, boost productivity. · Best for basic task and project tracking for small teams.TrackingTime offers basic time tracking for tasks and projects, aiming to simplify workflow management for small teams. Its strength is its straightforward approach to logging hours and task organization. The main trade-off is that its free version lacks advanced features, and reporting is quite basic.
Strengths
- Simple task time tracking
- Integrates with popular tools
- Easy project organization
Trade-offs
- Limited reporting on free plan
- Lacks advanced features
Our methodology
Pricing & Value
This criterion assesses the cost-effectiveness of the free plan and the overall value offered across different pricing tiers.
Features & Functionality
We evaluate the breadth and depth of time tracking, project management, and reporting tools available within each software.
Ease of Use
This measures how intuitive and user-friendly the interface is, focusing on the simplicity of daily time logging and navigation.
Integrations & Ecosystem
We consider the software's compatibility with other essential business tools and its overall integration capabilities.
Reporting & Analytics
This criterion examines the quality and depth of insights provided by the tracked data, including customization and visualization options.
Scalability & Support
We assess the software's ability to grow with a team or individual needs, alongside the availability and responsiveness of customer assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Clockify is the best free time tracking software for most teams: unlimited users and projects on the free plan, with timers on every device. Toggl Track has the smoothest timers. Arpixa ranks sixth: it logs time against projects for profitability reporting but has no timer app.
Yes, many excellent platforms offer robust free plans, often with limits on users, projects, or advanced features.
Essential features include a reliable timer, project or task assignment, and basic reporting.
Reputable free time trackers employ standard security measures, but always check their privacy policy for data handling.
Paid versions typically offer unlimited users, projects, advanced reporting, invoicing, integrations, and priority support.
Some free plans offer limited integrations, while most extensive integrations are reserved for paid tiers.
Some tools, like TimeCamp or Timely, offer limited automatic tracking features in their free plans.
Freelancers, small teams, and individuals needing to track hours for personal productivity or basic client billing.
Most tools are highly accurate for logging time, relying on manual start/stop timers or automated computer activity monitoring.
Typical limitations include restricted user counts, fewer projects, basic reporting, and lack of advanced features like invoicing or budgeting.
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