20 Best Time Tracking Software for Productivity in 2026 (Compared)

Why Time Tracking Software Still Matters in 2026

Hybrid and remote work made one thing obvious: if you cannot see where hours go, you cannot plan, price or improve anything.

Time tracking software records how long work takes, by person, task and project. When you use it well, it turns guesswork into data. For instance, you can quote projects accurately, spot overloaded teammates and bill clients for every billable hour. In addition, you can see which meetings or processes quietly eat the week.

This updated guide ranks 20 of the best Orangescrum time tracking features and rival tools, shows them side by side and explains how to choose. Because the original 2023 list had aged, we refreshed it with current positioning, honest pros and cons, and approximate pricing.

What Is Time Tracking Software?

Time tracking software is a tool that records the hours people spend on tasks, projects and clients, then turns those entries into timesheets, reports and invoices. Most tools offer a start/stop timer, manual entry, reports and integrations. Some also add automatic activity capture, budgets, payroll or invoicing.

Before you compare tools, decide which of these two types fits your team:

How We Picked the Best Time Tracking Software

First, we looked at whether time tracking is a real feature rather than an afterthought. Next, we checked fit for different teams, from freelancers and agencies to remote teams and larger organizations. Finally, we kept the comparison honest:

• Honest trade-offs. Every tool lists weaknesses as well as strengths.
• Price transparency. Where sources disagree, we say “about” and tell you to verify.

Best Time Tracking Software by Use Case

If you already know what you need, start with this table. Then read the full reviews for the tools that match.

Best Time Tracking Software Comparison Table

This table compares the most-searched options on the features that decide most purchases. Because it is wide, swipe sideways on small screens.

Feature availability varies by plan, so verify it on each vendor’s site before buying.

Best Time Tracking Software Pricing at a Glance

Most time trackers charge per user, so the bill grows with every hire. However, a few charge a flat fee instead. Use the tables below to compare starting prices, and then check what a growing team actually pays.

Pricing for All-in-One Platforms

Pricing for Simple and Automatic Trackers

Pricing for Monitoring Tools

Prices are approximate, reported by vendors and third-party sources, and change often. Confirm them on each vendor’s pricing page.

What Does It Cost as Your Team Grows?

This example compares typical per-user prices with Orangescrum’s flat plans. Orangescrum Pro includes the timer, timesheets and budgets.

The 20 Best Time Tracking Software Tools

We grouped the tools by how they work, so you can jump to the group that matches your team.

Best All-in-One Time Tracking Software

These platforms connect hours to tasks, schedules and budgets. Because of that, they suit teams that want one place for planning and tracking.

1Orangescrum

Best all-in-one project management with built-in time tracking

Orangescrum connects time tracking to the work itself. Team members start a timer on a task, log time manually, or submit a weekly timesheet that managers approve. Because hours live next to tasks, sprints and resource allocation, you see not only how long work took but also whether the project is still on budget.

Starting priceFree for 1 user; paid cloud from $29/mo with unlimited users

Free planYes, Free Forever (1 user, 1 project); 14-day trial on paid plans

Time tracking standoutTimers, weekly timesheets with approval, budgets, workload and invoicing

Time tracking features

• Timer and manual entry: track time directly on tasks and subtasks, so nothing gets lost.
• Timesheets and approvals: submit weekly entries, because manager approval keeps data accurate (Pro plan and up).
• Billable and non-billable hours: separate client work from internal time, so invoices stay clean.
• Project budgets and cost reports: compare planned versus actual effort and spend, so overruns show early.
• Workload and resource views: spot over-allocated people before deadlines slip.
• Invoices from tracked hours: bill from approved time when you are on the Premium plan.
• Reports and dashboards: see where time goes by project, person and task, so you can fix bottlenecks.
• Self-hosted option: run it on your own servers if data must stay in-house.

Orangescrum pricing for time tracking

Free Forever

$0

1 user · 1 project

• Kanban board
• No time limit
• No credit card

Basic

$29/mo

$26/mo billed yearly · unlimited users

• 10 projects, 50 GB
• Kanban, Gantt, calendar
• Milestones and templates
• Timer and timesheets start on Pro

Pro

$69/mo

$62/mo billed yearly · unlimited users

• Timer and weekly timesheets
• Timesheet approval
• Workload and project budget
• Sprints, bug tracking, automation

Premium

$349/mo

$297/mo billed yearly · unlimited users

• Everything in Pro
• Resource allocation and cost
• Budget and cost reports
• Invoices from tracked time

Enterprise is a custom quote. Every paid cloud plan has a 14-day free trial, and self-hosting starts at $1,500 a year. See full Orangescrum pricing.

Pros

• Tasks, time and budgets live in one platform, so nothing needs exporting.
• Every paid cloud plan also includes unlimited users.
• You can choose cloud or self-hosted deployment, so data stays where you want it.

Cons

• However, the free plan is limited to 1 user and 1 project.
• Timesheets and budgets also need the Pro plan or higher.
• Because the feature set is broader, setup takes more effort than a simple timer.

Try Orangescrum free for 14 days

2ProofHub

Best flat-fee tool for creative and client teams

ProofHub bundles tasks, Gantt charts, proofing and discussions with timers and timesheets. Because it charges a flat fee instead of a per-user price, time tracking stays affordable for larger or client-heavy teams.

Starting priceAbout $45-$50/mo flat (Essential); higher for Ultimate Control

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutBuilt-in timers, timesheets and time reports tied to tasks

Pros

• Because the price is flat, every user is included.
• Proofing and approvals also sit next to time logs.

Cons

• However, time reports are lighter than dedicated trackers.
• There is also no free plan.

3ActiveCollab

Best for agencies that bill clients by the hour

ActiveCollab links time entries to tasks, estimates and invoices. As a result, agencies can compare planned and actual hours without exporting to a spreadsheet.

Starting pricePer-seat or plan-based; check vendor pricing

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutTimers, estimates, budgets and invoicing in one place

Pros

• Estimates, time and invoices stay connected, so billing is easier.
• Client-friendly project views also help agencies.

Cons

• Costs rise because you pay for more seats.
• However, the integration library is smaller.

4ClickUp

Best all-in-one workspace with a free tier

ClickUp builds time tracking into tasks, with estimates and reports. However, the setup can overwhelm smaller teams, so start with a few views and grow from there.

Starting priceFree Forever; paid from about $7/user/mo billed annually

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutNative timer, estimates and timesheets inside tasks

Pros

• Time tracking lives inside every task, so nothing is separate.
• Views are also very flexible.

Cons

• However, the learning curve is steep.
• Costs grow because pricing is per seat.

5Zoho Projects

Best for teams already in the Zoho ecosystem

Zoho Projects includes timesheets and billing within a wider project suite. In addition, it connects to other Zoho apps, which makes it a natural fit if you already use them.

Starting priceFree plan (limited users); paid from about $5/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutTimesheets, billing and project reports

Pros

• It offers good value if you already use the Zoho suite.
• Timesheets also connect to billing.

Cons

• However, there is a learning curve.
• It works best when you also use other Zoho tools.

6Monday.com

Best for visual, flexible workflows

monday.com offers time tracking as a column on boards. Therefore, it fits teams that already manage work visually, although it is lighter than a dedicated tracker.

Starting priceFree plan (limited); paid from about $9/seat/mo, seat minimums apply

Free planYes (limited)

Time tracking standoutTime tracking column and timesheet views

Pros

• Boards are highly visual, so progress is easy to scan.
• Automations are also easy to set up.

Cons

• However, time tracking is lighter than in dedicated tools.
• Seat minimums also raise the entry cost.

7Wrike

Best for larger organizations needing governance

Wrike offers deep workflows, permissions and reporting. Meanwhile, time tracking is available on paid tiers rather than the free plan.

Starting priceFree plan; Team from about $10/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutTimesheets and time reports on paid plans

Pros

• Workflows and permissions are robust, so it scales well.
• It also suits larger teams.

Cons

• However, it can feel complex for small teams.
• Time tracking is also missing from the free plan.

8Paymo

Best for freelancers and small agencies

Paymo combines time tracking with task management and invoicing. Consequently, it suits small service teams that want fewer tools.

Starting priceFree plan (1 user); paid from about $10/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutTimers, task boards, Gantt and invoicing in one tool

Pros

• Tracking and invoicing sit together, so billing is quick.
• Task and Gantt views are also clean.

Cons

• However, the integration list is smaller.
• Pricing is also per user.

9LiquidPlanner (now Tempo)

Best for predictive scheduling

LiquidPlanner, now sold as Tempo Portfolio Manager, ties logged hours to probabilistic schedules. As a result, managers can see delivery risk early.

Starting priceCustom or per-user pricing; check vendor

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutTime tracking tied to predictive schedules

Pros

• Predictive planning helps because it shows risk early.
• The portfolio view is also strong.

Cons

• However, the learning curve is steep.
• Pricing is also less transparent.

Best Simple and Free Time Tracking Software

If you only need hours, these tools are quick to adopt. Moreover, several offer generous free plans.

10Toggl Track

Best simple timer for individuals and small teams

Toggl Track is known for a clean, fast timer and clear reports. Because it stays out of the way, freelancers and small teams adopt it quickly.

Starting priceFree for up to 5 users; paid from about $9/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutOne-click timers on web, desktop, mobile and browser

Pros

• It is easy to start, so adoption is quick.
• Reports and integrations are also strong.

Cons

• However, there is no built-in invoicing.
• Project management is also limited on its own.

11Clockify

Best free time tracker for teams on a budget

Clockify offers unlimited tracked time and users on its free plan. Then, paid tiers add approvals, scheduling and advanced reports as your needs grow.

Starting priceFree plan; paid tiers from roughly $4-$6/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutUnlimited users on the free plan, timesheets, kiosk mode

Pros

• The free plan is generous, so small teams can start at no cost.
• Paid tiers are also low-cost.

Cons

• However, many features sit behind paid tiers.
• The interface can also feel crowded.

12Tick

Best for simple budget tracking

Tick keeps the focus on whether a project is on budget. In addition, it offers simple timers and clean budget reports.

Starting pricePriced by project count rather than per user; check vendor

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutBudget-vs-actual hours at a glance

Pros

• It is simple and focused, so setup is fast.
• Budget visibility is also clear.

Cons

• However, advanced features are few.
• Reporting customization is also limited.

13Everhour

Best for timers inside the tools you already use

Everhour adds timers, budgets and reports on top of your existing project tool. Because of that, people track time without switching apps.

Starting priceFrom about $8.50/user/mo; free trial

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutTimers embedded in Asana, Trello, ClickUp and others

Pros

• It works inside other tools, so nobody switches apps.
• Budgets and invoicing options are also available.

Cons

• However, it depends on a host tool.
• There is also no free plan.

Best Time Tracking Software for Remote Monitoring

Remote and field teams often need activity data as well as hours. However, use these tools with a clear, transparent policy.

14Hubstaff

Best for field teams and GPS tracking

Hubstaff pairs time tracking with optional screenshots, GPS and payroll. As a result, it suits remote and field staff, but you should explain what it records.

Starting priceFree (1 user); paid from about $5-$7/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutActivity levels, GPS and payroll

Pros

• GPS and job-site tracking help when staff work in the field.
• Payroll tools are also built in.

Cons

• However, monitoring features need a clear policy.
• Costs also add up with add-ons.

15Time Doctor

Best for monitoring remote and distributed teams

Time Doctor focuses on accountability for remote contractors. For example, it offers optional screenshots, activity tracking and payroll features.

Starting priceFrom about $7/user/mo; sources vary

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutScreenshots, activity levels and distraction alerts

Pros

• Activity data is detailed, so managers get a clear picture.
• Payroll and payment features are also included.

Cons

• However, privacy concerns arise if it is overused.
• The price is also higher than for simple timers.

16WebWork

Best low-cost monitoring all-in-one

WebWork offers tracking, activity monitoring and payroll at a low per-user price. Therefore, it appeals to budget-conscious remote teams.

Starting priceFrom about $4-$5/user/mo; sources vary

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutTimers, screenshots, app tracking and payroll

Pros

• The entry price is low, so budgets stretch further.
• The feature set is also broad.

Cons

• However, it is less polished than market leaders.
• Monitoring also needs transparent use.

17DeskTime

Best for productivity analytics

DeskTime records app and website use automatically. Then it labels that activity productive or not, which gives managers a view of focus and idle time.

Starting priceFree Lite plan; paid from about $7/user/mo

Free planYes (limited)

Time tracking standoutAutomatic tracking with productive vs unproductive categories

Pros

• Capture is automatic, so it takes no effort.
• Productivity scoring is also useful.

Cons

• However, monitoring can feel intrusive.
• Project-level billing is also shallower.

Best Automatic Time Tracking Software

Do your people forget to start timers? In that case, automatic capture can draft timesheets for them.

18Timely

Best for automatic, AI-assisted time capture

Timely records your work activity privately and suggests time entries. Instead of typing hours, you simply review them.

Starting priceFrom about $11/user/mo; no free plan

Free planNo (free trial)

Time tracking standoutMemory tracker that drafts timesheets from your activity

Pros

• Time capture is automatic, so timesheets almost fill themselves.
• Planning and capacity tools are also included.

Cons

• However, there is no free plan.
• The cost is also higher than for basic timers.

19RescueTime

Best for personal productivity insights

RescueTime runs quietly in the background and shows where your day actually goes. Moreover, it adds focus sessions and daily summaries.

Starting priceFree Lite plan; Premium about $12/mo

Free planYes (limited)

Time tracking standoutAutomatic app and website categorization

Pros

• Tracking takes zero effort because it runs in the background.
• It is also good for self-improvement.

Cons

• However, it is built for individuals, not billing.
• There is also no project or client tracking.

20TimeCamp

Best budget option with automatic tracking

TimeCamp can categorize computer activity automatically and supports billable rates and budgets. Consequently, it helps teams that forget to start timers.

Starting priceFree plan; paid from about $3-$8/user/mo

Free planYes

Time tracking standoutKeyword-based automatic tracking and attendance

Pros

• Automatic rules save time because you rarely start timers.
• Paid tiers are also affordable.

Cons

• However, the interface feels dated.
• Some features also sit on higher tiers.

Why Do Businesses Need Time Tracking Software?

Time tracking pays off in six clear ways, and each one affects revenue or delivery.

How to Choose the Best Time Tracking Software

Follow these seven steps, and you will avoid the most common buying mistakes.

1. Define the goal. Because billing clients, planning capacity and understanding focus time each need a different tool, decide your main goal first.
2. Choose standalone or all-in-one. If tasks and budgets matter, pick a platform. Otherwise, a timer is enough.
3. Check ease of use. If the timer takes more than a click or two, adoption will fail.
4. Review integrations. Confirm that it connects to your project, accounting and payroll tools, so data flows without retyping.
5. Model the real cost. Multiply per-user prices by your headcount over a year, and then compare the total with flat-rate pricing.
6. Check permissions, security and privacy. Make sure you control who sees time data and where it is stored, because that data can be sensitive.
7. Run a trial with real work. Test with one team for two weeks before you roll it out.

Time Tracking Best Practices to Improve Productivity

Software alone does not change habits. Instead, combine it with these practices:

• Set a clear objective. First decide whether you want more billable hours, better estimates or fewer distractions.
• Train the team and explain why. People adopt tracking when they understand the benefit, so share the why early.
• Track by task, not just by project. Task-level data shows where time really goes, so estimates improve.
• Use time blocking. Reserve focused blocks and track them, so you reduce multitasking while protecting deep work.
• Track non-billable work too. Meetings and admin reveal hidden costs, so you can plan around them.
• Review data weekly. Hold a short team review, and then adjust plans based on the numbers.
• Respect privacy. Focus on work data and be transparent, because trust matters more than surveillance.
• Combine tracking with prioritization. Pair it with task prioritization and time management techniques such as Pomodoro.
• Do not overload people. Use history to allocate resources realistically, because overload hurts quality.
• Celebrate wins. Recognize teams that improve estimates and on-time delivery, because recognition keeps habits alive.

Conclusion

The right time tracking software is the one your team will use every day. Simple timers like Toggl Track and Clockify are great for quick wins, while monitoring tools suit remote oversight. Meanwhile, all-in-one platforms such as Orangescrum connect hours to tasks, budgets and invoices.

First, list your must-haves. Then shortlist two or three tools from this guide and trial them on real projects. When you are ready, start managing your time with Orangescrum or explore our guide to ClickUp alternatives with unlimited users.

Last reviewed November 2026. Prices and features are approximate and sourced from vendor pages and third-party reviews, so confirm details with each vendor before purchase.