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6 time tracking tools for freelancers to use in 2022

Anyone who does freelance work knows that time is money. Considering the ways you spend time is one of the best steps you can take to being more productive, organized, and efficient at work, saving you time in the long run. If you are looking to start getting serious about time management, then time tracking tools are just what you’re looking for.

How to choose a time tracker

Choosing a time tracker is all about finding the software that suits your needs and your budget. Some of the things that you should consider include:

  • how detailed the reports are
  • how easy it is to use
  • what platforms it’s on
  • your workflow
  • the costs

Take all these factors into consideration when you’re choosing your product.

  • What is time tracking?

A time tracker does exactly what the name suggests: it tracks the amount of time spent on a given task and provides a detailed report detailing the data. Freelancers usually use them to help organize the efforts to complete their tasks. For example, time tracking software can serve as project time tracking tools. In other words, it shows you how you’re spending your time working so you can improve and make your work more productive.

  • What makes time tracking software excellent?

With so many options to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming when looking to select the right program. That’s why it’s important to focus on the features that each offers. We’re going over some of the features offered that make some products stand apart from the rest.

  • Live timer

A live timer is intuitive because it tracks the time you’re spending on a task, well, live. Some programs require their users to manually enter the information themselves, so having an automated process giving you accurate results is much simpler.

  • Time edits

Time edits are useful because it allows you to do more than just enter or edit times. Using this tool you can customize the entry in whatever ways you can want. You can edit descriptions to include the names for the tasks or other pieces of information.

  • Detailed reports

Having detailed reports is probably the most important thing to look for. You want reports that give you the information you need in an easy to comprehend way. You’ll be getting the information you need to make decisions. So make sure you get a program that gives you all the information you’re looking for.

The best time tracking tools you can use

Here we’ll look at what we consider to be the 6 best time tracking tools, considering their pros and cons as well as their price.

ClickUp

ClickUp wants to be the productivity manager that takes care of all your project management needs, making this a great time tracking software for developers.

Pros

Cons

ClickUp offers several customizable tools at an affordable rate

Offers a free option, but does not include features like reports and unlimited storage

Offers several templates for managing projects in diverse fields like Finance or Design 

A lot of customization is required to get you the information you want from your reports

Can be integrated with other project management tools like Trello

ClickUp offers a free product as well as paid plans. Keep in mind that paid products offer more services. There are two business plans: Business which is $5 per month and Business Plus which is $19 per month. There is another non-business-related plan called Individuals which costs $5 per month.

Buddy Punch

Buddy Punch is a great scheduling software for those of you with small businesses that you need to manage.

Pros

Cons

Simple and easy to learn

Lacks phone access

Has many ways to clock into work and track progress

Some issues with editing times entered in already

Schedules, work shifts, and payrolls can be managed

Buddy plan offers a comprehensive service based on how many users a business will onboard. If you work for yourself or as part of a small team then the cheapest option available for 1-4 employees is $25.99.

Toggl

Toggle is a great time tracking program for consultants or freelancers that offers easy-to-use services at affordable options.

Pros

Cons

Easy to use systems

Limited use beyond time tracking, for example, cannot use to schedule

 

Insightful and customizable reports

More expensive than other time tracking apps and might be more useful for offices rather than freelancers or other businesses

 

Integrated for PC, mobile devices, and several apps

Has a free option with helpful features

Besides the free option, there are also two paid options. Starter has more features than the free version and costs $9 a month, and Premium has more features than Starter and costs $18 per month.

Harvest

Harvest models itself as a time and expense tracking system that’s useful as a time tracking tool for freelancers.
Harvest offers a free product and a paid service. The paid service has more features and costs $12 per month.

ATracker

ATracker is the time tracking app that looks to take care of all your time tracking needs.

Pros

Cons

Completely integrated for mobile use

Limited functions that focus primarily on time tracking 

Customizable options that make for a tailor-made experience

 

Easy to get started

 

Well priced

ATracker offers both a free product and paid services. There are two paid services, a one-time charge of $2.99 for the regular ATracker package and a monthly charge of $2.99 for Premium.

Time Doctor

Time Doctor attempts to be the product you need to either manage your team, track your time for productivity, and other business needs.

Pros

Cons

Integrated systems for PC and mobile

Dated UI/interface that can be hard to use

 

Can manage team schedules

 

Can be expensive for a small team

 

Provides detailed information that helps boost productivity

 

Time Doctor offers a free product as well as paid services that both have more features. The Standard product costs $10 per month while the Premium is $20 per month.

Differences between time tracking tools

Here’s a chart that you can use to view the features and prices of each of the programs.

Real-Time Tracking

Reporting

User-Friendly Design

Pricing (standard paid product)

Free

ClickUp

Yes

Yes

No

$5 per month

Yes

Buddy Punch

Yes

Yes

Yes

$25.99 per month

No

Toggl

Yes

Yes

Yes

$9.00 per month

Yes

Harvest

Yes

Yes

Yes

$12.00 per month

Yes

ATracker

Yes

Yes

Yes

$2.99 (one-time charge) 

$2.99 per month (Premium)

Yes

Time Doctor

Yes

Yes

No

$10.00 per month

Yes

These programs make running your business easier by showing the ways that you can be more productive, either manage or collaborate with a team, and have extra features. They give you the information necessary to make smart moves for working more efficiently, saving time and money.

Avatar photo
Leon Cordier
An American writer curious for work trends and freelancing ecosystem.
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