4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 9,468 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Time tracking
- Free tier
- Reports
Pros
- Generous free tier
- Unlimited users free
Cons
- Limited features on free
- UI can be clunky
12 Best Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers (2026)
Data compiled by ToolradarUpdated How we rate
The 12 highest-ranked time tracking tools for freelancers, filtered for a free plan or free plus paid plans.
Key Takeaways
- Clockify is our overall pick for time tracking tools for freelancers in 2026, and our free pick. Overall and free pick: Free plan; cheapest paid plan Basic, $3.99/mo. Rated 4.7/5 across G2 and Capterra (9,468 ratings, Sep 2026).
- We evaluated 105 time tracking tools, then kept the 12 that rank highest for freelancers.
- All 12 tools listed here have a free plan.
- time tracking tools tracked
- 105
- of 12 have a free plan
- 12
- median cheapest paid plan per month
- $8
Ranked by editorial score plus external signals (G2/Capterra review volume and rating, and media mentions). Pricing checked October 2026. Methodology Editorial policy
At a glance: 12 Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers
All 12 picks compared, prices as of October 2026. Scroll sideways on small screens.
| # | Tool | Pricing | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Free plan | Basic, $3.99/mo | 4.7 (9,468) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 2 | 100% free | No paid plan | 4.6 (8,924) Trustpilot/G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 | |
| 3 |  | Free plan | Starter, $4.99/mo | 4.4 (3,920) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 4 |  | Free plan | Premium, €2.99/mo | 4.5 (2,605) Trustpilot/G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 5 |  | Free plan | Pro, $8/mo | 4.7 (1,253) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 6 |  | Free plan | Pro, $7/mo | 4.5 (1,881) SourceForge/G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 7 |  | Free plan | Not published | 4.4 (2,226) G2/Capterra/SourceForge, Sep 2026 |
| 8 |  | Free plan | Starter, $9/mo | 4.6 (1,589) G2, Sep 2026 |
| 9 |  | Free plan | Starter, $9.90/mo | 4.7 (1,280) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 10 |  | Free plan | Not published | 4.5 (1,477) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 11 |  | Free plan | Starter, $24/mo | 4.6 (1,234) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
| 12 |  | Free plan | Startup, $11.95/mo | 4.6 (859) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026 |
Detailed picks: Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers
2
Connecteam
100% freeAll-in-one employee management for deskless teams, simplifying operations and boosting productivity.
4.6 /5 across Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra · 8,924 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Employee scheduling with templates and cost management
- Time tracking with geo-fencing and digital timesheets
- Digital operational forms and checklists
Pros
- Consolidates multiple tools into one app, reducing app-switching and costs
- Designed specifically for deskless and multi-location teams
Cons
- No specific cons were mentioned in the provided text.
4.4 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 3,920 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Time tracking
- Screenshots
- GPS tracking
Pros
- Provides tangible time tracking data for improved decision-making and productivity insights.
- Automates team operations including timesheets, payroll, time-off requests, reporting, and invoicing.
Cons
- The productivity monitoring features, such as screenshots and activity levels, may raise privacy concerns for some employees.
- While it offers customization for monitoring, the presence of such features could still be perceived as intrusive by some teams.
4
Jibble
Free planPowerful and effortless time tracking software for businesses of all sizes, free forever for unlimited users.
4.5 /5 across Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra · 2,605 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Desktop, mobile, and web time tracking
- Automatic timesheet generation
- Overtime and break calculation
Pros
- Free forever for unlimited users
- Supports multiple platforms for flexible time logging
Cons
- Requires integration for full project management capabilities
5
My Hours
Free planFree time tracking for projects and tasks, helping teams manage time, increase profitability, and streamline billing.
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,253 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Project and Task Management
- Stopwatch Timer and Manual Time Entry
- Timesheet Approval Workflows
Pros
- Free for up to 5 users, making it accessible for small teams.
- Comprehensive features for time tracking, project management, billing, and payroll.
Cons
- Advanced features like granular permissions and mandatory SSO are only available in higher-tier plans.
- Some users might find the initial setup of projects and tasks detailed.
4.5 /5 across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra · 1,881 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Automatic tracking
- Productivity calculation
- Screenshots
Pros
- Automatic time tracking eliminates manual input and starts/stops with device usage, reducing human error and ensuring accuracy.
- Provides real-time insights into app, website, and document usage for smart employee monitoring without interrupting workflow.
Cons
- The desktop application is required to access all features, which might limit functionality for users who prefer web-only access.
- Automatic idle time detection stops tracking after 3 minutes, which might not be ideal for tasks involving extended periods of non-keyboard/mouse activity.
4.4 /5 across G2, Capterra and SourceForge · 2,226 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- GPS Time Tracking
- Employee Scheduling
- Job Costing
Pros
- Accurate GPS tracking for accountability
- Easy-to-use mobile app for field employees
Cons
- Requires employees to use smartphones
- Can be an adjustment for teams used to manual time cards
4.6 /5 on G2 · 1,589 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Time tracking
- Reporting
- Project budgets
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great free tier
Cons
- Basic reporting free
- Limited project management
9
Paymo
Free planAffordable time tracking, project management, and invoicing software for client projects.
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,280 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Project management
- Time tracking
- Resource scheduling
Pros
- Project management with billing
- Time tracking
Cons
- Limited features
- UI could improve
4.5 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,477 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Time tracking
- Budget monitoring
- User login management
Pros
- Directly links time tracking to project budgets.
- User-friendly login and password recovery process.
Cons
- Limited information available on advanced features from the provided content.
11
Findmyshift
Free planSimplify employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll with an intuitive, cloud-based solution.
4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,234 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Drag & drop scheduling
- Timesheets & time clocking
- Vacation management
Pros
- Free tier available for small teams (up to 5 staff) forever.
- Comprehensive features for scheduling, time tracking, and payroll.
Cons
- SMS notifications incur additional costs.
- Limited historical data and forward planning on lower-tier plans.
12
Avaza Time
Free planUnified platform for project management, resource scheduling, time tracking, expenses, and invoicing.
4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 859 ratings, Sep 2026
Key features
- Project & Task Management (Kanban, Gantt, List views)
- Visual Project Resource Scheduling (drag & drop, availability view)
- Time Tracking & Expense Management
Pros
- Unified platform reduces need for multiple apps.
- User-friendly interface and easy setup.
Cons
- Additional users for certain roles incur extra monthly costs.
- Storage limits on lower-tier plans.
How we ranked these Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers
Step 1
Filter the catalog
We start from our ranked list of 105 time tracking tools and drop tools rated below 3.5/5 on 10 or more reviews, then keep only those matching freelancers criteria: a free plan or free plus paid plans.
Step 2
Score each tool
Editorial scoring on utility, UX, value, support, and innovation, then layered with external signals: G2/Capterra review volume and rating, and media mentions.
Step 3
Keep the top 12
We rank by combined score and surface the top 12 so the list stays scannable. Pricing is re-checked on rotation and the page refreshes hourly so picks stay current.
Buyer's guide
Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers: what to know
Freelancers (project-based independent workers: designers, developers, writers, consultants, marketers) have software needs centered on client capture + delivery + getting paid.
The dominant freelance management platforms: Bonsai, HoneyBook, Dubsado, 17hats, FreshBooks (with proposal + invoicing), Hectic, AND.CO. These bundle proposal/contract/invoice/payment in one workflow.
Above that: time tracking if billing hourly (Toggl, Harvest, Timely), portfolio + presence (own site or Behance/Dribbble for designers), and finding work (Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Contra, niche communities like Polywork).
The financial reality most freelancers underrate: rate-setting matters more than tool choice. Freelancers undercharge by 30-50% on average; rate calculators (Bonsai Rate Calculator, freelancehourlyrate.com) plus competitive research win more than any single piece of tech.
Challenges Freelancers face
- Underpricing rates is the #1 mistake; competitive research is rarely done
- Scope creep on fixed-fee projects eats margin
- Cash flow timing, net 30 payment from clients vs immediate expenses
- Tax: 1099 income + estimated quarterly payments + state nexus
- Pipeline visibility, feast or famine cycle without active marketing
What to prioritize when picking a tool
- Freelance management platform (Bonsai, HoneyBook, Dubsado, 17hats)
- Time tracking (Toggl, Harvest, Timely) if hourly
- Portfolio + presence (own site, Behance, Dribbble, GitHub)
- Tax tracking (Keeper, Hurdlr, FlyFin for expenses + deductions)
- Pipeline + outreach if doing cold acquisition
Frequently asked questions
Which time tracking tools are best for freelancers in 2026?
Clockify ranks first in our time tracking tools list for freelancers, rated 4.7/5 across 9,468 ratings aggregated from G2/Capterra. Strong runners-up are Connecteam, Hubstaff, Jibble.
Are there free time tracking tools for freelancers?
Yes. Clockify, Connecteam, Hubstaff offer a free plan. 12 of the 12 tools on this page have a free plan in our data.
How did we pick these time tracking tools?
We started from our ranked list of time tracking tools (105 tracked), dropped tools rated below 3.5/5 on 10 or more reviews, and kept only those that match freelancers: a free plan or free plus paid plans. The top 12 are shown in the same order as our main time tracking tools ranking (editorial score plus G2/Capterra review volume and rating, and media mentions).
What features should freelancers look for in time tracking tools?
These features appear in at least 3 of the 12 tools on this page: time tracking, invoicing.
How often is this list updated?
We refresh editorial scores and pricing weekly. Tool pricing is re-checked on a rotation that touches every tool roughly monthly. The prices on this page are as of October 2026.
Cite this page: Toolradar, "12 Best Time Tracking Tools for Freelancers (2026)", updated October 2026, https://toolradar.com/best/time-tracking/for/freelancers
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