CodeTime vs Harvest: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between CodeTime and Harvest comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
CodeTime
Automatic time tracking and development observability for software teams.
Best for you if:
- • Automatically tracks developer time and coding activity within IDEs.
- • Provides development observability by integrating with Git providers to measure KPIs and benchmark performance.
Harvest
Time tracking and invoicing for teams
Best for you if:
- • Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing tool for freelancers and teams
- • It tracks time across projects, generates invoices, and integrates with payment systems
| At a Glance |  CodeTime |  Harvest |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Time Tracking | Time Tracking |
Rating | - | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose CodeTime or Harvest?
Choose CodeTime if
Automatic time tracking and development observability for software teams.
- Automated metric collection eliminates manual effort
- Provides universal metrics and industry benchmarks
- Fast and effortless setup in minutes
Choose Harvest if
Time tracking and invoicing for teams
- Simple time tracking
- Good invoicing
- Project budgets
| Feature | CodeTime | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 1,528 reviews |
| Categories | Time TrackingDeveloper Tools | Time TrackingInvoicing |
In-Depth Analysis
CodeTime
Automatic time tracking and development observability for software teams.
Strengths
- +Automated metric collection eliminates manual effort
- +Provides universal metrics and industry benchmarks
- +Fast and effortless setup in minutes
- +Strong focus on data privacy and security (never reads code, read-only access, encryption)
- +Offers historical data up to two years
Weaknesses
- -GitHub Copilot Telemetry requires GitHub Copilot Business or Enterprise licenses
- -Pricing is per Git user, which can scale for large teams
Key features
Harvest
Time tracking and invoicing for teams
Strengths
- +Simple time tracking
- +Good invoicing
- +Project budgets
- +Good integrations
- +Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- -Basic features
- -UI dated
- -Limited reporting
- -Per-seat pricing
- -Better modern alternatives
Key features
Pricing: CodeTime vs Harvest
| Plan | CodeTime | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $15/mo GitHub Copilot Telemetry | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $29/mo Business | $12 /seat/month Pro |
| Tier 3 | Contact us Enterprise | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $180/yr GitHub Copilot Telemetry | N/A |
| Tier 5 | $348/yr Business | N/A |
| Tier 6 | Contact us Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on CodeTime pricing and Harvest pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: CodeTime
Want the highest-rated option?
Harvest is rated 4.5/5. CodeTime has no ratings yet.
Go with: Harvest
Value user reviews?
CodeTime: no ratings yet. Harvest: 1,528 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Harvest
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are time tracking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Harvest is rated 4.5/5; CodeTime has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Harvest
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
CodeTime
- Choose if you want automatic time tracking and development observability for software teams
The Bottom Line
Harvest is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CodeTime or Harvest better?
Harvest is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are CodeTime and Harvest used for?
CodeTime: Automatic time tracking and development observability for software teams.. Harvest: Time tracking and invoicing for teams.
What does CodeTime cost vs Harvest?
CodeTime is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Harvest is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.