Best Time Tracking Apps for 2025: Top Solutions Compared

Time tracking is a game-changer for large organizations and enterprises — especially those that utilize remote teams scattered across the globe. The best time tracking apps help businesses track time spent on projects, convert tracked hours into a timesheet for payroll, gauge employee productivity, and bill clients accurately.

It’s no wonder why, according to Finances Online, the global time tracking software market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.40% from 2021 to 2028. That’s why we’ve combined the best time tracking apps for 2025 so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your business.

Before we get started, let’s take a high-level look at the tools we’ve chosen in our comparison table. 

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Best time tracking apps for 2025: Top solutions compared

Time Tracking App	Strengths	Weaknesses	Best For	Pricing
Hubstaff	Time tracking from anywhere and everywhere (Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, or iOS). Robust GPS time tracking and Geofencing. Automated payroll and invoicing. Productivity measurement (core work/focus time/unproductive work). Activity tracking (screenshots, idle time detection, URL visits). Comprehensive reporting with 20+ reports (customizable dashboards). 35+ integrations with top project management and payroll apps.	Field teams’ offline capabilities in remote locations could be limited without a strong internet connection. Also relies on integrations for payroll.	Large enterprises, organizations with distributed teams, outsourcing companies,  IT-managed service providers, and businesses in need of detailed productivity reports.	Starter ($4.99 per user/month, billed annually) Grow ($7.50 per user/month, billed annually) Team ($10 per user/month, includes unlimited integrations for larger teams–billed annually) Enterprise ($25/user/month–billed annually–includes custom set up/dedicated support)
Toggl	Free time tracking plans for freelancers/small teams.  Sleek, intuitive time tracking interface. Easy-to-use time entries and timesheet templates. Automatically records websites and apps visited for over 10 seconds.	No payroll capabilities Limited reporting.	Small teams, freelancers, and independent contractors seek a free, easy-to-use time tracking tool.	Free Plan (basic time tracking plan for up to 5 users) Starter Plan for small teams ($9 per user/month–billed annually) Premium Plan ($18/user/month–billed annually) Enterprise plan (available upon request)
Time Doctor	Strict employee monitoring with video screen recording. Work scheduling and attendance tracking features. Inactivity alerts when team members aren’t at their computers.	Manual CSV exports needed for payroll No in-app invoicingNo GPS tracking features.	Companies that need strict employee monitoring. Great for teams operating from desks.	Basic ($6.70/user/month–billed annually) Standard ($11.70/user/month–billed annually) Premium ($16.70/user/monthbilled annually or $20 month-to-month)Enterprise plan (available upon request)
Clockify	Accurate work hours tracking and idle time detection.  Automated timesheet option. A wider range of interactions is available with project management tools.	Limited productivity measurement features No integrated payroll functionality.	Clockify is excellent for businesses starting out or small teams looking for flexible, cost-effective plans.	Standard: ($5.49 per user/month–billed annually or $6.99 if billed monthly) Pro: ($7.99 per user/month billed annually or $9.99 if billed monthly) Enterprise: ($11.99 per user billed annuallyor $14.99 billed monthly) Bundle plan: ($12.99 per user/month, billed annuallyor $15.99 billed monthly)
Harvest	Strong reporting integrations with tools like Parallax, Google Workspace, Plecto, and more. Harvest pairs with most of your existing tech stack.  Excellent time tracking functionality for keeping track of billable projects and generating invoices.	Lacks employee productivity and activity monitoring features No payroll functionality.	Harvest is best for generating invoices against billable hours.	Free plan for individuals/freelancers Pro ($11 per user/month–billed annually or $13.75 billed monthly) Premium ($14 per user/month–billed annually or $17.50 billed monthly)
Apploye	The live screen will show you which projects your teams are working on. Robust budget setting and expense tracking. Strong invoicing features for accurate billing. Built-in Pomodoro timer.	No payroll integrations	Apploye is excellent for small teams to get started with automatic time tracking and activity monitoring. The Pomodoro timer improves work-life balance.	Standard (2.50/user/month–billed annually or $5/user/month billed monthly) Elite ($3.50/user/month billed annually or $7/user/month billed monthly)
Insightful	Offers live-screen monitoring and activity tracking features. Robust shift scheduling and attendance tracking features. Custom reports and live dashboards are available.	No payroll capabilities Intrusive GPS tracking for computer location	Best for businesses needing strict employee monitoring with live screen recording.	Productivity Management ($6.40Per user/month billed annually or $8/month billed monthly) Time Tracking ($8.00/user/monthbilled annually or $10/user/month billed monthly ) Process Improvement ($12.00Per seat/monthBilled annually or $15/user/month billed monthly) Enterprise Solution (Pricing is available upon request.)
Desktime	Powerful shift scheduling and absence calendar feature to streamline employee management. Combines automatic time tracking and reporting features.  Offers an API-driven approach for extensive integrations with any other tools.	Limited payroll capabilities. Lacks GPS tracking for managing on-site teams.	Simple time tracking and reporting for small teams looking to try intuitive time tracking.	Free Plan Pro ($6.42per user/monthBilled annually or $7/user/month billed monthly) Premium ($9.17/per user /monthbilled annually or $10/user/month billed monthly) Enterprise (Pricing is available upon request.)
Early App (formerly Timeular)	Physical time tracker with automated time tracking. Capable of calculating overtime and off-time hours for payroll. User-friendly time tracking interface for easy navigation.	Lacks payroll No screenshot captures	Best for a user-friendly time tracking experience without extensive employee monitoring features.	Personal Plan ($7.50/user/month annually or $9.00/user/month billed monthly) Personal Pro ($11.70/user/month annually or $14.00/user/month billed monthly) Team ($15.80/user/month annually or $19/user/month billed monthly). Ideal for up to 20 users only.  Enterprise (Pricing is available on request.)

Key features found in the best time tracking tools

When choosing time tracking software, you need to consider functionalities that are right for your business. However, it might feel overwhelming as a ton of time tracking solutions are available in the market. 

Fortunately, we’ve researched for you. Here’s what to consider before paying for a time tracking tool:

• Time tracking. Time tracking software with an auto time tracker is a wise choice if you wish to track time in the background as your team works. Ensure the tool you pick works on multiple devices and operating systems like Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, or iOS. Additionally, if you have teams on the go working in the field, you might want time tracking software with a built-in GPS tracker for field team management.
  
• Productivity monitoring. Consider a time tracking tool with robust productivity monitoring functionality for a detailed breakdown of hours spent on projects and tasks. This might include real-time updates on keyboard and mouse activity, screenshots, and website and app usage data.
  
• Automated payroll. Automated payroll is one of the most valuable features you’d want to consider for your time tracking software. It’ll simplify paying your remote teams and contractors and ensure accurate payments. Built-in timesheets can streamline the process.
  
• Advanced reporting. Time-tracking software that offers comprehensive reporting features should be your top priority. Time tracking reports are essential — especially in large organizations where data-driven decisions are crucial for business growth. Choose a time tracking tool that generates in-depth reports for time and activity, expenses, payments, invoices, etc.
  
• Number of integrations. If you’re looking for easy integration between your time tracking tools and existing tech stack, make sure the time tracking app you choose is flexible and connects with other tools for project management, support, communication, CRM, and more.
  
• Privacy controls. Privacy features are essential when it comes to time tracking. Tools with strong security features protect employee data and implement ethical practices in the workplace. Trust and transparency built upon data protection regulations help safeguard employee information and maintain compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, Soc 2 Type II, and more.
  

• Free Plan/or Pricing. When starting as a small team, you’d want to look for an affordable yet comprehensive time tracking app. Several time tracking software offers free plans, and you can track time with a free plan if you’re still unsure. But if you’re a large enterprise that doesn’t have a budget limit and needs a lot of advanced time tracking, reporting, and payroll features, it might be worth investing in a robust solution, even if it’s a bit pricey.
  
• Mobile app. Field crew members need to be able to track time on the go. Mobile time tracking apps help teams plan routes, provide better ETAs to clients, and even automate time tracking with geofencing.
  
• Activity tracking. A time tracking solution that also tracks activity like app and URL usage, screenshots, and keyboard and mouse usage can be beneficial for remote teams. It helps employers and employees track time, analyze how work hours are spent, and ultimately assists individuals in gaining better visibility into work patterns and workflow optimization.

Time tracking solutions compared side by side

Feature	Hubstaff	Toggl Track	Time Doctor	Clockify	Harvest	Early App (formerly Timeular)
Time Tracking	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
In-depth Productivity Tracking	✔️	❌	✔️	❌	❌	✔️
Automated Payroll	✔️	❌	❌	❌	✔️	❌
Advanced Reporting	✔️	✔️	Standard, less in-depth reports	Limited	✔️	✔️
Integrations	35+ ✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Unusual Activity Detection	✔️	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Geofencing/Location Tracking	✔️	❌	❌	✔️	❌	❌
Project Budgets/Invoicing	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Free Plan	Free trial	✔️	❌	✔️	✔️	Free trial
Mobile App	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️

How to choose the right time tracking app for your needs

Whether your goal is to track time for remote workers, hybrid teams, or on-site crew members, your first step is to choose time tracking features for your unique business needs. 

Just because a time tracking app is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your team. If you’re in the market for a time tracker, consider a few factors like: 

• Team size and future growth plans
• Remote, hybrid, or field job duties
• Price point 

Explore this detailed breakdown that’ll help you align your business with the best time tracking apps:

Choosing time tracking software based on team size

1. Employee time tracking software for large enterprises

Large enterprises often require advanced workforce analytics, compliance, team segmentation, and real-time visibility.

What to look for in a time tracking app:

• Custom roles and permissions
• Comprehensive reporting and compliance
• Enterprise-level integrations and support

Hubstaff time tracker for enterprises. Hubstaff offers enterprise-grade features like detailed reporting, account provisioning, and workforce analytics, as well as add-ons like Insights, integrations, and more. The Enterprise plan also includes premium onboarding and account assistance.

2. Employee time tracking software for mid-size businesses

Teams in mid-size companies often juggle multiple projects, clients, and growing demand while scaling. They need to track time to optimize workflows better.

 What to look for in a time tracking app:

• Geofencing for automated on-site clock-ins/clock-outs
• Project and budget tracking
• Integrations with payroll and project management tools

Hubstaff time tracker for mid-sized teams: Hubstaff offers geofenced Job sites, budgeting, and deep integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Asana, and Trello to streamline everything from time capture to payouts and project oversight.

3. Employee time tracking software for small teams

Small-scale teams usually focus on ease of use, affordability, and visibility into how work hours are spent. 

What to look for in a time tracking app:

• Simple onboarding and minimal setup
• GPS or app-based tracking for field teams
• Task-level time entries to understand productivity

Hubstaff time tracker for growing teams: Hubstaff’s intuitive UI and mobile-first-time tracking features make it perfect for teams that want visibility without overhead. Plus, budget-friendly pricing works for businesses of all sizes as you grow.

Choosing a time tracking app for remote, hybrid, or field teams

1. Simple time tracking app for remote teams

Remote teams need clear time accountability and productivity measurement without being intrusive. Fortunately, Hubstaff allows users to: 

• See apps and URLs used (optional per role/team)
• Track real-time activity levels based on keyboard and mouse movements
• Utilize offline time tracking that resyncs automatically as soon as users are back online

2. Time tracker for a hybrid team management

Hybrid teams need location-aware tracking that works seamlessly as employees shift between home and the office.

• Geofenced locations and manual time entry options
• Desktop + mobile compatibility across roles
• Insights into where and how time is being spent, even across split environments

3. GPS time tracker for tracking employee hours in the field

Field teams often require a time tracker for on-the-go tracking, mileage logs, and low-friction check-ins.

• GPS location tracking and route visualization
• Mobile app time clocks and real-time expense capture
• Offline functionality with sync on reconnection

Best time tracking apps for 2025 at a glance

1. Hubstaff – Best all-in-one time tracker for remote/hybrid/field teams

Key advantages

Hubstaff is a versatile time tracking tool available on major platforms like Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Track time in one click and instantly see real-time employee productivity data and begin generating detailed, itemized timesheets. One-click submissions and approvals trigger automated payroll. 

Unlike other tools on this list, Hubstaff allows field teams to automate time tracking with geofenced Job sites that automate clock-ins and clock-outs whenever a crew member enters or leaves a work site. Invoices, expenses, and 35+ integrations with popular tools like Trello, Asana, and QuickBooks make Hubstaff one of the most versatile time tracking solutions on the market.

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Limitations

Hubstaff does not offer native payroll features, so you’ll need to rely on integrations to make payments. That said, Hubstaff allows you to make simultaneous payments across various tools like PayPal, Wise, and Deel without leaving the Hubstaff app. 

Best For: Large remote teams, enterprise-level operations, outsourcing firms, field teams that need GPS tracking, and companies focused on productivity metrics.

Pricing:

Starter – $4.99 per user/month, billed annually
Grow – $7.50/user/month, billed annually
Team – $10/user/month billed annually
Enterprise – $25/user/month (annual billing)

G2 review: 

“Keeps our remote team on track every day.”

What do you like best about Hubstaff?

I’ve been using Hubstaff for over 4 years now, and it’s been a consistent part of how we manage our remote team. I love how easy it is to track time, check in on productivity, and even pull up reports when needed. The activity rates and screenshot features help keep everyone accountable without being overbearing. It’s super helpful, especially when working across time zones.”

2. Toggl Track – Best free time tracker for freelancers

Source: Toggl

Key advantages

Toggl is one of the best small-market time tracking apps available, and it has a free plan for up to five users. A beautiful, intuitive interface makes it easy for users to track time, website visits, and app usage and create quick time entries with templates. It’s one of the shallowest learning curves of any tool on this list. 

Limitations

Toggl lacks built-in timesheets and payroll functionality (or the ability to integrate with payroll tools and send payments from the app). You’ll need to export time tracking data to another tool to make payments. 

Best For: Freelancers, small agencies, and independent contractors needing a sleek, lightweight tracker.

Pricing:

Free plan
Starter – $9/user/month
Premium – $18/user/month
Enterprise – Custom pricing

3. Time Doctor– Best for monitoring remote employee activity

Source: Time Doctor

Key advantages

Time Doctor is more than a time tracker. It’s one of the most in-depth employee monitoring tools on the market, and it has video screen recording, alerts for inactivity, and scheduling and attendance tracking. These features keep both in-office and remote managers informed. 

Limitations

Time Doctor lacks GPS tracking and built-in invoicing and relies on manually exporting CSV files to run payroll. Employees may also find video screen recording to be overly invasive if exploited outside of high-compliance or security-sensitive sectors. 

Best For: Remote teams needing strict oversight and performance visibility.

Pricing:

Basic – $6.7/user/month billed annually
Standard – $11.70/user/month billed annually
Premium – $16.70/user/month (annually) or $20 month-to-month
Enterprise – Custom pricing available upon request

4. Clockify– Best for small businesses on a budget

Source: Clockify

Key advantages

Clockify is another versatile time tracking solution that boasts idle time detection, automated timesheets, and a versatile suite of integrations. It offers a free plan and the opportunity to upgrade as your team grows, which is great for small businesses on a budget. 

Limitations

Clockify lacks payroll abilities and has limited productivity monitoring capabilities. For teams looking to delve into enterprise-grade workforce analytics, it’s probably best to go in a different direction. 

Best For: Cost-conscious teams and startups looking for flexible/affordable time tracking.

Pricing:
Standard – $5.49/user/month billed annually or $6.99 if billed monthly
Pro – $7.99/user/month  billed annually or $9.99 if billed monthly
Enterprise – $11.99/user/month billed annually or $14.99 billed monthly
Bundle – $12.99/user/month billed annually or $15.99 billed monthly

5. Harvest – Best for seamless tool integration and invoicing

Source: Harvest

Key advantages

Harvest is another great time tracking solution. Like Toggl or Clockify, its intuitive interface makes it easy to onboard users as your team grows. The invoicing and reporting features are well-suited for managing client relationships and gaining better visibility on time spent on tasks and projects. 

Limitations

Harvest is a pure time tracking tool. You won’t find built-in productivity monitoring features, payroll, or GPS tracking, but it’s reliable if you’re looking for basic tracking, invoices, expenses, and reporting. 

Best For: Teams looking to plug time tracking into their existing SaaS stack.

Pricing:
Free for individuals/freelancers
Pro – $11/user/month billed annually or $13.75 billed monthly
Premium – $14/user/month billed annually or $17.50 billed monthly

6. Apploye – Best for teams needing invoicing and budget tracking

Source: Apploye

Key advantages

This tool includes a Pomodoro timer to support focused work sessions, along with invoicing and budgeting features to help manage project finances. Its live project tracking view offers real-time visibility into progress and team activity.

Limitations

It doesn’t support payroll integrations, so teams will need separate tools to manage payments and compensation.

Best For: SMBs looking for work-life balance features and project-specific tracking.

Pricing:
Standard – $2.50/user/month billed annually or $5/user/month billed monthly
Elite – $3.50/user/month billed annually or $7/user/month billed monthly

7. Insightful – Best for employee monitoring and process optimization

Source: Insightful

Key advantages

Insightful is a time tracker with a strong emphasis on employee monitoring. It goes a step further than tools like Hubstaff and Time Doctor with live screen monitoring features for real-time feedback. Shift scheduling, attendance tracking, and custom reports round out a versatile tool. 

Limitations

Like other tools on this list, Insightful lacks payroll functionality and GPS tracking. But, like Time Doctor, the real draw back is likely the overly intrusive live screen monitoring features that can lead to micromanagement and damage employee trust. 

Best For: Companies requiring high levels of employee oversight and data analysis.

Pricing:

Productivity Management – $8/month billed monthly

Time Tracking – $10/user/month billed monthly

Process Improvement – $15/user/month billed monthly

Enterprise – Custom pricing is available upon request

8. DeskTime – Best for intuitive time tracking with scheduling

Source: DeskTime

Key advantages

DeskTime is an impressive blend of automatic time tracking, reporting, and scheduling. It also has an absence management feature to manage team availability and integrates with your favorite tools. 

Limitations

DeskTime has similar limitations to other tools on this list, with a lack of GPS and geofencing features and limited payroll capabilities.

Best For: Teams seeking easy onboarding and basic reporting.

Pricing:
Free plan
Pro – $7/user/month
Premium – $10/user/month
Enterprise – Custom pricing is available upon request

9. Early App (formerly Timeular) – Best for physical time tracking and ease of use

Source: Early App (formerly Timeular)

Key advantages

Early App (formerly Timeular) is an easy-to-use time tracking device — even when users are away from their computers. It helps managers monitor both off-time, overtime, and app usage in an intuitive calendar view. 

Limitations

Early App lacks payroll and employee monitoring features that provide context to the hours teams are working.

Best For: Users who value simplicity over advanced monitoring features.

Pricing:
Personal – $7.50/user/month
Personal Pro – $11.70/user/month
Team – $15.80/user/month
Enterprise – Custom pricing

Why Hubstaff is the best time tracking software

While plenty of time tracking apps are available, few offer the transparency, flexibility, and precision that actually improve businesses’ operations. Hubstaff doesn’t just track time; it transforms time tracking data into meaningful, actionable insight for managers and employees.

We use Hubstaff ourselves, so we’ve built it to empower teams, promote autonomy, and fuel performance. It’s more than software. It’s a project management and productivity partner.

Here’s why Hubstaff is the best solution for tracking time, productivity monitoring, payroll processing, and project management:

1. Intelligent time tracking, built for every team, anywhere

Track time across desktop, web, mobile, or Chrome extension devices. Teams can download Hubstaff, start tracking time, and work where and how they want (remote, hybrid, or in-field)

• Optimize team capacity and prevent burnout with real-time visibility
• Allocate resources based on accurate task-level breakdowns
• Strengthen accountability with clear data trails

What makes Hubstaff a better time tracker

Hubstaff’s versatility in time tracking sets it apart from the competition. Track from an array of different devices, while working offline, or automatically through geofenced Job sites. You can also import tasks from your favorite project management tools, track project budgets, and make real-time adjustments to prevent overrun. 

2. Advanced productivity monitoring that drives action

Hubstaff’s productivity monitoring capability is more advanced than that of other tools. With Insights, you can get work classification data to find bottlenecks and refine productivity. Hubstaff goes beyond activity rates to track:

• Core vs. non-core work
• Focus time (deep work >30 min)
• Unproductive sessions and idle time
• App & URL usage

• Pinpoint what’s slowing teams down
• Identify bottlenecks before they escalate
• Train smarter with patterns of top performers

What makes Hubstaff a better time tracker

While others offer basic screenshots, Hubstaff puts the way you monitor productivity in your hands. Customize permissions to enable, disable, or blur screenshots, websites, apps, and more. You can also create employee monitoring policies to get buy-in from your employees.

With Hubstaff, it’s more about learning from data than mastering employee surveillance. The goal is to reveal work patterns that help teams and managers to self-correct and thrive — not micromanage and discourage. 

2. Tracks work hours, converts time tracking data into timesheets

Generate error-free timesheets automatically. Approve, reject, or edit in a few clicks. Hubstaff integrates with popular payroll tools like PayPal, Gusto, Deel, and more to support payment in multiple currencies for distributed teams.

• Eliminate manual payroll processing
• Stay compliant with local labor laws
• Scale globally without the overhead

What makes Hubstaff a better time tracker

Hubstaff is a one-stop shop for payroll. Seamlessly convert time tracking data into accurate timesheets. No exports and CSV files needed. Similarly, Hubstaff’s payment integrations allow you to pay teams on multiple platforms without ever leaving the Hubstaff app. 

3. GPS & geofencing for mobile and field teams

Hubstaff’s GPS tracking functionality is built to track location and movement in real time, helping you track work hours in the field, map routes, provide accurate ETAs, and so much more. Set geofences to auto-start or stop tracking when employees enter or leave Job sites.

• Verify Job site attendance without micromanaging
• Improve job costing with location-based data
• Ensure safety and accountability on the go
  
  

What makes Hubstaff better

Unlike basic GPS tools, Hubstaff combines geofencing location tracking with time tracking for a fully auditable log, which is ideal for construction, delivery, and service-based teams.

4. Comprehensive reporting, from time tracking data to real business decisions 

Get detailed reports on hours, projects, budgets, productivity, etc. Export or integrate with your reporting tools to create custom reports for deeper analysis.

Hubstaff Reports Overview

• Monitor project profitability in real-time
• Spot trends in team efficiency and output
• Make data-backed decisions confidently

What makes Hubstaff better

While most platforms offer basic exports, Hubstaff delivers customizable, shareable dashboards that tell a story, not just numbers.

Choosing the right time tracking app is no longer about features but solutions

Empower your teams to do their best work and have their most productive day wherever they are. Whether managing a remote startup, scaling a hybrid workforce, or running field operations, the best time tracking apps can help you boost productivity, improve team accountability, and gain the clarity to make better decisions.

With advanced productivity insights, built-in payroll, GPS functionality, and seamless integrations, Hubstaff goes beyond time tracking; it helps you lead with data, optimizing the entire workflow.