The Best Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers in 2025

I’ve compared some excellent time tracking tools against what freelancers actually need: simple logging, minimal setup, and working with whatever invoicing system you already use. These are all solid products, but they weren’t designed with freelancers in mind - they’re team tools that freelancers have adapted to use.

I built TallyHo specifically for sole traders and freelancers. I’ve been tracking client time since 1996, and I was tired of tools that forced me to adapt to corporate workflows. TallyHo works the way independent professionals naturally think about their work.

A quick scan of popular time tracking websites shows their focus: teams, collaboration, management - not the solo freelancer experience

Time Tracking Tool Comparison

Quick Recommendations

Use Toggl if you love running timers and want detailed productivity reports with robust team features.

Use Harvest if you’re a small agency needing built-in invoicing and client billing in the same tool.

Use Clockify if you’re managing a larger team and need enterprise features on a budget with unlimited users.

Use RescueTime if you want passive background tracking to analyze productivity patterns without manual logging.

Use TallyHo if you’re a solo freelancer who wants quick, frictionless logging without corporate complexity.

Why I Reckon TallyHo Is The Best Option for Freelancers

For freelancers, the hardest part of time tracking isn’t the software - it’s remembering to actually use it. Miss a timer once, and you’re stuck piecing together your day from memory.

TallyHo makes this easier: just log the time you’ve finished, right after you’ve done it. It’s quick, becomes a habit fast, and keeps you focused on the work itself.

Built for freelancers, not corporations: I’ve been tracking client time since 1996, and I built TallyHo the way I wish time tracking had always worked. Lean, frictionless, and designed around how independent professionals actually operate - not how corporations think we should.

Freelancers use all kinds of invoicing systems. Instead of fragile integrations that break when vendors change their APIs, TallyHo uses universal copy-paste. Works with Xero, Hnry, FreshBooks, or even a Word document. Your time is portable, never locked in.

When you’re working solo, you need tools that get out of the way - not another system to manage.

Other Time Tracking Tools to Consider

There are plenty of other time tracking tools out there worth mentioning:

• Hubstaff - Strong for remote teams with built-in monitoring features and GPS tracking
• Time Doctor - Focus on productivity tracking with screenshots and activity monitoring
• Timely - AI-powered automatic time tracking that learns your work patterns
• TimeCamp - Budget-friendly option with automatic tracking and billable hours
• Everhour - Best for teams already using Asana, Trello, Basecamp, or similar project management tools
• TrackingTime - Visual timeline interface with team collaboration features

These are all solid tools, but they lean heavily toward teams or include monitoring features (screenshots, GPS tracking) that most solo freelancers don’t need. Great if that’s your thing, but likely overkill if you’re working independently.

Give TallyHo a try - it’s free for up to 5 clients with 10 projects each (50 projects total). All features included, no time limits, no restrictions. If you outgrow that, TallyHo Pro is $5/month for unlimited clients and projects.