Best Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers (Toggl vs Clockify and More)
The best time tracking apps for freelancers compared: Toggl Track, Clockify, and more, on price, ease of use, reporting, and invoicing. Find the right fit.
Tracking your time is one of the smartest habits in freelancing: it shows your real hourly rate, catches unprofitable projects, and makes billing accurate. This guide compares the time tracking apps we consider strongest for freelancers. Our picks draw on each vendor's own feature and pricing pages.
How we picked
We focused on what freelancers actually use: effortless start/stop tracking, clear reporting on where time goes, billable-rate and project features, and integrations with invoicing or project tools.
Pricing last checked: November 1, 2026. Prices can change; confirm on the vendor's site.
At a glance
| Toggl Track | Clockify | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, solo-friendly | Yes, very generous |
| Paid price | Low per-user plans | Very low |
| Ease of use | Excellent | Very good |
| Reporting | Strong | Good |
| Billable rates | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Polished experience | Free, full-featured |
Toggl Track: best overall
Toggl Track is loved for getting out of your way: one-click timers, a clean interface, and genuinely useful reports that show where your hours go. Billable rates, project tracking, and reminders round it out. For freelancers who want the smoothest experience and insight into their time, it's the standout.
Pros
- Effortless, polished tracking
- Strong, readable reports
- Billable rates and project tracking
- Capable free tier for solo use
Cons
- Advanced features need a paid plan
- Per-user pricing adds up if you grow a team
Clockify: best free option
Clockify's free plan is remarkably generous: unlimited tracking and users, with reporting and project features included. For freelancers who want full-featured time tracking at no cost, it's hard to beat, and paid tiers add advanced reporting and admin controls.
Pros
- Very generous free plan
- Unlimited tracking and projects
- Low-cost upgrades for extra features
Cons
- Interface slightly less refined than Toggl
- Best reports sit behind paid tiers
Beyond the big two
Other tools worth a look depending on your needs include trackers built into project management apps, and dedicated tools with automatic tracking that log app and website usage. If you already use a project tool with built-in tracking, that may be enough, see our best project management tools for solo workers.
Turn tracked time into invoices
The real payoff is billing. Some trackers bill tracked time directly; others export or integrate with invoicing software. If you want tracked time to flow straight onto an invoice, pick a combination that connects, our best invoicing software for freelancers guide notes which tools include tracking.
Who each tool is best for
- You want the best experience and reports: Toggl Track.
- You want full features for free: Clockify.
- You already use a project tool with tracking: try that first before adding another app.
Our verdict
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time tracking app for freelancers?
Toggl Track is the best overall for its polished experience and reporting, while Clockify is the best free option thanks to a genuinely generous free plan. The right pick depends on budget and whether you need advanced reports or billing.
Is there a good free time tracker?
Yes. Clockify offers unlimited tracking and users on its free plan, and Toggl Track has a capable free tier for solo use. Both are more than enough to start tracking billable hours.
Do I need a time tracker if I bill fixed project fees?
Even on fixed fees, tracking time reveals your true hourly rate and which projects are worth it. It's one of the fastest ways to spot unprofitable work and price better.
Can time trackers create invoices?
Some can bill tracked time directly or export it; others integrate with invoicing tools. If getting tracked time straight onto an invoice matters, check the integrations before choosing.
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