15 Best Time Tracking Apps and Software for Small Businesses (2025)

A small business owner may find it difficult to keep relationships with employees and monitor their hours, tasks, and project progress and the level of productivity. This is through time tracking apps and software for small businesses. They simplify the process of handling your team, better billing your customers and streamline your business. These computerized tools are used to substitute the paper timesheets with automatic devices to record the working hours instantly. 

Helping you work with a remote team or freelancers or employees working on-site, appropriate time tracking apps and software for small businesses do alter the way you observe productivity or prepare your resources efficiently.

Why Small Businesses Need Time Tracking Software

• Proper Payroll processing: eliminates any error in calculations and ensures that the employees receive appropriate remuneration.
• Project Budget Management: This is where the elapsed time of every task is recorded to ensure that the costs are kept in check.
• Productivity Insights: Displays work slowdown locations and indications on how activities can be enhanced.
• Client Billing Accuracy: Gives unambiguous time documentation on trustworthy and imputable bills.
• Labor Law: Digital records of the digital documents required to comply with the labor law and in audits.

Key Features to Look for in Time Tracking Software

• Time capture Automation: Recording of work hours is done automatically without the need to pay much attention to the manual input or monitoring system.
• Integration Capabilities: Integrates well with the existing payroll, accounting and project management systems.
• Mobile Accessibility: Allows the remoteness workers and field team to enter hours on any place.
• Good Consolidated Reporting Tools: Prepares comprehensive reports in order to make business choices.
• Easy-to-use Interface: User-friendly and does not demand much training to the users.

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Comparison Table of Top Time Tracking Software

Name	Best For	Key Features	Starting Price
Harvest	Service businesses	Invoicing, expense tracking, visual reports	$12/user/month
Toggl Track	Freelancers	One-click tracking, timeline view, browser extensions	Free/$10/user/month
Clockify	Budget-conscious teams	Unlimited tracking, kiosk mode, GPS tracking	Free/$4.99/user/month
Time Doctor	Remote teams	Screenshot monitoring, activity tracking, payroll integration	$7/user/month
RescueTime	Individual productivity	Automatic tracking, productivity scoring, focus time	Free/$12/month
Hubstaff	Field workers	GPS tracking, geofencing, automated payroll	$7/user/month
QuickBooks Time	QuickBooks users	QuickBooks integration, job costing, PTO management	$20/month + $8/user
Everhour	Project-based businesses	Project integrations, time estimates, budget alerts	Free/$8.50/user/month
Deputy	Shift workers	Shift scheduling, auto-scheduling, task management	$4.50/user/month
ClickUp	All-in-one solution	Integrated tasks, custom workflows, goal tracking	Free/$7/user/month
Timely	Creative agencies	AI-powered tracking, memory timeline, privacy-first	$11/user/month
Wrike	Growing businesses	Project management, Gantt charts, resource management	Free/$9.80/user/month
Monday.com	Visual teams	Visual boards, automation recipes, multiple views	$8/user/month
Paymo	Small agencies	Project planning, invoicing, client portals	Free/$5.95/user/month
My Hours	Simple tracking	Simple interface, unlimited projects, detailed reports	Free/$7/user/month

Top Time Tracking Apps and Software for Small Businesses (2025)

1. Harvest

Harvest is a small business full-software that can be used to calculate the time and make invoices. It converts the hours worked into professional bills and displays the transparent information about your staff working. It integrates with popular project-management software, thus, you do not need to install anything to use Harvest in case you have another program at hand. The dashboard offers its owners to see what projects make money and what requires assistance. Harvest is a time tracking application which is not complicated to utilize, yet features are powerful and can be appreciated by developing firms. Time Tracking Apps and Software for Small Businesses .

Key Features:

• Invoice generation
• Expense tracking
• Visual reports
• Team scheduling
• Project budgeting

Pros:

• Intuitive interface
• Excellent integrations
• Strong reporting

Cons:

• Limited free tier
• Basic project management
• Fewer customization options

Pricing: Starts at $11per seat/month

Best For: Service businesses

https://www.getharvest.com/

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2. Toggl Track

A single click on Toggl Track allows time tracking nearly effortlessly and captures all the details of what people do. It is compatible with desktops, mobile apps and browsers and therefore tracking can always be the same regardless of the place the staff is working. The timeline view highlights life on a day-to-day basis thus any bad habits could be easily identified to streamline your daily work. The browser extensions in Toggl identify what is taking place automatically and propose the entries in terms of time, reducing the paperwork. Toggl Track would be a great option to businesses that are interested in time tracking apps and software for small businesses which are also comfortable to use.

Key Features:

• One-click tracking
• Browser extensions
• Timeline view
• Idle detection
• Reporting dashboard

Pros:

• Simple setup
• Cross-platform support
• Generous free plan

Cons:

• Limited invoicing features
• Basic team management
• Advanced features expensive

Pricing: Free plan is free forever

Best For: Freelancers

https://toggl.com/

3. Clockify

Clockify is a time tracking app that is free and an app with everything that small businesses require. Unlimited number of users and projects means it is very good with startups or small teams that would want to keep the costs down. The kiosk mode will assist in following a large number of people a single location. Payroll is expedited and teams do not need to authorize timesheets. The free version is highly generous, paid plans will add additional features, such as scheduling and forecasting. Clockify is one of the best options that a small business would have a free time tracking tool.

Key Features:

• Unlimited tracking
• Kiosk mode
• Timesheet approvals
• Calendar view
• GPS tracking

Pros:

• Completely free tier
• Unlimited users
• Easy implementation

Cons:

• Basic free features
• Slower customer support
• Limited integrations

Pricing: $5.49 per user per month

Best For: Budget-conscious teams

https://clockify.me/

4. Time Doctor

Time Doctor monitors the faces of the employees, what they do and what websites they go to when they are at home. It allows the managers to observe what people do with their time and it can alert the employees in case they visit time wasting websites. The program may be made automatic in sending these warnings and use the info to be linked with payroll, i.e., no more work/no more pay. Monitoring is said to be a little obtrusive with many people, on the other hand, who work remotely find the transparency likable. Time Doctor is suitable with small business organizations having remote or hybrid employees.

Key Features:

• Screenshot monitoring
• Activity tracking
• Distraction alerts
• Payroll integration
• Client reporting

Pros:

• Detailed monitoring
• Strong productivity insights
• Payroll automation

Cons:

• Privacy concerns
• Steep learning curve
• Higher pricing

Pricing: $6.70 per user/month

Best For: Remote teams

https://www.timedoctor.com/

5. RescueTime

RescueTime will automatically record the applications and websites you visit automatically (you do not have to put anything in it). It provides you with the correct information regarding the usage of your computer time. It is up to you to choose how to spend your time on what would be productive and what would be distractions. The feature of focus-time cancels distractions during selected working hours. The trends can be viewed in weekly email reports, thus teams may be up-to-date. Another situation in which RescueTime can prove quite useful is in the little businesses, which require a time-tracking tool to enhance productivity.

Key Features:

• Automatic tracking
• Productivity scoring
• Focus time
• Goal setting
• Weekly summaries

Pros:

• Zero manual entry
• Privacy-focused design
• Personal productivity focus

Cons:

• Limited team features
• No invoicing
• Works best individually

Pricing: $78 per year

Best For: Individual productivity

https://www.rescuetime.com/

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6. Hubstaff

Hubstaff allows you to track time and control employees. It is GPS and geofence-based in creating payroll automatically. It can be used to work with employees that are in various locations. The program randomly snaps screenshots in order to have the ability to view programs that people access and the activities done. The presence of GPS keeps the field workers in where they are supposed to be. Salaries are automatically computed based on the time logged in and the rates that you negotiate. Hubstaff can be applicable to construction, delivery, and other mobile businesses, which require time-tracking software to small businesses.

Key Features:

• GPS tracking
• Geofencing
• Activity monitoring
• Automated payroll
• Scheduling tools

Pros:

• Excellent mobile features
• Strong workforce management
• Automated payments

Cons:

• Monitoring feels invasive
• Complex pricing structure
• Feature overload

Pricing: Try Hubstaff free for 14 days

Best For: Field workers

https://hubstaff.com/

7. QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets)

QuickBooks Time is compatible with QuickBooks accounting, and therefore, time tracking and accounting are merged. The employees are able to clock in using phones, computer, or real time clocks. It displays the cost of each project individually to have a closer look at profit. It is able to compute the overtime and vacation time and schedule. GPS knows the position of people at the time of clocking in. It is also synonymous with QuickBooks time-tracking software, and all this can be integrated easily.

Key Features:

• QuickBooks integration
• Job costing
• PTO management
• GPS verification
• Schedule creation

Pros:

• Perfect QuickBooks sync
• Strong mobile app
• Comprehensive features

Cons:

• Expensive for small teams
• Requires QuickBooks subscription
• Complex initial setup

Pricing: Starts at $20/month plus $8/user

Best For: QuickBooks users

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/time-tracking/

8. Everhour

Everhour is a time tracking application, which operates on project apps, such as Asana, Trello, and Basecamp. The teams are not required to abandon their favourite tools; instead they can add on tight time tracking. It allows you to make a guest work estimate on the time of tasks and display the time taken. It indicates when a project is about to approach its budget. You are able to draw invoices right after entering it. Everhour may be a good option should you be in need of time tracking apps and software for small businesses that adds tracking without altering your working process.

Key Features:

• Project management integrations
• Time estimates
• Budget alerts
• Invoice creation
• Resource planning

Pros:

• Excellent integrations
• Budget tracking
• Time estimation tools

Cons:

• Requires existing tools
• Limited standalone features
• Smaller user base

Pricing: Free for teams up to 5; then $8.50/user/month

Best For: Project-based businesses

https://everhour.com/

9. Deputy

Task scheduling, time tracking, and tasks are arranged in one place with the aid of a deputy. It simplifies the’shift scheduling’ through drag and drop calendar. It issues notices not to miss or be late. The time clock prevents premature clock-ins and the time clock counts essential breaks. The deputy manages the leave requests and tracks time-off. Deputy is good at making complicated schedules in stores, restaurants, and any shift work business looking for time tracking apps and software for small businesses.

Key Features:

• Shift scheduling
• Auto-scheduling
• Task management
• Leave tracking
• Compliance tools

Pros:

• Excellent scheduling
• User-friendly interface
• Strong mobile app

Cons:

• Expensive for features
• Limited reporting
• Time tracking secondary

Pricing: Starts at $4.50/user/month

Best For: Shift workers

https://www.deputy.com/

10. ClickUp

Ending time tracking is another feature being added to the all-in-one project tools of ClickUp; projects include tasks, documents, goals and chat. No need for individual subscriptions. The tracker operates directly in tasks and allows visibility of the hour passed-on. It assists in establishing time estimates, billable rates, and reports in detail. The tool can be customized to fit your working style. Clicking up is worth having a complete productivity suite with excellent time tracking apps and software for small businesses.

Key Features:

• Integrated tasks
• Time estimates
• Custom workflows
• Goal tracking
• Collaboration tools

Pros:

• All-in-one platform
• Highly customizable
• Generous free plan

Cons:

• Overwhelming options
• Steep learning curve
• Performance issues

Pricing: Free plan available; paid from $7/user/month

Best For: All-in-one solution

https://clickup.com/

11. Timely

Timely has an ability to automatically note the time spent in apps and websites, and you do not need to record this time manually. It maintains an awful family diary, accessible to no one but you. The timeline can be viewed by your teammates who can drag and drop the time taken over the course of work on the projects. Timely is a privacy protection tool that treats the time accurately. It produces pleasing visual reports to which people delight when they are talking about bills. In case your company needs time tracking apps and software for small businesses where AI makes it easier to track you should consider Timely.

Key Features:

• AI-powered tracking
• Memory timeline
• Privacy-first design
• Visual reporting
• Team planning

Pros:

• Automatic capture
• Privacy-focused
• Beautiful interface

Cons:

• Higher pricing
• Limited integrations
• AI learning period

Pricing: Starts at $11/user/month

Best For: Creative agencies

https://www.timely.com/

12. Wrike

Wrike combines powerful project management with inbuilt time tracking, which is effective with large teams. It is an occupation device that enables one to establish personal workflows, working Gantt charts, and resources and overseeing time. You may also assign a time entry to a tag which is attached to multiple projects. Live dashboards display to all the people the state of the projects and how much time is worked on the project. This tool expands with your business. To get time tracking apps and software for small businesses that is as powerful as an enterprise product, recently, the easiest alternative would be Wrike, provided your small business is ready to pay for it.

Key Features:

• Project management
• Gantt charts
• Custom workflows
• Resource management
• Real-time dashboards

Pros:

• Powerful features
• Excellent scalability
• Strong collaboration

Cons:

• Complicated interface
• Expensive pricing
• Lengthy implementation

Pricing: Free for small teams; paid from $9.80/user/month

Best For: Growing businesses

https://www.wrike.com/

13. Monday.com

Monday.com is a visual project management tool that includes columns and time tracking that are easily integrated in boards. It has a bright, easy interface which means that it can run quickly by teams. You have the option to add automation rules that execute upon time data informing you of something such as a note when the hours pass beyond the estimate. Monday.com allows additional perspective work, either in Kanban, timeline or calendar. It is able to adapt itself to numerous modes of operation. Monday.com may be worth a closer examination by your small business, who seeks unmistakable illustrations and computerization as part of time tracking apps and software for small businesses.

Key Features:

• Visual boards
• Automation recipes
• Multiple views
• Time tracking columns
• Workload management

Pros:

• Intuitive design
• Excellent automation
• Flexible configurations

Cons:

• Pricing escalates quickly
• Time tracking basic
• Limited reporting

Pricing: Starts at $8/user/month

Best For: Visual teams

https://monday.com/

14. Paymo

Paymo is a complete business management which takes care of time tracking, invoicing, project arrangements and staff organisation. It enables the small businesses to operate everything when they are not using multiple apps. Kanban boards automatically display your time tracking works and projects on your background windows. Paymo generates reports that allow them to see what clients and projects bring the most cash. It provides customers with an entry point to be able to communicate and transfer files. Paymo is a good choice should your small company be in need of an entire project-cycle time tracking apps and software for small businesses tool.

Key Features:

• Project planning
• Kanban boards
• Invoicing system
• Resource scheduling
• Client portals

Pros:

• Complete solution
• Reasonable pricing
• Good customer support

Cons:

• Overwhelming features
• Mobile app limited
• Smaller community

Pricing: Free for solo users; paid from $5.95/user/month

Best For: Small agencies

https://www.paymoapp.com/

15. My Hours

My Hours makes time keeping very easy with a simplistic interface in which only time is tracked and displayed. It does not have any extra additions that disorient its users hence it is good with teams who require a pair of distinct tools. Including the free version, you are able to add any number of projects and tasks. My Hours is very detailed reporting based on the project, task, team member and time. It also provides a manual entry and a timer, as the person likes to. My Hours will appeal to your small business when all you want is time tracking apps and software for small businesses that is simple to do the trick.

Key Features:

• Simple interface
• Unlimited projects
• Detailed reports
• Timer options
• Budget tracking

Pros:

• Extremely simple
• Generous free plan
• Quick learning curve

Cons:

• Basic features only
• Limited integrations
• No invoicing

Pricing: Free plan available; paid from $7/user/month

Best For: Simple tracking

https://myhours.com/

How to Choose the Right Time Tracking Tool

• Size of Business: Select software will be able to scale with the number of individuals that you employ.
• Integration Requirements: Ensure it works with those other tools that you have and are using such as accounting, payroll and project tools.
• Feature Necessity Assessment: You shouldn’t pay to be able to use features that you are not going to need.
• Budget Alignment: Find out the entire cost, including per-user charges and added feature charges.
• Free Trial Period: Test the free trial to determine whether it is good or downgrade your cash.

Tips for Implementing Time Tracking in Small Businesses

• Separate Communication: Police them out on what it does and discuss openly privacy before its inception.
• Progressive Implementation: Start by implementing some volunteer departments and not by deploying all staff immediately.
• Training Investment: Provide obvious tutorials so as to everyone familiar with how to use it and why it is good.
• Policy Development: Compose regulations concerning the definition of tracking, when to make breaks, and personal time.
• Routine Check: Review all tracking numbers in a month to optimize the working process and remedy emerging issues.

Conclusion

The ability to select the appropriate time tracking apps and software for small businesses can greatly enhance the manner in which such organizations operate, the amount of revenue that they make, and the level of responsibilities held by the staff. These fifteen solutions we considered are simple time capture to full-fledged business management solutions. Turns out you are more concerned about the cost, the extent it integrates well with other tools or even advanced monitoring, there is something you will certainly love.

They cannot be effectively used without good communication of what is required, proper training material and continuous follow up on the application of the tracking data in making improved decisions and decisions. The smartest investment you will make will be focusing on the appropriate time tracking apps and software for small businesses that would help you in having insightful information that results in better resource utilization, optimized billing services that would result in sustainable growth in a competitive market.

FAQs

What are the benefits of time tracking apps for small businesses? 

Time tracking apps and software for small businesses are used to maintain a payroll correct, easier to understand profitability of projects, team productivity and provide comprehensible records of billing clients.

Are free time tracking tools sufficient for small businesses? 

Small businesses get a lot of handy functions with free time tracking apps and software for small businesses like Clockify and Toggl Track. The added features of paid plans include more detailed reports and capabilities of integrating with other programs.

How do time tracking apps improve team productivity? 

Time tracking apps and software for small businesses reveal time wastes, identify the slackened areas of work, assist in setting priorities, and provide some guidance of data to streamline work.

Can time tracking software integrate with payroll systems? 

Majority of the new time tracking apps and software for small businesses are compatible with payroll software including QuickBooks, Gusto, and ADP, and they will automatically compute wages and reduce administration efforts.