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Project Time Tracking Tools

Om Malik has a post on project time tracking over at the Web Worker Daily blog. His post is only a question to the readers regarding what they use for time tracking their various projects, but the comments are filled with great suggestions including:

Web:

Desktop:

I didn’t realize there were this many applications available for time tracking. We use FreshBooks at EvolvePoint for both our invoicing as well as time tracking. I like the fact that these two operations are integrated into FreshBooks. There are times for separating functions, but I’m not 100% sold on time tracking as one of them. The problem of having a separate, stand-alone application comes when it’s time to actually do the billing. Now you have to export, re-enter hours, or cut and past data. None of these options are preferable in my eyes. It’s a huge time saver to be able to directly transfer project hours straight into an invoice.

If you don’t have this need, I can definitely see the appeal in having a simple time tracking application especially for personal projects or those that aren’t directly billable.

One feature I’d like to see in these applications is more integration with QuickBooks. FreshBooks is starting to do this (they have a single report for export to QuickBooks), but I’d like to see a more robust and flexible feature set in this regard. As QuickBooks is pretty much the standard for small business bookkeeping and these services primarily target the small business, I’m not sure why there hasn’t been more of a demand for tighter integration.

About Me

Tom Markiewicz
Tom Markiewicz

Tom currently works in developer relations for IBM Watson. A serial entrepreneur, he's been the founder of numerous startups including Investify and StatsMix, a Techstars alumni company. Tom lives outside Boulder, Colorado and in his free time he's an avid rock climber, skier, and trail runner.

46 Comments

  2. Half the companies that use our product (www.1time.ie) don’t actually bill for time. They use it to track how many hours they spent on a project in other words the real cost of the project and compare it to what they quote. This can be very valuable to a lot of different types companies.

  4. Tom – delighted to see you are using FreshBooks and realizing the benefits of having the two apps work together – it’s always great to hear that kind of feedback.

    Just wanted to mention a couple things. One is we have an API (and a new version it coming soon) and we welcome/encourage other time track solutions to use it so their clients can generate invoices. The other thing is we have some pretty interesting things in store for our time sheet. We a redesigning it to significantly improve it’s usability, and when we do we’ll be building it so individuals and groups can work together on the same project from separate FreshBooks accounts….so no more logging into multiple accounts to work on multiple projects if you are a freelancer who works with multiple people. We are pretty excited about it and you can learn more about it here.

  7. Mike, great news about FreshBooks. I look forward to the new features. BTW, the last release with the ability to send paper invoices as well as email was simply incredible. We’ve yet to use it yet, but I see that type of transitional service as extremely important.

    Rex, thanks for the link to your podcast. I’ll take a listen.

  8. Thanks Tom…it’s been exceeding our expectations…for example, invoices sent via the US post to Europe (i.e. the U.K.) are getting there in four days. We get them in Canada in three to four…I’m sort of amazed that the International pieces are moving so fast. The US mail is moving fast/faster too 🙂

    Anyway, thanks again.

  13. There’s another one to add to the list. It’s an online time tracking application called ToadTime. It let’s you generate invoices automatically from your time entries and it’s got a place to track tasks as well. It’s also nicely integrated with QuickBooks for anybody who needs real accounting software.

  15. Right now I’m using Harvest to track my time, but I’ve seen some demo screens from Cashboard and they’ve got me excited.

    It’s supposed to offer estimates, time tracking and invoicing all in one.

    Not too sure about the Quickbooks integration, but they’re hinting at integration with programs on the home page…

  16. Danny, I hadn’t seen Cashboard but it looks interesting. I look forward to checking it out. I think it will compete more with Freshbooks though than straight time management apps.

  17. Another app is Time59 (www.time59.com). It provides time tracking, invoicing and accounts receivable functions. $19.95 per year for unlimited use.

  18. Hi Tom,

    I would also like to suggest Fanurio which does both time tracking and invoicing (Iâ??m one of the people involved in this project).

    Fanurio is a desktop application designed to help freelancers manage their work and be paid for it. It can do basic project management, time tracking and invoicing in order to have all the functionality in one place.

    Thanks,
    Cosmina

  19. For all the time tracking needed and setting the priorities straight from the beginning re: your projects management; Intervals has proved to be superb.
    For small businesses, consultants and freelancers, it helps streamline tasks by projects and to track every second of work.
    Also, you can run reports, keep control of the budgets, generate invoices for clients, produce and calculate time sheets- among other great features –
    This is a great tool for people who charge by the hour. It really makes it easier.
    You can take a tour of the application at: http://www.myintervals.com/tour.php
    I highly recommend it.
    http://myintervals.com

  22. If you’re looking for a flexible and easy to use online time tracking solution, please consider LiveTimer.com. LiveTimer features multiple levels of classifications, customizable terminology, and several ways to track your time. LiveTimer also includes advanced reports, user permissions, account backups and restores, and SSL security for all accounts.

  25. HourDoc is another tool for Time Tracking. HourDoc Time Tracking software is right treatment for time and labor management processes has to be an easy-to-administer and affordable solution for supervisors, employees and HR and payroll managers. They offer free application to companies less than 50 employees. You must Try it!

  26. i am using a web Timesheet which is a web based solution , it gives nice way to track employees and project time , it have automatic and manual approval and manage the expenses . on the whole it is giving me much facilities to manage my all work as well as employees .

  27. i am using a web Timesheet which is a web based solution , it gives nice way to track employees and project time , it have automatic and manual approval and manage the expenses . on the whole it is giving me much facilities to manage my all work as well as employees .

  28. Hi, Your post is very nice, Because your post is giving nice information. So i m very glad, Because you have given this information. So very thankful.

    1. I’m a subscriber of Freckle time tracking and I definitely recommend it. 😀

  32. I would like to recommend OroTimesheet for time tracking and invoicing.
    It is really easy to use and very affordable.
    It helps me keep track of the time I spend on each project. I can easily create an invoice from my timesheets. I used many timesheet software over the years and this one is my favorite.

    It is free to try so make sure to visit the company’s website at http://www.orologic.com/

  35. Also check Replicon’s time tracking software which is an easy to use cloud based solution. It is very user friendly and has got great usability features.

  37. I think you have left the one “Invoicera”. It has also a time tracking software. I am using it for tracking the time online and I am fully satisfied. I think one can try this also.

  38. I was wondering why Talygen is not in the list. Time tracking apps are beneficial for freelancers as well as for project managers of big enterprises. Moreover, Talygen provides unmatching functionality at no more cost.

  40. Hey, great post! At IAC-EZ, we love Freshbooks too- which is why we integrate with them! :)I also will vouch that their cumsoter service is exceptional! They use all of the latest social networking tools to keep in touch with their cumsoters, and they are available to help virtually every second of the day!

  42. Thanks for sharing this amazing list. I’d like to add Proofhub.com time tracking tool in this list too to make this list more effective and useful. Give it a go.

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