The Best Time Tracking App for Freelancers
You are probably reading this because you have taken the leap and become a full-time freelancer.
First of all, congratulations! You are about to embark on an exciting journey of self-motivation, determination, and, hopefully, success!
I will never judge anyone for getting out of the corporate world because it is a big step to take, but one that can be extremely rewarding if done properly.
Based on Statista research, the freelance economy will grow to $455.2 billion by 2023.
But as you may have already realised, doing the work is not the hardest part of being a freelancer. It is the endless hours of managing tasks, handling projects, dealing with clients, and calculating working hours.
The best way to optimise your tracking process is to use a freelance time tracking app. But finding the right one is essential. Don't just settle for one that only lets you log your billable time.
This article will take you through five of the best time tracking apps for freelancers to help you get the best possible start with your freelance career.
What are the Benefits of Time Tracking Apps
Project Management
Time tracking is essential to ensure the project stays on track if you are working on a particularly large project.
A time tracking app can help you identify where you have got to with your project, how much work is left to complete, and estimate how long it will take you to complete it.
Tracking projects will help you ensure you do not miss deadlines and help you get the best possible reviews from your clients.
Monitoring Billable Time and Billable Hours
If you work for yourself, then you know how important it is to ensure you are getting paid for the hours you put into a project. Some projects will get paid at an agreed rate in advance, some jobs will get paid per word you write, and others will get paid based on how many hours you take to complete.
If you are dealing with the latter option, a time tracker is essential to ensure that you are not overestimating your hours or getting underpaid for the work you are putting into your client's project.
Tracking your hours and submitting time entries will help validate your requested pay at the end of the project and ensure you get paid the correct amount. The easiest way to track your ours is with a time tracking tool on your PC or a mobile app.
Estimating How Much Work Capacity You Have
Finally, another important reason to track time is to estimate how much space you have to take on new projects. If you are a writer, you will often find yourself working with multiple clients.
Time tracking is essential to ensure that your project management does not drop as you take on new clients and to understand how much free space you have. Nothing is worse as a freelancer than overpromising and underdelivering, as this harms your reputation within the industry.
A top-quality free time tracking app will include automatic time tracking, so you can always ensure you have space to complete a project before saying yes.
The Top Five Time Tracking Apps For Freelancers
Traqq
While there are many free time tracking apps that you can find online and some that offer a free trial, it can be hard to find a free time tracking app for freelancers that provides comprehensive features.
Until now! Traqq is the perfect app for your time tracking needs.
With this tool, you have the power to record your billable hours and also build productivity reports.
Traqq is an excellent time tracking tool for anyone trying to optimise their efficiency. This tool highlights the top websites and apps you use daily.
You can use this tool to work out what you are wasting your time on and improve your productivity.
Notable Features:
Time Tracking: Both online and offline.
Alerts and Notifications: Used to ensure each minute you work will be paid for.
Productivity reports and comprehensive time sheets.
Pricing:
Premium Starter – $0
Premium Teams – $6 per user per month
Harvest
If you are looking for a platform that offers more than just time tracking, Harvest could be the right choice for you. It offers users the chance to create invoices and process payments.
This tool allows freelancers to split their billable time over numerous clients and/or projects.
Notable Features:
Detailed task, expense, and time tracking and reporting.
Various third-party app integrations.
Online invoice payment processing.
Customisable billable rates.
Pricing:
Free – 1 user
Pro – $12 per user, per month
Toggl
Toggl is a great option for any independent contractors, as it lets remote teams, agencies, and freelancers understand where the billable time is getting spent.
Toggl has many basic features, such as freelance time tracking and reporting. You can access advanced options like time tracking spreadsheet management and email reports if you purchase a Starter membership.
Notable Features:
Automated timesheet creation
Support for most operating systems and devices
Scheduled email reports
Pricing:
Free plan – Comes with unlimited time tracking, unlimited projects, and a Pomodoro timer
Starter – $9 per user, per month
Premium – $18 per user, per month
TMetric
The TMetric time tracking makes time tracking for freelancers that work within a team quick and easy. The free version of this tracking software offers plenty of features to support any team of up to five people.
TMetric is ideal for remote workers keen to track time, monitor productivity, and collaborate effectively. If your freelance business is larger than five people, you can access one of the paid plans for more advanced features and users.
Notable Features:
Tracking settings for weekdays and holidays.
Budgeting and time estimates for projects
Pricing:
Free for as many as five users
Professional – $5 per user, per month
Business – $7 per user, per month
Hubstaff
If part of your freelance role is managing a team, Hubstaff could be the best free time tracking app available to you. Hubstaff offers time tracking for freelancers and integrates various payment processors within the mobile app.
Notable Features:
High-quality online time tracker.
Team management, shift planning, and attendance monitoring.
GPS tracking.
Pricing:
Desk Free – 1 user
Desk Starter – $7 per user, per month
Desk Pro – $10 per user, per month
Time Tracking App for Freelancers: Summary and Key Takeaways
Now you have a range of tracking options for you to test out! Whether on IOS, Android, or PC, these tools will help increase your productivity and become a more effective freelancer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Tracking Apps for Freelancers
What are the Best Time Tracking Apps?
Traqq
Harvest
toggl
Tmetric
Hubstaff
Do Time Tracking Apps Work on IOS and Android?
Absolutely! Almost all good time tracking software is available from the app store, allowing you to keep track of your work at home, in an office, or on the go.
