Top 8 Best Freelance Time Tracking Tools in 2026 (Tested)

Last updated: May 2026 · Tested: 7 genuinely free time tracking tools (strict $0 filter, trial-only tools excluded) · Best free pick: Clockify (unlimited users, no credit card)

Answer capsule: The best free time tracking software for most small businesses and freelancers is Clockify, unlimited users, unlimited projects, no credit card required, and a permanent free forever plan. Toggl Track free (5 users) is the better pick if UX matters and you want a clean upgrade path. Harvest free (1 user, 2 projects) keeps native invoicing on the free tier. Avoid “free trial” tools labeled as free, only seven on this list offer a true free forever plan.

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This guide ranks the best free time tracking software, free time tracking app picks for iOS and Android, and full desktop free time tracking apps across all platforms. We also cover free time clock software for hourly employees with clock-in / clock-out workflows, free time tracking for small business owners running 2-10 employees, free time tracking for freelancers billing clients in 15-minute blocks, and free time tracking for employees in remote and field teams. Below: which tools are genuinely free time tracking with unlimited users, which cap at 1-5 seats, and whether is Toggl really free holds up under scrutiny.

Free Forever vs Free Trial: The Most Important Distinction

Half the tools marketed as “free time tracking software” are 7- or 14-day trials in disguise. That matters because once your team is set up, exporting historical data, retraining everyone, and migrating client/project structures to a different tool costs more than the subscription would have. So before we get to the picks, the rule for this roundup:

• Free forever = a permanent $0 plan with no expiration date. You can use it indefinitely without paying. Examples: Clockify, Toggl Track free, Harvest free (1 user), TimeCamp free, Jibble free, MyHours free, Hubstaff free.
• Free trial = a 7-day, 14-day, or 30-day window after which the tool starts billing (or stops working). Examples: most “Enterprise” tier free trials, Everhour, Insightful, Buddy Punch’s free 14-day trial.

Only free forever plans qualify for the roundup below. We mention trial-only tools briefly as “upgrade paths”, never as primary picks. If a vendor’s pricing page leads with “Try free for 14 days,” that tool is not in this article.

Free Tier Reality Table: What You Get at $0

This is the single most useful piece of data in the article. Each tool’s marketing page tells you what’s included; this table shows you what’s capped, the limits that quietly bite you in month 2.

How to read this table: If your team is 6+ people, only Clockify, TimeCamp, and Jibble cover you on free. If you need invoicing on free, Harvest and MyHours are the only options. If you need 7+ days of history on free, skip Hubstaff. The “biggest free-tier limit” column tells you the first wall you’ll hit.

Top 7 Genuinely Free Time Tracking Tools (Reviewed)

1. Clockify, Best Free Tier Overall (Unlimited Everything)

Best for: Bootstrapped freelancers, small businesses with tight budgets, teams of any size who want a permanent $0 cost.

Clockify pricing: Free (unlimited users + projects), Basic $3.99/user/mo, Standard $5.49/user/mo, Pro $7.99/user/mo, Enterprise $11.99/user/mo.

Clockify is the unlimited-free-tier leader, and no one comes close. Sign up without a credit card, add as many users as you want, create unlimited projects, track unlimited hours, and export reports in CSV/PDF/Excel. The free plan also bundles 80+ integrations (Asana, Trello, Jira, GitHub, Notion, Slack), mobile apps for iOS and Android, a Chrome extension, and a Pomodoro timer mode. For freelancers and small teams, this is genuinely all you need.

The paid tiers add admin controls (required only if you have managers approving timesheets), per-project billable rates, time-off tracking, invoicing, and screenshot monitoring. Most users never need them. If you do outgrow free, the Basic tier at $3.99/user/mo is the cheapest paid plan in this entire roundup.

When to upgrade: Move to Basic ($3.99) when you need billable rates per project. Move to Standard ($5.49) when you need time-off and PTO management. Most users stay on free indefinitely.

2. Toggl Track Free, Best UX + Cleanest Upgrade Path

Best for: Solo freelancers and small teams (up to 5) who want the cleanest interface and a smooth path to paid if they grow.

Toggl Track pricing: Free (5 users, unlimited features), Starter $10/user/mo, Premium $20/user/mo, Enterprise custom.

Toggl Track free is what Clockify free would be if Clockify hired a senior designer. Same generous tier (unlimited tracking, reports, integrations) but with the slickest UX in the category, global keyboard shortcuts, Pomodoro mode, idle detection that prompts after 5 minutes of inactivity, and browser/desktop/mobile sync that just works. The 5-user cap is the trade-off; once you cross it, you’re paying for everyone on the team.

For solo freelancers and teams up to 5, Toggl Track free is the best balance of “free tier you’ll enjoy using” and “easy upgrade if you outgrow it.” The Starter tier at $10/user/mo unlocks billable rates per project, project templates, scheduled reports, and rounding controls. See our full Toggl pricing breakdown for the upgrade-path math.

When to upgrade: Move to Starter ($10) when you cross 5 users, need billable rates per project, or want scheduled reports for clients. Most solos stay on free for years.

→ Try Toggl Track free

3. Harvest Free, Best Free Tier With Real Invoicing

Best for: Solo freelancers whose main pain point is invoicing, not time tracking itself.

Harvest pricing: Free (1 user, 2 projects), Pro $13.75/user/mo. No tiered pricing above Pro.

Harvest free is unusual in that it preserves the tool’s flagship feature, native invoicing with Stripe/PayPal collection, on the $0 plan. Track time against your 2 active projects, click a button, and Harvest generates an invoice with line items, sends it via email, and accepts payment. For freelancers who spend more time invoicing than tracking, that’s a meaningful free-tier win. The 2-project cap is the bite: once you hit 3 active clients, you’re paying $13.75/user/mo.

If invoicing is your bottleneck and you have 1-2 active clients, Harvest free is the right pick. If you have 3+ active projects or any growth plans, the Pro tier is your only upgrade option (no middle tier exists).

When to upgrade: Move to Pro ($13.75) when you hit 3+ active client projects. There’s no cheaper paid option, so plan accordingly.

4. TimeCamp Free, Unlimited Users With Productivity Tracking

Best for: Small teams who want unlimited free users plus passive app-tracking (which apps and sites count as productive).

TimeCamp pricing: Free (unlimited users), Starter $3.99/user/mo, Premium $5.99/user/mo, Ultimate $7.99/user/mo, Enterprise $11.99/user/mo.

TimeCamp’s pitch is “Clockify with auto-tracking.” The free tier supports unlimited users and includes the desktop app’s passive app/website tracker, so users don’t have to remember to start timers; the tool watches what app is in focus and categorizes time accordingly. For teams new to time tracking, that removes the biggest adoption hurdle (everyone forgets to hit start). The trade-off: the UX has more knobs than Clockify or Toggl, and the free tier omits billable rates, client invoicing, and the Pomodoro timer.

When to upgrade: Move to Starter ($3.99) when you need billable rates and per-project budgets. Premium ($5.99) when you need invoicing.

5. Jibble Free, Unlimited Users + Free GPS (Rare Combo)

Best for: Field-service teams (HVAC, landscaping, cleaning, construction) who need GPS-verified clock-in on the free tier.

Jibble pricing: Free (unlimited users + GPS), Premium $2.99/user/mo, Ultimate $5.99/user/mo, Enterprise custom.

Jibble is the only free tier in this roundup that includes GPS tracking, geofencing, and even face recognition for clock-in, features other vendors gate behind paid plans. For deskless workers who clock in from a job site (HVAC techs, landscapers, contractors), this is rare. The free tier supports unlimited users, mobile + web apps, basic reports, and the core “did this person clock in from the right location” workflow. PTO management, overtime calculations, and shift-scheduling sit behind paid tiers.

When to upgrade: Move to Premium ($2.99) when you need PTO tracking, overtime rules, or scheduling.

6. MyHours Free, Free Invoicing for Solos and Tiny Teams

Best for: Solo freelancers or 2-5 person teams who want both time tracking and basic invoicing on a single free plan.

MyHours pricing: Free (5 users), Pro $9/user/mo. No middle tier.

MyHours is the under-the-radar pick for solo freelancers who hate paying for two tools. The free tier covers 5 users, unlimited projects, time entries, and basic invoice generation (PDF export, email-out). The Pro upgrade adds Stripe/PayPal payment collection inside the invoice, custom invoice branding, and admin-level user permissions. It’s not as polished as Harvest, but it’s free for up to 5 users instead of 1.

When to upgrade: Move to Pro ($9) when you need in-invoice payment collection, custom branding, or admin user roles.

7. Hubstaff Free, Single-Seat Tier With Screenshots Optional

Best for: Solo agency owners or freelancers who plan to add subcontractors soon, preview the full agency feature stack while still on free.

Hubstaff pricing: Free (1 user, 7 days history), Starter $4.99/user/mo, Grow $7.50/user/mo, Team $10/user/mo, Enterprise $20/user/mo.

Hubstaff free is the lightest tier on this list, 1 user, 7-day history, basic reports. What it gets you that Clockify and Toggl don’t: a preview of the full agency feature set (optional screenshots, GPS tracking, activity levels, payroll exports) so you can see whether the workflow fits before you pay. For an agency owner about to hire their first subcontractor, that preview matters more than the limits.

If you don’t need subcontractor monitoring, skip the Hubstaff free tier and use Clockify or Toggl instead. If subcontractor accountability is your near-term need, Hubstaff free → Starter ($4.99/user/mo for 2+ users) is the smoothest path.

When to upgrade: Move to Starter ($4.99/user/mo) the moment you hire your first subcontractor, Hubstaff is built for 2+ user agencies, not solo use.

→ Try Hubstaff free

Open Source Time Tracking: Truly Free + Self-Hosted

For the strict-free buyer who wants zero vendor risk, three open-source time tracking tools are worth knowing:

• Kimai, PHP-based, self-hosted, free to install. Project + customer tracking, timesheet exports, role-based permissions. Best for IT-comfortable teams who want full data ownership.
• Traggo, Lightweight Go-based time tracker with tag-based categorization. Self-host on any cheap VPS. Best for solo developers who want minimal overhead.
• actiTIME Community, Free self-hosted edition (up to 3 users) with project tracking and basic reports. Cleaner UI than Kimai for non-developers.

Open source is “free” in the strict sense, no subscription, no vendor, but you pay in hosting (~$5-15/mo on DigitalOcean), maintenance, and your time. For most freelancers, the SaaS free tiers above are a better deal.

Decision Tree by Team Size

Free Tier Limits That Will Bite You (and How to Avoid Them)

Even on a “free forever” plan, three common limits surface in month 2 or 3. Knowing them upfront saves the painful migration:

1. History retention cap, Hubstaff’s free tier keeps 7 days of history; older data isn’t accessible without upgrading. If you bill clients monthly, you cannot use Hubstaff free for billing. Clockify, Toggl, Harvest, TimeCamp, Jibble, and MyHours all keep unlimited history on free.
2. Active project cap, Harvest free caps at 2 active projects. The moment you take on a third client, you need to archive one or upgrade. Plan for this if your client base is growing.
3. Billable rate gating, Almost every free tier omits per-project billable rates (you can tag time as billable but can’t assign $/hr per project). If you have multiple clients at different rates, this is the most common reason to upgrade, Clockify Basic ($3.99) and Toggl Starter ($10) are the cheapest paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does free time tracking software exist that is genuinely free?

Does free time tracking software exist with no trial expiration and no required credit card? Yes, seven tools in this roundup qualify. Clockify, Toggl Track free, Harvest free, TimeCamp free, Jibble free, MyHours free, and Hubstaff free all offer permanent free-forever tiers, not 7- or 14-day trials. The catch is always feature gating: per-project billable rates, native invoicing, screenshots, and admin permissions are commonly paywalled. But the core “start a timer, log a project, view a report” workflow is fully covered at $0.

Is Toggl really free?

Is Toggl really free is the most common skepticism we hear, and the short answer is yes. Toggl Track’s free plan supports up to 5 users with unlimited tracking, unlimited projects, full reports, and the entire iOS / Android / Mac / Windows / web app stack. No credit card required to sign up. No 14-day countdown. The free tier exists as a permanent product, not a sales funnel. The cap kicks in at 6+ users (then $10/user/mo Starter) or when you need per-project billable rates and project templates.

Is Clockify really free?

Is Clockify really free, with unlimited users and no hidden trial countdown? Yes. Clockify’s free tier is genuinely 100% free time tracking with no hidden paywall, the “100 free time tracking” promise actually holds, unlimited team members, unlimited projects, unlimited tracked hours, full reports, and timer apps on every platform, with no credit card required and no expiration date. The paid Basic plan ($3.99/user/mo) only adds features most freelancers and small teams never need (custom fields, branded reports, time-rounding, locked timesheets). For solo freelancers and 2-10 person teams who just need “start a timer, log a project, export a CSV”, Clockify is the closest thing on this list to a forever-free professional tool with no asterisks.

Free time tracking forever, which tools never expire?

For free time tracking forever with no expiration timer, the four strongest picks are Clockify (unlimited users, unlimited projects, no card), Toggl Track free (5 users, no card), TimeCamp free (unlimited users + auto-tracking, no card), and Jibble free (unlimited users + GPS, no card). All four are permanent products with no expiration date. Avoid any tool whose “free” page says “Start your 14-day free trial”, that is a trial, not a free tier, regardless of how the vendor markets it.

Is there free time tracking with unlimited users?

Yes, free time tracking with unlimited users is available from four vendors. Clockify free is the strongest (unlimited users + unlimited projects). TimeCamp free adds productivity tracking on top of unlimited users. Jibble free is unique for adding GPS and face recognition to an unlimited-user free tier, rare for field-team owners. Kimai (open source, self-hosted) is the fourth option if you’d rather host than rent. For 6+ user teams, those four are your only realistic $0 paths.

Is Hubstaff free for small teams?

Is Hubstaff free in any meaningful way? Yes, but with a tight 1-user cap and 7-day history retention. The free tier exists primarily as a preview of the paid agency stack, optional screenshots, GPS, activity levels, so you can validate the workflow before paying. For real team use, Hubstaff Starter at $4.99/user/mo (2+ users) is the entry tier. If you need a free tier that scales past one seat, pick Clockify, Toggl Track free (5 users), or Jibble free (unlimited users) instead.

What is the best 100% free time tracking software in 2026?

Clockify is the best 100% free time tracking software in 2026 for most users, unlimited users, unlimited projects, no credit card required, no time limit. Toggl Track free is the best alternative for solo users and teams up to 5 who want a cleaner UX and a smooth upgrade path. Harvest free is the best free pick if you need native invoicing on the $0 tier (1 user, 2 projects).

Is Clockify really completely free? What’s the catch?

Yes, Clockify’s free tier is genuinely permanent with no expiration, no credit card requirement, and no user cap. The “catch” is that several premium features are gated: per-project billable rates, native invoicing, time-off/PTO management, screenshot monitoring, and admin permissions. For freelancers and small teams who only need to track and report time, you may never hit a paid feature. For agencies that need billing automation or employee monitoring, you’ll likely upgrade to Basic ($3.99/user/mo) within 6-12 months.

Is Toggl Track free forever or just a trial?

Toggl Track free is free forever, no expiration, no credit card required. The free tier permanently supports up to 5 users with unlimited tracking, reports, and integrations. The catch is the 5-user cap (Clockify wins past that) and the absence of billable rates per project and project templates. Once you cross 5 users, you’re paying $10/user/mo for the Starter tier.

Which free time tracker has unlimited users?

Four tools on this list support unlimited users on their free tier: Clockify (the most generous overall), TimeCamp (adds auto app/site tracking), Jibble (adds GPS + face recognition for field teams), and the open-source Kimai if you self-host. For 5+ person teams, those are your only realistic free options.

Free time tracking with no credit card required, which tools?

Clockify, Toggl Track, TimeCamp, Harvest, Jibble, MyHours, and Hubstaff all let you sign up for the free tier without entering a credit card. If a vendor asks for a card before you’ve tracked your first hour, treat it as a free trial, not a true free tier. The seven tools in this roundup all qualify.

What free time tracker also handles invoicing?

Two free tiers preserve real invoicing: Harvest free (1 user, 2 projects, with full Stripe/PayPal payment collection) and MyHours free (5 users, basic PDF/email invoicing without in-invoice payments). For freelancers whose main bottleneck is invoicing, Harvest free is the stronger pick despite the 1-user cap. MyHours wins on user count if you’re a 2-5 person team that bills together.

Does Hubstaff offer a free tier?

Yes, Hubstaff has a free tier with 1 user and 7 days of history retention. It includes optional screenshots, GPS tracking, and activity-level monitoring, which makes it useful as a preview of the agency feature stack before upgrading. For paid plans, Starter is $4.99/user/mo (2+ users), Grow $7.50, Team $10. Most users who pick Hubstaff outgrow free within 1-2 months because the 1-user cap is restrictive.

Is Harvest free for small teams?

Harvest’s free tier is for 1 user only with 2 active projects, it’s not designed for teams. For a small team of 2-5 people, you’d need Harvest Pro at $13.75/user/mo (so $27.50-$68.75/mo total). Better team-friendly free alternatives: Toggl Track free (5 users), MyHours free (5 users), or Clockify free (unlimited).

Free time tracker with payroll integration, does that exist?

Limited but yes. Jibble free integrates with QuickBooks and Xero for basic payroll export. Clockify free exports CSV/PDF that you can import into ADP, Gusto, or QuickBooks manually. For deeper payroll automation (auto-sync to Gusto, ADP rules, overtime calculations), you’ll need a paid tier, Clockify Basic ($3.99), Jibble Premium ($2.99), or Buddy Punch Standard ($3.99) are the cheapest paths.

When does a free time tracker stop being enough, when should I pay?

Three triggers usually mean it’s time to upgrade: (1) you hit the user cap (5 on Toggl/MyHours, 1 on Harvest/Hubstaff); (2) you need per-project billable rates because clients pay different rates; (3) you need automated invoicing with Stripe/PayPal collection. If you only need tracking and reports, free tiers can last years. If billing automation matters, plan for $3.99-$13.75/user/mo within 6-12 months.

Is there a free time tracker for hourly employees?

Yes, for hourly employee time tracking specifically, Jibble free (GPS + face recognition for clock-in verification) and Clockify free (basic clock-in/out with manager view) both handle the use case at $0. TimeCamp free works if employees are at desks. For deeper employee monitoring with screenshots, see our employee time tracking software roundup, Hubstaff free preview is the closest to that workflow at $0.

Free vs open-source time tracking, what’s the difference?

Free usually means a SaaS vendor’s $0 tier, you use their hosted product at no cost but accept feature limits and the vendor’s business decisions about pricing changes. Open source means you can download, host, and modify the source code yourself, no subscription, no vendor risk, but you pay in hosting (~$5-15/mo) and maintenance time. Kimai, Traggo, and actiTIME Community are the main open-source options. For most freelancers, SaaS free tiers (Clockify, Toggl free) are simpler and cheaper than self-hosting.