If you are unfamiliar with employee time tracking or have been manually tracking time until now, utilising free time tracking apps can be a cost-effective way to learn about these apps' functionalities. However, with a plethora of time tracking apps available in the market, each with varying features and pricing, selecting the appropriate solution can be daunting. To assist with this decision, we have identified the seven most suitable time tracking apps for small businesses.
To aid you in your search for the ideal time tracking app, we have curated a collection of the top free time tracking apps of 2023.
JCards : recognized for its overall best performance TimeCamp: considered the best for remote teams Toggl Track: ideal for very small teams Paymo: preferred for invoicing My Hours: best suited for freelancers Deputy: noted for its exceptional scheduling capabilities TrackingTime: favoured for its visual time tracking features
JCards -
Price Range: Free For 30 Days(no Credit Card Required) $10 per user per month User Limit: Unlimited
Supported Platforms: Web app for Edge, Chrome and Firefox; Desktop apps for Linux, Mac and Windows; Mobile app for iOS and Android.
Why We Chose It:
JCards was chosen as the top overall time tracking app due to its comprehensive cloud-based time tracking features. With JCards, users can easily track time on various projects, clients, and devices. The app also allows for attendance tracking, payroll and accounting optimization, billable time and expense tracking, and the ability to share project progress with clients.
JCards is also one of the most cost-effective paid time tracking solutions available, with its paid tiers starting at $10 per user per month,with no contract. These plans offer additional features such as the ability to add time for others, perform time audits, include breaks for employees, and more.
Who should use it:
JCards is a great fit for field trade businesses, such as construction companies, painters, electricians, and others.
Pros:
- JCards include both manual and automatic tracking,
- an intuitive timesheet,
- reminders for overdue tasks,
- offline time clocking,
- an integrated calendar,
- project tracking,
- in-depth reporting and filtering,
- GPS location tracking,
- invoicing,
- record-keeping for expenses,
- timesheet approval,
- time off tracking.
Cons:
While JCards offers a comprehensive set of features, some users may find that the app lacks advanced customization options. Additionally, as JCards primarily focuses on time tracking and project management, it may not be the best fit for businesses with more complex needs, such as those requiring extensive customer relationship management or accounting functionality.
TimeCamp:
Pros: Excellent for remote teams with advanced monitoring and productivity features Automated time tracking and timesheet approvals Customizable billing rates and invoicing
Cons: The user interface can be overwhelming for some users Certain features may require additional integration with other apps or services The mobile app may lack some functionality compared to the web app
Toggl Track:
Pros:
Very easy to use with a simple and intuitive interface Ideal for very small teams or freelancers with limited needs Integrates with a wide range of apps and services
Cons:
May lack some advanced features required by larger businesses or teams Invoicing functionality is limited in the free version Some users may prefer a more detailed and robust reporting system
Paymo:
Pros:
Excellent invoicing and project management features Includes a wide range of tools for team collaboration and communication Customizable dashboard with various project metrics
Cons:
More expensive than other options on this list, especially for larger teams Some users may find the interface cluttered or difficult to navigate Certain features may be lacking in the lower pricing tiers
My Hours:
Pros:
Ideal for freelancers with simple time tracking needs Customizable project and task tracking Automated invoicing and reporting features
Cons:
May lack the advanced features required by larger teams or businesses Some users may find the interface simplistic or lacking in visual appeal Integration with other apps and services may be limited
Deputy:
Pros:
Exceptional scheduling and employee management features Customizable timesheets and automated payroll calculations Includes a range of tools for team communication and task management
Cons:
More expensive than some other options on this list, especially for larger teams Certain features may require additional setup or configuration Some users may find the interface complex or difficult to navigate
TrackingTime:
Pros:
Favored for its visual time tracking features Includes a range of tools for team collaboration and project management Customizable reporting and invoicing options
Cons:
May lack some advanced features required by larger teams or businesses Some users may find the interface overly simplistic or lacking in certain functionality Certain features may be limited in the free version
How To Choose a Free Time Tracking App
Choosing the right time tracking app can be frustrating, given the numerous similar apps available in the market. Here are a few pointers to guide you in your search. Evaluate all the apps you are considering on the following parameters to choose the best one for your team.
Ease of Use: Evaluate how easy it is to use the app to ensure widespread adoption and success of the app in your organisation.
Time Tracking and Reporting: Ensure that the app can track different parameters, including clock-in/clock-out timing, time of, billable and non-billable hours, and provide robust reporting on these parameters, which can then be used to assess employee productivity and impact.
Team Management Capabilities: Check if the app allows you to assign supervisors who can check and approve timesheets, assign tasks, track time off, schedule projects, and more, all from within the app. If add-ons are required, ensure that they are cheap and easy to integrate.
Pricing: Check the features available in paid tiers so that you do not need to move apps when the time is right to pay for a suitable time tracking app.
Available Integrations: Ensure that the time tracking app integrates into the workflows you are already using and see what platforms it can integrate with, especially since you are choosing a free plan.
Customer Support: Before choosing a time tracking app, check the different ways in which customer support is available. Do they have training videos? Are there forums where you can get your problems solved? Is a customer support executive available for stepping in if the problem gets especially challenging?
Benefits of Time Tracking App
Some benefits of free time tracking apps for businesses of all sizes include:
- Tracking the number of hours worked by employees
- Billing clients accurately
- Communicating project progress clearly
- Maintaining transparency
- Identifying time sinks and improving productivity
- Proactively identifying project delays
Does your business need a time tracking app?
Regardless of the business size, if informed and data-based decisions about pricing products/projects, planning days or scheduling the entire team are needed, a time tracking app can be useful.