Time tracking software is a tool that records the hours employees work — from clock-in to clock-out — and uses that data for payroll, compliance, and workforce management. It replaces manual timesheets, paper logs, and the errors that come with both.
The best time tracking tools do more than count hours. They prevent time theft, enforce break compliance, feed accurate data into payroll, and give managers real-time visibility into who is working, where, and for how long.
This guide compares the best time tracking software in 2026, covering free options for small teams through to enterprise-grade platforms for large workforces.
Key Takeaways
- Leave Balance tracks hours and attendance alongside leave and scheduling for a flat $25/month — no per-employee fees.
- Toggl Track is the best free option for small teams with simple time-tracking needs.
- Clockify offers unlimited tracking on a free plan but charges for advanced features.
- QuickBooks Time works well for teams already using QuickBooks for payroll.
- Hubstaff adds productivity monitoring to time tracking, which some teams need and others should avoid.
What to Look for in Time Tracking Software
The right time tracking tool depends on how your team works. A remote team tracking billable hours has different needs than a factory floor tracking attendance.
Must-have features:
- Clock-in/clock-out — web, mobile, or kiosk-based time capture
- Timesheet management — daily, weekly, and pay-period views
- Break tracking — automated breaks that comply with local labour laws
- Payroll integration — export hours directly to your payroll provider
- Reporting — hours by project, department, or employee
Nice-to-have features:
- GPS and geofencing — verify clock-ins at specific locations
- Photo capture — prevent buddy punching with clock-in photos
- Offline mode — track time without internet access
- Budget tracking — compare billable hours against project budgets
- Leave and attendance — combine time tracking with absence management
The 6 Best Time Tracking Software Tools
1. Leave Balance
Best for: Teams that need time tracking combined with leave management and shift planning in one affordable tool.
Pricing: $25/month USD (Workforce tier). Unlimited employees, unlimited policies.
Core time tracking features:
- Employee time tracking integrated with leave and scheduling
- Attendance monitoring with real-time visibility
- Clock-in and clock-out for shift-based teams
- Hours exported to payroll workflows
- Labour cost tracking per department or team
Integrations: Slack, Microsoft Teams, built-in leave management and shift planning.
Pros:
- Flat-rate pricing — no per-employee fees regardless of team size
- Combines time tracking, leave, and scheduling in one platform
- Set up in under 15 minutes
- Multi-country support with public holiday calendars
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
Cons:
- No biometric clock-in hardware (planned Q1 2027)
- No GPS or geofencing in the current release
- Time tracking is part of the Workforce tier, not available separately
Our take: Leave Balance combines time tracking with the leave and shift management that every team also needs. The flat rate makes it the most cost-effective option for teams of any size.
2. Toggl Track
Best for: Remote teams and freelancers who need simple, flexible time tracking.
Pricing: Free for up to 5 users. Paid plans from approximately USD $10/user/month.
Core time tracking features:
- One-click timer with manual entry option
- Timesheet management with approval workflows
- Project and client tracking
- Billable rates and revenue reporting
- Idle detection and automatic time entry suggestions
Integrations: 100+ integrations including Asana, Jira, Slack, Trello, and QuickBooks.
Pros:
- Extremely intuitive interface — minimal training needed
- Generous free tier for very small teams
- Excellent integrations ecosystem
- Strong reporting for project-based businesses
Cons:
- Per-user pricing adds up for larger teams
- No built-in attendance or shift management
- No clock-in/clock-out — designed for self-reporting
- No payroll integration on lower tiers
Our take: Toggl Track excels for teams that track project hours. For teams that need attendance-based clock-in/clock-out, shift planning, and leave management, it requires complementary tools — and the per-user pricing compounds.
3. Clockify
Best for: Budget-conscious teams that need unlimited time tracking without per-user costs.
Pricing: Free for unlimited users on the basic plan. Paid plans from approximately USD $3.99/user/month for advanced features.
Core time tracking features:
- Timer and manual time entry
- Timesheet views with approval workflows
- Project and task tracking
- Reports by team, project, or client
- Kiosk mode for shared devices
Integrations: Jira, Asana, Trello, QuickBooks, and others.
Pros:
- Free plan supports unlimited users with core features
- Solid reporting capabilities
- Kiosk mode for shared device clock-in
- Simple, clean interface
Cons:
- Advanced features (approvals, reminders, timesheet exports) require paid plan
- No built-in attendance or shift management
- Free plan lacks audit trails and manager controls
- Integration library is smaller than Toggl’s
Our take: Clockify’s free unlimited plan is genuinely useful for teams watching costs. The trade-off is that advanced features — the ones most teams eventually need — require a paid plan, and you still need separate tools for leave and scheduling.
4. QuickBooks Time
Best for: Teams already using QuickBooks for payroll that want seamless hours-to-payroll integration.
Pricing: Approximately USD $10/user/month plus a $20/month base fee.
Core time tracking features:
- Clock-in/clock-out with mobile and desktop options
- GPS tracking for field and remote teams
- Timesheet management with manager approval
- Scheduling (basic shift planning)
- Payroll integration with QuickBooks
Integrations: QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, Sage, and Xero.
Pros:
- Seamless QuickBooks payroll integration
- GPS tracking for mobile and field teams
- Combines time tracking with basic scheduling
- Good mobile app for clock-in on the go
Cons:
- Per-user pricing plus base fee
- Best value only if you already use QuickBooks
- Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
- Leave management is not included
Our take: If you use QuickBooks for payroll, the integration is the main draw. Otherwise, the per-user pricing and dated interface make it harder to justify against newer alternatives.
5. Hubstaff
Best for: Remote teams that need time tracking with productivity monitoring.
Pricing: Free for one user. Paid plans from approximately USD $4.99/user/month.
Core time tracking features:
- Automatic time tracking with desktop and mobile apps
- GPS and location tracking
- Screenshot capture and activity levels
- Idle timeout and app/URL tracking
- Invoicing and payroll integration
Integrations: QuickBooks, Gusto, PayPal, Asana, Trello, Jira.
Pros:
- Comprehensive remote team monitoring features
- GPS tracking with geofencing
- Invoicing for freelancers and contractors
- Generous free tier for solopreneurs
Cons:
- Screenshot and activity monitoring raises employee trust concerns
- Per-user pricing scales with headcount
- No leave management
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Monitoring features may not comply with all privacy regulations
Our take: Hubstaff’s monitoring features solve a real problem for some remote teams but create trust and privacy issues for others. If you do not need screenshot capture and activity tracking, simpler tools offer a better experience.
6. Harvest
Best for: Professional services firms that need time tracking tied to client billing and invoicing.
Pricing: Free for up to 2 seats. Pro plan from approximately USD $10.80/user/month.
Core time tracking features:
- Timer and manual time entry
- Project budgeting and tracking
- Client invoicing from tracked time
- Expense tracking
- Team timesheet approval workflows
Integrations: QuickBooks, Xero, Asana, Jira, Slack, Trello.
Pros:
- Excellent for client billing and invoicing workflows
- Strong project budgeting and forecasting
- Clean, focused interface
- Good integration with accounting tools
Cons:
- Per-user pricing adds up for larger teams
- No clock-in/clock-out for attendance-based teams
- No shift planning or leave management
- Limited features for non-billable workforces
Our take: Harvest is purpose-built for professional services that bill by the hour. For operational teams that need attendance tracking and shift management, other tools are a better fit.
Pricing Comparison by Team Size
| Tool | 10 employees | 25 employees | 50 employees | 100 employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leave Balance (Workforce) | ~$25/mo | ~$25/mo | ~$25/mo | ~$25/mo |
| Toggl Track | ~$100/mo | ~$250/mo | ~$500/mo | ~$1,000/mo |
| Clockify | Free–$40/mo | Free–$100/mo | ~$200/mo | ~$400/mo |
| QuickBooks Time | ~$120/mo | ~$270/mo | ~$520/mo | ~$1,020/mo |
| Hubstaff | ~$50/mo | ~$125/mo | ~$250/mo | ~$500/mo |
| Harvest | ~$108/mo | ~$270/mo | ~$540/mo | ~$1,080/mo |
Prices are approximate.
Leave Balance’s flat-rate pricing is the most affordable at every team size, and it includes leave management and shift planning — features every other tool on this list either lacks or charges extra for.
Which Tool Should You Choose
Choose Leave Balance if:
- You need time tracking, leave management, and scheduling in one tool
- You want flat-rate pricing that never grows with headcount
- Your team uses Slack or Microsoft Teams
Choose Toggl Track if:
- You need simple, intuitive time tracking for project-based work
- Your team is small and the free tier covers your needs
Choose Clockify if:
- You are on a strict budget and need unlimited users
- You need basic time tracking without attendance features
Choose QuickBooks Time if:
- You already use QuickBooks for payroll and want seamless integration
Choose Hubstaff if:
- You need productivity monitoring alongside time tracking
- Your team is remote and you want GPS and screenshot tracking
Choose Harvest if:
- You bill clients by the hour and need invoicing from tracked time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time tracking software?
Time tracking software records the hours employees work. It replaces manual timesheets with automated clock-in/clock-out, timer-based tracking, or timesheet submission workflows. The data feeds into payroll, compliance reporting, and workforce management.
Do I need time tracking software if I already have payroll software?
Most payroll software calculates pay from hours worked but does not capture those hours. Time tracking software fills that gap — it records when employees start and stop working, manages breaks, and exports data to payroll.
What is the best free time tracking software?
Clockify offers unlimited users on its free plan with core time tracking features. Toggl Track offers a free plan for up to 5 users with a more polished experience. For teams that also need leave management, Leave Balance’s 14-day free trial covers time tracking, leave, and scheduling.
Can time tracking software help with compliance?
Yes. Tools with clock-in/clock-out enforce break compliance, track overtime thresholds, and create auditable records of hours worked. This is particularly important for UK Working Time Regulations and Australian Fair Work Act requirements.
How do I choose between time tracking and workforce management?
Time tracking focuses on recording hours worked. Workforce management adds scheduling, leave management, and labour cost planning. If your team needs more than just time capture, a combined tool like Leave Balance’s Workforce tier is more efficient.
For more on managing employee hours, see our guides to timesheet templates and employee hours trackers. For leave tracking, compare the best leave management software.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Verify current pricing and features on each vendor’s website before purchasing.