Quick Overview
- 1#1: WakaTime - Automatically tracks developers' coding time by file, language, project, and branch directly in IDEs like VS Code and IntelliJ.
- 2#2: Tempo - Provides advanced timesheet and time tracking features integrated natively with Jira for engineering teams.
- 3#3: Everhour - Offers seamless time tracking with deep integrations for Jira, Asana, and Trello tailored for engineering workflows.
- 4#4: Toggl Track - Simple yet powerful time tracking with desktop apps, browser extensions, and integrations for GitHub, Jira, and dev tools.
- 5#5: Clockify - Free unlimited time tracker for engineering teams with integrations to Jira, GitHub, and productivity tools.
- 6#6: RescueTime - Automatically tracks time spent in apps and websites to boost engineering productivity and focus.
- 7#7: Timely - AI-powered automatic time tracking that logs billable hours on projects without manual timers for busy engineers.
- 8#8: Harvest - Robust time tracking and forecasting tool with integrations for engineering tools like Basecamp and Jira.
- 9#9: TimeCamp - Automatic desktop time tracking with keyword-based project categorization for engineering tasks.
- 10#10: Hubstaff - Time tracking software with activity levels, screenshots, and integrations for remote engineering teams.
We evaluated these tools based on integration strength, automation capabilities, user experience, and value, ensuring they address the unique needs of engineering workflows, from small teams to enterprise environments.
Comparison Table
Navigating engineering time tracking software can be challenging; this comparison table simplifies the process by highlighting top tools like WakaTime, Tempo, Everhour, Toggl Track, and Clockify, among others. It equips readers to identify features, use cases, and suitability for their specific needs, ensuring informed decisions for efficient project management and resource allocation.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WakaTime Automatically tracks developers' coding time by file, language, project, and branch directly in IDEs like VS Code and IntelliJ. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Tempo Provides advanced timesheet and time tracking features integrated natively with Jira for engineering teams. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Everhour Offers seamless time tracking with deep integrations for Jira, Asana, and Trello tailored for engineering workflows. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Toggl Track Simple yet powerful time tracking with desktop apps, browser extensions, and integrations for GitHub, Jira, and dev tools. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Clockify Free unlimited time tracker for engineering teams with integrations to Jira, GitHub, and productivity tools. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | RescueTime Automatically tracks time spent in apps and websites to boost engineering productivity and focus. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Timely AI-powered automatic time tracking that logs billable hours on projects without manual timers for busy engineers. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Harvest Robust time tracking and forecasting tool with integrations for engineering tools like Basecamp and Jira. | other | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | TimeCamp Automatic desktop time tracking with keyword-based project categorization for engineering tasks. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 10 | Hubstaff Time tracking software with activity levels, screenshots, and integrations for remote engineering teams. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.0/10 |
Automatically tracks developers' coding time by file, language, project, and branch directly in IDEs like VS Code and IntelliJ.
Provides advanced timesheet and time tracking features integrated natively with Jira for engineering teams.
Offers seamless time tracking with deep integrations for Jira, Asana, and Trello tailored for engineering workflows.
Simple yet powerful time tracking with desktop apps, browser extensions, and integrations for GitHub, Jira, and dev tools.
Free unlimited time tracker for engineering teams with integrations to Jira, GitHub, and productivity tools.
Automatically tracks time spent in apps and websites to boost engineering productivity and focus.
AI-powered automatic time tracking that logs billable hours on projects without manual timers for busy engineers.
Robust time tracking and forecasting tool with integrations for engineering tools like Basecamp and Jira.
Automatic desktop time tracking with keyword-based project categorization for engineering tasks.
Time tracking software with activity levels, screenshots, and integrations for remote engineering teams.
WakaTime
specializedAutomatically tracks developers' coding time by file, language, project, and branch directly in IDEs like VS Code and IntelliJ.
Real-time, automatic logging of code-level activity (e.g., files, languages, branches) directly from IDE plugins
WakaTime is an automatic time tracking tool tailored for software engineers and developers, integrating directly into IDEs and text editors like VS Code, IntelliJ, Vim, and more to capture coding activity in real-time. It logs time spent on projects, files, languages, branches, and operating systems without requiring manual timers or interruptions to workflow. Developers gain access to detailed dashboards, leaderboards, productivity trends, and customizable reports for personal or team insights.
Pros
- Seamless, automatic tracking with zero manual input or workflow disruption
- Granular insights into code-level metrics like languages, projects, and files
- Broad IDE/editor compatibility and team collaboration features like leaderboards
Cons
- Limited to coding time tracking, less ideal for non-development tasks
- Requires per-IDE plugin installation and initial setup
- Data privacy relies on cloud syncing (local export available but less feature-rich)
Best For
Software engineering teams and individual developers seeking precise, automatic tracking of coding time across multiple IDEs.
Pricing
Free for personal use; Pro at $9/user/month; Teams at $12/user/month (billed annually).
Tempo
enterpriseProvides advanced timesheet and time tracking features integrated natively with Jira for engineering teams.
Deep Jira integration enabling one-click time logging on issues with automatic timeline reconstruction
Tempo (tempo.io) is a robust time-tracking platform tailored for engineering teams, with deep integration into Jira and Atlassian tools for logging time directly against issues and tasks. It offers automatic time tracking, AI-powered categorization, timesheets, capacity planning, and advanced reporting for billable hours and resource allocation. Ideal for software development workflows, it helps teams forecast workloads, improve sprint planning, and gain insights into engineering productivity.
Pros
- Seamless, native integration with Jira for issue-level time tracking without leaving your workflow
- Automatic time tracking with AI categorization and powerful capacity planning tools
- Comprehensive reporting, forecasting, and timesheet approvals for engineering teams
Cons
- Heavily optimized for Atlassian ecosystem, limiting flexibility for non-Jira users
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams with premium features
- Steeper learning curve for advanced planning and reporting modules
Best For
Jira-dependent engineering teams needing precise issue-based time tracking, capacity forecasting, and productivity insights.
Pricing
Free for basic use (up to 10 users); Standard at $7.70/user/month, Premium at $10.80/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Everhour
specializedOffers seamless time tracking with deep integrations for Jira, Asana, and Trello tailored for engineering workflows.
Deep, bi-directional integrations with Jira and GitHub that auto-populate tasks into timers without workflow disruption
Everhour is a robust time tracking solution tailored for engineering teams, integrating deeply with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, and GitHub to enable effortless time logging on tasks. It offers features like visual timers, budget tracking, forecasting, and customizable reports to monitor project progress and resource utilization. Designed for accuracy and minimal disruption, it supports offline tracking and browser extensions for seamless adoption in dev workflows.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with Jira, GitHub, and other engineering tools for automatic task syncing
- Powerful reporting, budgeting, and forecasting capabilities for project insights
- Browser extension and offline support for flexible, accurate time tracking
Cons
- Advanced reporting setup can have a slight learning curve for new users
- Lacks native Gantt charts or advanced resource scheduling compared to some competitors
- Pricing scales quickly for larger engineering teams beyond the free tier
Best For
Engineering teams relying on Jira or Asana who need integrated, non-intrusive time tracking to manage sprints and budgets effectively.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; paid plans start at $8.50/user/month (billed annually) with Unlimited and Enterprise tiers for advanced features.
Toggl Track
otherSimple yet powerful time tracking with desktop apps, browser extensions, and integrations for GitHub, Jira, and dev tools.
Idle detection that automatically pauses timers and suggests corrections for accurate engineering time logs
Toggl Track is a straightforward time tracking tool that enables users to start timers with one click, log time manually, and generate detailed reports on productivity and project hours. It excels in integrations with engineering tools like Jira, GitHub, and Slack, making it ideal for developers and tech teams to monitor coding sessions, bug fixes, and meetings. The software also offers features like idle detection and Pomodoro timers to enhance focus during engineering workflows.
Pros
- Dead-simple one-click timer for quick starts
- Strong integrations with Jira, GitHub, and IDEs
- Detailed reporting with profitability insights
Cons
- Advanced reports and team dashboards require paid plans
- Lacks built-in task management or Gantt charts
- Mobile app syncing can occasionally lag
Best For
Engineering teams and individual developers seeking effortless time tracking integrated with dev tools without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for basic use; Starter at $9/user/month; Premium at $18/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Clockify
otherFree unlimited time tracker for engineering teams with integrations to Jira, GitHub, and productivity tools.
Unlimited free time tracking for teams with no user or project limits
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking software that provides simple timer-based and manual time entry for individuals and teams, with robust categorization via projects, clients, tasks, and tags. It excels in generating detailed reports, timesheets, and productivity insights, making it suitable for engineering teams to monitor billable hours and project timelines. The tool supports unlimited users and projects on its free plan, with integrations to engineering staples like Jira, GitHub, and Asana for seamless workflow tracking.
Pros
- Completely free for unlimited users, projects, and tracking
- Intuitive interface with desktop, mobile, and browser apps
- Strong integrations with Jira, GitHub, and other dev tools
Cons
- Advanced reporting and automation locked behind paid plans
- Lacks native engineering-specific features like sprint planning views
- Occasional sync issues across devices in high-volume use
Best For
Small to mid-sized engineering teams seeking a no-cost, straightforward time tracker with essential dev integrations.
Pricing
Free unlimited plan; Pro at $3.99/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
RescueTime
specializedAutomatically tracks time spent in apps and websites to boost engineering productivity and focus.
AI-powered automatic categorization of all app and website usage into productivity levels
RescueTime is an automatic time tracking software that passively monitors activity on desktops and mobile devices, categorizing time spent across applications, websites, and tasks into productive, distracting, or neutral buckets. It generates detailed reports, productivity scores, and visualizations to help users analyze their habits and set goals for better focus. While versatile for personal use, it applies to engineering by tracking time in IDEs, browsers, and collaboration tools, though it lacks deep project-specific integrations.
Pros
- Fully automatic tracking with no manual timers required
- Insightful productivity reports and goal-setting tools
- Cross-platform support for desktop, web, and mobile
Cons
- Limited integrations with engineering tools like Jira or GitHub
- Not optimized for billable hours or team project allocation
- Potential privacy concerns due to comprehensive activity logging
Best For
Solo engineers or small teams seeking passive insights into daily time usage on dev tools and distractions without manual logging.
Pricing
Free Lite plan; Premium at $6/user/month ($72/year); Teams plans start at $12/user/month with admin dashboards.
Timely
specializedAI-powered automatic time tracking that logs billable hours on projects without manual timers for busy engineers.
Automatic background tracking with an interactive Timeline view for effortless time review and editing
Timely is an automatic time tracking software that runs in the background to capture time spent across applications, websites, and documents without manual input. It enables engineering teams to effortlessly log hours to projects, clients, or tasks via a visual timeline, with easy editing and tagging. The tool provides AI-powered insights, capacity planning, and detailed reports for productivity analysis and billing.
Pros
- Seamless automatic tracking minimizes manual entry
- Strong integrations with Jira, GitHub, Slack, and calendars
- AI-driven insights and visual timeline for accurate reviews
Cons
- Desktop app required for tracking, raising privacy concerns
- Manual corrections often needed for precise categorization
- Pricing scales quickly for larger engineering teams
Best For
Engineering teams and freelancers who want hands-off time tracking with project attribution and minimal disruption to workflow.
Pricing
Starter at $11/user/month (billed annually), Unlimited at $20/user/month; 14-day free trial.
Harvest
otherRobust time tracking and forecasting tool with integrations for engineering tools like Basecamp and Jira.
One-click scheduling and deep Jira/GitHub integrations for effortless issue-based time logging
Harvest is a straightforward time tracking and invoicing tool that enables users to log hours via timers, manual entry, or timesheets, with strong support for project-based tracking and budgeting. It excels in generating detailed reports on time usage, profitability, and team performance, while integrating seamlessly with tools like Jira, Asana, Slack, and GitHub commonly used by engineering teams. Ideal for monitoring billable hours in software development projects, it also handles expenses and turns tracked time into invoices effortlessly.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with desktop widgets and mobile apps for quick time entry
- Over 100 integrations including Jira, GitHub, and Slack for engineering workflows
- Powerful reporting dashboards for project profitability and team productivity insights
Cons
- No built-in task or project management; relies heavily on integrations
- Invoicing features feel extraneous for teams focused solely on internal time tracking
- Pricing scales quickly for larger engineering teams without a free tier for multiple users
Best For
Small to mid-sized engineering teams or agencies needing simple, integration-rich time tracking tied to project management tools without complex resource planning.
Pricing
Free for 1 user (Solo); Pro at $12/user/month or $10.80/user/month annually; custom Enterprise pricing.
TimeCamp
otherAutomatic desktop time tracking with keyword-based project categorization for engineering tasks.
Computer Usage Tracking that automatically categorizes time based on apps, websites, and keywords used
TimeCamp is a versatile time tracking software that automatically captures time spent on tasks by monitoring computer activity, applications, and websites used. It offers robust integrations with engineering tools like Jira, GitHub, Asana, and Slack, enabling seamless time logging for development workflows. The platform provides detailed timesheets, productivity reports, invoicing, and attendance tracking, making it suitable for engineering teams managing projects efficiently.
Pros
- Automatic time tracking via app/website detection reduces manual entry
- Strong integrations with Jira, GitHub, and other dev tools
- Comprehensive reporting and productivity analytics
Cons
- Feature overload can lead to a steeper learning curve
- Privacy concerns with screenshots and detailed activity monitoring
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionality
Best For
Engineering teams and developers seeking automatic, integration-heavy time tracking for agile project management.
Pricing
Free plan for solo users; paid plans from $7.99/user/month (billed annually) for Basic, $12.99 for Pro, $24.99 for Ultimate.
Hubstaff
enterpriseTime tracking software with activity levels, screenshots, and integrations for remote engineering teams.
Automated screenshots with activity levels providing visual proof of engineering work sessions
Hubstaff is a robust time tracking and employee monitoring software tailored for remote and distributed teams, including engineering groups. It captures time via desktop timers, monitors activity through keyboard/mouse usage and periodic screenshots, and tracks app and URL usage for productivity insights. Engineering teams benefit from integrations with tools like Jira, GitHub, and Asana, enabling accurate billing, project timelines, and performance analytics.
Pros
- Precise time tracking with activity rates and app usage breakdowns ideal for engineering workflows
- Seamless integrations with dev tools like GitHub, Jira, and Trello
- Comprehensive reporting for payroll, invoicing, and productivity trends
Cons
- Screenshots and monitoring features raise privacy concerns for creative engineering roles
- Interface can feel cluttered with advanced options overwhelming for new users
- Full productivity features require higher-tier plans, impacting value for small teams
Best For
Remote engineering managers seeking detailed activity monitoring and proof-of-work for distributed dev teams.
Pricing
Free for 1 user; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Basic) up to $20/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
Conclusion
The top 10 tools reviewed span automation, deep platform integrations, and simplicity, with WakaTime leading as the best choice for its seamless IDE-based tracking that captures coding activity across files, languages, and projects. Tempo stands out for its native Jira integration, perfect for agile teams, while Everhour excels with its versatile connections to Jira, Asana, and Trello, offering strong alternatives for varied engineering needs. With options catering to every workflow, the list underscores the importance of aligning tools with specific team requirements.
Don’t miss out on boosting your efficiency—try WakaTime today and experience how its automatic, IDE-native tracking can transform your team’s time management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
