Quick Overview
- 1#1: Harvest - Simple time tracking and invoicing software that enables teams to accurately bill clients for project-based work.
- 2#2: FreshBooks - Cloud-based accounting tool designed for small businesses with project time tracking and automated invoicing.
- 3#3: QuickBooks Online - Robust accounting platform featuring project profitability tracking, time expenses, and client billing.
- 4#4: BigTime - Professional services automation software with advanced time tracking, expense management, and project billing.
- 5#5: Accelo - All-in-one platform for service businesses handling projects, time tracking, retainers, and automated billing.
- 6#6: Kantata - Enterprise resource management software with sophisticated project financials, forecasting, and billing.
- 7#7: Toggl Track - Precise time tracking tool that integrates seamlessly with invoicing systems for project billing.
- 8#8: Paymo - Project management software combining task tracking, time logging, and invoicing for accurate billing.
- 9#9: Zoho Books - Affordable online accounting solution with project tracking, time tracking, and multi-currency invoicing.
- 10#10: Xero - Cloud accounting software offering project tracking, time billing, and profitability insights.
Tools were chosen based on a blend of core functionality (such as time tracking, invoicing, and profitability features), reliability, ease of use, and value, ensuring they meet the diverse demands of project-based workflows.
Comparison Table
Below is a comparison table of leading project billing software, including Harvest, FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online, BigTime, Accelo, and more, crafted to showcase key features, pros, and fit for varied workflows. Readers will discover insights to match their needs—from time tracking to invoicing integration—helping streamline the selection of the optimal solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvest Simple time tracking and invoicing software that enables teams to accurately bill clients for project-based work. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | FreshBooks Cloud-based accounting tool designed for small businesses with project time tracking and automated invoicing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | QuickBooks Online Robust accounting platform featuring project profitability tracking, time expenses, and client billing. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | BigTime Professional services automation software with advanced time tracking, expense management, and project billing. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Accelo All-in-one platform for service businesses handling projects, time tracking, retainers, and automated billing. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Kantata Enterprise resource management software with sophisticated project financials, forecasting, and billing. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Toggl Track Precise time tracking tool that integrates seamlessly with invoicing systems for project billing. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Paymo Project management software combining task tracking, time logging, and invoicing for accurate billing. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 9 | Zoho Books Affordable online accounting solution with project tracking, time tracking, and multi-currency invoicing. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 10 | Xero Cloud accounting software offering project tracking, time billing, and profitability insights. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
Simple time tracking and invoicing software that enables teams to accurately bill clients for project-based work.
Cloud-based accounting tool designed for small businesses with project time tracking and automated invoicing.
Robust accounting platform featuring project profitability tracking, time expenses, and client billing.
Professional services automation software with advanced time tracking, expense management, and project billing.
All-in-one platform for service businesses handling projects, time tracking, retainers, and automated billing.
Enterprise resource management software with sophisticated project financials, forecasting, and billing.
Precise time tracking tool that integrates seamlessly with invoicing systems for project billing.
Project management software combining task tracking, time logging, and invoicing for accurate billing.
Affordable online accounting solution with project tracking, time tracking, and multi-currency invoicing.
Cloud accounting software offering project tracking, time billing, and profitability insights.
Harvest
specializedSimple time tracking and invoicing software that enables teams to accurately bill clients for project-based work.
Direct invoicing from time-tracked data with automated rate application and expense inclusion
Harvest is a leading time tracking and invoicing platform tailored for project-based billing, enabling users to log hours, track expenses, and generate invoices seamlessly from time entries. It supports detailed project budgeting, profitability reporting, and team scheduling through its integrated Forecast tool. Ideal for agencies and consultancies, Harvest simplifies the transition from time tracking to client billing with intuitive dashboards and automation.
Pros
- Seamless conversion of time entries into professional invoices
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go time tracking
- Robust integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Asana, and Slack
Cons
- Limited advanced project management features compared to full PM suites
- Per-user pricing can become costly for large teams
- Reporting customization could be more flexible for complex needs
Best For
Freelancers, creative agencies, and consulting firms focused on accurate time-based billing and profitability tracking.
Pricing
Pro plan at $12/user/month (billed annually) or $15 monthly; Enterprise custom pricing.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud-based accounting tool designed for small businesses with project time tracking and automated invoicing.
Project Profitability dashboard that automatically calculates margins from time, expenses, and invoices in real-time
FreshBooks is a user-friendly cloud-based accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and agencies, specializing in invoicing, expense tracking, and time management. For project billing, it offers dedicated project tracking tools that allow users to log time and expenses per project, generate progress invoices, and manage retainers with automated recurring billing. It streamlines client payments through integrated gateways like Stripe and provides profitability insights to help optimize project margins.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop project setup
- Seamless time tracking and expense allocation per project
- Fast payment collection with automated reminders and retainers
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization for complex projects
- Pricing scales quickly for teams with many clients
- Lacks deep inventory or job costing for product-based billing
Best For
Freelancers, solopreneurs, and small service agencies seeking simple, automated project billing without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo, 5 clients), Plus ($33/mo, 50 clients), Premium ($60/mo, unlimited clients); 50% off first 3 months, annual billing discounts.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseRobust accounting platform featuring project profitability tracking, time expenses, and client billing.
Project Profitability dashboard for real-time income, costs, and margins per project
QuickBooks Online is a comprehensive cloud-based accounting platform with built-in project billing features that allow users to track time, expenses, and profitability across multiple projects. It supports creating invoices from billable hours and costs, generating project-specific profit and loss reports, and integrating with time-tracking apps for accurate billing. While not a dedicated project management tool, it excels in tying project data directly to accounting workflows for seamless financial oversight.
Pros
- Robust project profitability tracking with P&L reports
- Seamless invoicing from time and expenses
- Strong integrations with time-tracking tools and payments
Cons
- Project features require Plus plan or higher, increasing cost
- Steeper learning curve for non-accountants setting up projects
- Limited native project management beyond billing and tracking
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing integrated accounting with project billing and profitability insights.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start, no projects); Projects feature in Plus ($90/month) or Advanced ($200/month); annual discounts available.
BigTime
specializedProfessional services automation software with advanced time tracking, expense management, and project billing.
Skill-based resource scheduling with real-time profitability forecasting
BigTime is a cloud-based professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for project-based firms, excelling in time tracking, expense management, resource scheduling, and invoicing. It enables accurate project billing through billable hours capture, milestone tracking, retainers, and automated invoice generation integrated with accounting tools like QuickBooks. The software provides real-time profitability insights and customizable reporting to optimize revenue recognition and financial performance.
Pros
- Robust billing options including fixed-fee, hourly, and milestone-based invoicing
- Excellent integrations with major accounting software for seamless data sync
- Advanced reporting and dashboards for project profitability analysis
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for very small teams
- Limited native CRM functionality requiring third-party integrations
Best For
Mid-sized professional services firms like accounting, engineering, or consulting agencies needing comprehensive project billing and profitability tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $10/user/month (Essentials), $25/user/month (Pro), $45/user/month (Elite), billed annually with a minimum of 5 users.
Accelo
specializedAll-in-one platform for service businesses handling projects, time tracking, retainers, and automated billing.
Automated retainer billing with usage tracking against allocated hours
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform that integrates project management, time tracking, CRM, and billing into a single system. It enables teams to log time and expenses against projects, automate invoice generation based on billable hours or fixed fees, and handle retainers for recurring revenue. Designed for service-based businesses, it provides real-time profitability insights and streamlines the entire workflow from project initiation to payment collection.
Pros
- Robust automation for time-to-invoice workflows
- Real-time project profitability tracking
- Flexible billing options including retainers and milestones
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small teams
- Reporting customization could be more intuitive
Best For
Professional service firms and agencies needing an all-in-one PSA tool for project billing and operations management.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (billed annually) for CRM-focused plans, $59 for Projects, $89 for full PSA; custom enterprise pricing available.
Kantata
enterpriseEnterprise resource management software with sophisticated project financials, forecasting, and billing.
Revenue forecasting engine that ties billable utilization, project budgets, and actuals for accurate profitability predictions
Kantata is a robust professional services automation (PSA) platform that streamlines project billing through integrated time tracking, expense capture, and automated invoicing. It supports complex billing models like milestone, retainer, and fixed-price projects, while providing real-time profitability insights and revenue forecasting. Ideal for services firms, it connects project delivery with financial outcomes via seamless accounting integrations.
Pros
- Advanced automated invoicing and revenue recognition
- Precise time/expense tracking with project-level granularity
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Salesforce
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Pricing is quote-based and can be costly for small teams
- Interface feels cluttered for billing-only users
Best For
Mid-to-large professional services firms and agencies managing complex, multi-client projects with integrated billing needs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; starts around $39/user/month for Teams plan, scaling to Enterprise tiers with full PSA features.
Toggl Track
specializedPrecise time tracking tool that integrates seamlessly with invoicing systems for project billing.
Real-time profitability tracking that instantly calculates project margins from billable time and rates
Toggl Track is a leading time tracking solution that enables users to log hours against projects and clients, assign billable rates, and generate invoices based on tracked time. It offers detailed reports, profitability insights, and seamless integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Asana, and Jira to support project billing workflows. Ideal for time-based billing, it emphasizes accuracy and simplicity but relies on integrations for advanced accounting needs.
Pros
- Intuitive one-click time tracking with idle detection for accuracy
- Robust reporting and profitability dashboard for billing insights
- Extensive integrations with PM and accounting tools
Cons
- Basic invoicing without native payment processing or recurring bills
- Lacks built-in expense tracking or advanced billing automation
- Full billing features locked behind Premium plan ($18/user/mo)
Best For
Freelancers and small teams focused on hourly project billing who prioritize simple, precise time tracking.
Pricing
Free plan for basic tracking; Starter $9/user/mo (annual), Premium $18/user/mo with invoicing and profitability.
Paymo
specializedProject management software combining task tracking, time logging, and invoicing for accurate billing.
Automatic profitability tracking that calculates margins per project, client, or team member in real-time
Paymo is a comprehensive work management platform designed for agencies and teams, integrating time tracking, task management, resource scheduling, and invoicing into one tool. It excels in project billing by allowing users to track time against specific tasks and projects, automatically generate invoices from those entries, and monitor profitability in real-time. With client portals and customizable reports, it streamlines the entire workflow from project initiation to payment collection.
Pros
- Seamless time tracking to invoicing workflow
- Robust profitability and financial reporting
- Intuitive interface with strong integrations (e.g., QuickBooks, Google Workspace)
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex billing scenarios
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger teams
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Best For
Agencies and service-based teams that bill clients by time and projects while needing profitability insights.
Pricing
Free plan for solo users; paid plans start at $9.95/user/month (billed annually) for teams, with Business at $15.95 and Ultimate at $24.95 per user/month.
Zoho Books
specializedAffordable online accounting solution with project tracking, time tracking, and multi-currency invoicing.
Automated retainer invoicing that draws from tracked project time and expenses
Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting platform with built-in project billing capabilities, enabling users to track time, manage projects, and invoice based on hours, milestones, or retainers. It integrates time tracking and expense allocation directly to projects, supporting multi-currency billing and automated invoicing. Ideal for small businesses, it combines comprehensive accounting with straightforward project financials in a unified dashboard.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for basic use
- Seamless time tracking and project expense allocation
- Strong integrations with Zoho apps and third-party tools
Cons
- Limited advanced project management (e.g., no Gantt charts or resource scheduling)
- Some project billing features locked behind higher plans
- Reporting lacks depth for complex, multi-phase projects
Best For
Small businesses and agencies handling simple to moderate project billing alongside general accounting.
Pricing
Starts free for 1 organization; paid plans from $20/user/month (Standard) to $70/user/month (Ultimate), billed annually with project features from Professional ($50/user/month).
Xero
enterpriseCloud accounting software offering project tracking, time billing, and profitability insights.
Direct invoice generation from project time/expenses with automatic ledger postings
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software with built-in project billing capabilities via its Projects feature, allowing users to track time, expenses, and profitability on specific jobs or projects. It enables creating draft invoices directly from project data and integrates seamlessly with core accounting functions like bank feeds and payroll. Ideal for small businesses needing straightforward project tracking without complex project management tools.
Pros
- Seamless integration of project billing with full accounting suite
- Intuitive interface for quick time and expense entry
- Real-time profitability reporting per project
Cons
- Projects feature requires higher-tier plans
- Basic time tracking lacks mobile timers and advanced scheduling
- No native task management or Gantt charts
Best For
Small businesses and freelancers seeking simple project billing tightly integrated with everyday accounting.
Pricing
Early plan $15/mo (no Projects); Growing $42/mo; Established $78/mo (USD, 12-mo commitment; Projects in Growing+).
Conclusion
Evaluating the top project billing tools reveals three exceptional platforms, each excelling in distinct areas, with Harvest leading as the top choice. Harvest stands out for its simple yet effective time tracking and invoicing, making it a versatile option for teams. FreshBooks and QuickBooks Online, ranking second and third, offer their own strengths—FreshBooks for small businesses and cloud-based needs, QuickBooks for robust accounting and profitability insights—serving as strong alternatives depending on specific requirements.
Take the first step toward efficient project billing: explore Harvest today to experience its user-friendly features and streamline your client invoicing process.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.