Quick Overview
- 1#1: Harvest - Tracks time on projects for teams and automatically generates professional invoices from time entries.
- 2#2: FreshBooks - Cloud-based accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses.
- 3#3: Paymo - All-in-one work management app combining task management, time tracking, resource planning, and invoicing.
- 4#4: Teamwork - Project management platform with robust time tracking, task management, and integrated billing features.
- 5#5: BigTime - Professional services automation tool for project planning, time tracking, expense management, and billing.
- 6#6: Scoro - Comprehensive work management software integrating projects, CRM, quoting, time tracking, and invoicing.
- 7#7: Accelo - End-to-end client management platform automating projects, sales, time tracking, retainers, and billing.
- 8#8: Toggl Track - Visual time tracking tool with project management, reporting, and simple invoicing capabilities.
- 9#9: Hubstaff - Time tracking and employee monitoring software with GPS, payroll integration, and invoicing.
- 10#10: Clockify - Free unlimited time tracker with timesheets, reporting, and invoicing for projects and clients.
Tools were chosen and ranked based on a comprehensive assessment of key factors: robust feature integration, intuitive usability, consistent performance, and clear value, ensuring they align with the practical needs of modern workflows and operational goals.
Comparison Table
Discover a comprehensive comparison of leading project management and billing software tools, featuring Harvest, FreshBooks, Paymo, Teamwork, BigTime, and more. This table outlines key features, pricing models, integration options, and user experience to help you determine the ideal solution for your team’s operational and financial requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvest Tracks time on projects for teams and automatically generates professional invoices from time entries. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | FreshBooks Cloud-based accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Paymo All-in-one work management app combining task management, time tracking, resource planning, and invoicing. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Teamwork Project management platform with robust time tracking, task management, and integrated billing features. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | BigTime Professional services automation tool for project planning, time tracking, expense management, and billing. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Scoro Comprehensive work management software integrating projects, CRM, quoting, time tracking, and invoicing. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Accelo End-to-end client management platform automating projects, sales, time tracking, retainers, and billing. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Toggl Track Visual time tracking tool with project management, reporting, and simple invoicing capabilities. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Hubstaff Time tracking and employee monitoring software with GPS, payroll integration, and invoicing. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Clockify Free unlimited time tracker with timesheets, reporting, and invoicing for projects and clients. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.9/10 |
Tracks time on projects for teams and automatically generates professional invoices from time entries.
Cloud-based accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses.
All-in-one work management app combining task management, time tracking, resource planning, and invoicing.
Project management platform with robust time tracking, task management, and integrated billing features.
Professional services automation tool for project planning, time tracking, expense management, and billing.
Comprehensive work management software integrating projects, CRM, quoting, time tracking, and invoicing.
End-to-end client management platform automating projects, sales, time tracking, retainers, and billing.
Visual time tracking tool with project management, reporting, and simple invoicing capabilities.
Time tracking and employee monitoring software with GPS, payroll integration, and invoicing.
Free unlimited time tracker with timesheets, reporting, and invoicing for projects and clients.
Harvest
specializedTracks time on projects for teams and automatically generates professional invoices from time entries.
One-click invoicing that automatically pulls in tracked time, expenses, and budgets for precise, effortless billing.
Harvest is a specialized time tracking and invoicing platform that excels in capturing billable hours, managing project budgets, and generating invoices directly from tracked time and expenses. It provides essential project management tools like task assignment, team scheduling, and profitability reporting to help service-based teams stay financially aligned. With seamless integrations to tools like Asana and QuickBooks, it streamlines workflows for agencies and freelancers focused on time-based billing.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive time tracking with mobile apps and desktop timers
- Seamless conversion of time entries and expenses into professional invoices
- Powerful profitability reports and project budgeting for financial oversight
Cons
- Lacks advanced PM features like Gantt charts or complex task dependencies
- Pricing scales per user, which can become costly for larger teams
- Limited native task management compared to full-fledged PM tools
Best For
Freelancers, creative agencies, and small consulting teams that prioritize accurate time tracking tied to billing and project profitability.
Pricing
Free for 1 user (2 projects); Pro plan at $12/user/month (billed annually) or $15/monthly, includes unlimited projects, invoicing, and scheduling.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud-based accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses.
Project profitability tracking that automatically calculates earnings, costs, and margins from time and expenses
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and service providers, excelling in invoicing, time tracking, and expense management with integrated light project management capabilities. It allows users to create projects, assign tasks, track time, and generate bills directly from project data for seamless billing workflows. While not a full-fledged PM tool, it bridges project oversight and financials effectively for solopreneurs and small teams.
Pros
- Exceptional invoicing and automated billing with online payments
- Intuitive time tracking and project task management tied to profitability
- User-friendly interface with mobile app support
Cons
- Lacks advanced PM tools like Gantt charts or resource allocation
- Reporting features are somewhat limited for complex projects
- Higher-tier plans needed for unlimited clients and advanced automation
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based agencies needing simple project tracking combined with robust billing.
Pricing
Starts at $19/mo (Lite, 5 clients), $33/mo (Plus), $60/mo (Premium); annual discounts available, free 30-day trial.
Paymo
specializedAll-in-one work management app combining task management, time tracking, resource planning, and invoicing.
Automatic invoice generation from tracked time entries with built-in profitability calculations
Paymo is an all-in-one platform designed for project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and client billing, making it ideal for service-based teams. It offers flexible task views like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and tables, alongside automatic time tracking and invoicing directly from logged hours. The software provides robust reporting on profitability, workload, and project performance to help businesses optimize operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking with invoicing and billing
- Versatile project views including Gantt, Kanban, and workload scheduling
- Comprehensive reporting for profitability and resource utilization
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- No native CRM functionality, requiring workarounds
- Steeper learning curve for advanced resource management features
Best For
Small to medium-sized agencies and freelance teams needing integrated project management and time-based billing.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 5 users; paid plans from $9.95/user/month (Starter) to $25.95/user/month (Business), with annual discounts.
Teamwork
specializedProject management platform with robust time tracking, task management, and integrated billing features.
Direct invoicing from tracked time and expenses with built-in client approval workflows
Teamwork is a robust project management platform designed for teams handling client-based work, offering task assignment, Gantt charts, resource scheduling, and time tracking. It excels in billing by allowing users to generate invoices directly from tracked time and expenses, with client approval workflows. The tool supports collaboration through client portals and customizable reports, making it suitable for agencies and consultancies.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking with invoicing and expense billing
- Strong client collaboration tools including portals and proofing
- Comprehensive project planning with milestones, templates, and workload management
Cons
- Billing automation lacks depth compared to dedicated accounting software
- Interface can feel cluttered for users new to advanced PM tools
- Higher-tier plans required for unlimited projects and advanced reporting
Best For
Agencies, consultancies, and service-based teams needing integrated project management and client billing.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 5 users; paid plans start at $5.99/user/month (Deliver), $9.99 (Grow), $19.99 (Scale) billed annually, with full billing features in all paid tiers.
BigTime
enterpriseProfessional services automation tool for project planning, time tracking, expense management, and billing.
Skills-based resource scheduling with real-time profitability insights at project, phase, and task levels
BigTime is a cloud-based professional services automation (PSA) platform designed for project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and billing in professional services firms like accounting, engineering, and consulting. It provides tools for project planning, profitability forecasting, expense management, and automated invoicing, helping teams track time accurately and bill clients efficiently. With robust reporting and integrations to accounting software such as QuickBooks and Xero, BigTime scales well for mid-sized to large teams.
Pros
- Exceptional time tracking and expense capture with mobile support
- Advanced resource scheduling and profitability forecasting
- Seamless billing automation and customizable invoicing
Cons
- Pricing is on the higher end, especially for smaller teams
- Steeper learning curve for complex features
- User interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large professional services firms needing integrated project profitability tracking, resource management, and billing.
Pricing
Custom quotes with tiers starting at ~$10/user/month (Essentials) up to $40+/user/month (Elite), billed annually with minimum 5-10 users.
Scoro
enterpriseComprehensive work management software integrating projects, CRM, quoting, time tracking, and invoicing.
Real-time profitability tracking that calculates margins across projects, teams, and clients using live data from time, costs, and billing.
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform that seamlessly integrates project management, time tracking, CRM, and billing functionalities into a single system. It enables teams to plan projects using Gantt charts and kanban boards, track time against tasks, generate quotes and invoices automatically from tracked time, and gain real-time insights into profitability and resource utilization. Designed primarily for service-based businesses, it eliminates the need for multiple disjointed tools by centralizing workflows in one dashboard.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one integration of PM, CRM, and billing reduces tool fragmentation
- Powerful real-time reporting and profitability tracking for data-driven decisions
- Automated workflows from time tracking to invoicing streamline billing processes
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Higher pricing may not suit small teams or startups
- Limited native integrations with third-party tools compared to specialized PM software
Best For
Service agencies, consultancies, and professional firms needing an integrated solution for project delivery, time tracking, and client billing.
Pricing
Starts at $26/user/month (Essential plan, billed annually) up to $71/user/month (Ultimate), with custom enterprise options; 14-day free trial available.
Accelo
enterpriseEnd-to-end client management platform automating projects, sales, time tracking, retainers, and billing.
Smart Profitability Tracking that automatically calculates project margins by linking time, expenses, and billing in real-time
Accelo is an all-in-one professional services automation (PSA) platform designed for service-based businesses, combining project management, time tracking, CRM, sales pipelines, resource scheduling, and automated billing into a unified system. It helps teams manage client projects from inception to invoicing, with strong emphasis on profitability tracking and workflow automation. Users can create projects, assign tasks, log time, generate invoices directly from timesheets, and monitor financial performance in real-time.
Pros
- Seamless integration of project management and billing for end-to-end visibility
- Powerful automation tools for invoicing, retainers, and profitability reporting
- Robust resource scheduling and client portal for better collaboration
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Pricing can be expensive for small teams or startups
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-sized agencies, consultancies, and professional service firms needing integrated project tracking and automated billing.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Essentials plan, billed annually); higher tiers like Professional ($59/user/month) and Elite ($99/user/month) unlock advanced features; custom Enterprise pricing available.
Toggl Track
specializedVisual time tracking tool with project management, reporting, and simple invoicing capabilities.
Autotracker with timeline view and idle detection for precise, hands-off time logging
Toggl Track is a user-friendly time tracking tool designed for tracking time spent on projects, tasks, and clients with one-click timers and detailed reporting. It supports project management through customizable projects, tags, and integrations with tools like Asana and Jira, while offering billing features like invoicing directly from time entries. Ideal for enhancing productivity and profitability analysis in project-based work, though it lacks comprehensive native PM functionalities like Gantt charts or workflow automation.
Pros
- Exceptionally simple and accurate time tracking with one-click timers and idle detection
- Powerful reports for profitability, billable hours, and project insights
- Seamless invoicing and billing based on tracked time
Cons
- Limited built-in project management tools (no Gantt, Kanban boards, or task dependencies)
- Advanced features like profitability tracking require Premium plan
- Relies heavily on integrations for full PM capabilities
Best For
Freelancers, small teams, and agencies focused on time-based billing and productivity tracking alongside existing PM tools.
Pricing
Free plan for basic tracking; Starter at $9/user/month, Premium at $18/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Hubstaff
specializedTime tracking and employee monitoring software with GPS, payroll integration, and invoicing.
Activity-based screenshots and keystroke tracking for verifiable proof of work and productivity insights
Hubstaff is a time tracking and employee monitoring platform with integrated project management and billing features, designed primarily for remote teams. It offers task assignment, Kanban boards, scheduling, and automated invoicing based on tracked hours, along with productivity insights from screenshots and activity levels. While strong in time-based billing and oversight, its project management tools are more basic compared to dedicated PM software.
Pros
- Precise time tracking with screenshots and activity monitoring for accurate billing
- Automated invoicing and payroll integration based on tracked time
- User-friendly interface with mobile apps and extensive integrations
Cons
- Limited advanced PM features like Gantt charts or roadmaps
- Monitoring tools raise privacy concerns for some teams
- Best suited for time-tracking needs rather than complex project workflows
Best For
Remote teams and freelancers needing integrated time tracking, basic task management, and hourly billing.
Pricing
Free for solo users; paid plans from $7/user/month (Basic, billed annually) to $20/user/month (Enterprise).
Clockify
specializedFree unlimited time tracker with timesheets, reporting, and invoicing for projects and clients.
Completely free unlimited time tracking and team collaboration for core project management and billing needs
Clockify is a robust time tracking platform that serves as a lightweight project management and billing solution, allowing users to log time against projects and tasks, organize work via boards and lists, and generate invoices from billable hours. It supports team collaboration with unlimited users on the free plan, detailed reporting, and integrations with tools like Google Workspace and Trello. While not a full-fledged PM suite, it excels in time-based project oversight and straightforward billing for small teams and freelancers.
Pros
- Unlimited free plan for teams with no user or project limits
- Intuitive timer and one-click tracking across devices
- Automated invoicing and expense tracking based on real time data
Cons
- Lacks advanced PM tools like Gantt charts, dependencies, or workload forecasting
- Reporting is functional but lacks deep customization for enterprise needs
- Billing relies heavily on accurate manual or timer-based time entry
Best For
Freelancers, small teams, and agencies focused on time tracking for project billing and basic task management without subscription costs.
Pricing
Free forever with unlimited users/projects; Pro at $3.99/user/month adds scheduling, reminders, and audits; higher tiers up to $11.99/user/month for unlimited features.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools present diverse solutions for project management and billing, each with unique strengths. Leading the pack, Harvest emerges as the top choice, excelling in time tracking and effortless invoice generation from project data. FreshBooks and Paymo follow as strong alternatives, with FreshBooks offering tailored accounting for small businesses and Paymo serving as a versatile all-in-one work management tool.
Begin with Harvest to unlock its seamless workflow integration and professional invoicing—take the first step toward optimizing your projects and billing today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
