Quick Overview
- 1#1: Harvest - Tracks time across projects and generates professional invoices directly from time entries for effortless billing.
- 2#2: FreshBooks - Simplifies invoicing, expense tracking, and project management for small businesses and freelancers.
- 3#3: Paymo - Combines project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and invoicing in one platform.
- 4#4: BigTime - Provides time tracking, project planning, expense management, and billing for professional services firms.
- 5#5: Accelo - Automates client work including projects, retainers, ticketing, sales, and automated invoicing.
- 6#6: Scoro - Integrates project management, CRM, quotes, and invoicing for end-to-end business operations.
- 7#7: QuickBooks Online - Offers accounting, project profitability tracking, time tracking, and customizable invoicing.
- 8#8: Kantata - Cloud-based PSA platform for resource management, project delivery, forecasting, and financials.
- 9#9: Hubstaff - Delivers time tracking, GPS, project tasking, invoicing, and productivity monitoring.
- 10#10: FunctionFox - Supports creative teams with job tracking, time sheets, purchase orders, and invoicing.
Tools were evaluated based on feature depth, user-friendly design, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring a balanced selection that prioritizes both functionality and long-term value for users.
Comparison Table
Effective project management and invoicing require the right tools; this comparison table explores popular options like Harvest, FreshBooks, Paymo, BigTime, Accelo, and more. It breaks down features, pricing, and usability to help readers identify the best fit for their team’s workflows and needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvest Tracks time across projects and generates professional invoices directly from time entries for effortless billing. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | FreshBooks Simplifies invoicing, expense tracking, and project management for small businesses and freelancers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Paymo Combines project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and invoicing in one platform. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | BigTime Provides time tracking, project planning, expense management, and billing for professional services firms. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Accelo Automates client work including projects, retainers, ticketing, sales, and automated invoicing. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Scoro Integrates project management, CRM, quotes, and invoicing for end-to-end business operations. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | QuickBooks Online Offers accounting, project profitability tracking, time tracking, and customizable invoicing. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 8 | Kantata Cloud-based PSA platform for resource management, project delivery, forecasting, and financials. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Hubstaff Delivers time tracking, GPS, project tasking, invoicing, and productivity monitoring. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | FunctionFox Supports creative teams with job tracking, time sheets, purchase orders, and invoicing. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
Tracks time across projects and generates professional invoices directly from time entries for effortless billing.
Simplifies invoicing, expense tracking, and project management for small businesses and freelancers.
Combines project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and invoicing in one platform.
Provides time tracking, project planning, expense management, and billing for professional services firms.
Automates client work including projects, retainers, ticketing, sales, and automated invoicing.
Integrates project management, CRM, quotes, and invoicing for end-to-end business operations.
Offers accounting, project profitability tracking, time tracking, and customizable invoicing.
Cloud-based PSA platform for resource management, project delivery, forecasting, and financials.
Delivers time tracking, GPS, project tasking, invoicing, and productivity monitoring.
Supports creative teams with job tracking, time sheets, purchase orders, and invoicing.
Harvest
specializedTracks time across projects and generates professional invoices directly from time entries for effortless billing.
Automatic invoice generation from approved time sheets with real-time profitability insights per project
Harvest is a leading time tracking and invoicing software tailored for project-based teams and freelancers, enabling effortless logging of hours, expenses, and tasks across projects. It excels in converting tracked time directly into customizable invoices, complete with automated reminders and online payments. Integrated reporting provides insights into profitability and budgets, making it a streamlined solution for project management invoicing without the bloat of full-fledged PM suites.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile and desktop time tracking with timers and offline support
- One-click invoicing from time entries with payment integrations like Stripe and PayPal
- Strong integrations with tools like Asana, Trello, QuickBooks, and Slack
Cons
- Lacks advanced project management features like Gantt charts or task dependencies
- Reporting is solid but lacks deep customization for enterprise needs
- No built-in CRM or client portal for ongoing relationship management
Best For
Freelancers, agencies, and small teams focused on accurate time-based billing and simple project profitability tracking.
Pricing
Free for solo users (basic features); Pro plan at $12/user/month (billed annually) unlocks unlimited projects, invoicing, and advanced reporting.
FreshBooks
specializedSimplifies invoicing, expense tracking, and project management for small businesses and freelancers.
Project-based time tracking that automatically flows into customizable invoices and profitability analysis
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service providers, with built-in project management tools for tracking time, expenses, and tasks against client projects. It excels at converting project data into professional invoices, supporting progress billing, recurring invoices, and online payments. The software provides profitability reports per project, helping users understand billable vs. non-billable time while keeping everything organized in a single dashboard.
Pros
- Intuitive time tracking and expense logging tied directly to projects
- Customizable invoicing with automated reminders and payments
- Clear project profitability reports for better financial insights
Cons
- Lacks advanced PM features like Gantt charts, dependencies, or Kanban boards
- Client limits on lower plans (e.g., 5 clients on Lite tier)
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited for complex multi-project needs
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies needing simple project tracking integrated with effortless invoicing and billing.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo, 5 clients), Plus ($33/mo, 50 clients), Premium ($60/mo, unlimited clients); 30-day free trial, billed annually for discounts.
Paymo
specializedCombines project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and invoicing in one platform.
Automatic invoice generation from approved time entries with one-click profitability reports
Paymo is an all-in-one project management and invoicing software designed for teams and agencies, offering task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, resource scheduling, and automated invoicing. It excels in converting tracked time into professional invoices with client portals for approvals and payments. The platform integrates project planning with financial workflows, making it efficient for service-based businesses managing billable hours.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking with invoicing for accurate billing
- Robust project management tools including Gantt charts and resource planning
- Client portals for invoice approvals and online payments
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for larger teams
- Steeper learning curve for advanced resource management features
- Limited native integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized agencies and freelancers who need integrated project tracking and client invoicing without switching tools.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 5 clients; paid plans start at €9.95/user/month (Starter), €15.95 (Small Office), and €25.95 (Business), billed annually.
BigTime
enterpriseProvides time tracking, project planning, expense management, and billing for professional services firms.
Real-time project profitability insights with drill-down analytics
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for project-based firms, combining robust project management, time tracking, expense management, and invoicing into a single solution. It enables users to plan projects, allocate resources, track billable hours and costs in real-time, and generate accurate invoices directly from captured data. With strong reporting on profitability and performance, BigTime helps service organizations streamline operations and boost financial visibility.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time/expense tracking with invoicing and project budgeting
- Advanced profitability reporting and forecasting at the project level
- Strong resource scheduling and capacity planning tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature depth
- Custom quote-based pricing lacks transparency
- Mobile app is functional but less intuitive than desktop
Best For
Mid-sized professional services firms like accounting, engineering, and consulting agencies needing integrated PM and billing for profitability optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $10-$50 per user per month depending on plan (Essentials, Pro, Elite), with annual billing required.
Accelo
enterpriseAutomates client work including projects, retainers, ticketing, sales, and automated invoicing.
Profitability GPS for real-time margin tracking and forecasting across projects and clients
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform that integrates project management, time tracking, CRM, and invoicing into a single solution tailored for service-based businesses. It enables teams to plan projects with Gantt charts and kanban boards, track billable hours and expenses in real-time, and automate invoice generation based on completed work. The software stands out with its profitability tracking tools, providing insights into margins at the project, client, and team levels to optimize operations.
Pros
- All-in-one integration of project management and invoicing reduces need for multiple tools
- Advanced automation for workflows, approvals, and billing
- Robust profitability reporting and forecasting capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Pricing can be expensive for small teams with minimum user requirements
- User interface feels dated in some areas
Best For
Mid-sized agencies, consultancies, and IT service providers needing end-to-end project delivery and billing automation.
Pricing
Plans start at $39/user/month (Quick View), $69/user/month (Plus), and $89/user/month (Premier), billed annually with a minimum of 5 users.
Scoro
enterpriseIntegrates project management, CRM, quotes, and invoicing for end-to-end business operations.
Real-time profitability tracking that connects project timelines, time logs, expenses, and invoices for instant financial insights.
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform that unifies project management, CRM, time tracking, quoting, invoicing, and reporting for service-based teams. It enables users to plan projects, assign tasks, monitor resource utilization, bill accurately based on time and expenses, and gain insights into profitability. Designed to eliminate data silos, Scoro streamlines workflows from lead to invoice in a single dashboard.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one integration of PM, CRM, and invoicing
- Advanced profitability reporting and forecasting tools
- Robust automation for quotes, approvals, and billing
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small teams
- Limited third-party integrations compared to niche tools
Best For
Professional services firms, agencies, and consultancies needing an integrated solution for project delivery, time tracking, and client invoicing.
Pricing
Starts at $26/user/month (Essential, billed annually) up to $71/user/month (Ultimate); custom enterprise plans available.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseOffers accounting, project profitability tracking, time tracking, and customizable invoicing.
Project Profitability tracking that automatically calculates and visualizes margins by combining time, expenses, and billable income in one dashboard
QuickBooks Online is a leading cloud-based accounting software that offers project management invoicing capabilities through its Projects feature, enabling users to track time, expenses, and profitability on a per-project basis. It allows for seamless creation of invoices from project data, time entries, and expenses, with automated billing and detailed reporting. While primarily an accounting tool, it supports small teams in managing project finances without needing separate software.
Pros
- Powerful invoicing with progress billing and time tracking tied to projects
- Real-time profitability reports breaking down income, costs, and margins per project
- Extensive app integrations for enhanced project management workflows
Cons
- Lacks advanced PM tools like task assignment, Gantt charts, or resource scheduling
- Project features require higher-tier plans (Plus or Advanced), increasing costs
- Interface can feel accounting-heavy, overwhelming for non-finance users focused on PM
Best For
Small to medium-sized service-based businesses needing integrated accounting and basic project profitability tracking alongside invoicing.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start, no projects); Projects feature in Plus ($90/month) or Advanced ($200/month); annual discounts available.
Kantata
enterpriseCloud-based PSA platform for resource management, project delivery, forecasting, and financials.
Profitability GPS for real-time project financial health monitoring, directly linking time/expenses to invoices and forecasts
Kantata is a professional services automation (PSA) platform designed for managing projects, resources, and finances, with strong invoicing capabilities integrated into project workflows. It enables time tracking, expense management, and automated billing based on project milestones, timesheets, and approvals. The software provides real-time profitability insights and forecasting, making it suitable for service-based businesses handling complex billing scenarios.
Pros
- Integrated project management with automated invoicing and billing
- Advanced resource planning and profitability forecasting
- Robust reporting and customizable dashboards for financial oversight
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher cost unsuitable for small teams
- Interface can feel cluttered for basic invoicing needs
Best For
Mid-sized to large professional services firms and agencies needing end-to-end project management tied to precise invoicing and profitability tracking.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; starts around $39/user/month for basic plans, scaling to enterprise levels with advanced features.
Hubstaff
specializedDelivers time tracking, GPS, project tasking, invoicing, and productivity monitoring.
Proof-of-work screenshots and activity levels that verify billable time for trustworthy invoicing
Hubstaff is primarily a time tracking and employee monitoring software with integrated project management and invoicing features. It enables users to assign tasks to projects, track billable hours via desktop, mobile, or GPS, and automatically generate invoices based on tracked time. While it supports basic task management and integrations with tools like Asana or Trello, it excels more in productivity monitoring than comprehensive project planning.
Pros
- Seamless time tracking tied directly to projects and tasks for accurate invoicing
- Screenshot and activity monitoring provides proof of work for billing disputes
- Integrates well with popular PM tools for enhanced workflow
Cons
- Lacks advanced PM features like Gantt charts, resource allocation, or roadmap planning
- Heavy focus on monitoring can raise privacy concerns for teams
- Invoicing is basic and best suited for hourly billing, not complex contracts
Best For
Small teams or freelancers who need simple task tracking, time-based invoicing, and productivity verification without full-scale project management.
Pricing
Free plan for basic tracking; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Starter) up to $20/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually, with invoicing in higher tiers.
FunctionFox
specializedSupports creative teams with job tracking, time sheets, purchase orders, and invoicing.
Direct timesheet-to-invoice conversion for accurate, automated billing
FunctionFox is an all-in-one project management software tailored for creative agencies, offering tools for project planning, time tracking, resource scheduling, and invoicing. It enables teams to visualize timelines with Gantt charts and calendars, log billable hours effortlessly, and generate invoices directly from timesheets. The platform emphasizes workflow efficiency for marketing, design, and advertising professionals, helping to track profitability and manage client projects end-to-end.
Pros
- Integrated time tracking and invoicing streamline billing processes
- Visual planning tools like Gantt charts and calendars for easy project oversight
- Strong reporting for profitability analysis and client deliverables
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Limited integrations with popular tools like QuickBooks or Slack
- No native mobile app, relying on web access
Best For
Small to mid-sized creative agencies focused on project-based billing and time management.
Pricing
Solo plan at $5/user/month; team plans start at $29/user/month (Lite), $39 (Standard), up to $59 (Pro), billed annually.
Conclusion
The reviewed project management invoicing tools offer varied solutions, from time tracking to all-encompassing business operations. At the apex, Harvest leads with its seamless integration of time tracking and direct invoicing generation, setting a strong standard. FreshBooks and Paymo also stand out—FreshBooks for small businesses and freelancers seeking simplicity, Paymo for those needing a unified platform covering scheduling and invoicing.
Start with the top-ranked Harvest to simplify your invoicing and project management, or explore FreshBooks and Paymo to find the best fit for your unique needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison