Quick Overview
- 1#1: FreshBooks - Cloud-based accounting software that simplifies time tracking, expense management, and automated invoicing for freelancers and small businesses.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Online - Comprehensive online accounting platform with robust time tracking, payroll integration, and professional invoicing features.
- 3#3: Harvest - User-friendly time tracking and invoicing tool that converts hours logged into customizable invoices effortlessly.
- 4#4: Toggl Track - Precise time tracking software with powerful reporting and seamless integrations for accurate billing and invoicing.
- 5#5: Clockify - Free unlimited time tracker with invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting for teams of any size.
- 6#6: Zoho Invoice - Feature-rich invoicing app with built-in time tracking, automation, and multi-currency support for global businesses.
- 7#7: Wave - Free invoicing and accounting software including time tracking and payments for solopreneurs and small teams.
- 8#8: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing platform with time tracking, recurring billing, and client portals for customizable workflows.
- 9#9: Everhour - Time tracking solution integrated with project management tools for precise budgeting and invoicing.
- 10#10: BigTime - Professional services automation software emphasizing time tracking, expense billing, and resource management for agencies.
Tools were evaluated based on core features (time tracking, invoicing, expense management), usability, overall functionality, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs—from freelancers to agencies—while balancing depth and accessibility.
Comparison Table
Managing time billing and invoicing efficiently is essential for businesses, and choosing the right software can streamline workflows. This comparison table breaks down top tools like FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online, Harvest, Toggl Track, Clockify, and more, comparing features, pricing, and usability to help readers identify their ideal solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FreshBooks Cloud-based accounting software that simplifies time tracking, expense management, and automated invoicing for freelancers and small businesses. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Online Comprehensive online accounting platform with robust time tracking, payroll integration, and professional invoicing features. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Harvest User-friendly time tracking and invoicing tool that converts hours logged into customizable invoices effortlessly. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Toggl Track Precise time tracking software with powerful reporting and seamless integrations for accurate billing and invoicing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 5 | Clockify Free unlimited time tracker with invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting for teams of any size. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Zoho Invoice Feature-rich invoicing app with built-in time tracking, automation, and multi-currency support for global businesses. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Wave Free invoicing and accounting software including time tracking and payments for solopreneurs and small teams. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 8 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing platform with time tracking, recurring billing, and client portals for customizable workflows. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Everhour Time tracking solution integrated with project management tools for precise budgeting and invoicing. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | BigTime Professional services automation software emphasizing time tracking, expense billing, and resource management for agencies. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
Cloud-based accounting software that simplifies time tracking, expense management, and automated invoicing for freelancers and small businesses.
Comprehensive online accounting platform with robust time tracking, payroll integration, and professional invoicing features.
User-friendly time tracking and invoicing tool that converts hours logged into customizable invoices effortlessly.
Precise time tracking software with powerful reporting and seamless integrations for accurate billing and invoicing.
Free unlimited time tracker with invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting for teams of any size.
Feature-rich invoicing app with built-in time tracking, automation, and multi-currency support for global businesses.
Free invoicing and accounting software including time tracking and payments for solopreneurs and small teams.
Open-source invoicing platform with time tracking, recurring billing, and client portals for customizable workflows.
Time tracking solution integrated with project management tools for precise budgeting and invoicing.
Professional services automation software emphasizing time tracking, expense billing, and resource management for agencies.
FreshBooks
enterpriseCloud-based accounting software that simplifies time tracking, expense management, and automated invoicing for freelancers and small businesses.
Profitability tracking per project/client, combining time entries, expenses, and invoices to show real-time margins
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service-based professionals, specializing in streamlined time tracking, invoicing, and expense management. It allows users to log billable hours via timers or manual entry, generate customizable invoices with automated reminders, and integrate payments from major gateways like Stripe and PayPal. Beyond core billing, it offers project profitability insights, client portals, and basic reporting to simplify financial workflows without needing accounting expertise.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoicing and one-click time tracking
- Robust automation for recurring invoices, late payment reminders, and expense categorization
- Excellent mobile app and integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Gusto, and Zapier
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting features like inventory tracking or double-entry bookkeeping
- Pricing scales quickly for teams or high-volume clients, lacking a free tier
- Reporting capabilities are solid but not as customizable as enterprise alternatives
Best For
Freelancers, consultants, and small agencies focused on service-based billing who prioritize ease of use over complex financial reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (Lite: 5 clients), $33/month (Plus: 50 clients), $60/month (Premium: unlimited clients); annual billing offers 50% off first 6 months.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseComprehensive online accounting platform with robust time tracking, payroll integration, and professional invoicing features.
Project profitability tracking that combines time, expenses, and income for real-time insights
QuickBooks Online is a leading cloud-based accounting software that provides robust time tracking and invoicing capabilities tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. Users can log billable hours via mobile app or desktop, automatically convert time entries into invoices, and track project profitability in real-time. It supports customizable invoices, online payments, recurring billing, and seamless integration with payroll and expense tracking for comprehensive financial management.
Pros
- Deep integration of time tracking with full accounting ledger and invoicing
- Mobile app for easy time entry on-the-go with GPS and photo support
- Automated reminders, progress invoicing, and profitability reports by project
Cons
- Time tracking features require higher-tier plans (Essentials or above)
- Steeper learning curve for advanced billing and reporting functions
- Limited customization in time entry views compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Small to medium businesses and agencies needing integrated time billing, invoicing, and accounting without multiple software tools.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start, no time tracking); time billing requires Essentials ($60/month), Plus ($90/month), or Advanced ($200/month); 30-day free trial.
Harvest
specializedUser-friendly time tracking and invoicing tool that converts hours logged into customizable invoices effortlessly.
Project profitability tracking that shows real-time budgeted vs. actual time and costs
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing platform tailored for freelancers, agencies, and teams to monitor billable hours effortlessly. It supports timer-based tracking, manual time entry, project budgeting, and expense logging, with seamless conversion of tracked time into customizable invoices. The software also offers robust reporting, profitability insights, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Stripe, and Slack for streamlined workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick time entry and timers
- Direct invoicing from time entries with automatic calculations
- Strong integrations and mobile apps for on-the-go tracking
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Reporting lacks deep customization without exports
- Limited advanced features like payroll or CRM in core plan
Best For
Freelancers and small-to-medium agencies needing simple, reliable time tracking tied to invoicing.
Pricing
Free for 1 user/2 projects; Pro at $12/user/month (billed annually) or $15 monthly, with unlimited projects and invoicing.
Toggl Track
specializedPrecise time tracking software with powerful reporting and seamless integrations for accurate billing and invoicing.
Profitability tracking that visualizes billable vs. non-billable time in real-time across projects
Toggl Track is a user-friendly time tracking platform designed to log hours on projects, tasks, and clients with precision. It supports time billing by allowing customizable rates per project or client, generating detailed profitability reports, and creating invoices directly from tracked time in higher plans. While primarily a tracking tool, its invoicing capabilities make it suitable for freelancers and small teams converting time into billable revenue efficiently.
Pros
- Intuitive one-click time tracking with idle detection for accuracy
- Comprehensive reports including profitability and billable time breakdowns
- Seamless invoice generation from tracked data
Cons
- Invoicing lacks advanced customization and recurring billing options
- No native payment processing integration
- Full billing features locked behind Premium plan
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies prioritizing simple time tracking that feeds directly into billing and invoicing.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Starter $9/user/month, Premium $18/user/month (annual billing discounts available).
Clockify
specializedFree unlimited time tracker with invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting for teams of any size.
100% free unlimited time tracking for teams of any size
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking software that enables precise logging of hours across projects, clients, and teams, with seamless generation of reports and invoices based on tracked time. It stands out for its unlimited free plan supporting endless users, projects, and timers, making it ideal for scaling without immediate costs. The tool includes features like Pomodoro timers, kiosk mode, and extensive integrations, though advanced invoicing requires a paid upgrade.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited users, projects, and time tracking
- Intuitive interface with multiple time entry methods (timer, manual, kiosk)
- Direct invoice creation from tracked time with customizable templates
Cons
- Basic invoicing lacks advanced options like recurring bills or payments in free plan
- No native expense tracking or robust accounting integrations
- Reporting customization and historical data limits in free tier
Best For
Freelancers, small teams, and agencies needing simple, cost-free time tracking with basic billing capabilities.
Pricing
Free plan (unlimited basics); Pro $3.99/user/month (annual); Unlimited $5.49/user/month; Enterprise custom.
Zoho Invoice
enterpriseFeature-rich invoicing app with built-in time tracking, automation, and multi-currency support for global businesses.
Completely free forever plan with no ads or invoice limits, ideal for bootstrapped users
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing platform designed for small businesses and freelancers, offering tools to create professional invoices, track billable time via timers and timesheets, manage expenses, and accept online payments. It supports project-based time tracking, automated recurring invoices, and multi-currency billing, making it suitable for time billing workflows. The software integrates seamlessly with Zoho's ecosystem and third-party apps like PayPal and Stripe for efficient invoicing and payment collection.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoices and customers
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Seamless integrations with payment gateways and Zoho apps
Cons
- Advanced reporting and automation limited to paid plans
- Time tracking lacks robust team collaboration features
- Customer support primarily email-based with slower response times
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking an affordable, user-friendly tool for basic time tracking and invoicing without complex setup.
Pricing
Free plan available (unlimited invoices, 1 organization); paid plans start at $9/organization/month (Basic, billed annually) up to $34/organization/month (Premier).
Wave
otherFree invoicing and accounting software including time tracking and payments for solopreneurs and small teams.
100% free unlimited invoicing and time tracking with direct conversion to billable hours
Wave is a free cloud-based accounting platform with robust invoicing and basic time tracking features tailored for small businesses and freelancers. Users can log time via a simple timer or manual entry, assign it to clients or projects, and automatically generate billable invoices from tracked hours. It integrates seamlessly with accounting tools for expense tracking and financial reporting, though advanced payroll and payments require add-on fees.
Pros
- Completely free core invoicing, accounting, and time tracking with unlimited usage
- Intuitive interface that simplifies converting time logs to professional invoices
- Seamless integration between time tracking, invoicing, and basic accounting reports
Cons
- Basic time tracking lacks advanced features like mobile timers, GPS, or detailed analytics
- Payments and payroll incur transaction fees or monthly costs
- Limited customer support options and fewer integrations than dedicated time billing tools
Best For
Freelancers and small solopreneur businesses needing simple, cost-free time tracking and invoicing without complex team management.
Pricing
Core invoicing, time tracking, and accounting are free; Payments at 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction; Payroll starts at $20/month + $6/active employee.
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source invoicing platform with time tracking, recurring billing, and client portals for customizable workflows.
Fully open-source self-hosting for complete data control and unlimited customization
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing and time billing platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling users to create professional invoices, track billable time via timers and tasks, and manage payments seamlessly. It supports features like recurring invoices, expense tracking, client portals, and detailed reports for profitability analysis. The software offers both self-hosted free deployment and cloud-hosted plans, emphasizing data ownership and customization.
Pros
- Free self-hosted version with full ownership
- Strong time tracking integrated directly into invoicing
- Highly customizable templates and automation rules
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Self-hosting requires technical setup knowledge
- Advanced reporting limited in lower tiers
Best For
Tech-savvy freelancers and small agencies needing affordable, customizable time billing without subscription lock-in.
Pricing
Self-hosted: Free (open-source); Hosted: Free (50 clients), Pro $14/mo (500 clients), Enterprise $30/mo (unlimited).
Everhour
specializedTime tracking solution integrated with project management tools for precise budgeting and invoicing.
Seamless, one-click time tracking directly within integrated project management tools without workflow disruption
Everhour is a robust time tracking and invoicing software designed for teams using project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira. It enables seamless time logging, budget management, profitability tracking, and automated invoicing based on billable hours. With comprehensive reporting and forecasting, it helps convert tracked time into accurate invoices and insights for billing efficiency.
Pros
- Deep integrations with 50+ project management apps for effortless time tracking
- Advanced budgeting, forecasting, and profitability reporting
- Automated invoicing and QuickBooks/Xero exports
Cons
- Invoicing features are functional but lack advanced customization compared to dedicated tools
- Relies heavily on integrations, limiting standalone use
- Per-user pricing can become costly for large teams
Best For
Agencies and teams integrated with tools like Jira or Asana who need accurate time-to-invoice workflows.
Pricing
Starts at $8.50/user/month (billed annually) for the Developer plan, up to custom Enterprise pricing; 14-day free trial available.
BigTime
enterpriseProfessional services automation software emphasizing time tracking, expense billing, and resource management for agencies.
Skills-based resource scheduling that matches team expertise to project needs for optimal billing efficiency
BigTime is a cloud-based professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for time billing and invoicing, particularly for firms in accounting, consulting, engineering, and legal sectors. It enables accurate time tracking, automated invoicing, expense management, and project profitability analysis through customizable workflows and reporting. The software integrates with major accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, streamlining the entire billable process from time entry to payment collection.
Pros
- Robust time tracking with mobile app and GPS for field teams
- Advanced invoicing automation and customizable billing rules
- Comprehensive reporting for project profitability and forecasting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for small teams or solopreneurs
- Mobile app lacks some desktop-level customization
Best For
Mid-sized professional services firms needing integrated time tracking, billing, and project management.
Pricing
Starts at $12/user/month (Pro plan, billed annually) up to $22/user/month (Premier) or custom Enterprise; minimum 5 users.
Conclusion
FreshBooks secures the top spot, simplifying time tracking, expense management, and automated invoicing for freelancers and small businesses. QuickBooks Online follows as a comprehensive option, boasting robust time tracking, payroll integration, and professional invoicing, while Harvest stands out for effortlessly converting logged hours into customizable invoices. Each tool offers distinct value, but FreshBooks leads as the all-around best choice.
Don’t miss out—try FreshBooks today to streamline your billing and invoicing, and see how it elevates your business efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison