Quick Overview
- 1#1: Harvest - Harvest tracks time spent on projects and automatically generates invoices from timesheets for effortless billing.
- 2#2: FreshBooks - FreshBooks combines time tracking with automated invoicing and accounting to simplify billing for small businesses.
- 3#3: Toggl Track - Toggl Track provides precise time tracking with detailed reports and integrations for easy timesheet-based billing.
- 4#4: QuickBooks Time - QuickBooks Time offers GPS-enabled time tracking that seamlessly syncs with QuickBooks for accurate payroll and billing.
- 5#5: Clockify - Clockify delivers unlimited free time tracking with customizable reports and invoicing for cost-effective billing.
- 6#6: Hubstaff - Hubstaff tracks time with screenshots and activity levels, enabling precise invoicing and payroll processing.
- 7#7: Everhour - Everhour integrates time tracking with project management tools for budgeting and client billing efficiency.
- 8#8: Paymo - Paymo combines time tracking, task management, and invoicing into one platform for streamlined billing workflows.
- 9#9: BigTime - BigTime provides professional services automation with advanced time tracking and billing for agencies and consultancies.
- 10#10: Accelo - Accelo automates time tracking, project management, and billing in a unified PSA platform for service businesses.
These tools were selected based on performance (e.g., time tracking accuracy, invoicing automation), user experience (intuitive design, integration capabilities), and practical value (pricing flexibility, scalability), ensuring a ranking that reflects both technical prowess and real-world utility for businesses of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Explore essential timesheet billing software options like Harvest, FreshBooks, Toggl Track, and others with this comparison table, designed to break down key features, usability, and pricing. Readers will gain clarity on which tool aligns with their specific billing and time-management needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvest Harvest tracks time spent on projects and automatically generates invoices from timesheets for effortless billing. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | FreshBooks FreshBooks combines time tracking with automated invoicing and accounting to simplify billing for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Toggl Track Toggl Track provides precise time tracking with detailed reports and integrations for easy timesheet-based billing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | QuickBooks Time QuickBooks Time offers GPS-enabled time tracking that seamlessly syncs with QuickBooks for accurate payroll and billing. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Clockify Clockify delivers unlimited free time tracking with customizable reports and invoicing for cost-effective billing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 6 | Hubstaff Hubstaff tracks time with screenshots and activity levels, enabling precise invoicing and payroll processing. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Everhour Everhour integrates time tracking with project management tools for budgeting and client billing efficiency. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Paymo Paymo combines time tracking, task management, and invoicing into one platform for streamlined billing workflows. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | BigTime BigTime provides professional services automation with advanced time tracking and billing for agencies and consultancies. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | Accelo Accelo automates time tracking, project management, and billing in a unified PSA platform for service businesses. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.0/10 |
Harvest tracks time spent on projects and automatically generates invoices from timesheets for effortless billing.
FreshBooks combines time tracking with automated invoicing and accounting to simplify billing for small businesses.
Toggl Track provides precise time tracking with detailed reports and integrations for easy timesheet-based billing.
QuickBooks Time offers GPS-enabled time tracking that seamlessly syncs with QuickBooks for accurate payroll and billing.
Clockify delivers unlimited free time tracking with customizable reports and invoicing for cost-effective billing.
Hubstaff tracks time with screenshots and activity levels, enabling precise invoicing and payroll processing.
Everhour integrates time tracking with project management tools for budgeting and client billing efficiency.
Paymo combines time tracking, task management, and invoicing into one platform for streamlined billing workflows.
BigTime provides professional services automation with advanced time tracking and billing for agencies and consultancies.
Accelo automates time tracking, project management, and billing in a unified PSA platform for service businesses.
Harvest
specializedHarvest tracks time spent on projects and automatically generates invoices from timesheets for effortless billing.
One-click invoicing that automatically pulls approved time entries and expenses into professional, customizable bills
Harvest is a leading time tracking and invoicing platform tailored for freelancers, agencies, and teams focused on timesheet billing. It enables effortless time logging via timers, timesheets, desktop/mobile apps, and automatic reminders, with seamless conversion of tracked hours into customizable invoices. The software also supports expense tracking, project budgeting, profitability reporting, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Asana, and Slack for streamlined billing workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive time tracking with timers, timesheets, and mobile apps
- Seamless invoicing and payment processing directly from time entries
- Robust reporting and integrations for efficient billing management
Cons
- Per-user pricing can add up for larger teams
- Limited advanced customization in reports and templates
- No native payroll processing (requires integrations)
Best For
Freelancers, creative agencies, and small-to-medium teams needing simple, accurate timesheet-to-invoice workflows.
Pricing
Free for solo users (1 project, 2 reports); Pro plan at $12/user/month (annual) or $15 monthly; Elite at $18/user/month (annual) or $21 monthly, with unlimited projects and advanced features.
FreshBooks
specializedFreshBooks combines time tracking with automated invoicing and accounting to simplify billing for small businesses.
Automated invoice generation directly from tracked time entries
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform designed for small businesses and freelancers, with robust time tracking capabilities that allow users to log hours against projects and clients via desktop, mobile, or browser. It excels in converting timesheets into professional invoices automatically, supporting billable and non-billable time categorization, timers, and detailed reporting. The software integrates time data with expenses, payments, and profitability insights for comprehensive billing management.
Pros
- Intuitive time tracking with start/stop timers and project assignment
- Seamless conversion of timesheets to invoices with one-click billing
- Strong mobile app for tracking time on the go
Cons
- Limited advanced timesheet customization and reporting depth
- No offline time tracking capability
- Pricing scales quickly with number of clients and billable users
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based teams seeking simple, integrated timesheet billing within an accounting ecosystem.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo), Plus ($33/mo), Premium ($60/mo) billed annually; custom Select plan for larger teams.
Toggl Track
specializedToggl Track provides precise time tracking with detailed reports and integrations for easy timesheet-based billing.
Background Timeline tracking with idle detection for precise, auditable timesheets
Toggl Track is a versatile time tracking platform designed for effortless logging of hours via one-click timers, manual entries, or background tracking. It excels in generating detailed timesheet reports that distinguish billable from non-billable time, supporting invoicing through PDF/CSV exports and integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and FreshBooks. Ideal for teams needing accurate time data for billing, it offers profitability insights, project budgeting, and client-specific breakdowns to streamline the billing workflow.
Pros
- Intuitive one-click timer and mobile apps for seamless tracking
- Powerful customizable reports for billable hours and profitability
- Extensive integrations with 100+ tools including invoicing software
Cons
- No native invoicing or client approval portals (relies on exports/integrations)
- Advanced reporting and team features locked behind paid plans
- Limited project budgeting depth compared to dedicated billing suites
Best For
Freelancers, agencies, and small teams seeking simple, accurate time tracking for generating billable timesheets without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users (basic tracking); Starter $9/user/mo; Premium $18/user/mo; Enterprise custom (billed annually).
QuickBooks Time
enterpriseQuickBooks Time offers GPS-enabled time tracking that seamlessly syncs with QuickBooks for accurate payroll and billing.
Native QuickBooks integration that automatically converts approved timesheets into invoices and payroll entries
QuickBooks Time is a comprehensive time tracking platform that enables businesses to monitor employee hours via mobile apps, GPS tracking, and timesheets, with direct integration into QuickBooks for seamless billing and payroll. It supports scheduling, project tracking, and automated invoicing based on tracked time, making it ideal for service-based businesses. The software provides detailed reports and approvals to ensure accurate timesheet billing.
Pros
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for timesheet-to-invoice automation
- Robust mobile app with GPS time tracking and geofencing
- Comprehensive reporting and timesheet approval workflows
Cons
- Pricing per active user can become expensive for large teams
- Limited advanced billing customization without QuickBooks
- Occasional reported issues with mobile GPS accuracy or sync delays
Best For
Small to medium-sized service businesses already using QuickBooks that require precise time tracking tied to client billing.
Pricing
Starts at $20 per active user per month (billed annually) for Premium plan, up to $40+ for Elite; includes base fees and free for solo users.
Clockify
specializedClockify delivers unlimited free time tracking with customizable reports and invoicing for cost-effective billing.
Unlimited free time tracking for teams of any size
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking platform that allows individuals and teams to log time via timers or manual entry, generate timesheets, and create invoices based on billable hours. It offers detailed reports, expense tracking, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks and Google Workspace, making it suitable for timesheet billing workflows. The free plan supports unlimited users and projects, with paid tiers unlocking advanced billing and automation features.
Pros
- Unlimited users and projects on free plan
- Intuitive timer and timesheet interface
- Robust reporting and integrations for billing
Cons
- Invoicing and expenses locked behind Pro plan ($5.49/user/mo)
- Limited customization and automation on free tier
- Customer support primarily email-based on lower plans
Best For
Freelancers, small teams, and agencies seeking a cost-effective solution for time tracking and basic timesheet billing.
Pricing
Free plan with unlimited tracking; Basic at $3.99/user/mo (annual), Pro at $5.49/user/mo for invoicing, Enterprise custom.
Hubstaff
specializedHubstaff tracks time with screenshots and activity levels, enabling precise invoicing and payroll processing.
Activity screenshots and keyboard/mouse tracking for indisputable proof of billable work
Hubstaff is a robust time tracking and employee monitoring software designed for remote teams, capturing billable hours via desktop timers, screenshots, activity levels, and GPS for field workers. It generates detailed timesheets, supports invoicing directly from tracked time, and integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks for streamlined billing. While powerful for productivity oversight, its focus on monitoring makes it particularly suited for verifying work before billing clients.
Pros
- Precise time tracking with screenshots and activity proof for accurate billing
- Built-in invoicing and payroll integrations to automate billing workflows
- Mobile and GPS tracking ideal for distributed teams
Cons
- Intrusive monitoring features may raise privacy concerns
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced billing tools
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
Remote agencies and freelance teams needing verifiable timesheets for client billing.
Pricing
Free for solo users; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Basic) up to $12/user/month (Elite), billed annually.
Everhour
specializedEverhour integrates time tracking with project management tools for budgeting and client billing efficiency.
Native integrations with project management apps that auto-populate tasks for time tracking without switching tools
Everhour is a time tracking and timesheet software that integrates deeply with project management tools like Asana, Jira, and Trello to capture billable hours accurately. It enables teams to create approvable timesheets, generate invoices directly from tracked time, and handle expenses for seamless billing workflows. With robust reporting and budgeting features, it helps agencies and consultancies manage profitability from time logs to payments.
Pros
- Deep integrations with 50+ PM tools for effortless time tracking
- Automated timesheet approvals and invoicing from tracked time
- Detailed profitability reports and budgeting capabilities
Cons
- Pricing scales per user, which can add up for larger teams
- Limited advanced invoicing customization compared to dedicated billing software
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Best For
Agencies and teams using project management tools who need integrated time tracking and straightforward timesheet-based billing.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; paid plans start at $8.50/user/month (Developer) up to custom Enterprise pricing, billed annually.
Paymo
specializedPaymo combines time tracking, task management, and invoicing into one platform for streamlined billing workflows.
Timesheet approval workflows that ensure accurate billing before invoice creation
Paymo is a comprehensive work management platform that specializes in time tracking, task management, and invoicing, making it a strong choice for timesheet billing. Users can log time via timers or manual entry against projects and tasks, assign billable rates per client or project, and generate professional invoices directly from approved timesheets. It also provides detailed reports on billable hours, profitability, and resource utilization to streamline billing processes for teams and freelancers.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking with automated invoice generation
- Customizable billable rates at project, task, or user levels
- Robust reporting tools for timesheet analysis and profitability insights
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams on higher plans
- Full feature set may overwhelm users seeking only basic timesheet billing
- Limited customization in the free plan
Best For
Small agencies, freelancers, and project-based teams needing integrated time tracking, approvals, and billing without separate tools.
Pricing
Free for 1 user; paid plans start at $9.95/user/month (billed annually as $5.95/user/month), up to $24.95/user/month for advanced features.
BigTime
enterpriseBigTime provides professional services automation with advanced time tracking and billing for agencies and consultancies.
Real-time profitability dashboards that forecast project margins by blending time, expense, and revenue data
BigTime is a cloud-based professional services automation (PSA) platform specializing in time tracking, billing, and project management for professional firms. It enables accurate timesheet entry via web and mobile apps, automates invoice generation from tracked hours and expenses, and provides profitability insights through customizable reports. Ideal for service-based businesses, it integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero to streamline the entire billing workflow.
Pros
- Robust mobile and desktop timesheet tracking with GPS verification
- Seamless automation from time entry to invoicing and payments
- Comprehensive reporting for profitability and utilization analytics
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small teams
- Initial setup and customization require time
- Advanced features locked behind higher tiers
Best For
Mid-sized professional services firms like accounting, consulting, or architecture practices needing integrated timesheet billing and project profitability tools.
Pricing
Starts at $10/user/month (Essentials), $25/user/month (Pro), $45/user/month (Elite); annual billing, minimum 5 users, custom enterprise quotes available.
Accelo
enterpriseAccelo automates time tracking, project management, and billing in a unified PSA platform for service businesses.
Smart automation that triggers billing directly from approved timesheets across projects and retainers
Accelo is a professional services automation (PSA) platform that offers integrated timesheet tracking and billing for service-based businesses. Users can log time against projects, tasks, or tickets, with automatic conversion of approved timesheets into invoices supporting hourly, fixed-fee, or retainer billing. It combines time tracking with CRM, project management, and reporting for a unified workflow, though it's more comprehensive than a standalone timesheet tool.
Pros
- Seamless integration of timesheets with billing and project management
- Automated workflows for time approval and invoicing
- Robust reporting on time utilization and profitability
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher cost not ideal for timesheet-only needs
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Agencies and consultancies needing an all-in-one PSA with advanced timesheet billing.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (billed annually) for basic plans, scaling to $99+/user/month for advanced tiers and custom enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
The reviewed timesheet billing tools vary in features but all aim to simplify time tracking and invoicing, with each offering distinct strengths. The top choice, Harvest, leads with its effortless integration of time tracking and invoice generation for seamless workflows. FreshBooks and Toggl Track follow as strong alternatives: FreshBooks for small businesses combining time tracking with accounting, and Toggl Track for precise logging and detailed reports—all effective depending on specific needs. Selecting the right tool ensures your billing process runs smoothly and aligns with your business goals.
Take the first step toward streamlined billing and try Harvest today to experience its intuitive, end-to-end workflow for yourself.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
