Best Time Tracking Software With Invoicing & Billing in 2026

In today’s high-stakes business environment, every untracked hour is lost revenue, yet many teams still juggle timers, spreadsheets, and separate billing tools, then scramble at month-end to reconstruct what actually happened.

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By Dereck Mushingairi | February 27, 2026

Modern time tracking with invoicing removes that chaos. It captures work in real time and turns it into accurate, ready-to-send invoices. This guide compares the best time tracking tools with invoicing and billing, ensuring every billable hour is money in the bank.

Our top picks:

Who is time tracking and invoicing software suitable for

Time tracking and invoicing tools are used across many industries, but the value they deliver depends on how work is billed. The roles below show where these platforms have the greatest impact and why they are widely adopted.

Role/business type

How they use time tracking & invoicing

Typical billing model

Practical benefit

Freelancers

Track hours per client and generate invoices directly from time logs

Hourly, fixed-price

Faster billing and fewer disputes

Agencies

Monitor team time across multiple projects and bill clients monthly

Retainers, hourly, project-based

Clear client billing and margin control

Consultants

Record billable sessions and issue detailed invoices

Hourly, recurring

Transparent billing and predictable revenue

Software Development Teams

Track work by tasks or sprints and convert time into client invoices

Hourly, milestone-based

Accurate billing tied to actual work

Marketing and Creative Teams

Track creative work across campaigns and bill by role or service

Retainers, mixed pricing

Consistent invoicing across clients

Designers

Log design time and issue branded invoices

Hourly, project-based

Simple billing tied to deliverables

Small Businesses

Combine time tracking and billing in one system

Mixed models

Reduced admin work and clearer cash flow

Finance and Accounting Teams

Review billing data and reconcile invoices

Internal cost tracking

Reliable financial records and reporting

With that in mind, it’s clear that different teams have unique needs, but these roles benefit most when time tracking and invoicing work side by side. Let’s now look at the key benefits of bringing these two capabilities together.

Why combine time tracking with invoicing?

Here they are the advantages of combining time tracking and invoicing.

Benefit

What it means in practice

Business impact

Greater efficiency

One system replaces multiple tools; tracked hours convert to invoices instantly

Less admin work and fewer billing errors

Faster payments

Send invoices as soon as work is completed; automate reminders

Improved cash flow and fewer late payments

Transparency and accuracy

Detailed time entries appear on invoices

Fewer disputes and stronger client trust

Better business insight

Real-time visibility into project profitability and client value

Smarter pricing and resource decisions

Key features to look for

The right tool should ensure accurate time tracking and convert those hours into billable income. To choose the best option, focus on these essential capabilities:

  1. Accurate time tracking

Automatic tracking helps capture work as it happens, reducing missed hours and manual errors. The software should also organize time by project, client, and task, with options for timers, manual entries, or calendar-based logging.

  1. Flexible Rates and Budgets

Different work often requires different pricing. Look for tools that allow rates by client, project, role, or task. Budget tracking with alerts helps prevent overruns and protects profitability.

  1. Easy Invoice Creation

Invoices should be generated directly from tracked time and remain easy to review before sending. Support for recurring billing, retainers, milestone payments, and deposits is especially useful for ongoing work.

  1. Taxes, Currencies, and Compliance

If you work with international clients, the software should handle taxes such as VAT and support multiple currencies with automatic calculations.

  1. Payment Processing

Built-in payment options like card payments, PayPal, or Stripe help clients pay faster. Payment tracking and automated reminders reduce overdue invoices.

  1. Integrations, Mobile Access, and Reporting

Mobile apps allow time tracking from anywhere. Integrations with tools like project management, accounting, and CRM systems reduce manual work. Reporting features provide insight into revenue, utilization, and project performance.

Top time tracking tools with invoicing

After identifying the essential features, it’s time to compare the top time tracking tools with invoicing. Each of these solutions offers a unique set of strengths, so let’s break down what makes them stand out.

1. TMetric

🌟 4.7/5

Time tracker →

TMetric: Time Tracking Software for Professional TeamsBest for: Freelancers, agencies, and service teams that want invoices generated directly from tracked time with strong profitability visibility.
Price: Free for up to 2 users; paid plans start at $5.83 per user/month (annual billing).
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.

TMetric is a dedicated time tracking platform built for teams and professionals who bill for their work. Its core strength lies in turning tracked time into accurate invoices without manual calculations. Unlike accounting-heavy tools, it focuses on real productivity data (budgets, billable rates, and project costs), making it especially effective for agencies, consultants, and service businesses that need clear visibility into profitability.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Devart

Best for

Freelancers, agencies, and service teams

Billing support

Built-in invoicing from tracked time

Platforms

Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Integrations

50+ tools, including QuickBooks, Jira, Asana, GitHub

Key features

  • Automatic and manual time tracking.

  • Billable vs non-billable time classification.

  • Multiple billing rates by project, task, or team member.

  • Invoice generation directly from time logs.

  • Project budgets with alerts for overspending.

  • Detailed reports on profitability and utilization.

  • Exportable invoices and reports.

  • Integrations with accounting and project tools.

Pros

  • Direct conversion of time data into invoices.

  • Clear visibility into project costs and margins.

  • Flexible billing configurations.

  • Cross-platform apps with real-time sync.

  • Strong reporting for business decisions.

Cons

  • Advanced billing features require paid plans.

  • Limited built-in accounting capabilities.

  • Interface prioritizes functionality over visual customization.

Pricing

Free-for-life

Available

Premium plans

Start at $7 per seat/month

Example use case

Think of a digital marketing team that uses TMetric to log every billable hour across their clients. As the team works (designing, writing, and planning), everyone tracks their time. At the end of the month, the project lead uses TMetric to create invoices by role—charging designers $75/hour, writers $60, and planners $90. Everything is calculated automatically, exports cleanly, and they send professional, accurate bills to their clients, without hassle.

User reviews

“We like that with a few clicks, my team can log time with TMetric's user-friendly interface, and that reports guarantee billing on the time spent (this also helps us prevent scope creep and set reasonable project budgets).” — G2 reviewer

Try TMetric

2. Toggl Track

Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5

Best for: Small teams and startups that need lightweight time tracking with simple invoice creation and strong reporting.
Price: Free for up to 5 users; paid plans start at $9 per user/month.
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.

Toggl Track is a lightweight time tracking tool designed for teams that want simplicity without sacrificing reporting power. Its standout strength is ease of use: a one-click timer, clean interface, and minimal setup make it accessible even for non-technical users. While not a full accounting solution, it provides solid invoicing capabilities through billable rates, expense tracking, and integrations, making it a strong choice for small teams that need fast adoption and reliable time data.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Toggl

Best for

Small teams and startups

Billing support

Invoice creation from tracked time

Platforms

Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Integrations

QuickBooks, Xero, and 100+ productivity tools

Key features

  • One-click timer for instant time tracking.

  • Billable rates by client or project.

  • PDF invoice generation from time reports.

  • Expense tracking and budgeting tools.

  • Workforce timesheets with approvals.

  • Detailed reporting on billable hours.

  • Integrations with accounting platforms.

  • Mobile apps for tracking on the go.

Pros

  • Extremely easy to learn and deploy.

  • Generous free plan for teams.

  • Clean, intuitive interface.

  • Strong reporting for billable time.

  • Reliable mobile tracking capabilities.

Cons

  • Limited advanced billing features.

  • No built-in payment processing.

  • Basic project management functionality.

  • Limited invoice customization options.

Pricing

Free for up to 5 users, with paid plans starting at $9 per user per month (advanced reporting and billing features in paid tiers).

User reviews

I love that I can track every single task within my to-do list. Then that allows me to bill my clients for the hours worked. — G2 reviewer

Compare Toggl Track vs TMetric

3. Harvest

Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5

Best for: Service businesses and consultancies that want polished invoicing with built-in online payments and client-facing transparency.
Price: Free for 1 user and 2 projects; paid plans start at $11 per user/month.
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.

Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing platform built for service-based businesses that need clear client billing and payment collection in one place.

Its standout advantage is the client portal, which allows clients to view invoices, payments, and project progress in real time — improving transparency and reducing back-and-forth communication. Combined with built-in payment processing and strong reporting, Harvest is particularly effective for consultancies, agencies, and professional services firms.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Harvest

Best for

Service-based businesses and consultancies

Billing support

Full invoicing with built-in online payments

Platforms

Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Integrations

QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, Asana, and more

Key features

  • Professional invoice creation from tracked time and expenses.

  • Customizable branded invoices.

  • Built-in online payments (cards, PayPal, Stripe).

  • Automated payment reminders.

  • Recurring billing for retainers.

  • Expense tracking with billable options.

  • Client portal for invoice access and status tracking.

  • Project profitability and budget reporting.

Pros

  • Smooth conversion of time and expenses into invoices.

  • Clients can pay directly online.

  • Strong reporting on project profitability.

  • Improves transparency with the client-facing portal.

  • Reliable recurring billing for long-term engagements.

Cons

  • Free plan limited to one user and two projects.

  • Less suitable for large teams without upgrading.

  • Project management capabilities are basic.

Pricing

Free for 1 user and 2 projects, with paid plans starting at $11 per user per month (includes invoicing and online payments).

User reviews

I like using Harvest for tracking time accurately with its effortless one-click timer that starts tracking instantly from desktop, browser, or mobile. The detailed profitability reports are also great for drilling into billable hours versus costs per project or client. — G2 reviewer

Compare Harvest vs TMetric

4. FreshBooks

Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5

Best for: Small businesses and service professionals who want time tracking plus full invoicing, payments, and accounting workflows.
Price: Paid plans start at about $21/month (pricing increases by tier and client limits; trial availability varies).
Available on: Web, iOS, Android.

FreshBooks is a full accounting platform that also delivers strong time tracking and billing capabilities. Unlike lightweight trackers, it covers the entire financial workflow — from estimates and proposals to invoicing, payments, and reporting. Its standout strength is comprehensive payment processing with multi-currency support and automated billing, making it ideal for small businesses that want an all-in-one system to manage revenue, expenses, and client work.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

FreshBooks

Best for

Small businesses and service professionals

Billing support

Advanced invoicing with integrated payments

Platforms

Web, iOS, Android

Integrations

Stripe, PayPal, G Suite, Shopify, and more

Key features

  • Advanced invoice creation with professional templates.

  • Automated recurring billing and invoice scheduling.

  • Built-in online payment processing.

  • Multi-currency support.

  • Automatic tax calculations.

  • Late fees and payment reminders.

  • Estimates, proposals, and contract tracking.

  • Detailed financial and revenue reports.

Pros

  • Comprehensive financial management in one platform.

  • Strong invoicing automation and payment tools.

  • Supports the full client lifecycle from quote to payment.

  • Built-in tax handling simplifies compliance.

  • Useful proposal and estimate features.

Cons

  • The feature-rich interface can feel complex at first.

  • Project management tools are basic compared to dedicated PM software.

  • Pricing increases as the number of clients grows.

User reviews

I find FreshBooks incredibly valuable for its simplicity, especially when it comes to creating and sending invoices. The process is straightforward and hassle-free, which streamlines a crucial aspect of my small business operations. — G2 reviewer

5. Clockify

Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5

Best for: Growing teams that need scalable time tracking with invoice generation and a generous free plan.
Price: Free for unlimited users; paid plans start at $5.49 per user/month (invoicing features in paid plans).
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.

Clockify is a scalable time tracking platform known for its generous free plan and ability to support teams of any size. Its key advantage is offering robust tracking and basic invoicing without user limits, making it especially attractive for growing organizations that need cost control as they scale. While not a full accounting solution, it provides solid billing tools, expense tracking, and profitability insights that help teams convert time data into actionable financial information.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

CAKE.com (Clockify)

Best for

Growing teams and organizations

Billing support

Invoice generation from tracked time

Platforms

Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Integrations

QuickBooks, Jira, Trello, Asana, and more

Key features

  • Unlimited time tracking for users and projects.

  • Invoice creation based on time logs.

  • Multiple billing rates and project-based pricing.

  • Expense tracking with billable options.

  • Customizable invoice templates and branding.

  • Budget tracking and profitability analysis.

  • Payment status monitoring.

  • Cross-platform apps across devices.

Pros

  • Powerful free plan with no user limits.

  • Scales easily as teams grow.

  • Strong reporting and analytics capabilities.

  • Quick setup and minimal learning curve.

  • Works across virtually all operating systems.

Cons

  • Mobile app stability issues have been reported by some users.

  • Limited advanced billing functionality.

  • Reporting customization is basic.

Pricing

Free for unlimited users, with paid plans starting at $5.49 per user per month (invoicing features available in paid plans).

User reviews

The best thing is how simple and effective it is for tracking time without any unnecessary distractions. It’s super helpful, so whether you’re logging hours for work, personal projects, or just staying on your productivity, it’s easy to use. — G2 reviewer

6. TimeCamp

Rating: ⭐ 4.6 / 5

Best for: Teams focused on budgeting and profitability that want automatic tracking plus invoice creation from captured work.
Price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $2.99 per user/month (advanced billing features in higher tiers).
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.

TimeCamp is a powerful time tracking and invoicing platform built for teams that need deep visibility into project costs and budget performance. Its standout strength is automatic tracking across apps and websites, combined with robust billing tools that convert captured work into invoices. With strong budget monitoring, profitability analysis, and reporting, it is particularly well-suited for organizations that want tight financial control over projects and client engagements.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

TimeCamp

Best for

Teams focused on budgeting and profitability

Billing support

Invoice generation from tracked time

Platforms

Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Integrations

QuickBooks, Xero, Trello, Asana, and more

Key features

  • Automatic time tracking across applications and websites.

  • Invoice generation directly from time entries.

  • Multiple billing rates and currency support.

  • Customizable invoice templates.

  • Recurring invoices and retainer management.

  • Expense tracking with billable options.

  • Project budgets with spending alerts.

  • Profitability and performance reports.

Pros

  • Detailed insight into how time is spent across projects.

  • Strong budget tracking and cost control.

  • Flexible billing configurations.

  • Comprehensive reporting for decision-making.

  • Competitive pricing for teams.

Cons

  • Mobile app functionality is limited.

  • Offline tracking reliability can vary.

  • Interface may require an initial setup time.

Pricing

Free plan available, with paid plans starting at $2.99 per user per month (advanced billing and reporting in higher tiers).

User reviews

I can organize all my clients and assign specific tasks to each, so I always know exactly what work was done. Setting fees and receiving alerts when a project exceeds its budget is extremely helpful. I also appreciate the ability to mark time as billable or non-billable — it gives great control over invoicing. — G2 reviewer

7. Paymo

Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5

Best for: Project-based service teams that want time tracking tied to tasks, milestones, and flexible billing models.
Price: Free for up to 5 users and 10 projects; paid plans start at $5.90 per user/month.
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.

Paymo is a project-focused time tracking and invoicing platform designed for service businesses that want full visibility into profitability. Its key strength is combining project management, time tracking, billing, and financial insights in one system. By linking invoices directly to tasks, milestones, and expenses, Paymo helps teams understand not just what to bill, but whether projects are actually profitable.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Paymo

Best for

Professional services and project-based teams

Billing support

Task-based invoicing with multiple billing models

Platforms

Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Integrations

QuickBooks, Slack, Zapier, Google Workspace, and more

Key features

  • Time tracking is linked directly to project tasks.

  • Invoice creation from tasks, milestones, or time entries.

  • Multiple billing methods (hourly, fixed fee, retainers).

  • Expense tracking with tax calculations.

  • Customizable invoice templates and branding.

  • Automated payment reminders.

  • Project budgeting and profitability analysis.

  • Integration with accounting tools.

Pros

  • Covers the full project lifecycle from planning to payment.

  • Strong visibility into project profitability.

  • Flexible billing options for different contract types.

  • Milestone-based invoicing capabilities.

  • Helpful expense tracking for pricing decisions.

Cons

  • The free plan has strict limits on users and projects.

  • Advanced billing features require paid plans.

  • Recurring invoices available only in higher tiers.

Pricing

Free for up to 5 users and 10 projects, with paid plans starting at $5.90 per user per month (additional billing features in paid tiers).

User reviews

Paymo’s precise time tracking links every minute to specific tasks and projects, simplifying billing and productivity tracking. Customizable, well-designed invoices and clear, visual stats make progress easy to see, all within an intuitive interface that’s effortless to learn. — G2 reviewer

Compare Paymo vs TMetric

8. Everhour

Best for: Agencies and project-based teams that need time tracking, invoicing, and project budget control.

Price: Free for up to 5 users with limited features; paid plans start at $8.50 per seat/month with annual billing. The paid Team plan has a 5-seat minimum.

Available on: Web, macOS, iOS, Android, browser extensions.

Everhour is a time tracking and billing platform that helps teams turn tracked hours into client invoices while monitoring project budgets. It integrates with project management tools such as Asana, ClickUp, Jira, Linear, and Trello, allowing employees to track time within their existing workflows. Its main advantage is connecting time entries with billable rates, project costs, and budget alerts, giving agencies better visibility into project performance.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Everhour

Best for

Agencies and project-based teams

Billing support

Invoices generated from tracked time and expenses

Platforms

Web, macOS, iOS, Android, browser extensions

Integrations

Asana, ClickUp, Jira, Linear, Trello, QuickBooks, Xero

Key features

  • One-click timers and manual time entries.

  • Invoice generation from billable hours and expenses.

  • Custom billable rates by team member and project.

  • Project budgets, cost tracking, and budget alerts.

  • Customizable reports and profitability insights.

  • Integrations with project management and accounting tools.

Pros

  • Connects time tracking directly with client billing.

  • Integrates with popular project management platforms.

  • Helps teams monitor project costs and budget usage.

Cons

  • Advanced billing and integrations require a paid plan.

  • The free plan has limited features.

  • Teams needing extensive resource planning may require a broader agency management platform.

Pricing

Everhour offers a free plan for up to five users with limited features. The Team plan starts at $8.50 per seat per month with annual billing and requires at least five seats.

9. Productive

Best for: Agencies and professional services firms that need time tracking, resource planning, billing, and project profitability reporting.

Price: Essential starts at $9 per user/month with annual billing; Professional starts at $24 per user/month with annual billing. A minimum of three paid seats applies.

Available on: Web and mobile.

Productive is an agency management platform that combines project management, time tracking, budgeting, resource planning, and financial reporting. It helps agencies connect logged hours and expenses to project budgets, create invoices, and monitor profitability by client or project. Unlike standalone time trackers, Productive also supports resource allocation and workload planning, making it useful for agencies managing multiple clients, teams, and concurrent projects.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Productive

Best for

Agencies and professional services firms

Billing support

Invoicing from project budgets and tracked work

Platforms

Web and mobile

Integrations

QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, Google Calendar, and others

Key features

  • Time tracking through timers and time entries.

  • Project budgets and billable rate management.

  • Invoicing based on project billing arrangements.

  • Profitability reporting by project and client.

  • Resource planning and team utilization tracking.

  • Expense management and financial forecasting.

Pros

  • Combines agency operations and financial management.

  • Connects time, costs, budgets, and profitability reporting.

  • Supports resource planning alongside project delivery.

Cons

  • More complex than a standalone time tracking tool.

  • The minimum paid-seat requirement may not suit solo freelancers.

  • Advanced reporting and operational features depend on the subscription plan.

Pricing

Productive offers a 14-day free trial. Essential starts at $9 per user per month with annual billing, while Professional starts at $24 per user per month with annual billing. At least three paid seats are required.

10. QuickBooks Time

Best for: Professional services, field teams, and project-based businesses that need employee time tracking connected to payroll and accounting.

Price: Time Premium starts at $20/month plus $10 per user/month; Time Elite starts at $40/month plus $12 per user/month. A QuickBooks Online account is required, and prices may vary by region.

Available on: Web and mobile.

QuickBooks Time is an employee time tracking solution designed to help businesses manage working hours, schedules, timesheets, and project labor costs. Employees can record time through the QuickBooks Workforce app, while managers review timesheets, coordinate schedules, and monitor project progress. When connected to eligible QuickBooks Online plans, businesses can compare estimated and actual project hours and use accounting data to assess project costs and profitability. Unlike freelancer-focused invoicing tools, QuickBooks Time is primarily designed for workforce management and payroll-connected time tracking.

Product summary

Category

Details

Company

Intuit

Best for

Professional services, field teams, and project-based businesses

Billing support

Time data syncs with QuickBooks for invoicing

Platforms

Web, iOS, Android

Integrations

QuickBooks Online and related payroll services

Key features

  • Employee time tracking and digital timesheets.

  • Mobile time tracking and GPS features.

  • Timesheet submission and approval workflows.

  • Employee scheduling and time-off management.

  • Project estimates versus actual hours on eligible plans.

  • Labor cost tracking and project profitability reporting through QuickBooks Online.

Pros

  • Connects employee time data with payroll and accounting workflows.

  • Supports mobile time tracking for distributed and field teams.

  • Helps managers compare planned and actual project hours.

Cons

  • Requires a QuickBooks Online account.

  • Pricing includes a base fee and per-user charges.

  • Less suited to freelancers seeking a standalone client invoicing tool.

Pricing

Time Premium starts at $20 per month plus $10 per user per month, while Time Elite starts at $40 per month plus $12 per user per month on the US pricing page. A QuickBooks Online account is required, and some project tracking and reporting features are limited to eligible plans.

Before making your final choice, it helps to see how each tool stacks up side by side. Below is a comparison table that highlights their invoicing features, pricing, and key capabilities, giving you a clear snapshot of what each offers.

Comparison table: Features at a glance

Software

Best for

Time tracking

Invoicing

Online payments

Agency/project profitability

Starting price

TMetric

Freelancers, agencies, professional services

Built-in

Built-in

Integration

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting

Free plan; paid plans from $5.83/user/month (annual billing)

Toggl Track

Freelancers, small teams

Built-in

Limited

Integration

Billable rates, project budgets; limited profitability reporting

Free plan; paid plans from $9/user/month

Harvest

Freelancers, agencies, professional services

Built-in

Built-in

Built-in

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting

Free plan; paid plans from $11/user/month

FreshBooks

Freelancers, small businesses

Built-in

Built-in

Built-in

Project time and costs; limited agency profitability reporting

From about $21/month

Clockify

Agencies, small teams, larger teams

Built-in

Built-in on paid plans

Integration

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting

Free plan; paid plans from $5.49/user/month

TimeCamp

Agencies, project-based teams

Built-in

Built-in on supported plans

Integration

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting

Free plan; paid plans from $2.99/user/month

Paymo

Professional services, project-based teams

Built-in

Built-in

Integration

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting

Free plan; paid plans from $5.90/user/month

Everhour

Small teams, agencies, project-based teams

Built-in

Built-in

Integration

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting

Free plan (up to 5 seats); paid plans from $8.50/seat/month (annual billing)

Productive

Agencies, professional services

Built-in

Built-in on supported plans

Integration

Project budgets, billable rates, profitability reporting, resource planning

From $9/user/month (annual billing; 3-seat minimum)

QuickBooks Time

Professional services, field teams, project-based businesses

Built-in

Integration with QuickBooks

Integration

Project estimates vs. actuals; profitability reporting through QuickBooks Online

From $20/month + $10/user/month (Time Premium; regional pricing varies)

This side-by-side comparison should help you narrow down the best tool based on your team’s needs, whether it’s flexible billing, advanced reporting, or a generous free plan.

Best Time Tracking and Invoicing Tools for Freelancers and Agencies

The best time tracking and invoicing software depends on your business needs, from simple billable-hour tracking to full project profitability management. TMetric is a strong all-in-one option for freelancers and agencies, while Harvest, FreshBooks, and other tools offer specialized invoicing, accounting, and project management features.

Tool

Best for

Why it fits

TMetric

Freelancers and agencies

Time tracking, invoicing, billable rates, budgets, and profitability reporting

Harvest

Freelancers and service agencies

Client invoicing, online payments, and recurring billing

Toggl Track

Freelancers and small teams

Simple time tracking and billable-rate reporting

FreshBooks

Freelancers needing accounting

Invoicing, payments, expenses, and accounting

Clockify

Agencies with larger teams

Unlimited-user time tracking and billing features

Productive

Agencies

Resource planning, project profitability, time tracking, and billing

Everhour

Teams using project management tools

Time tracking, budgets, billing, and project management integrations

Which Time Tracking and Invoicing Tool Is Best for Freelancers vs Agencies?

The best time tracking and invoicing software depends on whether you manage your own client work or coordinate multiple projects and team members. Freelancers typically need simple billing workflows, while agencies benefit from project budgeting, resource planning, and profitability reporting.

Best options for freelancers

Freelancers generally prioritize easy time tracking, billable rates, professional invoices, online payments, and affordable pricing. TMetric is a strong option for freelancers who need time tracking, invoicing, budgets, and profitability insights in one tool. Harvest suits freelancers who prioritize client invoicing and online payments, while FreshBooks is a good fit for those who also need accounting and expense management.

Best options for agencies

Agencies typically require team timesheets, client-specific billing rates, project budgets, resource allocation, and profitability reporting to manage costs across multiple clients. TMetric supports time tracking, budgeting, invoicing, and project profitability analysis. Productive is well suited to agencies that need resource planning and financial oversight, while Everhour works well for teams that want to connect time tracking and budgets with their existing project management tools. Clockify is another option for agencies that need time tracking across larger teams.

The Takeaway

Each of these tools combines time tracking and invoicing in its own way, so the best choice depends on your workflow and billing style. TMetric strikes a strong balance of usability and billing power, while Toggl Track is refreshingly simple. Harvest shines in professional invoicing, FreshBooks delivers full accounting, and Clockify stands out for its generous free plan.

Most of these platforms offer free trials, allowing you to test their features in real workflows. By experimenting, you’ll find the tool that simplifies billing, clarifies your finances, and maximizes every billable hour.

TMetric time tracking dashboard

10,000+ companies, teams, and individuals worldwide use TMetric to track time, manage work, and bill with confidence.

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FAQ

How accurately does time tracking data translate into final invoices?

Very accurately, when invoices are generated directly from approved time entries. The key is clean time capture (project/task tagging, billable status, rates) and an approval step, so only billable, reviewed hours flow into the invoice.

Can I review and adjust invoices before sending them to clients?

Yes. Most tools let you edit line items, descriptions, rates, taxes, and time ranges before sending. This is useful for polishing wording, grouping entries, applying discounts, or removing non-billable work.

How do billing tools handle partial billing or milestone-based payments?

Many platforms support milestone invoices, deposits, and partial billing by allowing you to invoice a percentage of a project, a fixed amount, or selected time entries only. Some also support retainers and recurring invoices for ongoing work.

What happens if tracked time exceeds the project budget?

Tools with budgeting features flag overruns through alerts, reports, or budget dashboards. You can then decide whether to invoice the extra time, mark it as non-billable, adjust scope, or renegotiate rates, before the invoice is finalized.

Can billing data be used to forecast future revenue and cash flow?

Yes. Billing reports can show recurring revenue, average billing per client, pipeline value from unbilled time, and payment patterns. With enough history, teams can estimate monthly revenue, spot cash flow gaps, and plan staffing more confidently.

 

What is the best time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers?

TMetric is a strong choice for freelancers who need time tracking, billable rates, invoicing, and project budget management in one tool. Harvest is suitable for freelancers who prioritize client invoicing and online payments, while FreshBooks is a good option for those who also need accounting and expense management. The best choice depends on your billing workflow and budget.

What is the best time tracking and invoicing software for agencies?

TMetric is a good option for agencies that need team time tracking, client billing, project budgets, and profitability reporting. Productive is suited to agencies that also need resource planning and financial forecasting, while Everhour works well for teams that want time tracking integrated with their project management tools. Compare reporting capabilities and pricing before choosing.

Can agencies use time tracking software to measure project profitability?

Yes, agencies can use time tracking software to measure project profitability by comparing billable revenue with labor costs and other project expenses. Tools such as TMetric and Productive help agencies track project budgets, billable rates, and profitability indicators. Accurate results depend on recording work hours consistently and configuring costs and billing rates correctly.

What is the difference between freelancer invoicing software and agency billing software?

Freelancer invoicing software typically focuses on tracking personal work hours, creating client invoices, and collecting payments. Agency billing software often adds team timesheets, client-specific rates, project budgets, resource allocation, and profitability reporting. Freelancers may prefer a simpler, lower-cost tool, while agencies managing multiple clients and employees generally benefit from more advanced project and financial management features.