Best Time Tracking Software for Developers Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best time tracking software for developers:
Managing a team of developers comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing productivity while ensuring accurate billing and project tracking can be a headache. That's where time tracking software can help, allowing you to track how much time you spend coding.
In my experience, these tools strengthen accountability while also providing insights into your team's workflow. They help you identify constraints and allocate resources more effectively.
I've independently tested and reviewed various options to bring you an unbiased look at the best time tracking software for developers. You'll get a clear sense of each tool's strengths and weaknesses so you can make the best choice for your team.
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Best Time Tracking Software for Developers Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top time tracking software selections for developers to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best with detailed reporting tools | Free plan + free trial available | From $6/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for project budgeting | Free demo available | From $12/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for AI-driven tracking | Free 14-day trial + free demo available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 4 | Best for payroll integration | Free trial + free demo available | From $20/month + $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 5 | Best for automatic time tracking | 14-day free trial + free plan + free demo available | From $2.49/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for small teams | Free 14-day trial + free plan + free demo available | From $5/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 7 | Best for project billing | Free 14-day trial + free plan + free demo available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for offline tracking | 14-day free trial | From $14/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 9 | Best for unlimited users | Free 7-day trial + free plan + free demo available | From $5.49/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for task management | Free plan + free demo + 14-day free trial available | From $3.75/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
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Accelo
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4 -
Forecast
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Wrike
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2
Best Time Tracking Software for Developer Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best time tracking software for developers that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros and cons, integrations, and ideal use cases for each tool to help you find the best one for you.
ActiTIME is designed to help teams track time, manage project costs, and monitor task progress, making it useful for development teams that need visibility into how work hours are spent. Its time-tracking system allows team members to log hours manually or with a timer and categorize them by project and task, giving managers a clear picture of how development time is distributed.
Why I Picked actiTIME
I chose actiTIME for its time tracking combined with project and task management features, which enable teams to assign work, set deadlines, and track progress against estimates. By comparing planned time or budgets with actual hours spent, teams can identify overruns early and adjust resources accordingly.
Additionally, actiTIME offers reporting and analytics tools that display project performance, team productivity, and project profitability. These insights can help development managers make better decisions about workload distribution, sprint capacity, and project budgeting, making actiTIME a valuable tool for development teams.
actiTIME Key Features
In addition to its project and budget tracking, actiTIME offers several other features that enhance its utility for developers:
- Billing & Invoicing: Set billing rates and generate on-brand PDF invoices based on recorded time.
- Work Schedules: Allows you to create company-wide work schedules, which can be overridden on an individual basis.
- Custom Workflows: Tailor task management processes to fit your team's specific needs and workflows.
- Leave Management: Manage team availability by tracking leaves and absences, ensuring smooth project execution.
actiTIME Integrations
Integrations include actiPLANS, QuickBooks, and Zapier.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable solution for small businesses and teams
- Supports mobile apps for tracking on-the-go
- Simplifies reporting with quick and easy report generation
Cons:
- Not a full-featured issue tracking or backlog management tool
- Limited integrations compared to some other software options
New Product Updates from actiTIME
actiTIME's Enhanced Custom Field Imports and Timesheet Settings
actiTIME enhances project setup and daily tracking with new custom fields import and refined timesheet & calendar settings. These updates help you keep all your task data in sync and view your workday the way you want. For more information, visit actiTIME's official site.
For developers seeking a reliable solution to manage their time and resources, ClickTime offers a compelling platform tailored to enhance productivity and financial oversight. It appeals to tech-driven teams and project managers who need precise time tracking and labor cost management to optimize project outcomes. By addressing the complexities of billing, budgeting, and resource allocation, ClickTime helps development teams maintain financial health and operational efficiency.
Why I Picked ClickTime
I picked ClickTime for its unique ability to transform time tracking into actionable financial data, which is crucial for developers focused on billing accuracy and project budgeting. The integration with tools like Jira and Google Calendar automates time tracking, reducing manual entry and potential errors. Additionally, its DCAA-compliant timesheets ensure that your records meet federal standards, which is vital for teams working on government contracts. This alignment of features directly supports the needs of development teams managing complex projects.
ClickTime Key Features
In addition to its standout time tracking capabilities, ClickTime offers several other features that are beneficial for developers:
- Expense Management: Streamlines expense tracking and reimbursement processes, ensuring visibility and control across your organization.
- Report Studio: Provides customizable reporting tools to analyze time and expense data, supporting better financial decision-making.
- Real-Time Resource Allocation: Offers insights into staffing decisions and project profitability, helping you manage team resources effectively.
- Built-in Audit Trail: Ensures defensible records for compliance and dispute resolution through approval workflows and change history.
ClickTime Integrations
Integrations include Jira, Salesforce, Bamboo HR, Sage Intacct, Rippling, and Slack.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Mobile timesheets for approvals
- Built-in resource capacity planning
- DCAA compliant time tracking
Cons:
- Setup may require time
- Limited employee activity monitoring
Timely is a time tracking software that caters to professionals looking to automate their time management and improve productivity. It uses AI to automatically track work activities, providing insights into how time is spent across tasks and projects.
Why I picked Timely: Timely's AI-driven tracking automatically captures your work activities, reducing the need for manual input. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to focus on their tasks without constantly logging time. In my experience, its automation capabilities make it a standout choice for busy professionals.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include a visual timeline that helps you see your workday at a glance. The reporting feature offers insights into productivity patterns and efficiency. You can also set project budgets to keep track of time and costs effectively.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, QuickBooks, Zapier, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Strong automation features
- Native integration with Google Calendar
- Drag-and-drop editing for automatically logged time
Cons:
- Mobile app lacks core AI tracking and timeline features
- Continuous background monitoring raises privacy concerns
QuickBooks Time is a time tracking software that provides accurate time logging and payroll management for businesses of all sizes. It helps teams track employee hours, manage schedules, and simplify payroll processes.
Why I picked QuickBooks Time: QuickBooks Time excels in payroll integration, making it ideal for businesses needing efficient payroll management. It offers features such as real-time tracking and scheduling, which ensure accurate time logs for payroll processing. In my experience, its API integration with payroll systems simplifies the payroll process significantly.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include GPS tracking, which verifies employee locations during work hours. The scheduling feature helps you manage shifts and ensure coverage. You can also generate detailed reports to gain insights into labor costs and efficiency.
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Xero, ADP, Gusto, Square, Expensify, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Provides detailed labor reports
- Offers GPS tracking
- Strong payroll integration
Cons:
- GPS may be slow on mobile app
- Complex and overwhelming interface
TimeCamp is a time tracking software tailored for businesses seeking to improve productivity and manage time effectively. It helps teams track hours, analyze productivity, and refine billing processes.
Why I picked TimeCamp: TimeCamp's automatic time tracking is perfect for teams that want to reduce manual input. It tracks your activities in the background, ensuring accurate time logs without disrupting your workflow. The tool also provides insightful reports to help you understand productivity patterns. In my experience, its easy setup and user-friendly interface make it a go-to option for many businesses.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include detailed reporting of time tracking data that helps you examine time spent on tasks and projects. The invoicing feature lets you bill clients directly from the platform. The project management tools allow you to assign tasks and track progress efficiently.
Integrations include Trello, Asana, Slack, Jira, QuickBooks, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Exports to Google Spreadsheets to download as Excel, PDF, or CSV files
- Adds timer button to tools via browser plugins
Cons:
- Basic mobile app features
- Occasional tracking inaccuracies
TMetric is a time tracking software that helps developers and small teams manage time, projects, and client billing. It offers features that boost productivity and provide detailed reporting for better project management.
Why I picked TMetric: TMetric is ideal for small teams due to its straightforward time tracking and budget management features. It allows your team to track employee time spent on tasks and projects accurately. The tool offers productivity analytics, giving insights into work patterns and efficiency. In my experience, its integration with popular development tools makes it a valuable asset for small teams.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include detailed reporting that helps you analyze time usage across projects. The invoicing feature lets you bill clients directly from the platform. Task management is also efficient, allowing you to assign and track tasks smoothly.
Integrations include Atlassian, Atlassian Jira, GitHub, Asana, Trello, Slack, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Flexible billing modes
- Detailed productivity analytics
- Direct integrations with many developer ecosystems
Cons:
- Delayed customer support response
- Cluttered and less intuitive interface
My Hours is a time tracking software designed for freelancers and small businesses to manage project hours and billing. It helps users track time, manage projects, and generate invoices efficiently.
Why I picked My Hours: My Hours is perfect for project billing, allowing you to track billable hours with ease. In my experience, its features make it a valuable tool for freelancers and small teams.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include customizable billing rates, which let you set different rates for projects and tasks. The reporting feature gives insights into project costs and profitability. You can also track time manually or with timers to ensure accurate logging.
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Asana, Zapier, Microsoft Teams, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Improves project billing accuracy
- Offers detailed cost reports
- Supports customizable billing rates
Cons:
- Occasional syncing delays between devices
- No automatic or background time tracking
Memtime is an automatic time tracking software designed for industries such as marketing, legal, finance, and software development. It tracks time spent on projects, improving productivity while maintaining user privacy through offline data storage.
Why I picked Memtime: Memtime excels in offline tracking, ensuring your data remains private while you track time. Its features are especially helpful for maintaining accuracy in billing and project planning. In my experience, its ability to function offline without compromising data integrity sets it apart.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include automatic activity capture, which logs your work activities without interruption. The software provides detailed timelines, helping you understand how your day is spent. You can also log project hours quickly, improving billing accuracy and efficiency.
Integrations include XeroProjects, Asana, Google Calendar, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Reduces manual tracking efforts
- Quick project hour logging
- Improves billing accuracy
Cons:
- No team collaboration features
- Mobile app not available
Clockify is a free time tracking software designed for teams and individuals across various industries. It helps track work hours, manage projects, and monitor productivity efficiently.
Why I picked Clockify: Clockify supports unlimited users, making it ideal for teams of any size. It offers essential features, such as real-time stop timers and timesheets, to track work hours accurately. Project management tools help you allocate resources effectively, and scheduling capabilities ensure your team stays on track. In my experience, its straightforward interface makes it easy to onboard your team quickly.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include auto tracking, which records time spent on different tasks automatically. Budgeting tools allow you to set financial goals and track expenses. The calendar management feature helps you visualize and plan your team's schedule.
Integrations include Trello, Asana, Atlassian Jira, monday.com, QuickBooks, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Supports unlimited users
- Extensive API and integrations
- Self-hosted on-premises solution
Cons:
- No built-in invoicing
- Limited automatic time tracking and productivity insights
TrackingTime is a time tracking software that caters to teams and freelancers looking to efficiently manage tasks and projects. It provides tools to track time spent on tasks, manage team workloads, and generate accurate reports.
Why I picked TrackingTime: TrackingTime excels in task management, making it a great choice for teams needing to organize workloads. It allows you to create tasks, set deadlines, and assign them to team members. The platform offers real-time tracking, ensuring you know how time is spent on each task. In my experience, its task management capabilities help teams stay organized and meet deadlines.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include a built-in calendar that helps you visualize your team's schedule. The reporting feature provides insights into team productivity and time allocation. You can also set project budgets to manage resources effectively.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, Google Calendar, Outlook, and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cross-platform desktop applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Built-in calendar for scheduling
- Effective task management
Cons:
- Weak privacy controls and data encryption
- Inflexible and complex reporting
Other Time Tracking Software for Developers
Here are some additional time tracking software for developers options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- RescueTime
For distraction management
- Harvest
For invoicing integration
- Timing
For macOS users
- WakaTime
For coding activity insights
- Paymo
For project management integration
- Zoho Projects
For task tracking
- Jibble
For attendance tracking
- Hubstaff
For remote team management
- ClockShark
For construction crews
- Office Timeline
For timeline visuals
- Productive
For agency workflows
- Apploye
For employee monitoring
- Toggl Track
For simple time tracking
- ATracker
For customizable dashboards
- Chrono Platform
For time analytics
Time Tracking Software for Developer Selection Criteria
When selecting the best time tracking software for developers to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points, including accurate time logging and integration with development tools. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Track billable hours
- Generate timesheets
- Monitor project progress
- Allocate resources
- Integrate with project management tools
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Real-time activity tracking
- Automated invoicing
- Advanced reporting analytics
- Offline tracking capabilities
- Customizable dashboards
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface design
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Quick access to features
- Responsive design for mobile use
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Webinars for new users
- Chatbots for immediate assistance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Response time to inquiries
- Quality of assistance provided
- Availability of a knowledge base
Value for Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Features included in base package
- Scalability of pricing plans
- Discounts for annual billing
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction rating
- Commonly reported issues
- Frequency of updates
- User feedback on features
- Testimonials of customer support
How To Choose Time Tracking Software for Developers
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What To Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Will the software grow with your team? Check if it can handle more users and projects without a hitch. |
| Integrations | Does it connect with your current tools? Ensure it works with your existing project management and accounting software, including Windows, macOS, and Android. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your workflow? Look for options to customize dashboards, reports, and user settings. |
| Ease of use | Is it straightforward for everyone to use? A user-friendly interface can save time and reduce training needs. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get started? Evaluate the availability of tutorials, support, and resources for a smooth transition. |
| Cost | Does the pricing align with your budget? Consider all costs, including hidden fees and long-term commitments. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data and privacy protected? Look for encryption, user permissions, and compliance with data regulations. |
| Support availability | Can you access help when needed? Check for 24/7 support, multiple contact options, and the quality of customer service. |
What Is Time Tracking Software for Developers?
Time tracking software for developers is a tool that helps track the time spent on various coding tasks and projects. Software developers, project managers, and teams commonly use it to monitor productivity and allocate resources effectively. Automatic time logging, project management integration, and detailed reporting features help with managing workloads and billing accurately. Overall, these tools boost productivity and provide valuable insights into how time is spent.
Features
When selecting time tracking apps for developers, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Automatic time logging: Tracks time spent on tasks without manual input, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
- Project management integration: Connects with tools, such as Trello and Asana, to refine project workflows.
- Detailed reporting: Provides insights into productivity patterns and project costs, helping you make informed decisions.
- Customizable dashboards: Allow you to tailor views to focus on key metrics relevant to your work.
- Invoicing capabilities: Generate invoices directly from tracked time, simplifying billing processes.
- GPS tracking: Verifies employee locations during work hours, useful for teams working remotely or in the field.
- Task categorization: Helps organize tasks and projects for better workflow management.
- Budget monitoring: Keeps track of project budgets to prevent overspending and ensure financial control.
Benefits
Implementing time tracking software for developers provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved productivity: Automatic time tracking features help identify how time is spent, allowing teams to optimize workflows and focus on priorities.
- Accurate billing: Invoicing capabilities ensure that all billable hours are captured and translated into accurate client invoices.
- Improved project management: Integration with project management tools helps simplify tasks and monitor project progress.
- Better resource allocation: Detailed reporting provides insights into workload distribution, enabling better decision-making for resource management.
- Financial control: Budget monitoring features keep projects within financial limits, with expense tracking features to avoid overspending.
- Effective remote work management: GPS tracking verifies employee locations, ensuring accountability for remote or field-based teams.
Costs and Pricing
Selecting time tracking software for developers requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in time tracking software for developers:
Plan Comparison Table for Time Tracking Software for Developers
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic time tracking, limited reporting, and manual entries. |
| Personal Plan | $3.99-$20/user/month | Automatic time logging, project categorization, and basic invoicing. |
| Business Plan | $15-$30/user/month | Advanced reporting, integrations with project management tools, and budget tracking. |
| Enterprise Plan | $30-$50/user/month | Customizable dashboards, dedicated support, and extensive security features. |
Time Tracking Software for Developers FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about time tracking software for developers:
How can I ensure data privacy with time tracking software?
Most time tracking software offers data privacy features. Look for tools that provide encryption, user permissions, and compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation. You can also check if the software allows you to set user access levels to control who sees what data. Reading the software’s privacy policy can give you insights into how your data is handled. Always ensure that the software vendor has a clear commitment to safeguarding user information.
How can I get my development team to consistently use a time tracking tool?
You can involve your developers in choosing the tool and making sure it fits with your existing workflows, such as Git or Atlassian Jira. Provide clear training and explain how tracking time benefits the team, not just management. Automate reminders and highlight how the data helps manage workloads and avoid burnout.
Can time tracking software integrate with my current tools?
Yes. Most time tracking software can integrate with a wide range of tools. Check if the software supports integrations with your existing project management, accounting, and communication tools, such as Trello, QuickBooks, and Slack. Integrations allow data to flow freely between systems, simplifying workflows. Before purchasing, verify the specific integrations available and consider using trial versions to test them with your current setup.
Is it difficult to transition to a new time tracking software?
No. If planned well, transitioning to a new time tracking software can be straightforward. Choose a tool that offers detailed onboarding resources, such as training videos, tutorials, and customer support. Migrate a small team to test the user experience of the software before a full rollout. Ensure that your team is trained and comfortable using the new system. Effective onboarding can minimize disruptions and help your team adapt quickly.
What’s the best way to track time for both solo developers and teams?
The best way is to use a tool that supports both automatic and manual tracking, mobile and desktop apps, project-based time logs, and individual reporting. Look for software that lets you switch between tracking modes, so developers can log hours as they work or add them after finishing tasks. This flexibility is key for mixed teams.
What support options are available if I run into issues?
Most time tracking software providers offer various support options. Look for tools that provide 24/7 support via chat, email, or phone. Many also offer help centers with articles and FAQs to guide you through common issues. Some vendors have dedicated account managers for personalized support. Before committing, test the responsiveness of the support team with trial queries to ensure they meet your expectations.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching time tracking software for developers, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
