You can’t bill what you don’t track. But when you’re starting out, paying for time tracking eats into thin margins.
These seven tools offer solid free plans. Not trials. Not “free with ads.” Actually free for solo freelancers.
1. Clockify
Best for: No restrictions
Clockify’s free plan is generous. Unlimited projects, unlimited clients, unlimited time entries. Forever.
Free includes:
- Unlimited tracking
- Basic reporting
- Browser extension, mobile apps
- Export to PDF, CSV, Excel
Limits:
- No invoicing
- Limited integrations
Interface is basic. Works fine. Starting point for most freelancers.
Pricing: Free forever. Paid from $3.99/user/month for invoicing.
2. Toggl Track
Best for: User experience
Toggl Track’s free plan covers most solo freelancers. Clean interface. Fast.
Free includes:
- Unlimited time tracking
- Up to 5 projects
- Basic reporting
- Browser extension with auto-tracking
- Idle detection
Limits:
- 5 project limit
- No invoicing
Auto-tracking browser extension detects work in tools like GitHub, suggests time entries.
Pricing: Free for 5 projects. Paid from $9/user/month unlimited.
3. Harvest
Best for: Invoicing integration
Harvest combines time tracking with invoicing—even on free. Saves workflow steps for hourly billers.
Free includes:
- 1 user, 2 projects
- Time and expense tracking
- Basic invoicing (unlimited clients)
- Payment tracking
Limits:
- 2 project limit
- Limited integrations
Project limit is tight. Works if you organize by client, not granular projects.
Pricing: Free for 1 user, 2 projects. Paid from $10.80/user/month.
4. TimeCamp
Best for: Forgetful trackers
TimeCamp auto-tracks. Monitors apps and websites, suggests entries based on activity.
Free includes:
- Automatic time tracking
- Unlimited projects
- Basic reporting
- Desktop and mobile apps
Limits:
- No invoicing
- Dated interface
Privacy concern: it monitors everything. But catches forgotten entries.
Pricing: Free unlimited users. Paid from $6.30/user/month.
5. TopTracker
Best for: Platform freelancers
Built by TopTal team. Freelancer-specific features: activity tracking, optional screenshots, client reports.
Free includes:
- Unlimited tracking
- Activity monitoring
- Optional screenshots
- Client reports
Limits:
- Designed for hourly billing
- Less suited for retainers
- Smaller feature set
Screenshot features are controversial but useful for some client relationships.
Pricing: Completely free. No paid tiers.
6. Chronoid
Best for: Modern design
Newer tool. Clean, distraction-free interface. Generous free plan.
Free includes:
- Unlimited tracking
- Up to 10 projects
- Reporting dashboards
- Browser extension
- Mobile apps
Limits:
- Newer ecosystem
- Limited integrations
- 10 project cap
Design is noticeably better than older tools.
Pricing: Free for 10 projects. Paid from $5/month unlimited.
7. DeskLog
Best for: Privacy
Local-first storage. Optional cloud sync. Data stays on your machine.
Free includes:
- Local time tracking
- Unlimited projects
- Basic reporting
- Optional screenshots
Limits:
- Functional interface
- Smaller feature set
- Less mature
Privacy is the selling point. Sensitive client work? Consider this.
Pricing: Free individuals. Teams from $5/user/month.
How to Choose
Clockify — Start here. Zero restrictions.
Toggl Track — If you value polish and 5 projects is enough.
Harvest — If invoicing matters and 2 projects works for you.
TimeCamp — If you forget to start timers.
TopTracker — If you work through platforms like Upwork.
Chronoid — If design matters and 10 projects covers you.
DeskLog — If privacy is non-negotiable.
Migration Tips
Switching is painful—you lose historical data. Choose carefully:
- Test with one client first
- Export data regularly
- Check accounting software integrations
- Test mobile apps if you track on-the-go
Reality Check
Time tracking doesn’t require paid software. These free plans handle real freelance workflows.
Best choice depends on your needs: unlimited projects (Clockify), polish (Toggl Track), invoicing (Harvest), auto-tracking (TimeCamp), or privacy (DeskLog).
Pick one. Start tracking. Stop guessing where billable hours go.
Pricing verified April 2026.