7+ Best Time Tracking and Invoicing Software for Freelancers 2026

Tracking work hours and sending invoices are two important tasks for any freelancer. But doing both tasks by hand can take a lot of time. You may forget some work hours, make mistakes while adding numbers, or spend hours creating invoices.

Time tracking and invoicing software can make this work much easier. It can record your work hours and use that information to create invoices. However, not every tool is a good fit for freelancers. Some tools are easy to use but have very few features.

Some have free plans but limit the number of clients or projects you can manage. Others offer many features but become expensive as your business grows. So, in this guide, we'll compare the best time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers in 2026.

Hope this will help you find the best tool in the end. Get started!

Our Criteria to Choose the Best Time Tracking and Invoicing Software for Freelancers

There are many time tracking and invoicing tools for freelancers. But each tool has some unique distinctions that make them different. To find the best options, we checked every tool using the same criteria. This makes the comparison fair. Take a look:

a. Time Tracking

Good time tracking should be simple. You should be able to start and stop a timer without any trouble. You should also be able to add time manually if you forget to start the timer.

b. Invoicing

A good invoicing feature should save you from doing the same work twice. Ideally, you should be able to turn your tracked hours into an invoice without entering them again.

c. Freelancer Workflow

Freelancers often work with several clients at the same time. So, the software should make it easy to manage clients, projects, tasks, time, and invoices in one place.

d. Ease of Use

Freelancers should not need hours of training to learn a time tracking and invoicing tool. We looked for tools with simple setup, clean designs, and easy-to-find features. Tools that feel too complicated for a solo freelancer receive lower scores.

e. Project Management Features

Time tracking and invoicing are often connected to your projects. That is why we also looked at the project management features each tool offers. We checked features such as task lists, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, file sharing, milestones, and client access.

These features can help freelancers manage more of their work without using several different tools.

Best Time Tracking and Invoicing Software for Freelancers Discussed

There is no single time tracking and invoicing tool that is perfect for every freelancer. Your best choice depends on how you work, how many clients you have, and what other features you need. Some tools focus on time tracking and invoicing, while others combine these features with project management, client management, or accounting.

We compared eight tools using the same criteria. Below, you will find the key features, pricing, pros, cons, and best use cases for each one. We also point out who should avoid each tool. This makes it easier to find the right option instead of choosing a tool only because it has a long feature list.

1. Paymo

Paymo is an all-in-one work management tool designed for freelancers and small teams. It combines project management, time tracking, invoicing, estimates, and expense management.

Its free plan is one of its biggest advantages for new freelancers. You can track time and create unlimited invoices without paying. However, the free plan supports only one client and two projects.

Key features

• Track time with built-in timers.
• Use desktop and mobile apps for time tracking.
• Create unlimited invoices on the free plan.
• Create estimates and manage expenses on paid plans.
• Manage tasks with lists and boards.
• Organize work by clients and projects.
• Track billable hours and use them for invoicing.

Pros

• Unlimited invoices are available on the free plan.
• The free plan is useful for a freelancer with one main client.
• Solo pricing is affordable before you need to add more users.
• Project management and time tracking are available in the same tool.

Cons

• The free plan supports only one client.
• You may need to upgrade as your client list grows.
• Promotional pricing increases after the first three months.

Best for

Paymo is a good choice for new freelancers who have one main client and want to start tracking time and creating invoices for free.

Skip it if: You already work with many clients and do not want to move to a paid plan as your business grows.

2. WP Project Manager

WP Project Manager is the number #1 project management plugin for WordPress. It combines project management, time tracking, and invoicing in one place. One of the biggest advantages of the plugin is its pricing plan. There is no per-user fee. You just have to pay based on the number of websites where you want to use this plugin.

This means you can manage as many team members as you want with the software. So, adding a client, subcontractor, or team member does not increase the license cost.

Disclosure: WP Project Manager is made by weDevs, the team behind this blog. We included it in this comparison and reviewed it using the same criteria as the other tools. We also point out its limitations so you can decide if it is right for you.

Learn how to invoice a client with WP Project Manager.

Key features

• Start, pause, and stop a timer directly from tasks.
• Track billable hours for specific projects and clients.
• Create invoices from tracked time.
• Download invoices as PDF files.
• Accept card payments through Stripe on the Business plan.
• Let clients view invoices through a simple shortcode without buying a license.
• Manage projects, tasks, milestones, files, and Kanban boards.
• Create project tasks with AI using your own OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google API key.
• Import existing boards from Trello or Asana.
• Use the redesigned interface introduced with version 4 in May 2026.

Pros

• One yearly license can cover unlimited collaborators and clients.
• Your project data stays on your own WordPress server.
• Project management, time tracking, and invoicing work together.
• You do not pay more just because you add another team member.

Cons

• You need a WordPress website to use it.
• Time tracking and invoicing are not available in the free version.
• It does not include built-in expense tracking.

Best for

WP Project Manager is a good choice for freelance WordPress developers, designers, and consultants who already work inside WordPress. It is especially useful if you want project management, time tracking, and invoicing without a monthly fee for every user. It is also useful if you want to manage lots of users without increasing the software cost.

Skip it if: You do not use WordPress or need advanced accounting, expense, and tax features in the same tool.

3. Bonsai

Bonsai is designed specifically around the needs of freelancers. It goes beyond time tracking and invoicing. You can also use it for proposals, contracts, client management, scheduling, retainers, and recurring payments.

This makes Bonsai more like a complete freelance business tool than a traditional project management app.

Key features

• Track unlimited work hours.
• Create proposals for clients.
• Create and manage contracts.
• Create invoices from your freelance work.
• Manage retainers and recurring payments.
• Manage clients in one place.
• Schedule work and meetings.
• Keep project and client information together.

Pros

• Combines proposals, contracts, time tracking, and invoices.
• Good for freelancers who manage many client-related tasks.
• Unlimited clients and projects are available on every plan.
• Retainer and recurring billing features are useful for long-term clients.

Cons

• The $9 Basic plan does not include the invoicing features most freelancers need.
• You need the $19 Essentials plan for invoicing and payments.
• Project management is not as deep as some dedicated project management tools.
• Advanced project features such as Gantt views require a higher plan.

Best for

Bonsai is best for freelancers who want to manage their entire client workflow in one place. It is especially useful for designers, writers, consultants, and other creative professionals who regularly use proposals, contracts, and retainers.

Skip it if: You need advanced project management features or want a permanent free plan.

4. Harvest

Harvest has been a popular time tracking tool for many years. It keeps the process simple: track your time, review your hours, create an invoice, and get paid.

Its free plan is particularly useful for freelancers. It supports one user and two projects and includes invoicing.

Key features

• Start and stop timers quickly.
• Track time through web, desktop, Mac, and iOS apps.
• Turn tracked time into invoices.
• Track expenses.
• Connect with Stripe for online payments.
• Connect with accounting tools such as QuickBooks and Xero on paid plans.
• Create reports for tracked time and projects.

Pros

• The free plan includes both time tracking and invoicing.
• Very easy to learn and use.
• Good choice for freelancers who mainly bill by the hour.
• Expense tracking is included in the free plan.

Cons

• The free plan allows only two projects.
• It does not offer deep project management features.
• You may need another tool if you want advanced task and project management.

Best for

Harvest is best for freelancers who want simple time tracking and invoicing without paying at the start. It is a particularly good option for hourly freelancers.

Skip it if: You need detailed project management features such as task boards, milestones, or advanced project planning.

5. Plutio

Plutio is an all-in-one business workspace built with freelancers and small businesses in mind. It combines projects, time tracking, invoicing, proposals, contracts, and client portals.

One of its biggest advantages is that its main features are available across its plans. However, the number of clients and contributors increases as you move to higher plans.

Key features

• Track time for projects and tasks.
• Create and send invoices.
• Manage projects and tasks.
• Create proposals and contracts.
• Give clients access to dedicated portals.
• Manage client communication.
• Create a branded client experience with white-label features.

Pros

• Time tracking and invoicing are available from the lowest plan.
• Client portals can make communication easier.
• Combines many freelancer business tools in one place.
• Useful for freelancers who want fewer separate apps.

Cons

• The Core plan has a limit of nine active clients.
• The jump from Core to Pro is large.
• Busy freelancers may reach the client limit quickly.

Best for

Plutio is a good choice for freelancers who want projects, time tracking, invoices, contracts, and client communication in one place.

Skip it if: You have more than nine active clients and do not want to move to the much more expensive Pro plan.

6. Teamwork

Teamwork is a project management platform built mainly for client work and growing teams. It includes time tracking and invoicing features along with more advanced project management tools.

It is more powerful than many freelancer-focused tools. However, that also means it can feel like too much software for a solo freelancer.

Key features

• Track billable time.
• Connect tracked time with projects and tasks.
• Create invoices from logged time.
• Manage projects with task lists and boards.
• Create Gantt charts.
• Manage workloads.
• Use project automations.
• Track project costs and margins on higher plans.

Pros

• Strong project management features.
• The free plan supports up to five users.
• Good for freelancers who are building a small team.
• Useful for managing client projects and billable work together.

Cons

• It can feel complicated for a solo freelancer.
• Some advanced invoicing features require a more expensive plan.
• You may pay for features you do not need if you only want time tracking and invoices.

Best for

Teamwork is best for freelancers who are planning to grow into a small agency. It gives you project management features that can continue to be useful as your team grows.

Skip it if: You only need a simple timer and invoice tool and do not want to deal with extra project management features.

7. ActiveCollab

ActiveCollab is a project management tool built around client work. It combines tasks, projects, time tracking, and invoicing.

One feature that stands out for freelancers is its client access. Clients can use the platform without taking up paid team seats.

Key features

• Track time directly from tasks and projects.
• Manage tasks and projects.
• Invite unlimited clients for free.
• Allow clients to view and comment on work.
• Create invoices from tracked time.
• Accept online payments with the Pro+ (Get Paid) plan.
• Manage client projects from one workspace.

Pros

• Unlimited client users are free.
• Good project management features.
• Time tracking connects directly with tasks and projects.
• Useful for freelancers who work closely with clients.

Cons

• Invoicing requires the higher Pro+ plan.
• There is no permanent free plan.
• You may pay more than needed if you only want basic time tracking and invoicing.

Best for

ActiveCollab is best for freelancers who work with many client contacts and need strong project management.

Skip it if: You want a free plan or want invoicing without paying for a higher-tier plan.

8. FreshBooks

FreshBooks takes a different approach from most tools on this list. It focuses more on accounting, invoicing, expenses, and payments. Time tracking is included mainly to help you bill clients accurately.

This makes it a strong option for freelancers who want more than just project management and time tracking.

Key features

• Track unlimited time on every plan.
• Create professional invoices.
• Turn tracked time into invoice items.
• Track business expenses.
• Create estimates.
• Accept card payments.
• Accept ACH payments.
• Support Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Create financial and tax-related reports.

Pros

• Strong invoicing and accounting features.
• Supports several online payment methods.
• Useful expense tracking and financial reports.
• Good choice for freelancers who want to keep more of their business finances in one place.

Cons

• The Lite plan supports only five billable clients.
• The Plus plan is much more expensive.
• Project management features are basic.
• It may be more than a freelancer needs if they only want time tracking and invoices.

Best for

FreshBooks is best for freelancers who care more about invoicing, expenses, payments, and financial management than detailed project management.

Skip it if: You need advanced project management or have many small clients and want to keep costs low.

Check the top Asana alternatives for project managers.

How Time Tracking Software Helps Freelancers Get Paid More Accurately

Time tracking software removes the guesswork between doing the work and billing it. The full journey looks like this.

• Track. Start the timer when you begin a task. The software records the time against the right client and project.

• Review. At the end of the week, scan your timesheet. Fix anything you mislabeled while it is still fresh.

• Approve. Mark the hours as billable and final. This is your last check before money is involved.

• Convert. The tool turns approved hours into invoice line items automatically, each with its task, hours, and rate.

• Invoice. Add your payment terms and tax, then generate the invoice as a PDF or a payment link.

• Send. Deliver it from the same tool, so the invoice and the record of it stay together.

• Get paid. Online payment options and automatic reminders shorten the wait.

Here is the difference in practice. Say you worked 18.5 billable hours for a client this month at $50 per hour. Done by hand, you reconstruct those hours from calendar entries and memory, and memory always drops a few.

Done in software, the math is already there. 18.5 hours times $50 equals $925, itemized task by task, ready to send. The client sees exactly what they are paying for, which also means fewer disputes and faster payment.

Read this post to master on project management workflow with the best project management software.

Common Mistakes Freelancers Make When Tracking Time and Invoicing

Having a good time tracking and invoicing tool does not automatically prevent mistakes. You still need to use it correctly and follow a good routine. Small mistakes can lead to missing billable hours, incorrect invoices, and delayed payments.

The good news is that these mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to look for. Let’s look at the most common mistakes freelancers make and how you can avoid them.

1. Forgetting to Start the Timer

This is one of the easiest ways to lose billable hours. You may start working on a client task and remember the timer only after an hour. Make it a habit to start the timer before you begin any billable task. If you forget, add the time manually as soon as possible.

2. Tracking Time Without Assigning a Client

A time entry is not very useful if you do not know which client or project it belongs to. You may remember the work later, but finding the correct client at the end of the month can be difficult. Always connect your time entry to the correct client, project, and task.

3. Mixing Billable and Non-Billable Hours

Not every hour you work should go on a client invoice. Time spent on marketing, administration, learning, or your own business is usually non-billable. Mark your hours as billable or non-billable when you track them. This keeps your invoices accurate.

4. Rounding Hours Incorrectly

Rounding your work hours without a clear rule can create problems. If you always round up, your clients may question the invoice. If you always round down, you may lose money. Choose a clear rounding rule and use it for every client.

For example, you may round time to the nearest 6 or 15 minutes. If your contract includes a rounding rule, follow the same rule when preparing your invoices.

Here is a discussion on how to master time management with the time tracker module of WP Project Manager.

5. Creating Invoices Manually

Creating every invoice from scratch takes time and increases the chance of mistakes. You may forget a billable hour, enter the wrong rate, or calculate the total incorrectly. If your software can create an invoice from your tracked time, use that feature to avoid mistakes.

6. Not Setting Payment Terms

An invoice should clearly tell the client when payment is due. Without a due date, your client may not know when you expect to be paid. Add payment terms to every invoice. Common options include Net 14 and Net 30, which mean the payment is due within 14 or 30 days.

7. Not Sending Payment Reminders

Sometimes a late payment is simply a missed reminder. Your client may be busy and forget to pay the invoice. Use automatic payment reminders if your invoicing software supports them. This saves you from having to remember every unpaid invoice yourself.

FAQ on Best Time Tracking and Invoicing Software for Freelancers

Now, we'll answer some questions commonly found online regarding the topic – best time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers. Read them.

Final Takeaways!

The best time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers is the one that fits your daily work. If you only need simple time tracking and invoices, Harvest can be a good starting point. If you want project management with time tracking and invoicing inside WordPress, WP Project Manager is worth considering.

Before you choose a tool, think about your clients, projects, billing method, and budget. Also check the limits of the plan you are buying. A tool may look affordable at first but become expensive when you add more clients or team members.

The right software should make your work easier, help you track every billable hour, and reduce the time you spend preparing and following up on invoices.