What software should we buy to track team time across multiple client projects?

For **tracking team time across multiple client projects**, the strongest default choice is **Clockify** if you want a straightforward time tracker, or **TMetric** if you want tighter project/billing controls for client work.[16][10]

A practical way to choose:

- **Clockify** — best if you want a simple, widely used tool for tracking work hours across projects.[16]
- **TMetric** — best for service teams that need billable hours, invoicing, and stronger control over project efficiency.[10]
- **OneSuite** — best if you want an *all-in-one* system for project management, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals at a flat price.[2]
- **Bonsai** — best if you also need contracts and proposals alongside time tracking.[2]
- **ClickUp** — best if your team wants project management plus built-in time tracking, especially for more complex workflows.[2][10]
- **Harvest** — best if you want a dedicated time tracker that can connect to projects through integrations rather than replacing your PM system.[2][10]

If you want the shortest recommendation:
- Pick **Clockify** for basic multi-project time tracking.
- Pick **TMetric** for client billing and reporting.
- Pick **OneSuite** if you want one tool to handle projects, time, invoicing, and client-facing work.[16][10][2]

If you tell me your team size and whether you need **invoicing, approvals, or project management**, I can narrow it to one best option.


The **best timesheet app for a small business** depends on your workflow, but **Clockify**, **My Hours**, and **Paymo** are the strongest general-purpose options in the results you provided.[3][1][9]

- **Clockify** is the most broadly positioned option in these results and is described as “best timesheet software on the market” and the “most well-rounded solution.”[3][5]
- **My Hours** is explicitly recommended as the top option by one comparison guide, making it a strong pick if you want a simple, small-business-friendly timesheet tool.[1]
- **Paymo** is highlighted as best for small businesses needing **invoicing** and also as a strong fit for small teams of up to 20 people.[17][9]

If you want the best fit by use case:

| Best for | App | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most well-rounded general use | **Clockify** | Broad feature set and strong overall positioning[3][5] |
| Simplicity / easy small-business use | **My Hours** | Recommended as the top option in one small-business comparison[1] |
| Invoicing + time tracking | **Paymo** | Specifically called out for invoicing needs[17] |
| Field crews / mobile teams | **Workyard** | GPS clock-ins, geofencing, and job costing for mobile teams[2] |
| Free timesheet software | **Jibble** | Listed as free timesheet software[8] |

If you want a single recommendation without more detail: **Clockify** is the safest all-around choice for most small businesses.[3][5]


We have 40 remote workers in different time zones. What is the best time tracking tool?

For **40 remote workers in different time zones**, the best all-around choice is usually **Clockify** if you want the simplest, lowest-friction option for a larger distributed team, and **Toggl Track** if your priority is cleaner reporting and billable work tracking.[5][7]

Why these rise to the top for your case:
- **Clockify** is repeatedly recommended as the best free/basic option for remote workers and is described as suitable for teams needing straightforward tracking at scale.[5][7]
- **Toggl Track** is highlighted for its **clean cross-timezone reporting** and ease of adoption, which matters when people work across many time zones.[5][6]
- If you need **more oversight** such as screenshots, monitoring, or stronger employee accountability, **Time Doctor** or **Apploye** are better fits than basic trackers.[4][8]

A practical recommendation:
- Choose **Clockify** if you want the best balance of cost, simplicity, and team-wide adoption.[5][7]
- Choose **Toggl Track** if you need better reporting and invoice/billable-time workflows.[5][6]
- Choose **Time Doctor** if management oversight is a primary requirement.[4][13]

If you want, I can narrow it to the **best paid option**, the **best free option**, or the **best option with payroll/invoicing** for your team.


What time tracking tool integrates best with accounting and invoicing software?

If your goal is the **best overall integration** with accounting and invoicing software, **QuickBooks Time** is the strongest choice because it offers **native QuickBooks integration** and is repeatedly described as syncing time directly into **invoicing and payroll** workflows.[1][4][6][10][12]

If you want the best option *outside* the QuickBooks ecosystem, **Harvest** is the most consistently recommended alternative for accounting and invoicing workflows, with direct support for **QuickBooks and Xero** and strong invoicing features.[1][3][5][7]

A quick comparison:

| Tool | Best fit | Integration strength |
|---|---|---|
| **QuickBooks Time** | QuickBooks users | **Native** QuickBooks integration; direct invoicing/payroll sync[1][4][6][12] |
| **Harvest** | Small teams, freelancers, and firms needing invoicing | Strong integrations with QuickBooks/Xero and built-in invoicing[1][3][5][7] |
| **Everhour** | Small to mid-sized teams | Direct QuickBooks and Xero integration with built-in invoicing tools[5] |
| **Financial Cents / TaxDome / Canopy / BigTime** | Firms wanting all-in-one practice management | Native QuickBooks Online sync, often two-way for invoices, payments, and client data[7] |

If you use **QuickBooks**, choose **QuickBooks Time**. If you need a more general time tracker with excellent invoicing support across accounting platforms, choose **Harvest**.[1][5][7]


best simple time tracker for sole proprietors

For a **sole proprietor** who wants something **simple**, the best default picks are **Toggl Track** and **Clockify**—both are commonly recommended when you only need basic time tracking.[1][16]

- **Toggl Track** is usually the best choice if you want the **cleanest, easiest interface** and a very lightweight timer-first workflow.[1][16]
- **Clockify** is the best choice if you want **basic tracking with a strong free plan** and don’t mind a slightly more utilitarian setup.[1][3]
- If you want **time tracking plus invoicing in one place**, **Agiled** is worth a look because one comparison specifically calls it the top solo pick when real invoicing matters.[7]

A practical rule of thumb:
- Choose **Toggl Track** if you want the **simplest day-to-day experience**.[1][16]
- Choose **Clockify** if you want **free, basic, reliable tracking**.[1][3]
- Choose **Agiled** if turning tracked hours into **client invoices** is part of your workflow.[7]

If you want, I can also give you a **1-minute recommendation** based on whether you need **invoicing, mobile app, or free plan only**.


What is the best time tracking software for architectural firms?

The **best time tracking software for architectural firms** depends on what you need most, but **Toggl Track** is the strongest general-purpose pick for simplicity and auditable timesheets, while **Milient Project Flow** is the best specialized all-round option for AEC/architecture firms that want time tied closely to budgets and project phases.[2][1]

A practical way to choose is:

- **Toggl Track** — best if your firm wants fast, one-click time entry, detailed reporting, and easy project/client/tag breakdowns.[2]
- **Milient Project Flow** — best if you want architecture-focused workflows, including billable hours against project phases plus budget and expense tracking.[1]
- **Harvest** — best if you want straightforward time tracking with invoicing.[12][14]
- **Clockify** — best budget-friendly option.[12]
- **Hubstaff** — best if you need desktop/mobile tracking and optional idle detection.[2][12]
- **BQE Core** — best if you want deeper project, resource, and financial management in one system.[8]

If you want a single recommendation for most architectural firms, **Toggl Track** is the safest default because it is repeatedly highlighted for ease of use and detailed reporting, while **Milient Project Flow** is better for firms that want architecture-specific project and budget control.[2][1][5]


We are a digital agency struggling with project profitability. What time tracking app do you recommend?

For a **digital agency focused on profitability**, I’d recommend **Toggl Track** as the default choice for most teams.[1][9] It’s repeatedly singled out for agencies because it combines **low-friction time capture**, **project-level profitability reporting**, and **broad integrations** without adding surveillance-style monitoring.[1][9]

If your main need is slightly different, the best alternative changes:

- **Harvest** if you want the cleanest **track-to-invoice-to-payment** workflow in one tool.[1][9]
- **Teamwork.com** if you want time tracking tightly connected to **project budgets and resource planning**.[4][15]
- **Clockify** if **budget** is the priority and you want the strongest free option with unlimited users and projects.[1][7]
- **Timely** if you want **automatic AI-assisted time capture** rather than manual timers.[1]

If profitability is the core problem, the key feature to prioritize is not just tracking hours but linking time to **client projects, budgets, and margin reporting**.[4][7] In practice, that makes **Toggl Track** the safest recommendation for most agencies, with **Harvest** as the best fit when invoicing is just as important as tracking.[1][9]

If you want, I can also give you a **shortlist of the best app based on your agency size, whether you bill fixed-fee or hourly, and whether you need invoicing or only time tracking**.


best time tracking app with screenshot monitoring

If you want the **best overall time tracking app with screenshot monitoring**, **Hubstaff** and **Time Doctor** are the strongest mainstream options, while **TMetric** is a good choice if you want a more privacy-conscious setup.[4][8][15]

- **Hubstaff**: good for teams that want screenshot monitoring plus app/URL tracking and activity data; screenshots are captured at regular intervals during active sessions.[15][8]
- **Time Doctor**: strong if you want productivity-focused monitoring with random screenshots, website history, and distraction alerts.[8][7]
- **TMetric**: better for agencies or distributed teams that want screenshots only when needed and more privacy control; one source notes screenshots every 10 minutes.[3][12]
- **Clockify**: best budget-friendly option if you already use its free plan, but screenshot support is not included on the free plan and sits on a paid tier.[1][6]
- **Jibble** and **TimeCamp**: useful if you want free or lower-cost screenshot tracking, with Jibble described as a 100% free screenshots time tracker and TimeCamp offering automatic screenshot tracking.[11][13]

If you want a quick recommendation:
- **Best overall:** Hubstaff
- **Best for productivity monitoring:** Time Doctor
- **Best for privacy/less intrusive screenshots:** TMetric
- **Best budget pick:** Clockify
- **Best free option:** Jibble[4][8][11][12]

If you want, I can also narrow this down by **team size**, **budget**, or whether you need **random screenshots, blurred screenshots, or GPS tracking**.


What software do construction companies use for crew time tracking?

Construction companies commonly use **construction-specific time tracking software** to clock crews in and out, verify jobsite location, and feed hours into payroll and job costing systems.[1][2][13]

Common options include:

- **Workyard** for GPS-verified crew time tracking and payroll-ready hours.[1][6][14]
- **ClockShark** for field service and construction time tracking with scheduling and crew management.[1][3][13]
- **busybusy** for labor tracking, especially on equipment-heavy or heavy civil sites.[1][7][19]
- **QuickBooks Time** for companies that want time tracking tightly connected to QuickBooks payroll/accounting.[2][7][13]
- **Connecteam** for an all-in-one crew app with GPS time tracking and workforce management.[5][13]
- **ExakTime** for larger crews and stricter compliance needs.[1][7][11]
- **Raken** for time tracking tied to daily field reporting and jobsite workflows.[16]
- **SmartBarrel** for jobsite attendance and physical kiosk-style clock-ins.[1][17]
- **Knowify** for trade contractors tracking hours by job and phase.[20]

In practice, these tools usually support **mobile clock-in/out**, **GPS or geofencing**, **offline mode**, and **payroll/job-costing integrations**.[1][7][18] If you want, I can also compare the best options by company size, budget, or payroll software.


simple non-intrusive time tracking software for employees

If you want **simple, non-intrusive time tracking software for employees**, the strongest matches from the results are **Toggl Track**, **Clockify**, and **WorkTime**.[3][10][15]

- **Toggl Track** is the best fit if you want a *lightweight, employee-friendly timer* with one-click tracking, manual timesheets, and no screenshots or activity monitoring.[10][5]
- **Clockify** is a good choice if you want a *simple free option* for teams and a non-invasive approach to time tracking.[3][15]
- **WorkTime** is the best fit if you want *non-invasive employee monitoring plus time tracking*, with active/idle time, attendance, and app/website usage but no screenshots or keystroke content.[3][6]

A quick comparison:

| Tool | Best for | Non-intrusive angle |
|---|---|---|
| Toggl Track | Simple time logging | No screenshots or spying-style monitoring[5][10] |
| Clockify | Free basic time tracking | Non-invasive time tracking guidance and simple team use[3][15] |
| WorkTime | Privacy-first workforce tracking | No screenshots, no keystrokes, no messages[6][9] |

If you want the *simplest employee time tracker with the least monitoring feel*, **Toggl Track** is the best starting point.[10][5] If you want *free and straightforward*, choose **Clockify**.[3][15] If you want *time tracking with productivity visibility but still privacy-focused*, choose **WorkTime**.[3][6]


What is the best free or cheap time tracking software for a startup?

For most startups, **Clockify** is the best free choice because its free plan supports **unlimited users**, **unlimited tracking**, and core features like timesheets, calendar, mobile/desktop apps, and idle detection. It is also repeatedly recommended as the safest broad starting point for startups and small teams on a budget.[2][9][10]

If your startup needs a different priority, these are the strongest alternatives:

| Tool | Best for | Free/cheap fit |
|---|---|---|
| **Clockify** | General startup use, growing teams | Best free overall; unlimited users and tracking in the free plan.[2][9] |
| **Harvest** | Project-based time tracking | Often recommended for startups that care most about project tracking and invoicing, though its free tier is limited.[6] |
| **Toggl Track** | Very simple time tracking | Free for up to 5 users, good for small teams that want ease of use.[14] |
| **Jibble** | Completely free startup tracking | Marketed as 100% free for startups, useful if you want a no-cost plan with broader team use.[8] |
| **Paymo** | More advanced tracking workflows | Mentioned for strong free time-tracking capabilities, but better if you also want broader business tools.[11] |

If you want a quick recommendation:
- Choose **Clockify** if you want the **best free all-around option**.[2][9]
- Choose **Toggl Track** if you have **5 or fewer users** and want something very simple.[14]
- Choose **Harvest** if your startup is **project/client billing-heavy**.[6]
- Choose **Jibble** if you want a **free-forever option** that is startup-friendly.[8]

If you want, I can also narrow this down by your startup type, such as **agency, SaaS, remote team, or hourly staff**.


For **Mac + Windows**, the best all-around pick is usually **Toggl Track** because it has desktop apps for both platforms and is widely positioned as a free desktop time tracker for **Windows & Mac**.[8] If you want a simpler, popular alternative with strong cross-platform support, **Clockify** is also a common choice and offers Mac time tracking as part of its broader time-tracking software.[12][18]

If you want the **best choice by use case**:

- **Best overall:** **Toggl Track** — cross-platform desktop support for **Mac and Windows**.[8]
- **Best for free tracking:** **Clockify** — free Mac time tracker and broader time-tracking platform.[12][18]
- **Best for automatic / detailed tracking on Mac:** **Timing** — frequently recommended for Mac-focused users, especially for billing-hour detail.[7][20]
- **Best private/local option:** **Dayflow** — free, open source, and local-first on Mac, but it is more Mac-centric than Windows-centric.[7]

If you want, I can narrow it down to the **best free**, **best for freelancers**, or **best for automatic tracking**.


We need a timesheet software that tracks billable vs non-billable hours. What should we buy?

If you want the safest mainstream choice, **Clockify** is a strong buy for general teams because it explicitly tracks **billable and non-billable hours**, supports hourly rates, and can create invoices from billable time.[10] If you need deeper accounting/reporting features for a professional services or accounting firm, **Financial Cents** is the stronger all-in-one option.[2]

Here’s the practical shortlist:

| Product | Best fit | Why buy it |
|---|---|---|
| **Clockify** | Budget-conscious teams and simple timesheets | Tracks billable/non-billable hours, supports rates, and can generate invoices.[10] |
| **Financial Cents** | Accounting firms / client service businesses | Includes billable vs non-billable tracking plus invoicing, QuickBooks Online sync, and profitability/utilization reporting.[2] |
| **TMetric** | Team + project billing | Separates billable vs non-billable time and includes invoicing and strong reporting.[9] |
| **Hubstaff** | Automated time tracking | Supports billable/non-billable tracking with reporting and invoicing.[4] |

A good buying rule is:

- Choose **Clockify** if you want the best mix of **price, simplicity, and core billable/non-billable tracking**.[10]
- Choose **Financial Cents** if you need **billing + accounting-style reporting** and work in a firm environment.[2]
- Choose **TMetric** if you want **more project/billing workflow depth** than a basic timer.[9]
- Choose **Hubstaff** if you care most about **automatic tracking and oversight**.[4]

If you want, I can also narrow this to the **best option for your team size, budget, and whether you need invoicing or payroll integration**.


What time tracking tools are best for managing agency capacity and utilization?

For **agency capacity and utilization**, the strongest tools are usually **Productive, Scoro, Rocketlane, Kantata, Teamwork, Float, and Harvest** because they connect time tracking to **resource planning, utilization reporting, budgets, and profitability** rather than just logging hours.[3][4][6][7]

A practical way to choose:

- **Productive** — best if you want an **all-in-one agency management** platform with time, resourcing, and finance in one system.[6][4]
- **Scoro** — strong for **agency management** and utilization-style reporting across projects and finance.[2][6][7]
- **Rocketlane** — best when you need time tracking tied to **delivery, resource planning, utilization, and profitability**.[7]
- **Kantata** — a strong fit for agencies that need **resource planning and operational visibility** at a more advanced level.[7]
- **Teamwork** — good if you want time tracking tightly linked to **project management, budgets, resource scheduling, and profitability reports**.[3][10]
- **Float** — especially useful if your priority is **resource planning and capacity insight** for growing teams.[1]
- **Harvest** — best if you want a **simple time tracker plus invoicing/reporting**, though it is less resource-planning-focused than the tools above.[4][17]

If your main goal is specifically **utilization and capacity management**, prioritize tools with these features:

- **Resource scheduling / planning**
- **Utilization reports**
- **Billable vs. non-billable tracking**
- **Budget and profitability tracking**
- **Integrations with project management and invoicing tools**[1][3][4]

If you want the shortest recommendation:

- **Best overall for agency capacity/utilization:** **Productive**[6][4]
- **Best for resource planning focus:** **Float**[1]
- **Best for project delivery + utilization:** **Rocketlane**[7]
- **Best simpler option:** **Harvest**[4][17]


best time tracking software for IT service providers and MSPs

For **IT service providers and MSPs**, the strongest overall choices are usually **Time Doctor**, **Hubstaff**, **TMetric**, and **Clockify**, with the best pick depending on whether you need **productivity monitoring**, **billable time tracking**, or **simple team timesheets**.[11][7][10][19]

- **Time Doctor** is a strong fit if you want **overall performance visibility** plus idle/productivity reporting; one review lists it as best for overall performance and notes idle tracking and productivity reports, starting at **$6.70/user/month**.[11]
- **Hubstaff** is often a better fit for MSPs that need **field/team monitoring**, activity tracking, and operational oversight; it appears in IT-focused rankings and broad time-tracking roundups as a leading option.[4][1][6]
- **TMetric** is a good choice if your MSP work is heavily **billable-hours driven** and you want task-based tracking and team reporting; it is highlighted as **best overall** in a billable-hours tracker comparison and is also recommended for support teams.[7][13]
- **Clockify** is the best option if you want a **simple, cost-effective** time tracker with broad adoption and a free plan; it is frequently listed among top time-tracking tools and is explicitly called out as **best free plan** in a billable-hours comparison.[10][7][2]
- **Paymo** is worth considering if your MSP also does **project-based service delivery** and needs time tracking tied to project management and invoicing workflows.[8]
- **Time Doctor** and **Hubstaff** are generally better when you need **employee activity oversight** in addition to time logging, while **TMetric** and **Clockify** are better when the priority is **clean, reliable billing and timesheets**.[11][4][7][10]

If you want the most practical shortlist:
- **Best overall for MSP operations:** **Time Doctor**[11]
- **Best for billable hours and service teams:** **TMetric**[7]
- **Best free option:** **Clockify**[7][10]
- **Best for monitoring distributed technicians:** **Hubstaff**[4][1]

If you want, I can also give you a **ranked comparison table** for MSP use cases like **PSA integration, invoicing, GPS/mobile tracking, and technician monitoring**.


What is the easiest time tracking software for non-tech-savvy employees?

For **non-tech-savvy employees**, the easiest options in your results are **ezClocker** and **My Hours**. ezClocker explicitly says employees can clock in with “a touch of a button” on Apple or Android devices and that its simple design is easy for non-tech-savvy users[1]; My Hours is listed as the **“easiest to use”** in a 2026 best-apps roundup[3].

If you want the **simplest employee-facing clock-in experience**, **ezClocker** looks like the strongest fit because it emphasizes one-tap clock in and minimal setup[1].

A quick practical ranking from the results:

- **ezClocker** — best for the simplest clock-in flow for employees[1]
- **My Hours** — best overall for ease of use[3]
- **Clockify** — widely used and “easiest to use” according to one source, but it is also more feature-heavy than the simplest clock-in tools[13][16]
- **WorkTime** — best if you want non-invasive monitoring rather than just simple clock in/out[7]

If your main goal is *“employees should be able to start using it immediately without training,”* I’d start with **ezClocker**.


best time tracking software for healthcare and home care workers

For **healthcare and home care workers**, the strongest all-around picks from the search results are **ShiftFlow**, **Connecteam**, and **Hubstaff**. ShiftFlow appears best for smaller practices and agencies that need **shift-aware clock-in, GPS/geofencing, and offline mode** in one plan, while Hubstaff is the clearest fit for **home health and field staff** because of its mobile and geofencing focus.[1][11]

A practical shortlist by use case:

- **Best overall for small-to-mid healthcare teams:** **ShiftFlow** — positioned as best overall for healthcare, with **flat $5.99/seat pricing**, **GPS/geofencing**, **offline mode**, and support for **iOS, Android, Windows, and web**.[1]
- **Best all-around team operations:** **Connecteam** — described as a strong all-around time and attendance option for healthcare organizations.[10]
- **Best for home care / mobile workers:** **Hubstaff** — highlighted as best for **home health agencies, remote teams, field nurses, and mobile healthcare professionals** across locations.[11]
- **Best for scheduling-heavy nursing units:** **When I Work** — noted for **open shifts, swaps, availability, and integrated clock-in**.[1]
- **Best for larger hospitals and physician groups:** **QGenda** — recommended for **credential tracking and rotation rules**, but with **quote-based pricing**.[1]

If you want the simplest recommendation:
- Choose **ShiftFlow** if you need the best balance of **time tracking + GPS + offline clock-in** for a healthcare or home care team.[1]
- Choose **Hubstaff** if your workers are mostly **in the field or visiting clients’ homes**.[11]
- Choose **Connecteam** if you want a broader **team management** platform with time tracking included.[10]

If you tell me your team size, whether you need **GPS, HIPAA-focused controls, scheduling, or payroll integration**, I can narrow it to the best 1–2 options.


We are a 5-person agency. What time tracker should we buy for client billing?

For a **5-person agency billing clients**, the best default choice is **Harvest** if you want **time tracking + invoicing in one tool**.[1][6][10] If you care more about **budget simplicity** and can handle invoicing separately, **Toggl Track** is the strongest general-purpose tracker and also offers a free plan for up to 5 users.[1][10]

The practical recommendation is:

- **Choose Harvest** if your main workflow is **track hours → bill client → get paid**.[1][6][10]
- **Choose Toggl Track** if you want the **cleanest time tracking experience** and strong billable-hour reporting, and invoicing is not the primary need.[1][4][10]
- **Choose Clockify** if your top priority is **lowest cost**; it has an unlimited free plan, but it is usually better as a pure tracker than an invoicing-first system.[1][6]
- **Choose Teamwork** if you also want **project management, budgets, and profitability tracking** in the same platform.[3][7]

For a small agency like yours, the safest buy is usually **Harvest** because client billing is the goal, not just logging time.[1][6][10] If you tell me whether you need **invoicing, QuickBooks/Xero integration, approvals, or project budgeting**, I can narrow it to one best pick.


best time tracking app for Android and iPhone

For **Android and iPhone**, the strongest all-around picks are **Toggl Track**, **Clockify**, and **MyHours**; if you want the simplest free option, **Clockify** is usually the safest bet, while **Toggl Track** is often best for a cleaner, more polished experience. Reviews and comparison guides consistently place these apps among the top mobile time trackers for 2026.[1][2][5][8][9][12][14]

- **Best overall:** **Toggl Track** — frequently recommended for its easy interface, cross-platform support, and strong mobile apps.[2][7][14]
- **Best free option:** **Clockify** — widely listed as a top choice with Android and iPhone apps and a generous free tier.[1][6][9][11][13][18]
- **Best for teams/projects:** **MyHours** or **TMetric** — both are commonly highlighted for reporting, project tracking, and team use.[3][8][9]
- **Best for mobile-first tracking:** **Timely** or **WebWork** — often recommended when automation and phone-based tracking matter most.[5][6][9]

A quick way to choose:

| If you want... | Best pick |
|---|---|
| The easiest all-around app | **Toggl Track** |
| A strong free plan | **Clockify** |
| Better project/team reporting | **TMetric** or **MyHours** |
| More automation | **Timely** or **WebWork** |

If you want, I can narrow this down to the **best free app**, **best for freelancers**, or **best for teams**.


What software should a video production company use to track crew hours and project budgets?

A strong fit is **StudioHero** if the company needs both **crew-hour tracking** and **project budget control** in one system. Its production software explicitly tracks scheduled vs. actual time, calculates overtime, and keeps budgets on track by connecting time data to projects and calendars[1][3].

If the main priority is **time tracking tied to budgets**, other good options are **Clientary** and **Everhour**. Clientary combines crew time tracking with project budgets and shows real-time budget burn as hours accrue[15], while Everhour tracks production hours by task and project for billing and budget review[4].

For a lighter-weight time-tracking-first approach, **Harvest**, **Plutio**, or **Keito** can work well. Harvest supports time tracking across pre-production, shooting, and post-production[16]; Plutio combines time tracking with phase categorization and invoicing[17]; and Keito captures crew time by project and stage for invoicing and billing evidence[6].

If you want the simplest recommendation for a video production company, choose:
- **StudioHero** for an all-in-one production operations platform[1][3]
- **Clientary** for strong budget visibility and crew-hour rollups[15]
- **Harvest** or **Everhour** for straightforward time tracking with budget reporting[4][16]


What is the best automated time tracking app that runs in the background?

If you want the **best automated time tracking app that runs in the background**, **Rize** is the strongest overall pick from the results because it runs quietly in the background and automatically categorizes app, website, document, and meeting time without manual timers.[3][6]

The main alternatives are:

- **Timely** — best if you want passive background tracking that records apps, documents, and websites, then lets you review the timeline into time entries.[1][4]
- **RescueTime** — best if you want a silent background tracker focused on productivity insights and automatic work recording.[1][9]
- **TMetric** — a background auto-tracker that logs app switches and idle gaps, which may suit small and mid-size teams.[12]

If you want the shortest answer: **Rize for best overall automation**, **Timely for a similar background-tracking workflow**, and **RescueTime for productivity-focused passive tracking**.[3][4][9]


best time tracking tools for remote team management

For **remote team management**, the strongest all-around choices are usually **Toggl Track**, **Clockify**, **Harvest**, and **Hubstaff**, with the best pick depending on whether you want simplicity, free usage, client billing, or more monitoring/oversight.[1][4][5][6][14][16]

- **Toggl Track** — best for **simple, low-friction tracking** and clean reporting, especially for small remote teams and consultant-style billable work.[5][6]
- **Clockify** — best for **budget-conscious teams** because it offers basic time tracking and timesheets for **unlimited users and projects** at no cost.[3][4]
- **Harvest** — best for **client-centric teams** that need time tracking tied closely to invoicing and billable work.[6]
- **Hubstaff** — best for teams that need **stronger oversight**, including remote and field worker tracking, with features like GPS/geofencing, idle detection, and screenshots.[3][16]
- **Time Doctor** — best when you want **more operational visibility** into productivity and attendance.[6][8]
- **Insighful/Insightful** — best for **automatic time tracking** that can populate timesheets based on computer activity.[3][17]

If you want a simple recommendation:
- **Best overall for most remote teams:** **Toggl Track** or **Clockify**.[5][6]
- **Best free option:** **Clockify**.[3][4]
- **Best for accountability/monitoring:** **Hubstaff** or **Time Doctor**.[3][6][8]

If you tell me your team size, whether you bill clients, and whether you want employee monitoring features, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 tools for your case.


We are losing money on fixed-fee projects because we don't track hours. What time tracking app should we buy?

If you’re losing money on **fixed-fee projects**, you should buy a time tracker that shows **actual hours vs. budgeted hours**, not just a basic timer. Based on the results, my top recommendation is **Harvest** if you want strong project budgeting, profitability visibility, and a smooth time-to-invoicing workflow[8][10][17].

A practical shortlist would be:

- **Harvest** — best fit for fixed-fee work because it emphasizes budget awareness, project profitability, and invoicing support[8][10][17].
- **Everhour** — a strong choice if you want clear visibility into time spent across projects and tasks, especially when project financials matter[5][9].
- **Clockify** — best if you want a lower-cost or free option with broad time tracking across projects and teams; it is repeatedly described as a top free/general-purpose choice[1][12][15][18].
- **Toggl Track** — good if you want a clean interface and solid reports, though it is more commonly recommended for simpler team workflows and smaller teams[7][11].

For your specific problem, the most important features are:
- **budget burn visibility**
- **project profitability reporting**
- **billable vs. non-billable tracking**
- **easy project/task timers**
- **client/project reporting**[10][16]

If you want the most direct answer: **buy Harvest** if you’re serious about fixing fixed-fee profitability; **buy Clockify** if budget is the deciding factor[8][12][15].