8 of the Top Free Time Tracking Apps for iPhone in 2020

There are so many free time tracking apps for iPhone and other mobile platforms that most users are simply overwhelmed with choice. When you do find a tool you want to try, the price can be a shock. Not anymore. We’ve come up with a list of best iPhone time trackers, and best of all, they’re all free!

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Why you should use a time tracking app

Don’t you just love how some simple apps can solve major problems? As a developer, designer, or writer, for example, you must have wondered how long you spend on tasks. Including how much time you spend preparing estimates, invoices, meeting with clients, or even on coffee or lunch breaks. Find out more about benefits of time tracking here.

You can always track time the old fashioned way by making mental notes or writing down your time, but in this day and age, there are more powerful apps that tell you a lot more than just how much time has gone by. Here are the features you should look for in a free time tracking app for iPhone.

Our criteria for the best free iPhone time tracker apps

1. Free to download (of course).
2. An easy to use and intuitive graphical user interface.
3. A built-in range of categories for both tasks and billing rates.
4. A timer with a “start-stop” that can be restarted quickly and easily.
5. Data backup functionality.
6. A way to export data.
7. The ability to sync data across multiple devices.

In addition to these qualities, we also wanted to find apps that offered a paid plan or add-ons for more functionality. Free apps for your iPhone are great, but sometimes you need more tools for your business, in which case paying for a plan makes the most sense.

Based on our criteria above, here are the top contenders for best iPhone time tracking apps.

1. Hubstaff

Platform: Hubstaff’s iOS app works with iOS 8.0 or later. It runs on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Hubstaff’s time tracking app for iPhone was designed to be as simple to use as possible while providing you all the time tracking capabilities you need. Track your time from your iPhone when you’re on the go and manage your account and your team online.

Hubstaff features

• Easily select projects to track time toward
• Accurate time tracking down to the second
• Easy start and stop timer
• Time tracked is available in online timesheets and reports
• Add work notes to describe what you’re doing
• GPS and location monitoring built into the mobile app
• Create job sites with Hubstaff’s geofence time clock app
• Automatically syncs with desktop and web apps

Hubstaff’s iOS app is the perfect complement to its desktop apps, which include time tracking with activity levels, random & automatic screenshots, integrations with more than 30 services, and more.

Free for one user forever. More about pricing here.

2. Timewerks: Mobile Billing Lite

Platform: Timewerks: Mobile Billing Lite requires iOS 10.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Timewerks features

• You can track time, customers, projects, billing, and expenses.
• Add capture notes and timesheets to every project task.
• Accept credit cards through Credit Card Terminal integration.
• Customize rates for different tasks and items.
• Multiple currency support.
• Compute taxes and discounts.

3. Timesheet – Time Hours Tracker

Platform: Requires iOS 8.2 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Timesheet features

• Allows you to track your work hours and payments with ease.
• Easily create a timer and access time entries.
• Track multiple projects at different rates.
• Tracks time even if the app is not running.
• Supports Apple Watch.

4. Hours Keeper

Platform: Hours Keeper works with iOS 9.0 or later. It is suitable for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and is optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

Hours Keeper features

• Simple user interface.
• Real-time earnings and time tracking for multiple clients.
• Weekly and monthly timesheets.
• Download invoices as PDFs.
• Visually appealing earnings reports.
• Map daily earning for each month via a calendar.
• Configure overtime and breaks for time tracking.
• Export CSV data.
• Billing and payments tracking.

5. HoursTracker

Platform: HoursTracker works with iOS 9.3 or later and is also suitable for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The app is optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

HoursTracker features

• Has a “Start Clock At…” feature in case you forgot to clock in.
• Set job locations and get clock in and out reminders.
• Add comments with time entries, which can be included in reports.
• Works with Apple Watch.
• Manual time entries allowed.
• Track your pay, mileage, and tips within the app.

6. Time Tag

Platform: TimeTag works with iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

TimeTag features

• Track time down to the second.
• Quick restarts of tasks in the recent history.
• Break down and review data easily.
• Easy cloud backups.
• Great looking reports and graphs which can easily be mailed.
• Easy, intuitive graphical user interface.

7. Hours Time Tracking

Platform: Requires iOS 10.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optional Hours Pro Subscription can be added to the free app for $7.99.

Hours features

• Allows you to set smart reminders to start and stop the timer.
• Simple one tap start and stop.
• Option to add comments to your time entries.
• See reports in-app and through desktop browser.

8. Worktime Tracker

Platform: Requires iOS 8.0 and watchOS 2.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Worktime Tracker features

• Clock in and clock out without any hassle.
• Set pay rates and view reports.
• Search function for tasks and projects.
• Set overtime pay rates.
• Supports Touch ID and Apple Watch.

The takeaway

At the end of the day, the most reliable way to track time accurately and bill your clients is the easiest app for you. Every choice is different so it’s important to consider what matters most to you.

Try out the free options we’ve listed here, and then let us know what you think.

This post was originally published November 12, 2014, and updated February 2020.