Many virtual teams are fond of Harvest’s simplicity, but others are turning to Harvest alternatives for more advanced features.

If you’re outgrowing Harvest’s basic time tracking features, it’s always a good idea to explore your options. When it comes to managing projects and employees, there are plenty of apps that have expanded their feature set.

If you’re looking for some of the best time tracking software available, check out our list of the best Harvest alternatives below.

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What people like about Harvest

Harvest was founded in 2006. Before entering the time tracking space, its founders ran a web design studio in New York City. They needed a tool to track time and generate invoices for their company, so they created one themselves: Harvest.

Harvest is an app for better project and team organization. The company’s web design origins explain why Harvest users love the elegant and easy-to-use interface.

Harvest is primarily a web app, but you can download the Android or iPhone app and use it on the go. If you choose to use Harvest’s desktop software, you would have to run it on a Mac OS.

The main features that make this app popular and well-liked are the following:

  • Simple time tracking – Like with most time tracking tools, users can start or stop the timer with a single click. There’s also the option to add time manually.
  • Reminders – You can set up Harvest to remind each team member to submit their timesheets at any time interval of your choosing.
  • Reports – Harvest reports can be generated and exported to CSV, Excel, or Google Drive.
  • Invoices – The hours tracked can be used to create invoices and effectively organize tracked hours for easier billing.

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What are the best Harvest alternatives?

1. Hubstaff

Hubstaff

Hubstaff was founded in 2012 by two entrepreneurs who needed reliable software for employee time and productivity management. The software is best known for the advanced time tracking features it provides.

You can organize your projects, track time to assigned tasks, and enable optional screenshots every 10 minutes.

Hubstaff also records activity levels based on keyboard and mouse movement so that you can identify any roadblocks and productivity trends over time.

Hubstaff runs on machines using Windows, Linux, or Mac operating systems. You can also use the web app, Google Chrome extension, or download the Android or iOS app.

When it comes to more complex features, Hubstaff delivers. Leaders can manage time off for their team, approve timesheets, and pay individuals all through the app. Hubstaff’s 30+ integrations make it easy to use with your existing business software too.

Pricing

Hubstaff offers a free plan for a single user. All paid plans include a 14-day free trial. Options include:

Hubstaff TimeHubstaff DeskHubstaff Field
Basic time tracking and reporting features for remote and in-office teams.Time tracking, productivity, timesheets, and more for remote and in-office teams.GPS route tracking, Geofencing, and invoicing features for field and distributed teams.
Starter – $7 per user/monthStarter – $7 per user/monthField – $12 per user/month
Pro – $10 per user/monthPro – $10 per user/monthDesk + Field – $15 per user/month
Enterprise (Contact Sales)Enterprise (Contact Sales)Enterprise (Contact Sales)

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2. HiveDesk

HiveDesk

HiveDesk is a software solution for managing projects and employees — and the time those employees spend working on said projects.

HiveDesk is one of the few time trackers on this list that isn’t web-based. Fortunately, it’s still compatible with the most widely used operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

With this software solution, you can create and manage your projects. Once you invite your team, you can assign tasks and track the time your employees spend working on them. HiveDesk also tracks worker activity levels and can take automatic screenshots.

Pricing

HiveDesk offers a 14-day trial. If you want to upgrade, the monthly prices start at $25 for up to five users plus one administrator. All plans include:

  • Basic time tracking
  • Screenshots
  • Keyboard and mouse activity tracking
  • Project/task management

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3. Klok

Klok

Released in 2010, Klok is an Adobe-Air-based software solution created by MCgraphix.

In order to run Klok, you need Adobe Air 2.0 or higher installed on your computer. Since Adobe Air is no longer available for Linux, Klok can only be used with Macintosh or Windows operating systems.

Klok has a smart time tracking system that helps you track time automatically. However, you’ll need to add time, export timesheets, and generate invoices manually. Klok does not require an external hosting service or cloud storage, so you won’t need any servers to set it up.

Pricing

The Klok Pro desktop application costs $19.99. Additional charges apply if you need multi-user license packs of 3, 5, 10, or 30. The Klokwork Team Console costs $99.99 and offers unlimited users.

4. Worksnaps

Worksnaps

Worksnaps is a relatively new software solution for remote collaboration and time tracking. This cross-platform tool works on Windows, Linux, or Mac OS computers.

In addition to time tracking, Worksnaps takes screenshots and records mouse and keyboard interactions.

When it comes to proof of work features, Worksnaps takes things a little too far by allowing managers to enable webcam screenshots.

Pricing

If you’re not sure about Worksnaps, their 30-day free trial is significantly longer than other tools on this list. From there, you can decide between four pricing plans:

  • Starter – $20 per month for four users
  • Team – $40 per month for 10 users
  • Department – $70 per month for 20 users
  • Business – $90 per month for 30 users

5. Time Doctor

Time Doctor

Time Doctor is a time tracking and proof of work tool that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Start by setting up projects and tasks for your team in Time Doctor. Then track the time it takes to complete each project, generate reports, and pay your employees.

Time Doctor allows you to take screenshots and record your employees’ website and app usage. Like Hubstaff, Time Doctor makes it clear that these features are optional.

Pricing

Time Doctor provides a free trial as well as a free plan with limited features. For features like screenshots, web and URL usage, and reporting, you’ll have to choose between a few paid plans:

Time Doctor plans start at $7/mo for Basic, $10/mo for Standard, and $20/mo for Premium. Rates fluctuate based on the number of users.

6. Hours

Hours

Hours is an affordable time tracking tool typically used by consultants, freelancers, and other workers that need an accurate and easy way to bill clients. It’s also one of the few time tracking apps compatible with the Apple Watch.

Pricing

At $8 per user/month,  Hours is one of the more affordable time tracking tools. Unfortunately, its clunky UI has alienated some users. For example, you need to create a separate timer for every task you want to track time for. This adds an additional step that you wouldn’t see with apps like Harvest.

Hours offers a one-month free trial. If you decide not to pay for the software, you can keep using the iPhone app without losing your data.

7. TimeCamp

TimeCamp

TimeCamp is a straightforward time-tracking tool ideal for tracking billable hours. That said, its main focus is helping managers and team members figure out where they’re spending the most time and how to work more productively.

Attendance reports give you a breakdown of how your team members are spending their time. Like other tools on this list, TimeCamp can log the URLs and apps people have visited during a specific period.

Pricing

TimeCamp has a limited free version, a Basic plan for $6.30 per month, and a Pro plan for $9 per month. The Pro plan includes features like invoicing and timesheet approvals.

8. Everhour

Everhour

Thanks to its simple reporting and easy-to-use interface, Everhour is one of the best time-tracking apps for freelancers. It also integrates with an array of project management and business tools like Asana, Basecamp, Jira, Slack, Trello, and more.

Everhour offers a full suite of work management tools like budgeting, expense tracking, and employee scheduling features. Reports are easy to customize so you can get the exact information you need.

Pricing

There’s no free version of Everhour, but users can get to know the app with a free, 14-day trial.  From there, they can add unlimited users for $8.50 per month.

What’s the best Harvest alternative for you?

If the only feature you’re after is time tracking, then all of these suggestions have you covered. If you’re looking for advanced time tracking and additional features like project organization, team supervision, and route tracking, some tools stand out above the rest.

Ultimately, the decision is unique to each situation. If you’re still having trouble narrowing your search, check out our time tracking guide for help identifying the features you need.

This post was originally published in June 2015 and updated in April 2022.

Category: Time Tracking