Accurate time tracking is critical for professional services firms that want to boost billable hours, manage project progress, and improve operational efficiency. Whether you’re leading a consulting firm, accounting practice, or engineering team, choosing the right time tracking software can dramatically impact project profitability and team performance. In this guide, we compare the best time tracking software for 2025, highlighting which solutions stand out in tracking billable time, streamlining timesheets, and helping firms manage projects more effectively.
What Is Time Tracking Software?
Time tracking software allows teams to monitor how time is spent across tasks, clients, and projects. For professional services firms, these tools are essential to track work hours, bill clients accurately, manage payroll, and analyze productivity.
Whether you’re managing a remote team or a busy job site, a strong time tracking app gives you a complete overview of time entries and how your team spends their time, so you can make better business decisions, improve work-life balance, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Key Features in Leading Time Tracking Software
When evaluating time tracking tools, professional services firms should look for these core features:
Timesheet Entry and Approval
A simple time tracking app should make it easy for employees to log time and submit timesheets, whether through a web app, desktop apps, or mobile app. Approval workflows ensure accountability and accuracy before billing or payroll runs.
Billable vs. Non-Billable Time Tracking
Track billable hours for client invoicing and non-billable time for internal analysis. This distinction is crucial for understanding project profitability and managing budgets.
Project and Task-Based Time Logging
Associate time entries with specific tasks, projects, or clients to gain better visibility into project progress. This allows for more accurate planning, forecasting, and reporting.
Integration With Invoicing and Payroll Systems
Time tracking data should flow seamlessly into invoicing, payroll, and accounting tools like QuickBooks Online. This reduces manual entry, improves accuracy, and shortens billing cycles.
Real-Time Productivity Dashboards
Dashboards and reporting capabilities enable teams to track time across an unlimited number of projects and users. Firms can assess team performance and generate custom reports to support strategic decisions.
The Best Time Tracking Software for 2025 Reviewed
BigTime
Overview
BigTime is purpose-built for project-based professional services firms that need to track time accurately, manage budgets, and maximize profitability. It combines time tracking, project management features, and real-time reporting into one streamlined platform.
Key Features of BigTime
Streamline Timesheet Entry With Intuitive Interfaces and Mobile Access
Employees can track work hours using a web app or mobile app with a user-friendly design, calendar format views, and flexible timesheet approvals.
Accurately Track Billable Hours Across Multiple Projects
Track time by project, task, or client to ensure every billable hour is captured, supporting both personal productivity and project profitability.
Integrate Time Data With Invoicing and Payroll Systems
BigTime integrates with QuickBooks, ADP, and other popular accounting systems for fast and accurate billing and payroll processing.
Gain Insights From Detailed Utilization and Productivity Reports
Dashboards provide a complete overview of team management, project progress, and time tracking data across all users and projects.
An example of capacity report in BigTime
Automate Workflows to Reduce Manual Errors and Save Time
From time entry reminders to automated approvals, BigTime reduces admin burden while improving data quality and consistency.
Seamlessly Sync With Popular Accounting, CRM, and PM Tools
Built-in integrations with Salesforce, QuickBooks Time, and leading project management tools make BigTime a central part of your workflow.
Why BigTime Time Tracking Software Stands Out
BigTime empowers teams to capture billable time with precision, streamline approval processes, and gain strategic insights through reporting capabilities. Unlike general tracking software or employee time tracking apps, BigTime is tailored to the needs of consultants, engineers, accountants, and other service-based professionals managing multiple projects. Its blend of automated time tracking, robust project management features, and deep integrations positions it as the best time tracking software for firms serious about operational excellence.
Clockify
Overview
Clockify is a free time-tracking solution popular among small teams, freelancers, and growing businesses. It supports unlimited users and offers a generous free plan.
Key Features
- Simple Time Tracker. Use start/stop timers or manual entry for tasks.
- Timesheet View. Log time in a weekly grid or calendar format.
- Unlimited Projects and Users. Enjoy unlimited projects for unlimited users–great for scaling teams.
- Basic Reporting. Access overview reports by client or project.
- Team Dashboard. See who’s working on what.
Summary
Clockify is good for teams seeking free time tracking with essential features. However, its reporting capabilities and integrations are limited unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
Toggl Track
Overview
Toggl Track is a popular time-tracking tool for freelancers and small teams that want a clean interface and robust reporting.
Key Features
- Visual Time Reports. Create charts and summaries of time data.
- Automatic Time Tracking. Background tracking suggests time entries.
- Desktop and Mobile Apps. Support remote work and on-the-go logging.
- Project and Client Tags. Organize time entries by context.
- Generous Free Tier. Make your wallet happy with the free tier.
Summary
Toggl Track is a solid time tracking tool because of its simplicity and ease of use. However, it lacks more robust project management features and deeper team reporting for larger firms.
Harvest
Overview
Harvest is a time-tracking and invoicing tool designed for freelancers, consultants, and small teams managing client work.
Key Features
- Time and Expense Tracking. Log hours and expenses in one place.
- Invoicing Integration. Create and send invoices directly from tracked time.
- Budget Monitoring. Keep track of hours against project budgets.
- Mobile App. Log time and expenses on the go.
- QuickBooks Integration. Sync time data with accounting.
Summary
Harvest is a reasonable choice for smaller teams needing time tracking plus simple invoicing. It’s not as scalable for larger businesses or those needing more advanced project planning features.
My Hours
Overview
My Hours is a lightweight time-tracking solution for small businesses and budget-conscious teams.
Key Features
- Task-Based Time Logging. Track time per task or project.
- Customizable Reports. Filter and export time tracking data.
- Client Management. Assign projects to clients for better tracking.
Summary
My Hours is a solid time-tracking software option for small businesses focused on affordability, but it lacks advanced reporting and integrations found in premium platforms.
Replicon
Overview
Replicon is a comprehensive time tracking and workforce management platform designed for mid-sized to enterprise-level organizations. It offers deep configurability, compliance tools, and real-time tracking across global teams.
Key Features
- Time Intelligence Platform. Access centralized time tracking data for productivity, compliance, and cost control.
- Project Time Tracking. Track time at the project and task level with approvals and audit trails.
- Real-Time Dashboards. Gain visibility into billable hours, utilization, and project profitability.
- Integrations With Payroll and ERP Systems. Sync with systems like ADP, SAP, and QuickBooks Online.
Summary
Replicon is best suited for large, complex organizations with detailed compliance and reporting requirements. Its time tracking solution supports real-time tracking, automatic time capture, and global workforce management. However, the platform may be too complex and costly for small teams or firms that prioritize simplicity and rapid deployment.
Scoro
Overview
Scoro is an all-in-one business and time tracking software suite that combines project management, CRM, invoicing, and reporting into a single system. It’s built for firms that want to connect time tracking with every part of their workflow.
Key Features
- Integrated Time and Task Management. Track time across projects and team calendars.
- Utilization and Profitability Dashboards. Monitor team performance and budget health with ease.
- Billing Automation. Convert time entries into invoices with custom rates.
- Calendar and Grid Views. Visualize time logs in intuitive formats.
- Project and Budget Management. Combine time tracking with end-to-end project oversight.
Summary
Scoro is a good choice for firms looking for an integrated time tracking solution with project management features. It supports advanced workflows and offers real-time data across departments. However, it may require a steeper learning curve, and smaller teams may find the tool more feature-rich than necessary.
Teamwork.com
Overview
Teamwork.com is a project management platform that includes time tracking as part of its feature set. It’s designed to support client services firms with collaboration, task management, and resource planning tools.
Key Features
- Built-In Time Tracking. Enable team members to log hours directly in tasks and projects.
- Client Access and Collaboration. Enable clients to review project status and time logs.
- Gantt Charts and Milestones. Track project progress and timelines visually.
- Budget and Billing Tools. Link tracked time to billable rates and invoicing.
- Team Reporting. Get reporting that summarizes productivity, project health, and workload balance.
Summary
Teamwork.com is a good option for firms that prioritize project collaboration and need time tracking built into a broader project management solution. However, its time tracking features are less robust than standalone tools, and teams needing advanced tracking data may find it limiting.
Time Doctor
Overview
Time Doctor is a productivity-focused time tracking tool used by remote teams and businesses that need detailed activity tracking. It emphasizes transparency and accountability in how time is spent.
Key Features
- Automated Time Tracking. Start and stop timers based on computer activity.
- Screenshot Monitoring. Capture screen activity to provide visibility into task focus.
- Website and App Usage Reports. Identify where time is spent across devices.
- GPS and Location Tracking. Track job site attendance and remote check-ins.
- Customizable Alerts and Reminders. Keep team members on task.
Summary
Time Doctor is suitable for firms that prioritize employee monitoring and productivity metrics. It’s especially popular with remote teams and outsourcing firms. However, its tracking features can raise privacy concerns, and it lacks the broader project management tools found in integrated platforms like BigTime.
Discover How BigTime Can Streamline Your Time Tracking
Time is the foundation of profitability for every professional services firm. Whether you’re managing consultants, engineers, accountants, or remote teams, BigTime empowers you to track work hours with precision, automate time entries, and generate actionable insights to improve team performance.
BigTime combines powerful time tracking features with seamless project management, billing, and accounting integrations to help you reduce admin overhead, boost billable utilization, and grow your bottom line.
Ready to track smarter, bill faster, and manage projects more efficiently? Start your free trial today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Tracking Software
What is the best time tracking software for consultants?
BigTime is the best time tracking software for consultants, offering precise billable hour tracking, task management, and seamless QuickBooks integration—all designed for client-based work and profitability.
Can time tracking software integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes. BigTime offers a robust QuickBooks integration that syncs time tracking data with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Time to streamline billing, invoicing, and payroll processes.
How can time tracking software improve profitability?
Time tracking software improves profitability by accurately tracking billable hours, reducing time leakage, and offering insights into project progress and budget management, ensuring your team’s time is spent efficiently.
What reports can I generate with BigTime?
BigTime provides custom reports on time tracking data, project profitability, resource utilization, team performance, and budget health. These insights help optimize project planning and decision-making.
Does BigTime offer mobile time tracking?
Yes. BigTime’s mobile app allows employees to track time, submit expenses, and manage timesheets from any location. It’s perfect for remote work and job site time entries.
What’s the difference between time tracking and attendance software?
Time tracking software focuses on tracking work hours by project or task, while attendance tracking records presence or absence. BigTime goes beyond simple attendance by offering project-based time entries and advanced team management features.
Is BigTime suitable for remote teams?
Absolutely. BigTime is ideal for managing remote teams, offering real-time tracking, mobile and web app access, and detailed reporting on how time is spent.
How can I ensure accurate time logging across teams?
Use a time tracking solution like BigTime that supports automated time tracking, background tracking, timesheet approval workflows, and reminders to minimize errors and boost accuracy.
What industries benefit most from time tracking software?
Industries like consulting, engineering, legal, IT services, and construction benefit from time tracking software. BigTime also offers one of the best time tracking software solutions for small businesses and growing firms.
What’s the best time tracking software for small business teams?
BigTime is ideal for small businesses that need scalable, professional-grade time tracking tools with unlimited users, unlimited projects, team management, and custom reports, all in one intuitive platform.
Are there free time-tracking tools available?
Yes. Tools like Clockify and Toggl Track offer free time tracking options. However, professional services firms needing advanced time tracking features and integrations often outgrow these free plans quickly.
Can I track time by project and task in BigTime?
Yes. BigTime allows project- and task-based time logging, so you can see exactly how time is spent across teams and projects. That helps you track project progress and optimize resource allocation.
Does BigTime include team performance and reporting features?
Yes. BigTime includes powerful team performance dashboards, reporting capabilities, and tracking data insights that help leaders improve productivity, workload balance, and billing accuracy.
Can BigTime support time tracking in a calendar or grid format?
Yes. BigTime offers flexible views for timesheet entry, including grid and calendar format options, allowing users to visualize and manage their time entries easily.
Is BigTime better than other tools like Harvest, Toggl Track, or Time Doctor?
BigTime is purpose-built for professional services and offers deeper project management features, automatic time tracking, and financial integration, making it a stronger fit than generalist time tracking apps for firms that need more than just a simple time tracker.
