Time tracking can feel like a prison sentence. Instead of offering insight into your productivity, it only reveals how little time you have to work on the things you enjoy. If you’ve ever tried to do a time audit, you know how painfully tedious the process can be. Learning how to do a time audit effectively can help you regain control over your schedule without feeling overwhelmed. What’s worse is that this process often involves using tracking software like ActivTrak that provides you with detailed reports to sift through. You’re in the right place if you can relate to this scenario. The good news is that there are alternatives to ActivTrak that can make the process less painful and enjoyable. This article will discuss some of the best ActivTrak alternatives for time tracking and management.
One tool that can help you get started with your time audit right away is Tackle’s automatic time tracking software. With Tackle, you won’t have to lift a finger to collect the data you need to improve your productivity. Tackle tracks your time automatically in the background, so you can focus on returning to work instead of managing a tedious tracking process.
19 Best ActivTrak Alternatives for Time Tracking & Management
1. Tackle
Tackle revolutionizes time tracking through seamless calendar integration, eliminating the need for manual logging. Our platform automatically captures and categorizes your time, providing actionable insights through intuitive dashboards and reports.
We’ve built everything you need into one seamless package:
- An intelligent tagging system that works your way
- AI-powered automation to handle the tedious stuff
- Flexible reporting tools to track what matters
- Intelligent time capture right in your browser
Trusted by Roblox, Deel, and Lightspeed Ventures teams, Tackle helps executives, team leaders, and customer-facing professionals understand and optimize their time allocation. Simply connect your Google or Outlook calendar, set up custom tags and automations, and gain valuable insights into how your team spends their time.
Whether you’re tracking strategic initiatives, measuring team efficiency, or ensuring resource optimization, Tackle transforms time monitoring from a chore into a powerful decision-making tool.
Start using our automatic time-tracking software for free with one click today!
2. TimeCamp: Simple Time Tracking for Businesses
TimeCamp is a free time tracker for freelancers, agencies, and companies to track working hours and bill easily for projects. The software provides timesheets and reports that enable project managers to track project performance in real time and maximize the use of available resources.
The TimeCamp time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Employee attendance tracker
- Productivity analysis and reports
- Customer invoicing and employee payroll
- Integration with popular work tools and apps
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
TimeCamp enables workers and organizations to streamline the way they track time manually and automatically. This is paired with straightforward billing and invoicing functionalities, which help to save time on non-billable tasks.
3. Harvest: Time Tracking for Managing Teams
Harvest is an employee time tracking app for managers and administrators to gain insights into their teams’ work and productivity over time. The software provides invoicing and payments and gathers insights from past projects and tasks to generate reports that help managers plan better for future projects.
Harvest time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Visual reports
- Customer invoicing and payments
- Integrations with payment providers
- Integrations with popular work tools and apps
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
With Stripe and PayPal integrations, Harvest allows users to send invoices to clients and customers straight from the app. The app sends automatic notifications and reminders to clients, which saves time.
4. Toggl Track: Employee Time Tracker Software
Toggl Track is an employee time tracker software that helps project managers and human resource personnel manage time tracking, team and project planning, and hiring for digital teams and remote staff.
The Toggl tracker app provides the following core features:
- Detailed reports
- Calendar integrations
- Idle time detection notifications
- Integrations with popular work tools and apps
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome)
Toggl Track is easy to navigate and use. The project, timelines, and budget planning functionalities make it a reasonable solution for many types of businesses.
5. DeskTime: All-in-One Time Tracker Software
DeskTime is an all-in-one time tracker software with features for managing projects and supporting human resources. The software prioritizes employee productivity and goes beyond monitoring web clicks and activity.
DeskTime time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Pomodoro timer
- Random screenshots
- Idle time detection
- Integrations with many popular work tools
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
DeskTime allows each department to establish what constitutes productive work for their teams. Each department can categorize tools, websites, and apps into “Productive” and “Unproductive” groups.
6. My Hours: Time Tracking for Small Teams
My Hours is a time tracking tool that focuses on empowering solo business owners and independent professional agencies rather than monitoring employee activity. The software allows users to manually and automatically track work hours and manage timesheets and expenses.
My Hours provides the following core features:
- Timesheet management
- Project and timeline management
- Invoicing and billing
- Vacation and leave tracking
- Web and mobile applications (Desktop, iOS, Android)
My Hours streamlines how teams work together. It keeps the focus on improving project profitability and limiting non-billable administrative tasks. It also prioritizes employee autonomy and does not support monitoring via website clicks or GPS tracking.
7. QuickBooks Time: Time Tracker for QuickBooks Users
QuickBooks Time by Intuit is a time tracking tool for mid to large-sized businesses. The software offers time tracking functionalities that monitor employee activity, including GPS tracking. As a sub-product of QuickBooks, a widely-used business accounting software, it’s an easy choice for tied-in businesses.
QuickBooks Time provides the following core features:
- GPS-based tracking for remote staff
- Employee scheduling and attendance tracking
- Easy payroll and invoicing integration with QuickBooks
- Integrations with many popular work tools and apps
- Web and mobile applications (Web, iOS, Android)
8. Time Doctor: Employee Time Tracking Software
Time Doctor is a time tracker for hybrid and remote teams that offers project management and team supervision. The software promotes transparency and provides visibility whether your employees are in the office, on the road, or working from remote locations.
Time Doctor provides the following core features:
- GPS tracking
- Chat monitoring
- Random screenshots of employees’ work
- Tracks employee’s online activity and history
- Idle detection and distraction notifications
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
Time Doctor enables managers to pay employees and collaborators directly from the software.
Pricing plans
9. Timesheets.com: Simple Time Tracking Software
Timesheets.com is a straightforward employee time tracking software for teams of any size. It has a feature set that includes time tracking and logging, employee scheduling, and billing and invoicing.
Timesheets.com provides the following core features:
- GPS tracking
- Calendar management
- Employee web activity tracking
- Billing and invoicing
- Easy-to-generate reports
Timesheets.com keeps things simple and does just what it’s supposed to do. It provides a simple and affordable option for freelancers and small businesses to share their work with clients and get paid easily.
10. Hubstaff: Time Tracking for Remote Teams
Hubstaff is a time tracking tool for remote and off-site teams and outsourced collaborators. It tracks web activity and offline GPS locations for those out of the office. This allows project managers to know what their team members are doing and where they are at any time.
The Hubstaff time tracking software provides the following core features:
- GPS tracking
- Random screenshots of employees’ work
- Online timesheets and templates
- Employee invoicing and payroll
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, Chromebook, Linux, iOS, Android)
Hubstaff helps teams that do not work in a single place to have a shared workspace and manage employee productivity and collaboration.
11. Resource Management by Smartsheet
Resource Management by Smartsheet provides a time tracker to empower large teams to streamline their timesheets, employee activity, and resource allocation in one centralized platform. The software gathers data and insights in a spreadsheet-style format, allowing users to see what teams are working on and what resources they need to deliver successful projects.
Resource Management by Smartsheet provides the following core features:
- Dynamic reports
- Manual and automatic timesheets
- Project and timeline planning
- Integration with Smartsheet work management software
- Time tracking for resource management workflows
This software helps managers save time by centralizing resource allocation and project management decisions in one place. Users benefit more when they integrate the time tracker with Smartsheet’s work management software.
12. Buddy Punch: Time Tracker for Employee Monitoring
Buddy Punch is a punch clock and time tracker app that helps monitor employees at work, including attendance, activity, location, productivity, and payroll. The program keeps managers updated on projects and teams without manual data entry and check-ins.
Buddy Punch time tracking software provides the following core features:
- GPS tracking
- IP address lock-in
- Detailed reports
- Employee scheduling
- Web and mobile applications (Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome)
Buddy Punch is user-friendly. Customer support is responsive, and the software is continually upgraded to satisfy users’ needs.
13. Bill4Time: Time Tracking for Legal Professionals
Bill4Time is a specialized time tracking tool for professionals and agencies in the legal industry. It provides a set of time tracking, billing, invoicing, and case and task management functionalities that helps free up time for lawyers and others in the legal space to run their practice.
The Bill4Time time tracking software provides the following core features: Time tracking
- Expense tracking
- Invoicing and billing
- Online payments
- Web and mobile applications (desktop, iOS, Android)
Bill4Time is designed for professionals in the legal space. Its functionalities allow solo practitioners and independent firms to track billable and non-billable hours and keep their cases and projects in order.
14. ATracker: Personal Time Tracker App
ATracker is different from most other apps on this list because it works mainly on mobile. Its iOS and Android apps are more of a personal time tracker than employee time tracker software.
The ATracker time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Visual reports
- Customizable time logs
- Customizable UI
- Task history with search function
- Mobile applications (iOS, Android)
ATracker is relatively easy to use. Its features help modern professionals take control of their days by tracking both work and personal responsibilities.
15. RescueTime: Time Tracker for Personal Productivity
RescueTime is a time tracking solution for people looking to up their productivity and quantify where their time goes. It is less about employee monitoring and business invoicing and more about individuals designing a self-quantified life.
The RescueTime time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Set priorities and daily goals
- Productivity summary reports
- Block specific URLs to limit distractions
- Notifications to keep your focus on your main task
- Mobile and web applications (Mac, Windows, Linux, Android)
RescueTime helps solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and organization team members set intentional daily goals and track progress.
16. Tick: Time Tracker for Project Management
Tick is built for freelancers, consultants, and solo entrepreneurs. It tracks how much time you spend on projects and tasks to improve your project planning timelines and budget estimations for future projects.
The Tick time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Tracking budgets and timelines
- Reusable project templates
- Integrate billing and invoicing with QuickBooks
- Integrations with other popular work tools and apps
- Web and mobile applications (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome, Apple Watch)
With each new time or task entry, Tick updates how much resources and time you have left to complete the project or task. It notifies you when you’re running low or about to exceed your time and budget.
17. ProofHub: Project Management Software with Time Tracking
ProofHub is a project management software with a time tracking feature. The software is made for teams and project managers who want visibility into ongoing projects. It provides customizable timesheets for customer invoicing, employee payroll, and project/budget estimation.
ProofHub time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Advanced project management features
- Detailed reports
- In-app communication
- Web and mobile applications (desktop, Android, iOS)
ProofHub offers fixed pricing regardless of the number of users an organization has. This makes it a smart choice for teams scaling quickly and working regularly with contractors.
18. Float: Resource Management Tool with Time Tracking
Float is a project and resource management tool for professional service agencies and IT firms. It helps streamline projects, tasks, and team management. The time tracking feature may be oversimplified. You can see the difference between your planned and logged hours, but not how you spent your time.
The Float time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Time tracking
- Resource scheduling
- In-app communication
- Team management and calendar syncing
- Web and mobile applications (desktop, Android, iOS)
Float is easy to use. It doesn’t overcomplicate the time tracking process and provides just enough details to keep a team or employee on track with their project goals.
19. Timely: Automatic Time Tracking for Companies
Timely simply handles automatic time tracking for companies. The software captures employee clicks and online activity and records the amount of time spent on everything. This includes time in meetings, documents, emails, and even offline with GPS tracking.
The Timely time tracking software provides the following core features:
- Digital activity tracking
- GPS tracking
- Customizable timesheets
- Web and mobile applications (desktop, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
Depending on your settings, personal data gathered on the app is kept private. Managers can access these insights by requesting adequate permissions.
Related Reading
- How To Track Hours Worked
- Calendar Audit
- Time Audit For Employees
- Time Audit Examples
- Keeping Track Of Time At Work
- How to Track Time Spent on Tasks
What Exactly is ActivTrak?
ActivTrak is a budget-friendly employee monitoring solution that helps you understand how your team spends their time at work. This is especially useful in the current climate where remote work is prevalent and many businesses are forced to adapt to a new normal.
It’s also helpful for understanding productivity before and after transitioning to a new environment. ActivTrak’s clear focus on employee monitoring can help ease the transition as it uncovers hidden inefficiencies, tracks group activities, and helps get personnel back on track.
Why Consider Using an ActivTrak Alternative Instead?
If you need to analyze every detail of employee activity, including keystrokes and mobile device usage, ActivTrak is not the right choice. While this monitoring solution provides productivity insights to help you track work habits, it doesn’t offer the deep surveillance features some businesses require for security or compliance. If your goal is to track time to ensure business continuity or regulatory compliance, consider an alternative that offers the features you need to meet your objectives.
Do You Have Fewer Than Five Users?
If you’re a small business or a solo user, the five-user minimum on ActivTrak’s paid plans can be a deal-breaker. Even if you only need tracking for one or two people, you will pay for extra, unused seats.
This isn’t cost-effective. Some alternatives offer more flexible pricing without a minimum requirement, so you can find a plan that suits your specific needs.
Do You Prefer Monthly Billing?
ActivTrak only offers annual billing, so you must commit to a full year upfront. This could be a significant downside if you prefer the flexibility of month-to-month payments, especially if you’re testing different tools. Many competitors provide monthly plans, allowing you to scale up or down as needed.
Do You Want More Control Over Productivity Metrics?
While ActivTrak provides insights into productivity, defining what counts as “productive” versus “unproductive” can require fine-tuning. The system’s default settings may not align with your team’s actual workflow, and some alternatives offer more granular controls for tailoring productivity metrics.
Do You Need Customizable Dashboard Widgets?
If you like personalized dashboards, ActivTrak’s rigid layout might be frustrating. While it provides useful data, you can’t customize widgets to focus on the metrics that matter most to you. Other platforms may offer fully customizable dashboards, allowing you to build a workspace that fits your needs.
Related Reading
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- Best Employee Time Tracking App
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- ProofHub Alternatives
Choosing The Best ActivTrak Alternative for Your Needs
Time tracking tools can have very different features and capabilities. This is particularly true for tracking software designed to boost productivity and improve business performance. Freelancers, for example, may just need a simple timer to log billable hours. But teams and organizations often require detailed analytics, automated reporting, and integrations with other productivity tools. Understanding your specific needs will make it much easier to find the right fit.
Key Features to Look for in an ActivTrak Alternative
If you’re looking for a tool that does more than just track time, here are some key features to consider:
Calendar Export: Keep Everything in Sync
If you rely on Google Calendar or other scheduling tools, having a time tracker that exports data to your calendar can be a game-changer. It helps you visualize how your time is allocated without switching between apps.
Calendar Analytics: See Where Your Time Goes
Want to know exactly how much time you’re spending in meetings versus deep work? Calendar analytics break it all down, helping you spot inefficiencies and reclaim lost hours.
Custom Tags & Properties: Organize Your Work
Flexibility is key. If your work is diverse, you can tag time entries like:
- Client work
- Internal tasks
- R&D
Makes it easier to categorize and analyze your work later. The more flexibility, the better.
Custom Charts & Reports: Turn Data into Insights
Basic tracking is fine, but if you want to improve efficiency, look for a tool that lets you create custom reports and charts. Seeing patterns in your work habits can help you make smarter productivity decisions.
Goal Alignment: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Are you tracking time just for the sake of it, or do you have specific productivity goals? Some tools let you set targets, like spending a certain number of hours on focused work or reducing unnecessary meetings.
Google Sheets Sync: For Data Lovers
If you love spreadsheets (or need to share data with a team), a tool that syncs with Google Sheets lets you create custom reports and track trends over time. Perfect for number crunchers and managers who want more control over their data.
Chrome Extension: Lightweight and Fast
You just need a quick way to log time without opening another app. A Chrome extension lets you start and stop tracking with a single click, making it easy to stay on top of things without breaking your workflow.
Start Using Our Automatic Time Tracking Software for Free with One-click Today
A time audit helps you understand how you spend your time. It uncovers time-wasting activities that can hurt productivity. A time audit can help you optimize your time to improve performance on the tasks that truly matter.
How to Prepare for a Time Audit
Before you jump into a time audit, it helps to prepare for the process. Determine what you want to achieve with the audit. You can:
- Better meet deadlines
- Optimize team performance
- Improve your time management skills
Inform anyone involved in the audit (e.g., your manager, team members, etc.) to ensure they understand the process and its goals. Set a timeline for the audit. While time audits can be ongoing processes, setting a time to review your findings can help you get started.
How to Conduct a Time Audit
To conduct a time audit, follow these steps:
- 1. Track Your Time: Tracking time doesn’t have to be manual. Instead, use a time-tracking tool like Tackle that automatically records your time for you.
- 2. Analyze the Data: After you’ve tracked your time for a predetermined period, it’s time to analyze the data. Look for patterns to help you identify areas for improvement.
- 3. Create a Plan: Create a plan to optimize your time. Your plan may involve reducing time spent on specific tasks, eliminating distractions, or improving your processes to enhance efficiency.
- 4. Implement Your Plan: Implement your plan and continue to monitor your time to ensure your efforts are leading to improvement.
Related Reading
- TimeCamp Alternatives
- ProofHub Alternatives
- Sling Alternatives
- Jibble Alternatives
- TSheets Alternatives
- Time Audit App
- Timeular Alternatives
