7 Top-Rated Time Tracking Software for Contractors
Time tracking is a simple task that can get challenging with the involvement of multiple clients, projects, and software applications. As most contractors work with a small team, effective time and project management can be a struggle. You can lighten your burden by investing in a time tracking solution.
With time tracking software, you can automate processes such as timesheet management, invoice creation, and employee activity monitoring. However, you still need to evaluate various top time tracking solutions to find the right solution.
To make the search easy for you, we’ve listed the seven top-rated time tracing software for contractors, in alphabetical order, based on verified software reviews. Read more.
Some of the listed tools are time tracking software, while others are employee management or business management software with time tracking capabilities. All software offer billable and non-billable hours and online time tracking as core features.
1. Agiled
Agiled is a business management software with time tracking features. From managing projects to handling financial processes, this tool can help contractors get an overview of various projects and their associated tasks. It can store all the related documentation, including contracts and proposals, in a centralized repository. With the software’s time tracking functionality, contractors can track how much time their employees spend on each project. Moreover, they can see their team’s active timers in real time and track who’s working on which task.
Product features of interest*:
Manual time tracking: Manually records the hours taken to work on various tasks or projects. This feature is valuable for tasks that can't be easily automated, such as meeting scheduling or non-computer-based work.
Time log management: Creates, edits, and categorizes time logs to track and reference past work. This feature is essential for accurate billing, project management, and performance analysis.
Contract templates: Uses pre-designed customizable documents to create legally sound and professional project contracts. These templates often include standardized clauses, terms, and essential information, including project scope, payment terms, and deadlines.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, chats, emails, and inquiries via web forms.
Starting price: $7.99 per user, per month
Billing cycle: Annual
Who should consider Agiled?
General contractors looking for a quick way to create legally binding contracts can consider investing in Agiled, as this tool comes with customizable contract templates. Contractors can issue contracts by editing contract terms or project-specific details in the tool. They can also benefit from the active timer feature as it provides a real-time view of timers started by the team on a dashboard. This feature also empowers the contractor to stop the team’s timers remotely in case of overtime.
*Analysis performed October 2023
2. busybusy
busybusy is a time tracking software solution catering to field service industries, including construction, plumbing, and electrical. Contractors working remotely can use this tool to keep track of their time and project progress. They can easily submit the status of the projects by capturing photos or recording data, such as the quantity of raw materials used or the cubic area covered in a construction project.
Product features of interest*:
Timecards with signature: Creates digital timecards where contractors, clients, or supervisors can electronically sign off on the recorded hours. This feature enhances accountability and transparency by confirming that the work hours are accurate and approved.
Location-based reminders: Uses GPS technology[1] to trigger notifications or actions when a user enters or leaves a specific geographical area. It can automatically start or stop time tracking when contractors arrive at a job site, reminding them to log their hours.
Document management: Organizes and stores project-related documents and files for quick access. It typically includes features for uploading, categorizing, and linking documents to specific projects or clients.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, FAQs, chats, emails, and phone support.
Starting price: $9.99 per user, per month
Billing cycle: Annual
Who should consider busybusy?
Field service contractors looking for a tool that helps capture progress reports can go for busybusy. The project progress photos feature will allow them to quickly submit the project status by simply capturing site photos on their mobile device and uploading them on the mobile time tracking app of the tool with the date and time. This feature enables supervisors to monitor the progress remotely.
*Analysis performed October 2023
Pro tip
Look for a time tracking tool that offers customizable templates for contracts and invoices to simplify the documentation and billing process. These templates save time and ensure professionalism, helping you create legally compliant contracts and invoices quickly.
3. ClockShark
ClockShark is another time tracking software for field service businesses. It allows the field team members to clock themselves in or out via their mobile devices individually. Supervisors can leverage ClockShark to monitor the exact whereabouts of their crew and clock the whole team in or out at once using a single device.
Product features of interest*:
Mobile time tracking: Records work hours and tasks on the go. It allows the contractors to clock in and out, log breaks, and track tasks using a mobile app on their smartphones or tablets.
GPS time clock: Leverages GPS technology to record and verify the precise location of the team when they clock in or out. It offers real-time, location-based data, ensuring work is performed at the designated job site.
Geofencing: Creates virtual boundaries or "fences" around specific geographic areas. When a team member enters or leaves a defined geofenced area, the software records this event, allowing the supervisors to monitor on-site attendance.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, FAQs, how-to videos, chats, and phone support.
Starting price: $20 per month
Billing cycle: Monthly
Who should consider ClockShark?
ClockShark can be beneficial for supervisors looking to monitor their crew remotely. To check their crew’s exact real-time location, supervisors can create geofences around the job site. The ability to clock the whole crew in or out empowers the supervisors to control their team’s work hours, ensuring accurate time records, preventing overtime, and saving efforts by recording the time of all the members via a single device.
*Analysis performed October 2023
4. Connecteam
Connecteam is an employee management tool with time tracking features to track contractors’ work hours and create timesheets for payroll processing. The tool features a timer that contractors can start or stop whenever they check in or out. They can also fill out timesheets manually if they forget to start or stop the timer. Besides, the tool automatically alerts about discrepancies such as overtime and double-time entry.
Product features of interest*:
Automated payroll: Integrates the tool with payroll solutions to transfer tracked time data. The tool automatically calculates wages and deductions, ensuring accuracy.
Break management: Monitors and manages contractor breaks to ensure compliance with labor laws. The tool records and tracks scheduled breaks and also sends reminders to contractors to take their breaks, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
In-app chat: Exchange messages, files, and project-related information directly to the team members, leveraging the real-time chat option within the Connecteam interface. This helps simplify project coordination and team collaboration.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, emails, and chat support.
Starting price: $29 per month
Billing cycle: Annual
Who should consider Connecteam?
Connecteam can be a viable option for contractors looking to manage payroll and their team’s work hours. Connecteam supports integration with payroll processors such as Gusto and QuickBooks, allowing users to quickly transfer timesheet data to these payroll solutions and calculate contractor compensation.
*Analysis performed October 2023
Pro tip
Check the time tracking tool’s mobile access feature to ensure flexibility and remote work capabilities. Mobile time tracking app will allow you to track time, manage projects, and stay updated on the go.
5. Jibble
Jibble is a time tracking solution that caters to multiple users, including freelancers. It features a Google Chrome extension that tracks work hours across the web. Users can control the timer's start and stop with Chrome's extensions manager or via keyboard shortcuts. Freelancers also get the option to integrate the Jibble extension with other productivity tools so that they can automatically track the time spent working on them.
Product features of interest*:
Punch in and out: Allows contractors or freelancers to punch in when they begin their work and punch out when they finish. It accurately records the start and end time of their workday or specific tasks.
Report exports: Exports timesheet data in the form of XLS or CSV files or directly to integrated payroll processing tools. This simplifies data analysis and calculation of compensations.
Face recognition attendance: Verifies the identity of contractors when they clock in and out using facial recognition technology. It captures and analyzes facial features to confirm their identity and presence at the job site, ensuring additional security and accuracy in time tracking.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, FAQs, and phone support.
Starting price: $2.66* per user, per month
Billing cycle: Annual
*Converted from EUR to USD on Oct. 23, 2023, using xe.com.
Who should consider Jibble?
Freelancers who work on multiple productivity tools can opt for Jibble and leverage its Google Chrome extension to track hours spent working on those tools automatically. Additionally, they can quickly convert any highlighted text on their screens into a note, which gets stored in Jibble’s storage. This feature will allow them to capture crucial information within seconds.
*Analysis performed October 2023
6. My Hours
My Hours is a project time tracking software that helps contractors track billable hours spent working on projects. This tool also acts as billing and invoicing software as it automatically converts tracked hours into invoices. Contractors can customize the invoice template and choose the billing method. The tool will create invoices based on the tracked data, which contractors can download as a PDF or directly send to clients via email.
Product features of interest*:
Timesheet templates: Leverages pre-designed digital templates for recording and organizing work hours. Contractors can fill in these templates with details such as project names, tasks, and hours worked, making it easy to create comprehensive timesheets.
Time card calculator: Automates the process of calculating work hours and wages. Contractors input their clock-in and clock-out times, and the software computes total hours worked, factoring in overtime, breaks, and pay rates as necessary.
Reporting: Generates comprehensive reports and detailed summaries of billable hours, project progress, and budget. These reports offer insights into productivity, client billing, and project management, aiding decision-making.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, chats, emails, and phone support.
Starting price: $8 per user, per month
Billing cycle: Annual
Who should consider My Hours?
Contractors looking for billing and invoicing features within the time tracking software can consider My Hours. They can leverage the tool’s ability to generate invoices based on tracked data. Moreover, they will be able to analyze tracked data as the software generates various reports such as project time reports, client billing reports, and expense reports.
*Analysis performed October 2023
Pro tip
Assess the dashboard of the online time tracker to get an overview of critical data at a glance. A well-designed dashboard offers insights into project progress, time allocation, and financial data, aiding in informed decision-making and efficient project management.
7. Traqq
Traqq is a time tracking tool for contractors. This tool keeps the timer running even when the computer loses connection with the internet and syncs the data when the connection is restored. Traqq features employee monitoring tools that contractors can leverage to track their team’s activity. The tool sends an alert when a user spends more than 10 seconds on any app. This lets contractors see which apps their team uses and how much time they spend on them.
Product features of interest*:
Automatic time logging: Eliminates the need for manual entry by automatically recording work hours. The tool tracks computer and task activity to capture time spent on different projects or tasks, ensuring real-time and accurate data entry.
Alerts and notifications: Sends timely reminders for tasks, meetings, or project deadlines, helping contractors manage their time efficiently. It can also generate alerts for overtime, breaks, or compliance with labor regulations, ensuring adherence to working-hour policies.
Mouse and keyboard activity tracking: Monitors user’s computer input by recording mouse clicks, keyboard strokes, and active application usage. This data provides insights into task-level time allocation, helping contractors analyze productivity and identify areas for improvement.
Customer support options: Knowledge base, FAQs, chats, and inquiry via web form.
Starting price: $6 per user, per month
Billing cycle: Annual
Who should consider Traqq?
Contractors looking for a tool to monitor employee time and activity can adopt Traqq. The employee monitoring features of the tool will help them see how much time their team is spending on different applications. The tool can also capture desktop screenshots at an interval of 10 minutes or record 10-second desktop recording, allowing contractors to review their team member’s activity.
*Analysis performed October 2023
How much does time tracking software for contractors cost?
A time tracking software for contractors can cost as low as $1.19 per user, per month, all the way up to $18.90 per user, per month, depending on various factors—features, number of users, infrastructure requirements, business size/type, training availability, deployment options, integrations, and storage. Most online time trackers typically include the following pricing plans based on the number of users:
Free trial: No-cost trial plans, starting from 14 days, give access to either all or limited features of the software. This is ideal for those who want to try the tool before investing.
Free version: Free software plans offer basic features and limited premium feature access, ideal for independent contractors with a limited budget.
Entry-level: Starts at $1.19 per user, per month and offers limited features; good option for contractors who need basic features, such as manual time entry and punch in/out.
Mid-tier: Mid-range pricing for time tracking software ranges from $3.839 to $18.90 per user, per month and offers advanced features, such as GPS tracking, reporting, and invoicing. This plan can be suitable for those contractors who have outgrown basic time tracking needs and require only some advanced features.
High-end: Advanced plans offer unlimited users, task dependencies, and priority support. This is appropriate for contractors working with a team and handling multiple tasks.
Hidden costs associated with time tracking software
Besides the software license itself, there may be additional costs associated with time tracking tools that you’ll have to bear as you install and use the tool over time. These costs include:
Overage charges: Some software plans limit the number of users, projects, or data storage. Exceeding these limits can lead to additional charges.
Data storage costs: Storing time tracking data can imply additional storage costs.
Support and maintenance: Opting for premium support options can cost extra. Maintenance fees for updates and patches may also apply.
Frequently asked questions when selecting time tracking software for contractors
These are some common questions you can ask software vendors to find the best time tracking software for your needs:
Does the tool support multiple billing rates?
The multiple billing rates feature is crucial for you as a contractor if you want to accommodate varying client agreements and project complexities. This feature in your time clock app will allow you to assign different hourly rates to tasks or clients, ensuring accurate and customized billing. It will also help maximize revenue by accurately reflecting the value of the work performed.
Does the tool integrate with accounting software?
Lack of integration with accounting software can lead to double data entry, reconciliation issues, and increased chances of financial discrepancies. Therefore, check its availability beforehand so you can automate the transfer of time and expense data into accounting systems, reducing manual data entry errors, and saving time on administrative tasks. It will help ensure accurate and synchronized invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Does the tool have employee management features?
Employee management features in the time clock app will allow you to monitor employee work hours, task assignments, and performance, especially if you are working with a team. You will be able to manage your team and execute projects effectively. These features will also facilitate payroll processing, ensuring accurate compensation.
Survey methodology
To be considered for this list, products had to:
Feature in Software Advice FrontRunners report 2023 for time tracking software. We selected the top seven products with the highest ratings to include in this article.
Should offer time tracking features for contractors or freelancers, verified on the vendor website as of October 23, 2023.
Meet our time tracking software market definition: “Time tracking software automates the tracking of billable hours across tasks or projects. Time Tracking software is related to professional services automation software, project management software, time clock software, and workforce management software.”
*Our research team identified these features from vendor websites (as of October 23, 2023) based on their analysis of what users find valuable in or expect from time tracking software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor's website.
We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.
Products evaluated for the pricing calculation were taken from Software Advice’s time tracking software directory. The pricing range excludes freemium versions of the products. The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in the Software Advice directory that offer them.
Definitions
1. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides precise location and time information to users anywhere on or near the Earth's surface.