Table of contents
- Introduction
- Our top picks
- Why should you track your time?
- Why should you be using a time tracking app?
- What kind of time tracking app should I use?
- What should I consider when choosing a time tracking app?
- The best time tracking apps for Mac
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction
In the dynamic realm of digital work, precise time tracking is a cornerstone of productivity, especially for those who balance various tasks and projects. To align with the evolving needs of 2024, we've thoroughly updated our guide to spotlight the premier time tracking apps designed for Mac. This updated compilation is not just a reflection of the latest innovations in time tracking solutions but also integrates user experiences and shifts in the digital workspace. It's tailored for everyone, from independent freelancers to team managers, to streamline their process of tracking time. Our curated selection rigorously evaluates each app based on its time tracking method, the overall user experience, cross-platform availability for desktop and mobile, advanced features, pricing structures, and suitability for individual versus team usage. Explore our 2024 guide to uncovering time tracking apps specifically crafted to elevate your productivity, streamline reporting hours, and ensure accurate billing for getting paid.
Our top picks
If you are short on time and do not fancy reading this entire article, here are our top picks:
Choose Daily for effortless time tracking: it periodically asks what you're doing, eliminating the need to toggle timers manually.
Choose Tyme (manual time tracking) or Timemator (automatic time tracking) when seeking a time tracker for individual usage.
Choose Harvest (manual time tracking) or Timing (automatic time tracking) when seeking a time tracker for an entire team.
Continue reading this article to understand better why you should track your time, why you should use an app for this, what to look for when choosing one, and a comprehensive overview of the best options available.
Why should you track your time?
In a world where time is a precious resource, managing it effectively is crucial for success in both personal and professional spheres. The cornerstone of effective time management lies in tracking time, offering several significant advantages:
Increased productivity and efficiency: Tracking time helps identify how much time is spent on each task, allowing for a more efficient workflow.
Enhanced focus and reduced procrastination: Tracking time helps minimize distractions by keeping users accountable for their time on tasks, ultimately fostering a more focused work environment.
Accurate billing and transparency: For freelancers and consultants, tracking time is essential for precise billing. A survey conducted by the Freelancers Union revealed that 71% of freelancers had faced difficulties in receiving payments from clients at least once, resulting in an average annual loss of $6000.
Better project management: Tracking time allows teams to understand the time taken for tasks, aiding in better project planning and resource allocation.
Work-life balance: By tracking time spent on work tasks, individuals can ensure they are not overworking, promoting a healthier work-life balance.
Financial Planning and Forecasting: For businesses, understanding time spent can be invaluable for financial forecasting and budgeting.
Why should you be using a time tracking app?
Using a time tracking app to monitor work hours and tasks offers several advantages over manual methods like note-taking or spreadsheets. Here are some key benefits:
Accuracy and precision: Time tracking apps often provide higher accuracy in recording time, down to the minute or second. This precision is crucial for billing clients, estimating project times, and maintaining fair work practices. Unlike manual tracking, where rounding off or forgetting to record time is common, apps can automatically track the exact duration of tasks.
Reduced risk of data loss: Manual records are susceptible to loss or damage, especially if kept in physical formats like paper notebooks. Even digital spreadsheets can be lost due to hardware failure or accidental deletion. Time tracking apps, especially those with cloud storage, reduce this risk significantly, ensuring that data is backed up and can be accessed from different devices.
Ease of use and accessibility: Tracking apps are usually designed with user-friendly interfaces, making them more accessible and easier to use than manual methods or complex spreadsheets. They can be accessed from various devices, including smartphones, allowing users to track time on the go.
Real-time monitoring and reporting: These apps often provide real-time insights into how time is being spent. This feature allows for immediate adjustments and more efficient management of time. Additionally, they can generate reports for review and analysis, helping identify time-consuming tasks or inefficiencies in workflows.
Integration with other tools: Many time tracking apps can be integrated with other business tools, such as project management software, accounting systems, and calendars. This integration streamlines workflow and reduces the time spent on entering the same data across multiple platforms.
In summary, time tracking apps offer a more efficient, accurate, and scalable solution for managing time compared to manual methods. Their ability to integrate with other tools, provide real-time insights, and reduce the risk of data loss make them a valuable asset for both individual productivity and business management.
What kind of time tracking app should I use?
Time tracking apps employ various methods to monitor how time is spent, each with its own advantages and challenges.
Manual time trackers using timers
This is the traditional method where users start and stop timers when switching tasks. The accuracy of this method heavily relies on the user's discipline to toggle the tracker each time they switch tasks. If done diligently, it can lead to very accurate timesheets. However, forgetting to toggle the timer can result in significant inaccuracies, which could have serious implications, especially in professional settings where billing and project management depend on precise time tracking.
Automatic time trackers monitoring your activity
Modern automatic tracking methods involve comprehensive monitoring of a user's digital activities. This includes tracking visited websites, used applications, edited documents, and sometimes even physical locations. While this method minimizes manual intervention and can capture a detailed record of activities, it raises significant privacy concerns. Users might be uncomfortable with an app monitoring their every digital move. Furthermore, the timesheets generated automatically still require adjustments. Users need to review and allocate time to specific projects or tasks, especially billable ones, to ensure accuracy.
A unique approach: periodically sampling your work
Daily introduced a unique approach: it periodically prompts users to report what they are doing. This method combines the advantages of both manual and automatic tracking. It reduces the manual effort needed compared to traditional methods while also addressing privacy concerns associated with fully automatic tracking. By using a smart algorithm and a minimalistic user interface, Daily simplifies the process of creating accurate timesheets. It offers the ease of use found in automatic trackers while maintaining the accuracy and privacy considerations of manual tracking. This balanced approach can be particularly beneficial for those who need accurate time tracking without the burden of constant manual input or the privacy issues of full automation.
What should I consider when choosing a time tracking app?
Next to the time tracking methods described above, when selecting a time tracking app, it's essential to consider various other factors to ensure it aligns with your needs. Below is a breakdown of key aspects to focus on.
User experience
A significant factor in any app is its user experience, which can be greatly enhanced if built natively for Mac. Native development typically results in smoother performance and better integration with macOS features. However, a clear and intuitive user interface is equally important in enhancing user experience. To gauge this, app reviews can be a valuable resource, providing insights into what you can expect regarding usability and functionality.
Additional features
It's important to recognize that more features in a time tracking app don't necessarily equate to a better experience. The key is to identify what features align with your needs. For instance, while invoicing capabilities may be essential for some, they may be unnecessary for others who want to track hours for weekly reporting. Sometimes, a simpler app with fewer features might be more effective and easier to use. Assess your specific requirements and choose an app that provides the right balance of functionality without overcomplicating your workflow.
Cross-platform availability
The decision on whether you need a time tracking app that is available across multiple platforms, like macOS and iOS, depends on your working style and environment. If most of your work is done behind a Mac, a Mac-only app might suffice. However, if you often need to record time away from your desktop, the availability of an iOS version becomes crucial. Consider how and where you'll be using the app most frequently to determine if cross-platform availability is a feature you need.
Pricing and purchasing options
Time tracking apps come with various pricing structures, including monthly subscriptions, annual plans, or one-time lifetime purchases. Evaluate your budget and usage frequency to decide which pricing model suits you best. While monthly subscriptions offer more flexibility, annual or lifetime purchases could be more economical.
Individual vs. team usage
Your choice will also depend on whether the app is for individual or team use. For individual use, like freelancing or personal time management, simplicity and features tailored to solo work are key. In contrast, look for an app with collaborative features, multi-user support, and administrative controls for team use.
Remember also to consider factors like ongoing support and updates, privacy and security policies, and the availability of trial periods or refund options. Regular updates indicate an app's longevity and adaptability to new technologies, while a clear privacy policy ensures the security of your data. Trial periods are beneficial for testing the app's suitability before making a financial commitment.
The best time tracking apps for Mac
Now that you know why you should track your time, why you should use an app for that, and what to consider when choosing one, let's extensively cover the best time tracking apps for Mac.
Daily
Daily stands out from this list due to its ease of use. Most time trackers require you to toggle timers whenever you switch tasks. In practice, everyone occasionally forgets to do this. As a result, timesheets and, ultimately, invoices become inaccurate. Daily uses a different approach to track your time: it periodically asks what you are doing. Inspired by sampling, a popular statistical procedure to conduct scientific research, it accurately tracks your time without requiring the discipline to manually toggle timers. You can view and export resulting timesheets to create invoices, report hours, or simply find out how you have spent your time.
Ideal for:
Professionals needing a time tracker for individual use, such as freelancers for creating invoices, employees for reporting their hours, or productivity enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their time.
Pros:
Impossible to forget tracking (billable) hours due to its tracking approach based on sampling.
Simple to use yet powerful, making it fit your way of working perfectly.
Built natively for Mac, providing the best possible user experience and leveraging the most modern capabilities of your Mac.
Main features:
Periodically prompting what you're doing, making timers a thing of the past.
Accurate timesheets per day, week, month, and year – adjustable and exportable.
Tracking scheduler, allowing you to configure when to track time.
Synchronization using iCloud ensures data is available on all your devices and backed up automatically.
Also available as an iOS app to track time when not behind your Mac.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Daily has undergone several major updates to enhance its existing features, such as compatibility with macOS Sonoma and introducing new functionalities. Moreover, a companion iOS app has been launched, allowing you to view and edit timesheets even when you're away from your Mac.
Pricing:
Daily is free to try for 7 days. After that, you can choose a license that suits your needs best: monthly ($5.99), yearly ($29.99), or lifetime ($59.99). It is worth mentioning Daily has already existed since 2013 and has seen many significant updates since then, making the lifetime license a great deal.
Rating and reviews:
Daily is rated ★★★★★ based on almost 791 ratings in the (US) Mac App Store, making it the most popular time tracking app on the Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★★
I love this time tracker. [...] This is it. The moment I installed it and the tiny pop-up asked me what I'd been doing, I almost cried with relief. It's so easy.
View Daily on the Mac App Store
Toggl
Toggl is easy to use and suitable for individuals and businesses, offering features like real-time tracking, detailed reporting, and project management across various devices and operating systems. It tracks your time by letting you toggle timers when switching tasks.
Ideal for:
Toggl is ideally suited for individuals, teams, and companies seeking a versatile and comprehensive time-tracking solution using timers to track time.
Pros:
Multi-platform support with real-time and offline tracking capabilities.
Customizable time reports with various exporting options and billable rate assignments.
A comprehensive project dashboard with advanced activity management and numerous integrations
Main features:
Calendar view integration with Google and Outlook calendars.
Flexible time tracking modes, including timer and manual modes.
Detailed time report customization with exporting in CSV, PDF, or Excel formats.
Project dashboard for the timeline and budget forecasting.
Integration capabilities with tools like Jira, Salesforce, and Adobe
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Toggl focused on enhancing integrations, notably upgrading its browser extensions for platforms like Jira, Todoist, Clickup, and Asana. The app introduced more customizable project alerts, including those for fixed fee budgets.
Pricing
Toggl offers various plans, all of which include a free 30-day trial of premium features, unlimited time tracking, and unlimited projects, clients, and tags. Users can opt for monthly or annual payments, with a 10% saving on the latter. The Free plan, ideal for freelancers, supports up to 5 users and includes features like exportable reports and browser extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox.
Rating and reviews:
Toggl is rated ★★★☆☆ based on 67 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★☆☆
The newest update made the desktop application much worse. [...] Please fix those issues!!
View Toggl on the Mac App Store
Clockify
Clockify offers a multifaceted approach to managing employee work hours across various tasks and projects. It features a built-in Pomodoro timer to enhance focus and time management and provides digital solutions for maintaining accurate timesheets, reducing reliance on Excel spreadsheets or paperwork. It tracks time by letting you toggle timers when switching tasks.
Ideal for:
Particularly suitable for small businesses, freelancers, nonprofit organizations, and digital startups that need to manage employee timesheet reports and track billable hours. It's best optimized for teams ranging from 15 to 50 employees.
Pros:
Available on desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux) and mobile (Android, iOS) platforms.
Enables analysis of time spent on various projects and tracking of project progress
Facilitates automatic and manual invoice generation based on billable hours.
Main features:
Manage and monitor employees’ tasks and billable vs. non-billable hours.
Track time spent on different projects and monitor progress.
Generate invoices based on billable hours.
Digital solutions for maintaining accurate timesheets.
Generate, share, and export time tracking data in PDF, Excel, and CSV formats.
What was new in 2023:
The 2023 updates to Clockify included improvements in integrations with other apps like ClickUp and QuickBooks and enhanced features for tracking breaks. There were also updates to timesheet templates, app themes, and exporting projects to Excel/CSV format.
Pricing:
Clockify is free with unlimited users, projects, and tracking. To access more handy features for advanced usage, you can upgrade to a paid plan billed annually per user: basic ($3.99), standard ($5.49), pro ($7.99), or enterprise ($11.99).
Rating and reviews:
Clockify is rated ★★★☆☆ based on 34 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★☆☆
[...] Okay on my phone but on my MacBook [...] it seems incredibly buggy. The first time you launch it it seems okay. After a while you try bring it to the front and its completely dead and unresponsive.
View Clockify on the Mac App Store
Harvest
Harvest is a time tracking app designed to provide detailed insights into employee work patterns and project costs. It simplifies time tracking and expense management with an intuitive interface for both employers and employees. Harvest integrates seamlessly with various project management, accounting, communication, and CRM tools, enhancing its utility for businesses.
Ideal for:
Harvest is particularly well-suited for remote employees and businesses seeking to streamline time tracking and project management processes.
Pros:
Integrates with a wide range of project management, accounting, and communication tools.
Offers detailed reports on time allocation, project progress, and budget management.
Includes automatic invoicing and robust reporting features integrated with payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal.
Main features:
Track time automatically as you work, with options for both automatic and manual time entry.
Provides insights into team members' workloads and potential burnout, assisting in workload distribution.
Allows for easy expense tracking and management through receipt uploads and categorization.
Offers detailed reporting on project progress, internal costs, and uninvoiced totals.
Features an iOS app for easy time and expense tracking on the go.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Harvest released all-new versions of its mobile apps, rebuilt from the ground up for enhanced performance and user experience. These updates brought parity between Android and iOS apps, simplified manual time entry, and provided at-a-glance views of time allocation on the Home Screen.
Pricing:
Harvest costs $12 USD/person/month when billed monthly or $10.80 USD/person/month when billed annually, offering unlimited access to all features. A free plan is available for single users with limited needs, and discounts are offered for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
Rating and reviews:
Harvest is rated ★★★★☆ based on 104 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★☆
I love the timer and how it notices if I walk way - those offers to keep time and stop timing, discard time and stop timing, etc. Lifesaver.
View Harvest on the Mac App Store
Tyme
Tyme is a versatile timer-based time tracking app for individuals and teams, available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. This app stands out with its visually appealing interface, providing a clear overview of recorded times, projects, budgets, and deadlines. Enhanced by features like detailed statistics, home screen widgets, task types, sync and calendar integration, reminders, export/import options, automatic tracking, shortcuts, automation, and an Apple Watch app, Tyme is ideal for anyone seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly time tracking solution.
Ideal for:
Tyme is perfect for professionals and teams who need a simple yet powerful tool for tracking working times and managing projects and deadlines efficiently.
Pros:
Natively built for the entire Apple ecosystem.
User-friendly interface with clear overviews of projects and deadlines.
Advanced features like automatic tracking and detailed statistics.
Main features:
Sync across all Apple devices.
Overview of times, projects, budgets, and deadlines.
Detailed statistics for workload management.
Task types for varied work activities.
Reminder features to aid in time management.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Tyme introduced improvements like a new option to open the backup folder in settings, enhanced import dialog memory, fixes for offset and reminders in recurring tasks, and options in project reports to limit date ranges and include subtasks. The export UI was also simplified for easier option selection, along with various minor bug fixes and enhancements.
Pricing:
Tyme is offered as a subscription service, with options for both monthly ($3.99) and annual ($35.99) subscriptions. Prior to commitment, users can explore Tyme's full capabilities with a 14-day free trial. The subscription activates the app across all devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Rating and reviews:
Tyme is rated ★★★★★ based on 267 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★★
I've used quite a few time tracking apps over the years, but none of them have compared to this app. [...] The interface is not just beautiful, but also very functional and intuitive.
View Tyme on the Mac App Store
Klokki
Klokki is a native Mac app that integrates seamlessly into your menu bar, offering an intuitive and efficient way to track time. It provides a mix of automated and manual time tracking options, with features tailored for individual professionals. The app's design focuses on ease of use and integrates with other apps like Jira, making it a versatile tool for time management.
Ideal for:
Klokki is ideal for individual professionals, such as freelancers, who require a comprehensive and native time tracking solution on their Mac to efficiently manage and understand how they spend their time.
Pros:
Seamless integration with macOS, accessible directly from the menu bar.
Compatibility with other applications, like Jira, for enhanced functionality.
Automated, rule-based time tracking available through the website version, which reduces the need for manual timer management.
Main features:
Menu bar timer for quick and easy time tracking access.
Smart idling options to adjust for periods of inactivity.
Automatic calculation of billable hours for client invoicing.
Comprehensive reports with visual data representation through statistics and charts.
Keyboard shortcuts for quick start and stop of time tracking without opening the app.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Klokki mostly focused on enhancing the stability and reliability of the app. It also introduced capabilities related to recurring budgets and a new project dashboard.
Pricing
Klokki offers a 14-day free trial, after which you can purchase the app for a one-time fee of $30. This pricing model provides full access to all the features without the need for a subscription or recurring payments.
Rating and reviews:
Klokki is rated ★★★★☆ based on 88 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★☆☆
It has been great to track my work time. [...] This morning I go to start work and it isn't loaded. I'm super frustrated that it appears I have not only lost my time record for this week but now will have to find another tracker.
View Klokki on the Mac App Store
Chrono Plus
Chrono Plus is a simple and a bit outdated-looking time tracking app using timers to track time. Its user interface allows easy task and subtask creation, enhanced by features like color marking for improved navigation and various timer display modes. It's especially suitable for freelancers and hourly professionals, providing tools for time and cost tracking, idle detection, and multiple hourly rates. Additionally, it includes a built-in invoice generator and allows full synchronization across Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices.
Ideal for:
Freelancers and professionals paid by the hour who want to track their worked hours using a timer, invoice clients accordingly, and track their costs.
Pros:
Seamless integration across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Built-in invoice generator for easy billing.
Includes a cost-tracking feature.
Main features:
Easy creation of tasks and subtasks.
Color marking and search for task navigation.
Time and cost tracking capabilities.
Multiple timer display modes and idle detection.
Project visualization with graphs and charts.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Chrono Plus introduced improved synchronization capabilities and implemented minor fixes and enhancements to enhance user experience.
Pricing:
Chrono Plus is available for free, with an option for in-app purchases to unlock Pro features at a cost of $4.99.
Rating and reviews:
Chrono Plus is rated ★★★★☆ based on 289 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★☆
Chrono Plus is a great tool for cloud-based time tracking. I haven't found any others that do it so well. I use it across all my devices without any issue.
View Chrono Plus on the Mac App Store
Caato
Caato is an easy-to-use yet outdated-looking time tracking app. It's straightforward to use, allowing you to track every second of your work effortlessly. The app supports tracking multiple projects and tasks, with detailed time entries right down to seconds. Features like data filtering, real-time updates, and auto-backup are included, along with a clean interface and complete date labels. Additionally, it offers easy export options for Excel and CSV. Caato doesn't seem to be actively maintained anymore.
Ideal for:
Caato is suitable for anyone seeking a simple yet effective time tracking app using timers, offering insights into time allocation across different tasks and projects.
Pros:
Free to use, with an optional pro version for advanced features.
Natively built for Mac, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Simple user interface, making it easy and straightforward to use.
Main features:
Ability to export data to CSV or Excel (Pro version only).
Date range filter with presets for easy entry search.
Displays today’s working hours or the number of currently tracked projects in its dock icon.
Simple to edit past entries and add future entries.
Real-time updates and auto-backup of data
What was new in 2023:
Caato hasn't been updated for a while, which might indicate that the app is no longer actively maintained.
Pricing:
Caato is free, but it also offers in-app purchases for those who wish to unlock more advanced features, such as managing multiple projects. This pricing model allows users to start for free and only pay for additional features as needed.
Rating and reviews:
Caato is rated ★★★★★ based on 498 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★★
[...] Caato is so easy to use, it's quite remarkable. [...]
View Caato on the Mac App Store
Timely
Timely is a comprehensive and somewhat expensive time-tracking application, particularly known for its project management features, making it a dual-purpose tool. This aspect helps justify its higher cost compared to many competitors. Its standout quality is the ability to record activities across various software applications with precision, allowing businesses to identify and address time-consuming processes. Additionally, Timely is recognized for its user-friendly interface and AI-powered automation, which ease the setup process and enhance user experience.
Ideal for:
Timely is best suited for well-funded businesses that need advanced time-tracking and project management features. It's particularly beneficial for those who require detailed time accounting and high-level planning capabilities.
Pros:
Beautiful and intuitive user interface.
Advanced AI capabilities for task automation and error detection.
Comprehensive project management features integrated with time-tracking functions.
Main features:
Seamless integration with tools like TeamGantt, Zapier, and QuickBooks (Premium and Unlimited plans only).
Detailed reports with breakdowns by app, spending, and other criteria.
High-quality mobile app with full feature set.
Automated reminders for teams or specific individuals.
AI-powered data entry and mistake detection.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Timely introduced enhancements to custom reporting, adding a new capacity view alongside Overtime and Undertime insights. Significant integrations with ClickUp and monday.com were launched, allowing smoother tracking of time for ClickUp projects and seamless synchronization of work from monday.com for more informed decision-making.
Pricing:
Timely offers several plans. The Starter plan, aimed at solo or micro businesses, costs $11 per month per user, supporting up to 5 users and 20 projects. The Premium plan, for teams, is $20 per month per user, allowing up to 50 users and unlimited projects. The Unlimited plan, designed for large companies, costs $28 per month per user, offering unlimited users and projects.
Rating and reviews:
Timely is rated ★★★☆☆ based on 22 ratings on the (US) iOS App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★☆
I hope this app works amazing for those who can afford to use it. [...]. It looks like it would be a good time tracker, but I can't justify the cost for my needs.
Timing
Timing is an advanced time tracking app focusing on automatic time tracking through document-based tracking. It meticulously records activity on apps, documents, and websites, ensuring privacy as data never leaves your Mac. The app is complemented by a web app for on-the-go tracking. However, it's not available on the Mac App Store due to its extensive monitoring capabilities, which Apple deems too privacy-sensitive.
Ideal for:
Timing is best suited for individuals who prefer an automated time tracking solution for their Mac, ensuring detailed and accurate logging of their digital activities.
Pros:
Allows sharing of projects and time entries with team members while keeping individual activities private.
Provides manual time tracking with timers alongside automatic tracking.
Offers app integration via a web API and Zapier for seamless connectivity with other tools.
Main features:
Automatic tracking of all apps, documents, and websites used.
Calendar integration for easy assignment of projects to events.
Prompting for project categorization after video or audio calls.
Phone call tracking, including calls made and received on an iPhone.
A web app for tracking time away from the Mac and syncing data across devices.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Timing introduced the ability to import iPhone and iPad usage data from Screen Time into the app. This feature, available in the Expert and Connect editions, allows users to manage and categorize their mobile device usage with the same depth as their Mac usage. It also includes various usability enhancements and improvements
Pricing
Timing offers several pricing plans, ranging from €10 to €18 per month, catering to different user needs. A 30-day trial is available, allowing users to test the app before committing to a subscription
Rating and reviews:
Timing is rated ★★★★★ based on 141 ratings on Capterra. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★★
Timing combines many things in one app: manual time tracking and automatic time tracking; estimating time needed for a task (and then readjusting it if needed) or categorising the time after working for few hours or a day.
Timemator
Timemator blends automatic and manual time tracking features, allowing users to trigger timers based on specific activities, like opening certain apps or to manually start and organize tasks. The app boasts a user-friendly interface with extensive, detailed reporting capabilities. Its compatibility across various devices, including mobile support, enhances its appeal to a broad range of users.
Ideal for:
Timemator is well-suited for professionals who need an automated tool to track working hours and revenue.
Pros:
Automatically toggles timers based on recorded (screen) activity while also supporting setting manual timers.
Also offers an iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch app.
Features the ability to set an hourly task rate so Timemator can calculate your revenue.
Main features:
Automatic time tracking with user-defined triggers.
Manual time tracking with task organization.
Detailed reporting with time and revenue overview.
Offline functionality and iCloud Sync for data backup.
Privacy-focused with data stored on the device unless iCloud Sync is activated.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Timemator introduced enhancements like auto-tracking support for the Microsoft ToDo app and an option to pause manual time tracking when the Mac enters sleep mode. It also improved the editing experience for start/end dates in time entries and fixed issues like incorrect currency formatting and conflicts in iCloud sync.
Pricing:
Timemator adopts a one-time flat rate pricing model, costing $39. This approach provides full access to all features without the need for a subscription, making it a cost-effective solution for users seeking a long-term time tracking tool.
Rating and reviews:
Timemator is rated ★★★★★ based on only one ratings on Captera and, hence, does not seem to be very popular. This is the only review:
★★★★★
Forgetting to start a timer or log was our biggest issue and now, no longer. [...] With so many apps trying hard to be the catch-all solution but with mediocre results, it's refreshing to find and use an app that does one simple thing really well and stays out of the way when it's not needed.
Orbit
Orbit is a straightforward time tracking and invoicing app, particularly favored by freelancers and small teams. It's designed to simplify the management of clients, projects, worked hours, and invoices, enabling users to focus more on their tasks and less on administrative duties. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with a range of functional features, makes it a top choice for those seeking a straightforward time tracking solution.
Ideal for:
This app is ideal for freelancers, independent contractors, small teams of developers, designers, consultants, and project managers who need to track time and manage invoices effectively.
Pros:
User-friendly interface with color-coding for clients, enhancing visual appeal and organization.
Capabilities for automatic invoice generation from logged time entries.
Strong focus on privacy with no ads, no metadata tracking, and no selling of personal data.
Main features:
Effortless integration across multiple Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Time tracking across various projects with the option for automatic syncing.
Invoice generation capabilities directly from time entries.
Optional rounding of time entries for billing convenience.
Custom invoice creation for additional expenses or material costs.
What was new in 2023:
In 2023, Orbit introduced several enhancements including Shortcuts support, extra-large widgets for iPad home screens, Quick Note integration with the system Notes app, and support for the always-on display on the Apple Watch.
Pricing:
Orbit's subscription options are $7.99 monthly or $79.99 annually. The app also provides subscription plans for larger teams to collaborate on time tracking and invoicing tasks.
Rating and reviews:
RescueTime is rated ★★★★★ based on 54 ratings on the (US) Mac App Store. This is considered the most helpful review:
★★★★★
Orbit [...] is a marvelous application for freelancers. I trust that you won't be disappointed.
Visit Orbit on the Mac App Store
Summary
Above, we have provided a detailed overview of the best time tracking apps for your Mac. While these apps share many common features, their differences are significant and cater to various needs and preferences. The ideal choice varies on many factors, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. To assist you in making an informed decision, we have distilled the essence of each app into a concise, one-sentence summary. We recommend exploring and trying out the apps that seem best suited to your specific needs to find the perfect fit.
Daily: A unique time tracking app that uses periodic prompts instead of manual timers, ideal for professionals and productivity enthusiasts.
Toggl: Offers real-time tracking, detailed reporting, and project management across various devices, suitable for individuals, teams, and companies.
Clockify: A versatile time tracking app with a built-in Pomodoro timer, optimized for small businesses, freelancers, and startups.
Harvest: Focuses on providing detailed insights into employee work patterns and project costs, integrating seamlessly with various project management and accounting tools.
Tyme: A visually appealing timer-based app for professionals and teams, featuring detailed statistics and sync across Apple devices.
Klokki: A native time tracking app providing a mix of automated and manual time tracking options tailored for individual professionals.
Chrono Plus: A simple, slightly outdated time tracking app with a built-in invoice generator, ideal for freelancers and hourly professionals.
Caato: A straightforward and possibly outdated native time tracking app, offering basic features and easy export options.
Timely: A comprehensive app known for its advanced project management and time-tracking features, best suited for well-funded businesses.
Timing: An advanced app focusing on automatic time tracking through document-based tracking, ensuring privacy as data never leaves your Mac.
Timemator: Combines automatic and manual time tracking features, ideal for professionals requiring automated tracking and revenue calculation.
Orbit: A straightforward app for freelancers and small teams, simplifying the management of clients, projects, worked hours, and invoices.
Frequently asked questions
Does my Mac have a time tracking app?
Macs do include a feature known as Screen Time, which is primarily designed to provide insights into usage patterns rather than function as a traditional time tracking tool. Screen Time allows users to monitor the amount of time spent on different apps and websites, and it allows them to set usage limits for specific apps. While this can indirectly assist in tracking time spent on various tasks, it is not specifically tailored for professional time tracking or project management. For more detailed and purpose-specific time tracking, users often turn to third-party applications available through the App Store, which offer a range of features from simple timers to comprehensive project management tools.
How do I track time on my Mac?
To effectively track time on your Mac, you have a couple of options. The built-in Screen Time feature is useful for monitoring the time spent in various apps and on websites, providing insights into your overall digital habits. However, for professional usage, third-party apps are often more beneficial. These apps typically offer more advanced features, such as the ability to categorize time spent on different tasks, generate detailed reports for billing or productivity analysis, and integrate with other professional tools you might be using. This makes them more versatile and tailored to the specific needs of a professional environment, as opposed to the more general overview provided by Screen Time.
What is the best time tracking app for my Mac?
When choosing the best time tracker for your Mac, it's crucial to consider your specific needs. Do you require invoicing capabilities? Will you be using the app individually or as part of a team? These factors greatly influence which app will suit you best. A popular choice is Daily, known for its effortless way of tracking time.