The 13 Best Time Tracking Tools with Accounting Integration

Manually transferring billable hours from timesheets to your accounting software is a process filled with potential for errors and wasted time. Integrating your time tracking directly with your financial systems automates this workflow, ensuring invoices are accurate, payroll is timely, and projects stay on budget. This article covers the 13 best time tracking tools with direct accounting integrations, helping you find the right fit to connect your time to your bottom line.

1. Toggl Track

Toggl Track is celebrated for its exceptional simplicity and flexibility, making it a favorite among freelancers, agencies, and small businesses. Its core strength lies in its one-click time tracking, which allows users to start and stop timers with minimal friction. The platform connects directly with major accounting tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks, enabling you to export billable hours automatically for precise invoicing and payroll processing. Its clean interface and powerful reporting turn raw time data into clear, actionable business insights.

• Pros:
  • Extremely user-friendly and intuitive interface that requires almost no training.
  • Robust reporting features that provide detailed breakdowns by project, client, or team member.
  • Seamless integrations with over 100 popular project management and business apps.
  • One-click timer and background tracking make it easy to capture every billable minute.
• Cons:
  • More advanced features, such as setting project-specific billable rates and time audits, are reserved for higher-priced plans.
  • The free tier is generous for solo users but lacks team-oriented features.
• Pricing:
  • Free: For up to 5 users, includes basic time tracking and reporting.
  • Starter: $10 per user/month, adds billable rates, time estimates, and project templates.
  • Premium: $20 per user/month, includes team time tracking reminders and project profitability analysis.

Who it's best for: Freelancers, consultants, and SMBs who need a straightforward and flexible time tracking tool with reliable accounting connections.

2. Clockify

Clockify has made a name for itself by offering an incredibly generous free tier that rivals the paid plans of many competitors. It allows for unlimited users, projects, and tracking without any cost, making it an excellent entry point for businesses of all sizes. The platform provides solid integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero, which allow for a smooth transfer of tracked time into your accounting system to generate invoices or process payroll. For businesses looking for a scalable and budget-friendly solution, Clockify is hard to beat.

• Pros:
  • Completely free for core time tracking features with no user limits.
  • Offers a full suite of tracking methods, including a timer, manual entry, and a calendar view.
  • Highly customizable reporting capabilities.
• Cons:
  • More advanced functionality like invoicing, scheduling, and labor cost analysis are exclusive to paid plans.
  • The interface can feel slightly cluttered as you add more projects and users.
• Pricing:
  • Free: Unlimited users, projects, and time tracking.
  • Basic: Starts at $4.99 per user/month, adds features like time audits and project templates.
  • Standard: Starts at $6.99 per user/month, adds invoicing and time off tracking.

Who it's best for: Budget-conscious businesses, startups, and freelancers who need unlimited time tracking with essential accounting integrations at no initial cost.

3. Harvest

Harvest is specifically designed for businesses that run on projects and need to closely monitor time, expenses, and budgets. Its standout feature is its powerful, built-in invoicing and expense tracking system. You can create detailed invoices directly from tracked time and expenses and then sync that data effortlessly with accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online and Xero. This turns Harvest into a command center for project finance, helping agencies and consulting firms ensure profitability and transparency with their clients.

• Pros:
  • Excellent integrated invoicing that transforms billable hours into professional invoices in minutes.
  • Strong expense tracking capabilities, including receipt capture via its mobile app.
  • Detailed project visualization tools that make it easy to see budget vs. actuals at a glance.
  • Extensive integrations with project management, payment, and accounting tools.
• Cons:
  • The per-user cost is slightly higher than some other options on the market.
  • The free plan is limited to one user and two projects, serving more as an extended trial.
• Pricing:
  • Free: 1 user and 2 projects.
  • Pro: $12 per user/month for unlimited users and projects.

Who it's best for: Agencies, consulting firms, and project-based SMBs that need an all-in-one solution for time tracking, expense management, and invoicing.

4. Timely

Timely takes a unique, AI-powered approach to time tracking by eliminating the need for manual timers or entries. It runs in the background, privately recording activity across all your work applications (documents, emails, websites, meetings) and automatically grouping them into project-based timelines. Users simply review and approve the suggested time logs. This automated data flows into QuickBooks and other accounting software, ensuring every billable second is captured without human error. It’s perfect for teams who want to focus on their work, not on time logging.

• Pros:
  • AI-driven automation captures all work activity, drastically reducing manual time entry.
  • Provides a completely private and accurate record of time spent on different tasks.
  • Clean, visually appealing interface and powerful project management features.
• Cons:
  • Reliance on automation gives users less granular manual control compared to traditional timers.
  • The AI requires an initial learning period to understand user habits and project associations.
• Pricing:
  • Starter: $11 per user/month, for a maximum of 50 projects.
  • Premium: $20 per user/month, for unlimited projects and team members.
  • Unlimited: $28 per user/month, adds capacity planning and advanced insights.

Who it's best for: Organizations and busy professionals who want to eliminate manual time tracking and capture billing information automatically and accurately.

5. TimeCamp

TimeCamp is a robust and flexible solution that offers both automatic and manual time tracking to fit any team's preference. It provides detailed reporting, attendance tracking, and built-in invoicing features. The platform stands out with its ability to track productivity by monitoring app usage and idle time, giving managers a deeper understanding of team efficiency. Its integrations with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Wave make it simple to sync billable hours and process payments, making it a comprehensive tool for service-based businesses.

• Pros:
  • Automatic background time capture based on app usage and keywords.
  • Tracks billable and non-billable hours, producing detailed profitability reports.
  • Integrated invoicing and attendance tracking features.
• Cons:
  • The user interface is functional but not as modern as some competitors.
  • Certain key integrations, which are crucial for a full workflow, are locked behind higher-tier plans.
• Pricing:
  • Free: Basic time tracking for unlimited users.
  • Basic: $7.99 per user/month, adds integrations and billable time.
  • Pro: $10.99 per user/month, adds invoicing and timesheet approvals.

Who it's best for: Service providers and agencies that need versatile time tracking options combined with productivity analysis and billing.

6. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is designed as a complete workforce management platform, particularly for remote and field service teams. Beyond simple time tracking, it offers features like activity monitoring (mouse/keyboard usage), screenshots, and GPS tracking to provide full transparency on team productivity. These capabilities give business owners and managers confidence that their teams are staying on task. Billable hours and work data seamlessly flow into accounting systems like QuickBooks and Xero, as well as payroll providers like Gusto, automating both client billing and employee payments.

• Pros:
  • Optional employee monitoring features like activity levels and screenshots provide deep visibility.
  • GPS location tracking is ideal for managing mobile or field-based teams.
  • Automated payroll based on tracked hours and established pay rates.
• Cons:
  • Activity monitoring features can be perceived as intrusive by some team members and may not fit every company culture.
  • Advanced payroll functions and invoicing require subscriptions to higher-tier plans.
• Pricing:
  • Desk Free: 1 user with basic time tracking and limited screenshots.
  • Desk Starter: $7 per user/month, includes core features for small teams.
  • Desk Pro: $10 per user/month, adds invoices, payroll, and unlimited integrations.

Who it's best for: Remote or distributed teams that require a combination of time tracking, activity monitoring, and payroll management.

7. FreshBooks Time Tracking

For small businesses and freelancers who already use FreshBooks for their accounting, its built-in time tracking feature is an unmatched solution. Because it's a native part of the platform, there's no need for any third-party integration—tracked time is automatically available for invoicing. You can effortlessly add tracked hours to project invoices, manage client retainers, and get a clear picture of project profitability, all within a single system. Its simplicity and deep integration make it a perfect choice for existing FreshBooks customers.

• Pros:
  • Seamless, native integration with the core FreshBooks accounting and invoicing suite.
  • Extremely easy to use, with timers accessible from web, desktop, and mobile apps.
  • Enables easy conversion of time entries directly into client invoices.
• Cons:
  • Only available to FreshBooks users, so it's not a standalone option.
  • Lacks some advanced features found in dedicated time tracking tools, like productivity monitoring.
• Pricing:
  • Time tracking is included with all FreshBooks subscription plans.
  • Lite: $17 per month for up to 5 billable clients.
  • Plus: $30 per month for up to 50 billable clients.

Who it's best for: Small business owners and freelancers who are already committed to the FreshBooks ecosystem for invoicing and accounting.

8. QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets)

As the official time tracking solution for QuickBooks, QuickBooks Time offers the deepest and most reliable integration possible with the world's most popular accounting software. It's built to sync time data directly for payroll, job costing, and invoicing with just one click. Features like employee scheduling, GPS time stamping, and detailed job costing reports make it a powerful tool for construction, field service, and other businesses that need to manage a mobile workforce. If you run your business on QuickBooks, this tool brings unmatched convenience.

• Pros:
  • Flawless, "push-button" integration with both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Robust mobile functionality, including a geofenced time clock and GPS tracking.
  • Strong employee scheduling and job costing features.
  • Detailed, real-time reports on employee time and project budgets.
• Cons:
  • The per-user fee is supplemented by a monthly base fee, which can make it costlier for very small teams.
  • While it integrates with some other software, it's primarily designed to work best within the Intuit ecosystem.
• Pricing:
  • Requires a monthly base fee ($20-$40) plus a per-user fee.
  • Premium: $8 per user/month, includes time tracking, scheduling, and job costing.
  • Elite: $10 per user/month, adds project tracking, geofencing, and timesheet signatures.

Who it's best for: Businesses of any size that rely heavily on QuickBooks for their payroll and accounting and need a perfectly integrated time tracking system.

9. Everhour

Everhour is a unique time tracker that embeds itself directly into popular project management tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, and Basecamp. Instead of switching between apps, your team can track time directly inside the tools they already use every day. This time data can then be sent to QuickBooks or Xero for invoicing and billing. This workflow is ideal for teams that live inside their project management platform and want to add a layer of time tracking without disrupting their existing processes.

• Pros:
  • Deep, native integration with leading project management applications.
  • Enables budgeting, estimating, and resource planning inside your project management software.
  • Offers detailed, customizable reports on project financials and team productivity.
• Cons:
  • Its effectiveness is heavily dependent on using one of its supported project management tools.
  • This approach often means paying for both a project management subscription and an Everhour subscription.
• Pricing:
  • Free: For up to 5 users, with basic integrations.
  • Lite: $6 per user/month, with advanced reporting and budget features.
  • Team: $10 per user/month, adds user permissions, unlimited projects, and native integrations.

Who it's best for: Teams that are heavily reliant on project management platforms like Asana or Trello and want to add time tracking and billing functionality.

10. Paymo

Paymo offers an all-in-one platform that combines task management, project planning, time tracking, and invoicing into a single, cohesive system. This integrated approach helps creative agencies and professional service firms manage the entire project lifecycle, from initial estimate to final payment. Its time tracking tools feed directly into its invoicing and expense modules, which then sync with financial software like QuickBooks and Xero. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple subscriptions for separate tools.

• Pros:
  • Fully integrated work management solution covering projects from start to finish.
  • Kanban boards and Gantt charts for visual project planning.
  • Generates detailed invoices and estimates directly from project data.
• Cons:
  • The sheer number of features can present a learning curve for teams used to simpler tools.
  • Best suited for small to mid-sized teams; may not scale as well for very large enterprises.
• Pricing:
  • Free: up to 10 users with limited project and invoicing capabilities.
  • Starter: $9.95 per user/month for freelancers includes invoicing and project templates.
  • Small Office: $15.95 per user/month for small businesses includes Gantt Charts and resource scheduling.

Who it's best for: Creative agencies and professional service firms looking for a unified platform to manage projects, track time, and handle billing.

11. ClickTime

ClickTime is an enterprise-grade time and expense tracking platform built for larger organizations and professional service firms that need granular control over budgeting and resource allocation. It provides detailed timesheets, deep reporting on employee utilization, and sophisticated budget analysis tools. Its ability to project costs and manage complex billing rates makes it a powerful choice for businesses where every minute has a direct financial impact. ClickTime offers robust integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other ERP and payroll systems.

• Pros:
  • Advanced features for budget and resource management.
  • Highly configurable to meet the compliance and reporting needs of larger companies.
  • Strong expense tracking capabilities, including multi-currency support.
• Cons:
  • Higher cost and complexity make it less suitable for small businesses or startups.
  • Pricing is not transparent and requires speaking with a sales representative.
• Pricing:
  • Starter: $12 per user/month, with basic time and expense tracking.
  • Team: $15 per user/month, adds billing goals and enhanced reporting.
  • Premier & Enterprise: Custom pricing, offers advanced features like resource planning and deep integrations.

Who it's best for: Mid-sized to large organizations and professional service firms needing rigorous time, expense, and budget controls.

12. Timeneye

Timeneye is a visually focused time tracking tool perfect for creative agencies and marketing teams who appreciate a simple and intuitive interface. It allows users to track time with a calendar-like view, making it easy to see where the workday went. Its visual project timelines and budget tracking give a quick overview of project health. Timeneye integrates with tools like QuickBooks and Xero, turning tracked hours into billable entries for simplified invoicing, all while maintaining a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing experience.

• Pros:
  • A clean, visual interface that makes time tracking less of a chore.
  • Simple one-click timers and manual entry options.
  • Project budget tracking with clear visual indicators.
  • A wide range of integrations with project management tools.
• Cons:
  • Lacks some of the more advanced invoicing and reporting features found in more comprehensive platforms.
  • Lower-tier plans have limitations on the number of projects.
• Pricing:
  • Freelancer: $8 per user/month for unlimited projects and advanced reporting.
  • Team: $18 per user/month for multi-user reports, permissions, and roles.

Who it's best for: Creative and marketing teams looking for a straightforward, visually oriented time tracker with solid accounting integrations.

13. Zoho Projects

For businesses already operating within the extensive Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Projects provides a powerful and deeply integrated time tracking solution. Time tracking is a core feature within the project management suite, and through its native connection with Zoho Books (accounting) and Zoho Invoice (billing), the entire workflow is automated within one platform. Teams can log hours against specific tasks, which are automatically available for invoicing, expense claims, and financial reporting, offering unparalleled integration for Zoho users.

• Pros:
  • Flawless, native integration with the Zoho suite of business apps.
  • Affordable pricing with a feature-rich free plan.
  • Combines time tracking with comprehensive project management tools like Gantt charts and Kanban boards.
• Cons:
  • Time tracking features are comprehensive but may not be as specialized as dedicated tools.
  • The full benefit of the platform is mainly realized when heavily invested in the broader Zoho ecosystem.
• Pricing:
  • Free: Up to 3 users and 2 projects.
  • Premium: $5 per user/month, offers 100 projects and time tracking.
  • Enterprise: $10 per user/month, includes unlimited projects and advanced project management features.

Who it's best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that are already using or plan to adopt the Zoho suite for their business operations.

Final Thoughts

Integrating your time tracking directly with your accounting software eliminates double-entry, reduces billing errors, and gives you a clear view of your financial health. The right platform depends on your team's size, budget, and specific needs, ranging from simple timers for freelancers to fully automated management solutions for remote enterprises.

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