Greetings, fellow professionals! As we continue to navigate the ever-changing work landscape, one critical aspect that remains constant in any industry is time management. Whether you’re a lawyer, freelancer, consultant, or business owner, keeping track of billable hours and managing projects efficiently is crucial for success.
Thankfully, with the abundance of time billing software available today, you can simplify this process and take your productivity to the next level. In this article, we will introduce you to the best time billing software and guide you through the features, benefits, and drawbacks of each.
What is Time Billing Software?
Time billing software is a type of tool designed to help professionals and businesses track their billable hours and automate invoicing. It’s a valuable solution for freelancers, lawyers, consultants, and any business that relies on time management to generate revenue.
Time billing software allows you to track time spent on projects and clients, create invoices, bill clients, and generate reports. It’s an efficient way to manage your time, streamline your billing process, and ensure you get paid for every minute of work you do.
Why Do You Need Time Billing Software?
Time billing software has several benefits, including:
-
Accurate Time Tracking: Time billing software ensures accurate time tracking, preventing undercharging or overcharging clients.
-
Efficient Invoicing: You can easily create invoices, track payments, and get paid faster with time billing software.
-
Improved Productivity: Time billing software helps you manage your time efficiently, allowing you to focus on getting more work done.
-
Insightful Reports: You can generate reports and analyze data to make informed decisions about your business.
The Best Time Billing Software of 2021
After thorough research and evaluation, we have narrowed down the top time billing software of 2021. These software options excel in their features, user-friendliness, and affordability.
Software |
Price |
Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. Toggl Track |
$10/month/user |
Easy time tracking, team management, project dashboard, integrations |
2. Harvest |
$12/month/user |
Time tracking, invoicing, estimates, team management, integrations |
3. QuickBooks Time |
$4.5/month/user |
Time tracking, GPS tracking, project management, employee scheduling, payroll integration |
4. FreshBooks |
$15/month |
Time tracking, invoicing, estimates, team management, project management |
5. Zoho Invoice |
$0-$29/month |
Invoicing, time tracking, client portal, project management, payment gateway integration |
1. Toggl Track
Toggl Track is a popular time tracking software that allows you to track billable hours and create visual reports. It’s an excellent solution for freelancers, small business owners, and teams who need to track their time efficiently.
Key Features:
- One-click timer: start and stop time tracking with a single click
- Team management: manage your team’s time and projects in one place
- Project dashboard: visualize your team’s workload and track project progress
- Integrations: integrates with over 100 tools, including Asana, Trello, and Slack
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Efficient time tracking
- Visual reports for data analysis
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- No invoicing or payment features
- Limited project management capabilities
2. Harvest
Harvest is a popular time billing software that offers integrated time tracking, invoicing, and expense tracking features. It’s an excellent solution for small businesses and teams who need to streamline their billing process and improve their productivity.
Key Features:
- Time tracking: allows you to track time spent on projects and clients
- Invoicing: create and send invoices to clients and accept payments
- Estimates: create and send estimates to clients
- Team management: manage your team’s time and workload
- Integrations: integrates with over 100 tools, including QuickBooks and Xero
Pros:
- Efficient time tracking and invoicing features
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Integrates with various apps and tools
Cons:
- Expensive pricing compared to competitors
- Limited project management capabilities
3. QuickBooks Time
QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) is a time tracking and employee scheduling software that integrates with QuickBooks Payroll. It’s an excellent solution for businesses that need to track their employee’s time accurately and manage their payroll efficiently.
Key Features:
- Time tracking: allows you to track time using a mobile app or desktop browser
- GPS tracking: track employee location and job site details
- Project management: manage your team’s projects and tasks in one place
- Employee scheduling: create and manage employee schedules
- Payroll integration: integrates with QuickBooks Payroll, making payroll processing easy
Pros:
- Efficient time tracking and GPS tracking features
- Easy-to-use interface
- Employee scheduling and project management capabilities
- Low pricing compared to competitors
Cons:
- Limited integrations with other software and tools
- May not be suitable for businesses that don’t use QuickBooks Payroll
4. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a cloud-based time billing software that offers invoicing, time tracking, and project management features. It’s an excellent solution for small businesses and freelancers who need to keep track of their time and billing efficiently.
Key Features:
- Invoicing: create and send professional-looking invoices to clients
- Time tracking: track time spent on projects and clients
- Estimates: create and send estimates to clients
- Project management: manage your team’s projects and tasks in one place
- Mobile app: track time, manage projects, and create invoices on-the-go
Pros:
- Efficient time tracking and invoicing features
- User-friendly interface
- Mobile app for on-the-go tracking and management
Cons:
- Limited reporting capabilities
- Expensive pricing compared to competitors
- May not be suitable for larger teams or businesses
5. Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing software that offers a variety of invoicing and billing features, including time tracking. It’s an excellent solution for small businesses and freelancers who need a simple and affordable time billing software.
Key Features:
- Invoicing: create and send professional-looking invoices to clients
- Time tracking: track time spent on projects and clients
- Client portal: allows clients to view and pay invoices online
- Project management: manage your team’s projects and tasks in one place
- Payment gateway integration: accept payments from various payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe
Pros:
- Affordable pricing with a free plan available
- Efficient invoicing and time tracking features
- Client portal and payment gateway integration
Cons:
- Limited reporting capabilities
- No integrations with other software or tools
FAQs
1. What is the best time billing software for freelancers?
For freelancers, we recommend Toggl Track or Zoho Invoice. Toggl Track offers efficient time tracking with affordable pricing, while Zoho Invoice offers invoicing and time tracking with a free plan available.
2. Can I use time billing software for project management?
Yes, most time billing software offers project management features, such as project tracking and task management.
3. Can I integrate time billing software with other tools?
Yes, most time billing software offers integrations with other tools, such as accounting software, project management tools, and communication tools.
4. How much does time billing software cost?
Time billing software pricing varies widely depending on the software and the features included. Generally, pricing ranges from free to $50 per user per month.
5. Can time billing software track billable hours for multiple clients?
Yes, time billing software allows you to track billable hours for multiple clients and projects.
6. Can I create and send invoices using time billing software?
Yes, most time billing software offers invoicing features, allowing you to create and send professional-looking invoices to clients.
7. Can I customize the reports generated by time billing software?
Yes, most time billing software allows you to customize the reports generated to fit your business needs and preferences.
Conclusion
Time billing software is an essential tool for any professional or business that relies on time management to generate revenue. With the variety of software available today, you can find an affordable and efficient solution to meet your time tracking and invoicing needs.
We hope this article has helped you narrow down your options and choose the best time billing software for your business. Don’t hesitate to try out different software and evaluate their features and benefits to find what works best for you.
Remember, efficient time management is the key to success. Invest in the right tools and take control of your time and revenue.
Are you ready to take control of your time and revenue? Try out one of the best time billing software options today!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is based on our research and evaluation of the best time billing software available at the time of writing. We do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information provided or endorse any particular software. We encourage readers to do their own research and evaluate their specific needs before choosing a time billing software.