Why look beyond Harvest?
Manual tracking gets old fast
Harvest has been around since 2006, which is both good and bad. Good because it's stable and proven. Bad because it shows its age compared to newer time tracking tools that launched in the last few years.
The manual time tracking works fine, but honestly? In 2026, manually starting and stopping timers feels outdated. I used Harvest for about 8 months at a freelance gig, and I constantly forgot to start the timer. Then I'd spend 20 minutes at the end of the day trying to reconstruct what I worked on from memory and Slack timestamps. Not ideal.
The expense tracking is decent but clunky. You can snap photos of receipts, but the categorization and approval workflows feel like they were designed in 2010 (probably because they were). If expense management is a big part of your workflow, there are way better options now.
Reporting is where Harvest shines, but also where it frustrates people. The reports are detailed and customizable, which is great for billing clients. But pulling together insights about productivity, project health, or where time is actually going requires a lot of manual analysis or exporting to Excel. Modern alternatives do this automatically.
Pricing isn't terrible ($12/seat/month), but you're paying for features you might not need. The invoicing is solid if you use it, but if you already have invoicing software (QuickBooks, FreshBooks, etc.), you're paying for redundant functionality.
The mobile app works but feels sluggish. Loading projects and starting timers takes longer than it should. I've missed billable time because the app was loading and I just... moved on with my day. That's money left on the table.
Maybe you're looking for something with AI that tracks time automatically. Or maybe you want better integrations with project management tools so you're not juggling two apps. Or maybe you just want something that feels modern and doesn't require you to remember to click a button every time you switch tasks.
Whatever the reason, there are alternatives that handle time tracking better, cost less, or both.
Motion
Best AI-powered alternative
Motion is my top pick if you want time tracking that just happens without you thinking about it. Instead of manually starting timers like Harvest, Motion's AI schedules your tasks on your calendar, and when you work on those tasks, it tracks the time automatically.
This is stupidly convenient for people who constantly forget to start timers (hi, that's me). Motion knows you're working on "Client Proposal" because it's on your calendar right now, so it tracks the time without you clicking anything. At the end of the week, your timesheet is already done.
The task management is excellent too. Motion isn't just time tracking; it's a full daily planner with project management, AI auto-scheduling, and calendar integration. So you're replacing Harvest plus your task manager (Todoist, Asana, etc.) with one tool. For busy professionals juggling multiple projects, this consolidation saves both money and mental overhead.
Project tracking works well for freelancers and small teams. You can set budgets, assign tasks, track progress, and see time spent per project in real-time. The reporting isn't as detailed as Harvest for invoicing clients, but it's good enough for most use cases. If you're a consultant, the project budgeting features are clutch.
Here's the trade-off: Motion is expensive. $19/month per user for teams (or $34/month if you pay monthly). That's more than Harvest's $12/month. But if the AI scheduling saves you even 30 minutes a day, the ROI is there. I switched to Motion about 6 months ago and honestly can't imagine going back to manual timers.
Motion works best if time tracking is one part of your workflow, not the only thing you need. If you literally only need a timer and invoicing, Harvest or Toggl might be better. But if you want time tracking built into a modern productivity system with AI, Motion wins.
The mobile app is solid. Fast, clean, syncs perfectly. You can adjust time entries, reschedule tasks, and check your calendar without lag. Way better experience than Harvest's mobile app.
One downside: Motion doesn't have built-in invoicing like Harvest does. You'll need to export time data to your invoicing software. Not a dealbreaker, but something to consider if you rely heavily on Harvest's invoicing features.
Toggl Track
Best direct Harvest replacement
Toggl Track is probably the most direct Harvest competitor. Both are focused primarily on time tracking, both have similar features, both work for freelancers and teams. But Toggl Track feels more modern and costs less.
The timer interface is cleaner than Harvest. One-click to start, one-click to stop. The browser extension is excellent: track time from any website without opening a separate app. Harvest has a browser extension too, but Toggl's feels faster and less buggy.
The free tier is actually useful. One user can track unlimited time with basic reports and 5 projects. Harvest's free tier is limited to one person and two projects, which is pretty restrictive. If you're a solo freelancer just starting out, Toggl's free plan is the move.
Paid plans start at $9/user/month, which undercuts Harvest's $12/month. The features are comparable: project tracking, reporting, team management, integrations. So you're getting similar functionality for 25% less money.
Reporting is solid but not as detailed as Harvest. You can see time by project, client, team member, and date range. But if you need really granular invoicing reports with expense breakdowns, Harvest still has an edge here. Toggl Track is better for internal productivity tracking; Harvest is better for client billing.
Integrations are excellent. Asana, Trello, Notion, Jira, GitHub: all the project management tools you probably use. The two-way sync actually works, unlike some competitors where integrations feel half-baked.
Toggl Track also has automatic idle detection, which Harvest doesn't. If you walk away from your computer for 10 minutes, Toggl asks if you want to discard that time. Prevents you from accidentally billing clients for lunch breaks or distractions.
The mobile app is fast and reliable. I've used it to track time while commuting or working from my phone, and it syncs instantly. Harvest's mobile app is functional but slower.
Where Toggl falls short: no expense tracking, no built-in invoicing. If those features are important, you'll need separate tools. Harvest handles expenses and invoicing in one place, which is convenient if you're already paying for it.
Toggl Track is one of the most well-known time tracking apps for teams and freelance.
Clockify
Best free alternative
Clockify is the best free Harvest alternative, period. Unlimited users, unlimited projects, unlimited time tracking. Forever. No trial period, no credit card required. For small teams or freelancers on a tight budget, this is unbeatable.
The feature set is surprisingly robust for a free tool. Timer, manual time entry, project tracking, reporting, team management. It covers all the basics that Harvest does. The UI isn't as polished as Harvest or Toggl, but for free? Not complaining.
Paid plans start at $3.99/user/month if you need advanced features like time audits, custom fields, or project templates. That's dirt cheap compared to Harvest's $12/month. Even the most expensive plan (Enterprise) is only $11.99/user/month with all features unlocked.
Reporting is good enough for most use cases. You can generate detailed reports by project, client, team, or time period. Export to PDF, Excel, or CSV for invoicing. It's not quite as flexible as Harvest's reporting, but 90% of teams won't notice the difference. Perfect for solopreneurs watching every dollar.
Integrations are decent. Not as extensive as Toggl or Harvest, but the important ones are covered: Asana, Trello, Jira, Google Calendar. The browser extension works well for tracking time from anywhere.
The mobile app is functional but basic. It gets the job done (start timer, stop timer, manual entry), but it's not as refined as Harvest or Toggl. Loading can be slow, especially on older phones.
Where Clockify really shines: cost. If budget is a primary concern, nothing beats free. Even if you need paid features, you're paying 1/3 of what Harvest costs. For bootstrapped startups or freelancers just getting started, this is a massive advantage.
Downsides: No expense tracking, no invoicing, and the free plan doesn't include some advanced reporting features. But honestly, for most teams, the free plan is more than enough. I know several small agencies that run their entire time tracking on Clockify's free tier without issues.
Everhour
Best for project management integration
Everhour takes a different approach than Harvest. Instead of being a standalone time tracker, Everhour integrates directly into the project management tools you already use: Asana, Trello, ClickUp, Monday, Notion, Jira, and more.
This is game-changing if you're tired of switching between Harvest and your PM tool. With Everhour, you track time right inside Asana tasks or Trello cards. No context switching, no duplicate data entry. Just click the timer button in your existing workflow.
The Asana integration is particularly good. Start a timer from any task, and Everhour logs the time to that specific task automatically. At the end of the week, your timesheets are already organized by project and task without you doing anything extra. In Harvest, you'd manually select the project and task every time you start a timer.
Budget tracking and alerts are excellent. Set time or dollar budgets per project, and Everhour warns you when you're approaching limits. Harvest has budget tracking too, but Everhour's implementation feels more proactive and useful.
Reporting is focused on project management, not just time tracking. You can see which tasks took longer than estimated, which projects are over budget, and where your team's time is actually going. Harvest gives you time data; Everhour gives you actionable insights.
Pricing is competitive: $8.50/user/month, which is cheaper than Harvest. The free tier supports up to 5 users, which is great for small teams testing it out.
The main limitation: you need to be using one of the supported project management tools. If you're not already on Asana, Trello, ClickUp, etc., Everhour doesn't make sense. Harvest works as a standalone tool regardless of what other software you use.
No mobile app (just mobile-responsive web), which might be a dealbreaker if you track time on the go. Harvest and Toggl both have dedicated mobile apps.
Everhour is perfect if you're already deep in a PM tool ecosystem and want time tracking that doesn't feel like extra work. The integration is so seamless that you almost forget you're tracking time, which is honestly the ideal experience.
Timely
Best automatic time tracking
Timely uses AI to automatically track your time, which is a fundamentally different approach than Harvest's manual timers. The app runs in the background, logs what you're working on (websites, documents, apps), and at the end of the day, it presents a timeline of your activity.
You review the timeline and assign time to projects with a few clicks. Takes maybe 2-3 minutes at the end of the day instead of remembering to start/stop timers constantly. For people who hate manual time tracking (that's most people), this is honestly life-changing.
The AI is surprisingly accurate. After a week or two, Timely learns your patterns and starts suggesting project assignments automatically. If it sees you spent 2 hours in Figma working on files with "Client X" in the name, it suggests logging that time to Client X's design project.
Privacy is handled well. The memory tracking happens locally on your device, not on Timely's servers. You can configure what gets tracked (some people exclude personal browsing or certain apps). It's not Big Brother surveillance; it's more like a personal assistant taking notes for you.
Reporting is excellent for understanding where time actually goes. You can see patterns like "I spend 40% of my week in meetings" or "Client A takes twice as long as Client B for similar work." Harvest gives you raw time data; Timely gives you insights.
Pricing starts at $8/user/month, cheaper than Harvest. The team plan is $10/user/month with additional features like capacity planning and project budgets.
Downsides: The automatic tracking requires a desktop app running in the background, which some people find creepy even though it's private. Also, the invoicing features aren't as robust as Harvest. You can export time data, but you'll need separate invoicing software.
Timely works best for knowledge workers who do most of their work on a computer. If you're tracking time for field work, physical tasks, or things that don't happen on a screen, Harvest's manual timers make more sense.
The mobile app is basic. It's mostly for reviewing and editing your timeline, not for real-time tracking. Harvest's mobile app is better if you need to track time from your phone regularly.
Choosing the right time tracking tool
Picking the right time tracking tool depends on how you actually work and what drives you crazy about Harvest.
If you forget to start timers constantly
Motion or Timely. Both handle time tracking automatically without you clicking buttons. Motion schedules tasks and tracks when you work on them; Timely monitors your computer activity and lets you assign time at day's end.
If you need the cheapest option
Clockify wins here. Completely free for unlimited users and projects. Even the paid plans are 2-3x cheaper than Harvest. If budget is tight, this is a no-brainer.
If you live in project management tools
Everhour. Track time right inside Asana, Trello, ClickUp, or Monday without switching apps. The integration is so smooth that time tracking becomes almost invisible.
If you want a like-for-like Harvest replacement
Toggl Track. Similar features, similar workflow, just cheaper and more modern. Easy migration path if you're comfortable with how Harvest works but want something better.
If you need detailed invoicing
Stick with Harvest, honestly. Or look at Toggl Track if you can export data to your existing invoicing software. Most alternatives focus on time tracking and skip the invoicing features.
If you're a solo freelancer
Toggl's free plan or Clockify. Both give you enough features to track time and generate basic reports without paying anything.
If you want time tracking plus productivity tools
Motion. It's expensive but replaces multiple tools: time tracking, task management, calendar, and AI scheduling all in one.
Bottom line: Harvest isn't bad, it's just old. Most of these alternatives do time tracking better, cost less, or both. The manual timer workflow that made sense in 2006 feels dated in 2026 when AI can handle it automatically.
Migrating from Harvest
Switching time trackers is less painful than switching project management tools, but there are still some things to watch for.
Export your Harvest data first
Go to Reports in Harvest and export detailed time reports to CSV. This gives you a backup of all logged time, which is useful for historical billing or if something goes wrong during migration. Most alternatives can import CSV data, though you might need to reformat it.
Map your projects and clients
Before migrating, list all your active projects in Harvest. Then recreate them in your new tool with the same structure. This makes it easier to compare time tracking before/after and ensures nothing gets lost. Inactive projects can be left behind.
Run both tools in parallel for a week
Seriously. Use Harvest and your new tool simultaneously for one week. At the end of the week, compare the data. Did you track everything correctly in the new tool? Are the reports accurate? This test run prevents disasters where you realize a month later that you've been missing billable hours.
Update your invoicing workflow
If you use Harvest's invoicing features, you'll need a new solution. QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or Wave all integrate with most time trackers. Set up the integration before you stop using Harvest so there's no gap in your billing cycle.
Notify your team early
If you have a team, give them at least a week's notice before switching tools. Do a quick training session showing where to track time in the new app. The #1 reason time tracking fails is people don't know how to use it and give up.
Watch for integration breakages
If you have Zapier automations or integrations connecting Harvest to other tools, those will break when you switch. Rebuild them with your new time tracker's integrations. Most alternatives integrate with Zapier, so it's usually straightforward.
Don't overthink it
Time tracking tools are pretty simple. If your team can log hours and you can generate reports, you're 90% there. Don't get paralyzed trying to perfectly replicate every tiny feature from Harvest. Pick a good alternative and adjust your workflow slightly if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toggl better than Harvest?
For most people, yes. Toggl is cheaper ($9/month vs $12/month), has a better free tier, and feels more modern. Harvest wins if you need detailed invoicing and expense tracking built-in. But for pure time tracking, Toggl takes it.
What's the best free Harvest alternative?
Clockify, no contest. Unlimited users, unlimited projects, unlimited time tracking forever. Toggl has a decent free tier for solo users, but if you have a team, Clockify's free plan is unbeatable.
Which alternative has the best mobile app?
Toggl Track or Motion. Both have fast, reliable mobile apps that sync instantly. Harvest's mobile app is functional but slower. Timely's mobile app is mostly for reviewing data, not real-time tracking.
Can I switch from Harvest without losing data?
Yes. Export your time data from Harvest as CSV, then import to your new tool. The historical data transfers, though you might need to manually map projects and clients. Takes a few hours depending on how much data you have.
Which alternative is best for freelancers?
Toggl Track if you need robust features. Clockify if budget is tight (it's free). Motion if you want time tracking built into a full productivity system. Timely if you hate manual timers and want automatic tracking.
Do any alternatives have invoicing like Harvest?
Toggl Track has basic invoicing. Most other alternatives focus on time tracking and expect you to use separate invoicing software (QuickBooks, FreshBooks, etc.). If invoicing is critical, Harvest or Toggl are your best bets.
Which tool is easiest to learn?
Toggl Track. The interface is dead simple: start timer, stop timer, assign to project. Harvest is also straightforward. Motion and Timely have more features, so there's a slight learning curve, but nothing too steep.