Best Project Management Software with Time Tracking 2024
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Table of Contents
- Quick Picks: Top Project Management Software with Time Tracking
- How We Evaluated These Tools
- Detailed Reviews
- Comparison Table
- What to Look for in Project Management Software with Time Tracking
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Finding the right project management software with time tracking can make or break your team’s productivity. Whether you’re billing clients by the hour, monitoring project profitability, or just trying to understand where time goes, you need a platform that seamlessly combines task management with accurate time measurement.
The best project management software with time tracking should feel natural to use, provide detailed reporting, and integrate smoothly with your existing workflow. After testing dozens of platforms across different team sizes and industries, we’ve identified the tools that truly deliver on both fronts.
Quick Picks: Top Project Management Software with Time Tracking
- Monday.com — Best overall balance of features and usability
- Asana — Best for teams prioritizing task management over detailed time tracking
- Toggl Track — Best dedicated time tracking with solid project features
- ClickUp — Best value with comprehensive feature set
- Harvest — Best for agencies and consultants focused on billing
How We Evaluated These Tools
We tested each platform based on time tracking accuracy, project management capabilities, reporting depth, and real-world usability. Our evaluation focused on how well these tools serve teams that need both comprehensive project oversight and detailed time insights, not just basic task lists with timers.
Detailed Reviews
Monday.com — Best Overall Project Management with Time Tracking
Key Features:
- Native time tracking with multiple entry methods
- Customizable project boards and workflows
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- 200+ integrations
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Automation rules and notifications
Monday.com strikes the perfect balance between robust project management and intuitive time tracking. The platform’s strength lies in its flexibility — you can customize boards to match your team’s workflow while maintaining detailed time records across all projects.
The time tracking feels natural because it’s built into the project structure rather than bolted on. Team members can start timers directly from tasks, log time manually, or use the mobile app to track time on the go. The visual project boards make it easy to see both project progress and time allocation at a glance.
The reporting capabilities are where Monday.com really shines. You can generate detailed time reports by project, team member, or time period, making it invaluable for client billing and project profitability analysis. However, the extensive customization options can feel overwhelming for smaller teams who just need basic time tracking functionality.
Asana — Best Task-Focused Platform with Time Tracking
Key Features:
- Multiple project views (list, board, timeline, calendar)
- Built-in time tracking (Premium plans only)
- Task dependencies and project templates
- Team collaboration tools
- Custom fields and forms
- Portfolio management for multiple projects
Asana excels at project management and task organization, with time tracking available as a solid secondary feature. The platform’s intuitive interface makes it easy for teams to adopt, and the time tracking integrates seamlessly into existing workflows.
The time tracking in Asana is straightforward — you can log time directly on tasks, view time summaries by project, and export data for billing purposes. The strength here is in the project management foundation, which provides excellent context for time tracking data.
Where Asana falls short is in advanced time tracking features. The reporting is basic compared to dedicated time tracking tools, and you can’t track time across multiple projects simultaneously. It’s best for teams who prioritize project organization and need time tracking as a supporting feature rather than the primary focus.
Toggl Track — Best Time Tracking with Strong Project Features
Key Features:
- Precise time tracking with idle detection
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Project budgets and time estimates
- Team productivity insights
- One-click time tracking
- Offline time tracking capability
Toggl Track approaches the combination from the opposite direction — it’s primarily a time tracking powerhouse with increasingly robust project management features. The time tracking accuracy and reporting depth are unmatched, making it ideal for teams where precise time measurement is critical.
The project organization features have improved significantly, allowing you to create project hierarchies, set budgets, and track progress against estimates. The interface remains clean and focused, which helps maintain high adoption rates among team members who might resist more complex project management tools.
The limitation is in advanced project management features like task dependencies, Gantt charts, or detailed workflow automation. Toggl Track works best for teams whose primary need is accurate time tracking with enough project context to stay organized.
ClickUp — Best Value with Comprehensive Features
Key Features:
- Native time tracking with global timer
- Multiple project views and customization options
- Task management with dependencies
- Goal tracking and OKRs
- Document and wiki creation
- Extensive automation options
ClickUp packs an impressive array of features into its platform, including robust time tracking capabilities that rival dedicated tools. The global timer allows you to track time across different tasks and projects without losing context, while the project management features provide comprehensive workflow support.
The platform’s strength is its flexibility and feature depth at a competitive price point. You can customize almost every aspect of the interface, create complex project hierarchies, and generate detailed time reports. The automation features help reduce manual time entry and improve tracking accuracy.
However, this flexibility comes with complexity. New users often find ClickUp overwhelming, and the extensive feature set can slow down the interface. It’s best for teams who want comprehensive functionality and are willing to invest time in setup and training.
Harvest — Best for Client Billing and Agency Work
Key Features:
- Simple time tracking with detailed categorization
- Automatic invoice generation from time logs
- Expense tracking integration
- Client and project profitability reports
- Integration with popular accounting software
- Team capacity planning tools
Harvest focuses specifically on the needs of agencies, consultants, and service-based businesses. The time tracking is designed with billing in mind, making it easy to categorize time, apply different rates, and generate professional invoices directly from time logs.
The project management features are simpler than other options but perfectly adequate for service-based work. You can organize projects by client, set budgets, track expenses, and monitor project profitability in real-time. The reporting focuses on the metrics that matter most for billing and business analysis.
Harvest isn’t ideal for complex project management needs like task dependencies or detailed workflow automation. It’s specifically designed for teams who need to track billable time accurately and convert that data into client invoices efficiently.
Wrike — Best for Enterprise Teams
Key Features:
- Advanced project management with time tracking
- Custom workflows and approval processes
- Real-time collaboration tools
- Advanced reporting and dashboards
- Resource management and capacity planning
- Enterprise security and compliance features
Wrike targets larger organizations that need enterprise-grade project management with comprehensive time tracking. The platform offers sophisticated workflow management, detailed resource planning, and robust reporting capabilities that scale with large teams.
The time tracking integrates deeply with project workflows, allowing managers to see not just how time is spent but how it relates to project progress, resource allocation, and deadline adherence. The reporting capabilities are extensive, providing insights into team productivity, project profitability, and resource utilization.
The complexity and cost make Wrike less suitable for smaller teams or simple time tracking needs. It’s designed for organizations that need comprehensive project oversight and are willing to invest in training and implementation.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Starting Price | Time Tracking | Project Management | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday.com | $8/user/month | Native, flexible | Excellent | Balanced teams |
| Asana | $10.99/user/month | Basic (Premium+) | Excellent | Task-focused teams |
| Toggl Track | $9/user/month | Advanced | Good | Time-focused teams |
| ClickUp | $7/user/month | Comprehensive | Excellent | Budget-conscious teams |
| Harvest | $12/user/month | Billing-focused | Basic | Agencies/consultants |
| Wrike | $9.80/user/month | Enterprise-grade | Advanced | Large organizations |
What to Look for in Project Management Software with Time Tracking
Integration Between Time Tracking and Project Data
The best platforms don’t just add a timer to project management — they integrate time data with project progress, budgets, and resource planning. Look for tools that show time allocation alongside task completion, budget burn rates, and team capacity. This integration provides context that makes time data actionable for project decisions.
Flexible Time Entry Methods
Different team members prefer different ways to track time. Some like running timers, others prefer manual entry at the end of the day, and remote workers need mobile options. The best tools offer multiple entry methods while maintaining data consistency and accuracy across all approaches.
Reporting and Analytics Depth
Basic time summaries aren’t enough for most teams. Look for platforms that provide detailed breakdowns by project, client, task type, and team member. The ability to analyze time trends, compare estimated vs. actual hours, and identify productivity patterns makes the difference between simple time logging and strategic time management.
Billing and Integration Capabilities
If you bill clients for time, ensure the platform can handle different billing rates, categorize billable vs. non-billable time, and integrate with your invoicing or accounting software. Even internal teams benefit from understanding project costs and resource allocation, so these features provide value beyond client billing.
User Adoption and Interface Design
The most feature-rich platform is worthless if your team won’t use it consistently. Evaluate the interface complexity, mobile app quality, and learning curve required for new users. Platforms with intuitive designs and good onboarding typically achieve higher adoption rates and more accurate time data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between project management software and dedicated time tracking tools?
Project management software focuses on organizing tasks, deadlines, and team collaboration, with time tracking as one feature among many. Dedicated time tracking tools prioritize accurate time measurement and detailed reporting, with basic project organization features. The best combined platforms excel at both aspects without compromising either functionality.
Can project management software with time tracking replace separate billing tools?
Many platforms can handle basic invoicing and billing, but complex billing scenarios might require specialized software. Harvest and similar tools bridge this gap effectively, while others integrate well with dedicated accounting platforms. Evaluate your billing complexity before relying solely on project management software for client invoicing.
How accurate is automatic time tracking in project management software?
Automatic tracking accuracy depends on the implementation. Some tools use idle detection and application monitoring to improve accuracy, while others rely on manual start/stop actions. Most platforms achieve 85-95% accuracy with proper setup, but manual review and adjustment remain important for billing-critical applications.
Should small teams prioritize project management or time tracking features?
Small teams typically benefit more from strong project management features with adequate time tracking rather than the reverse. Focus on platforms that streamline task organization and team communication first, then ensure the time tracking meets your accuracy and reporting needs without adding complexity.
How do I get my team to actually use time tracking consistently?
Success depends on choosing intuitive tools, providing clear guidelines about when and how to track time, and demonstrating the value of the data collected. Start with simple time tracking requirements and gradually add detail as the habit develops. Mobile apps and automation features significantly improve adoption rates.
What integrations are most important for project management with time tracking?
Priority integrations include calendar applications (for automatic meeting time tracking), communication tools like Slack, accounting software for billing, and any existing project management or CRM systems. The specific integrations matter less than ensuring smooth data flow between tools your team already uses regularly.
Conclusion
The best project management software with time tracking depends on your team’s primary focus and workflow preferences. Monday.com offers the best overall balance for most teams, while Toggl Track excels when precise time measurement is the priority.
For teams heavily focused on task management, Asana provides excellent project features with adequate time tracking. Budget-conscious teams should consider ClickUp for its comprehensive feature set, while agencies and consultants will find Harvest purpose-built for their billing needs.
The key is matching the tool’s strengths to your team’s primary workflow. Start with a clear understanding of whether you need project management with time tracking or time tracking with project features, then choose the platform that excels in your priority area while meeting your secondary needs.