5 Affordable but Flexible Time Tracking Tools

Having previously told project managers that a small budget shouldn’t prevent them from tracking time, we are now providing them with a sample list of flexible time tracking tools. For little to no cost, these solutions can easily adapt to your needs and help you deliver projects smoothly, while also providing valuable data for the future. 

We recently highlighted to you that regardless of how tight your project budget is, you should never leave out time tracking from your strategy. This evidence further supports our point by showcasing some tools that won’t drain your budget but offer maximum value. Please remember that the list has been compiled based on our personal opinions, which may or may not be suitable for your specific business. 

One thing we want to highlight is that different solutions will target different audiences, which you'll notice as you read this article. Just because you operate in a different industry than the one they are aimed at shouldn’t put you off. Ultimately, what you’re looking for is the functionality that improves your processes, and if the solution meets your needs, you shouldn’t dismiss it for not being aimed at your sector. And although we’re repeating ourselves here, this is something we REALLY want you to remember.

Time Tracking Tools Won’t Drain Your Budget

Or, rather, they shouldn’t. Like everything else, there are solutions available across different price ranges. However, a more expensive tool isn’t necessarily better just because it’s full of powerful features. In fact, when it comes to time tracking, simplicity is often the best approach. The most basic functionality is usually what offers the flexibility you need; and the simpler the solution, the lower its cost. 

In other words, the market for time tracking software is unique in that less expensive solutions often offer more flexibility than the pricier ones. Since they are less laden with complex features, they are easier to adapt to your existing processes, as you are expected to do all the groundwork. This, again, is another factor that saves costs. 

1. Timesheet Portal

At Timesheet Portal, we pride ourselves on the flexibility and customisation options we offer. From login pages to invoices and reports, you can modify nearly everything within our solution to suit your preferences and branding. This goes beyond just visual aspects — it includes the entire structure, processes, and much more. Each of the customisable modules also provides a set of templates that you can use as they are or edit. Naturally, you can also create your own. 

Our approach to pricing is similar, as we don’t like limiting the people we work with. Instead of the usual pre-set service packages, our clients build their own. This way, they only pay for the features they are using and can easily upgrade or downgrade within the platform. Not to mention, there’s also a list of integrations our customers can choose from; this saves time and cost in putting their tech stack together. 

2. Homebase

This is by far the most affordable option on the list - it is free. Homebase is a hospitality-specific solution, but if your business operates in another sector, you might still consider trying it as it’s flexible enough to serve other industries focused on on-site work. The free plan covers one location, offering timesheets, time clocks, a scheduling tool, and messaging. There are also three paid plans, each providing more advanced features such as onboarding, performance tracking, internal communication, and more. 

The caveat is that paid packages, like the free plan, are only limited to one location. This means that if you want to use them across three locations, you will need to pay three times the price. In other words, it is not an ideal solution for spread-out businesses, as costs can escalate quickly. 

3.  Bill4Time 

Marketed as a legal practice management tool, Bill4Time is well-designed to do exactly what its name suggests. It doesn’t utilise timesheets but instead relies on timers and allows you to organise upcoming tasks. It also calculates client revenue and unpaid hours. Dashboard customisation uses a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to access your key metrics at any time. Although specifically aimed at law firms, we believe this solution could work well for other industries too. 

The Time & Billing package costs 27$ and generally covers all essential features for a reliable time-tracking tool. More expensive plans are indeed targeted at legal firms. An extra point to note is that Bill4Time is praised for producing state-of-the-art reports - and that alone should pique your interest!

4. DeskTime

This tool would be especially useful for companies that deliver digital projects or whose work involves using computers. As the name suggests, it is designed to monitor desk time. We found it particularly interesting that the software is clever enough to assess the quality of that time as well, categorising it into productive, unproductive, and neutral. Such insights can significantly boost your team’s performance.

DeskTime is remarkably flexible and offers a wide range of tools, from project management to time and task allocation across teams. Its pricing model requires a fee per user, making it a suitable solution for smaller companies. If you’re a one-man band, you can even use it for free. 

5. Tick

Most time tracking solutions work across various devices, as our fast-paced world often demands accessibility on the go. What makes Tick stand out in our view is that it goes the extra mile, making time tracking available even on Apple watches and as lightweight as a browser extension. It also offers significant flexibility by connecting to over 750 internet apps, allowing users to build truly customised tech stacks. 

If you only have one project to manage, Tick offers a free plan with no user limit and Basecamp integration. As you might guess, the pricing model of this solution is based on the number of projects, although more expensive packages also include the feature of recurring projects. In addition, all packages, including the free one, provide unlimited tasks, clients, and archive space. 

Summary 

We always emphasise that the market for time tracking tools is large and diverse. The variety of solutions on this list proves that. The way you carry out your research may be influenced by industry-specific tools, budget constraints, the level of support needed, or simply a preference for interface layout. In other words, there is a time-tracking solution out there for every business with its distinct needs.

Additionally, there are solutions that can be customised to suit your needs. Furthermore, they often come at a more competitive price because you will likely need to carry out all the setup work yourself or be charged extra for it. Whether this is a good or bad thing depends largely on your expectations. However, one thing is certain - the best time tracking tools offer simplicity and flexibility, improving your business processes and growing with you.

That’s precisely our approach at Timesheet Portal. Book a demo.