Toggl Track
One-click time tracking that tells you what an hour of your work actually earns. The free tier covers solo freelancers properly, and the reports are the bit that changes how you quote.
Features
Time tracking sounds like admin until the first month of data comes back and you find out the client you thought was your best is actually your worst. That is the real reason to do it, not billing.
How freelancers tend to use it
- One project per client, with tags for the type of work, so you can see where the hours actually go
- Start the timer from the desktop app, browser extension or phone, since the tracking you skip is the tracking you do not do
- Weekly reports to check what you earned per hour on a fixed-price job, rather than what you hoped you would
- Idle detection and reminders, which matter more than they sound when you forget to stop a timer at lunch
Worth knowing
The free tier is properly usable on your own rather than a trial in disguise, which is unusual. Unlimited tracking, unlimited projects and clients, and the reporting that makes it worthwhile.
Where it stops is billing. There is no invoicing on the free plan, so it tells you what to charge but does not charge it. Pair it with your accounting software rather than expecting one tool to do both.
Who it suits
Best if you quote fixed prices and have a nagging feeling some jobs are not worth it. A fortnight of honest tracking usually settles that argument, and it is the fastest route to putting your rates up with evidence behind you.