Clockify
Free time tracking tool for teams.
About Clockify
Clockify tracks billable hours across unlimited users and projects at no cost, which makes it one of the few time tracking tools a 20-person bookkeeping practice can deploy without watching a per-seat bill climb. Staff log time via browser, desktop app, or mobile; timesheets populate automatically and feed into per-project cost and profitability reports. You can generate client invoices directly from logged hours, though the invoicing module is basic — expect to reconcile totals manually in QuickBooks or Xero rather than relying on a polished two-way sync. The free tier covers time capture, project budgets, and standard reports. Paid plans (starting around $4.99 per user per month) unlock features like time rounding, required fields, and audit logs — items that matter once a firm needs tighter timesheet controls or compliance documentation. Clockify fits solo practitioners and growing practices that need a disciplined time capture habit without committing to a full practice management suite. It does not replace a CRM, a workflow manager, or a billing platform. Firms already running Karbon, Jetpack Workflow, or Financial Cents will find Clockify redundant for project tracking but potentially useful as a dedicated time layer if those tools' built-in timers fall short.
Best for
Teams of any size wanting free time tracking with project management capabilities
Key Features
- Unlimited billable hours tracking with automatic timesheet generation
- Project budget tracking with cost analysis and profitability reporting
- Client invoicing with time-based billing integration
- Multi-project time allocation for accurate cost accounting
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unlimited users and projects on the free plan — no per-seat penalty as headcount grows
- Automatic timesheet generation from tracked entries reduces manual time entry at billing close
- Project budget tracking flags overruns in real time so partners can act before a fixed-fee job runs into the red
- Invoices generated directly from billable hour logs, cutting one manual step from the billing cycle
- Browser extension and desktop timer work simultaneously, so staff can log time without switching apps
- Export to Excel is clean and consistent, useful for firms that build custom profitability models outside the tool
- QuickBooks and Xero connections let you push invoice totals without re-keying figures
Cons
- QuickBooks and Xero integrations push data one way — changes made in the accounting platform do not sync back into Clockify
- Invoicing is too thin to replace a billing platform: no retainer tracking, no payment processing, no statement delivery
- Audit logs, required fields, and time rounding are locked behind paid tiers, which matters for practices that need enforced timesheet compliance
- No client portal or CRM layer, so client communication and engagement tracking stay in a separate system
- Free plan reporting is limited; detailed labor cost and utilization breakdowns require at least the Standard paid tier
- User community is smaller than Toggl Track or Harvest, meaning fewer third-party tutorials and integration guides aimed at accounting firms
Ledger Brief Take
This freemium time tracker distinguishes itself by offering unlimited users on the free tier — a rarity that makes it viable for growing practices without per-seat penalties. While it includes basic project budgeting and invoicing, it's primarily a time capture tool rather than a full practice management solution, so expect to maintain separate systems for client management and advanced billing workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions accountants ask about Clockify.
Is Clockify actually free, or does the free plan expire?
The free plan is permanent, not a trial. It includes unlimited users, unlimited projects, and basic time tracking and reporting indefinitely. Paid tiers start at $4.99 per user per month and add features like audit logs, required fields, time rounding, and scheduled reports.
How does Clockify integrate with QuickBooks and Xero?
Clockify connects to QuickBooks and Xero to push invoices and client data outward. The sync is one-directional — payment status and ledger changes made in QuickBooks or Xero do not reflect back in Clockify. Firms needing two-way billing reconciliation should plan for a manual reconciliation step.
How does Clockify compare to Toggl Track or Harvest for accounting firms?
Toggl Track has a cleaner interface and stronger reporting on the free tier but caps free users at five. Harvest includes two-way QuickBooks sync and a more capable invoicing module but charges per seat from day one. Clockify wins on cost for larger teams; it loses on billing workflow depth to Harvest.
Is Clockify data secure enough for client billing records?
Clockify uses AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS in transit, and offers two-factor authentication on paid plans. It is not SOC 2 certified as of 2024. Firms handling sensitive engagement data should confirm current compliance documentation directly with Clockify before treating it as a system of record.
What firm size is Clockify best suited for?
Practices with 2 to 30 staff that need structured time capture and basic project budget visibility without paying for a full practice management platform. Sole practitioners may find it overcomplicated. Larger firms with complex billing rules or compliance requirements will outgrow the free tier quickly.
Can Clockify replace practice management software like Karbon or Jetpack Workflow?
No. Clockify tracks time and generates basic invoices. It has no workflow automation, no client task management, no email integration, and no capacity planning. Use it alongside a practice management tool when that tool's built-in timer is inadequate, not as a replacement for one.