Time clocks have been our companions for centuries. But when it comes to business, tracking time becomes important. Inefficient use and management of time can lead to delayed deadlines, unhappy clients, and revenue losses. However, open-source time tracking software allows you to track and manage time and optimize your business processes.
Let’s take a look at the top 15 open source time tracking tools.
1. Kimai
Kimai is a simple-to-use open source time tracking software solution that helps you track and keep a record of your time.
Features:
- Mobile-ready
- Multi-user and teams
- Multi-language support
- Management of projects and activities
- Manage invoices and expenses
- Intuitive, insightful dashboard
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Support for multiple reporting formats
- Data safety with self-hosted environments
Cons:
- Structure of project and customer activity not clear
- No visual reports
USP
Kimai is excellent for you if you’re looking for a simple solution with no clunky features.
2. Rachota
Rachota is an open-source time tracking software solution that allows you to create tasks and track time for them. It offers basic reports that allow you to determine how you’re spending your work time.
Features:
- Powerful data mining
- Customizable invoices and reports
- Analytics
- Support for HTML, CSV, and TXT files
- Feedback capability
- Tagging
Pros:
- Inexpensive and feature-rich
- A portable app that runs on various platform
- Provides time data in diagram form
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Data import/export features are missing
- No online customer support
USP
The biggest advantage of using Rachota is its portability – you can run it everywhere.
3. OpenProject
OpenProject is an open-source time tracking software that offers timekeeping, project management, and budgeting features. This tool also entails task management capabilities to help you stay on top of your projects.
Features:
- Project planning and scheduling
- Time tracking
- Cost reporting and budgeting
- Task management
- Team collaboration
- Bug tracking
Pros:
- Comprehensive project management capabilities
- Excellent GANTT implementation
- Great collaboration characteristics
Cons:
- No mobile app support
- Drag-and-drop in Gantt charts is missing
USP
Opt for OpenProject if you’re looking for a robust time-tracking solution that offers project management, task management, and budgeting abilities.
4. Charm
Charm is a cross-platform time tracker tool that enables you to create tasks and track their time. This open-source time tracking software also allows you to create weekly and monthly performance reports.
Features:
- Tasks
- Events
- Activity Reports and Time Sheets
- Downloads
- Authors and License
Pros:
- Super simple to train with
- Live reports of your projects
- Ideal for businesses of all sizes
Cons:
- Support for XML reports only
- Some login bugs
USP
If you’re looking for a simple, open-source time tracker tool with basic reporting options, Charm is the right pick.
5. eHour
eHour is an open-source time tracker tool that supports multiple projects and locking timesheets. This web-based solution offers extensive features and is available for multiple platforms.
Features:
- Weekly timesheets
- Powerful reports
- Integration
- Team-oriented tooling
- Customizable reports
- Daily data backups
Pros:
- Great for simple time tracking
- Support for multiple projects, rich reporting, and auto email reminders
- Available on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Cons:
- It’s not free to use
- You’ll need to make different categories of the projects
USP
eHour is a powerful, multi-platform time tracking tool that offers more features than most other open source timekeeping tools.
6. Project Hamster
Project Hamster is an ideal time tracking tool for busy individuals. This open-source time tracking software allows you to track your daily activities and also add locations to them.
Features:
- Graphical interface
- Flexible grouping
- Workspace tracking
- Full-text search
- Tallies by groups
- Seamless data entry
Pros:
- Provides a good overview of activity
- Easy to use
- Multiple categorization options
Cons:
- Only compatible with Gnome 3
- No automatic tracking
USP
This tool allows you to take your time tracking initiatives a step further with locations and categories.
7. Hourglass
Hourglass is an open-source time tracking software tool that allows you to record time spent on tasks and analyze performance. It supports various time tracing levels and also offers time slots for specific activities.
Features:
- Time and expense tracking
- Web-based
- Reporting and project tracking
- Billing
- Project management
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Enhances accountability and transparency
- Feature-rich solution
Cons:
- No mobile or Mac support
- No reimbursement management
USP
If you’re looking for a time tracker tool that offers multiple levels of time tracking hierarchy,[2] Hourglass is the ideal pick.
8. Anuko
Anuko is a simple time tracking tool with basic time tracking, reporting, and team management features. This open-source time tracking software allows you to track the time associated with both projects as well as individual tasks.
Features:
- VMware virtual appliance
- Users
- Time input
- Multiple projects and groups
- Flexible reports
- Invoices
Pros:
- Very simple to use and configure
- Free web hosting
- No complex settings
Cons:
- Invoicing feature is complex
- Lacks advanced features
USP
Anuko is a great pick for those looking for a simple tracker tool that can run on different operating systems.
9. Kapow
Kapow is an open-source time tracking software system that works on a punch-in and -out functionality. It features a clock method for time tracking and captures time entries automatically.
Features:
- Start/stop functionality
- Double-clicking
- Track hours since the last-billed client
- Billed checkbox
Pros:
- Supported on Linux, Windows, and macOS
- Easy to download and configure
- Beginner-friendly user interface
Cons:
- No additional capabilities
- No mobile support
USP
You can use Kapow if you’re looking for a free, open-source, and simple time tracking solution.
10. Baralga
Baralga is a lightweight time tracking app that lets you record time spent on projects and tasks. This open-source time tracking software allows you to record time using a timer or log time manually.
Features:
- Time tracking
- Switch projects
- Record activities
- Reporting as Excel, calendar, and CSV
- Enter data with shortcuts
- Add & edit activities manually
Pros:
- Well-organized and the compact window
- Easy to use
- Excel support for reports
Cons:
- Poorly designed workflow
- Limited task definition
USP
Baralga is an excellent time tracking solution for busy individuals. It helps you enter data quickly using shortcuts. This tool also has a portable edition.
11. Redmine
Redmine is a web-based, open-source time tracking software. It helps managers, employees, and freelancers manage multiple tasks and projects. You can use it on multiple platforms and integrate it with version control systems.
Features:
- Multiple project tracking
- Issue tracking system
- Gantt charts and calander
- Web feeds and email notifications
- LDAP authentication
- Multiple plugins and databases
Pros:
- Speed and simplicity
- Many features and plugins
- Stable and versatile
Cons:
- UI is a bit clunky
- The installation process can be a pain
USP
Redmine is a flexible and extremely user-friendly time tracking tool with advanced features like a visual representation of projects and deadlines.
12. Toggl
Toggl is an open-source time tracking software solution. It allows you to track your daily activities across multiple platforms. It has a free version that allows up to 5 users.
Features:
- Unlimited clients and projects
- Auto tracker
- Offline mode
- Pomodoro timer
- PDF and CSV export
- Mobile app
Pros:
- Simple time tracking tool
- Offers a suite of helpful and effective tools
- Categorize tasks and generate weekly reports
Cons:
- Only ideal for small businesses
- No chrome extension
USP
Toggl is a cloud-based tool that allows small and big teams to track their work hours flexibly.
13. OrangeScrum
OrangeScrum is a time and project management tool that has a free open source time tracking software edition and it is the best time tracking software. It supports various platforms, like Linux, Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS.
Features:
- Unlimited users and projects
- Email notification
- Kanban view
- Daily update reminder
- Analytics
Pros:
- Amazing add-ons and features
- Ideal for small and medium enterprises
- Excellent sub-features like report generation
Cons:
- Sometimes hard to connect to the main server
- Problems with hosting
USP
If you’re looking for a robust tool with comprehensive-time management, project management, and collaboration capabilities, don’t look past OrangeScrum.
14. Freedcamp
Freedcamp is an open-source time tracking software program and collaboration tool. It also offers project management capabilities. This cloud-based tool is available as a desktop app that is available for both Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Features:
- Collaboration tools
- Customizable templates
- Kanban board
- Resource management
- Milestone tracking
Pros:
- Solid, feature-rich project management solution
- Free trial available
- Fairly inexpensive
Cons:
- Can be difficult for first-time users
- So many features can make the product feel less intuitive
USP
Freedcamp is a 360° project management tool with all the essential project and task management features.
15. ClockInEasy
ClockInEasy is an open-source time tracking software tool that allows you to seamlessly track your time and project progress. It helps you manage and streamline your workforce and timesheets from a consolidated dashboard.
Features:
- Biometric recognition
- Timesheet tracking
- Punch card
- Reporting/Analytics
- Mobile access
Pros:
- Inexpensive yet feature-rich
- Support for web, iOS, and Android
- Payroll and attendance management
Cons:
- Lack of automation
- No direct sync
USP
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for time tracking, attendance management, and payroll processing, ClockInEasy is your way to go.
Conclusion
Time is money, and if you want your business to stay on top, you’ll need to ensure you’re tracking and managing time properly. Time tracking tools can go a long way in simplifying and streamlining your time tracking initiatives.
So, which open source time tracking software do you think would work best for you?
