Clockify vs. Harvest: Which Time Tracking Tool Is Better for Your Team?

Clockify and Harvest both aim to make time tracking easier, improve project visibility, and help teams stay on top of budgets. But depending on your needs, the wrong choice could lead to missing features, clunky exports, or limited mobile control.

In this guide, I compare both side by side, looking at where each tool shines, what’s missing, and which one fits best based on how your team works, whether you’re tracking time at a desk or out in the field.

At a Glance: Quick Summary

Clockify is best known for its flexible, free plan that supports unlimited users, making it ideal for startups or budget-conscious teams that want solid time tracking and reporting. It offers detailed filters, GPS tracking, and a range of integrations, but lacks integrated invoicing and advanced reporting.

Harvest shines with its built-in invoicing, polished client-facing reports, and clean UI. It’s a strong fit for freelancers or service-based teams focused on billable hours and smooth billing workflows. But it lacks built-in scheduling and GPS for location enforcement.

Pricing and Plans

Both Clockify and Harvest offer competitive pricing, but they differ in what features you get at each tier.

Plan Type	Clockify	Harvest
Free Trial	7 days for the Pro plan only	30 days on all plans
Free Plan	✅  Unlimited users, time tracking, projects & tasks, basic reports	✅  1 user, 2 projects, time tracking, reporting basics, invoicing
Starter	Basic $3.99/user/month Adds bulk edits, time audits, breaks, and kiosk PINs	N/A
Mid-Tier	Standard  $5.49/user/month  Adds time off, invoicing, approvals, and QuickBooks integration	N/A
Business	Pro $7.99/user/month Adds scheduling, forecasting, expenses, and GPS tracking	Pro $11/user/month Unlimited seats/projects, reporting, integrations, scheduled phone support
Enterprise	Enterprise $11.99/user/month Adds SSO, audit logs, and a custom subdomain	Premium $14/user/month Adds profitability reporting, activity logs, timesheet approvals, SAML SSO, and onboarding for 50+ seats
Enterprise+	Productivity Suite $12.99/user/month  Adds team chat and project management	❌
* All prices show the monthly cost when billed annually as of September 2025.

I found Clockify gives teams strong flexibility with its unlimited-user free plan and lower-cost entry tiers. But scheduling, forecasting, and GPS features unlock only with the $7.99 Pro tier.

Harvest, on the other hand, keeps it simple: $11/user/month for full Pro access or $14/user/month for Premium. While it’s pricier per seat, you’re getting comprehensive invoicing, client-facing reporting, and administrative controls. 

In short:

• Clockify is better for cost-conscious teams that need flexible plans and don’t mind enabling features gradually.
• Harvest suits small consultancies or agencies needing polished invoices, reports, and faster client handoffs without needing to juggle integrations.

Pros and Cons

Clockify pros ✅

• Free plan with unlimited users: It’s great for startups and growing teams trying to manage time on a budget.
• Highly customizable reports and flexible tracking options: The platform supports manual entries, GPS tracking, kiosk mode, and detailed tagging for projects/tasks.

Clockify cons ❌

• Scheduling is clunky and lacks basic controls: There’s no day view or smart conflict detection, and it’s easy to miss time-off overlaps.
• Admin experience on mobile is limited: While the mobile app supports basic time logging, you’ll need the web version for most admin tasks.

Harvest pros ✅

• Clean UI and built-in invoicing: Harvest lets you track time, create estimates, and generate professional invoices from a single dashboard.
• Strong client-facing tools: The Premium plan includes project profitability, timesheet approvals, and support for recurring or retainer invoices.

Harvest cons ❌

• No built-in scheduling: A separate app, Harvest Forecast, is required for team planning.
• Lacks GPS tracking or real-time enforcement tools: Harvest isn’t ideal if you manage deskless or location-based teams that need punch-in validation.

Use Cases

Clockify is best for:

• Detailed time tracking across projects and teams: Clockify lets you log time by project, client, task, or tag with second-level accuracy. Admins can apply rounding rules, custom fields, and approval flows.
• On-site or mobile tracking with validation: Features like GPS tracking, kiosk mode, and offline logging make it reliable for fieldwork or multi-location teams.

Harvest is best for:

• Quick invoice creation and payment tracking: Harvest pulls from tracked time and expenses to generate branded invoices, estimates, and retainer summaries.
• Basic time and expense reporting: Built-in reports let you view billable vs. non-billable hours, unbilled time, and project costs. I like how these are ready to send to clients with minimal edits.

Clockify vs. Harvest: Side-by-Side Feature Overview

Below, I break down the most crucial features of Clockify and Harvest and declare a winner for each.

Time tracking and location enforcement – Winner: Clockify

Both Clockify and Harvest deliver reliable time tracking, but Clockify edges ahead thanks to its more flexible tracking methods, mobile kiosk mode, and GPS options that give managers better control in the field.

You can use Clockify’s time tracking via its browser extension, desktop app, or mobile app, or set up a kiosk with PIN codes at a job site. It supports live timers and manual entries, with adjustable settings to prevent edits or enforce break times. 

Admins can enable GPS verification on the Pro plan. I think that’s a big win if you manage frontline or field workers and are trying to prevent time theft or verify field activity. Screenshot recordings are also available on this plan through the desktop app. I think this will appeal to companies with desk-based workforces that need to ensure their workers are doing what they’re meant to be doing during paid work time. 

Clockify also offers rounding rules and approval workflows, which help with payroll consistency. One thing to note? You can’t switch tasks mid-timer unless you stop and restart it. That’s a small friction point unless you’re using kiosk mode, where task switching is easier.

I tested Harvest and found the timer experience smooth but more limited. You can track time using a timer or manually add entries on both web and mobile, which makes it easy to correct forgotten punches. The timer UI is clean and requires minimal clicks, but I noticed that it kept running even when I shut down my laptop. That’s a real concern if employees forget to stop tracking, because Harvest doesn’t flag idle time or automatically adjust. (Clockify does this too, so you’ll need to keep manual oversight to avoid inflated hours for workers who forget to clock out.)

Harvest’s lack of GPS tracking or kiosk support also makes it harder to manage field teams. It works fine for consultants, freelancers, or agencies logging hours from desks, but there’s no way to verify locations or prevent buddy punching. And while I appreciated the timesheet view for weekly tracking, it’d be helpful to have a monthly or role-filtered option when managing multiple clients.

Invoicing & estimates – Winner: Harvest

When I used Harvest, I could generate professional-looking invoices in just a few clicks. Logged hours, expenses, and billable rates automatically filled into the invoice. I also liked that you can create recurring invoices or retainers, send estimates for client approval, and track payments without leaving the platform. You can also customize the layout, add your logo, and include personalized messages. It felt like a seamless experience from time tracking to getting paid.

Harvest also integrates with Stripe and PayPal for online payments and includes native payment buttons directly on its invoices, though clients must manually trigger those payments (there’s no auto-charge). I wish it had more automation for reminders and more language options for global clients. But even with those limitations, the end-to-end billing workflow is fast and polished. If you invoice clients regularly, this is where Harvest shines.

Clockify’s invoicing is available only starting on the Standard plan. We tested it briefly and found that you can pull in billable time and generate line items, but the experience isn’t as smooth. There’s no built-in estimate system, and tax setup only recently became customizable per line item. I think that’ll help agencies that work with different rates and tax rules, but the UI still feels a bit rigid.

Clockify also doesn’t offer built-in payment processing. You can create and send invoices, but you must handle collections separately through another platform. And there’s no option to send reminders or see who’s viewed an invoice, which limits its usefulness for teams with recurring billing cycles.

Employee scheduling – Winner: Clockify

Clockify offers a built-in (though basic) scheduling module, but it functions more like a project planner than a full shift scheduler. You’ll see a week-by-week calendar where you can assign users, visualize capacity, and compare scheduled vs. tracked hours. Clockify also supports recurring weekly assignments, letting you copy full weekly schedules from one user to another. For many teams, this provides a simple and centralized view of who’s supposed to be working and when.

However, there are notable limitations. You can’t create specific daily shifts or set hourly time blocks. You’re confined to full-day entries on the week grid. There’s no drag-and-drop for easy adjustments, plus no conflict alerts if someone ends up double-booked.

Employees can see their assigned shifts, and approved time-off is visible (in light green), but it’s easy to miss. In our test, we were able to schedule someone directly on top of their approved time off with no warning. That could lead to confusion or, worse, missed coverage if your team doesn’t double-check availability.

Harvest doesn’t offer any scheduling capabilities within the core product. Instead, it promotes Harvest Forecast, a separate (paid) app that’s also meant for project-based resource planning. And while Forecast is clean and good for capacity forecasting in agency setups, it’s not meant for shift scheduling. There’s no drag-and-drop shift builder, no open shift posting, and no way to handle last-minute changes or swaps from within the app.

If your team relies on structured shifts, whether daily, weekly, or rotating, I think Clockify gives you a better starting point, even if it’s not perfect.

PTO management – Winner: Clockify

Clockify offers basic but useful PTO tracking on its paid plans. You can set up leave types, let employees submit time-off requests, and approve or reject them from the admin dashboard. While it doesn’t handle accruals automatically, it gives your team a transparent way to request time off and know where they stand without having to juggle spreadsheets or follow-up emails.

Harvest doesn’t include a formal PTO system. I tried logging vacation time during testing and had to create a custom project just to represent it. There’s no request workflow, no visibility into balances, and no approval tracking. If you’re trying to manage time off for a growing team, that’s a definite gap.

Clockify isn’t perfect here, but it gives you the essentials.

Reporting and timesheet approvals – Winner: Tie

We liked the flexibility of filters with Clockify. You can break reports down by client, project, team member, task, and tags, and export in PDF, Excel, or CSV. You can track time types, customize views, and even display text in right-to-left languages. 

Clockify also includes timesheet approvals. Admins can review and approve submitted time entries, and there are role-based permissions to control who can approve what.

Harvest’s reports are cleaner and more visual. I tested Time, Expense, and Invoice reports, and they all felt ready to present to a client. It’s easy to pull billable vs. non-billable hours, project profitability, and un-invoiced time at a glance. This is ideal if accuracy and client billing are your top priorities. 

Harvest also supports timesheet approvals, but the process is more basic. Admins can review and approve hours, but there aren’t advanced settings for role-based reviews.

Clockify gives you more control, while Harvest delivers clarity. I’ll call it a tie.

Labor law & compliance controls – Winner: Clockify

With Clockify, you can flag missed breaks, set overtime thresholds, and require timesheet approval before anything is finalized. If your business needs to track employee hours against legal limits or union rules, I think those extra layers of control can save headaches.

Harvest lets you set team capacity and assign hourly limits, but when I tested it, I noticed it doesn’t send alerts when employees go over those limits or when overtime thresholds are crossed. That lack of real-time notifications can be risky in regulated industries and damaging to your team. There’s no automatic calculation for overtime pay, either, which means you’ll need to ensure that you pay workers accurately for overtime hours using manual processes.

Mobile app – Winner: Tie

Both Clockify and Harvest offer polished mobile apps that cover the essentials. When we tested them, time tracking was smooth across both. We could start timers, switch tasks, and work offline, with automatic sync once reconnected. A good mobile app makes your workers’ lives easier, especially if they’re working in the field.

Where the apps fall short is in admin functionality. You can see who’s clocked in and review hours, but deeper tasks like reporting, approvals, or editing entries still must be done from the web. These apps are reliable for basic tracking on the go, but they aren’t designed for full team management from your phone.

Integrations – Winner: Tie

Harvest makes integrations easier, especially for non-technical teams. You can connect it directly with QuickBooks, Xero, Asana, Trello, Slack, and more—no Zapier or coding required. The setup is quick, and syncing time entries to invoices or accounting platforms feels polished and intuitive.

While it integrates well with accounting software like QuickBooks for payment tracking, payroll capabilities within those tools aren’t directly linked. You’ll typically need to export your timesheet data and import it into a separate payroll system. However, Harvest does offer a native integration with Deel, streamlining time transfer for paying global contractors.

Clockify offers broader flexibility, with support for tools like Trello, Jira, Notion, and GitHub. But integration often requires Zapier, webhooks, or API setup. When tested, it worked well but needed more manual configuration. This gives tech-savvy teams room to customize, though it may be slower to get up and running.

Clockify also integrates with Gusto, Paychex, Sage, and Deel for payroll-related exports and processing. However, like Harvest, it still doesn’t sync with QuickBooks Payroll directly.

If you want a faster plug-and-play setup, Harvest is easier. If you need more extensibility and custom workflows, Clockify gives you more control. 

User Ratings

Users consistently rate both Clockify and Harvest well, particularly for their clean interfaces and no-fuss approach to tracking time.

Clockify

• ⭐ 4.8/5 on Capterra
• ⭐ 4.5/5 on G2

Harvest

• ⭐ 4.6/5 on Capterra
• ⭐ 4.3/5 on G2

Security & Compliance

Clockify and Harvest both offer strong baseline protections, with encryption in place for data in transit and at rest, and adherence to modern privacy standards.

Category	Clockify	Harvest
Data Encryption	✅ (256-bit SSL)	✅ (SSL encryption)
GDPR Compliant	✅	✅
Hosting Region	US (AWS), EU options	US (default), EU via AWS
2FA Available	✅	✅
Admin Controls	✅ Role-based access, audit logs on Enterprise	✅ Role-based permissions
Certifications	ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II	⚠️ Not publicly listed

Clockify stands out with enterprise-grade certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II, plus options like audit logging on higher tiers. Admins can enforce 2FA, restrict features by role or group, and manage access at the project level.

Harvest also supports 2FA and provides solid role-based permissions, but it lacks published certifications like ISO or SOC. It hosts data on secure AWS servers and follows GDPR guidelines, though I think the documentation could be clearer, especially when it comes to region-specific compliance and data retention policies.

Both lack HIPAA compliance, so they’re not suitable for teams handling protected health information.

Setup and Onboarding

Clockify gets you up and running quickly, especially for basic time tracking. When we tested it, the setup flow made it easy to add users, define roles, and enable core features like kiosk mode. I think most admins, even those without much tech experience, can get started in under an hour. 

Bulk import tools and task templates help larger teams move faster, though integrations and audit logs require more manual setup.

Harvest takes a bit longer to configure but feels more polished. You’ll input company details, clients, projects, and billing rates step by step. When I set it up, I liked how structured it felt once everything was in place. 

Support and Customer Service

Clockify and Harvest both offer essential support options. 

Support Type	Clockify	Harvest
24/7 Chat	✅	❌
Phone Support	✅	✅ (Pro & Premium only)
Email Support	✅	✅
Help Center	✅	✅

Clockify offers true 24/7 live chat support, which is a major advantage for teams working across time zones or needing help outside standard business hours. You can also reach the Clockify team via email or phone, depending on your tier. In our experience, the chat reps were fast, helpful, and didn’t just point us to articles—they solved the issue directly.

Harvest doesn’t offer live chat in the traditional sense. Instead, there’s a chatbot that can surface help articles or take your query. That said, when I filled out the support form, a real agent responded within minutes, so it’s not a dead end—it just lacks the immediacy of live conversation. 

On paid plans, Harvest also offers scheduled phone support, which can be helpful if you’re trying to resolve a billing issue or something more complex.

🏆 Who Wins: Clockify or Harvest?

The better choice really depends on your needs.

Choose Clockify if you…	Choose Harvest if you…
Manage distributed, mobile, or shift-based teams and need features like GPS tracking, kiosk mode, approvals, and time audits.	Run a small agency or freelance business where client billing, fast invoicing, and clean handoffs matter most.
Want granular reporting with strong filters, project tagging, and more control over how time is tracked and reviewed.	Prefer a lightweight, polished experience with simple setup and visual reports that are ready to send to clients.
Read our in-depth Clockify review	Read our in-depth Harvest review

Our take:

If you want reliable time tracking with detailed filters and admin-level oversight, Clockify is the stronger fit. It works well for teams managing hours across jobs, clients, or departments, especially when mobile or field-ready tools are important.

If you value simplicity, faster invoicing, and professional output with minimal fuss, Harvest is the better choice. It’s ideal for teams focused on billing and clean reports, without needing deep customization or multi-layer admin tools.

Connecteam vs. Clockify vs. Harvest

While Clockify and Harvest work well for certain teams, neither is built for workers on the ground. If your staff operates across job sites, tracks time in the field, or manages rotating shifts, those gaps become clear. 

Connecteam stands out as a full workforce management platform designed for frontline operations and compliance-heavy environments.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of how Connecteam stacks up against both.

Feature	Connecteam	Clockify	Harvest
Time Tracking	✅ With GPS, geofencing, and auto clock-out	✅ Solid basics, GPS available	✅ Simple, no GPS tools
Scheduling	✅ Drag-and-drop, shift swaps, auto-fill	✅ Pro plan only, drag-and-drop available	❌
PTO Management	✅ Built-in with rules, approvals, and accruals	✅ Limited setup, Pro plan only	❌
Free Plan	✅ Up to 10 users, full access	✅ Unlimited users, limited features	✅ 1 user only, limited features
Support	✅ 24/7 live chat on all plans	✅ Email/chat, but no 24/7	✅ Phone/email, slower on free plan
Compliance Ready	✅ HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO, GDPR compliant	✅ ISO 27001, GDPR	✅GDPR, TLS encryption
Custom Forms/Tasks	✅ Fully customizable	✅ Limited	❌

Time tracking with control and accountability

Connecteam’s employee time clock gives you more control than Clockify or Harvest when it comes to tracking hours and verifying work locations. Employees can clock in via mobile or desktop, but admins can enforce rules like geofenced clock-ins, early clock-in prevention, or automatic clock-out at shift end. 

I especially appreciated the breadcrumb tracking, which shows you where workers have been during the day. That’s far beyond what Harvest offers or Clockify’s basic GPS stamps.

Powerful scheduling tools built in

Unlike Harvest, which lacks any native scheduler, and Clockify, which locks its basic drag-and-drop tool behind higher tiers, Connecteam includes a powerful employee scheduler on all plans. 

Depending on your plan, you can publish shifts, set open shifts or jobs for self-assignment, allow swaps, and even auto-fill based on skills or availability. I think that’s a major win for shift-heavy teams.

Time off, breaks, and approvals made easy

Connecteam’s PTO module is far stronger than Clockify’s limited add-on and Harvest’s lack of any built-in time-off management. You can build accrual policies, approval chains, and let staff request time off via the mobile app. Break rules are customizable too, whether paid, unpaid, time-capped, or enforced.

Stronger payroll & export handling

While all 3 tools support payroll exports, Connecteam’s timesheet dashboard offers better bulk controls. You can approve entries in 1 click, auto-flag missing punches, or assign roles with different pay rates. It also tags time by project, location, or cost center. 

That depth is something I found missing in Harvest (it focuses more on invoicing than timesheet accuracy), and Clockify can feel too manual for large teams.

Tasks, forms, and communication

One of Connecteam’s biggest advantages is its built-in forms and task tools. I like how it lets you create job site checklists, custom digital forms for inspections or reports, and assign detailed tasks with subtasks and files. Neither Harvest nor Clockify support anything close to this (Clockify does offer basic task lists under projects, but there are no subtasks, assignments, or checklists).

Plus, with Connecteam’s online team chat, announcements, and file-sharing, teams stay connected.

Support when you need it

Even on the free plan, Connecteam offers live chat support 24/7, which is a big deal if your team works across time zones or outside the usual 9 to 5. 

And with Connecteam Pros, a pay-per-hour service, you can get hands-on help from certified onboarding specialists who walk you through workflows, feature setup, and account configuration. That kind of guided support goes a level deeper than Clockify’s and Harvest’s support.

Overall verdict

Unlike Clockify and Harvest, Connecteam goes beyond time tracking. It offers comprehensive employee management with scheduling, communication, task management, HR features, HIPAA compliance (which neither Clockify nor Harvest offers), and so much more.

For deskless or mobile teams, Connecteam is the clear winner. The free plan covers up to 10 users, and the Basic plan starts at just $29/month for 30 users—less than $1 per user for a tool that replaces multiple apps.

Try Connecteam for free.

FAQs

Does Harvest track idle time?

No, Harvest doesn’t automatically track idle time. It relies on manual or timer-based tracking, so users must pause or adjust time entries themselves if they step away.

Does Harvest take screenshots?

No, Harvest doesn’t take screenshots. It focuses on manual and timer-based time tracking, without screen monitoring or automatic activity capture.

Is Clockify completely free?

Clockify offers a completely free plan with unlimited users and basic time tracking features. However, advanced tools like PTO tracking, approvals, and integrations are available only on paid plans.

Who are the competitors of Clockify?

Clockify competitors include Toggl Track, TimeCamp, Hubstaff, Harvest, and Connecteam. Connecteam is the best option if you need more than just time tracking. It offers scheduling, task management, internal communication, and more.