Toggl Alternatives: The Ultimate Comparison of Competing Time Trackers

Considering whether or not Toggl is the right tool for your project needs in 2023?
It is true that you can use Toggl for time tracking (Toggl Track), planning (Toggl Plan), and hiring (Toggl Hire). However, these features are sold as different products, which means you’ll need all three products to make it a complete project management tool.
The sleek design and clever product marketing make you want to believe Toggl can take all your project management worries away. But it doesn’t hurt to shop around a bit, right?
We’ll explore the 14 best Toggl alternatives in 2023 and explore features, pricing, and pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. Let’s go!
Why consider an alternative to Toggl?
Toggl initially started as a time tracking app. The timer measures the time spent on tasks and helps gain insights into the profitability of your project. The tracker integrates with tools such as Asana, Trello, and more.
Toggl has evolved and added a planner and a hiring module to its suite of products.
#1 Lacking data export
Source: Capterra
Exporting data is essential if you want to take a closer look at your analytics. Having all your data in one place seems like a good idea since you wouldn't need any other tools or open up numerous spreadsheets. However, you might need an export for your accountant or use it for presentations and debriefs.
#2 Limited features
Source: Capterra
Users like the ease of use of Toggl Plan but miss functionalities to make it a complete solution.
#3 Not an interesting tool
Source: Capterra
Some users love straightforward options without too many frills. Others would like to have a range of features to pick and choose from to optimize their workflow.
The 14 Best Toggl Alternatives in 2023
These limitations could make you wonder, ‘is there something better out there?’ From time tracking features to supporting the entire project management lifecycle, let’s explore some of the top Toggl alternatives.
1. Rodeo
As a Toggl alternative, Rodeo will get you more than planning and the popular time tracking app. The tool is a true all-in-one project management tool, currently servicing numerous clients in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Compared to Toggl, Rodeo brings all tried and tested features together in one platform. From tracking time to budgeting and sending invoices, there’s no need for an external tool or integrations.
Know how long your projects are taking
Ideally, you want to know the effect of hours spent on the final invoice and the team. Wasting time on tedious tasks could lead to burnout or a lack of morale within the group.
Rodeo offers an integrated time tracking feature. The timesheets are so easy to use that it’s not difficult to encourage your team members to keep on track.
Ready to start? Hit the timer or use the straightforward time cards. Time for a quick snack? Hit pause. You can also fill in the pre-populated timecards at your convenience.
Start with a solid budget
When executives ask you for an update on the profitability of your current project, you will have a solid answer immediately by checking Rodeo’s dashboard.
Truth be told, you want a healthy profit margin on your projects. Rodeo's budgeting feature is structured to help project managers calculate costs, help plan time activities, and allocate resources before kicking off the execution phase.
Manage team capacity
Ready to get started? Assign tasks and manage team capacity based on the type of project, availability, or skill set.
Break down your project into phases and tasks. Eliminate confusion by including detailed task descriptions, deadlines, and priorities.
Team members can indicate the status and collaborate through the built-in messenger feature as the project progresses.
You don’t have to start from scratch
According to Susan Vugts, Managing Director at SuperHeroes, they used to spend a lot of time doing what it felt like “starting projects from scratch” before Rodeo: “We would create sheets to calculate what a project would cost us, how many hours we needed, and which resources. This took way too much time.”
Once SuperHeroes implemented Rodeo, things started to move faster. Vugts adds: “The data from past projects provides the insights we need to estimate how much time and effort a project requires. Now we can set up a new project within two minutes and get to work right away.”
Here’s how you get started. Go to the Projects menu, click the + sign, and fill out the details. Have you worked on similar projects? Use the copy from a project option and choose what you need.
Check if your project is profitable
Keep a tab on how your project’s running. Rodeo’s reporting feature gives you a quick view of your current project, so you can analyze, learn, and adapt. Since Rodeo doesn't rely on integrations, all reports give you real-time insights when you want them.
Who’s outperforming, and who can pick up another deliverable? Get insights into the team’s productivity and an overview of all employees’ tracked tasks so you can allocate tasks accordingly.
Additional features
- Estimates: In just a few clicks, create and send client-ready estimates straight from Rodeo.
- Invoicing: Generate invoices straight from a project budget or set up recurring ones to simplify your processes.
- Expenses & POs: Track project expenses with your company’s Purchase Orders.
- Quickbooks (US) and Xero (UK) Integration: Helps with your bookkeeping and billing.
Curious? Why not try it out for yourself? Start a 14-day free trial. No strings attached, we promise.
2. Airtable
Image: Airtable
Airtable is a flexible solution that keeps data and teams connected. Anyone working with the platform can build databases and transform data into visualizations. Product roadmaps and business processes benefit from Airtable’s features.
Users like Airtable’s frequent product updates while Toggl excels in product support.
Also read: 15 Airtable Alternatives to Consider
Special features
- Templates
- Reporting
- Automation
- Task management
Pricing
- Airtable is free for up to five users. However, the features are limited.
- The Plus plan offers integrations and more extensive features for $12 per user/month.
- Get timelines, Gantt charts, and custom workflows for $24 per user/month.
- Get a custom quote if you require an Enterprise plan.
3. Scoro
Image: Scoro
Scoro manages sales, customer relations, project management, planning, and time tracking in one platform. If you wish to include a CRM in your solution, Scoro scores a big plus.
Besides, the tool offers many integrations and modules to create your ideal pick and mix without having to add another license or product to your suite.
Also read: 15 Best Scoro Alternatives to Consider in 2023
Special features
- Sales & CRM functionality
- Goal tracking
- Reports
- Planner
Pricing
- The Essential Plan for $28 per user includes the essential features for a team of up to five people.
- The Standard Plan includes purchase orders and other financial features for $42 per user/month.
- The Pro Plan has added time tracking and detailed task management at a $71 per user/month rate.
- Custom plans are available upon request.
- Paid plans require a minimum of 5 users.
4. Teamwork
Image: Teamwork
Teamwork’s features are meant to improve collaboration, save time, and automate processes. The tool works well with integrations like Trello and Slack.
However, a fair number of reviews state that Teamwork is not super easy to navigate, while others rave about the design of the project templates.
Also read: Best Teamwork Alternatives [In Depth Review]
Special features
- Project templates
- Custom fields
- File sharing
- Time tracking
Pricing
- The Free Forever plan allows up to 5 users with limited features.
- The Deliver plan requires a minimum of 3 active users for $13.99 per user/month and offers invoicing and chat features.
- There are 50 templates in the Grow plan plus budgeting and time management features for $24.99 per user/month.
- Request the pricing for the Scale plan if you require more extensive features or a custom solution.
5. Wrike
Image: Wrike
Wrike is another alternative to Toggle, which offers a single source of truth for project managers. The platform is very scalable but is best suited for larger organizations. With Wrike, you can automate routine tasks to free up more time and focus on strategic and creative work.
Compared to Toggl Track, the tool doesn’t rely on third-party integrations and functions as an all-in-one solution.
Also read: The 15 Best Wrike Alternatives for Project Management
Special features
- Project and portfolio management
- Time tracking
- Analytics
- Invoicing
Pricing
- Give it a try for free. Test if the task management is up your team’s alley (up to five users).
- The Professional plan includes project planning for $9.80 per user/month.
- Their Business plan offers time tracking and custom field features for $24.80 per user/month.
6. nTask
Image: nTask
nTask is a project management platform that does everything without requiring many extensions or integrations. From task management to reporting and time tracking, it feels like a robust solution for most of your project management needs.
According to reviews, the learning curve is not that steep; however, Toggl is faster to implement thanks to its simplicity.
Also read: 15 Best nTask Alternatives in 2023 [Paid & Free]
Special features
- Issue tracker
- Time tracker & timesheet
- Gannt charts
- File sharing
Pricing
- The Premium plan for individuals and small teams rates from $4 per user/month
- Teams working with projects and who are looking to align processes can benefit from the Business plan at $12 per user/month.
- Check with nTask representatives if you wish for an Enterprise plan.
7. Paymo
Image: Paymo
Give your project structure with Paymo. The platform is highly praised because of its user-friendly interface and extensive features. With the time management options, you can keep track of all billable and non-billable hours and see where your team spends their hours.
Paymo might not be your cheapest option if you have a large team, but you’ll get the structure and features in return without looking for integrations.
Also read: 15 Paymo Alternatives to Try [Free & Paid]
Special features
- Task management
- Team scheduling
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
Pricing
- The free plan offers 100 time entries, 50 tasks, and three invoices.
- The Starter plan includes unlimited invoices, integrations, and project templates for $5.95 per user/month.
- The Small Office plan at $11.95 per user/month offers unlimited tasks and time entries.
- Get priority support and free onboarding with the Business plan at $24.95 per user/month.
8. Hive
Image: Hive
Track progress and team performance with Hive. The tool offers various task management, time tracking, and team collaboration features. Assigning tasks feels very intuitive since the feature are simplified and easy to understand according to users.
The biggest plus compared to Toggl is the dashboarding and complete solution. Scattered tools can influence your workflow. Reviews rate the user-friendly interface.
Also read: Top 13 Hive Alternatives in 2023
Special features
- Project baselines
- Automated flows
- Time tracking
- Reporting
Pricing
- Use Hive Solo as a free Toggl alternative if you work alone or with another team member.
- Hive Teams plan gets you time tracking, support, and no limit on the number of users for $16 per user/month.
- Hive also offers an Enterprise plan upon request.
9. Asana
Image: Asana
Asana equals task planning and tracking. The tool offers lots of flexibility and scalability and doesn’t require a lot of training to understand. The visual goal-tracking feature brings clarity and avoids a cluttered dashboard.
Toggl offers drag-and-drop options, so you don’t have to enter data manually. One of the downsides of Asana is that you can’t add more than one team member to a task.
Also read: Top 20 Asana Alternatives to Consider
Special features
- Task planning
- Different project views
- Milestones & Goals
- Reporting
Pricing
- The basic plan is available for up to 15 team members and will cost you nothing.
- The Premium plan has automated workflow options for $13.49 per user/month when billed annually.
- Add advanced reporting features for $30.49 per user/month when billed annually.
- Chat with Asana representatives if you’d like a custom plan.
10. monday.com
Image: monday.com
monday.com helps teams to plan, track, and organize using visually-appealing templates and dashboards. The company created a name for itself in the software industry and has a strong following.
Although monday.com is pleasing to the eye, it has a bit of a learning curve because of the features. There’s no link between projects and budgets, making it challenging to match tracked hours to the initial project’s financial forecast.
Also read: Top 25 Monday Alternatives to Try
Special features
- Task Management
- Time Tracking
- Automated Workflows
- Guest Invitations
Pricing
- Their Basic plan starts at $10/month per user.
- The Standard plan gets you Timeline & Gantt options for $12/month per user.
- The Pro plan costs $20/month and adds time tracking features.
- The Enterprise plan can be requested on their website and offers advanced reports.
11. ProofHub
Image: ProofHub
ProofHub assists project managers to define workflows while communicating with their team members. Visual Gannt charts and other timeline options clarify the workload and scheduling.
Compared to Toggl, Proofhub doesn’t offer extensive reporting on logged hours, which could be a downside to those looking to learn and analyze data and improve productivity.
Related: 15 Best ProofHub Alternatives to Consider [Free & Paid]
Special features
- Content management
- File sharing
- Document management
- Customizable templates
Pricing
- The Essential Plan offers unlimited users and basic features for $50 a month.
- If you require Ultimate Control, you will get custom roles, IP restrictions, and more for a flat fee of $99 a month.
12. Smartsheet
Image: Smartsheet
Smartsheet helps teams to automate workflows and business processes at scale. You might see similarities with spreadsheets. Teams also use the platform to share deliverables with stakeholders outside their organization and automate workflows.
Both Smartsheet and Toggl are essential platforms with limited but well-thought-out features.
Also read: 18 Best Smartsheet Alternatives [Free & Paid]
Special features
- Item drag and drop
- Forms
- Customizable templates
- Reporting
Pricing
- Pro plan allows teams to collaborate, track, and manage their projects for $7 per user/month.
- The Business plan has unlimited automated workflows for $25 per user/month.
13. Basecamp
Image: Basecamp
Basecamp unites remote and non-office-based companies. If you are looking for a basic solution to organize task management and file-sharing, put Basecamp on your list to check out.
However, if you ask us, time tracking is essential to track billable and non-billable hours and get your invoices right. Basecamp offers integrations for this feature, but it could make things too clunky.
Also read: 19 Best Basecamp Alternatives in 2023 [Free & Paid]
Special features
- To-do lists
- File-sharing
- Chat
- Collaborative boards
Pricing
- Just one plan, that’s it. $11 per user/month, which includes unlimited projects and 500GB of storage space.
14. Harvest
Image: Harvest
Harvest helps you get actionable insights on your project and team performance and includes time tracking, reporting, and invoicing features. The platform is mostly a time tracking software, requiring you to connect with other tools for a complete project management software experience.
Harvest can be used for free with some limitations. Compared to Toggl, the app doesn’t offer background tracking and requires manual data input. Toggl offers manual and automatic time tracking so you won't lose track of billable hours.
Read: 10 Harvest Alternatives for Project Management in 2023
Special features
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Payment
- Reporting
Pricing
- Harvest offers two options: a free or paid plan.
- The Free plan contains two active projects for one user.
- The Paid plan includes time tracking, reporting, invoicing, and integrations for $12 per user/month.
Takeaway
See, you have quite a few options to choose from if Toggl isn’t your match. Don’t forget: you don’t need multiple tools to do it all.
However, If you work with a small team and it’s just time tracking and planning you’re after, you might want to look into a simple, straightforward tool like Wrike or Hive. Test the features for yourself and decide if you need to change paid plans.
If you need a powerful all-in-one solution that’s easy to scale, Rodeo’s features will help you to streamline processes and accurately track budgets and tasks. Review your projects with the reporting feature, and keep learning and improving your workflows.
The hours you and your team put in are essential for the company's profitability. Tracking hours can have a significant impact on your projects. According to brand director Axell Avalon-van Staveren: “Using Rodeo has made our projects about 30% more profitable.”
Not a bad result, right? Check out Rodeo and give the all-in-one solution a try—sign-up for a free trial.
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Originally published on July 26 2022, updated on Dec 23, 2022.