You are looking for software to track hours — and you are not alone. The market is crowded, the differences are sometimes subtle, and the wrong choice costs you both time and money. This comparison covers five widely used tools honestly, so you can make the right decision quickly.
What to look for in time tracking software
Before choosing a tool, clarify your own situation:
- Are you working alone or with a team? A freelancer has different needs than a manager approving hours for ten employees.
- Do you invoice based on hours? You need a tool that can convert hours directly into an invoice — ideally one that handles local tax rules.
- Do you want project management included? Some tools are pure time trackers; others combine this with tasks, sprints, and Gantt planning.
- What is your budget? Price differences are significant: from completely free to tens of euros per user per month.
Comparison table
| Tool | Free plan | Paid price | NL invoices | Approval flow | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PrikKlokPlus | ✓ (1 user) | €3.95/user/month | ✓ | ✓ | NL + EN |
| Clockify | ✓ (unlimited) | From €3.99/user/month | ✗ | Limited | EN |
| Toggl Track | ✓ (max 5) | From €9/user/month | ✗ | ✗ | EN |
| Harvest | ✗ (trial only) | From €10.80/user/month | ✗ | ✗ | EN |
| TimeChimp | ✓ (limited) | From €3.00/user/month | ✓ | ✓ | NL + EN |
Prices exclude VAT and are based on publicly available information. Verify current pricing on each provider's website.
1. PrikKlokPlus — built for Dutch teams
PrikKlokPlus is a Dutch time tracking tool that combines time registration, project management, and invoicing in a single platform. It is designed for freelancers who want to scale into a team, and for SMEs that need to approve hours and invoice directly.
Strongest points:
- Free Starter plan for 1 user — no time limit
- Built-in approval workflow: employees submit hours, managers approve with one click
- Automatic Dutch PDF invoices based on approved hours
- Scrum board, sprints, and Gantt planning included
- GDPR-compliant, EU servers, fully available in Dutch
Less suitable for: organisations already deeply integrated with tools like Exact Online or AFAS.
Try PrikKlokPlus for free — no payment required
2. Clockify — the free choice for individuals
Clockify offers a generous free plan with unlimited users and projects, making it attractive for small teams on a tight budget. Clockify claims more than four million users worldwide.
Strongest points:
- Free plan with unlimited users
- Available as app, browser extension, and desktop client
- Integrations with Asana, Trello, Jira, and other tools
Less suitable for: businesses that need to generate VAT-compliant invoices or require a formal approval workflow. The interface is English-only.
3. Toggl Track — clean and fast
Toggl Track is known for its simple interface. One click starts a timer; reports are clear and visually appealing. The free plan is limited to five users.
Strongest points:
- Intuitive timer interface, minimal learning curve
- Good reporting at project and client level
- Integrations with popular project management tools
Less suitable for: teams that need to approve hours or invoice directly. There is no built-in invoicing and no Dutch language support.
4. Harvest — time tracking with invoicing
Harvest combines time tracking with a basic invoice module, targeting creative agencies and freelancers in English-speaking markets.
Strongest points:
- Built-in invoice module with payment integration (Stripe, PayPal)
- Project budget monitoring with overage alerts
Less suitable for: Dutch businesses — there is no support for Dutch VAT rules or iDEAL payments. The tool is English-only and priced higher than most alternatives.
5. TimeChimp — Dutch alternative
TimeChimp is a Dutch tool with a solid feature set: time tracking, project management, expense claims, and invoicing. It targets the SME segment and is fully available in Dutch.
Strongest points:
- Fully in Dutch
- Mileage registration and expense claims included
- Integration with accounting packages such as Exact Online
Less suitable for: teams working in an agile way — there is no built-in Scrum board or Gantt view.
Which tool suits you?
- Freelancer invoicing by the hour: PrikKlokPlus (free Starter) or TimeChimp
- Team needing an approval workflow: PrikKlokPlus or TimeChimp
- Time tracking only, no invoicing: Clockify or Toggl Track
- Creative agency in an international context: Harvest or Toggl Track
- Agile team with Scrum and Gantt: PrikKlokPlus
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free time tracking software?
Clockify offers the most generous free plan (unlimited users). PrikKlokPlus is free for one user and scales as your team grows. For Dutch teams that also need invoicing, PrikKlokPlus is the strongest free option.
Which time tracking software works best for Dutch freelancers?
For freelancers who need to prove the hours criterion and invoice by the hour, a Dutch-language tool with VAT support is most practical. PrikKlokPlus and TimeChimp are best suited for this.
Can I connect time tracking software to my accounting package?
This depends on the tool. TimeChimp offers a direct connection to Exact Online. PrikKlokPlus generates Dutch PDF invoices that you can manually process in your accounting package; direct API integrations are on the roadmap.