Not feeling Harvest anymore? You’re not the only one. If you’re looking for something with less manual work, better reports, or built-in project management, this guide breaks down why people switch and what to look for in a better time-tracking tool.
If you’ve been using Harvest for time tracking but find yourself thinking, There has to be something better, you’re not alone. It’s a solid tool, but it’s not perfect. Some teams outgrow it, some need more automation, and some just want something that fits their workflow better.
So, before you start hunting for an alternative, let’s talk about what’s probably bothering you about Harvest and what to look for in a replacement.
What Is Harvest?
Harvest is a time-tracking and invoicing tool that helps businesses log hours, track project budgets, and bill clients. It’s been around for a while and is especially popular with freelancers, agencies, and service-based businesses.
At its core, Harvest is simple and reliable. You start a timer, do your work, and stop the timer when you're done. It then logs your hours, generates reports, and—if needed—lets you turn those hours into invoices.
It also integrates with other tools like project management software and accounting platforms, making it a convenient option for teams that need a straightforward way to track time.
But for many users, that’s where the benefits stop.
Why Are People Leaving Harvest?
Harvest does the basics well, but many users run into the same frustrations:
Too Much Manual Work – If you forget to start the timer, you’re stuck entering everything by hand later.
Not Enough Customization – You get what you get. If you want more tailored reports or workflows, tough luck.
No Built-In CRM or Project Management – If you’re juggling clients and projects, you’ll need another tool to handle them.
Basic Reporting – It’s fine for simple tracking, but if you want deeper insights, it falls short.
Pricing Doesn’t Match the Features – Some teams feel they’re paying too much for what they actually use.
Sound familiar? Then it’s time to start looking for something better suited to your needs.
How to Choose the Right Alternative
Not all time-tracking tools are built the same. Some are great for freelancers, others are better for big teams. Some focus on automation, while others give you detailed reports. Here’s what you should think about before switching:
1. Do You Want Less Manual Work?
If you’re tired of starting and stopping timers, look for a tool that tracks time automatically. Some options can log your work in the background, so you don’t have to think about it.
2. Does It Integrate With Your Current Tools?
You probably don’t want to add another standalone tool to your stack. Check if your next time tracker plays nicely with the software you already use—whether that’s a project management platform, accounting software, or a CRM.
3. How Customizable Is It?
Some tools give you more flexibility than others. Do you need custom reports? Different billing rates per project? The ability to track specific tasks? If Harvest’s limitations have frustrated you, make sure your next tool doesn’t have the same problem.
4. Do You Need More Than Just Time Tracking?
If you’re already using multiple tools to track time, manage projects, and handle invoicing, it might be worth switching to something that does all of that in one place. Some platforms combine time tracking with project management, budgeting, or even payroll.
5. Is It Easy to Use?
A powerful tool is great—unless it’s a pain to use. Some time trackers are bloated with unnecessary features, while others are so simple they barely do anything. Look for something that fits your workflow without making life harder.
The best Harvest alternative isn’t just the most popular one. It’s the one that fits your business, your team, and your workflow. Take your time, test a few options, and find something that actually makes your life easier.
Top Harvest Competitors That Offer More Than Just Time Tracking
Flowlu is more than just a time tracker—it handles tasks, projects, and client management all in one place. You can track time on tasks, create invoices, send estimates, and keep an eye on payments without switching between apps. It also includes a built-in CRM to manage leads and customers, plus automation to streamline business processes. Unlike most of the software solutions that focus on time tracking and invoicing, Flowlu covers everything from project planning to getting paid.
Zoho One
Complete business suite
Zoho One is a full-fledged business platform with over 40 integrated apps, covering everything from sales to marketing to project management. It streamlines your operations by keeping all your tools under one login. Customize and scale the platform as your business grows, without worrying about the complexity of managing multiple systems.
Scoro
Complete business management
Scoro combines project management, billing, and reporting into one seamless experience. Manage your tasks, track time, and get real-time insights into project profitability with Scoro’s all-in-one platform. Running a creative agency or a professional service firm? Scoro helps you optimize every aspect of your business with ease.
Nifty
Real-time project tracker
Nifty combines task management, collaboration, and project timelines in one intuitive platform. Plan and track your projects from start to finish with real-time updates that keep everyone aligned. Nifty’s easy-to-use interface and automation features make it ideal for growing teams that need flexibility.
Bitrix24
Integrated business collaboration
Bitrix24 combines project management, communication, and CRM into a single, integrated platform. Manage tasks, collaborate with your team, and keep client information organized—all without leaving the app. Designed for small teams and large organizations alike, Bitrix24 offers the tools you need to streamline operations.
Plutio
Freelancer business management
Plutio is built for freelancers and small teams who need an all-in-one solution to manage tasks, clients, and invoices. It offers everything you need to run your business seamlessly, including project tracking and communication, without the need to switch between tools. Customizable workflows allow you to manage projects your way, and integrated invoicing helps you get paid faster.
Avaza
Cloud-based team collaboration
Avaza brings together project management, team collaboration, and invoicing into a single, cloud-based platform. Organize tasks, track time, and manage client communications without the need for separate tools. Its clean interface and powerful features make it a great choice for teams seeking to simplify workflows and boost productivity.
Paymo
Time tracking with billing
Paymo is designed for teams and freelancers who need to manage projects, track time, and handle billing from one central platform. It’s perfect for businesses that want a seamless way to stay on top of tasks, deadlines, and client invoicing. Paymo’s real-time tracking and reporting give you full visibility into project progress and profitability. It’s an all-in-one solution for those who want to manage work and payments effortlessly.
Wrike
Real-time team alignment
Wrike is built for teams needing detailed visibility into their projects. It offers tools for managing tasks, tracking time, and collaborating in real time, all from one platform. Wrike’s customizable dashboards and reporting make it easy to keep everyone aligned and on top of deadlines.
Monday
Visual task management
Monday is a visual project management tool that adapts to your team's workflow. It lets you track projects, set up automations, and manage everything from daily tasks to big projects on a colorful, user-friendly interface. Its flexibility makes it ideal for teams of all sizes looking to streamline processes.
ClickUp
Customizable productivity hub
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform where you can manage tasks, docs, goals, and more. It’s designed to replace multiple apps by combining project management, communication, and automation in one place. Customizable views and extensive integrations help teams tailor their workspace to fit their requirements.
Teamwork
End-to-end project tracking
Teamwork is a project management platform designed to streamline team collaboration. It allows companies to manage tasks, track time, and stay on top of project timelines with ease. With its client-focused features, Teamwork makes managing complex projects and keeping everyone aligned simple.
Clockify
Free Time Tracking For Teams
Clockify is a solid pick if you want a free time tracker that works for individuals and teams. It lets you log hours, categorize tasks, and pull reports to see where time is being spent. You can also set hourly rates and track billable hours, making it useful for freelancers and businesses alike.
Toggl Track
Simple Tracking With Smart Reminders
Toggl Track is great if you want to track time without overcomplicating things. You just click a button to start tracking, and it works across web, mobile, and desktop. It also has reminders and automatic tracking to catch any gaps, so you don’t have to rely on memory.
RescueTime
Automatic Tracking For Better Focus
RescueTime runs in the background and tracks how you actually spend your time on your computer and phone. Instead of manual entries, it automatically logs time spent on different apps and websites. It’s great for figuring out where your focus goes and cutting down on distractions.
Everhour
Track Time Inside Project Tools
Everhour works well if you need time tracking built into your project management tool. It integrates with apps like Asana and Trello, so you can track time without switching tabs. Plus, it helps with budgeting and invoicing, making it useful for teams working on billable projects.
TimeCamp
Smart Tracking With Productivity Insights
TimeCamp is built for tracking both billable and non-billable hours, with automatic tracking to fill in the gaps. It also has productivity reports and integrations with popular project management tools. If you need a mix of time tracking and budget monitoring, it covers both.
Hubstaff
Time Tracking With Team Monitoring
Hubstaff is a time tracker with built-in productivity monitoring, making it useful for remote teams. It logs time, tracks activity levels, and even has GPS tracking for field teams. It’s a good fit if you need to keep an eye on work hours and productivity in one place.
FreshBooks
Track Time And Invoice Clients
FreshBooks is known for invoicing, but it also has built-in time tracking. You can log hours, attach them to projects, and turn them into invoices with a few clicks. It’s handy for freelancers and small businesses that need to track billable hours and get paid without extra steps.
QuickBooks Time
Employee Tracking With Payroll Sync
QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) is a time tracker that works well for businesses managing hourly employees. It has GPS tracking for teams on the go and integrates with QuickBooks for easy payroll processing. Whether you’re tracking work hours or billable time, it keeps things organized.
Clockodo
Easy Tracking With Project Reports
Clockodo is a straightforward time tracker that helps small businesses and freelancers keep track of hours worked. You can track time by client, project, or task, and the reporting makes it easy to see where time is going. It also integrates with invoicing tools to simplify billing.
FAQs
See the most answers to the most frequently asked questions. You can find even more information in the knowledge base.
Many users switch from Harvest because they want less manual time tracking, deeper reporting, or built-in project management. Harvest lacks a CRM and project management features, which means businesses often have to juggle multiple tools. Others feel the pricing doesn’t match the features they need.
Look for a tool that fits your workflow. Consider automation, customization, integrations with your existing software, and whether you need project management or invoicing features built-in. The best alternative depends on your business needs—some tools focus purely on time tracking, while others offer an all-in-one solution.
Yes, Flowlu can be a strong alternative to Harvest, especially if you need more than just time tracking. Unlike Harvest, Flowlu includes project management, CRM, and invoicing, making it a great all-in-one solution for businesses that want everything in one place instead of juggling multiple tools.
