What should you look for in time tracking?
Logging hours has to be so quick that you actually do it. Also check whether the hours end up on your invoice and in your accounts without retyping.
Price per user
If you work alone, the entry price is what you pay. With a team you usually pay per user, also for people who only log hours now and then.
Ask the vendor
Do I pay for everyone who logs hours, or only for those who manage projects?
Sort by lowest price9 of 9 tools have a public price
Free plan for freelancers
As a freelancer (zzp) you often only need a timer and an overview per client. Free plans exist for that.
Ask the vendor
Can I also export or invoice hours per client on the free plan?
Show tools with a free plan and a plan for freelancers4 of 9 tools meet this
From hours to invoice
Hours you do not invoice are lost. An invoice must state the nature and extent of your services, and an overview of hours per project makes that easy.
Ask the vendor
Can I create an invoice directly from the hours, or do the hours go to my invoicing program?
Sort by most integrations9 of 9 tools list integrations
Integration with your accounting
If you invoice from your accounting package, you want the hours to arrive there automatically. An integration saves double work at the end of the month.
Ask the vendor
Which accounting packages does it integrate with, and are the hours transferred per project or per client?
Sort by most integrations9 of 9 tools list integrations
An app in Dutch, also on your phone
If you are often on the road or at clients, you only log hours if it takes a few taps on your phone. An app in your own language also helps colleagues.
Ask the vendor
Is there an app for phone and desktop, in Dutch, that also works offline?
Show tools with an app in Dutch5 of 9 tools meet this
Data in the EU
Your time tracking holds names of clients and employees. If that data is stored outside the EEA, the transfer must rest on a valid basis.
Ask the vendor
In which country are my hours and client data stored?
Show tools with data in the EU3 of 9 tools meet thisMore about data in the EU
Trying it with your own projects
Whether you really use the timer, you only notice after a few days of work. A free trial lets you try that with your own clients and projects.
Ask the vendor
Are the hours from the free trial kept if I take out a subscription?
Show tools with a free trial5 of 9 tools meet this
Frequently asked questions about choosing time tracking tools
What should you look for in time tracking?
Look mainly at price per user, free plan for freelancers, from hours to invoice, integration with your accounting, an app in Dutch, also on your phone, data in the EU and trying it with your own projects. For each point we explain why it matters and which question to ask the vendor.
Which questions should you ask a vendor of time tracking tools?
Do I pay for everyone who logs hours, or only for those who manage projects? Can I also export or invoice hours per client on the free plan? Can I create an invoice directly from the hours, or do the hours go to my invoicing program? Which accounting packages does it integrate with, and are the hours transferred per project or per client?
How many time tracking tools in the guide can you use or try for free?
Of the 9 time tracking tools in our guide, 5 have a free plan and 5 can be tried for free, according to the vendor's site.
Sources
- Belastingdienst: What requirements must invoices meet? (in Dutch)
- Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens: Transferring personal data outside the EEA (in Dutch)
Texts and sources checked on . The counts follow from the facts in the guide. Rules can change; the source prevails. This is an explanation, not legal or tax advice.
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