Clockify Review for 2026
Clockify is one of the most popular free time trackers. But is free enough? Here is an honest look at what Clockify does well, where it falls short, and when you might need something more.
What Is Clockify?
Clockify is a time tracking tool with a free plan for up to 5 users (it was unlimited until April 2026). Founded in 2017 by CAKE.com, it has grown into one of the most widely used time trackers, particularly among freelancers, agencies, and small teams that want basic time tracking without paying per user.
The core product is a simple timer with reporting. You can track time manually or with a running clock, organize entries by project and task, and generate reports. Paid plans add features like invoicing, timesheet approval, scheduling, and screenshots at progressively higher price points.
Clockify Pricing Breakdown
Free
$0
Up to 5 users, time tracking, basic reports, unlimited projects
Basic
$4.99/user/mo
Time auditing, kiosk, breaks, required fields, bulk edit
Standard
$6.99/user/mo
Time off, invoicing, timesheet approval, expenses
Pro
$9.99/user/mo
Scheduling, GPS tracking, screenshots, custom fields, labor cost, budget alerts
Enterprise
$14.99/user/mo
SSO, custom subdomain, audit log, account manager
Pricing as of September 2026 on monthly billing; annual billing is $3.99, $5.49, $7.99, and $11.99. The free plan has been limited to 5 users since April 2026.
What Clockify Does Well
Free for small teams, cheap beyond that
The free plan covers up to 5 users with core time tracking, and paid plans start at $3.99 per user per month billed annually, among the lowest prices in the category.
Clean, simple interface
The UI is straightforward and easy to learn. Most teams can start tracking time within minutes of signing up, with minimal onboarding needed.
Good reporting
Clockify provides detailed time reports and summary views that are more than adequate for freelancers and small teams. Since April 2026, CSV and Excel exports and shared report links need a paid plan.
Kiosk mode for shared devices
On paid plans (from Basic), teams in physical offices or job sites can use a shared device as a PIN clock-in terminal. This is a useful feature for hourly teams and frontline workers.
Wide platform support
Clockify runs on web, desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux), mobile (iOS, Android), and has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Where Clockify Falls Short
No screenshot or activity monitoring
Clockify added screenshots on the Pro plan ($9.99/user/mo), but there is no activity level tracking, app monitoring, or idle detection on any plan. Teams that need to verify how time is spent will find this limiting.
Scheduling only on Pro, and no attendance tracking
Scheduling is only available on the Pro plan and above. The Free, Basic, and Standard plans have no shift management, and no plan has attendance tracking or schedule adherence monitoring.
No leave or time-off management on free/Basic
Time-off requests, holiday calendars, and PTO tracking require the Standard plan ($6.99/user/mo). Many teams assume this is included and discover the gap after onboarding.
Paid features add up quickly
The free plan is generous, but once you need invoicing, approvals, scheduling, or screenshots, you are looking at $7-$15/user/month. At that price, the cost advantage over competitors shrinks significantly.
Limited integrations on lower tiers
While Clockify has integrations with project management and accounting tools, several are locked behind paid plans. The free plan covers basics, but power users may find gaps.
Who Should Use Clockify?
Clockify is a good fit for:
- Freelancers who need simple, free time tracking
- Small teams that want basic reporting without per-user costs
- Agencies that primarily need to log billable hours
- Budget-conscious teams that can work within free plan limits
Clockify may not be enough for:
- Managed remote teams that need activity monitoring
- Contact centers and BPOs requiring screenshots and scheduling
- Companies that need attendance and leave management
- Teams that want all workforce management features in one tool
When to Consider an Alternative
Clockify works well as a standalone timer. But if your team has grown beyond simple time logging, you may find yourself paying for multiple tools to cover the gaps. Here are the signals that it might be time to look elsewhere:
- •You need to verify what employees are working on during tracked time
- •You manage shift schedules and need attendance tracking
- •You want leave management and PTO tracking without a separate tool
- •Your Clockify bill is climbing as you add paid features across tiers
See our full comparison of Clockify alternatives for a detailed breakdown.
Clockify vs HiveDesk: A Quick Comparison
If your team needs more than a timer, here is how Clockify and HiveDesk compare for workforce management.
| Feature | Clockify | HiveDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $5/user/mo |
| Screenshots | Pro ($9.99/user) | Yes (all plans) |
| Activity monitoring | No | Yes |
| Employee scheduling | Pro ($9.99/user) | Yes |
| Attendance tracking | No | Yes |
| Leave management | Standard ($6.99/user) | Yes |
| Timesheet approval | Standard ($6.99/user) | Yes |
| All features in one plan | No (5 tiers) | Yes |
14-day free trial · No credit card required · All features included
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for up to 5 users. In April 2026 Clockify cut its free plan from unlimited users to 5 and moved kiosk mode, report exports, and billable rates to paid plans. Invoicing, timesheet approval, scheduling, screenshots, and GPS tracking also require paid plans, from $3.99 to $11.99 per user per month billed annually ($4.99 to $14.99 monthly).
Clockify added screenshot capture on the Pro plan ($9.99/user/month), but it does not offer activity level tracking, app usage monitoring, or idle detection. For comprehensive monitoring, tools like HiveDesk offer automatic screenshots with activity tracking at $5/user/month.
Clockify works well for remote teams that primarily need time tracking and reporting. However, it lacks built-in scheduling, attendance tracking, and activity monitoring on the free plan. Remote teams that need to manage shifts and verify work may need additional tools or a more comprehensive platform.
The best alternatives depend on what you need. HiveDesk ($5/user/month) is a strong option for teams that need monitoring, scheduling, and leave management in one tool. Toggl Track offers a polished UI with 100+ integrations. Hubstaff adds GPS tracking for field teams. See our full Clockify alternatives page for a detailed comparison.
Clockify is better for freelancers and small teams that want free, simple time tracking. HiveDesk is better for managed teams that need screenshots, employee scheduling, attendance tracking, leave management, and timesheet approval — all included at $5/user/month with no feature tiers. Clockify requires the $7-$10/user plan to match some of those features, and still lacks activity monitoring and leave management.
Related Reading
- Best Time Tracking Software for 2026 — See how Clockify stacks up against all 9 leading time tracking tools on price, monitoring, scheduling, and workforce management.
- Compare Time Tracking Software — Every HiveDesk review, head-to-head comparison, and alternatives guide in one place.
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