Timely Alternatives Worth Your Time: Paid & Free Apps Reviewed

Tracking your time sounds like something only productivity gurus love to do. With their 4 a.m. morning routines, journaling, meditation, and jogging rituals, they somehow make tracking every minute look as easy as breathing… while the rest of us are just trying to remember if we actually started that project or just dreamed about it.

I am talking to both you and me.

If you have ever ended a day wondering where the heck your hours went, just know you’re not alone. Time tracking isn’t just for freelancers, overachievers, or people who treat their calendars like a diary; it’s for anyone who’s tired of not knowing where their precious minutes went.

Timely might be one of the best automatic time tracking tools, but what if it’s not quite your style, budget, or vibe? That’s where these alternatives come in.
We tested a bunch of time tracking apps, paid and free, so you don’t have to suffer through trial-and-error to find a Timely alternative. We have listed 8 tools and options that might just save you time… and money.

Let’s roll.

But first, what is Timely?

Timely is an automatic time tracking software (just like Memtime) designed to help individuals and teams track their work hours without manual timers or guesswork.

Timely doesn’t have a traditional timer where you have to start and stop timers or log activities manually; it runs quietly in the background and uses AI to record how you spend your time across apps, websites, and documents. This data is then organized into projects and tasks, giving you a clear overview of your workday.

The app’s most prominent feature is the Memory Tracker, an AI-powered system that records everything you work on in real-time, categorizing your activities automatically. You don’t need to click a button to track time; it happens passively.

Memory Tracker monitors your activity across a computer, capturing apps used, websites visited, documents edited, emails read, meetings attended, and more.

The app uses this data to suggest time entries, which you can review, edit, or assign to specific projects. You can also manually add or adjust time entries if needed, but the goal is to minimize manual input.

Basically, Timely offers AI-powered timesheets, which means the algorithm learns from your logging patterns and can then automatically create time entries for you.

Keep in mind the data syncs across devices, providing a dashboard with reports, project summaries, billable hours, and team insights.

Here are some of Timely’s key features:

• Time tracking is automatic; there are no timers or manual logs needed.
• There’s an AI-powered Memory app that captures your computer activity and categorizes it.
• You can assign tracked time to projects, clients, or tasks.
• You can monitor your team’s workload and productivity, and do budget tracking.
• User data is encrypted and private; the Memory Tracker records activity but doesn’t capture keystrokes or sensitive content.
• Works with tools like Slack, Google Calendar, Jira, Trello, and more.
• Timely offers 7 one-way integrations with project and accounting software; they work by importing data into Timely or exporting logged time into software: Toggl (import), Harvest (import), Azure AD (import), QuickBooks (export), ClickUp (export), Monday.com (import) and Asana (export).
• You get visual reports for billing, payroll, productivity, and project profitability.
• Time tracking data is available on desktop, web, and mobile (it syncs across devices).

Pros of using Timely

Timely offers a decent set of features that make time tracking insightful, especially for those who don’t want to deal with timers.

• You get automatic, passive time tracking. Timely’s core advantage is its AI-powered Memory Tracker that automatically logs everything you do on your computer. This passive tracking allows you to focus on your work instead of constantly checking a stopwatch.
• You get detailed activity insights. Timely records details about your tasks, letting you see exactly where your time goes.
• You get better at project organization. Timely allows you to assign tracked time to specific projects, clients, or tasks, which helps with billing accuracy and resource allocation.
• You can do team management. As a team lead/manager, you can use Timely dashboards to see how time is distributed across projects, who is overloaded, and where budgets are being spent.

• You can connect calendars to Timely. It allows you to connect your Google Calendar and Office 365 calendar.
• Strong security. Timely encrypts all data and is transparent about what it tracks; there’s no keystroke logging or spying.

Cons of using Timely

As powerful as Timely is, it has a few downsides, which, depending on your needs, can be deal breakers.

1. Timely has pricier subscription plans. Timely’s cost is higher than many other time trackers, especially if you have a tight budget. If you need basic time tracking, you better choose a Timely alternative.
2. There’s a learning curve. Timely is designed to reduce manual input, but it still requires you to set up projects, clients, and categories properly so the AI can make accurate suggestions.
3. There’s no offline tracking. Timely can’t capture work done offline or away from your computer (like phone calls).
4. AI suggestions are not always accurate. Sure—AI is smart—but it can misclassify tasks, requiring your manual review and adjustment.
5. There are limitations when it comes to the mobile app. The mobile app is often seen as less robust than the desktop version, offering fewer features and sometimes inconsistent tracking.

So, is Timely worth it?

I mean, sure…?

If you want a smart and mostly hands-off way to track your time, Timely is definitely worth considering, especially if you’re looking for an automated tool. It’s great for freelancers, teams, and anyone who wants to stop guessing how their day disappeared.

But it doesn’t mean the tool is perfect for everyone. You have to consider the presence of AI (if you are not that into AI-powered tools), the price tag if you’re on a budget, the need to set up, and all the rest of the quirks of this tool.

If you are ready to switch things up, we’ve got you.

Up next: 8 Timely alternatives that might just be a better fit for your time, budget, and workflow.

What to pick instead of Timely: Top 8 Timely alternatives

#1 Memtime

Memtime is a desktop-based time tracking app that runs oh-so-quietly in the background, capturing every second you spend working on your computer. It logs activity across apps, websites, documents, and even VoIP calls, all without requiring you to start or stop a timer.

Essentially, if you want complete visibility into how you spend your time without relying on guesswork or memory and without compromising on data privacy, Memtime is the tool for you. 

Unlike Timely, which uses AI and cloud syncing, Memtime runs entirely offline. Everything it records stays local to your device (we at Memtime are not huge fans of AI time tracking).

Here’s what Memtime can bring to your table (especially if you are all about being privacy-conscious):

• No AI, meaning no surprises. Timely uses AI to interpret your work patterns, but you don’t always know how it’s labeling your time or making decisions. Memtime doesn’t have a “smart assistant” and just gives you a clean, chronological log of your activity: you see exactly what was recorded, and you decide how to categorize it.
• Complete data privacy. With Memtime, your data is never uploaded to the cloud; everything is stored locally on your device.
• More transparent automation. Memtime doesn’t require manual correction, as it records your usage minute-by-minute, showing you a timeline of your day.

• Project management integration. You can import tasks and projects and sync time entries into an app of your choice (here’s a list of all tools Memtime integrates with).
• VoIP and call tracking. Memtime can capture time spent on calls made through VoIP services (like sipgate) or iPhones, inserting them into your activity timeline.
• No internet, no problem. Memtime works completely offline, so you never lose tracked data due to connectivity issues.
• Deeper timeline control. You can view your tracked time in intervals of 1 to 60 minutes, helping you zoom in or out as needed. This feature comes in handy when you want to understand exactly how long you were designing, emailing, or doom scrolling.

Here are all the key Memtime features at a glance:

1. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
2. Convert tracked activities into billable time entries.
3. Automatic timeline, as a minute-by-minute breakdown of your day.
4. Call tracking that logs time spent on certain VoIP and iPhone calls.
5. Syncs tracked time with over 100 tools (over 65 providing a two-way sync*).
6. Full local data storage, meaning no cloud syncing, and your data stays on your machine.

* A two-way sync means that you can import your projects and tasks into Memtime and then automatically export time entries back into connected software.

And that’s why Memtime is ideal for:

• Individuals who need precise, defensible time logs for client work.
• Teams that handle sensitive data, and need to maintain control over information.
• Anyone who prefers straightforward tracking without AI and cloud-based storage.

If Memtime sounds like your cup of tea, try it free for 2 weeks—no credit card, no commitment. 

Click the button below, download it, boot it up, and start getting back the hours you didn’t even know you were losing.

#2 TimeCamp

TimeCamp is another quiet tool that offers automatic time tracking, desktop activity monitoring, idle time detection, and project tagging. TimeCamp doesn’t rely on AI; it sticks to practical tools: reports, budget tracking, billable hours, and connections to tools like Trello, Slack, Asana, and more.

The tool is popular with teams that want to monitor productivity without micromanaging every click.

TimeCamp offers manual AND automatic time tracking.

Manual time tracking is done with a Start/Stop timer or by typing a direct time entry.

TimeCamp’s automatic tracking is available on the desktop and is through keyword-based tracking (where you can assign specific keywords to tasks or projects). The app monitors active window titles, URLs, and tool names, allowing it to log the time when these keywords are detected automatically. It’s also done through activity monitoring when the software tracks computer activities.

Here are TimeCamp’s key features:

• You can create invoices based on billable hours.
• You get timesheets with graphical views for quick editing.
• The app categorizes websites/apps into productive or distracting.
• You get reports for time, team performance, budget tracking, and profitability.
• You can track attendance and monitor team check-ins, leaves, and work hours.
• You can set idle detection reminders and reminders for incomplete time entries.

So, if you want a Timely-style experience without the premium pricing or the AI layer, TimeCamp can be a solid option.

#3 Time Doctor

If Timely is like a quiet time tracking assistant, Time Doctor is more like a digital doctor with a magnifying glass (perhaps a bit too nosey). That’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re looking for more accountability across remote teams or billable client work.

The tool offers manual and automatic tracking. It also keeps an eye on activity levels, websites visited, app usage, and even screen or webcam activity (if you enable it). It’s marketed as a tool built for transparency and performance.

The tool also categorizes apps as productive/unproductive/neutral, lets you set distraction alerts, and provides reporting on individual and team performance.

Here are some of Time Doctor’s key features:

• You get manual or automatic time tracking, with keyboard and mouse activity monitoring.
• You can set up idle time detection with pop-up alerts or automatic pauses.
• Website and app usage tracking is categorized by productivity levels.
• You can set up distraction alerts when visiting non-work-related sites.
• Task and project tracking with integrations is available.
• Provides a two-way sync with QuickBooks.
• You can create custom invoices with adjustable rates by user or project.
• You can access reports on time use, productivity trends, and team insights.
• There are optional webcam shots, screen recording, and video capture (available on higher-tier plans).

If you’re looking for something more involved in your work day than Timely, Time Doctor might be the app for you. Just be aware that your focus and productivity can be put under the microscope. 🤷

#4 Toggl Track

Toggl Track is like the cool, laidback manager who gives you full control over your time without being nosy about it.

Toggl is best known for its simple timer interface, but it also offers optional background tracking if you forget to start the clock. It doesn’t use AI like Timely, but it does provide idle detection and nudges when you wander off. It even comes with a built-in Pomodoro timer to boost your focus.

The tool is conscious of time tracking, giving you reports and visual breakdowns by client, project, or team, all without any AI filter.

Here are some of Toggl’s key features:

• Manual time tracking is done via a Start/Stop timer.
• There is a background activity detection feature, which allows the app to detect desktop activity (optional).
• Idle time alerts that let you discard or keep away time.
• There’s a Pomodoro timer for structured work intervals.
• You can improve project and client organization with time estimates and progress tracking.
• Toggl connects to 100+ tools, providing a two-way sync with Toggl Plan, Salesforce, Jira, Asana, and QuickBooks.
• You get detailed reporting, sortable by project, team, client, or tag, including billable vs. non-billable time.
• Cloud-based storage allows cross-device syncing and team access.

Toggl Track is not as automated as Timely, but it makes it fairly easy to tell time where it matters. Plus, it’s one of the few tools where the free plan is genuinely usable, even for full-time work.

#5 Clockify

In comparison to Timely, Clockify is the practical (simple-minded?) cousin who just gets things done. And doesn’t charge you for every new teammate you add.

Clockify allows you to track time, manage projects, and monitor your team’s workload. 

You can track time with a Start/Stop button, enter it manually (if you forget to press the Start button), or use its optional Auto Tracker to passively record your app and web usage.

It may not offer adaptive AI like Timely, but Clockify’s interface is simple and intuitive, its reports are fairly detailed, and its pricing model is tough to beat, especially if you run a startup or a small agency.

Here are some of Clockify’s notable features:

• Manual and real-time tracking are available via Start/Stop or manual entry.
• Optional Auto Tracker monitors activity (Windows/Linux). When enabled, it monitors the applications and websites you use, recording any activity that lasts more than 10 seconds. The Auto Tracker stores data locally on your computer.
• There are team and project management tools to assign tasks and track budgets.
• Provides a two-way sync with QuickBooks.
• You can add custom hourly rates by user or project for streamlined billing.
• You get detailed reporting, filterable by user, client, task, or tag, which you can use to create invoices or performance reviews.

Clockify is not as sleek or AI-powered as Timely, but it has decent capabilities for a tool that costs nothing. And if you ever need more advanced features like time audits, approval workflows, or GPS tracking, Clockify’s paid plans are there.

#6 Hubstaff

Hubstaff is no joke. If Timely is your gentle AI assistant, then Hubstaff is the manager who shows up with all the data, GPS, and maybe a drone. Full equipment to achieve operational efficiency. 🫡

Hubstaff is built for visibility and control, and that’s why it’s marketed towards remote teams, agencies, and field-based employees. It supports manual and automatic time tracking, and it can automatically start or stop tracking based on your schedule.

There’s also idle time detection, activity level monitoring based on keyboard and mouse use, and optional screenshots so your work, or that of your team, doesn’t go unnoticed.

Hubstaff is very direct: it measures what you’re actively doing, where you’re doing it (GPS), and how long you’ve been at it. Plus, it handles invoicing, budgeting, and automatic payroll, making it a tool for team AND time management.

Here are Hubstaff’s key features:

• Manual and automatic time tracking are available, with activity detection and idle time prompts.
• Activity levels based on active seconds (mouse/keyboard usage) in a 10-minute window. For example, if you are active for 200 out of 600 seconds, your activity level is 33.33%.
• There are optional screenshots to monitor user activity visually.
• GPS tracking and route history are available and designed for field teams and mobile workers.
• You can perform project/client-level budgeting and generate invoices.
• Automatic payments can be set based on tracked time.
• There are 30+ connections with tools like Trello, Jira, Asana, Slack, Salesforce, and QuickBooks.
• You get detailed reporting and analytics, from productivity trends to project costs.

Hubstaff can feel a bit more strict than Timely’s friendly and silent vibe, but it’s loaded with practical features any business can use. If you want to manage people, projects, and payroll all at once, Hubstaff might be the tool for you.

#7 DeskTime

DeskTime is like a diligent timekeeper who shows up the moment you turn on your computer and doesn’t miss a thing (unless you tell it to go away during your lunch break).

DeskTime is fully automatic, and that’s why tracking time starts the second you turn on your computer. You get app and website tracking with productivity labels, idle time detection, and the option to enable screenshots if you need visual proof of work.

It also includes project and task tracking, cost calculation, break reminders, and a Pomodoro timer.

DeskTime prefers hard data and direct control. You won’t get AI-generated time blocks, but you will get detailed reports, scheduling features, and accurate logs without needing to click a single button.

Here are some of the most prominent DeskTime features:

• You get fully automatic time tracking that starts when your computer turns on.
• App and website monitoring are available with productivity classification (productive, neutral, unproductive).
• You can track idle time and manually log offline activities.
• You can set optional screenshots at custom intervals.
• Project and task tracking are available, including budgeting and cost calculation.
• A Pomodoro timer and break reminders can help you develop healthy work habits.
• There’s a private time mode for when you need off-the-record screen time.
• You can schedule shifts and do absence calendar management.
• Connects to Trello, Asana, Google Calendar, Outlook, Basecamp, and more.

DeskTime gives you the peace of mind that every minute is tracked, and you don’t have to remember to track it. DeskTime offers raw time tracking power (no AI) and control.

#8 RescueTime

RescueTime is like the wise productivity sorcerer that silently watches your digital life.

The tool runs quietly in the background once installed, requires no manual input, and tracks activity across all your devices. It automatically categorizes everything you do into “productive” or “unproductive” sections and shows you clear reports on how your day was actually spent

RescueTime also has a Focus Sessions feature. This feature actively blocks distractions when you’re trying to enter deep work mode, and if you’re a Spotify Premium user, it’ll play your favorite playlist while doing it.

RescueTime doesn’t use AI to understand your workday and help you remember what you did; it knows what you did and shows you the data.

Here are the app’s key features:

• You get fully passive time tracking across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and browser extensions.
• There’s auto-categorization of apps and websites into productive or unproductive.
• The data syncs across multiple devices, so you get the full picture.
• The tool runs in the background, with no start/stop timers or manual entry.
• You can set goals and alerts to help you manage screen time and focus.
• Focus Sessions block distractions and can pair with Spotify Premium.
• You get detailed reports and graphs to track productivity trends over time.
• The app connects with tools like Google Calendar, Asana, and Slack.

If you want to stop wondering where your time goes and the option to block all those cute cat videos, RescueTime can help you out.

Wrapping up

If you’ve made it this far in the article, congrats! You’ve got stamina.

Timely may have kicked off this convo, but as you’ve seen, there’s a number of time tracking tools out there that can give you just what you need. There’s always a better-size-fits-you solution.

The goal is to pick the tool that makes sense for how you work.

Go on now, and pick your time tracking app. Try a few. Toss the ones that don’t do much. You’ll know the right one when it saves you time without making you feel like you’re wasting it.

If you want something that runs silently in the background without shouting your secrets to the cloud, try Memtime.

Happy time tracking, and here’s to your progress! 🥂