The best Time Tracking Software
Time tracking software automates the capture of work hours, project time and billable minutes. What separates the options is not the stopwatch itself, but how the data is stored, who can access it, and which workflows it feeds, payroll, client billing, or internal capacity planning. For European teams, the choice often hinges on where the servers stand: inside the EU, subject to GDPR and local data-sovereignty laws, or outside, where US cloud providers may be compelled to disclose data under the CLOUD Act.
Providers
What to look for
Data location & compliance
Check where the vendor processes and stores time logs. EU-hosted tools keep data under GDPR and local jurisdiction; non-EU providers may fall under the CLOUD Act or other foreign surveillance laws.
Integration depth
A time tracker should feed data into the tools you already use, payroll systems, project management, or invoicing. Look for native integrations, Zapier support, or an open API that your IT team can connect without manual exports.
Pricing transparency
European vendors typically price per user per month, with clear tiers for teams of different sizes. Watch for hidden costs: per-project fees, API call limits, or mandatory onboarding sessions that push the total beyond the advertised rate.
Offline & mobile capture
Field teams and remote workers need to log time without a stable connection. Look for apps that cache entries locally and sync once online, and check whether the mobile apps offer the same feature set as the desktop version.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free GDPR-compliant time tracker hosted in the EU?
Yes. Kimai is an open-source time tracker that can be self-hosted on any EU server. The cloud version, Kimai Cloud, is hosted in Germany and offers a free tier for small teams. Clockodo and Timing also provide limited free plans, but with fewer features than Kimai’s open-source edition.
How does EU-hosted time tracking differ from Harvest or Clockify?
EU-hosted tools like solidtime or Timing process data on servers located within the EU, ensuring compliance with GDPR and local data protection laws. Harvest and Clockify, while offering GDPR-compliant settings, store data on US servers by default, which may be subject to the CLOUD Act. Additionally, European vendors often provide native integrations with local payroll systems like Datev or Lexoffice.
Can I migrate my time logs from Toggl Track to a European tool?
Most European time trackers support CSV or Excel imports. solidtime, Clockodo, and Kimai allow direct migration from Toggl Track via CSV export/import. Some vendors, like Timing, offer guided migration assistance for larger teams, but this may incur an additional fee. Always check the import format requirements, some tools require specific column headers or date formats.
Which European time trackers integrate with Jira or SAP?
Clockodo and timr offer native Jira integrations, syncing time logs directly into Jira issues. For SAP, TimeStatement and awork provide connectors that feed time data into SAP’s payroll or project modules. Kimai and solidtime support API-based integrations, which can be configured to connect with both Jira and SAP, though this may require custom development.
Do any EU-hosted time trackers offer a free plan for teams?
Kimai Cloud offers a free plan for up to 5 users with unlimited projects and time entries. Clockodo provides a free tier for solo users, but teams must upgrade to a paid plan. solidtime and Timing do not offer free plans, though they provide 14-day trials without requiring a credit card.
How do I ensure my time tracking data stays in the EU?
Choose a vendor that explicitly states EU-only data processing and hosting. solidtime, Timing, and Clockodo all operate servers within the EU (Germany, Austria, or Switzerland) and do not replicate data to non-EU regions. Look for certifications like ISO 27001 or explicit GDPR compliance statements in the vendor’s data processing agreement. Avoid tools that use US-based cloud providers like AWS or Google Cloud unless they guarantee EU-only storage.
What’s the cheapest paid time tracker for a small EU team?
Clockodo starts with per-user pricing for small teams, including project-based time tracking and basic reporting. Kimai Cloud’s paid plan begins at a lower per-user rate, but lacks some advanced features like automated reminders. solidtime offers a flat rate for small teams, but pricing is only available upon request. Always compare the feature set, some budget-friendly plans exclude integrations or API access.
Can I use a European time tracker offline?
Yes. Timing and Timeular (EARLY) offer offline modes that cache time entries locally and sync once the device reconnects. Clockodo’s mobile apps also support offline logging, though the desktop version requires an internet connection. Kimai and solidtime do not natively support offline mode, but can be self-hosted on a local server for air-gapped environments.
How do I get my team started with a new time tracker?
Start with a pilot group of 3–5 users to test workflows and integrations. Most European vendors, including solidtime and Timing, offer onboarding webinars or documentation in German and English. Clockodo provides a guided setup for teams, including data migration from other tools. For self-hosted options like Kimai, allocate time for server setup or consider the vendor’s managed hosting to avoid technical overhead.