Kimai vs Clockify

Kimai

Strengths

• +Easy setup and intuitive interface, ideal for small teams and freelancers with minimal onboarding overhead
• +Comprehensive core features: multi-user support, project/customer/activity tracking, invoicing, billable hours, multiple billing rates, and detailed reporting
• +Stable and reliable performance in self-hosted environments, ensuring full data control and privacy
• +Fast, friendly, and competent support, including personalized assistance and responsiveness to feature requests
• +Highly cost-effective as open-source software with no per-user licensing fees and optional paid cloud hosting
• +Cross-platform browser-based interface with a dedicated mobile app (iOS/Android) for offline time tracking and sync
• +Highly customizable workflows and integrations with Google Workspace, LDAP, SAML, and external identity providers
• +Transparent and detailed reporting for client billing and internal accountability

Limitations

• −User interface feels less polished and can be initially confusing due to rigid customer-project-activity structure
• −Some feature limitations, such as restricted report exports and less developed idle/automatic tracking compared to competitors
• −Onboarding and initial setup may require technical comfort and additional user training

Clockify

Strengths

• +Simple and intuitive interface
• +Free plan with unlimited users
• +Good value for money
• +Cross-platform support

Limitations

• −Limited features in the free plan
• −No built-in invoicing in lower tiers
• −Learning curve for advanced features
• −Occasional sync issues

Kimai

• Free (Self-Hosted) Free Open-source under AGPL 3 license · No subscription fees · Community support
• Kimai Cloud (Standard) €2.99 per user / monthUnlimited customers, projects, activities · REST API and data export · Audit log and custom fields
• Kimai Cloud (Professional) €3.99 per user / monthAll Standard features · Expense tracking and task planning · SAML SSO and custom domain
• Kimai Mobile (Annual) €29.99 per year (incl. 19% VAT)7-day free trial · Requires connection to own Kimai server · Mobile time tracking for iOS and Android

All prices are exclusive of taxes. Cloud plans offer a 30-day free trial. Pricing may vary for third-party managed hosting providers.

Clockify

• Free Free ForeverUnlimited users · Unlimited tracking · Basic reporting
• Basic $3.99 per user per monthUnlimited projects · Advanced reporting · Billable rates
• Standard $5.49 per user per monthTime audits · Invoices · Time off tracking
• Pro $7.99 per user per monthScreenshots · Custom fields · Locked time entries
• Enterprise $11.99 per user per monthSingle sign-on (SSO) · Custom subdomain · Audit log

Pricing is billed annually. A free plan is available.

Kimai

Time Tracking & Management

Multi-timer and punch-in/punch-out mode, Time-clock mode to restrict arbitrary timesheet entries, Role-based permissions for multi-user support, Multi-timezone and multi-language support (30+ languages)

Reporting & Analytics

Detailed reports by users, customers, projects, activities, tags, and time periods, Data export in PDF, DOCX, XLSX, CSV, HTML, ODS formats, Audit log for all data changes to prevent manipulation, Dashboard with statistics and charts

Invoicing & Billing

Configurable invoice templates with entry grouping and numbering, Invoice generation in PDF, DOCX, ODS, XLSX, HTML, CSV formats, E-invoices compliant with EN 16931, XRechnung 3.0, Zugferd/Factur-X, Multi-currency support for global billing

Security & Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) with TOTP tokens, Support for external identity providers via LDAP and SAML (Google Workspace, Azure AD, Authentik), GDPR-compliant EU hosting for cloud version, IP-based access restrictions and detailed role concept

Extensibility & Integration

Extensive JSON REST API for reading and writing data, Plugin marketplace for additional features (e.g., expenses, custom fields), Docker support and flexible deployment options (self-hosted or SaaS), Task planning and expense tracking via plugins

Clockify

Time Tracking

Track time manually or with a timer, Add time entries for past work, Edit and delete time entries, Use desktop and mobile apps

Reporting

Generate detailed reports, Filter by user, project, or date range, Export reports, View summary and detailed breakdowns

Project Management

Create and manage projects, Assign users to projects, Set project budgets, Track project progress

Team Collaboration

Invite team members, Set user roles and permissions, Share reports with team members, Comment on time entries

Integrations

Connect with other tools, Automate workflows, Sync data across platforms