tech from europe
vsHarvest

timeBuzzer vs Harvest

Last updated October 2026

Looking for a European alternative to Harvest? Here's how timeBuzzer compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.

Our pick for a European buyer: timeBuzzer. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.

What it is
German time-tracking with a one-press hardware buzzer and EU-hosted data.
Time tracking and invoicing software for teams and freelancers.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇺🇸 US · 2006
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Not offeredNo EU server location offered.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
ISO 27001
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II
Price from
8 €/user/mo
$12/user/mo
Free plan
No
Yes
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
bexio, Lexware Office, sevdesk, MILKEE, GrandTotal +7
Asana, Trello, QuickBooks, Slack, Microsoft Teams +6

Where each one wins

timeBuzzer

Strengths

  • +Intuitive and user-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
  • +Hardware buzzer enables quick, physical time tracking without manual input
  • +Cross-platform compatibility (mobile, PC, web) with automatic start/pause on computer idle
  • +Customizable 'layers' for flexible time tracking by customers, projects, or cost centers
  • +Comprehensive reporting and analytics with direct invoice generation
  • +Effective reminder system to ensure consistent time tracking
  • +Auto-sync across devices reduces administrative overhead

Limitations

  • −Hardware buzzer requires extra payment and lacks wireless connectivity or advanced customization
  • −No native delete function for time entries (only archiving available)
  • −Limited native integrations (e.g., no direct Microsoft support; API required for advanced workflows)

Harvest

Strengths

  • +Intuitive and easy to use for time tracking
  • +Strong invoicing and payment features
  • +Seamless integrations with popular tools
  • +Reliable and stable performance

Limitations

  • −No EU server location (data residency concerns)
  • −Limited customization in reports
  • −Mobile app lacks some desktop features
  • −Pricing can add up for large teams

Data residency & compliance

timeBuzzer
Harvest
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Not offeredNo EU server location offered.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
Sub-processors
not established
not established
Certifications
ISO 27001
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II

Pricing

timeBuzzer

  • timeBuzzer Pro 8 € per user / month (billed annually)Apps for all devices (desktop, mobile, web) · Unlimited projects, clients, and tasks · Reporting, data export, and integrations
  • Desktop Buzzer (Add-on) 59 € per device (one-time)Optional hardware for effortless time tracking · 30-day money-back guarantee

Discounts available for teams over 10 users, non-profits, and educational institutions upon request.

Harvest

  • Free Free Forever1 seat · 2 projects · Limited features
  • Pro $12 per user/monthUnlimited seats · Unlimited projects · Invoicing & payments

Pricing is billed annually. Discounts available for larger teams.

Features

timeBuzzer

Time Tracking
One-click real-time timer, Manual time entry and editing, Notes for time entries, Drag-and-drop time entries
Hardware
Physical desktop buzzer for time tracking, Proximity sensor to open app, Rotate to switch tasks, Press to start/stop timer
Apps & Access
Desktop apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, Mobile apps for iOS and Android, Web console for management
Analytics & Reporting
Dashboard overview of time spent, Detailed analytics and reports, Export to Excel (XLSX), CSV, or PDF, Billing status marking for entries
Team & Workflow
Unlimited team members and projects, Role assignment (Admin, Manager, User), Team privacy controls (users see only their own time), Custom layers for workflow adaptation

Harvest

Time Tracking
Track time from desktop, mobile, or browser, Start/stop timers with one click, Automatic time capture for apps and websites, Idle time detection
Invoicing & Payments
Create and send professional invoices, Accept online payments via Stripe, PayPal, Automated invoice reminders, Multi-currency support
Reporting & Insights
Visual project and team reports, Budget tracking and forecasting, Customizable dashboards, Export reports to CSV or PDF
Integrations
Connects with 100+ apps (e.g., Asana, Trello, QuickBooks), Zapier and API access, Slack and Microsoft Teams notifications, Google Calendar sync