Clockify vs Timely
A detailed comparison of Clockify and Timely covering features, pricing, integrations, strengths, and weaknesses to help you choose the right tool.
Quick Overview
Clockify
Free Time Tracker
Clockify is best known for its unlimited free plan, offering time tracking via timer, manual entry, timesheet, or kiosk mode. It serves over 500,000 businesses with a clean web interface and privacy-respecting auto-tracker. Part of the CAKE.com ecosystem bundling team chat and project management.
Timely
Automatic Time Tracking
Timely by Memory AS is positioned as the world's first automatic time tracker. It uses an AI-powered Memory Tracker that captures activity across apps, websites, documents, emails, and meetings, presenting them on a private timeline for drag-and-drop into timesheets. It emphasizes privacy-first design with no screenshots or mouse tracking.
Feature Comparison
Clockify Features
Time tracking via timer, manual entry, timesheet, or clock-in kiosk
Project and task management with client assignment and tags
Reporting and analytics by project, client, or team member
Invoicing from logged hours
PTO and paid time off management
Scheduling and GPS tracking on Pro plan
Privacy-respecting auto-tracker keeping data local
Self-hosted deployment option available
Timely Features
AI-powered Memory Tracker capturing activity across all apps
Private timeline with drag-and-drop timesheet creation
AI learns patterns and generates draft timesheets
Project and budget management with billable rates
Team capacity planning dashboards
Customizable branded reports
Basic invoicing with QuickBooks integration
Pricing Breakdown
Clockify
Free (unlimited users)
Free plan with unlimited users and projects. Basic: $4.99/user/month. Standard: $5.49/user/month. Pro: $7.99/user/month. Enterprise: custom. 7-day free trial on paid plans.
Timely
$9/user/month
Starter: $9/user/month (annual). Premium: $16/user/month. Unlimited: $22/user/month. Enterprise: contact sales. No free plan. 14-day free trial.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Clockify
Strengths
Truly generous free tier with unlimited users
Clean intuitive web interface rated 9/10 by reviewers
Quick setup with minimal configuration needed
Privacy-respecting auto-tracker with local-only recording
Self-hosted deployment option rare among competitors
CAKE.com bundle includes chat and project management
Weaknesses
Mobile apps have frequent bugs, crashes, and sync issues
No direct payroll integration, requires CSV export
Essential features gated behind paid plans
No geofencing capability
Task switching is clunky, must stop one timer to start another
Mobile app lacks full functionality like project creation
Sync lag between desktop timer and web dashboard
Timely
Strengths
AI automatic tracking eliminates manual timers entirely
Privacy-first approach with no screenshots or mouse tracking
Beautiful and intuitive user interface
Strong reporting and project management features
100+ integrations available
GDPR compliant with European data residency
Weaknesses
No offline tracking capability
No payroll integration
Expensive for small teams with steep tier price jumps
AI auto-tracking sometimes lacks granularity
Limited invoice functionality
No multi-currency rate support
Reports of desktop app being discontinued
Integrations
Clockify (15 integrations)
Timely (14 integrations)
Target Market
Clockify
Freelancers, small businesses, agencies, startups, and budget-conscious teams. 500,000+ businesses.
Timely
Consultancies, agencies, and SaaS businesses billing by the hour. Freelancers and knowledge workers.
The Verdict
Both Clockify and Timely are solid time tracking tools, but they serve different needs.
Clockify (Free Time Tracker) is best suited for freelancers, small businesses, agencies, startups, and budget-conscious teams. 500,000+ businesses.. It starts at Free (unlimited users) and offers 8 key features.
Timely (Automatic Time Tracking) is best suited for consultancies, agencies, and saas businesses billing by the hour. freelancers and knowledge workers.. It starts at $9/user/month and offers 7 key features.
If neither tool quite fits your needs, consider comparing Clockify with TimeSentry or comparing Timely with TimeSentry. TimeSentry offers AI-powered time capture from 20+ integrations, built-in invoicing, multi-company workflows, and dedicated onboarding support.
The TimeSentry Guarantee
Free 7-day trial with full access to every feature. No credit card required.
White-glove onboarding so your team is set up correctly from day one.
AI that learns your patterns and gets more accurate the longer you use it.
Cancel anytime with no contracts, no lock-in, and no hidden fees.
Dedicated support from real humans who respond within hours, not days.
Need something better than both?
TimeSentry combines the best of AI-powered time tracking with built-in invoicing, multi-company workflows, and 20+ integrations. Try it free and see for yourself.