Managing a project effectively isn’t just about keeping a to-do list or setting deadlines. It’s about making sure you stay on track, allocate resources efficiently, and keep things within budget.

But there’s one key element often overlooked: time tracking. When you combine project management software with time tracking, you get a tool that not only helps you organize tasks but also ensures you’re managing your time wisely.

Let’s dive into why you should consider project time tracking software and how it can change your project management game.

The Benefits of Time Tracking in Project Management

Using time tracking project management tools doesn’t just help with monitoring hours worked, it gives you better visibility into your workflow and resource allocation. Here’s why it’s essential:

1. Better Estimations and Planning

By tracking time for tasks and projects, you can start seeing patterns. Over time, you’ll know how long similar tasks take to complete, helping you create more accurate project timelines in the future.

2. Accurate Invoicing and Budgeting

If you’re working on client projects, project time tracking software is a lifesaver. By tracking the exact hours spent on each task, you can accurately bill clients and avoid undercharging. This is especially helpful for freelancers or agencies working on an hourly rate.

3.  Boosting Team Productivity

A clear view of how time is spent helps identify bottlenecks or areas where teams are underperforming. When team members know their time is being tracked, they often become more mindful of how they use it, improving overall productivity.

4. Project Control and Accountability

Time tracking within your project management software provides an extra layer of accountability. You can monitor the progress of tasks in real-time, and identify areas where delays are happening.

5. Enhanced Employee Motivation and Transparency

When employees can see how their time contributes to project goals, it increases accountability and motivation. Transparent time tracking fosters a sense of ownership — team members become more aware of their performance and accomplishments, leading to higher engagement and trust within the organization.

Features to Look for in Project Time Tracking Software

When you start researching time tracking project management tools, it’s essential to look for a few key features that will make your life easier and your team more productive. Here’s what we would suggest checking off the list:

1.    Task and Time Integration

Make sure the tool allows you to link tasks with time entries. This means you can track how long each task takes, helping you better understand where time is spent.

2.    Automatic Time Tracking

Some tools allow you to start a timer as soon as you begin a task. This way, you don’t have to remember to manually log hours, it happens automatically.

3.    Reports and Analytics

You’ll want a tool that gives you clear reports on time spent on different projects or tasks. This helps in understanding patterns and improving time management strategies over time.

4.    Budget and Time Comparison

Some software will let you compare how much time has been spent vs. the project’s budget. This is useful for making sure you’re not overshooting time or budget.

5.    Mobile Access

If you or your team members work remotely or on-the-go, look for a tool with mobile access. Being able to track time on mobile helps in keeping things accurate even if you’re not at a desk.

6.    Ease of Use

Choose a project time tracking software that’s user-friendly. If your team doesn’t understand how to use it or finds it too complicated, they won’t use it and then, what’s the point?

Top 7 Project Management Software with Time Tracking

1. WhitePanther

WhitePanther is an AI-powered all in one dashboard for your daily tools. It comes with project management feature with time tracking designed to help teams streamline workflows and improve productivity. It integrates project management with time tracking, resource allocation, and team collaboration, all in one unified tool.

Key Features:

• AI-powered task management and time tracking integration
• Task and project management with deadlines, priorities, and progress tracking
• Real-time reporting and analytics for project performance
• Collaboration features like file sharing, messaging, and notifications

Along with project management tools and time tracker, WhitePanther provides all the tools that you need on a daily basis.

• Team chats, meetings and calls
• Built in screen recorder, AI, email marketing, documents and more
• Integration with your email, calendar and payment tools

Also, it doesn’t charge per user fee, so you can grow without having to worry about growing cost of tools.

2. Clockify

Clockify is a free project time tracking software that’s designed for teams of all sizes. It offers unlimited users and projects, making it a great choice for growing teams that need a budget-friendly solution. The tool tracks time via a timer or manual entries and provides detailed reports.

Key Features:

• Time tracking via a timer or manual entry
• Unlimited users, projects, and tasks in the free plan
• Time reports with billable vs non-billable hours
• Integrates with tools like Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar

3. Trello + TimeCamp Integration

Trello is a another project management tool that allows teams to organize tasks using boards, lists, and cards. By integrating TimeCamp, you can turn Trello into a time tracking powerhouse, allowing you to track time directly from your Trello cards.

Key Features:

• Kanban-style board for task management
• Time tracking directly from Trello cards via the TimeCamp integration
• Automatic time logging and manual entry options
• Project and task-based time tracking
• Time reports and analytics to track productivity

4. ClickUp

ClickUp helps teams plan, track, and collaborate on projects. With detailed time tracking and task management features, it’s great for teams that need flexibility in how they manage their time and projects.

Key Features:

• Task management with time tracking and time estimates
• Built-in time tracking for each task and project
• Time logging with manual and automatic tracking
• Time reports with billable hours tracking
• Mobile app for managing projects and tracking time on the go

5. Wrike

Wrike is another project management software with time tracking that includes a full set of tools for team collaboration, task management, and time tracking. It’s perfect for teams working on multiple projects, as it allows for detailed tracking of time spent across different tasks and projects.

Key Features:

• Task and project management with custom workflows
• Built-in time tracking with start/stop timers
• Time reporting and analytics for project performance
• Budget tracking with cost and time estimates

6. Harvest

Harvest is a dedicated time tracking project management tool that allows teams to track time, log expenses, and manage invoicing. It integrates well with other project management platforms, making it an excellent option for teams who need accurate time tracking for project budgeting and client billing.

Key Features:

• Time tracking with manual entries and automatic timers
• Expense tracking and invoicing features
• Detailed reports for time spent on tasks and projects
• Timesheet approval and review system
• Mobile app for tracking time and expenses on the go

7. Monday.com

Monday.com is a highly customizable project management software with time tracking that offers a visual, user-friendly interface. It helps teams manage workflows, track time, and stay aligned on projects. The platform offers multiple views like Kanban, Gantt, and calendar for managing tasks and time.

Key Features:

• Customizable workflows for tasks and projects
• Time tracking widgets to log time spent on tasks
• Time reports with detailed analytics and insights
• Visual timelines and Gantt charts for project planning

How to Choose the Best Project Time Tracking Software for Your Needs

Choosing the right time tracking project management tool comes down to a few simple questions:

1.    What’s Your Budget?

Some tools offer free versions with limited features, while others have tiered pricing depending on team size and features. Make sure the pricing aligns with your needs.

2.    How Complex Are Your Projects?

If your projects involve many tasks and team members, you’ll need a more comprehensive solution. For smaller teams or simple projects, lighter tools might be sufficient.

3.    Integration with Other Tools

Does the tool you’re considering integrate with other software you already use, like Google Calendar, Slack, or accounting tools? Integrations can save you time and improve efficiency.

4.    Scalability

Will the software grow with you? Make sure the tool can handle a larger team or more complex projects down the line.

5.    Mobile Support

If your team works remotely or in the field, having a mobile-friendly tool is essential. You don’t want your team to be restricted to only tracking time from a desktop.

Conclusion

The right project management software with time tracking can greatly enhance your team’s efficiency and productivity.

Tools like WhitePanther combine project management with integrated time tracking, giving you complete control over tasks, time, and budgets.

Whether you’re a small team or managing multiple projects, choosing the right tool is essential for streamlining workflows and improving results.

WhitePanther’s AI-powered features and seamless time tracking make it a top choice for teams looking for an all-in-one solution that boosts productivity and simplifies project management.

Try it out and experience the difference!

FAQs

1. Why should I use project management software with time tracking?

Project management software with time tracking helps you efficiently manage tasks, allocate resources, and track time. It provides insights into project progress, improves productivity, ensures accurate billing, and allows you to stay on top of deadlines and budgets.

2. How does time tracking improve project efficiency?

Time tracking helps identify how long tasks take, allowing for better estimates in future projects. It ensures that resources are being used effectively, minimizes time wastage, and helps with identifying bottlenecks, leading to smoother project execution and timely delivery.

3. Can time tracking software integrate with other tools?

Yes, many project time tracking software solutions integrate with popular tools like Slack, Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar. These integrations allow seamless management across platforms, making it easier to track time without disrupting your existing workflow.

4. How do I ensure accurate time tracking for my team?

To ensure accurate time tracking, encourage your team to log hours regularly, either manually or through automatic timers. Use tools that allow time tracking by tasks and projects to give you a clear picture of how resources are being utilized.

5. Is project time tracking software suitable for freelancers?

Yes, project time tracking software is perfect for freelancers. It helps track billable hours, manage client projects, and generate invoices based on tracked time. Freelancers can also use it to set time estimates and monitor productivity on different projects.