Time Tracking
How project management platforms handle built in time tracking, timesheets, billable hour marking, and time based reporting without third party integrations.
Which Tools Have Time Tracking
| Tool | Support | |
|---|---|---|
| ClickUp | Yes |
Why Native Time Tracking Matters
Third party time tracking tools add friction. Team members forget to switch apps, data lives in two systems, and matching tracked time to tasks requires manual reconciliation. Native time tracking lets users start and stop timers directly on tasks, automatically linking hours to the work they describe.
What to Test
Track time on 5 tasks across 2 projects for a week. At the end, try to generate a report showing total hours by project, by person, and by date. Check if you can mark entries as billable. If reporting requires exporting to a spreadsheet, the tool’s time tracking is not production ready.
Key Differentiators
Native versus integration (is time tracking built in or does it require Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify?), timer versus manual entry (can users both start timers and enter time after the fact?), billable marking (can you flag entries for invoicing?), and reporting depth (timesheets, utilization reports, project cost tracking).
How Major Tools Compare
| Tool | Native Tracking | Billable Hours | Timesheets | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClickUp | Yes (timer + manual) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Teams needing built in time tracking without a separate tool |
| Asana | No (integration only) | Via integration | Via integration | N/A | Teams already using Harvest or Toggl for time tracking |
| Jira | Yes (manual log only) | Via Tempo add on | Via Tempo | Yes (basic) | Dev teams logging time for sprint reporting |
| Monday.com | Yes (timer column) | No native | No native | No | Teams needing basic per item time logging |
| Notion | No native | No | No | N/A | Not suitable for time tracking without third party tools |
| Trello | No (Power Up only) | Via Power Up | Via Power Up | N/A | Not suitable for time tracking without add ons |
The ClickUp Learn Hub is maintained by ClickUp. Some tools reviewed may compete with ClickUp products. We strive for accuracy and fairness in all evaluations. Our methodology and scoring criteria are disclosed on each page.
Common Questions About Time Tracking
Does ClickUp have built in time tracking?
Yes. ClickUp includes native time tracking on all plans including free. Users can start and stop timers on tasks or enter time manually. Entries can be marked as billable. Timesheet reports show hours by person, project, and date range.
Why does Asana not have native time tracking?
Asana relies on integration partners like Harvest and Toggl for time tracking. This means time data lives in a separate system. For teams that track time heavily, this adds friction and makes cross referencing time data with task data harder than platforms with native tracking.
Do I need a dedicated time tracking tool or is built in sufficient?
Built in time tracking is sufficient for most project teams that need basic hour logging and reporting. Dedicated tools like Toggl or Harvest add value when you need advanced features like GPS tracking, automated invoicing from time entries, or detailed profitability analysis across clients.