10 Best Time Management Tools for 2023: Boost Productivity and Save Time

Good time management is what everyone needs, be it in academics, work, or even in our personal lives. It's not just about doing things on time; it's about doing them well and feeling good while you're at it. We've got some solid proof of this.

The National Library of Medicine did some extensive analysis. They looked at time management and what it means for how well you do your job or schoolwork and how happy you feel. They found that time management is linked to doing a great job at work or school and feeling fantastic. That means that when you manage your time well, you tend to do well at work or school and feel fulfilled.

Also, the Journal of Educational Psychology checked out how students handle their time. The cool part was that students who are good at time management do better in school and have less stress. Who wouldn't want that, right?

There are many ways to manage time; one of these is using the best time management software. These tools are your secret weapon for getting things done like a pro and keeping cool. So, explore these fantastic tools and learn how they can boost your productivity and make life easier. 

What Are Time Management Tools?

Time management tools are your guide for keeping your life on track. They're the apps and software that help you do things better at work, school, or in your personal life. These tools make it easy to plan your day, keep an eye on your tasks, and stay organized. 

You can use them to manage your projects, keep an eye on your calendar, and work as a team if you need to. They're all about making you more productive and getting things done without all the stress. These tools are your sidekicks for getting stuff done and staying on top of your game.

Role of Time Management Tools in Organizing Tasks and Projects

Time management tools play a crucial role in organizing tasks and projects. They help people and teams to plan, prioritize, and manage their time effectively, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency. Here are some ways in which time management tools can help in organizing tasks and projects:

1. Planning

Time management tools are your project blueprints or roadmap for the day. These tools help you figure out what needs to be done and when. For example, you can plan your workweek using these tools, setting clear daily goals. You list your tasks, and the software lays out your plan. It's just like making a to-do list but with extra intelligent tools.

2. Scheduling

These tools are your assistants when it comes to scheduling. They help you slot tasks and meetings into your day, week, or month. You can even set reminders so you never miss anything important. Imagine you have a big presentation coming up. You can use this softwares to schedule when to work on each part of it. This ensures you have enough time to prepare. This way, you're not rushing at the last minute.

3. Tracking

Time management software is your detective. It helps you monitor what's done and what's not. You can see your progress in real time. For instance, the software tracks who's done what if you're working on a project with a team. This way, you know where you stand and what's left to do.

4. Prioritizing

These tools help you decide what's most important. They allow you to rank tasks based on their importance and deadlines. Let's say you have a list of assignments for school. The software lets you mark which needs to be done first, so you're not spending time on less important things when a big project is due.

5. Collaboration

Time management software isn't just for solo work. You and your team can work together in your virtual meeting room. You can share tasks, updates, and deadlines with your colleagues. For instance, if you're part of a group project, everyone can see what needs to be done and who's responsible. This way, you can all work together smoothly, like a well-oiled machine.

Top 10 Time Management Tools for 2023

I thoroughly tested the most popular task management tools and chose the best ten softwares in 2023.

1. Toggl

Toggl is an easy-to-use time management tool that gets along with many other project management systems. It's a handy helper that helps boost your daily productivity. One cool thing about Toggl is how it smoothly fits in with your favorite tools like Trello, Scoro, or Asana.

Toggl Top Features

• Unlimited projects and sub-projects. With Toggl, you can keep tabs on all your projects and even break them down into smaller tasks. This makes tracking your time super accurate.
• Reports. Toggl's reports let you see how your team is doing. It works like a scoreboard for your work.
• Online and offline time management. Whether online or offline, Toggl is ready to track your time. It's your trusty timekeeper, no matter where you are.

Toggl Pros

• Excellent reporting. Toggl's got you covered with many ways to filter and view your data. You'll always know what's happening with your time.
• User-friendly interface. The look and feel of Toggl is nice and friendly. You won't get lost in complicated menus.
• Seamless synchronization. Even if you're working offline, Toggl syncs your data seamlessly. You won't miss a beat.
• Lots of labels. You can add labels to your tracking to keep everything organized. It's just like putting name tags on your tasks.

Toggl Cons

• More integrations are needed. It would be even better if Toggl could connect with even more apps and software.

Toggl Pricing

• Free plan. This one's for freelancers who want smooth time tracking and reporting. Best part? It's free for up to 5 users.
• Starter plan. If you're in a small team and need to work fast without extra fuss, this one's for you. It's $9 per user each month.
• Premium plan. Growing teams will love this. It's packed with powerful tools like audits and reminders to keep you agile and aligned. $18 per user per month.
• Enterprise plan. Got a big or complex organization? Toggl's got tailored solutions for you, with custom pricing. And guess what? Unlimited users.

Who Toggl Is Best For

Toggl is an excellent fit for freelancers, small teams, and larger organizations. Whether you're flying solo or part of a big crew, Toggl has a plan for you. It's all about helping you track management, work smarter, and stay on top of things. Give it a try, and watch your productivity soar.

2. Time Doctor

Time Doctor is a big name in time management. Both small businesses like Thrive Market and huge companies like RE/MAX trust it to make the most of their employees' time and supercharge company productivity. It helps you keep tabs on every second of your tasks and projects in real time. The best part? It works on any device, whether you're a Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or Chrome user.

Time Doctor Top Features

• Straightforward time tracking. Time Doctor keeps it simple. You can easily track your time without any fancy tricks.
• Idle time tracking/distraction alerts. Time Doctor tells you when you're drifting off and helps you stay on track.
• Detailed productivity reports. Want to know where your time goes? Time Doctor has your back. It gives you super-detailed reports.
• Hours tracked report. This feature is your personal timekeeping log. It shows how many hours you've worked, which is handy for billing or payroll.

Time Doctor Pros

• Easy to use. Time Doctor is a breeze to use. You don't need to be a tech wizard to get the hang of it.
• Detailed reporting. It's all about the data. Time Doctor gives you a ton of info to help you understand your time better.
• Automated timesheets. No more manual timekeeping. Time Doctor does it for you, making things super convenient.
• Automated payroll. For businesses, this is a lifesaver. Time Doctor helps automate payroll, so it's less of a headache.

Time Doctor Cons

• Outdated user interface. Time Doctor could use a little makeover in the looks department.
• Idle time alerts can be distracting. While it's great to have reminders, sometimes they can be too frequent.
• Customer support is often hard to reach. Getting help when you need it isn't always as smooth as you'd like.

Time Doctor Pricing

• Basic plan. $5.9 per user monthly, billed annually, or $7 month-to-month.
• Standard plan. $8.4 per user monthly, billed annually, or $10 month-to-month.
• Premium plan. $16.7 per user monthly, billed annually, or $20 month-to-month.

Who Time Doctor Is Best For

Time Doctor is a rock star for big companies, hybrid workplaces, business process outsourcing, tech providers, and agencies. If you're in these sectors, Time Doctor's got your back. It's a productivity sidekick to help you and your team work smarter and maximize your valuable time. Give it a whirl and watch your efficiency go through the roof.

3. TimeCamp

TimeCamp is a super versatile time management software. It doesn't just track your time; it does much more. It's your all-in-one toolkit for productivity, attendance, and project management. From keeping an eye on your project's budget to handling invoices and billing, TimeCamp is a productivity wizard that helps you work smarter.

TimeCamp Top Features

• Project profitability. TimeCamp can tell you if your project is making money or not.
• Automatic time tracking. You don't need to start and stop timers. TimeCamp does it all for you automatically.
• Idle tracking. This is like a friendly nudge when you're not being productive. TimeCamp keeps you on track.
• Attendance tracking. It's like having a digital attendance sheet. TimeCamp helps you keep tabs on who's working and when.

TimeCamp Pros

• Track hours. You can easily keep tabs on how many hours you've worked. 
• Manage workflow and track employees. If you have a team, TimeCamp helps you manage their work and monitor their time.
• Easy billing. You can bill clients or employees for their working hours without any hassle.
• Good user interface. TimeCamp looks nice and is easy to navigate.

TimeCamp Cons

• Steep learning curve. It may take time to learn all the ins and outs.
• Limited interface customization. You can't change how it looks as much as you might want.
• Exporting data in limited formats. You're kind of stuck with CSV for data export.

TimeCamp Pricing

• Free plan. You can try it out for free forever. All basic features are available for you with no limits.
• Starter plan. For $3.99 per user per month, you get higher efficiency at your fingertips: unlimited tasks, overtime tracking and other useful features added.
• Premium plan. At $7.99 per user per month, you boost your workflow and keep the budget on track. Profit and productivity features are added here.
• Ultimate plan. For $10.99 per user per month, you gain complete control over your time, enjoying management and security features along with all the others.
• Enterprise plan. If you're a big business, TimeCamp has custom solutions. Contact them for pricing.

Who TimeCamp Is Best For

TimeCamp is a friend to businesses and individuals who want to supercharge their productivity and stay on top of their time. If you're looking for a one-stop solution that helps you manage projects, track time, and streamline billing, TimeCamp is the way to go. It's a tool that works for everyone, from freelancers to big enterprises. Give it a shot and see how it can boost your efficiency.

4. Harvest

Harvest is a fantastic time management tool, which is also a pro at handling invoices and payments. This tool helps you keep projects on track and ensure you get paid. It's not just for keeping tabs on time; it's for keeping your business well-oiled and efficient.

Harvest Top Features

• Creating estimates and invoices. You can make estimates and invoices based on the time you've worked. It's just like having your own billing assistant.
• Time tracking anywhere. Whether you're on a browser, Mac, iPhone, or Android, you can track your time. It's super flexible.
• Integrations with your favorite tools. Harvest plays nicely with other project management tools like Zapier and Make. You can keep everything in sync.
• Real-time reports. Harvest gives you up-to-the-minute reports on how you're spending your time.

Harvest Pros

• Easy time tracking. Even if you're not a tech guru, you'll find time tracking a breeze.
• Intuitive reports. The reports are easy to understand, so you'll always know what's going on.
• Billing function. Billing is a piece of cake with Harvest. You won't break a sweat.
• Task and project management. You can manage tasks, roles, and projects for your clients easily.

Harvest Cons

• Only suitable for companies billing clients. Harvest is built for companies that bill clients for project hours. Other businesses need to do some workarounds.
• Limited customization and integrations. Some users have more demanding needs, and Harvest might not meet all of them.

Harvest Pricing

• Free plan. This is perfect if you're just starting. It's free forever and includes one seat and two projects.
• Pro plan. If you need more, the pro plan has unlimited seats and projects for $12 per seat per month.

Who Harvest Is Best For

Harvest is a friend to both students and businesses of all sizes. If you're in a company that bills clients for project hours and you want an easy way to track time, manage projects, and handle billing, Harvest is perfect. It's just like having a financial and project management assistant rolled into one. Give it a spin and see how it can make your business run smoother and more efficiently.

5. Chrometa

Chrometa is not your ordinary time management tool; it's a time-tracking genius. This app silently records the work you and your team do, like a background assistant. It even captures phone calls and text messages, turning every moment into billable time. It is perfect for project managers, accountants, lawyers, and freelancers. With Chrometa, you can monitor where your team members go on the web, which programs they use, and the URLs they visit.

Chrometa Top Features

• Automated time tracking. Chrometa takes care of tracking time for you. There's no need to press any buttons; it's all automatic.
• Invoicing. You can create invoices based on the time you've tracked, making billing easier.
• Project management. Chrometa helps you manage your projects effectively, keeping everything organized.
• Team management. You can keep tabs on your team's online activities, which is handy for project managers.

Chrometa Pros

• Affordability. Chrometa won't break the bank. It's a cost-effective solution for time tracking.
• Ease of use and intuitive interface. Chrometa's user-friendly interface ensures you won't get lost in complicated menus.

Chrometa Cons

• Lack of customer support options. Some users have found that getting help can be a bit challenging.

Chrometa Pricing

• Standard plan. For $19 per user per month, you can track time and run Chrometa on up to six connected devices, including laptops, desktops, and Android smartphones.
• Plus plan. At $29 per user per month, you get everything in the standard plan, plus the ability to store your data indefinitely and priority support.
• Premium plan. For $49 per user per month, you get everything in the plus plan and customizable solutions to meet your specific needs.

Who Chrometa Is Best For

Chrometa is an ideal tool for project managers, accountants, lawyers, and freelancers who need to keep a close eye on their team's activities. If you want an affordable, automatic time-tracking solution with a user-friendly interface, Chrometa is your go-to choice. Try it and see how it can improve your time management.

6. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a smart employee time-tracking tool that keeps a close eye on the time your team spends on projects and tasks. It allows employees to choose when they want to track their time and keep tabs on their activities. Besides recording work hours, it monitors website visits and desktop app usage. This tool generates reports on how your team uses time, providing insights into their productivity.

Hubstaff Top Features

• Tracking time with screenshots. Hubstaff captures snapshots to validate work activities, offering a visual record of tasks.
• Billing clients for projects. It helps create project invoices based on the time spent, simplifying client billing.
• Reporting on team time usage. Hubstaff provides comprehensive reports on how your team utilizes time.
• Emailing custom reports to clients. You can share tailored reports with your clients via email for transparent communication.
• Payments based on time worked. It facilitates streamlined payment processes for employees, ensuring they are compensated fairly.

Hubstaff Pros

• Screenshot proof. The tool takes screenshots as evidence of the work completed, adding transparency.
• Time division. It breaks down time spent into different activities, providing detailed insights.
• Previous activities and productivity line. You can review past activities and assess productivity trends.

Hubstaff Cons

• Not so user-friendly interface. Some users find the interface slightly complex and not very intuitive.
• Precision causing stress. The tool's accuracy might sometimes lead to some stress among users.

Hubstaff Pricing

• Free plan. Available for a single user, offering essential functionalities at no cost.
• Starter plan. Priced at $4.99 per user per month with a minimum requirement of 2 users. Reports and payments are limited, though time tracking and time sheets are available here.
• Grow plan. Costs $7.50 per user per month, also with a 2-user minimum. Here, the Tasks feature is added, making the organization of your work easier.
• Team plan. Available at $10.00 per user per month, with the same 2-user minimum. Many features like clients budgets and chat support are added.
• Enterprise plan. Customizable solutions tailored to specific needs. You can contact them for a personalized plan.

Who Hubstaff Is Best For

Hubstaff is perfect for businesses aiming to track time accurately and monitor employee activities. It's an ideal fit for teams requiring detailed insights into time usage. If you value precision and transparency in time tracking, Hubstaff can be a game-changer. However, the interface might take some getting used to, and its precise tracking might cause slight stress for some users. It's a tool for those who seek thorough reporting and structured time monitoring for enhanced productivity and client communication.

7. Clockify

Clockify is a fantastic time-tracking app offering free unlimited user and project tracking. It's your go-to tool for monitoring work hours, maximizing productivity, and gaining insights into work patterns. With its user-friendly interface, Clockify supports individuals, teams, and businesses in keeping tabs on billable hours, boosting time management, and analyzing team performance.

Clockify Top Features

• Timekeeping. Clockify is your reliable time tracker, ensuring accurate timekeeping for tasks.
• Reporting. It generates detailed reports, providing insights into how time is being utilized.
• Team management. Clockify facilitates the organization of tasks for clients and an even distribution of workload among employees.

Clockify Pros

• Task organization for clients. Allows efficient organization of tasks for different clients.
• Workload distribution. Equally distributes workload among team members.
• Free and low-priced plans. Offers a free version and cost-effective plans.
• Simple and easy to use. Clockify boasts a user-friendly and straightforward interface.

Clockify Cons

• Lacks customization for job separation. It could offer more customizable options for separating different jobs.
• Lacks invoicing feature. It doesn't have a built-in feature for creating invoices.

Clockify Pricing

• Basic plan. Administration features for $3.99 per user/month if billed annually or $4.99 monthly.
• Standard plan. Timesheeting and billing capabilities for $5.49 per user/month if billed annually or $6.99 monthly.
• Pro plan. Productivity and profit insights for $7.99 per user/month if billed annually or $9.99 monthly.
• Enterprise plan. Control and security features for $11.99 per user/month if billed annually or $14.99 monthly.

Who Clockify Is Best For

Clockify is the ideal time and attendance software for businesses handling hybrid teams, combining on-site and remote employees. The cloud-based dashboard is easily accessible from any computer or mobile device, offering various project and task-tracking functionalities. With its features, Clockify is perfect for managing and optimizing work hours, making it a top choice for businesses seeking productivity insights and effective time management. 

8. DeskTime

DeskTime is more than just a time-tracking tool; it's a productivity powerhouse with extra workforce management capabilities. It acts as an automatic time-tracking center, optimizing productivity by providing insights into work hours. 

DeskTime Top Features

• Time tracking. DeskTime tracks the time employees spend on different tasks, providing accurate data on work hours. It helps understand where time is being used and aids in productivity assessment.
• Performance evaluation. The software ranks users based on their performance, offering insights into their productivity levels. This feature helps in identifying high-performing individuals or areas that might need improvement.
• Reports. DeskTime generates detailed reports, offering a comprehensive overview of how time is spent. These reports help in analyzing productivity trends and making data-driven decisions.
• Scheduling. This feature helps in organizing and planning work schedules efficiently. It aids in task allocation and ensures a systematic approach to managing workloads.

DeskTime Pros

• Productivity tracking. DeskTime effectively tracks productivity, shedding light on how time is spent.
• Activity screenshots. It captures desktop screenshots to provide a visual record of work activities.
• User performance rankings. It ranks users based on their performance, offering insights into productivity levels.
• Comprehensive work hour insights. It provides an overview of all hours worked, including arrival and departure times.

DeskTime Cons

• Inability to disable DeskTime. Users cannot turn off the DeskTime application, which might be a limitation for some.
• Lack of task tracking. It lacks a specific feature for tracking individual tasks, which could be a drawback for users seeking this functionality.

DeskTime Pricing

• Pro plan. Priced at $7 per user per month.
• Premium plan. Available at $10 per user per month.
• Enterprise plan. Offered at $20 per user per month.

Who DeskTime Is Best For

DeskTime is a cloud-based time tracking software tailored to monitor productivity and manage workflows, ideally suited for freelance employees and small teams. It's particularly beneficial for businesses employing remote workers who require regular updates on progress and significant developments. 

9. Monday

Monday.com is one of the top tools for cloud-based time management and work organization, suitable for businesses of varying scales. This system empowers users with code-free automation capabilities, reducing human error and allowing more focus on impactful work. Alongside time management, the platform fosters seamless communication and collaboration within a shared workspace. Integration with existing tools streamlines workflows, ensuring enhanced productivity. Users can easily track time using the mobile app from any location.

Monday Top Features

• Exact time frames. Offers precise time management capabilities, ensuring accuracy in time tracking.
• On-the-go tracking. Enables users to track time remotely, ensuring flexibility and adaptability.
• Flexible reports. Generates adaptable and detailed reports, providing insights into work hours and tasks.

Monday Pros

• Free forever plan for two users. Monday.com offers a free plan suitable for smaller teams, allowing users to explore its features at no cost.
• Intuitive and user-friendly. The platform boasts an intuitive interface, making it easy to adapt and use effectively.
• Simple file and report sharing. Enables easy collaboration through straightforward sharing of files and reports.
• Goal setting and OKRs. Supports goal setting and alignment through Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).

Monday Cons

• Limitations on the free plan. Some features like time tracking and chart view are available only on the pro plan, limiting functionality for free plan users.
• Mobile app limitations. The mobile app version lacks the robustness of the desktop version, potentially impacting user experience on mobile devices.

Monday Pricing

• Free plan. $0 per seat per month for up to two users.
• Basic plan. $8 per seat per month, allowing unlimited users to access the platform.
• Standard plan. $10 per seat per month, offering additional features like calendar view and guest access.
• Pro plan. $16 per seat per month, introducing additional features and functionality like private boards, chart view, and time tracking.
• Enterprise plan. Tailored pricing based on specific business requirements and needs. You can contact them from here.

Who Monday Is Best For

Teams of any size looking for visual, user-friendly time management software within a comprehensive work management system benefit from Monday.com. It's a tool designed to enhance work organization and productivity, offering a seamless environment for effective collaboration and streamlined workflow management. While the free plan has limitations, the platform provides scalable solutions for diverse business needs. It's an excellent solution for efficient work management and team collaboration.

10. ClickUp

ClickUp extends beyond standard project management, offering robust project time tracking features that prioritize work focus over time tracking. With the capability to set time estimates and analyze time usage, it presents an advanced solution for work management. Also, ClickUp facilitates time blocking within its platform, allowing users to plan their workdays effectively and encouraging concentrated work to avoid workflow interruptions. It is a centralized hub for documentation, resource management, and task-specific time tracking, streamlining communication and task management without switching between apps.

ClickUp Top Features

• Tracking time from multiple environments. Allows tracking time from various work environments for comprehensive monitoring.
• Global timer. Offers a unified timer for easy and synchronized time tracking across tasks.
• Manual tracking and editing. Provides the flexibility to track and edit time entries manually.

ClickUp Pros

• Good customer support. ClickUp offers reliable and helpful customer support to assist users.
• Quick commands. Features quick commands for efficient navigation and task management.
• Modern, intuitive UI. Boasts a contemporary and user-friendly interface, enhancing the overall user experience.
• Affordable paid plans. Provides cost-effective paid plans suitable for diverse business needs.

ClickUp Cons

• Overwhelming customizations. Customization options might initially seem overwhelming to new users.
• Limited views on the app. Some ClickUp views are not yet available on the mobile app, impacting its functionality.

ClickUp Pricing

• Free plan. $0, providing essential features like a calendar view and unlimited tasks for users exploring the platform.
• Unlimited plan. $7 per user per month, offering expanded functionalities like unlimited storage and integrations for a cost-effective solution.
• Business plan. $12 per user per month, introducing additional features like advanced time tracking and Google SSO for more significant business needs.
• Enterprise plan. Custom pricing is available upon contacting sales, catering to unique business requirements.

Who ClickUp Is Best For

ClickUp caters to users and businesses seeking an easy-to-use and cost-effective time management solution that goes beyond typical project management software. It's ideal for those looking to centralize their work management, optimize time tracking, and promote concentrated work efforts. While customization might feel overwhelming initially, ClickUp offers an intuitive and modern user interface, making it a practical choice for businesses of varying sizes and needs.

Choosing the Right Time Management Tool for You

When choosing the best time management tool for yourself or your business, start by clearly defining your specific needs and goals. Look for tools that offer features like time tracking, task management, and project organization, ensuring they align with your workflow and are user-friendly. Consider cost, scalability, integrations with existing software, and customer support. 

The right tool should streamline your work, promote better task organization, enhance productivity, and track time effectively across teams. By using these tools, individuals and businesses can significantly boost their productivity, manage time efficiently, track progress, and improve overall performance. 

Embrace these time management solutions to take charge of your schedule, accomplish tasks more effectively, and meet goals. Don't delay — use these tools today to experience improved time management and increased productivity in your daily activities.

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