7 Hubstaff alternatives to try in 2026
What are the best Hubstaff alternatives?
The best Hubstaff alternatives are time tracking tools that match your budget, respect employee privacy, and add project management features Hubstaff lacks.
- ClickUp, Time Doctor, and Toggl Track lead for teams that want tracking plus workflow tools.
- Apploye and Harvest suit freelancers and small teams that bill by the hour.
- DeskTime and Timeular focus on productivity and privacy-friendly tracking.
Every business could use handy productivity and time management software. Tools like these help you track time and stay on top of your tasks. Hubstaff is a great example, but it is not the only option. In fact, it has some limits compared to other choices. So this guide highlights seven of the best Hubstaff alternatives you can use to manage your team just as easily.
List of Hubstaff alternatives
What is Hubstaff?
Hubstaff is a time tracking software that companies use to manage their workplace. It offers many tools that keep your team organized and productive. These include:
- Time tracking
- Project management
- Progress reports
- Team management
- Talent acquisition
- Employee monitoring
As a stand-alone tracker, it works well. Still, many teams look at other time tracking software before they commit.
Why choose a Hubstaff alternative?
With all these handy features, Hubstaff sounds like the perfect tool. However, it does come with limits and trade-offs.
First, Hubstaff can be pricey. Per-user plans add up fast for a large team. In fact, some tools do everything Hubstaff does for free.
Next, Hubstaff can take screenshots and reveal the search history of your staff. As a result, some people view this as an invasion of privacy. Because of this, many managers prefer lighter employee monitoring software that tracks work without feeling intrusive.
An alternative with automatic time tracking, monitoring, and scheduling can still boost output across your team. Finally, Hubstaff lacks some project management functions, such as collaboration tools and workflow views.
7 best Hubstaff alternatives in 2026
Listed below are seven of the best Hubstaff alternatives you can use in your company.
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one workflow tool that keeps everyone on the same page. All your key tasks and files sit in one central hub that is easy to use.
ClickUp is known as a strong time tracking tool, with a tracker that lifts output and project visibility. Its GPS tracking also adds accountability and makes remote work smoother. Meanwhile, a global timer and more than 15 workflow views let you follow your team’s progress.
You can also customize your dashboard and timesheets for a closer look at productivity. Its flexible tracking works from any device or window. In addition, you can build reports by billable vs. non-billable hours.
2. Apploye
Apploye has a clean interface that helps teams of any size track time and progress. On top of that, it adds payroll and scheduling, which is great for larger remote teams. It also works on both desktop and mobile.
Its simple timesheet lets you view worked hours and idle time at a glance. You can even see time spent on apps or URLs. Better still, payroll is figured out from the hourly rate and time tracked, which saves hours of admin. Finally, you can split work into separate projects and watch the cost of each one.
3. Time Doctor
Time Doctor helps you track the time spent on a task, project, or client. As a result, you get a clear view of where your team is most and least productive. You can then turn these numbers into reports.
Users can break tasks into subtasks and set time limits for each one. So it is easier to manage time and set priorities. If idle time creeps up, you can set custom alerts to get people back on track. Meanwhile, billable and non-billable hours are tracked apart, which keeps payments clear. One of its best features is easy integration with apps like Slack, Google Apps, and Zapier.
4. DeskTime
DeskTime has a classic tracking feature that watches website and app use. Still, it has plenty of standout tools too. One is its Pomodoro Timer, which reminds users to take a break after a set time. As a result, it helps prevent work burnout from long hours at the desk.
Another useful tool is its private time feature. It stops tracking when a worker steps out for a personal task. So it tells managers and coworkers that the person is busy, not idle. This software also tracks vacation and absence, which shows managers when they are short-staffed. Beyond these, DeskTime has all the makings of solid workplace management software.
5. Toggl Track
Toggl Track is a Swiss army knife of workplace tools. It handles billing, invoicing, and payroll with ease. It is one of the newer tools that allows both online and offline tracking. So it is handy for freelancers and remote staff who work with global teams.
Another plus is automatic time tracking. In addition, you can connect it to other tools, plus Chrome and Firefox extensions. Users can view progress reports quickly, with numbers shown in a clear, visual way. For teams that work across time zones, pairing Toggl with offline time tracking software keeps records accurate even without a connection.
6. Harvest
Harvest is another great option for freelancers, small businesses, and creatives. It puts billable hours and project management first. Users can quickly see how much time went into each task. So it is easier to manage time well.
If you find yourself slacking off, you can set custom reminders to get back on track. You can also turn this data into a detailed report for more insight. On top of that, Harvest makes it easy to email invoices, thanks to PayPal and Stripe support. It also links with other management tools like Asana and Trello.
7. Timeular
Timeular lets you track hours in many ways, such as through a calendar, phone, or shortcuts. Unlike tools that take screenshots, Timeular respects privacy and skips that feature. So it is a good fit for teams that value trust.
Besides tracking output, it makes billable hours and budgets easy to follow in one report. Managers can also watch overtime and leave, which shows their true available manpower. This tool is more hands-on too. You can pair time with its Tracker cube, which logs time with a single flip.
How to choose the best Hubstaff alternative
To pick the right Hubstaff alternative, weigh project management features, core functions, tracking, monitoring, and offline options. There are even more tools than this guide covers. So if you are stuck, here is a short list of criteria to help you decide.
- Price – Some tools come with a free plan, but these have limits. Choose the most cost-friendly plan for your needs.
- Features – An ideal tool has everything you need to do your tasks. Naturally, more features come at a higher price.
- User interface – You want simple software that everyone can use, with progress that is easy to see.
- Privacy – Some tools take screenshots of the screen. However, this can feel invasive. So decide if features like these are truly needed.
Other key features to weigh include detailed reports, invoicing, and custom dashboards. For remote teams, it also helps to pair the right tool with strong remote team management practices. Finally, check the tracking features closely, so they support accurate records of hours and output. Many teams also lean on employee productivity apps to round out their setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main reason to switch from Hubstaff?
Most teams switch for price, privacy, or missing project tools. Hubstaff can cost more as your team grows. Its screenshots can also feel intrusive. So a lighter tool often fits better.
Are there free Hubstaff alternatives?
Yes. Tools like ClickUp and Toggl Track offer free plans. These plans have limits, but they work well for small teams. So you can test them before you pay.
Which Hubstaff alternative is best for freelancers?
Harvest and Apploye are strong picks for freelancers. Both track billable hours with ease. They also make invoicing simple. As a result, you get paid faster.
Do these tools track time without screenshots?
Yes. Timeular is built around privacy and skips screenshots. DeskTime also offers a private time feature. So your team can track work without feeling watched.
Can these tools handle remote teams?
Yes. Most of these tools support online and offline tracking. Many also add scheduling and payroll. So they suit remote and hybrid teams of any size.
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