These Are The 5 Best Time Tracking Software for Architects

Architects require precise time-tracking tools to manage complex projects and ensure profitability. Unfortunately, this can mean that popular solutions don’t always cut it.

To help architects find a time tracking tool to suit their needs, we conducted a thorough analysis of the best solutions to assess how well they met the needs of an architectural practice. By looking at industry specific features, integrations with common architecture software and overall value for money, we came up with a top 5 list that should have something for architects large and small.

Overview of Top Time Tracking Software for Architects

Choosing the right time-tracking software can be confusing, primarily because there are now so many different options. For architects, the tool you choose should not only track time but also integrate seamlessly with your other software. Here are a few of the best time-tracking tools tailored for architects:

• Best for Automated Productivity Monitoring: TimeCamp
• Best for Simplifying Client Billing: Harvest
• Best for Multi-Device Support and Customizable Reports: Toggl Track
• Best all-in-one time and team management tool: Everhour
• Best for AI-Powered Automatic Time Tracking: Timely

Each of these products brings something unique to the table. From automated productivity monitoring to AI-powered tracking, these tools are designed to meet the needs of architecture and engineering firms:

We are going to take a look at these products and highlight each of their unique features, advantages, disadvantages, and the reasons why they are so popular.

1. TimeCamp – Best for Automated Productivity Monitoring

TimeCamp is one of the most popular time-tracking programs on the market today, due in part to the fact that it is able to work with more than 80 other apps. It also offers a free plan that can help you decide if this kind of technology is right for you.

Pros:

• Automated administrative work and productivity monitoring
• Visual reporting on productivity and budgeting
• Integration with over 80 popular apps
• Free forever plan

Cons:

• Clock-in time does not replicate with system time

For architects in search of automated productivity monitoring and efficient workflows, TimeCamp is a great choice. It helps to automate administrative tasks and monitor productivity so it is ideal for busy architects who need to focus on design and project management.

TimeCamp also offers features like automatic keyword-based time tracking and timesheets. This means that you can significantly reduce the manual effort required for time logging.

Another of the most popular features of TimeCamp is its visual reporting capability. This feature provides insights into productivity and time management, particularly in terms of budgeting. A minor drawback of this product is that the clock-in time is not always synchronized to actual time which can be a problem.

Price:

TimeCamp offers four different pricing plans – Starter, Premium, Ultimate, and Enterprise. The Starter package is $2.99 per user, per month when billed annually. The more versatile Premium package starts at $4.99 per user, per month when billed annually.

The Ultimate package is priced at $7.99 per user, per month when billed annually and includes a number of extra features including screenshots and unlimited integrations. Finally, the Enterprise package is priced at $11.99 per user, per month and includes everything TimeCamp offers.

Finally, there is a free trial offer available so you can see for yourself if TimeCamp is right for you.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 4/5
• Ease of Use: 4.5/5
• Features: 4.5/5

2. Harvest – Best for Simplifying Client Billing

Harvest is a comprehensive time-tracking tool that is also extremely user-friendly. This balance is what makes it so popular among architectural firms that are looking to expedite billing and payments without a lot of training.

Pros:

• Comprehensive time-tracking, billing, and payments
• Simplifies client billing

Cons:

• None that we have identified.

Harvest is the preferred choice because of its comprehensive time tracking, invoicing, and payment features. These all serve to help streamline complex processes and ensure that architects can bill clients accurately. What this really means to an architect is that they can spend less time on admin and more time on creativity.

The user-friendly interface and robust billing capabilities of Harvest certainly set it apart from the competition. By automating invoicing and payments, Harvest enhances efficiency and ensures that clients are billed accurately and on time.

Price:

Harvest offers two pricing models – Regular and Pro. The Regular package is free and allows one user to manage up to two projects. The Pro package starts at $10.80 per user, per month and allows unlimited users and unlimited projects. There is a savings of 10% when you purchase a year at a time.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 4/5
• Ease of Use: 4.5/5
• Features: 4.5/5

3. Toggl Track – Best for Multi-Device Support and Customizable Reports

Toggl Track is a leading time-tracking product that works as well on a desktop as it does on a tablet or phone. It is known for being particularly easy to use with a minimum of training needed to get up and running.

Pros:

• Cross-platform support for web, mobile, and desktop
• Highly intuitive and easy to use
• Customizable time reporting software
• Detailed analytics with widgets for tracked time and total billables

Cons:

• None that we have identified

Toggl Track is an indispensable tool for those who require cross-platform support. It allows architects to track time on any device, whether it’s a web browser, mobile app, or desktop application. This means that no matter where you or your staff are, you will be able to track time and sync it up later.

This product’s customizable reporting software allows users to generate detailed, personalized reports that can include a variety of metrics. They can be viewed in a number of different ways, including bar and pie charts, too. In short, Toggl Track is for those who have minimal technical skills but still want a full-featured product.

Price:

Toggl Track offers four different packages – Free, Starter, Premium, and Enterprise. The Free package allows unlimited time tracking for up to five users. The Starter package costs $9 per user, per month and is built for small teams.

The Premium package is currently on sale at $18 per user, per month and includes features such as single sign-on (SSO) and timesheet approvals. Finally, the Enterprise package is designed for larger organizations and a price can be customized to your needs.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 4.5/5
• Ease of Use: 5/5
• Features: 4.5/5

4. Everhour – Best All-in-One Time and Team Management Tool

Having a time tracker is obviously important for architects, but having a tool that enables team communication and management is even better. Everhour is the leading team management product that integrates time-tracking and visual planning in the same, easy-to-use package.

Pros:

• Comprehensive time-tracking and team management capabilities
• Seamless integration with project management tools like Asana and Trello
• Enhances team communication and task allocation
• Visual planning tools like Gantt charts and project timelines

Cons:

• None that we have been able to identify

Everhour is the leading comprehensive management tool for architects, catering perfectly to teams seeking all-in-one time and team management solutions. Some of the features it includes are:

• Time tracking
• Precision tracking for project hours
• Budgeting
• Client invoicing
• Payroll

The unique appeal of this product is that it simply makes team communication and task allocation a whole lot easier. The tool includes visual planning tools like Gantt charts and project timelines, which are essential tools. Additionally, Everhour integrates seamlessly with popular project management tools like Asana and Trello.

Price:

Everhour offers two different pricing plans – a free plan and a team plan. The free package allows for a maximum of five users and offers a limited number of features. The team plan is priced at $10 per user, per month but once you get on this plan, you cannot downgrade back to the free plan.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 4/5
• Ease of Use: 4.5/5
• Features: 5/5

5. Timely – Best for AI-Powered Automatic Time-Tracking

Timely is widely seen as the leader in AI-powered time-tracking technology. It is an easy product to use, does not have a steep learning curve, and meets the needs of many small companies.

Pros:

• AI-powered automatic time-tracking
• Non-invasive and efficient time-tracking solution
• Detailed record of work done

Cons:

• None that we have identified

For architects seeking a non-invasive and efficient time-tracking solution, Timely is a powerful tool. Its AI-powered automatic time tracking is able to monitor meetings, emails, websites, and documents with ease. This type of feature is particularly beneficial for busy architects who need to focus on their core tasks.

The AI Memory tracker is unique in that it aids architects in pinpointing where time is lost during the day. By identifying time sinks, balancing workloads, and preserving a thorough record of all tasks completed, everyone will work more efficiently.

Price:

Timely offers three packages – Build, Elevate, and Innovate. The Build package starts at $20 per user, with reduced prices for each additional user. The Elevate package starts at $35 per user with reduced prices for each additional user. The Innovate package starts at $40 per user with reduced prices for each additional user.

There is a free trial available for all of these products.

Rating:

• Price: 4/5
• Design: 4.5/5
• Ease of Use: 4.5/5
• Features: 5/5

How Time Tracking Tools Can Increase Profitability for Architect Firms

According to American Institute of Architects, the biggest concern for architects is balancing the increasing costs of business with flat revenue growth to maintain and increase profitability. Costs are currently driven by higher labor and higher materials costs as a result of inflation. On top of that, finding new clients is tougher for some architect firms, since many clients are struggling with getting financing for their projects due to higher interest rates. 

One way to cost cut efficiently may be to invest in a time tracking tool. Time tracking software can help with precisely tracking billed hours and making sure your firm gets paid via their invoicing and billing tools. This could be helpful for firms in a situation where new contracts designs are declining and thus billings are decreasing.  

It also can identify areas where labor could be optimized better to give better returns via their built-in analytics reports. 

In addition, by not having to worry too much about manually tracking your hours (some systems automate the whole thing), architects can focus on acquiring new clients in new industries especially in the current challenging macro-economic climate.  

Certain time tracking tools even include full team management and communication components. This means your firm could be more collaborative and efficient as a whole, opening the possibility of working on a more diverse mix of projects in different sectors.

For example, manufacturing is strong right now due to government spending, while commercial office real estate is in a persistent downtrend due to the work from home trend.

How to Choose the Best Time-Tracking Software for Architects

Choosing the best time-tracking software for architects means determining what your particular needs are. The first step is determining what platforms you need the product to work on. Ideally, the software should be compatible with most of the following:

• Windows
• MacOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Web

Having a product that offers detailed reports is also important. Because architects need insights into productivity trends and employee performance, a high-powered tool that offers multiple reporting systems is also essential. Tools such as visual charts can be very helpful.

Employee monitoring is something that you should not exclude from your list of product requirements. Real-time activity tracking, apps and URL tracking, and GPS tracking can help you to keep your team members in line and focused on the job. Lastly, before investing in time-tracking software, architects should ask questions tailored to their specific needs and workflow.

Consider factors such as:

• Payroll management
• Invoice generation
• Project and task tracking
• Timesheets
• Idle time tracking
• Manual time entry

Final Thoughts

The right time-tracking software can improve the efficiency and productivity of architecture firms in a short period of time. From automated productivity monitoring with TimeCamp to comprehensive client billing with Harvest, there is a tool for every company. Toggl Track’s multi-device support and customizable reports, Everhour’s all-in-one management capabilities, and Timely’s AI-powered tracking are suitable for many different types and sizes of firms.

Take the time to determine your specific needs and workflow situation and look for a product that meets your needs. Key features to look for include multi-platform support, detailed reporting, employee monitoring capabilities, and seamless integration with other project management tools.