Are you the productivity decision maker for your crew and struggling to choose between Timely and Toggl for time tracking? Both tools look great and seem amazing, making it all the more difficult to make a decision right?
Time-tracking tools can significantly boost productivity and project management, but choosing the right one is crucial. This ‘toggl vs timely’ comparison will help you decide which app best fits your workflow.
We dived deep to explore key features, pricing, and user experience to guide your decision. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which tool aligns with your needs, whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger team.
Key Takeaways (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
- Timely focuses on automated time tracking, leveraging AI for users who prefer minimal manual input, while Toggl offers both manual and automated tracking options for flexibility.
- Toggl excels in reporting and customization features, allowing users to create custom reports, tailor insights, and generate detailed reports to analyze exactly how your time is spent
- Timely excels in streamlined invoicing and real-time project insight tools powered by AI, as well as optimizing your project budget and costs.
- Pricing differs. Toggl provides a free plan and extensive integrations, making it cost-effective for small teams. Timely has a limited free trial and is pricier but provides advanced project management and AI-driven insights worth the price.
Overview of Timely and Toggl
Ever wonder where your workday goes? You’re not alone. Time tracking apps like Timely and Toggl are designed to answer that question and boost productivity.
But being more than just digital stopwatches, these tools are practically full blown project team management platforms and have revolutionized how businesses manage time and productivity.
What we love about time tracking software like Timely and Toggl is the automation and streamlining of the tracking of work hours, which eliminates manual entries and the headaches that come with it.
These time tracking tools offer several key benefits:
- They enhance employee productivity
- They improve accountability and project management
- They provide transparency in work processes, helping managers allocate resources more effectively and understand workloads better.
What is Timely?
Timely, founded in December 2011 by Ryan Baker, Andrew Schofield, and Will Berger, has grown into a global appointment booking software used by spas and salons across the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Timely takes a hands-off approach to time management, using AI and automatic time tracking to do the heavy lifting for you.
Here’s what makes Timely stand out:
- AI-powered automatic tracking: It monitors and categorizes your activities without you needing to start or stop timers.
- Learning capability: The more you use it, the better it gets at categorizing your time.
- Privacy-focused: Your data remains private until you choose to share it.
- ‘Memories’ feature: This provides an easy-to-review summary of your activities, simplifying the tracking process.
Timely is particularly useful for those who prefer minimal interruption to their workflow, such as creative professionals, developers or SAAS businesses who often get deeply focused on their tasks. Simply get to work and it does the rest.
What is Toggl Track?
Toggl Track, formerly known simply as Toggl, was founded by Alari Aho, the company’s CEO. It started as an Estonian IT company in the early 2000s and launched its time-tracking tool around 2008.
Toggl Track offers a more versatile time-tracking approach, catering to various preferences and work styles.
Key features of Toggl Track include:
- Manual and automatic tracking options: You can choose how to log your time.
- User-friendly interface: It’s designed to be intuitive and easy to use; also has a desktop app
- Extensive integrations: With over 145 integrations, it can fit into many existing workflows.
- Customizable reporting: Its Analytics hub offers a range of options for visualizing and analyzing your time data.
Toggl Track’s flexibility suits many users, from freelancers juggling multiple projects to larger teams collaborating on complex tasks.
Time Tracking
Timely
Timely stands out as an AI-powered tool that recognizes your work patterns and suggests time logs. As you continue to work it will learn you and automatically track your time and work and categorize it for you.
It also has a fancy Memory app feature that does basically the same thing. It records literally everything you do so you can fill out your time sheet later.
Here’s why Timely’s approach is super helpful to you:
- No need to worry about those “Oh shoot, I forgot to start the timer” moments. You can focus on your work without interruption.
- You won’t have to guess how long that meeting really took. Timely gives you a photographic memory of your workday.
- The data doesn’t lie, so you can be confident on exactly how you are spending your time
- Plan your time and see how it compares to reality. Spoiler alert: We’re not always as productive as we think!
The drawback is if you’re a fan of manually hitting that start/stop button, you might miss having a traditional stopwatch feature.
Toggl Track:
What we like about Toggl Track is it does well in pretty much every category of your time tracking experience.
Some standout features:
- The mobile app lets you track offline and syncs when you have an internet connection again. Great for spotty internet situations.
- If you’re familiar with the Pomodoro Technique, there is a built in tool. Work for 25 minutes, break for 5. Lather, rinse, repeat!
- Switch between manual and automatic tracking fast
This flexibility is a game-changer because, let’s face it, not every day is the same. One day, you’re in back-to-back meetings; the next, you’re deep in code, and sometimes you’re juggling a bit of everything.
Time Tracking – Winner?
A draw, with the better choice depending on individual or team preferences:
- Choose Timely if you prioritize automation and minimal manual input.
- Opt for Toggl Track if you value flexibility in tracking methods and more productivity options.
Project Management Capabilities
Timely: The AI-Powered Project Whisperer
Keeping with the AI theme, Timely has some cool features that can get your project running all powered by AI in the background, including:
- AI-powered planning: great for seeing how to best approach your project based on the resources you have available
- Team and project management tools: Create projects, assign team members, assign tasks and assign budgets all on one dashboard. Keeping everyone on the same page becomes pretty easy
- Smooth onboarding of new team members and even assign tasks to them based on the project
- Real time updates on how your team is progressing on tasks
- Project costs and budget insights: You can even assign a budget to each member and track how the time and money flows
- Task lists: When your brain feels like a browser with 100 open tabs.
The drawback is Timely’s task management feature comes with a little extra price tag—$5 per user per month.
Toggl Track:
Toggl Track project management features are more basic and include:
- Organization hub: This is your one-stop shop for keeping clients and projects organized and assigning tasks and setting up groups.
- Task assignments and to-do list manager: No more guessing who’s supposed to do what.
- Time estimates: So you know exactly what expectations to set with your clients.
- Project forecasting: So you know if this project will be profitable or not
- User permissions: Control who sees what. Because sometimes, what happens in accounting should stay in accounting!
Oh, and here’s a pro tip: If your projects change often, both tools let you adjust on the fly. But if you find yourself doing the project shuffle regularly, you might want to check how easy it is to bulk edit entries. We know Timely has a feature for this already.
Trust me, in the future, you will thank yourself for thinking ahead!
Project Management – Winner?
Timely
- Timely offers a more comprehensive and advanced project management solution that would suit a wider range of users and project types. It wins because of its AI-driven insights and automation, plus assigning and tracking of budget costs.
- Toggl Track has basic client and project organization features, tasks assignments, and project forecasting features. It’s nice and flexible, but not top tier stuff. But Toggle could work if your team already has a project management platform like Monday or Asana.
Team Management
Timely
Timely has a few features that make managing your team effective and seamless including:
- People Dashboard: Great for seeing what everyone is doing all in one place
- Idle detection: helps to keep team members productive and working when they should be…well working
- Location tracking: helpful if you have team members who travel from different sites
Toggl
Toggle on the other hand doesn’t have much beyond the basic team management features you usually find in most tools. They do have:
- Team reminders to make sure everyone is tracking time appropriately
- Project and team level permissions to make sure people have access to the projects they are supposed to be working on
Team Management – Winner?
Timely takes this one since it has more team management features and employee monitoring capabilities.
Reporting and Analytics
Timely: The Fortune Teller of Time Tracking
Timely is like having a psychic on your payroll (minus the crystal ball and flowing robes). Here’s what it brings to the table:
- Automated reports: Your data magically organizes itself using the data the AI learned about your operations
- Time visualization: So you can easily see where your hours go in a nice colorful graphic
- Live reports: Real-time updates for your clients.
- Custom reports: Doughnut charts (not an actual doughnut!), bar charts and more to analyze the exact data you want to see
- Manual time range setting: Sometimes, you want to look back at last week, not just yesterday.
Timely is perfect for those who want their reports served up with minimal fuss.
Toggl Track: The Master Chef of Data Insights
Here is what Toggl cooks up:
- Flexible custom reporting: If you can dream it, you can probably get a report on it with tons of customization options from time spent on projects to which tasks are returning the most ROI.
- Widgets and dashboards: Build your perfect data buffet.
- Colorful analytics: Because who said data can’t be pretty?
- Organization hub: All your metrics in one place.
Toggl Track is for those who like to roll up their sleeves and dive into the data.
Pro tip: Consider how much time you want to spend creating reports versus analyzing them as you decide between both tools.
Reporting and Analytics – Winner?
Toggl has the slight edge with its customization, depth of analysis, visualization, flexibility, and metric details.
Timely might be preferable if users prioritize automated reporting and simple real-time updates.
Integrations
Timely: The Intimate Dinner Party
Timely takes a quality over quantity approach with integrations. Here’s how it mingles:
- 15 BFFs: Timely’s got a tight-knit group of 15 app buddies, including popular kids like Trello and Office 365.
- Zapier wingman: If Timely’s 15 besties aren’t enough, Zapier’s there to introduce it to the rest of the app world.
- Toggl Track integration: Interestingly enough Timely and Toggl Track can actually work together.
Timely is perfect for those who like their digital ecosystem, tight-knit and deeply connected. It’s quality over quantity!
Toggl Track: The Networking Extravaganza
Toggl Track acts like the life of the party, and everyone’s invited! Here’s its social calendar:
- 145+ connections: Toggl Track’s got more integrations than you’ve got socks.
- Ten besties: Toggl’s huge network includes ten ride-or-die app pals, including Asana and Jira.
- API for the win: Toggl Track’s API is like an open invitation to its party. Developers can BYOB (Build Your Own Bridge) to connect with Toggl.
- Automation nation: With friends like Zapier, Toggl Track can automate faster than you can say, “If This, Then That.”
Toggl Track is for those who want the maximum app connections possible. The more connections, the merrier!
Pro tip: Think about the apps you use daily. Are they on Timely’s guest list, or do you need Toggl Track’s huge network to get everyone talking?
Integrations – Winner?
Toggl Track is the winner because of its many integrations, API, Native integrations, and versatility.
As always, the “winning” tool depends on a user’s needs. Timely might be the better choice for users who primarily work with the tools Timely integrates with and prefer deeper, more automated integrations.
User Experience
Toggl Track
- Clean and intuitive: It’s so easy to use, and even your technophobe uncle could figure it out (maybe).
- Minimalist vibes: It’s got very few distractions which makes focusing effortless.
- Nifty sidebar for faster navigation.
- Pomodoro power: The mobile app has a built-in Pomodoro timer for enhanced productivity.
Toggl Track is perfect for those who like their apps like they like their coffee – smooth, no fuss, and gets the job done.
Timely
- Visually rich: It’s got more eye candy than a dessert buffet.
- Organizational wizard: Its hierarchy is clear and smooth, so finding stuff is a breeze!
- Function over flash: It might not win a beauty pageant, but it’ll win the “Most Likely to Get Stuff Done” award.
- Sync sensation: Desktop or mobile, it easily syncs your work
Timely is for those who like their apps to work as hard as they do, even if it means sacrificing a bit of that “cool factor.”
Mobile Madness: The On-The-Go Showdown
Both Timely and Toggl Track have mobile apps because, let’s face it, who doesn’t work on their phone these days?
- Timely’s mobile moves: It’s got all the features of its big desktop brother. But sometimes there are stability issues.
- Toggl Track’s pocket power: This bad boy can track time offline even without Wifi and sync when you’re back online
Pro tip: Think about where and how you work most often. Are you always on the go and need something super simple? Or do you like to settle in and have all your tools at your fingertips?
User Experience – Winner?
Toggl Track has an advantage in terms of overall user experience with its user-friendly approach and additional mobile features.
The “winner” ultimately depends on user preferences:
- Toggl Track would be the better choice for users who value simplicity, ease of use, and flexibility.
- Timely might be preferable for users who prioritize comprehensive functionality and don’t mind a potentially steeper learning curve.
Billing and Invoicing
Timely
Timely makes billing a breeze:
- One-click invoices: Generate invoices faster than you can say, “Show me the money!”
- Auto-calculations: Timely does the math for you so you don’t have to worry about late-night number crunching.
- Error-proof billing: which means less worries of undercharging
- Accounting integrations: Plays nice with your favorite accounting tools.
- Set Billable and cost rates: Means you can manage every penny carefully and how its spent on your projects
Timely is perfect for those who want their invoicing to be as painless as possible. It’s for the “set it and forget it” crowd.
Toggl Track: The Customization King
Toggl Track puts you in control:
- Billable hours tracking: Watches your clock, ensuring every billable minute is accounted for.
- Integration options: Works well with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
- Flexibility: If you want to tweak every little detail, Toggl allows for it
Toggl Track is for those who like to roll up their sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of their finances.
Pro tip: Think about your clients. Do they need super detailed invoices, or do they just want to know the bottom line?
Billing and Invoicing – Winner?
Timely is the winner with its streamlined process, reduced manual input, accuracy, and user-friendliness.
Toggl Track has some strengths, such as a broader range of integrations with accounting software, but it falls short as it requires more manual input and lacks an in-app payment collection for users seeking an all-in-one solution.
Customer Support and Resources
Timely: The Organized Helper
If you need support, Timely keeps things neat in the that department:
- Email support: Got a question? Shoot them an email and get a reply with a decent response time
- Centralized help center: Everything’s neatly categorized and easy to find.
- Live chat: Need a quick answer? Their live chat’s works really well.
- Video tutorials: If you’re a visual learner and can figure things out, they’ve got plenty of video tutorials for you.
Timely is perfect for those who like their help served neat, with minimal fuss.
Toggl Track: The Community-Driven Supporter
Toggl Track brings a lively, community-centered approach to support:
- Multi-channel support: Email, chat, phone – lots of options to choose
- VIP treatment: Enterprise users get their own customer success managers.
- Active community forum: If you have have a question thats more subjective, the community’s there to help.
- Comprehensive knowledge base: Extensive self-help resources at your fingertips.
Toggl Track is for those who like their support with a side of community engagement.
Pro tip: Consider your problem-solving style. Do you prefer reading manuals or asking others for help?
Customer Support – Winner?
Toggl Track has a slight edge due to its multi-channel support, dedicated customer success managers, active community forum, and comprehensive knowledge base.
But Timely works really well especially if you are comfortable with self-guided support and prefer a more centralized approach.
Pricing Models
Timely: The Tiered Trendsetter
Timely offers a structured approach to pricing:
- Basic plan: $11 per user per month
- Starter package: Limited to 5 users and 50 projects
- Premium plan: $20 per user per month with extra features
- Unlimited plan: $28 per user per month for all the bells and whistles
- Yearly discount: 22% off if you commit for a year
- Free trial: 14 days to test the waters, but no ongoing free plan
Timely is ideal for small teams as well as larger teams looking for AI-driven insights who don’t mind paying extra for advanced features.
Toggl Track: The Flexible Friend
Toggl Track keeps things adaptable:
- Basic plan: $10 per user per month
- Starter package: Supports unlimited users and projects
- Premium plan: $20 per user per month with fancy extras like profitability reports
- Free plan: Available for up to 5 users with unlimited time tracking and clients
- Free trial: 30 days to try out paid plans
Toggl Track is great for teams of all sizes, especially those who want to start with a free time tracking app and scale up.
Which is the Best Value?
Let’s compare:
- Affordability: Toggl Track generally comes out cheaper, especially for larger teams
- Free options: Toggl Track offers a free plan, while Timely only has a trial
- Trial period: Toggl Track gives you more time to test with a 30-day trial
- Features vs. Cost: Timely’s higher price tags come with more advanced AI features
Pro tip: Think about your team size and growth plans. If you expect to expand, Toggl Track’s unlimited users on the Starter plan might save you money in the long run!
Pricing – Winner?
Toggl Track wins in the pricing category due to its more affordable and flexible options, especially for smaller teams and those just starting with time tracking.
However, the best choice ultimately depends on each user or organization’s specific needs and budget. Timely might still be preferred for those who prioritize advanced AI features in their project management and are willing to pay more.
The Final Verdict: Timely vs Toggl Track
After diving deep into the features of both Timely and Toggl Track, here’s the lowdown on which tool might be your perfect time-tracking companion:
Choose Timely if:
- You’re all about that AI-powered, hands-off approach to time-tracking
- You want automated insights and suggestions to boost your productivity
- You need streamlined, one-click invoicing capabilities
- You prefer a visually rich interface with robust organizational features
- You’re willing to invest in a tool that offers advanced project management and AI-driven insights
Go with Toggl Track if:
- You want flexibility in your time tracking methods (both manual and automatic)
- You’re looking for extensive integrations (over 145!) to connect with your existing tools
- You need highly customizable reporting and analytics features
- You’re on a budget and could benefit from their free plan (supports up to 5 users!)
- You prefer a clean, minimalist interface that reduces distractions
Both Timely and Toggl Track are robust time-tracking solutions. Both are excellent tools, but they cater to different needs and preferences.
Timely is the go-to for those who want to embrace AI and automation in tracking time. With minimal manual input, it’s perfect for users who wish to use their time-tracking tool to do most of the heavy lifting. It’s also the better choice for teams who need more project management and budget cost management options.
Toggl Track, on the other hand, is the jack-of-all-trades. It offers more flexibility, extensive integrations, and robust customization options, especially in the team analytics category. It’s ideal for users who want a versatile tool to adapt to various workflows and grow with their team.
The best choice ultimately depends on your needs, workflow, and team size. Consider your budget, required features, and how much manual input you will do. Whichever tool you choose, remember that consistent use is critical to reaping the benefits of time tracking. Happy tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Timely and Toggl Track?
Timely uses AI for automated super hands off time tracking, AI to derive project management insights and boast better cost management options. Toggl Track gives you the flexibility of manual and automated tracking options to suit your style, and highly detailed customizable reports and analysis on time usage and project progress.
Does Timely offer a free plan?
No, Timely doesn’t have a free plan, but you can try it out with a 14-day free trial. If you’re looking for a free option, consider Toggl Track, which allows up to 5 users to use their free plan.
Which tool is better for project management?
Timely is better for detailed and advanced project tracking, especially if you need to organize work around clients, tasks, or projects. It gives you more options using AI to manage effectively.
How do the reporting capabilities of Timely and Toggl Track compare?
Toggl Track has the slight edge regarding reporting capabilities, offering more customization with its widgets and dashboards, whereas Timely focuses on automated reporting and real time updates.
