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Comparison · Time tracking software

Harvest vs Kimai: which is better in 2026?

Harvest87.0#4 in best time tracking softwareKimai88.5#3 in best time tracking software

Kimai ranks higher in our list of time tracking software (#3 against #4, score 88.5 against 87.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

How we rank Share

  • 87.0
    Editorial score
    88.5
  • 4
    Platforms
    2
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose Harvest if you want

Freelancers and agencies that bill by the hour.

Time tracking and invoicing in one app, with one seat and two projects on the free plan. It suits billable service work more than general team tracking, and its free plan is much smaller than Clockify's.

Choose Kimai if you want

Open-source time tracking on your own server.

The open-source option here, under AGPL-3.0 with Docker self-hosting and a JSON API. It needs a server and some admin work, while the others run in their own cloud, which keeps the data on your own machines.

The main differences

  • Only Harvest runs on Windows.
  • Only Harvest runs on macOS.
  • Only Harvest runs on iOS.
  • Only Harvest runs on Android.
  • Only Kimai runs on Web.
  • Kimai is open source; Harvest is not.

Side by side

HarvestKimai
Score87.088.5
Rank in list#4 of 10#3 of 10
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesFree plan for one seat and two projects; paid Teams and Enterprise plansFree and open sourceFree to self-host; Kimai Cloud is a managed hosted option
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoYes
PlatformsWindowsmacOSiOSAndroidWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted
Made byNot statedKimai
Free planOne seat, two projectsFree to self-host
InvoicingIncluded in free planListed as a feature
Best forFreelancers and agencies that bill by the hourOpen-source time tracking on your own server
Strengths
  • Time tracking and invoicing on the free plan
  • Links with Asana, Slack and Stripe
  • Open source under AGPL-3.0
  • Runs on your own server with Docker
Limits
  • Free plan covers one person and two projects
  • Suited to billable work more than general team tracking
  • Self-hosting means you run updates and backups
  • Managed cloud is the easier path for small teams
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Harvest vs Kimai

Is Kimai better than Harvest?
Kimai ranks higher in our list of time tracking software (#3 against #4, score 88.5 against 87.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Harvest is best for: freelancers and agencies that bill by the hour. Kimai is best for: open-source time tracking on your own server.
Which is cheaper, Harvest or Kimai?
Harvest: Free plan for one seat and two projects; paid Teams and Enterprise plans. Kimai: Free to self-host; Kimai Cloud is a managed hosted option.
Do Harvest and Kimai run on the same platforms?
Harvest supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Kimai supports Web, Self-hosted.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

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