15 Best Time Tracking Software for Architects & Designers
- Gülsevin Koçak
- Nov 21
- 11 min read
Architects and designers handle complex projects where every phase depends on accurate planning, focused execution, and controlled workloads. Keeping track of hours is critical, because a single overlooked task can disrupt schedules and reduce project profitability. A reliable time tracking software for architects helps organize work with precision and improves clarity across all project stages. In other words, structured time logs support better decisions and help teams maintain steady workflow momentum.
In this blog, you will learn what time tracking software is and how these tools support daily architectural work. You will also see the core benefits for architects and designers, from smoother billing to stronger productivity. After this, you will explore the key features that matter and how different solutions compare across the industry. The full guide presents an organized overview of the leading tools, so you can identify which platform fits the specific needs of your studio.
What Is Time Tracking Software?
Time tracking software is a digital system used to record, monitor, and analyze the amount of time individuals or teams spend on specific tasks, projects, or activities. It ensures accurate time measurement, supports productivity assessment, and facilitates organized workflows for project management, invoicing, and payroll processes.
For architecture and design teams, this kind of system supports more organized workflows and clearer oversight of project progress, making it easier to coordinate tasks, manage deadlines, and maintain accountability across complex design processes.
What Time Tracking Software Does for Architecture and Designer Teams?
Time tracking systems help teams understand how project hours are distributed across design, planning, meetings, or revisions. They generate structured reports that show which tasks consume the most time, which improves workload management. Also, architect productivity tools support billing by linking tracked hours to client invoices. This clarity strengthens project budgeting and ensures firms maintain realistic schedules and controlled resources.
Key Benefits of Time Tracking Software for Architects
Time tracking systems offer clear advantages that support financial accuracy, workflow transparency, and stronger project control. The following points outline the core benefits that architectural and design teams gain when using these tools in daily operations.
Accurate Billing and Revenue Management
Time logs connect tracked hours to billable work, which ensures clients are charged correctly. This process reduces billing disputes and supports stable revenue planning. Clear records also help firms manage retainers, change orders, and ongoing service fees with confidence.
Improved Understanding of Project Profitability
Tracked hours show how long each phase actually takes, which helps teams measure costs against fees. This data highlights where projects run over budget and where workflows need adjustment. Managers can then identify patterns that affect margins and address them early.
Better Forecasting for Future Projects
Historical time data helps teams estimate effort for upcoming work with greater accuracy. In other words, planners rely on real performance metrics instead of assumptions. This supports more realistic proposals and reduces schedule risks.
Higher Productivity and Focus
Structured time logs help teams stay aware of task durations and avoid unnecessary delays. Regular tracking identifies distractions or bottlenecks that slow progress. As a result, teams maintain clearer focus and complete work more efficiently.
Balanced Workload Distribution
Managers can see how many hours each team member spends on assigned tasks. This transparency prevents overload and supports fair distribution of responsibilities. Balanced workloads also reduce burnout and help maintain stable performance.
Enhanced Compliance and Transparency
Detailed records support legal and contractual requirements, especially in long-term or regulated projects. Clear tracking increases accountability and provides documented proof of completed work. This structure strengthens trust among clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
Time Tracking Platforms for Architects and Designers
1. Toggl Track
Toggl Track fits architecture and design teams that want fast, reliable architect time logs without interrupting creative flow. The app runs on web, desktop, mobile, and browser extensions, so staff can track during studio work or site visits. It integrates widely with tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, Notion, and many more, which keeps tracking connected to existing workflows. Reporting focuses on project, client, and phase insights, helping teams detect scope creep and review billable versus non billable work.
Standout features
One click timers and manual edits for flexible logging
Client and project reports with billable rates
Strong integrations and simple exports for invoicing workflows
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at about $9 per user monthly on annual billing.
2. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all in one workspace for firms that want tasks, docs, and project time tracking for architects in the same place. Time tracking sits directly inside tasks, so hours align with deliverables like concept packages or BIM coordination. It supports web, mobile, and desktop use, plus browser extensions for quick starts. Dashboards and workload views provide insight into team capacity, while integrations with tools like Google Drive, Slack, and many PM apps keep the system connected.
Standout features
Built in timers, timesheets, and time estimates inside tasks
Resource and workload views for balancing studio capacity
Dashboards that link progress to tracked hours
Pricing: Free tier offered. Paid plans start around $7 per user monthly on annual billing.
3. Clockify
Clockify is a flexible timesheet software for architects with a strong free plan and scalable controls for growing studios. Teams can track via web, desktop, mobile apps, or kiosk mode for shared environments. It integrates with many platforms through native apps and Zapier, so firms can connect it to their PM or accounting stack. Clockify provides clear reporting and analytics, and paid tiers add budgeting, approvals, and invoicing for client work.
Standout features
Unlimited users and tracking on the free plan
Timesheet approvals, budgeting, and detailed reports
Built in invoicing and billable rate controls on paid tiers
Pricing: Free for unlimited users. Paid upgrades begin at roughly $3.99 per user monthly on annual billing.
4. Harvest
Harvest is designed for firms that want tracking and billing to stay tightly linked. Architects can log time per project phase, then turn entries into invoices without exporting to separate tools. It runs on web, desktop, and mobile, and integrates with accounting and payment systems like QuickBooks, Xero, and Stripe. Reports focus on utilization, budget status, and profitability, which helps leaders track real margins across long projects.
Standout features
Simple billable and non billable logging
Invoicing, online payments, and expense tracking
Budget alerts and profitability reporting
Pricing: Free plan for one user. Pro plans start at about $13.75 per user monthly on annual billing.
5. Jibble
Jibble is a lightweight tool for architect work hours tracking and attendance, especially for teams working hybrid or on site. Staff can clock time through mobile GPS, desktop, or web, which supports site inspections and studio work equally. Jibble offers project based tracking and exports for payroll or reporting, and higher tiers bring fuller billing features. It integrates through native links and Zapier, so studios can connect it to HR or workflow tools.
Standout features
Easy mobile tracking with GPS and offline support
Attendance and overtime management
Project timers and basic invoicing options
Pricing: Free plan for unlimited users. Paid plans start around $3.99 per user monthly for advanced
6. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is built for distributed teams that want detailed tracking plus productivity visibility. It supports desktop, mobile, and web tracking, with GPS for field teams and optional screenshots for remote accountability. The platform integrates with many PM and finance tools, including Asana, Jira, Trello, Monday.com, QuickBooks, and PayPal. Hubstaff also provides strong activity reports and payroll support, which helps studios keep remote project costs controlled.
Standout features
Automatic timers with idle detection
Productivity analytics with optional screenshots
In app payroll and invoicing on higher tiers
Pricing: Paid plans begin at about $7 per user monthly on annual billing.
7. Time Doctor
Time Doctor suits firms that need time tracking combined with deeper productivity insight. The desktop app tracks hours, task focus, and app or website usage, with optional screenshots for validation. It integrates with PM tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, Basecamp, and Podio, helping teams keep tracking aligned with task boards. Reporting highlights productive versus unproductive time and phase level effort, although invoicing usually requires external tools.
Standout features
Detailed activity and focus reporting
Optional screenshots and distraction alerts
Strong PM integrations for task based tracking
Pricing: Plans start at roughly $6.70 per user monthly on annual billing, with higher tiers at increased rates.
8. Everhour
Everhour is ideal for design firms already living inside PM tools and wanting integrated tracking. It embeds timers into systems like Asana, ClickUp, Jira, Trello, Basecamp, Monday.com, and Notion, which reduces tab switching. Everhour supports budgets, approvals, and client ready reporting, then turns tracked time into invoices. Its insight tools help teams compare estimated versus actual hours at the task level.
Standout features
Deep integrations with major PM platforms
Budget tracking with alerts for scope control
Invoicing and approvals tied to logged hours
Pricing: Free plan with limited seats. Paid plans start around $8.50 to $10 per user monthly on annual billing.
9. DeskTime
DeskTime focuses on automatic time capture, which helps studios avoid forgotten timers. It runs in the background on desktop and mobile to track time by app, document, and website. Teams can review productivity scores and project timelines through built in dashboards. DeskTime integrates with tools like Jira, Trello, Asana, Basecamp, and Google Calendar, which supports clear workflow alignment.
Standout features
Automatic time tracking with idle detection
Productivity insights by app and document
Optional screenshots and shift scheduling
Pricing: Lite plan is free. Paid plans typically start at about $7 per user monthly on annual billing.
10. TimeCamp
TimeCamp combines tracking, budgeting, and time and expense tracking in one system. It supports manual timers plus automatic tracking by app or keyword, which helps firms capture real effort during drafting, coordination, or admin work. Integrations include Trello, Asana, Slack, QuickBooks, Xero, Jira, GitHub, and Google Calendar, keeping data connected across tools. Reports focus on profitability, budgets, and productivity trends, and invoicing is available on paid plans.
Standout features
Automatic and manual tracking options
Project budgets, profitability views, and invoicing
Wide integration set for PM and accounting stacks
Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start from roughly $2.99 per user monthly on annual billing.
11. My Hours
My Hours works best for smaller studios that want straightforward tracking and client reporting. Teams log time per client, project, and task, then generate shareable reports for approvals. It runs across web and mobile, with exports for payroll or billing, and offers built in invoicing in the Pro tier. Integrations are lighter than some competitors, but Zapier and API access help firms connect workflows.
Standout features
Clean project and task structure for fast adoption
Billable rates and client ready reports
Invoicing and budget tracking on Pro
Pricing: Free for small teams. Pro plan costs about $8 per user monthly on annual billing.
12. Timely
Timely is built for firms that want AI driven tracking instead of manual timers. Its Memory app automatically records activity across devices, then suggests time entries for quick review. It supports web, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, and integrates with tools like Trello, Jira, Zoom, Asana, and Microsoft 365. Reporting emphasizes utilization, capacity, and project insights, helping firms measure effort without chasing timesheets.
Standout features
Automatic capture with AI categorized timesheets
Strong utilization and capacity dashboards
Integrations for PM and collaboration tools
Pricing: Plans begin around $9 to $11 per user monthly on annual billing depending on the tier.
13. RescueTime
RescueTime is mainly a personal productivity tool, useful for solo architects or small teams. It automatically tracks time spent on apps and websites, then provides focus reports and habit trends. It also includes Focus Sessions that block distractions during production work. RescueTime does not emphasize client invoicing, but it offers valuable insight into attention patterns and deep work time.
Standout features
Automatic activity tracking with productivity analytics
Focus Sessions for distraction blocking
Goals and weekly reports for personal improvement
Pricing: Free Lite plan offered. Premium plan is about $6.50 per month when billed annually.
14. Float
Float is a resource scheduling platform with built in time tracking, aimed at studios managing many projects in parallel. It helps teams compare planned schedules to real logged hours, improving forecasting and staffing decisions. Float integrates with calendars and tools like Slack, Asana, Trello, Jira, and QuickBooks, so workload plans stay synchronized. Its reporting focuses on utilization and project margins rather than granular invoicing.
Standout features
Visual resource scheduling with capacity forecasts
Timesheets tied to schedules and estimates
Utilization and margin insights
Pricing: Paid plans start at approximately $6 per user monthly on annual billing.
15. Teamdeck
Teamdeck blends resource planning and timesheets in one system, which suits firms that manage staffing across multiple projects. Managers schedule teams by availability and skills, while staff log time directly against assignments. It integrates with Slack, Google Calendar, and Zapier, which supports broader workflow connections. Reports focus on utilization, workload balance, and project cost tracking, making it useful for studio portfolio oversight.
Standout features
Resource scheduling with availability and leave tracking
Timesheets connected to staffing plans
Utilization and performance reporting
Pricing: Light members are free. Full members start at about $6 per user monthly, with custom enterprise options.
How to Choose the Best Time Tracking Software for Architects?
Choosing the right tool affects more than logging hours. It shapes how teams plan work, manage phases, and protect profit across projects. The best match supports both daily tracking and long term studio growth. Use the criteria below to evaluate options in a structured way.
Project Management and Structured Tracking
First of all, look at how well the tool connects time to real project structure. Architecture teams need tracking by project, phase, and task, not just by person. This supports clearer architectural project tracking and protects margins during complex delivery.
Key checks to make:
Track time by phase like concept, DD, CDs, site, and admin.
Assign billable rates per role or project type.
Compare planned versus actual hours to spot scope creep.
Ease of Use and Workflow Integration
A tool only works if people use it consistently. Choose software that fits your studio routine and reduces manual effort. In other words, strong workflow optimization for architects comes from simple tracking that integrates with existing habits.
Look for:
One click timers and fast manual edits.
Integrations with your PM, calendar, and accounting tools.
Quick onboarding for new staff and teams.
Mobility and Site Work Compatibility
Architecture work happens outside the studio. Mobile tracking helps teams record site visits, client meetings, and field coordination without losing data. Therefore, choose a tool that supports remote time tracking for architects with stable mobile performance.
Important features include:
Reliable iOS and Android apps.
Offline tracking with later sync.
Optional GPS or location tags for field logs.
Reporting and Insight Capabilities
Time data is valuable only when it produces clear decisions. A strong platform turns logs into visual reports that guide staffing, budgeting, and billing. Most importantly, reporting should support both day to day control and monthly reviews.
Check whether it offers:
Project profitability and utilization reports.
Filters by client, phase, role, or date range.
Export options for invoices, audits, and finance teams.
Pricing and Scalability
Finally, consider cost in relation to growth. A low price matters, but the real value comes from features that save time and protect revenue. Choose a plan that scales with team size and project volume without forcing a switch later.
Evaluate with these points:
Transparent per user pricing and fair upgrade paths.
Free or trial access for testing before rollout.
Advanced features like approvals or budgeting on higher tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of architecture projects benefit most from time tracking tools?
Complex, multi-phase projects with long timelines gain the most value, since time tracking creates clarity across concept design, documentation, coordination, and revisions.
Is time tracking software useful for both small studios and large architecture firms?
Yes. Smaller studios use it to manage limited resources efficiently, while large firms rely on it for capacity planning, budgeting, and multi-team coordination.
How secure is the data stored in time tracking platforms?
Most platforms use encrypted data storage, role-based permissions, and secure cloud infrastructure to protect project information and user activity logs.
Can time tracking tools support compliance requirements in regulated markets?
They can assist with documentation standards by maintaining detailed records of hours, approvals, staff involvement, and project history for audit-ready reporting.
Do architects need training to use these tools effectively?
Most systems require minimal onboarding, but advanced features like budgeting, approvals, or integrations may benefit from brief training sessions for team leads.
How does time tracking help manage design revisions and change requests?
It records the additional hours spent on revisions, which helps teams justify scope changes, update budgets, and communicate the impact to clients more clearly.
