Best Free Timesheet Software for Small Consultancies (2026)
Small consultancies need timesheet software that captures hours, supports approval workflows, and connects to invoicing — without blowing the budget. The best free timesheet software for small consultancies in 2026 goes beyond basic time tracking: it should handle the full billing cycle from submission to client sign-off to invoice. This roundup compares six tools with meaningful free tiers, ranked by how well they fit consultancy workflows.
Top pick: TimeSubmit offers the only free tier that includes approval workflows, external client approvers, and invoice generation in one platform — no credit card required.
Quick Summary: Free Timesheet Software Compared
| Tool | Best For | Free Tier | Invoicing | Approval Workflows | External Client Approvers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TimeSubmit | Small consultancies (end-to-end) | 2 consultants, 1 client, 1 project | Yes — from approved timesheets | Yes | Yes — free, no paid seat |
| Toggl Track | Simple time logging | 5 users, unlimited projects | No | No | No |
| Clockify | Unlimited free users | Unlimited users | Add-on (paid) | Limited (paid) | No |
| Harvest | Solo freelancers | 1 seat, 2 projects | Yes | No (paid only) | No |
| TimeCamp | Basic time tracking | Unlimited users, projects | No | No | No |
| Everhour | Asana/Trello users | 14-day trial only | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | No |
1. TimeSubmit — Best Free Timesheet Software for Small Consultancies
TimeSubmit is the only free timesheet software in this roundup that includes approval workflows, external client approvers, and invoice generation. For small consultancies that bill by the hour and need client sign-off before invoicing, it replaces spreadsheets, email approvals, and separate invoicing tools in one platform.
The free tier includes 2 consultants, 1 client, and 1 project — enough for a micro-consultancy or a trial before scaling. No credit card is required. Consultants submit weekly or monthly timesheets across projects; approvers review and approve or reject with comments; invoices generate from approved time with one click. External client approvers can sign off on hours without a paid seat and without seeing billing rates or financial data.
Time tracking uses structured timesheets rather than running timers, which matches how consultancies typically report to clients. Approval workflows are built in on every plan. Invoicing supports PDF export, custom templates, VAT, and multi-currency (GBP, USD, EUR, and more).
Key features (free tier):
- 2 consultants, 1 client, 1 project
- Weekly/monthly multi-project timesheets
- Single approver workflow
- External client approvers (no paid seat)
- One-click invoice generation from approved timesheets
- Real-time dashboard with utilisation metrics
- No credit card required
Pricing: Free (2 consultants) / Starter $47/mo (5 consultants) / Professional $97/mo (25 consultants). Annual billing gives 20% discount.
Best for: Small consultancies that need approval and invoicing in one free platform, especially those with clients who must sign off on hours before billing.
2. Toggl Track — Best for Simple Free Time Logging
Toggl Track offers a clean, popular time tracking experience with a free tier that supports up to 5 users and unlimited projects. The one-click timer, calendar view, and reporting make it easy to see where time goes. For small consultancies that only need to log and report hours — without approval or invoicing — Toggl Track is a strong choice.
The limitation for consultancies is what the free plan does not include. There are no approval workflows. Managers cannot formally approve or reject timesheets within the platform. There is no invoicing module. And there is no external client approver role. If your workflow requires a client to sign off on hours before you invoice, you will need additional tools.
Toggl Track works well as a free timesheet tool for internal visibility and reporting. For consultancies that need the full billing cycle, it is a starting point rather than a complete solution.
Pricing: Free (5 users) / Starter $9/seat/mo / Premium $18/seat/mo.
Best for: Small teams that only need time tracking and reporting without approval workflows or invoicing.
3. Clockify — Best for Unlimited Free Users
Clockify provides one of the most generous free tiers in the market: unlimited users, unlimited projects, time tracking, timesheets, reporting, and a shared calendar. For consultancies with many consultants and tight budgets, this is appealing. The platform is straightforward to set up and use.
For consultancy billing workflows, Clockify falls short. Approval features exist only on paid plans (Standard and above), and even then they lack the structured submit-review-approve flow consultancies need. There is no external client approver concept. Invoicing is available as an add-on on higher plans but is not integrated into an approval-first workflow.
Clockify excels as a free time tracker with no user limits. For small consultancies that need approval before invoicing, it remains a tracking tool rather than a billing platform.
Pricing: Free (unlimited users) / Basic $4.99/user/mo / Standard $6.99/user/mo / Pro $9.99/user/mo.
Best for: Teams that need free, unlimited time tracking with basic reporting and no approval or invoicing requirements.
4. Harvest — Best for Solo Freelancers on a Free Plan
Harvest combines time tracking and invoicing in one product, and its free plan includes both. That makes it one of the few free options that can generate invoices directly from tracked time. The interface is polished, and integration with accounting tools is strong on paid plans.
The free tier is tightly limited: 1 seat and 2 projects. That suits solo freelancers or very small operations, but it excludes consultancies with even two consultants. Approval workflows are not available on the free plan — they require the paid Teams plan. There is no external client approver role at any tier.
For a single consultant with one or two clients, Harvest's free plan can work. For small consultancies with multiple consultants and client approval requirements, the limits are too restrictive.
Pricing: Free (1 seat, 2 projects) / Teams $9/seat/mo (unlimited projects, approvals on paid only).
Best for: Solo freelancers who need free time tracking and invoicing without approval workflows.
5. TimeCamp — Best for Free Unlimited Projects
TimeCamp offers a free forever plan with unlimited users, unlimited projects, timesheets, and web/desktop/mobile apps. For small consultancies that need to track time across many projects at no cost, it is a solid option. The reporting and project structure are adequate for basic visibility.
What TimeCamp's free plan does not include: invoicing, approval workflows, or external client approvers. Time stays in the platform for reporting only. To turn tracked time into invoices or to add approval steps, you need a paid plan (Starter at $3.99/user/mo or higher).
TimeCamp works as a free timesheet and time tracking tool. For consultancies that need to move from tracked time to approved, billable invoices, it is only half of the workflow.
Pricing: Free (unlimited users, projects) / Starter $3.99/user/mo / Premium $6.99/user/mo.
Best for: Small consultancies that need free, unlimited time tracking and project reporting without approval or invoicing.
6. Everhour — Best for Asana/Trello Users (Trial Only)
Everhour integrates deeply with Asana, Trello, and other project management tools, embedding time tracking directly into task views. For consultancies that already run on those platforms, it can feel seamless. The product includes timesheets, approval workflows, and invoicing on paid plans.
The catch for small consultancies on a budget: Everhour does not offer a permanent free tier. The free plan is a 14-day trial. After that, you must pay (starting around $5.75/user/mo) or stop using it. For this roundup of free timesheet software, that disqualifies it as a long-term free option.
If you are evaluating tools and use Asana or Trello, Everhour is worth a trial. For a lasting free solution, look elsewhere.
Pricing: 14-day free trial / Team $5.75/user/mo (annual) / Enterprise custom.
Best for: Teams using Asana or Trello who want a trial before committing; not a permanent free option.
How We Evaluated
We compared tools on three criteria: (1) a meaningful free tier that small consultancies can use without a credit card or time limit, (2) support for the consultancy billing workflow — timesheet submission, approval, and invoicing — and (3) fit for small teams (typically 2–10 consultants). We prioritised tools that include approval workflows and invoicing on the free tier, since those are the features that differentiate consultancy software from generic time trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really free timesheet software with approval workflows?
Yes. TimeSubmit's free tier includes approval workflows, external client approvers, and invoice generation. No credit card is required. The free plan supports 2 consultants, 1 client, and 1 project — suitable for micro-consultancies or evaluation before scaling.
What is the difference between time tracking and timesheet software?
Time tracking software typically focuses on capturing hours via timers or manual entry. Timesheet software structures submission (e.g. weekly or monthly), often supports approval workflows, and may connect to invoicing. For consultancies that need client sign-off before billing, timesheet software with approval gates is the right fit.
Can small consultancies use free tools for client approval?
Most free time trackers do not support client approval. TimeSubmit is an exception: its free tier includes an external approver role so clients can sign off on timesheets without a paid seat and without seeing billing rates. Other tools either lack this feature or require a paid plan.
What should small consultancies look for in free timesheet software?
Prioritise: (1) approval workflows so time is not billable until approved, (2) invoicing from approved timesheets to avoid manual re-entry, (3) external client approvers if your clients must sign off, and (4) no credit card required for the free tier so you can evaluate risk-free.
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