Web Based Time Tracking: Harvest and 14Dayz

In my experience, time tracking can be a real pain. Typically, time tracking "software" (which often amounts to a spreadsheet) is developed and maintained in-house. The maintenance side of things can be a job in and of itself. But it usually falls under one of the many projects the "tech guys" are managing, meaning that it doesn't get the attention it deserves. That's especially true for smaller businesses.

For those reasons, I'm particularly excited about two new services I've come across recently: Harvest and 14Dayz. Both are web based time tracking systems. Both save you time and money when it comes to the all important task of time tracking.

14Dayz is a project of Brains4All, a Netherlands based Web consultancy that focuses on design and usability. I mention that because overall 14dayz seemed easier and more intuitive to use, even though I found both services comparable in terms of features.

So what can you expect to see with these tools? Both provide the ability to track Projects and Tasks (14Dayz prefers the term "Categories") for different members of your organization. Each come with powerful reporting too, so that you can track time over certain Projects, Tasks, and time periods. In Harvest, reports can be exported in CSV using the free version. But you need to have the paid "Personal" version of 14dayz to do so (in that version, you also get PDF Reports, which GetHarvest appears not to have).

Another feature I find particularly helpful is the timer. At the end of the day, trying to remember what exactly you did is sometimes troublesome. By keeping the browser window open, you can start a timer for any of the Project/Task combinations on your timesheet. When finished with a particular item, just click the timer again and you can see how much time was dedicated to that effort.

Pricing for each of these tools is quite competitive, although 14Dayz does offer a bit more options. Overall, I find them equally useful. Although I lean towards 14Dayz, I'd highly encourage you to decide for yourself, in consideration of your needs and comfortability.

One final note to independent professionals in particular. You probably don't have any managers hounding you about keeping track of your time. But I'd challenge you to start doing so. You'll get a much better picture about where you are devoting most of your efforts and then can decide if you need to prioritize your days better.

Happy Web Based Time Tracking!

Comments

[Marko]

Ken, thanks for the article, a big plug for web based time tracking!

Cheers to Harvest too, they have a really nice product.

Just wanted to say that the terminology of 14Dayz is completely customizable. So if you want to call your categories "Tasks", you can do that too.

[Danny]

Thanks for spreading the good word about web-based time tracking, Ken. We've been very happy helping companies and individuals get their time tracking and reporting efforts online in a simple, no-hassle way.

Just want to also spread the word about our New Founders Program which is aiming to help new companies and studios get set up with a free Harvest time tracking subscription for their first year if they become participants of the program.

http://www.getharvest.com/new_founders

[Wantan]

Ken, For another alternative to those time tracking solutions check out Time IQ at www.timeiq.com

They go about things slightly differently, but it's more robust and full featured for larger studios.

We use it here and have been for a couple weeks, works great for us! There's a free trial too if you just want to check it out.

[Myles Eftos]

Don't forget 88 Miles!

A slightly different tack to Harvest and 14 Dayz - it focusses on a punch clock system making it really simple to use.

This style of tracking may not suit everyone, but for those that is does, it great!

There is also a WAP version for use with mobile phones.

Go and sign up for a 30-day trial!

[Chris M]

Another option is Time59 (http://www.time59.com). Web based Timekeeping and Invoicing. Enter your time then generate invoices from it.

[Derek Organ]

Hi Ken,

check out 1time : http://1timetracking.com

we just launched to the public 2 months ago i think you might find it useful.

thanks,
derek

[Jordana]

We work with Intervals, which is a web-based tool for time tracking and project management. It's quite comprehensive (also tracks budgets, generates invoices, document uploads, reports, etc) and it's very user friendly and has a great visual environment. What's most important, Pelago, the firm that developed this tool is engaged in various green/sustainable initiatives, as a socially responsible company. For us that's a huge plus.
you can learn more about Intervals at:
http://www.myintervals.com