Paymo Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Paymo is a project management tool that brings task boards, time tracking and invoicing together, which is why freelancers and small agencies like it. If you're comparing it with other tools, maybe because you want stronger scheduling, a simpler timer or a tool that connects to your accounts package, you've plenty of choice.

This page lists ten Paymo alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Two or three are widely known and most are smaller or more specialist. I've drawn each line from the tool's own website and directory listings, so check current details there. If hours are the heart of your decision, my comparison of time tracking software goes into that side in more depth.

Paymo alternatives compared at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site lists a free plan or open source version with no trial period. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Details change, so confirm before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
actiTIME	Time tracking software	Timesheets and approvals	Trial only
Avaza	Projects, time and invoices	Freelancers and small agencies	Yes
Everhour	Time tracker for project tools	Tracking inside your task app	Yes
Float	Resource scheduling tool	Who is working on what, when	Trial only
Kimai	Open source time tracker	Self-hosted hour tracking	Yes
Productive	Agency operations platform	Projects, time and billing	Trial only
Scoro	Work management suite	Quotes, projects and billing	Trial only
TimeCamp	Automatic time tracker	Hours and invoicing	Yes
Toggl Track	Time tracking app	Simple timers and reports	Yes
Zoho Projects	Project management tool	Tasks, timesheets and Gantt	Yes

Ten tools for tracking time and projects, as an alternative to Paymo

actiTIME

Best for: Teams who need timesheets, approvals and reports on hours worked across clients and projects.

Avaza

Best for: Freelancers and small agencies who want tasks, timesheets and client invoices handled in one place.

Everhour

Best for: Teams who want to track hours and estimates right inside the task tool they already use.

Float

Best for: Agencies and studios who need to plan people's time across projects and spot overloaded weeks.

Kimai

Best for: Freelancers and small firms who want an open source time tracker they can host themselves or use in the cloud.

Productive

Best for: Agencies who want to connect project plans, time tracking and billing in one operations tool.

Scoro

Best for: Service firms who want quotes, project delivery, time records and billing joined together.

TimeCamp

Best for: Freelancers and teams who like automatic time capture, plus invoicing, starting from a free plan.

Toggl Track

Best for: People who want a quick timer, clear reports and apps for each device, with a free plan for small groups.

Zoho Projects

Best for: Teams who want tasks, timesheets and Gantt charts, perhaps alongside other Zoho business apps, starting from a free plan.

Which jobs should your time and project tool cover?

Tools in this space cover different ground. Some are mainly timers, some are project planners with a clock attached, and a few reach into quotes and billing. Decide which jobs matter before you compare.

• Timers and timesheets. Can people start a timer in a click, or add hours later in a weekly sheet?
• Task boards and plans. Do you need boards, lists or Gantt charts on top of the hours?
• Client billing. Can tracked hours flow straight into an invoice, or into your accounts package?
• Estimates. Can you compare the time you expected with the time spent?
• Team scheduling. Can you see who has space for new work?
• Reports. Can you tell which clients and tasks take the most hours?

Getting a team to track time without resentment

People can feel watched when a clock appears, so how you introduce it matters. Explain that hours help you quote better, plan workloads and spot overload, not catch anyone out.

Keep timers optional where you can, avoid tools that capture more than you need, and tell staff exactly what's recorded. If you're setting up a new routine, my guide to picking a time tracking tool has a few more thoughts on the people side.

Moving from Paymo to another time and project tool

A move goes smoothly when you protect your records first. Try this order.

1. Export your clients, projects, tasks and time entries, and keep a copy somewhere safe.
2. Check what your accountant or bookkeeper needs from past invoices.
3. Set up one current client in the new tool and add its tasks.
4. Ask the team to track time there for a week and share what felt clumsy.
5. Recreate your invoice settings and test one against the old format.
6. Move the remaining clients at a natural break, such as the start of a month.

Employee privacy and time tracking tools

Some time trackers can take screenshots or record the apps people use. Rules on monitoring staff differ by country, and employees usually need to be told what's collected and why. Read each vendor's privacy page and speak to your adviser about your own situation. This isn't legal advice.

Choosing time and project software by the way you work

• Solo freelancers often want a quick timer and a simple invoice at the end of the month.
• Small agencies tend to need projects, hours and client billing in one view.
• Consultancies may care most about estimates, approvals and reports.
• Teams with shared specialists usually need scheduling to avoid overload.
• Privacy-minded groups may prefer an open source tracker on their own server.

Why a smaller time tracking tool can be worth trying

Smaller makers often do a few things very well. You might find a calmer screen, faster support and fewer settings to wade through. Check how recently the product was updated and whether you can export your hours and invoices before you rely on it.

Do you make time tracking or project software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

If you've two finalists, run a real week of work through each. It shows quickly which timer your team will use, and whether the reports answer the questions you ask every month.

Last checks before you switch time tracking and project tools

• Confirm hours can be exported in a format your accountant can use.
• Try the mobile app, since lots of people log time on the go.
• Check how reminders work for people who forget to track.
• Read each tool's security and privacy pages for your own situation.
• Ask the people who'll use it daily for their view.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between time tracking and project management software?

Time tracking tools focus on recording hours. Project management tools plan tasks and people. Some combine both, so check which job matters most to you before comparing.

Why look for a Paymo alternative?

People look around for many reasons: a different layout, stronger scheduling, other integrations or a tool that suits their team size. Start with what you'd like to change.

Can I move my time entries and invoices?

Often in part. Tools commonly export time entries and clients to spreadsheet files, but invoice history may not carry across, so keep your own copies.

Is a free time tracker enough for a freelancer?

It can be for a modest workload. Read the limits on projects, users and reports, and make sure invoicing or exports are included if you need them.

Do I need to tell staff I'm tracking their time?

Usually yes. Rules on monitoring staff vary by country, so explain what's recorded and why, and check the official guidance for your own situation. This isn't legal advice.