Looking for a Hubstaff alternative that better fits your team’s needs and budget? You’re not alone. While Hubstaff is a popular time tracking and employee monitoring solution, its per-user pricing model and complex interface drive many businesses to explore other options.

After extensively testing dozens of time tracking tools with real remote teams, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the 10 best Hubstaff alternatives in 2025. Whether you’re looking for better pricing, more intuitive features, or AI-powered insights, this comparison will help you find the perfect fit.

Why Look for Hubstaff Alternatives?

Before diving into the alternatives, let’s address why thousands of businesses are moving away from Hubstaff:

Common Pain Points:

• High per-user costs that escalate quickly as teams grow ($7-$14 per user/month adds up)
• Resource-intensive software that can slow down employee computers
• Complex setup process requiring significant configuration time
• Limited AI capabilities with only basic reporting features
• Overwhelming interface that intimidates non-technical users
• Lack of automatic attendance tracking requiring manual clock-ins

If any of these resonate with you, the alternatives below offer compelling solutions.

Quick Comparison Table: Top 10 Hubstaff Alternatives

Detailed Reviews: Top 10 Hubstaff Alternatives

1. Backlsh – Best AI-Powered Hubstaff Alternative for Budget-Conscious Teams

Pricing: $2.90/month for unlimited users (promotional), then standard pricing Free Trial: 14 days, no credit card required Best For: Small to medium remote teams wanting AI insights at an affordable price

Why Backlsh Ranks #1

Backlsh stands out as the most cost-effective and intelligent alternative to Hubstaff. While Hubstaff charges per user, Backlsh offers flat-rate pricing for unlimited team members, making it dramatically cheaper for growing teams.

Key Features:

• ✅ AI-Powered Productivity Insights – Get personalized recommendations to improve team efficiency
• ✅ Automatic Attendance Tracking – Schedule-based attendance without manual clock-ins
• ✅ Smart Screenshot Monitoring – Context-aware screenshots that capture meaningful work
• ✅ Apps & Websites Tracking – Detailed activity monitoring with productivity categorization
• ✅ Minimal System Impact – Optimized to run quietly without slowing computers
• ✅ Quick 30-Minute Setup – AI learns patterns automatically
• ✅ Real-Time Dashboard – Visual productivity analytics at a glance

Pricing Comparison:

• Hubstaff (15-person team): $150/month
• Backlsh (15-person team): $2.99/month (promotional period)
• Savings: 98% during promotional period

What Users Love: “Backlsh’s AI insights helped us identify productivity patterns we never knew existed. Setup took less than an hour, and the cost savings compared to Hubstaff were game-changing for our startup.” – Alex H., Founding Director

What Could Be Better:

• Limited third-party integrations compared to Hubstaff
• No built-in invoicing features
• Newer platform with less market track record

Verdict: If you want intelligent, affordable time tracking with AI-powered insights, Backlsh is your best choice. The dramatic cost savings and automatic features make it ideal for small to medium teams.

Try Backlsh Free for 14 Days →

2. Time Doctor – Best for Large Enterprises Needing Comprehensive Monitoring

Pricing: Starting at $7/user/month (Basic), $10/user/month (Standard), $20/user/month (Premium) Free Trial: 14 days Best For: Large organizations requiring detailed employee monitoring and compliance

Key Features

• Advanced screenshot monitoring with blur options
• Website and app usage tracking
• Payroll integration with major providers
• Client and project management
• Distraction alerts and popups
• Video screen recording (Premium plan)
• Chrome extension for web-based tracking

Pros:

• Extremely comprehensive monitoring capabilities
• Strong payroll and invoicing integrations
• Robust reporting and analytics
• 24/7 customer support
• Excellent for distributed teams across time zones

Cons:

• More expensive than most alternatives ($7-$20/user/month)
• Can feel invasive to employees
• Steeper learning curve
• Resource-intensive on some systems

Best Use Case: 50+ person enterprises needing detailed compliance tracking and payroll integration.

vs Hubstaff: Time Doctor offers more detailed monitoring but at a similar price point. Choose Time Doctor if you need better payroll integration; stick with Hubstaff if you prefer simpler project management.

3. Toggl Track – Best Free Hubstaff Alternative for Freelancers

Pricing: Free (up to 5 users), $9/user/month (Starter), $18/user/month (Premium) Free Trial: 30 days for paid plans Best For: Freelancers, solopreneurs, and small teams under 5 people

Key Features

• One-click time tracking
• Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge
• 100+ integrations (Asana, Trello, GitHub, etc.)
• Idle detection with automatic time correction
• Detailed reports and insights
• Mobile apps (iOS and Android)
• Pomodoro timer built-in

Pros:

• Generous free plan for up to 5 users
• Extremely user-friendly interface
• Excellent browser extension integration
• Lightweight and fast
• Strong mobile apps

Cons:

• No employee monitoring features (by design)
• No screenshot capability
• Basic project management
• Limited reporting on free plan

Best Use Case: Freelancers and small teams who need simple time tracking without employee monitoring.

vs Hubstaff: Toggl is simpler and cheaper but lacks monitoring features. Choose Toggl if you trust your team and just need time tracking; choose Hubstaff if you need activity monitoring.

4. Clockify – Best Completely Free Alternative to Hubstaff

Pricing: Free (unlimited users), $5.49/user/month (Basic), $7.99/user/month (Standard), $11.99/user/month (Pro) Free Trial: Forever free plan available Best For: Budget-conscious teams of any size needing basic time tracking

Key Features

• Unlimited users on free plan
• Unlimited projects and clients
• Time tracking with timer or manual entry
• Basic reporting and exports
• Kiosk mode for shared devices
• Calendar view of tracked time
• Team scheduling features (paid plans)

Pros:

• Truly free for unlimited users forever
• Clean, intuitive interface
• Good basic feature set
• Regular updates and improvements
• Generous free tier

Cons:

• No employee monitoring on free plan
• No screenshots or activity tracking
• Advanced features require paid plans
• Limited integrations on free plan

Best Use Case: Any team size needing basic time tracking with zero budget.

vs Hubstaff: Clockify is free but basic. Choose Clockify if budget is tight and you don’t need monitoring; choose Hubstaff if you need comprehensive workforce management.

5. Harvest – Best for Service Businesses Needing Invoicing

Pricing: Free (1 user, 2 projects), $11/user/month (Pro) Free Trial: 30 days Best For: Agencies, consultancies, and service businesses billing by the hour

Key Features

• Time tracking with timers or manual entry
• Built-in invoicing and payment processing
• Expense tracking
• Project budgets and alerts
• Team capacity planning
• Powerful reporting and insights
• 50+ integrations

Pros:

• Seamless invoicing workflow
• Clean, professional interface
• Excellent project budget tracking
• Strong Stripe integration for payments
• Great for client billing

Cons:

• No employee monitoring features
• No screenshots
• Higher price point ($11/user/month)
• Limited free plan (1 user only)

Best Use Case: Creative agencies and consulting firms that need to track time and invoice clients seamlessly.

vs Hubstaff: Harvest excels at invoicing but lacks monitoring. Choose Harvest for client billing; choose Hubstaff for team monitoring.

6. DeskTime – Best for Automatic Productivity Analysis

Pricing: $7/user/month (Pro), $10/user/month (Premium), $20/user/month (Enterprise) Free Trial: 14 days Best For: Teams wanting automatic productivity categorization

Key Features

• Fully automatic time tracking
• Productivity classification (productive/unproductive/neutral)
• Screenshots (optional)
• URL and app tracking
• Project time tracking
• Shift scheduling
• Absence calendar
• Invoicing capabilities

Pros:

• Truly automatic tracking (no timers to start/stop)
• Smart productivity analysis
• Good balance of monitoring and privacy
• Competitive pricing
• Pomodoro break reminders

Cons:

• Can misclassify productive activities initially
• Limited customization on lower tiers
• Interface feels dated
• Fewer integrations than competitors

Best Use Case: Remote teams wanting automatic productivity insights without constant manual input.

vs Hubstaff: DeskTime is more automatic but less feature-rich. Choose DeskTime for hands-off tracking; choose Hubstaff for more control.

7. TimeCamp – Best for Automatic Project Time Tracking

Pricing: Free (basic features), $7/user/month (Basic), $10/user/month (Pro) Free Trial: Forever free plan available Best For: Project-focused teams needing automatic time allocation

Key Features

• Automatic time tracking based on apps/websites
• Automatic project detection
• Billable hours tracking
• Budgeting and invoicing
• Attendance tracking
• Computer activity monitoring
• Integrations with 50+ tools

Pros:

• Generous free plan
• Automatic project assignment
• Good for billing clients
• Solid reporting features
• Affordable pricing

Cons:

• Can be overly complex for simple needs
• Auto-tracking sometimes inaccurate
• UI could be more modern
• Limited features on free plan

Best Use Case: Development teams and agencies managing multiple client projects simultaneously.

vs Hubstaff: TimeCamp focuses more on project automation. Choose TimeCamp for project-based work; choose Hubstaff for workforce monitoring.

8. ActivTrak – Best for Workforce Behavior Analytics

Pricing: Free (3 users), $10/user/month (Advanced), Custom (Enterprise) Free Trial: 14 days Best For: HR departments and management teams analyzing workforce patterns

Key Features

• User behavior analytics
• Productivity benchmarking
• Alarms and alerts for unusual activity
• Website and app usage reports
• Screenshots and activity logging
• Team productivity comparisons
• Coaching insights

Pros:

• Powerful analytics dashboard
• Good for identifying productivity trends
• Free plan for up to 3 users
• Strong focus on workforce intelligence
• GDPR compliant

Cons:

• Can feel “Big Brother”-ish
• More expensive than some alternatives
• Steeper learning curve
• Overkill for simple time tracking needs

Best Use Case: HR teams and executives wanting deep workforce analytics and behavior patterns.

vs Hubstaff: ActivTrak is analytics-focused while Hubstaff is time-tracking-focused. Choose ActivTrak for workforce insights; choose Hubstaff for project time tracking.

9. Timely – Best AI Memory for Creative Teams

Pricing: $8/user/month (Starter), $14/user/month (Premium), $20/user/month (Unlimited) Free Trial: 14 days Best For: Creative agencies and design teams who forget to track time

Key Features

• AI “Memory” that auto-captures all work activity
• Private by default (users control what’s shared)
• Beautiful, modern interface
• Project budgets and planning
• Team scheduling
• Capacity planning
• Comprehensive reporting

Pros:

• Revolutionary AI memory tracking
• Privacy-first approach
• Gorgeous interface
• Great for creative workflows
• Reduces time tracking overhead

Cons:

• More expensive ($8-$20/user/month)
• AI learning curve initially
• Limited monitoring features
• Better for trust-based environments

Best Use Case: Design agencies and creative teams where tracking is often forgotten and trust is high.

vs Hubstaff: Timely is more modern and AI-driven but pricier. Choose Timely for creative teams; choose Hubstaff for traditional monitoring.

10. RescueTime – Best for Individual Productivity Tracking

Pricing: Free (basic features), $12/user/month (Premium) Free Trial: 14 days Best For: Individual professionals wanting personal productivity insights

Key Features

• Automatic time tracking
• Productivity scoring
• Distraction blocking (FocusTime)
• Goal setting and alerts
• Detailed activity reports
• Focus session tracking
• Weekly email reports

Pros:

• Excellent for personal productivity
• Automatic and passive
• Good distraction blocking
• Insightful weekly reports
• Free plan available

Cons:

• Not designed for team management
• Limited collaboration features
• No screenshots or monitoring
• Better for individuals than teams

Best Use Case: Solo professionals, freelancers, and individuals wanting to understand and improve their own productivity.

vs Hubstaff: RescueTime is for personal use, Hubstaff is for team management. Choose RescueTime for self-improvement; choose Hubstaff for team monitoring.

How to Choose the Right Hubstaff Alternative

Decision Framework

Choose Backlsh if you want:

• AI-powered productivity insights
• Lowest possible cost (especially for growing teams)
• Quick setup with minimal training
• Automatic attendance tracking
• Smart monitoring without being invasive

Choose Time Doctor if you need:

• Enterprise-grade monitoring
• Comprehensive payroll integration
• Video recording capabilities
• Maximum control and oversight

Choose Toggl/Clockify if you prefer:

• Simple time tracking without monitoring
• Free or very low-cost solution
• Trust-based team environment
• Freelance or small team setup

Choose Harvest if you require:

• Built-in invoicing and client billing
• Professional service business model
• Clean interface with minimal features
• Strong payment processing integration

Choose DeskTime/TimeCamp if you want:

• Automatic tracking without manual timers
• Project-based time allocation
• Mid-range pricing with good features

Budget Comparison (15-Person Team)

*Promotional pricing for first 3 months

Feature Comparison Matrix

Core Time Tracking

Monitoring & Productivity

Business Features

Common Questions About Hubstaff Alternatives

Is there a completely free Hubstaff alternative?

Yes! Clockify offers unlimited users forever on its free plan with basic time tracking features. Toggl Track is free for up to 5 users. However, both lack the employee monitoring features that Hubstaff offers.

Which alternative has the best AI features?

Backlsh leads in AI-powered productivity insights with personalized recommendations. Timely also offers impressive AI memory tracking for automatic time capture.

Can I import my Hubstaff data to other tools?

Most Hubstaff alternatives allow CSV imports. Export your time tracking data from Hubstaff and import it into tools like Toggl, Clockify, or Backlsh. Contact support for migration assistance.

Which tool has the least impact on computer performance?

Backlsh is specifically optimized for minimal system impact. Toggl Track is also very lightweight since it doesn’t include screenshot monitoring.

Do these alternatives work for remote teams?

Yes! All alternatives listed are built for remote work. Backlsh, Time Doctor, and DeskTime specifically focus on remote team management with monitoring features.

Which alternative is easiest to set up?

Backlsh has the quickest setup (30 minutes) with AI-powered defaults. Toggl Track is also extremely easy with minimal configuration needed.

Can I try multiple alternatives before deciding?

Absolutely! All tools listed offer free trials or free plans. We recommend testing 2-3 options with a small team before rolling out company-wide.

Migration Guide: Switching from Hubstaff

Step 1: Export Your Data

1. Log into Hubstaff
2. Go to Reports → Export
3. Download time entries, projects, and team data as CSV

Step 2: Choose Your Alternative

Based on your primary needs:

• Budget-conscious + AI features → Backlsh
• Simple tracking → Toggl or Clockify
• Client invoicing → Harvest
• Enterprise monitoring → Time Doctor

Step 3: Import Data

1. Most tools accept CSV imports
2. Map fields (projects, team members, time entries)
3. Verify data accuracy

Step 4: Team Onboarding

1. Schedule training session (15-30 minutes)
2. Share documentation and best practices
3. Monitor adoption for first week
4. Gather feedback and adjust settings

Step 5: Cancel Hubstaff

Once confirmed your new tool works:

1. Export final reports from Hubstaff
2. Cancel subscription (check contract terms)
3. Download any remaining data for records

Pro Tip: Run both systems in parallel for 1-2 weeks during transition to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Final Verdict: Which Hubstaff Alternative Should You Choose?

After extensive testing, here’s our bottom-line recommendation:

🥇 Best Overall: Backlsh

Why: Combines AI-powered insights, automatic tracking, and the most affordable pricing. Perfect for small-medium teams wanting intelligent productivity management without breaking the bank.

Choose if: You want modern features at the lowest price point, especially for growing teams where per-user costs add up quickly.

🥈 Best for Enterprises: Time Doctor

Why: Most comprehensive monitoring and payroll integration. Ideal for large organizations with complex compliance needs.

Choose if: You need detailed employee monitoring, video recording, and seamless payroll processing.

🥉 Best Free Option: Clockify

Why: Forever free for unlimited users with solid basic features. Can’t beat the price.

Choose if: You have zero budget and only need basic time tracking without monitoring.

🏆 Best for Freelancers: Toggl Track

Why: Beautifully simple interface, generous free plan for up to 5 users, and excellent integrations.

Choose if: You’re a solopreneur, freelancer, or small team under 5 people who values simplicity.

💼 Best for Agencies: Harvest

Why: Native invoicing makes client billing seamless. Professional interface and strong payment processing.

Choose if: You run a service business that bills clients by the hour and needs streamlined invoicing.

Take Action: Start Your Free Trial Today

Ready to move beyond Hubstaff? Start with a free trial of our top recommendations:

1. Try Backlsh Free for 14 Days – No credit card required
2. Try Time Doctor Free – 14-day trial
3. Start with Clockify Free Forever – No payment needed
4. Try Toggl Track Free – 30-day premium trial
5. Try Harvest Free – 30-day trial

Still Not Sure?

If you’re struggling to choose, answer these three questions:

1. What’s your team size? (Under 10 → Backlsh/Toggl | 10-50 → Backlsh/DeskTime | 50+ → Time Doctor)
2. What’s your budget? ($0 → Clockify | Under $100/month → Backlsh | $100-500 → Time Doctor)
3. What’s your primary need? (Monitoring → Backlsh/Time Doctor | Simple tracking → Toggl | Invoicing → Harvest)

Need personalized advice? Contact us for a free consultation on which tool fits your specific needs.

Conclusion

Hubstaff is a solid time tracking tool, but it’s not the only option—and often not the best option for many teams. Whether you’re looking for better pricing (Backlsh, Clockify), superior features (Time Doctor, Timely), or simpler interfaces (Toggl, Harvest), there’s an alternative that fits your needs better.

The key is understanding your priorities: monitoring depth, budget constraints, team size, and feature requirements. Use this guide to narrow down your top 2-3 options, then take advantage of free trials to make your final decision.

For most teams reading this guide, Backlsh offers the best combination of modern AI features, comprehensive monitoring, and unbeatable pricing. The promotional rate of $2.90 for unlimited users makes it a no-brainer for growing teams tired of escalating per-user costs.

Ready to switch? Start your 14-day free trial today and see why thousands of teams are making the switch from Hubstaff to smarter, more affordable alternatives.

Last updated: October 2025 | Pricing and features subject to change. Please verify current pricing on provider websites.

Related Articles:

• Hubstaff vs Backlsh: Complete 2025 Comparison
• [Time Doctor vs Backlsh: Which is Better?]
• [The Ultimate Guide to Remote Team Productivity]
• [How to Choose Time Tracking Software in 2025]

About the Author: This comprehensive guide was researched and written by our team after testing 20+ time tracking solutions with real remote teams. We’re committed to providing honest, unbiased comparisons to help you make informed decisions.