Kimai vs Hubstaff
Kimai is open-source time tracking application that you can self-host, while Hubstaff is time tracking with screenshots, GPS tracking, and employee monitoring for remote teams. The biggest difference up front: Kimai is free, while Hubstaff starts at $4.99/user/mo. Kimai is built for teams that want full control over their time tracking data via self-hosting, whereas Hubstaff targets remote teams and agencies that need accountability and proof of work.
| Feature | Kimai | Hubstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| API | ✓ | — |
| GPS tracking | — | ✓ |
| Invoicing | — | ✓ |
| Multi-user | ✓ | — |
| Payroll | — | ✓ |
| Reporting | ✓ | — |
| Screenshots | — | ✓ |
| Self-hosting | ✓ | — |
| Time tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing: Kimai is completely free (Free, open source, self-hosted), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Hubstaff starts at $4.99/user/mo, but Free for 1 user. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Kimai offers API, Multi-user and Reporting that Hubstaff lacks. Hubstaff brings GPS tracking, Invoicing and Payroll that Kimai does not have. Both share Time tracking.
Open source: Kimai is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Hubstaff is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Kimai's biggest strengths are: completely free and open source — no per-user fees. self-hosted means you own your data entirely. Hubstaff's biggest strengths are: activity monitoring provides accountability for remote teams. built-in payroll and invoicing saves additional tool costs.
Watch out for: With Kimai, users commonly note that requires self-hosting — not a cloud saas you can just sign up for. With Hubstaff, the main complaint is that screenshot monitoring can feel invasive to employees.
choose Kimai if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want full control over their time tracking data via self-hosting
- Budget is a hard constraint — Kimai is free, Hubstaff is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need API and Multi-user
- You care about self-hosted means you own your data entirely
choose Hubstaff if
- You need a tool built for remote teams and agencies that need accountability and proof of work
- You specifically need GPS tracking and Invoicing
- You care about built-in payroll and invoicing saves additional tool costs
- The free tier works for you: free for 1 user
frequently asked
What is the difference between Kimai and Hubstaff?
Kimai is open-source time tracking application that you can self-host, while Hubstaff is time tracking with screenshots, GPS tracking, and employee monitoring for remote teams. The biggest difference up front: Kimai is free, while Hubstaff starts at $4.99/user/mo. Kimai is built for teams that want full control over their time tracking data via self-hosting, whereas Hubstaff targets remote teams and agencies that need accountability and proof of work.
Should I use Kimai or Hubstaff?
Kimai is the free option; Hubstaff charges $4.99/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Kimai over Hubstaff?
Choose Kimai if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want full control over their time tracking data via self-hosting; Budget is a hard constraint — Kimai is free, Hubstaff is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need API and Multi-user; You care about self-hosted means you own your data entirely.
When should I choose Hubstaff over Kimai?
Choose Hubstaff if You need a tool built for remote teams and agencies that need accountability and proof of work; You specifically need GPS tracking and Invoicing; You care about built-in payroll and invoicing saves additional tool costs; The free tier works for you: free for 1 user.
related comparisons
Toggl Track vs Kimai · Clockify vs Kimai · Harvest vs Kimai · RescueTime vs Kimai · Timely vs Kimai · Everhour vs Kimai · Toggl Track vs Hubstaff · Clockify vs Hubstaff