Toggl Track vs Kimai
Toggl Track is simple time tracking for freelancers and teams with one-click timers and reporting, while Kimai is open-source time tracking application that you can self-host. The biggest difference up front: Kimai is free, while Toggl Track starts at $9/user/mo. Toggl Track is built for freelancers and small teams who need simple, accurate time tracking, whereas Kimai targets teams that want full control over their time tracking data via self-hosting.
Free
| Feature | Toggl Track | Kimai |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| API | — | ✓ |
| Integrations | ✓ | — |
| Mobile app | ✓ | — |
| Multi-user | — | ✓ |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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. Toggl Track starts at $9/user/mo, but Free for up to 5 users. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Toggl Track offers Integrations and Mobile app that Kimai lacks. Kimai brings API, Multi-user and Self-hosting that Toggl Track does not have. Both share Reporting and Time tracking.
Open source: Kimai is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Toggl Track is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Toggl Track's biggest strengths are: extremely easy to use — one-click timer with minimal friction. generous free tier for up to 5 users. Kimai's biggest strengths are: completely free and open source — no per-user fees. self-hosted means you own your data entirely.
Watch out for: With Toggl Track, users commonly note that limited project management features — it's purely time tracking. With Kimai, the main complaint is that requires self-hosting — not a cloud saas you can just sign up for.
choose Toggl Track if
- You need a tool built for freelancers and small teams who need simple, accurate time tracking
- You specifically need Integrations and Mobile app
- You care about generous free tier for up to 5 users
- The free tier works for you: free for up to 5 users
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, Toggl Track 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
frequently asked
What is the difference between Toggl Track and Kimai?
Toggl Track is simple time tracking for freelancers and teams with one-click timers and reporting, while Kimai is open-source time tracking application that you can self-host. The biggest difference up front: Kimai is free, while Toggl Track starts at $9/user/mo. Toggl Track is built for freelancers and small teams who need simple, accurate time tracking, whereas Kimai targets teams that want full control over their time tracking data via self-hosting.
Should I use Toggl Track or Kimai?
Kimai is the free option; Toggl Track charges $9/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Toggl Track over Kimai?
Choose Toggl Track if You need a tool built for freelancers and small teams who need simple, accurate time tracking; You specifically need Integrations and Mobile app; You care about generous free tier for up to 5 users; The free tier works for you: free for up to 5 users.
When should I choose Kimai over Toggl Track?
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, Toggl Track 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.
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