Head-to-head · Time Tracking Software
actiTIME vs Timely
actiTIME leads on 2 checks, Timely on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreactiTIME · 8.2/10
- Lowest starting priceactiTIME · $5/user/mo
- Free planonly actiTIME
- Free trialboth
actiTIME scores higher on our rubric for time tracking software: 8.2 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #10 and #12.
actiTIME offers free plan; Timely doesn't. actiTIME is cheaper to start at $5/user/mo against $9/user/mo. Timely offers desktop app; actiTIME doesn't.
actiTIME is the better fit for small teams needing self-hosting. Timely is the better fit for teams wanting AI-assisted automatic tracking.
- actiTIME fits best
Small teams needing self-hosting
- Timely fits best
Teams wanting AI-assisted automatic tracking
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Side by side
| Feature | actiTIME 8.2/10 Visit ↗ | Timely 8.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Ranking | #10 in Time Tracking Software | #12 in Time Tracking Software |
| Best for | Small teams needing self-hosting | Teams wanting AI-assisted automatic tracking |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $5/user/mo (best) | $9/user/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 30 days · no card needed | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs | Email, Live chat, Docs |
| Compliance | GDPR, 2FA | ISO 27001, 2FA |
| Integrations | 2,000+ integrations | 94+ integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features actiTIME 5/6 · Timely 5/6 | ||
| Project tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Billable time | ✓ | ✓ |
| Timesheet approvals | ✓ | ✓ |
| Desktop app | — | ✓ (best) |
| Offline tracking | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Data export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Mobile apps | Both | Both |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | actiTIME is project time-tracking software for teams that need to connect hours with projects, tasks, costs, budgets, billing, and profitability. It supports weekly timesheets, calendar-based entry, project and task tracking, billable and… Read the review → |
Timely is a time-tracking platform for consultancies, agencies, SaaS businesses, professional-services teams, and enterprises. Its Memory applications automatically capture work activity, while AI helps create timesheet drafts and allocate… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
actiTIME — where it wins
- Free forever plan for up to three users
- Self-hosted deployment with data on customer infrastructure
- Approvals, budgets, workflows, exports, and offline mobile tracking
Where it doesn't
- Free plan has limited functionality
- No desktop app
- Self-hosted licensing costs $120 per user upfront
Timely — where it wins
- Automatic capture with AI-generated timesheet drafts and project allocation
- Planning, approvals, budgets, billable rates, and project health monitoring
- Web, desktop, mobile, API access, and broad business-tool integrations
Where it doesn't
- No free plan; paid plans start at $9 per user per month annually
- Starter limits teams to 5 users and 20 projects
- iOS and Android apps are available but not actively developed
- actiTIME8.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
A flexible time tracker for small teams that need approvals, budgets, and self-hosting.
Visit actiTIMEFull verdict → - Timely8.0/10 · 14-day trial
Timely suits teams that want automatic capture, AI-assisted timesheets, and project controls.
Visit TimelyFull verdict →
All time tracking software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update