Best TimeTrex Alternatives
Looking past TimeTrex usually means wanting a simpler hosted time clock, or no longer wanting to self-host the open-source edition.
The open-source edition is free, but someone has to install and maintain it, and many small employers do not have that person. The interface is functional rather than polished, and paid editions need a quote. Businesses that only want a mobile time clock and schedules often find lighter hosted tools easier to roll out.
TimeTrex and its alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| TimeTrex (current) | Cost-conscious employers wanting time, scheduling and payroll together | Free |
| ActivityWatch | Individuals who want private, on-device time tracking for free | Quote-based |
| Kimai | Freelancers and agencies self-hosting time tracking with invoicing | Free |
| OrangeHRM | HR departments wanting free self-hosted core HR with paid add-ons | Free |
Employers who want time, scheduling and payroll in one package without per-module fees should compare paid TimeTrex editions before leaving. If you already have payroll elsewhere, a simpler time clock with a payroll export may be enough. Keep past punch records for wage-and-hour audits.
The alternatives buyers shortlist
ActivityWatch is a free, MPL-2.0 licensed automatic time [tracker](/software/tracker) for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android that logs the active app, window title and idle time, with browser extensions and editor plugins for more detail.
- Pricing
- Free / open source
- Deployment
- Self-hosted
- Free trial
- Not stated
Kimai is a free, open-source time tracking tool built for teams that want a more structured way to track time, activity, attendance, or workforce visibility in self-hosted or open environments.
- Pricing
- Free / open source
- Deployment
- Self-hosted
- Free trial
- Not stated
OrangeHRM is open-source [HR software](/categories/hr-software) with a free Starter edition you can self-host and a paid Advanced edition with extra modules.
- Pricing
- Free / open source
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Free trial
- Available
Questions buyers ask
Is TimeTrex free?
The Community Edition is open source and free to self-host. Professional, Corporate and Enterprise editions are sold on custom quotes and come with a 30-day free trial.