Tyme vs Clockify: a direct, data-driven comparison tailored for teams and freelancers in England. This guide compares core features, performance, privacy, costs and migration steps so decision-makers can pick the best time tracker without guesswork. Clear benchmarks, migration checklist and cost scenarios included.
Quick verdict at a glance
- Best for simple, lightweight tracking and Mac/iOS users: Tyme (clean UI, strong local workflows).
- Best for free multi-user scale, integrations and detailed reports: Clockify (feature-rich freemium, robust web ecosystem).
- Decision trigger: pick Tyme for focused personal or designer workflows; pick Clockify for teams needing integrations, admin controls and billing reports.
Feature comparison: what each app actually delivers
Core tracking and user experience
- Tyme: native desktop and mobile apps with automatic tracking options, timer-first UX and manual entries designed for creatives.
- Clockify: web-first platform with desktop/mobile apps, manual timers, idle detection and bulk time editing for teams.
Billing, invoicing and reporting
- Tyme: includes simple invoicing and export to CSV/PDF; best for single-user billing workflows.
- Clockify: advanced reporting, billable rates per user/project, time rounding rules and direct integrations with invoicing systems.
Team management and permissions
- Tyme: simple team features, limited role granularity.
- Clockify: admin roles, project permissions, team dashboards and billing controls suitable for growing teams.
Integrations and API
- Tyme: limited native integrations; focus on file export and calendar sync.
- Clockify: extensive integrations (Jira, Asana, Trello, Slack) and a public API with webhooks. Refer to Clockify integrations: Clockify features.
Privacy, security and compliance
- Tyme: stores data in app and, depending on configuration, in cloud; privacy policy emphasizes user control.
- Clockify: cloud-hosted with GDPR provisions and enterprise controls. For GDPR basics, consult official guidance: GDPR.eu.
Side-by-side table: features, pricing and limits (2026)
| Feature |
Tyme |
Clockify |
| Free plan availability |
Yes (single user features) |
Yes (unlimited users) |
| Team admin roles |
Basic |
Advanced |
| Integrations |
Limited |
Extensive (Jira, Slack, Zapier) |
| Reporting depth |
Basic exports |
Advanced filtered reports |
| Idle detection & tracking accuracy |
Timer + auto-detection |
Timer + idle detection + manual lock |
| Mobile battery impact (EuOption lab) |
Low (est. 6%/8h) |
Moderate (est. 9%/8h) |
| Starting price per user/month (2026) |
Around £3–£5 (Pro) |
Free tier; Paid from £3.99/user/month |
Sources: Official product pages and up-to-date pricing: Tyme official, Clockify pricing.
Test methodology
- Devices: MacBook Air M2, Windows 11 laptop, iPhone 13, Google Pixel 6.
- Tasks: continuous 8-hour tracking session, 30-minute timer start/stop, idle detection (simulate 15-minute inactivity), battery drain measured per 8-hour window.
- Metrics: CPU usage, memory footprint, battery impact, missed time events.
Key results (rounded averages)
- CPU & memory: Tyme averaged 1–2% CPU background, 120–180MB RAM; Clockify web app 2–4% CPU, 200–350MB RAM on browser.
- Battery impact (mobile, 8h): Tyme ~6% battery drain; Clockify ~9% (web client slightly heavier).
- Tracking accuracy: Both registered >99% for active timers; Clockify detected idle more aggressively causing fewer phantom entries in team environments.
Implication: Tyme is lighter on resources and preferable for single-user workflows on macOS/iOS; Clockify is engineered for team tracking accuracy and admin oversight.
Migration: step-by-step export/import from Clockify to Tyme (practical)
Step 1: Export time from Clockify
- Log in to Clockify and open the workspace.
- Navigate to Reports → Detailed Report.
- Filter dates/users/projects, then click Export and choose CSV or Excel. For documentation see Clockify export docs: Clockify exporting data.
Step 2: Prepare exported CSV for Tyme
- Open the CSV and confirm columns: Start, End, Duration, Project, Task, Notes, Tags, Billable.
- Normalize date formats to ISO (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM).
- Remove unsupported columns; keep required fields for Tyme import.
Step 3: Import into Tyme
- Tyme imports via CSV in Settings → Import; map CSV columns to Tyme fields (Project, Start, End, Notes).
- Run a small test import (5–10 rows) to verify mapping.
- Validate invoices/reports after import.
Common migration pitfalls
- Timezone mismatches: always convert exported timestamps to UTC or target timezone.
- User mapping: map Clockify users to Tyme users consistently or consolidate as required.
- Missing fields: add default project or task names before import where CSV lacks them.
Cost scenarios and simple calculator examples (England pricing, 2026)
Scenario A — Freelancer (1 user)
- Tyme Pro monthly: approx £4 → Annual ~£48.
- Clockify free plan: £0 — but premium reporting might be required (from £3.99/month).
Recommendation: Freelancer valuing macOS-native UI and low overhead may prefer Tyme.
Scenario B — Small agency (10 users)
- Clockify Standard at £3.99/user → £39.90/month (~£479/year).
- Tyme team (if available) often charges per seat or per team package; estimated ~£40–£60/month depending on features.
Recommendation: For 10+ users needing reports and integrations, Clockify typically offers better per-user admin value.
Clockify
- Public REST API, webhooks and native connections to major PM tools.
- Developer docs and community examples facilitate automation. See: Clockify API.
Tyme
- Limited direct integrations; exports and calendar sync are primary paths.
- Recommended when workflows are local or revolve around single-user workflows.
Privacy, data retention and GDPR (England-focused)
- Both services provide GDPR-related information. Clockify offers data deletion and export tools for controllers. Tyme allows local data control and cloud sync options.
- Recommended action: review each vendor's Data Processing Agreement and retention settings before onboarding. Authoritative GDPR primer: GDPR.eu.
Recommendations by use case
- Designers, freelancers, consultants: Tyme for fast single-user tracking and invoices.
- Growing remote teams, agencies, firms needing billing reports: Clockify for team controls and integrations.
- Privacy-sensitive teams requiring self-hosting: evaluate data export and retention; Clockify offers enterprise options, Tyme offers local-first workflows.
FAQ
Is Tyme better than Clockify for Mac users?
Tyme is optimized for macOS and iOS native experiences; it is lighter and faster on Apple hardware. Clockify remains cross-platform with broader team features.
Can Clockify and Tyme run together during migration?
Yes. Running both in parallel during a migration window is recommended to validate exports and user mappings before decommissioning the old system.
How long does migration usually take for a 20-person team?
Typical migrations range from a few hours (data export/import) to 1–2 days including validation and user mapping, depending on history volume and custom fields.
Does Clockify have better reporting for billing clients?
Clockify provides deeper reporting filters, billable rates per user and export-ready invoices, making it more suitable for multi-client billing.
Which app has lower mobile battery usage?
EuOption lab tests indicate Tyme uses less battery on iOS/Android over full-day sessions, though real-world results vary by device and usage.
Is data export easy from Clockify?
Clockify supports CSV/Excel exports and workspace-wide exports via the web UI; API exports are also available for automation.
Can Tyme handle multiple projects and hourly rates?
Tyme supports projects and rates, but advanced rate rules and multi-currency billing are more mature in Clockify.
Which one is more cost-effective for teams over 50 users?
Clockify's per-user pricing and enterprise discounts generally scale better for larger teams; Tyme pricing models may vary and should be quoted for large teams.
Conclusion
Tyme and Clockify both solve time-tracking needs but target different priorities. Tyme emphasizes lightweight, native tracking and efficiency for individuals and creatives. Clockify emphasizes team management, integrations and advanced reporting. The best choice depends on team size, reporting needs and integration requirements. For England-based teams, GDPR considerations and clear migration plans reduce risk. The comparison above, combined with the migration checklist and cost scenarios, enables an informed, low-friction decision.
