Best Time Tracking Software for Swiss Businesses in 2026
Finding time tracking software that actually fits your Swiss business shouldn't feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Whether you need SECO compliance, QR invoice integration, or simply want to stop losing billable hours, this guide cuts through the noise.
Finding time tracking software that actually fits your Swiss business shouldn't feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Whether you need SECO compliance, QR invoice integration, or simply want to stop losing billable hours, this guide cuts through the noise.
I've tested and compared the leading Swiss-built time tracking solutions—plus key international alternatives—to help you choose the right tool for your freelance business or SMB.
Why Swiss Businesses Need Purpose-Built Time Tracking
Over 25% of Switzerland's workforce now freelances, with projections reaching 50% within the decade. Meanwhile, Swiss labor laws require employers to maintain detailed working time records under ArG and ArGV 1.
The right time tracking software doesn't just log hours—it:
- Ensures SECO compliance for labor inspectorate audits
- Integrates with Swiss QR invoices for seamless client billing
- Supports multilingual teams (DE/FR/IT/EN)
- Protects data with Swiss hosting and privacy standards
- Captures billable time you'd otherwise lose to memory gaps
In 2026, the best tools also leverage AI automation to eliminate manual time entry and integrate with your existing workflow—from Slack to accounting software.
What to Look for in Time Tracking Software
The best time tracking software for Swiss businesses combines compliance, automation, and seamless integration. Here's what actually matters when choosing your tool.
Compliance & Security
Swiss labor law compliance isn't optional. Support for working time recording, break tracking, and overtime calculation under SECO requirements.Automation & AI
Modern tools use AI to detect work activity, suggest time entries, and auto-categorize tasks—recovering 30% more billable hours than manual timers.Integration Ecosystem
Connections to project management, communication tools, accounting software, and invoicing with QR code support for seamless workflows.Mobile Accessibility
Reliable iOS/Android apps for field workers, consultants, and remote teams—not just web access.Invoicing Connection
Integrated invoicing with Swiss-specific features like QR invoice generation and VAT management eliminates manual data entry.Top Time Tracking Software for Swiss Users
We've tested and compared the leading Swiss-built time tracking solutions and international alternatives to help you choose the right tool.
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price (CHF/mo) | AI Features | Swiss Hosting | Mobile Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Heidi | Swiss freelancers | Free / 30 | ✓ AI expense scanning | ✓ | iOS, Android, Desktop |
| TimeStatement | SMBs needing invoicing | Free / 3.50 | ✗ | ✓ | iOS, Android |
| Toggl Track | Personal productivity | Free / 9 | ✗ | ✗ | iOS, Android, Desktop |
| Timely | Agencies & consultancies | 8 USD | ✓ AI auto-tracking | ✗ | iOS, Android |
| Smallinvoice | Multi-feature admin | Free / 15 | ✗ | ✓ | Web only |
| Clockify | Teams on budget | Free / 3.99 USD | ✗ | ✗ | iOS, Android, Desktop |
Magic Heidi: Your Swiss Freelancing Powerhouse
Magic Heidi positions itself as the freelancer's Swiss Army knife—combining time tracking with AI-powered expense scanning and tax calculation.
Everything You Need in One Platform
Built specifically for Swiss freelancers who want one tool for time, expenses, invoicing, and tax prep.
AI-Powered Automation
AI reads receipts and categorizes expenses automatically. The AI scanning alone saves hours of manual entry each month.
- Automatic receipt scanning and categorization
- Real-time profit calculator showing what you keep after tax
- Smart expense tracking linked to projects
- AI-powered invoice generation
Swiss-Specific Features
Everything you need for Swiss business compliance and banking integration built right in.
- QR invoice generation for Swiss banking
- VAT management built for Swiss rates
- SECO-compliant time tracking
- Multi-language support (DE/FR/IT/EN)
Complete Business Management
Cross-platform support means you can work from anywhere, on any device, at any time.
- Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows apps
- Client search to find ideal freelance matches
- Project-based time tracking
- Integrated accounting and tax prep
Magic Heidi Pricing
Start free and upgrade when you're ready. No credit card required for the free trial.
Free
- 3 invoices monthly
- 3 expenses monthly
- AI expense scanning
- QR invoice generation
- All features unlocked
Annual
- Unlimited invoices
- Unlimited expenses
- AI expense scanning
- QR invoice generation
- VAT management
- Tax calculator
- Priority support
- All platforms included
Monthly
- Unlimited invoices
- Unlimited expenses
- AI expense scanning
- QR invoice generation
- VAT management
- Tax calculator
- All platforms included
Limitations: No team features or employee management. If you have staff, look elsewhere.
Try Magic Heidi free — no credit card required.
TimeStatement: Freelancer-to-SMB Growth
This Swiss-built tool starts free for solopreneurs but scales to small teams needing billable hour tracking.
Key Features:
- Project-based timesheets with clock-in/out
- Absence and overtime management
- Expense tracking linked to projects
- Customizable invoicing (PDF/Word)
- SECO-compliant labor law tracking
Pricing:
- Free: 1 user, basic tracking
- Starter: ~CHF 3.50/user/month (absences included)
- Pro: ~CHF 9/user/month (adds invoicing/expenses)
Best for: Service businesses (consulting, engineering, law) billing by the hour. Strong invoicing integration makes client billing painless.
Limitations: Free tier is quite limited. No SSO or advanced permissions in base plans.
Toggl Track: Simple Personal Tracking
The global favorite for individual time tracking, now with improved Swiss user support.
Key Features:
- One-click timer with tagging
- Calendar view of tracked time
- 100+ integrations (Asana, Slack, Google Calendar)
- Basic reporting and project budgets
- Browser extension for tracking anywhere
Pricing:
- Free: Unlimited tracking, basic reports
- Starter: $9/user/month (team features)
- Premium: $18/user/month (advanced reports)
Best for: Individuals wanting dead-simple tracking without Swiss-specific features. Great for personal productivity or international teams.
Limitations: No Swiss hosting, no QR invoices, no built-in invoicing. You'll need separate tools for client billing.
Timely: AI-Powered Automatic Tracking
Timely uses "memory tracking" to automatically log every app, document, and website you work in—then suggests accurate timesheets.
Key Features:
- Zero-touch automatic time capture
- AI learns your work patterns
- Privacy-first (you control what's tracked)
- Project budgets and forecasting
- Team scheduling and capacity planning
Pricing:
- Starter: $8/user/month
- Premium: $14/user/month
- Unlimited: $20/user/month
Best for: Consultancies and agencies drowning in manual time entry. The automation genuinely works, recovering 30%+ more billable time.
Limitations: No Swiss data hosting. Higher price point. Overkill for simple freelance needs.
Smallinvoice: Swiss All-in-One Admin
This Swiss platform bundles time tracking with invoicing, basic accounting, and contact management.
Key Features:
- Project time recording
- QR invoice generation
- Multi-language support (DE/FR/IT/EN)
- Swiss banking integration
- Basic bookkeeping module
Pricing:
- Free: 1 user, limited documents
- Starter: CHF 15/month (1 user, QR invoices)
- Professional: CHF 30/month (3 users, bookkeeping)
Best for: Swiss startups wanting one platform for admin tasks. Fair daily billing and Swiss-exclusive data processing.
Limitations: No native mobile apps—web interface only. Higher tiers needed for full features.
Clockify: Budget Team Solution
The free-forever favorite now serves over 5 million users globally.
Key Features:
- Unlimited users on free plan
- Timesheets, kiosk, and auto-tracker options
- Project and client tracking
- Basic invoicing (paid plans)
- Reports and exports
Pricing:
- Free: Unlimited users, basic features
- Basic: $3.99/user/month (timesheets, invoicing)
- Standard: $5.49/user/month (scheduling)
- Pro: $7.99/user/month (profit tracking)
Best for: Teams of any size needing free or low-cost tracking. Generous free tier beats competitors.
Limitations: No Swiss hosting. Free tier lacks invoicing and advanced reports.
Swiss Compliance: What You Need to Know
Swiss labor law (ArG and ArGV 1) requires employers to maintain detailed working time records. This means tracking daily working hours, break times, overtime, and absences. Records must be available for cantonal labor inspectorate audits.
Track daily hours, breaks, overtime, and vacation days for labor inspectorate audits
Employees earning over CHF 120k with autonomy can use simplified recording
Prove work periods for tax deductions and justify client invoices with detailed logs
Switzerland's 4-language market requires tools supporting DE/FR/IT/EN
How to Choose: A Decision Framework
Different business types need different solutions. Here's how to choose the right time tracking tool for your specific situation.
Swiss Freelancers
Start with Magic Heidi. Swiss-built features (QR invoices, VAT, tax calculator) plus AI expense scanning justify CHF 30/month. Free tier lets you test with real invoices.
Small Teams (2-10)
TimeStatement or Clockify depending on budget. TimeStatement offers better Swiss integration; Clockify gives unlimited free users.
Automatic AI Tracking
Timely recovers the most billable hours for consultancies. Worth the premium if time leakage costs you thousands monthly.
Personal Tracking
Toggl Track free plan. Can't beat it for individual use without invoicing needs.
All-in-One Swiss Admin
Smallinvoice bundles time, invoicing, and bookkeeping. Best for startups consolidating tools.
Questions to Ask During Trials
- Can I track time where I already work (Slack, Asana)?
- How does mobile entry actually feel on my phone?
- Does it generate the invoice format my clients expect?
- Will my team actually use this daily?
- Can I export data if I switch tools later?
Most Swiss tools offer 14-30 day free trials. Test with real projects, not sample data.
Common Questions About Time Tracking
Is time tracking legally required for Swiss freelancers?
No, but it's financially smart. Freelancers who track time accurately report 20-30% higher income—they simply bill for work they'd otherwise forget.
What's the difference between manual and automatic tracking?
Manual tracking uses start/stop timers you control. Automatic (AI) tracking monitors your work activity and suggests time entries—recovering forgotten tasks. Automatic typically captures 30% more billable time but costs more.
How much does time tracking software cost in Switzerland?
Entry-level tools start at CHF 3-5/user/month. Full-featured solutions run CHF 15-30/month for individuals. Many offer free tiers with basic tracking. Pay annually to save 15-20%.
Can I use time tracking for client invoicing?
Yes—tools like Magic Heidi, TimeStatement, and Harvest convert tracked time directly to invoices. Essential for hourly billing. Look for QR invoice support if you serve Swiss clients.
What integrations should I look for?
Prioritize connections to tools you use daily: calendar apps (Google/Outlook), project management (Asana/Trello), communication (Slack/Teams), and accounting software. Swiss users need QR invoice and VAT integrations.
Is my data secure with cloud-based tools?
Swiss-hosted solutions (Magic Heidi, TimeStatement, Smallinvoice) follow strict Swiss data privacy laws. International tools (Toggl, Timely) use EU/US servers with GDPR compliance. Check privacy policies for data location details.
How do I get my team to actually use time tracking?
Start with why: 'This helps us bill accurately, not micromanage you.' Choose intuitive tools with mobile apps. Track yourself first to model behavior. Integrate into existing workflows rather than adding steps. Review adoption weekly, not monthly.
2026 Trends Shaping Time Tracking
The time tracking landscape is evolving rapidly. Here's what's changing the game in 2026.
AI Automation Goes Mainstream
The shift from manual timers to AI-suggested entries is accelerating. Tools without automatic tracking will feel as outdated as paper timesheets.
Integration Becomes Intelligence
Connected tools predict workload bottlenecks, forecast project completion, and flag under-budgeted tasks before they become problems.
Hyperautomation in Operations
Time data now feeds automated approval workflows, payroll processing, and compliance reporting. Manual timesheet review is disappearing.
Stop Losing Billable Hours
The best time tracking software is the one you'll actually use daily. Most Swiss professionals lose 5-10 billable hours weekly to poor tracking—that's CHF 500-2,000 monthly at typical rates.
Final Recommendation: Where to Start
Swiss freelancers: Try Magic Heidi free for 30 days. The AI expense scanning alone will sell you, and QR invoicing makes client billing effortless.
Small teams (2-10 people): Start with Clockify free to test team adoption, then upgrade to TimeStatement if you need Swiss-specific invoicing.
Consultancies and agencies: Invest in Timely if time leakage exceeds CHF 500/month. The automatic tracking pays for itself.
Personal productivity: Toggl Track free plan. Upgrade only if you need team features.
The best time tracking software is the one you'll actually use daily. Most Swiss professionals lose 5-10 billable hours weekly to poor tracking—that's CHF 500-2,000 monthly at typical rates.
Start your free trial today. Your future self (and bank account) will thank you.
About this guide: Last updated March 2026. All pricing verified from official vendor websites. We tested each Swiss-hosted solution with real freelance projects to verify features and usability.