Graphic design agencies often have to handle multiple projects with tight deadlines, while managing freelance contributors, remote workers, and regular staff – making accurate time-tracking essential. With the help of time-tracking software such as Controlio, agencies can easily monitor attendance, work hours, and productivity, while improving task and resource allocation, workflows, and billing.
Although nowadays there are many options out there, some time-tracking software are definitely better than others at addressing the common needs of graphic design agencies.
1.  Controlio
Controlio is a great option for managing distributed teams of designers and freelancers, due to its focus on employee monitoring and time tracking. It features real-time activity tracking, employee productivity and work hours analytics, as well as detailed reporting. Another useful feature for graphic design agencies is its screenshot and screen recording functionality that can either be used to check on progress and verify productivity.
Although its integrations are limited, its data can be exported in common formats. Additionally it supports custom monitoring policies that can be used to transparently monitor employees without micromanaging them.
2.  Clockify
Clockify is mainly known for its unlimited free plan coupled with its robust project management features – making it a budget-friendly option that is particularly appealing to bootstrapped or growing design agencies. It has numerous methods of tracking time including one-click timer, manual timesheets, kiosk mode, or automated option.
The project management features allow users to categorize entries by projects, define hourly rates, and generate invoices. Its data insights are available via a variety of customizable reports and visualizations, and it has over 80 integrations with popular business tools.
3.  Hubstaff
Hubstaff is designed to provide businesses with detailed insights into employee activities, team efficiency, and project performance. Its monitoring features are extensive, and can track exactly how time is spent as well as capture screenshots at set intervals. Based on the data it collects it will generate in-depth reports on time spent by project, task, or activity and integrates with many popular tools.
Its features can assist with payroll, scheduling, payments, invoicing, and managing expenses. In fact it also has addons that can extend its functionality further by providing GPS tracking and geofencing – which make it perfect for agencies that conduct on-site consultations.
4.  Toggl Track
Toggl Track is a simple and highly intuitive time-tracker that features a one-click timer but also supports manual and automated time entries. It has full offline capabilities that allow it to be used without an internet connection, and its data will sync once a connection is available. What sets it apart is that its data insights focus not just on employee activities and productivity, but also profitability.
The features in Toggl Track mainly consist of its time tracking, reporting, and project and client management functions. It has extensive integrations with over a 100 platforms.
5.  Harvest
Harvest is another time-tracking software that also focuses on financials. It can streamline invoicing for graphic design agencies that either bill hourly or by project milestones, and also supports online payments via its integrations. The reporting features in Harvest not only cover employee activity but also project progress, resource utilization and team capacity.
On top of its other features, Harvest can track business expenses, and helps create professional project estimates. It is favored by agencies that focus on polished client deliverables, financial insights, and a light style of monitoring.
Conclusion
Each of these 5 time-tracking software can help graphic design agencies manage teams more effectively while also providing visibility into project costs, billable hours, and more. If you haven’t already checked them out – start by taking a look at what Controlio can do or maybe even trying out its free trial to put it through its paces.