Home /
Alternatives to Harvest /
Harvest vs InvoicePlane
Harvest vs InvoicePlane
A side-by-side look at Harvest (the paid SaaS) and InvoicePlane (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Harvest | InvoicePlane | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Time tracking with invoicing built in. | Simple invoicing for freelancers and consultants. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MIT |
| Pricing | Free for 1 user; Pro $10.80/user/month. | Free to self-host |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 1/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | No |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Pairing simple time tracking with solid invoicing for contractors.
InvoicePlane strengths
- Runs on cheap PHP/MySQL hosting.
- Focused on the invoicing workflow.
- Great for solo freelancers.
InvoicePlane weaknesses
- Development pace has slowed in recent years.
- Feature set narrower than Akaunting.
- UI is functional, not modern.
What's the catch with Harvest?
- Project structure is rigid for complex agencies.
- Integrations feel dated compared to newer entrants.
- Invoicing is basic — many teams pair it with a second tool.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Harvest: see Harvest alternatives, or learn more about InvoicePlane on its project page.
Recommended reading
When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
An honest retrospective on the ways self-hosted setups break — not in theory, but in practice — and the small habits that prevent most of them.
Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
Bus factor, maintainer burnout, funding models, and the signals that separate OSS projects that survive from those that quietly decay.
From SaaS to self-hosted: a 30-day migration playbook
A week-by-week plan to move one service off SaaS and onto your own server without breaking your team's workflow.