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Harvest vs Kimai
Harvest vs Kimai
A side-by-side look at Harvest (the paid SaaS) and Kimai (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Harvest | Kimai | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Time tracking with invoicing built in. | Self-hosted time tracker with invoicing and reports. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | AGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free for 1 user; Pro $10.80/user/month. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | iOS, Android |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
The closest self-hosted match for Harvest's timesheet-plus-invoicing workflow.
Kimai strengths
- Teams, projects, customers and invoices in one tool.
- REST API plus mobile clients.
- Easy PHP/MySQL deployment on any VPS.
Kimai weaknesses
- UI is functional rather than polished.
- Some reports need the paid plugins or plugin-store extensions.
- Smaller ecosystem of integrations than Toggl.
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 Kimai on its project page.
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Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
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