Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Hubstaff · ⏳ time tracking
Hubstaff vs Clockify Free
Five users get timers and a private auto-tracker; reports stop at 31-day windows and CSV export is paid. Here is how Clockify Free ($0/mo free) stacks up against Hubstaff ($7/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Hubstaff vs Clockify Free Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Hubstaff (Paid) | Clockify Free (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $7 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $84 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $84) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $420 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $420) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $840 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $840) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | free proprietary, free |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Hosted (their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopmobilewebextensionthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ $0 forever |
Deep Dive: Switching from Hubstaff to Clockify Free
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Clockify Free lacks Hubstaff’s timesheet approvals, scheduling, payroll workflow, unrestricted report history, and included export controls.
How to deploy Clockify Free
Create a hosted workspace and use the web, desktop, mobile, or browser-extension clients
Where your data lives
Time entries, projects, clients, and workspace records live in Clockify's cloud; desktop auto-tracker observations are collected locally before selected items are turned into time entries
Why fork Clockify Free instead of vibe-coding a Hubstaff clone?
A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Hubstaff, track opt-in work time without screenshots, keystrokes, or hidden monitoring. The hard boundary is workforce tracking, payroll, gps, scheduling, reports, and compliance operations, plus ubiquitous capture, coaching, and team workflow.
Hubstaff vs Clockify Free FAQ
Is Clockify Free a good free alternative to Hubstaff?+
Yes. Clockify Free is a verified free replacement for Hubstaff. Five users get timers and a private auto-tracker; reports stop at 31-day windows and CSV export is paid.
What is the catch when switching from Hubstaff to Clockify Free?+
Clockify Free lacks Hubstaff’s timesheet approvals, scheduling, payroll workflow, unrestricted report history, and included export controls.
How much do you save switching from Hubstaff to Clockify Free?+
Hubstaff costs $7/mo ($84/yr) per seat, whereas Clockify Free is $0/mo. Switching saves $84/yr for a solo user, $420/yr for a 5-person team, and $840/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Clockify Free instead of Hubstaff?+
Install: Create a hosted workspace and use the web, desktop, mobile, or browser-extension clients.
