The main limitation is that desktop management stays in the web app

Clockify’s Windows app is primarily a place to start and stop timers or enter work time manually. Reports, projects, and team settings are managed in the web version, so people who want to handle the full tracking workflow in a desktop interface will encounter a clear boundary. Invoicing, approvals, and time off are also outside the free plan.

Even with that division, Clockify can cover everyday time recording for freelancers and small teams. Its free plan supports unlimited tracking for up to 5 users, alongside timesheets and reports, making it possible to record and review work without a subscription.

Recording time manually or with a timer

A time entry can be created by running a timer or adding hours manually. Each entry can include a project, task, tag, and billable status, which gives users a consistent way to categorize work for later review. The timer is suited to tracking a current task as it happens, while manual entry helps fill in work that was not recorded live.

Timesheets provide daily and weekly views of logged work, and templates can be saved for recurring entries. This can reduce repeated setup when a person regularly tracks similar work. Calendar sync is included in the free plan, alongside team activity and reports.

Automation and work intervals

The auto tracker records which apps and websites are used, allowing that activity to be turned into time entries later rather than being logged automatically as finished work. Clockify says the recorded data is visible only to the user. Idle detection can help discard time spent away from the computer, while reminders prompt users to start tracking when they have not begun a timer.

Preferences also include a default project and options to start or stop tracking automatically with the computer. The Pomodoro timer supports work intervals and break notifications, providing a simple way to structure focused sessions. These tools are useful when tracking depends on remembering to run a timer, but they do not change the fact that reporting and team management take place in the web app.

Plan boundaries and account needs

The free plan is limited to 5 users, although time tracking itself is unlimited. Businesses that need invoicing, approvals, or time-off management must use a paid plan. The paid feature set also includes attendance, while higher tiers add scheduling, expenses, activity monitoring, GPS tracking, and SSO. Paid plans start at $5.49 per seat per month when billed annually or $6.99 monthly, and paid features can be tried for 7 days without a card.

Clockify requires a cloud account, so it is not suited to someone who does not want account-based tracking. The desktop and mobile apps support offline mode and sync entries when the device is back online. The auto tracker records app and website use, but manager-facing activity monitoring is a separate paid feature.

Availability and setup

Clockify is available for Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, the web, and browser extensions. On Windows, the practical starting point is to sign in with a free Clockify account, then configure idle detection, reminders, and the auto tracker in Preferences if those options fit the user’s workflow. Projects and team settings can be handled in the web version.

For users who need straightforward time capture, reusable timesheets, and reports within the free user limit, the key decision is whether the desktop timer plus web-based management matches the way they work. Teams that require the paid administrative features should account for those plan boundaries before relying on Clockify for their full process.