About WorkingHours
As someone who juggles freelance projects and a part-time job, I’ve tried more time-tracking apps than I can count. Most felt like overkill or required more management than my actual work. Then I found WorkingHours by developer Timo Partl. I’ve been using it for about six months now, and it’s become my go-to for one reason: it does exactly what it says, without the clutter. It’s just me, a timer, and a clear log of where my day went.
Features & Highlights
The core feature is the timer, and it’s brilliantly simple. I tap a big “Start” button when I begin a task, and tap “Stop” when I’m done or taking a break. What I love is the ability to add a quick note right then—like “Client X website edits” or “Monthly report draft.” I can also tag entries with project names. Later, when I’m invoicing, I can filter by tag and see exactly how many hours I spent on each client. The automatic break detection is a subtle but helpful touch; if I forget to stop the timer and my phone is idle for a while, the app asks if that was a break. The reports are basic but useful—I can see a weekly bar chart of my hours, which is great for spotting when I’m creeping toward burnout.
User Experience
The first thing I noticed was how clean the interface is. There’s no dashboard crammed with widgets I’ll never use. My main screen is just my current timer (if it’s running) and a list of today’s entries. I remember one Tuesday when I was hopping between three different small tasks. Being able to stop the timer, jot a two-word note, and start a new entry in under 10 seconds kept me honest with my time without breaking my flow. It’s not the prettiest app out there—the design is very functional—but that simplicity means I never waste time figuring out where things are. The only slight hiccup I had was figuring out how to edit a start time for a session I forgot to log, but I found the edit function after a quick tap-and-hold on the entry.
Pricing
The app is completely free with no hidden subscriptions, which is almost unheard of these days. There are no ads, no nagging screens to upgrade to a “Pro” version, and no limit on the number of projects or time entries. Developer Timo Partl offers it as a free tool, which makes it an incredible value. For a freelancer on a budget like me, getting reliable time tracking without a monthly fee is a huge win. It’s absolutely worth it.
Updates & Support
I get an update for WorkingHours every couple of months, usually with small bug fixes or subtle interface tweaks. It’s clear the developer is maintaining it, even if there aren’t massive feature overhauls. I had one question early on about exporting my data, and I emailed the developer directly through the contact in the Google Play Store. To my surprise, I got a friendly, helpful reply from Timo himself within 48 hours. That personal touch really solidified my trust in the app.
Security & Privacy
I downloaded WorkingHours from the official Google Play Store. The app’s privacy policy is straightforward: all your time tracking data stays locally on your device. It doesn’t require an account to use, and it doesn’t send your data to any external servers unless you choose to export a report. There are zero ads and no in-app purchases. For a tool that handles sensitive work-hour data, this local-first, no-tracking approach is exactly what I want. I know my client project names and hours aren’t being mined or sold.
How do I add a note or tag to a time entry in WorkingHours?
When you stop the timer, you can immediately type a quick note and assign a project tag. Later, you can filter your entries by tag to see total hours per client or project.
Does WorkingHours have automatic break detection?
Yes, if you forget to stop the timer and your phone is idle for a while, the app will ask if that time was a break. It's a subtle but helpful feature to keep your logs accurate.
How do I edit the start time of a session I forgot to log?
Tap and hold on the entry in your daily list, and an edit option will appear. From there, you can adjust the start time or any other details of that session.
Can I export my time tracking data from WorkingHours?
Yes, you can export your data. If you have trouble finding the export option, you can contact the developer Timo Partl through the Google Play Store, and he typically responds within 48 hours with helpful instructions.
How does WorkingHours compare to Toggl or other popular time trackers?
Unlike Toggl, which can feel overwhelming with dashboards and premium tiers, WorkingHours is completely free with no ads or limits. It focuses on a simple start/stop timer with notes and tags, making it ideal for freelancers who want minimal setup.
