Hubstaff vs Timely: Which Time Tracking Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction — side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
Hubstaff vs Timely, in 15 seconds
Choose Hubstaff if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You need a genuinely free plan
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Choose Timely if…
- You want deeper AI and automation features
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Hubstaff and Timely score
Hubstaff leads on 6 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
HubstaffNo reviewsTimelyNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
Hubstaff0Timely0 - Hubstaff
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
Hubstaff$5/moTimely$9/mo - Hubstaff
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
HubstaffFree plan + trialTimelyFree trial - Hubstaff
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Hubstaff10Timely6 - Hubstaff
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Hubstaff12Timely6 - Timely
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Hubstaff1Timely2 - Hubstaff
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Hubstaff3Timely2 - Hubstaff
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Hubstaff7Timely6
Feature Comparison
Hubstaff vs Timely feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Pricing Comparison
Hubstaff vs Timely pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Hubstaff
$5/mo to start- 1 user
- Time tracking
- Activity levels
- Limited screenshots
- Time tracking
- Activity and screenshots
- Timesheets
- Basic reports
- App/URL tracking
- Project budgets
- Unlimited integrations
- Idle timeout
- Scheduling and attendance
- Automated payroll
- GPS and geofencing (add-on)
- Workforce analytics
Timely
$9/mo to start- Automatic time tracking
- AI timesheets
- 20 projects
- Reporting
- Unlimited projects
- Capacity planning
- Budgets
- Integrations
- Unlimited users & projects
- Advanced reporting
- People management
- Priority features
- Advanced security
- SSO
- Dedicated support
- Custom terms
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
Hubstaff vs Timely: strengths and trade-offs
Hubstaff
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Lower starting price ($5/mo)
- Broad integration ecosystem (10)
- Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA
- Public API available
Cons
Timely
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR
- Stronger AI / automation features
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Higher starting price ($9/mo)
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
Buyer Fit
Who should use Hubstaff vs Timely?
Startups
Hubstaff
Hubstaff keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
Hubstaff
Hubstaff offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
Hubstaff
Hubstaff connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Hubstaff
Hubstaff leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Hubstaff
Hubstaff integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
Timely
Timely is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (3)
Only in Hubstaff (7)
Only in Timely (3)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar time tracking products buyers compare alongside Hubstaff and Timely.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Hubstaff and Timely against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs — then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationHubstaff vs Timely — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Hubstaff and Timely?
Hubstaff and Timely are both Time Tracking solutions. Hubstaff is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Timely is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Hubstaff or Timely?
Based on user ratings, Hubstaff scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Hubstaff or Timely?
Hubstaff is the more affordable option, starting at $5/month.
Does Hubstaff or Timely have a free plan?
Hubstaff offers a free plan. Timely does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from Hubstaff to Timely?
Switching between Hubstaff and Timely is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Hubstaff vs Timely?
Hubstaff is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Timely works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Hubstaff vs Timely
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
Hubstaff
Hubstaff has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
Hubstaff
Hubstaff leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
Hubstaff
Hubstaff delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Timely
Timely ships more AI and automation.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.
