Looking for a Kimai Alternative?
TimeTracker is a free, self-hosted, GPL-3.0 time tracker with Kanban boards, budgets, and invoicing built into the core app — no plugins required.
Last updated: September 17, 2026
- GPL-3.0 licensed, free for unlimited users, self-hosted
- Kanban boards and project budgets in the base install
- Built-in PDF invoicing with status tracking — no plugin needed
- Peppol & Factur-X/ZUGFeRD e-invoicing (EN 16931) built in
- Docker-first deployment, SQLite or PostgreSQL
Demo: timetracker-demo.drytrix.com · Also compare: TimeTracker vs solidtime | Compare with all alternatives
Why some teams move from Kimai to TimeTracker
Invoicing without a plugin
TimeTracker generates PDF invoices from tracked time directly in the core app. Kimai also supports invoicing, but if your workflow depends on a specific bundle or plugin, that's one more moving part to keep updated.
Kanban alongside timers
TimeTracker pairs timers with drag-and-drop Kanban boards for task status, so project management and time tracking live in one screen.
GPL-3.0 instead of AGPL-3.0
Kimai is AGPL-3.0, which extends copyleft obligations to modified versions offered over a network. TimeTracker's GPL-3.0 license doesn't carry that network clause — worth a look if your legal team has a license policy on this.
A newer, simpler surface area
Kimai's two decades of development mean a very complete but also very large feature surface. TimeTracker is more focused — fewer configuration screens, faster onboarding for smaller teams.
When Kimai is still the better tool
Kimai has a two-decade head start and a large ecosystem. It's still the better pick if:
- You need one of Kimai's 30+ shipped language translations today.
- Your workflow relies on a specific Kimai plugin that has no TimeTracker equivalent yet.
- You'd rather use Kimai's managed/SaaS hosting than run Docker yourself.
If none of those apply, deploy TimeTracker and keep the detailed side-by-side on TimeTracker vs Kimai.
Try TimeTracker today — it's free
Self-host TimeTracker in 5 minutes with Docker and see if it fits your workflow better than Kimai.