Paydirt – Time Tracking for Freelancers

Paydirt is a time tracking and invoicing application built specifically for freelancers. The straightforward tool has solved one of the most difficult aspects of time tracking — remembering to actually do it — and makes it virtually impossible for people to forget to track the time they spend working on important client projects online.

Enter your first name, email address, and a password to begin a free 14-day trial with Paydirt. Type in the name of your first client and the hourly rate you charge for your work, and then add all the projects you’re currently working on for this person or firm. Hit the Paydirt tracker each time you start working on a job, and Paydirt will handle the rest. The application automatically tracks how much time you spend on a project and converts that time into money on your final invoice. To make Paydirt even more effective, use the Firefox or Chrome extension. When you use the extension, you can click a small link on the top of your browser to quickly start tracking time without actually logging in to the Paydirt site. The application also offers “smart reminders,” which prompt you to start tracking time when certain keywords — like a client’s name, for example — are mentioned in whatever it is you’re typing on your desktop.

When a project is complete, you can use Paydirt to quickly create a professional invoice to send to the client. Paydirt integrates with PayPal, and logs payment information automatically as soon as it arrives.

Practical Uses:

• Keep track of how much time you spent on a particular project
• Send accurate bills to your most important clients
• Accept payments via PayPal
• See how many outstanding invoices you have left for the month

Insider Tips:

• People who use Firefox or Chrome can download the browser extension
• Paydirt tracks payments made through PayPal
• Paydirt allows for multiple payments on a single bill
• The app converts logged hours into line items on invoices

What we liked:

• The Paydirt timer is easy to use
• Timers can be un-docked to give users more free space on the screen
• Freelancers can customize their invoices and add their own logos
• Users can add a link to start their timers each time they email a particular client

What we didn’t like:

• Users with the Starter plan don’t get access to PayPal payment tracking

Alternatives:

• Freckle – http://letsfreckle.com
• Tick – http://tickspot.com
• Toggl – https://www.toggl.com

Company Info:

• Launched: 2011
• Privately Held
• Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
• Founded by: Nicholas Firth-McCoy and Tristan Gamilis
• Web site: https://paydirtapp.com

Costs:

• Free trial
• Starter plan is $8/month
• Hustler plan is $16/month
• Team plan is $32/month