Kimai: Open Source Time Tracking for Teams
Kimai is an open-source time tracking tool that gives individuals and teams complete flexibility in how they record, analyze, and report on work hours. Unlike proprietary apps, Kimai can be self-hosted, making it a great choice for businesses that want control over their data.
Here is why it’s valuable: with no licensing fees and a strong developer community, Kimai is a cost-effective and customizable solution.
Let’s break it down:
- **Time Tracking:** Track time manually or with start/stop timers.
- **Multi-User Support:** Manage teams with permissions and roles.
- **Reports:** Generate detailed timesheets and export data.
- **Invoicing:** Create invoices based on recorded hours.
- **Integrations:** Extend functionality with plugins.
Examples in practice:
- A software agency self-hosts Kimai to track billable hours while keeping client data private.
- A nonprofit uses Kimai to manage volunteer time across projects.
Next steps: Download and install Kimai (or use the hosted version), create projects and activities, and start logging hours. Explore plugins if you need advanced features like expense tracking or API integrations.