Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Harvest

$12/month

Harvest simplifies time tracking and invoicing, making it easy for businesses to turn time into money with insightful reports.

Our take

Effortlessly manage time and billing.

So, I’ve been poking around with this "Harvest" thing, and I gotta say, it’s pretty slick but not without its quirks. It’s basically a time-tracking tool, and it’s got some good stuff going for it. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, which is a relief because, let’s face it, nobody wants to spend more time figuring out how to use a time-tracker than actually tracking time. The real kicker here is the integration with other apps—it plays nice with tools like Trello and Asana, which can be a game-changer if you’re juggling multiple projects.

But, and there’s always a "but," right? The mobile app isn’t as polished as the desktop version. It’s not terrible, but it can feel a bit clunky at times. You might find yourself tapping around more than you’d like just to get a simple task done. If you’re someone who’s constantly on the go and relying on mobile, this could be a bit of a bummer. It’s like they polished the front of the car but forgot about the engine—it’ll get you where you need to go, but not without some bumps along the way.

Now, let’s talk about the pricing. It’s not going to break the bank, but it’s not dirt cheap either. You get what you pay for, and in this case, you’re paying for a pretty robust set of features. However, if you’re a solo freelancer or just starting out, you might find the cost a bit steep compared to some other options out there. It’s worth weighing the features you actually need against what you’re forking over each month.

One thing that really stands out is the reporting feature. If you’re a data nerd—or, you know, just someone who likes to know where their time’s going—this is where Harvest shines. The reports are detailed and easy to digest. You can slice and dice the data in ways that actually make sense, which helps when you’re trying to optimize your workflow or justify your hours to a client. It’s practical and straightforward, none of that over-complicated nonsense.

Overall, Harvest is a solid tool if you need something reliable for time tracking. It’s got its hiccups, like the mobile experience and the cost for smaller operations, but there’s a lot of value here if those aren’t deal-breakers for you. It’s kind of like a trusty old car—it’s not the flashiest ride on the block, but it gets the job done and doesn’t let you down when it counts. If you’re in the market for something to keep your projects on track, it’s worth a look, but go in knowing what you’re getting and what you might have to work around.