SpaceJump is a native macOS app that lets you name your desktop Spaces, see the current Space name in your menu bar, and quickly switch between Spaces with keyboard shortcuts. It also tracks time spent in each Space automatically.

How much does SpaceJump cost?

SpaceJump costs $9.99 as a one-time purchase. This includes lifetime updates and a license to use on 2 Macs. There's a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.

Does SpaceJump work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes! SpaceJump is built natively with Swift and works perfectly on M1, M2, and M3 Macs, as well as Intel Macs. It requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later.

Does SpaceJump require disabling System Integrity Protection?

No. Unlike other Space renaming tools like Spaces Renamer, SpaceJump does NOT require disabling SIP. It works securely within macOS security boundaries using official APIs.

Comparison Guide

7 Best Time Tracking Apps for Mac Freelancers (2026)

An honest comparison of manual vs automatic time tracking. Which approach actually works for freelancers who juggle multiple clients?

TL;DR: Quick Recommendations

Best manual tracker: Toggl Track — excellent UI, generous free tier, cross-platform
Best app-based automatic: Timing — comprehensive app tracking, detailed reports
Best workspace-based automatic: SpaceJump — per-client Spaces, zero manual input
Best free option: Clockify — unlimited tracking, basic features free forever
Best one-time purchase: Timemator ($40) or SpaceJump ($15) — no subscriptions

How We Evaluated These Apps

We tested each app over 2 weeks of actual freelance work, focusing on:

• Accuracy: Does it capture all billable time, including micro-tasks?
• Friction: How much manual effort is required daily?
• Multi-client handling: Can it separate time for 3-5 concurrent clients?
• Export/invoicing: How easy is it to turn logs into invoices?
• Value: Is the pricing fair for solo freelancers?

Quick Comparison Table

App	Type	Pricing	Our Rating
Toggl Track	Manual	Free / $10+/mo	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clockify	Manual	Free / $4+/mo	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Timing	Auto (app-based)	$9-14/mo	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Timemator	Auto (rule-based)	$40 one-time	⭐⭐⭐⭐
RescueTime	Auto (productivity)	Free / $12/mo	⭐⭐⭐
Klokki	Auto (trigger-based)	$7/mo or $70 one-time	⭐⭐⭐⭐
SpaceJump	Auto (workspace-based)	Free / $15 one-time	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Detailed Reviews

1. Toggl Track

Manual

The most popular manual time tracker with a beautiful interface and excellent integrations. Works across Mac, iOS, browser, and basically every platform.

Pros

• Beautiful, intuitive interface
• Generous free tier (up to 5 users)
• 100+ integrations (Asana, Jira, etc.)
• Excellent reports and exports

Cons

• Must remember to start/stop timers
• Easy to forget during deep work
• Premium features get expensive for teams

Best for: Freelancers who are disciplined about manual tracking and need team integrations.

2. Clockify

Manual

The most generous free time tracker. Core features are free forever with unlimited users and projects. Good option if budget is tight.

Pros

• Free tier includes unlimited tracking
• Simple, no-frills interface
• Team features at low cost ($4/user/mo)
• Works offline on Mac app

Cons

• Still requires manual start/stop
• Interface less polished than Toggl
• Limited automation features

Best for: Budget-conscious freelancers or small teams who need basic tracking.

3. Timing

Automatic

The gold standard for app-based automatic tracking on Mac. Records every app, document, and website you use, then lets you categorize time into projects afterward.

Pros

• Truly automatic — captures everything
• Detailed activity timeline
• Smart rules for auto-categorization
• Beautiful, Mac-native design

Cons

• Still need to categorize time into projects
• Subscription pricing ($9-14/month)
• Mac-only (no Windows/Linux)
• Learning curve for rules setup

Best for: Freelancers who want detailed activity logs and don't mind categorizing after the fact.

4. Timemator

Automatic

Rule-based automatic tracking. Create custom rules that start timers based on which apps, documents, or websites you're using.

Pros

• One-time purchase ($40)
• Highly customizable rules
• Privacy-focused (local data)
• iPhone app included

Cons

• Complex rule setup required
• App-based, not client-based
• Rules can conflict or overlap

Best for: Power users who want to invest time in setting up detailed automation rules.

5. RescueTime

Automatic

Originally designed for productivity tracking, not billing. Tracks apps and websites to show where your time goes. Good for self-awareness, limited for invoicing.

Pros

• Good free tier
• Productivity insights and goals
• Focus mode blocks distractions
• Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, mobile)

Cons

• Not designed for client billing
• Hard to separate client time
• Limited export options for invoicing

Best for: People who want productivity insights more than client billing accuracy.

6. Klokki

Automatic

Trigger-based automatic tracking with a slick flip-clock interface. Set up triggers based on apps, files, or websites to auto-start project timers.

Pros

• Beautiful retro flip-clock UI
• Automatic triggers for projects
• Privacy-focused (local data)
• One-time purchase option ($70)

Cons

• Trigger setup required
• Mac-only
• Pricier than alternatives

Best for: Freelancers who appreciate design and want semi-automatic tracking with app triggers.

7. SpaceJump

Automatic

A different approach: workspace-based tracking using macOS Spaces. Each client gets a dedicated virtual desktop, and time is tracked per Space automatically. No triggers, no rules, no categorization.

Pros

• Truly zero manual input
• Per-client tracking built-in
• One-time purchase ($15)
• Free tier available
• Idle detection included
• Privacy-first (all local data)

Cons

• Requires using Mac Spaces workflow
• Mac-only
• No team features
• No integrations with other tools

Best for: Solo freelancers managing multiple clients who want truly automatic, per-client time tracking without any manual effort.

Manual vs Automatic: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Manual (Toggl, Clockify) If:

• You're disciplined about starting timers
• You work with a team that needs shared tracking
• You need integrations with project tools
• You want granular task-level tracking

Choose Automatic (Timing, SpaceJump) If:

• You forget to start/stop timers (most people)
• You lose hours to untracked micro-tasks
• You juggle multiple clients daily
• You want accurate logs without effort

Our Recommendation

For most freelancers on Mac, automatic tracking is the way to go. Manual timers sound good in theory but fail in practice — studies show most people abandon them within weeks.

Between automatic options:

• If you want detailed activity logs and don't mind categorizing afterward: Timing
• If you want zero-effort per-client tracking and use the Mac Spaces workflow: SpaceJump
• If budget is tight and you'll actually use manual timers: Clockify

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between app-based and workspace-based tracking?

App-based tracking (Timing, RescueTime) records which applications you use and requires you to categorize time into client projects afterward. Workspace-based tracking (SpaceJump) uses macOS Spaces to automatically know which client you're working for — no categorization needed.

Do I need to pay for time tracking as a freelancer?

Not necessarily. Toggl, Clockify, and SpaceJump all have free tiers. However, premium features like detailed reports, integrations, and advanced automation may require paid plans. For most solo freelancers, free tiers are sufficient.

Which time tracker works with Windows and Mac?

Toggl Track, Clockify, and RescueTime work across Mac, Windows, and mobile. Timing, Timemator, Klokki, and SpaceJump are Mac-only. If you switch between platforms, choose a cross-platform option.

Can I use multiple time tracking apps together?

Yes, many freelancers combine apps. For example: SpaceJump for automatic per-client tracking + Toggl for task-level notes when needed. The key is having one "source of truth" for billing purposes.

Try SpaceJump Free How to Track Time on Mac →

Last updated: February 2026