Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Harvest · ⏳ time tracking
Harvest vs Kimai
Timesheets, rates, reports and invoices are all there; approvals need its free plugin and the server still needs an adult. Here is how Kimai ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Harvest ($11/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Harvest vs Kimai Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | Harvest (Paid) | Kimai (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $11 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $132 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $132) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $660 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $660) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,320 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,320) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0+ |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 4.9k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Harvest to Kimai
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Kimai matches timesheets and billing well, but its native-client, offline-mobile, approval, integration, and zero-administration experience is less polished than Harvest's.
How to deploy Kimai
Official Docker Compose stack
What it takes to run
A non-expert needs Docker, a domain and TLS, database and application secrets, email configuration, backups, upgrades, and optional plugins for some workflows.
Where your data lives
Users, projects, activities, rates, and timesheets live in MySQL or MariaDB; plugins, configuration, and generated files live in persistent server volumes.
Why fork Kimai instead of vibe-coding a Harvest clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Harvest, track project time, turn approved entries into simple invoices, and export reports. The hard boundary is team timesheets, integrations, invoicing, reminders, support, and reliability, plus ubiquitous capture, coaching, and team workflow.
Harvest vs Kimai FAQ
Is Kimai a good free alternative to Harvest?+
Yes. Kimai is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0+) replacement for Harvest. Timesheets, rates, reports and invoices are all there; approvals need its free plugin and the server still needs an adult.
What is the catch when switching from Harvest to Kimai?+
Kimai matches timesheets and billing well, but its native-client, offline-mobile, approval, integration, and zero-administration experience is less polished than Harvest's.
How much do you save switching from Harvest to Kimai?+
Harvest costs $11/mo ($132/yr) per seat, whereas Kimai is $0/mo. Switching saves $132/yr for a solo user, $660/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,320/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Kimai instead of Harvest?+
Install: Official Docker Compose stack. Setup: A non-expert needs Docker, a domain and TLS, database and application secrets, email configuration, backups, upgrades, and optional plugins for some workflows.
