Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Toggl Track · ⏳ time tracking
Toggl Track 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 Toggl Track ($12/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Toggl Track vs Kimai Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Toggl Track (Paid) | Kimai (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $12 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $144 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $144) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $720 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $720) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,440 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,440) |
| 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 Toggl Track to Kimai
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Kimai trades Toggl's polished hosted and native-app experience for a server, upgrades, backups, plugins, and ongoing administration.
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 Toggl Track clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Toggl Track, track time quickly, edit entries, and report by project, client, and tag. The hard boundary is cross-platform apps, background tracking, integrations, team controls, and sync, plus ubiquitous capture, coaching, and team workflow.
Toggl Track vs Kimai FAQ
Is Kimai a good free alternative to Toggl Track?+
Yes. Kimai is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0+) replacement for Toggl Track. 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 Toggl Track to Kimai?+
Kimai trades Toggl's polished hosted and native-app experience for a server, upgrades, backups, plugins, and ongoing administration.
How much do you save switching from Toggl Track to Kimai?+
Toggl Track costs $12/mo ($144/yr) per seat, whereas Kimai is $0/mo. Switching saves $144/yr for a solo user, $720/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,440/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Kimai instead of Toggl Track?+
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.
