Is Helix Time Tracker better than Harvest?

Helix Time Tracker is $279 one-time vs Harvest's $13/month ($156/year). Helix includes Timer-based tracking, Manual time entry, Job/client assignment. Harvest lacks Scheduling and CRM. Break even in 21.5 months.

How much does Harvest cost over 3 years?

Harvest at $13/month costs $156/year. With 11.4% annual SaaS inflation, the 3-year total is $524 and 5-year total is $980. Helix is $279 once — you save $245 over 3 years.

Helix Time Tracker vs Harvest

$279 once vs $13/month. Same time tracker features. One you own, one you rent.

Quick Answer: Harvest charges $13/month ($524 over 3 years with inflation). Helix includes time tracker as part of a $279 one-time purchase — or $99 today and two more payments. You also get CRM, scheduling, invoicing, time tracking, and task management. Break even in 21.5 months. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line

Helix Time Tracker is part of a $279 one-time purchase. Harvest charges $13/month ($156/year). Over 3 years, Harvest costs $524. Helix stays at $279. Break even in 21.5 months. After that, Harvest users keep paying — you don't. Harvest also lacks Scheduling and CRM which Helix includes.

The Math

Harvest monthly$13/mo

Harvest annual$156/yr

Harvest 3-year (11.4% inflation)$524

Harvest 5-year$980

Harvest processing feesnone (integrates with Stripe/PayPal)

Helix Time Tracker — one time $279

You save over 3 years$245

Time Tracker Features: Harvest vs Helix

Feature	Harvest	Helix
Timer-based tracking	✗	✓
Manual time entry	✗	✓
Job/client assignment	✗	✓
Billable vs non-billable	✗	✓
Team time tracking	✗	✓
Time reports	✓	✓
Invoice from time	✓	✓
Productivity insights	✗	✓
Price	$13/mo forever	$279 once

Why People Compare Helix Time Tracker to Harvest

Harvest is one of the more popular choices for time tracker. At $13/month, it seems affordable month-to-month, but the annual cost adds up faster than most people expect. The challenge is that Harvest is a subscription. Every month you pay whether you use it heavily or not. And SaaS companies raise prices an average of 11.4% per year.

Helix takes a different approach. Time Tracker is one of 11 integrated modules in a $279 one-time purchase. Your time tracker connects directly to your CRM, scheduling, invoicing, and time tracking — no Zapier, no copying between apps, no integration tax. You pay once and own your tools.

Why People Leave Harvest

Per-user pricing: 10 users = $110-$140/mo
Forecast add-on adds another $5/user/mo
Full workflow (Harvest + Forecast): ~$480/mo for 30 users
No built-in PTO/leave management
Just time + invoicing - need other tools for CRM/scheduling
Added a new forecasting tool as a separate product... costs additional monthly fee per user
Instead of extending Harvest capabilities, they froze features and charge more
The hidden application fee structure makes it most expensive despite appearing affordable

What Harvest Doesn't Include

These features require additional subscriptions with Harvest. Helix includes all of them:

Scheduling — included in Helix, not in Harvest
CRM — included in Helix, not in Harvest
Full financial suite — included in Helix, not in Harvest
Task management — included in Helix, not in Harvest
Offline-first — included in Helix, not in Harvest

When Harvest Is the Better Choice

You have a large team (10+) needing enterprise features
You're deeply invested in Harvest's ecosystem and integrations
Harvest specializes in freelance-creative and professional-services workflows
You need a feature Helix doesn't have yet — check the comparison table above

For solo operators and small teams, Helix does 90% of what Harvest does at 80% less cost over 3 years.

Who Helix Is Actually For

Helix is built for solopreneurs and small teams who run service-based businesses — plumbers, photographers, house cleaners, personal trainers, nail techs, landscapers, and dozens of other trades. If you book clients, do work, and send invoices, Helix replaces the 3-5 subscriptions you are currently paying for. Your time tracker connects directly to your CRM, scheduling, invoicing, and time tracking. No Zapier. No copying between apps. $279 once — or $99 today and two more payments — and you own your tools forever.

Compare Side by Side

Get Helix — $279 Once

30-day money-back guarantee. Break even in 21.5 months.

Pricing verified March 2026.