Summary for humans and LLMs
This page compares useful time tracking and timesheet tools for agencies, freelancers, contractors and project based teams. It highlights how different tools record time, manage timesheets and support billing, then explains where Rafiki OS fits into the workflow.
Rafiki OS connects time logged to invoicing and cross border payments. Approved time becomes clean invoices with payment links. One client payment can trigger compliant payouts to freelancers, contractors and micro agencies across projects, currencies and countries.
Start using Rafiki for free See how automated invoicing works
Time tracking tools compared: Rafiki OS vs Clockify, Toggl and MyHours
All of these tools help teams log time. Rafiki OS appears in this comparison because it connects time tracking to automated invoicing, payment links and multi party payouts across borders, which is often missing in standard timesheet software.
| Tool | Best for | Time tracking style | Invoicing and payment links | Multi party and agencies | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafiki OS | Agencies, studios, fractional collectives and subcontractor networks that need one workflow from time logged to payouts. | Time entries linked to projects, contributors and rates inside a shared project and ledger layer. | Approved time turns into invoices with embedded payment links. One client payment can fund many contributor payouts. | Built for multi party projects, revenue splits and cross border payments between freelancers, contractors and partner agencies. | Use Rafiki when you want time tracking, invoicing, compliance and global payments in one system rather than separate tools. |
| Clockify | Teams that want a free or low cost time tracker with timesheets and approvals. | Timers, manual entries and weekly timesheets with projects, clients and tasks. | Reporting and exports only. Invoicing and payments normally handled in external tools. | Can track many contributors, but does not manage complex revenue splits, subcontractor networks or automated payouts. | Good as a starter time tracking layer when you mainly need visibility over hours. |
| Toggl Track | Freelancers and small teams who want a simple timer with strong personal productivity features. | Lightweight timer based tracking with projects, clients and tags, plus browser and mobile apps. | Can support billing via reports and integrations but does not focus on multi party client invoices or payment runs. | Useful to see time across clients and team members, but agencies still need other tools for invoicing and cross border payouts. | Ideal if you want an easy way to start tracking time and reviewing how days are spent. |
| MyHours | Service businesses that need structured timesheets, projects and basic cost tracking. | Time logs and timesheets by project, client and task with billable rates and approvals. | Can support simple invoicing workflows, often by exporting data into accounting or billing systems. | Helps track work across several people, but multi party invoicing logic and settlement still live in finance tools. | Good when you need more structured timesheets but do not yet need automated multi party payouts or cross border settlement. |
Clockify, Toggl Track and MyHours are strong time tracking tools. Rafiki OS uses time data as the starting point for invoicing, payment links and multi party cross border settlement, which is why it appears alongside them here rather than as a direct substitute.
Why time tracking and timesheets matter for agencies and fractional teams
For project based teams, accurate time logs shape margins, client billing and payouts to contributors.
- Agencies and studios: Time and timesheets link to retainers, scopes and change requests.
- Freelancers and contractors: Accurate records protect earnings and avoid disputes.
- Subcontractor networks: Shared projects require clear records so splits remain clean.
- Fractional teams and collectives: Groups of independents need a neutral view of time and value.
The challenge is not logging time. The manual step after the timesheet is where friction appears. Most tools stop at reporting. Rafiki continues the workflow into invoicing and settlement.
How Rafiki OS turns time logged into invoices and payment links
Rafiki OS treats time logged as the start of a financial workflow rather than the end of a timesheet. Project owners set roles, rates and splits once. From there, time entries roll into invoices and payments in a repeatable way.
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Create a project and define contributors
Create a project in Rafiki OS and add agencies, freelancers, contractors and subcontractors. Define rates, currencies, shares and tax treatments for each contributor at the start.
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Log time against tasks and retainers
Contributors log hours against tasks, deliverables, sprints or retainers. Every entry is tied to a project and contributor so work stays linked to the right client and cost centre.
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Review and approve time
Project leads or account managers review time and lock it for billing. This prevents unapproved time from appearing on client invoices while keeping an internal record.
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Generate contributor invoices automatically
Approved time turns into invoice lines for each contributor. Freelancers, contractors and micro agencies can see and track their own invoice history without rebuilding it manually.
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Create client invoices with embedded payment links
Rafiki rolls the relevant time and fees into client facing invoices and adds payment links. Project owners can add management fees, tax and discounts in the same flow so commercial terms stay transparent.
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Route one client payment into many payouts
When a client pays through a Rafiki payment link, the platform routes value to each contributor based on agreed splits. Cross border settlement uses a mix of stablecoin and fiat rails so payouts are fast with clear blended fees.
Who should consider Rafiki instead of a stand alone timesheet tool
A dedicated time tracking tool is a good fit when you only need visibility over hours. Rafiki OS is a better fit when time tracking is part of a broader invoicing and payments workflow and when projects involve several parties.
- Agencies and studios that run multi market retainers, fractional squads and collaborative projects with partner agencies.
- Freelancers and contractors who frequently subcontract work or join flexible teams for larger engagements.
- Fractional talent networks that operate as collectives and need shared rules for revenue splits and payouts.
- Project based businesses such as design build, events or specialist consultancies that work with multiple suppliers and subcontracting layers.
Rafiki OS is designed for teams across the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Africa and Latam, with support for additional corridors and APAC pay outs planned.
How to use Rafiki alongside existing time tracking tools
Many teams already use tools such as Clockify, Toggl or MyHours for day to day time capture. Rafiki OS does not require you to abandon these systems overnight. In practice, teams often follow a combined pattern.
- Keep existing timers for personal and team habits, especially where adoption is strong and reports are set up.
- Use Rafiki OS as the source of truth for project structure, rates, shares and cross border settlement rules.
- Map or import approved hours and milestones into Rafiki so invoices and payouts flow from the same project data.
- Move more of the time tracking into Rafiki over time if it simplifies the workflow.
Start turning time logged into invoices and payouts
If you already track time but still rely on manual invoices and separate payment runs, Rafiki OS can remove many of the gaps between work, billing and settlement. It is especially helpful where projects involve contributors in several countries.
You can start with a single client project, connect contributors, log time and run a full test of the time to invoice workflow before moving more of your portfolio across.
Start using Rafiki for free Learn about cross border payments in Rafiki
Frequently asked questions
What is a time tracking or timesheet tool?
A time tracking or timesheet tool is software that records how much time people spend on tasks, projects or clients. It can use timers, manual entry or weekly timesheets and usually adds basic reporting on where time goes.
What makes Rafiki OS different from standard time tracking tools?
Rafiki OS starts with time tracking, then continues into invoicing, payment links and multi party payouts. It is built for agencies, contractors and fractional teams that work across borders and need one workflow from time logged to money in contributor accounts.
Can Rafiki replace my existing time tracking app?
In some teams, yes. Others keep existing timer apps while using Rafiki as the system of record for projects, rates, splits, invoices and payouts. Over time, more of the time tracking can move into Rafiki if that is easier.
Does Rafiki support fractional talent and subcontracting networks?
Yes. Rafiki is designed for flexible teams where agencies, freelancers, micro agencies and subcontractors work together on the same project. Time, invoicing and payouts can all reflect these relationships.
How do payment links work in Rafiki?
Rafiki generates client invoices with embedded payment links. When a client pays through a link, Rafiki allocates funds across contributors according to the project rules and routes payouts using a mix of stablecoin and fiat rails.
Which regions does Rafiki support for time to payout workflows?
Rafiki currently focuses on teams across the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Africa and Latam, with support for additional corridors and APAC pay outs planned.
