How to Use Harvest: The Beginner’s Guide in 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Harvest feature:

• Getting Started — Create your account and set up your workspace
• How to Use Time Tracker — Log hours with one click from any device
• How to Use Reports & Analytics — See where your team spends time
• How to Use Invoice Tracker — Turn tracked time into client invoices
• How to Use Integrations — Connect Harvest to your favorite tools
• How to Use Project Manager — Set up clients and projects for tracking
• How to Use Budget Monitoring — Track spending against project budgets
• How to Use Team Scheduling — Balance workloads and track capacity
• How to Use Time-Off Management — Manage leave and time-off requests

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve used Harvest for over two years and tested every feature covered here. This how to use harvest tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Harvest is one of the most popular time tracking and invoicing tools for teams.

But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Harvest Tutorial

This complete Harvest tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.

Harvest

Track time, send invoices, and manage project budgets from one place. Harvest helps over 70,000 teams bill clients accurately. Try free for 30 days — no credit card required.

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Getting Started with Harvest

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to getharvest.com and click “Try Harvest Free.”

Enter your name, email, and company name.

Create a password and click “Create My Account.”

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Set Up Your Workspace

Harvest asks you to choose your Timer mode first.

Pick “Duration” or “Start and end times” based on how you work.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main Harvest dashboard.

Step 3: Add Your First Project and Client

Go to Projects and click “+ New project.”

Enter a project name, assign a client, and pick a project type.

Choose Time & Materials, Fixed Fee, or Non-Billable.

How to Use Harvest Time Tracker

Time Tracker lets you log hours with one click from desktop, mobile, or browser.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Time Tracker in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open Your Timesheet

Go to Time in the left sidebar and click Timesheet.

You’ll see today’s date with a green “+ Track time” button.

Step 2: Start a Timer or Enter Time Manually

Click the green “+ Track time” button at the top.

Select a project, then choose a task from the dropdown.

Click the play button to start the timer or type hours directly.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a running timer or logged hours on your timesheet.

Step 3: Add Notes and Save

Type a short note about what you worked on.

These notes appear on invoices and reports later.

Click the stop button when finished or close the entry.

How to Use Harvest Reports & Analytics

Reports & Analytics lets you see where your team spends time across every project.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Reports & Analytics in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open the Reports Section

Click “Reports” in the left sidebar of your dashboard.

You’ll see options for Time, Expense, and Uninvoiced reports.

Step 2: Choose a Report Type and Filter

Select “Time Report” to see hours by project, client, or team member.

Use the date range picker and filters to narrow your data.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a visual breakdown of tracked hours.

Step 3: Export or Share the Report

Click “Export” to download a CSV or PDF of the report.

You can also bookmark filtered views for quick access later.

How to Use Harvest Invoice Tracker

Invoice Tracker lets you turn tracked time and expenses into professional invoices in two clicks.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Invoice Tracker in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Go to the Invoices Section

Click “Invoices” in the left sidebar.

Then click “+ New Invoice” in the top-right corner.

Step 2: Select a Client and Import Time

Choose the client from the dropdown menu.

Harvest automatically pulls in uninvoiced time and expenses.

Review each line item and adjust if needed.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a draft invoice with time entries and totals.

Step 3: Send the Invoice

Add a personal message, then click “Send Invoice.”

Clients receive the invoice by email with a direct payment link.

Harvest sends automatic reminders for unpaid invoices too.

How to Use Harvest Integrations

Integrations lets you connect Harvest to your favorite project management and accounting tools.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Integrations in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open the Integrations Page

Go to Settings, then click “Integrations” in the sidebar.

You’ll see categories like Project Management, Accounting, and Payments.

Step 2: Connect Your Tools

Click the tool you want to connect — like Asana, Slack, or QuickBooks.

Follow the prompts to authorize the connection.

Most integrations take under a minute to set up.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a “Connected” label next to each active tool.

Step 3: Start Tracking from Connected Apps

Open Asana, Trello, or your connected tool.

You’ll see a Harvest timer button inside each task.

Click it to start tracking without leaving the app.

How to Use Harvest Project Manager

Project Manager lets you set up clients, projects, and tasks for organized time tracking.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Project Manager in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Create a New Project

Go to Projects and click “+ New project.”

Enter the project name and assign it to a client.

Step 2: Define Project Type and Add Tasks

Choose Time & Materials, Fixed Fee, or Non-Billable.

Add tasks like “Design,” “Development,” or “Meetings.”

Assign teammates and set their billable rates per task.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your project with assigned tasks and team members.

Step 3: Assign Team Members

Click “Manage Team” inside the project.

Select which team members can track time on this project.

Set individual hourly rates if they differ from defaults.

How to Use Harvest Budget Monitoring

Budget Monitoring lets you set hourly or fixed fee budgets and track them as projects progress.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Budget Monitoring in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Set a Budget on a Project

Open a project and click “Edit Project.”

Choose “Total Project Hours” or “Total Project Fees” as the budget type.

Step 2: Enter Your Budget Amount

Type the total hours or dollar amount for the project.

Enable budget alerts so Harvest notifies you at set thresholds.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a budget bar on the project overview page.

Step 3: Monitor Budget Progress

Go to Reports and select the Budget report.

You’ll see how much budget is used, remaining, and at what pace.

Harvest sends instant alerts when budgets are close to running out.

How to Use Harvest Team Scheduling

Team Scheduling lets you track capacity and balance workloads across your team.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Team Scheduling in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Set Team Member Capacity

Go to Team and click on a team member’s name.

Set their weekly capacity — for example, 40 hours per week.

Step 2: View the Capacity Report

Go to Reports and select “Team Capacity.”

You’ll see who is overloaded and who has availability.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a visual bar showing each person’s utilization rate.

Step 3: Rebalance Workloads

Identify who is over capacity and reassign tasks as needed.

Use the data to plan future project assignments more evenly.

How to Use Harvest Time-Off Management

Time-Off Management lets you handle leave requests and track days off for your team.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Time-Off Management in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Enable Time Off in Settings

Go to Settings and find the “Time Off” section.

Turn on time-off tracking for your account.

Step 2: Set Time-Off Policies

Define vacation, sick leave, and other time-off categories.

Set how many days each team member gets per year.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see time-off categories listed in your account settings.

Step 3: Request and Approve Time Off

Team members submit time-off requests from their timesheet.

Managers review and approve requests from the Team page.

Approved time off appears on the team calendar automatically.

Harvest Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Harvest for over two years, here are my best tips.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Automatic Reminders: Turn on daily time tracking reminders under Settings > Preferences. Harvest nudges your team at the end of each day to fill in their hours.
• Expense Tracking: Log expenses by selecting a project and attaching receipts. These expenses flow directly into invoices alongside tracked time.
• Recurring Invoices: Set invoices to repeat weekly or monthly for retainer clients. This saves you from creating the same invoice every billing cycle.

Harvest Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Forgetting to Stop the Timer

Mistake #2: Not Setting Budgets on Projects

Mistake #3: Skipping Time Entry Notes

Harvest Troubleshooting

Problem: Timer Not Syncing Across Devices

Cause: Poor internet connection or outdated app version on one device.

Fix: Make sure all devices have the latest Harvest app. Refresh the page or restart the app to force a sync.

Problem: Invoice Not Showing All Time Entries

Cause: Some time entries may already be marked as invoiced or belong to a different project.

Fix: Check the “Uninvoiced” filter in Reports. Make sure entries match the correct project and date range.

Problem: Team Members Can’t See Certain Projects

Cause: They haven’t been assigned to the project yet.

Fix: Open the project, click “Manage Team,” and add the missing members. They’ll see the project on their timesheet right away.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Harvest support.

What is Harvest?

Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing tool that helps teams log hours, manage budgets, and bill clients from one dashboard.

Think of it like a stopwatch that also does your invoicing and project budgeting.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Time Tracker: Log hours with a one-click timer from desktop, mobile, or browser
• Reports & Analytics: See where time goes across projects, clients, and team members
• Invoice Tracker: Turn tracked time into invoices and collect payments online
• Integrations: Connect to Asana, Slack, QuickBooks, Trello, and 50+ other tools
• Project Manager: Set up clients, projects, tasks, and team assignments
• Budget Monitoring: Set budgets and get alerts before projects go over
• Team Scheduling: Track capacity and balance workloads to avoid burnout
• Time-Off Management: Manage leave requests and track days off

For a full review, see our Harvest review.

Harvest Pricing

Here’s what Harvest costs in 2026:

Free trial: Yes — 30 days with full Premium features, no credit card required.

Money-back guarantee: No refunds, but you can cancel or downgrade anytime.

💰 Best Value: Pro at $11/seat/month — it gives you everything most teams need without paying extra for Premium-only features.

Harvest vs Alternatives

How does Harvest compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Harvest — Built for teams that need time tracking, invoicing, and budget management in one tool
• Best budget: Clockify — Offers a solid free plan for teams of any size
• Best for beginners: Toggl — Clean interface that takes minutes to learn
• Best for employee monitoring: Time Doctor — Tracks screens, apps, and productivity alongside time

🎯 Harvest Alternatives

Looking for Harvest alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 Time Doctor: Tracks time and monitors employee activity with screenshots, app usage, and productivity scores. Best for remote teams that need accountability.
• 💰 Clockify: Free forever plan for unlimited users with time tracking, reports, and project management. Best for teams on a tight budget.
• ⚡ Clockit: Simple attendance and time clock tool starting at just $2.99/user/month. Great for small teams that need basic tracking.
• 🎨 Toggl: Beautiful, easy-to-use time tracker with one-click timers and powerful reports. Perfect for creative teams and freelancers.
• 📊 TrackingTime: Affordable team tracker with project timelines and detailed reports. Good for agencies managing multiple client projects.
• 🧠 Memtime: Runs in the background and automatically captures what you work on. Ideal for consultants who forget to start timers.
• 🔧 Timeular: Physical 8-sided tracker device paired with an app. Fun, tactile way to switch between tasks and track time hands-on.

For the full list, see our Harvest alternatives guide.

⚔️ Harvest Compared

Here’s how Harvest stacks up against each competitor:

• Harvest vs Time Doctor: Harvest focuses on invoicing and budgets. Time Doctor adds employee monitoring features like screenshots. Pick Time Doctor if you need accountability tracking.
• Harvest vs Clockify: Clockify offers a generous free plan for unlimited users. Harvest wins on invoicing and budget tools. Choose Clockify if cost is your top concern.
• Harvest vs Clockit: Clockit is a simpler, cheaper option for basic attendance. Harvest is better for project-based teams that bill clients by the hour.
• Harvest vs Toggl: Toggl has a cleaner interface and a free plan. Harvest pulls ahead with built-in invoicing and deeper budget tracking. Toggl is better for solo users.
• Harvest vs TrackingTime: TrackingTime costs less per user and includes project timelines. Harvest offers stronger invoicing and accounting integrations.
• Harvest vs Memtime: Memtime captures time automatically in the background. Harvest requires manual entry but gives you invoicing and client management. Pick Memtime if you forget to start timers.
• Harvest vs Timeular: Timeular uses a physical tracker device. Harvest is fully software-based with stronger invoicing. Choose Timeular if you want a hands-on tracking experience.

Start Using Harvest Now

You learned how to use every major Harvest feature:

• ✅ Time Tracker
• ✅ Reports & Analytics
• ✅ Invoice Tracker
• ✅ Integrations
• ✅ Project Manager
• ✅ Budget Monitoring
• ✅ Team Scheduling
• ✅ Time-Off Management

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Time Tracker.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Harvest app used for?

Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing app for teams. It helps you log hours, manage project budgets, send invoices, and get reports on how your team spends time. Over 70,000 companies use it to bill clients and keep projects on track.

How much does the Harvest app cost?

Harvest has three plans. The Free plan costs $0 and supports 1 seat with 2 projects. The Pro plan costs $11 per seat per month. The Premium plan costs $14 per seat per month. A 30-day free trial is available on all paid plans.

Can I use Harvest for free?

Yes. Harvest offers a free plan for 1 user with up to 2 active projects. It includes basic time tracking, reporting, and invoicing. If you need more seats or projects, you’ll need the Pro or Premium plan.

Does Harvest track your screen?

No. Harvest does not take screenshots or track mouse movements. It only records the time you log manually or with a timer. If you need screen monitoring, tools like Time Doctor or Hubstaff are better options.

What is the difference between Harvest and Clockify?

Clockify offers a free plan for unlimited users, while Harvest’s free plan is limited to 1 seat and 2 projects. Harvest has built-in invoicing and deeper budget tracking. Clockify is a better fit if you want free time tracking for a large team. Harvest wins if you need invoicing and project budgets.