Quick Start
This guide covers every Toggl Track feature:
- Erste Schritte — Create account and basic setup
- How to Use Automated Time Tracking — Track time automatically with background tracking
- How to Use Timesheet Reports — Generate detailed and summary reports
- How to Use Invoicing — Create invoices from tracked hours
- How to Use Time Reporting & Analytics — Analyze time tracking data with custom reports
- How to Use Integrations — Connect with 100+ popular tools
- How to Use Billable Rates — Set rates for projects and tasks
- How to Use Project Estimates and Alerts — Set time estimates and get notifications
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Fehlerbehebung | Preisgestaltung | Alternativen
Why Trust This Guide
I’ve used Toggl Track for over two years and tested every feature covered here. This how to use Toggl Track tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.
Toggl Track is one of the most powerful time tracking tools available today.
Freelancers, project managers, and small teams use it to track time across the web app, mobile apps, and browser extension.
But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.
This guide shows you how to use Toggl Track step by step.
You’ll learn to track time, create teams, manage projects, and generate saved reports.
Toggl Track Tutorial
This complete Toggl Track tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.
Toggl Track
Track time from your web app, desktop apps, or mobile apps in one click. Toggl Track helps freelancers and businesses see how much time they spend on each project. Start free with up to 5 team members.
Getting Started with Toggl Track
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 toggl.com and click the top right corner “Sign Up” button.
Enter your email and create a password.
You can also sign up with Google or Apple for faster access.
✓ Checkpoint: Überprüfen Sie Ihre Posteingang for a confirmation email.
Step 2: Download or Access the App
Access Toggl Track through the web app at track.toggl.com.
Download the desktop app for Windows or Mac from the Toggl website.
Install the browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Get the mobile apps for iOS or Android to track time from any device.
Here’s what the dashboard looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard with the Toggl timer at the top.
Step 3: Complete Initial Setup
Create your first Toggl Track organization by naming your workspace.
Set your time zone and date format in Settings.
Invite team members by adding their email addresses if you manage a team.
✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.
How to Use Toggl Track Automated Time Tracking
Automatisierte Zeiterfassung lets you track time automatically based on apps and websites you use.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Automated Time Tracking in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Enable Background Tracking
Open the Toggl Track desktop app on your computer.
Go to Settings and find the “Autotracker” section.
Turn on automated tracking to let the app monitor which programs you use.
Step 2: Create Tracking Rules
Click “Add rule” to create a new project for automatic tracking.
Select the app or website you want to track automatically.
Assign it to a specific project so time entries are organized.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see your rule listed in the Autotracker settings.
Step 3: Review and Confirm Time Entries
Check the Timeline view to see all automatically tracked activities.
Click any entry to confirm it or edit the description.
Drag entries to adjust start and end times if needed.
✅ Result: You now track time automatically without clicking the timer.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Use the calendar view to see all your time entries at a glance and spot gaps in your tracking. This great feature helps you capture every minute of billable work.
How to Use Toggl Track Timesheet Reports
Stundenzettelberichte let you view detailed time tracking data for any date range.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Timesheet Reports in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Access the Reports Section
Click “Reports” in the left sidebar of your Toggl Track dashboard.
Choose between Summary, Detailed, or Weekly report types.
Select the date range you want to analyze using the date picker.
Step 2: Filter Your Reports
Use filters to narrow down reports by project, client, or team members.
Filter by tags to see time spent on different types of tasks.
Toggle between billable and non-billable hours to separate client work.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see filtered data matching your criteria.
Step 3: Export and Save Reports
Click the export button to download your report as PDF, CSV, or Excel file.
Save any report as a saved report for quick access later.
Share reports with clients by sending the exported file.
✅ Result: You now have detailed reports showing how much time you spend on each project.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Use the Detailed Report to view line-by-line activity of every individual time entry in your workspace. This helps project managers track exactly where team time goes.
How to Use Toggl Track Invoicing
Fakturierung lets you create and manage PDF invoices based on your tracked hours.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Invoicing in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Set Up Billable Rates
Go to your project settings and set the billable rates for each project.
You can set different rates at the task level for more granular billing.
Mark time entries as billable when you track time.
Step 2: Generate Invoice from Summary Report
Open the Summary Report page and filter by client and date range.
Click the “Create Invoice” button in the top right corner.
Review the calculated totals based on your billable hours and rates.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see an invoice preview with all billable entries.
Step 3: Customize and Send Invoice
Add your Geschäft details, client information, and payment terms.
Edit line items or add additional charges if needed.
Download the PDF invoice or send it directly to your client.
✅ Result: You’ve created a professional invoice based on your actual tracked hours.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Create tags for different billing categories so you can quickly filter and invoice for specific project types. This ability makes invoicing much faster for businesses with multiple clients.
How to Use Toggl Track Time Reporting & Analytics
Time Reporting & Analytics lets you analyze how your team spends time with customizable reports.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Time Reporting & Analytics in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Access Analytics Dashboard
Go to the Insights section in your Toggl Track workspace.
View the overview dashboard showing key productivity metrics.
See total hours tracked, project breakdowns, and team activity.
Step 2: Create Custom Reports
Click “Custom Report” to build data-driven reports for your business goals.
Select which data points to include: projects, users, clients, or tags.
Choose visualization types like bar charts, pie charts, or tables.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see your custom report with the selected data.
Step 3: Schedule Automated Reports
Set up scheduled reports to receive them via email automatically.
Choose daily, weekly, or monthly delivery schedules.
Share report access with team members and clients as needed.
✅ Result: You now have real-time insights to monitor overall progress of your teams and projects.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Use Analytics to pinpoint productivity and profitability gaps across different types of work. For example, compare time spent on a single task versus complete project delivery.
How to Use Toggl Track Integrations
Integrationen let you connect Toggl Track with over 100 popular tools like Jira, Salesforce, and Asana.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Integrations in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Install the Browser Extension
Download the Toggl Track browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Log in to your Toggl Track account through the extension.
The extension adds a Toggl timer button to supported websites.
Step 2: Connect Third-Party Apps
Go to Settings > Integrations in your Toggl Track workspace.
Browse available integrations and click “Connect” on the ones you need.
Follow the authorization steps for each app you connect.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see connected apps listed in your integrations.
Step 3: Track Time in Connected Apps
Open a connected app like Asana, Jira, or Trello.
Look for the Toggl Track button next to tasks or tickets.
Click to start tracking time directly against that task.
✅ Result: You can now track time from within your favorite project management tools.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Connect your calendar to Toggl Track so you can copy calendar events directly into time entries. This helps capture meeting time you might otherwise forget to log.
How to Use Toggl Track Billable Rates
Billable Rates let you set hourly rates for projects, tasks, and team members.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Billable Rates in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Set Workspace Default Rate
Go to Workspace Settings in your Toggl Track account.
Find the “Billable Rates” section and set your default hourly rate.
This rate applies to all new projects unless overridden.
Step 2: Configure Project-Level Rates
Open a project and go to its settings page.
Set a specific project rate that overrides the workspace default.
You can also set rates at the task level for more granular control.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the billable rate displayed on your project.
Step 3: Assign Member-Specific Rates
Go to Team > Members in your workspace settings.
Click on a team member and set their individual billable rate.
Member rates override project rates when that person tracks time.
✅ Result: Your billable rates are now set up for accurate revenue tracking.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Set default billing rates for each client so all their projects automatically use the correct rate. This saves time when you create projects and reduces billing errors.
How to Use Toggl Track Project Estimates and Alerts
Project Estimates and Alerts let you set time estimates and receive notifications when projects approach their limits.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Project Estimates and Alerts in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Set Project Time Estimates
Open your project settings page in Toggl Track.
Find the “Time Estimate” field and enter your custom time budget.
You can set estimates in hours for the entire project.
Step 2: Configure Alert Thresholds
Set up alerts to notify team members when projects reach a certain percentage.
Common thresholds are 50%, 75%, and 90% of the estimate.
Choose who receives alerts: project managers, team members, or both.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the estimate and alert settings saved.
Step 3: Monitor Progress on Dashboards
View project progress on the Project Dashboards screen.
See how much time is tracked versus the estimate at a glance.
Color indicators show when projects are on track, at risk, or over budget.
✅ Result: You now have früh warning systems for projects approaching their time budgets.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Create sub projects to divide larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks. Each sub-project can have its own estimate, giving you more granular budget tracking.
How to Use Toggl Track Project Dashboards
Project Dashboards give you a visual overview of all your projects and their status.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Project Dashboards in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Access the Dashboard View
Click “Projects” in the left sidebar of Toggl Track.
Toggle to the Dashboard view instead of List view.
See all projects displayed as cards with key metrics.
Step 2: Customize Dashboard Display
Filter projects by client, status, or team member.
Sort by tracked time, remaining estimate, or project name.
Collapse or expand project cards to show more or less detail.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see project cards with progress indicators.
Step 3: Drill Down into Project Details
Click any project card to see detailed breakdowns.
View time by team member, task, or week.
Access project settings and reports directly from the dashboard.
✅ Result: You now have a complete visual overview of all project progress.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Pin your most active projects to the top of the dashboard for quick access. This helps project managers stay focused on priority work.
Toggl Track Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After testing Toggl Track for over two years, here are my best tips.
Tastenkombinationen
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Start/Stop Timer | Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) / Cmd + Shift + T (Mac) |
| Continue Last Entry | Ctrl + Shift + O (Windows) / Cmd + Shift + O (Mac) |
| Quick Add Entry | Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) / Cmd + Shift + N (Mac) |
| Open Timer | Click Toggl icon in system tray |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Pomodoro Timer Mode: Enable in settings to work in focused 25-minute intervals with automatic break reminders. This helps boost productivity by breaking work into manageable chunks.
- Idle Detection: The app detects when you step away and asks what to do with that time. This helpful feature lets you discard idle time, keep tracking, or add it as a break.
- Zeitleistenansicht: Access the Timeline on desktop to see every app and website you used throughout the day. Click any block to convert it into a time entry.
Toggl Track Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Forgetting to Assign Projects
❌ Wrong: Clicking the timer without selecting a project, leaving entries unorganized.
✅ Right: Always create projects and assign time entries before starting the Toggl timer. This keeps your time tracking data clean and reportable.
Mistake #2: Not Using Tags for Organization
❌ Wrong: Relying only on projects to organize work and missing granular insights.
✅ Right: Create tags for work types like “meetings,” “admin,” or “development.” Tags help you analyze time across different types of activities regardless of project.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Free Plan Limits
❌ Wrong: Adding more than 5 users on the free plan and wondering why features are limited.
✅ Right: Understand that the free plan supports up to 5 team members. For larger teams, upgrade to the Starter or Premium plan to unlock full team features.
Toggl Track Troubleshooting
Problem: Timer Not Syncing Across Geräte
Cause: Network connectivity issues or app not updated to latest version.
Fix: Check your internet connection and update Toggl Track on all devices. Try logging out and back in to force a sync. The app syncs automatically when online.
Problem: Time Entries Missing from Reports
Cause: Entries may be assigned to a different workspace or filtered out.
Fix: Check your workspace selector in the top left corner. Make sure you’re viewing the correct Toggl Track organization. Clear all report filters to see all entries.
Problem: Browser Extension Not Working
Cause: Extension may be outdated or conflicting with other extensions.
Fix: Update the browser extension to the latest version. Try disabling other extensions temporarily. Reinstall the Toggl Track browser extension if issues persist.
📌 Notiz: If none of these fix your issue, contact Toggl Track support through the Help section in the app.
What is Toggl Track?
Toggl Track is a time tracking tool used by freelancers and businesses to keep track of hours spent on projects and boost productivity.
Think of it like a smart stopwatch that records what you work on and generates reports automatically.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Automated Time Tracking: Track time automatically with background tracking features that monitor apps and websites.
- Timesheet Reports: View line-by-line activity of every individual time entry in your workspace with detailed reports.
- Fakturierung: Create and manage PDF invoices based on tracked hours from the Summary Report page.
- Time Reporting & Analytics: Use data-driven and customizable reports to see where your team spends time.
- Integrationen: Connect with over 100 tools like Jira, Salesforce, and Asana for tracking anywhere.
- Billable Rates: Set rates at the project level and even more granularly at the task level.
- Project Estimates and Alerts: Set up alerts to notify team members when projects reach a certain percentage of time estimates.
- Projekt-Dashboards: Get a visual overview of all projects with progress tracking and budget monitoring.
Users can track time from web, desktop apps, mobile apps, and browser extensions — all syncing together.
For a full review, see our Toggl Track review.
Toggl Track Pricing
Here’s what Toggl Track costs in 2026:
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | $0 | Solo workers or small teams of up to 5 users |
| Anlasser | 9 US-Dollar/Nutzer/Monat | Freelancers who bill clients and need billable rates |
| Prämie | 18 $/Nutzer/Monat | Project managers who need team oversight and forecasting |
| Unternehmen | Preisinformationen auf Anfrage | Large organizations with compliance and support needs |
Kostenlose Testversion: Yes, 30-day free trial on all paid plans without requiring a credit card.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: You can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
💰 Best Value: Starter Plan — It unlocks billable rates and project templates which are essential for client work, at a reasonable $9/user/month.
Toggl Track vs Alternatives
How does Toggl Track compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:
| Werkzeug | Am besten geeignet für | Preis | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toggl Track | Easy time tracking with great reporting | $0-$18/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Zeitdoktor | Employee monitoring and productivity | $6.70/mo | ⭐ 4.2 |
| Clockify | Free time tracking for unlimited users | $0-$11.99/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Memtime | Automatic desktop tracking with privacy | $11/mo | ⭐ 4.1 |
| Zeiterfassung | Budget-friendly team time tracking | $3.75/mo | ⭐ 3.9 |
| Zeitlich | Physical time tracking device | $7.50/mo | ⭐ 4.0 |
| Ernte | Time tracking with invoicing built-in | $0-$14/mo | ⭐ 4.2 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: Toggl Track — Great balance of simplicity and powerful features for any team size.
- Best budget: Clockify — Free for unlimited users with solid core features.
- Best for beginners: Toggl Track — Intuitive interface makes it easy to start tracking immediately.
- Best for employee monitoring: Time Doctor — Includes screenshots and activity tracking.
🎯 Toggl Track Alternatives
Looking for Toggl Track alternatives? Here are the top options:
- 🚀 Time Doctor: Offers employee monitoring with screenshots and activity levels, great for remote team management.
- 💰 Clockify: Free for unlimited users with time tracking, reporting, and timesheets — best free option available.
- 🧠 Memtime: Automatically captures all desktop activity in the background for privacy-focused automatic tracking.
- ⚡ TrackingTime: Budget-friendly option starting at $3.75/month with project management features included.
- 🔧 Zeitlich: Unique physical tracking device you flip to switch tasks, great for tactile learners.
- 💼 Harvest: Strong invoicing and expense tracking features built right into the time tracking tool.
For the full list, see our Toggl Track alternatives guide.
⚔️ Toggl Track Compared
Here’s how Toggl Track stacks up against each competitor:
- Toggl Track vs Time Doctor: Toggl is simpler and respects privacy while Time Doctor offers screenshots and monitoring. Choose Toggl for trust-based tracking.
- Toggl Track vs Clockify: Both are excellent, but Toggl has better UI and reporting. Clockify wins on price with unlimited free users.
- Toggl Track vs Memtime: Memtime is fully automatic while Toggl requires clicking the timer. Toggl has better team features.
- Toggl Track vs TrackingTime: Toggl has more integrations and polish. TrackingTime is more affordable for small teams.
- Toggl Track vs Timeular: Toggl is software-only while Timeular adds a physical device. Both track time well.
- Toggl Track vs Harvest: Harvest has built-in invoicing and expenses. Toggl has better automated tracking features.
Start Using Toggl Track Now
You learned how to use every major Toggl Track feature:
- ✅ Automated Time Tracking
- ✅ Timesheet Reports
- ✅ Invoicing
- ✅ Time Reporting & Analytics
- ✅ Integrations
- ✅ Billable Rates
- ✅ Project Estimates and Alerts
- ✅ Project Dashboards
Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.
Most people start with Automated Time Tracking.
It takes less than 5 minutes.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is Toggl Track used for?
Toggl Track is a time tracking tool that helps freelancers and businesses track how much time they spend on projects. You can track time from the web app, mobile apps, desktop apps, or browser extension. It generates reports and helps with billing clients based on actual hours worked.
Ist Toggl Track kostenlos?
Yes, Toggl Track has a free plan that works for up to 5 team members. The free plan includes unlimited time tracking, projects, clients, and tags. You also get access to the web app, mobile apps, and desktop apps. The Starter plan at $9/month adds billable rates and other premium features.
Does Toggl Track record your screen?
No, Toggl Track does not record your screen or take screenshots. It’s designed as a privacy-first tracking tool that respects user autonomy. The automated time tracking feature monitors which apps and websites you use, but it doesn’t capture visual recordings of your activity.
What is the difference between Toggl Track and Toggl Plan?
Toggl Track is for time tracking while Toggl Plan (now Toggl Focus) is for project planning and scheduling. Track records hours you work on tasks. Plan helps you schedule tasks and manage project timelines visually. Many teams use both together for complete project management.
Which is better, Toggl or Clockify?
Both are excellent time tracking tools. Toggl Track has a more polished interface, better automated tracking, and stronger reporting. Clockify offers a more generous free plan with unlimited users. For small teams on a budget, Clockify wins. For teams wanting the best experience, Toggl Track is worth the investment.
How does Toggl time tracker work?
You start tracking time by typing what you’re working on, selecting a project or tag, and clicking the play button on the Toggl timer. The timer runs until you click stop. You can also use automated time tracking that monitors your apps in the background and suggests time entries based on your activity.
Does Toggl Track computer activity?
The desktop app can track which applications and websites you use if you enable the Timeline feature. This time tracking data stays private on your device unless you choose to convert it into time entries. Team admins cannot see your computer activity directly.
Is Toggl worth it?
Toggl Track is worth it for freelancers billing by the hour and teams needing productivity insights. The free plan works great for solo workers and small teams. Paid plans add valuable features like billable rates, time estimates, and team management that pay for themselves through better project tracking and billing accuracy.
How to use Toggl to track time?
Open Toggl Track and click the timer at the top of the screen. Type a description of your task. Select a project and optionally add tags. Click the play button to start tracking. Click stop when you finish. You can also edit time entries manually or use the calendar view to add custom time blocks.
What is the difference between Toggl and DeskTime?
Toggl Track focuses on flexible time tracking that respects user privacy. DeskTime emphasizes employee monitoring with automatic screenshots and productivity scores. Toggl is better for trust-based environments while DeskTime suits companies wanting detailed oversight. Toggl has more integrations and a larger user base.
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