LockMargin vs Harvest: Time Tracking vs Invoicing Focus
Harvest is time tracking with invoicing added on. LockMargin is invoicing-first with built-in time tracking — and it costs $49 once.
Harvest is one of the most popular time tracking tools for freelancers and small teams. It excels at tracking time across projects, but its invoicing features are secondary — designed to support the time tracking workflow, not replace a dedicated invoicing tool.
LockMargin flips that priority. It's an invoicing-first tool with built-in time tracking, designed for freelancers who need professional invoices, estimates, and client management — with time tracking as a supporting feature, not the main event.
The Cost Difference
| Harvest | LockMargin | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $144–$336 | $49 (one-time) |
| Year 2 | $144–$336 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $144–$336 | $0 |
| Total | $432–$1,008 | $49 |
| You save | $383–$959 with LockMargin | |
Harvest Free plan limits 1 seat and 2 projects. Pro is $12/mo (unlimited projects) and $28/mo (with approvals & integrations). LockMargin has no project limits.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Harvest | LockMargin |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | ✓ Core focus | ✓ Built-in |
| Invoicing | ✓ (basic) | ✓ Core focus |
| Expense Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quotes & Estimates | ✓ (limited) | ✓ (full proposals) |
| Recurring Invoices | ✓ | ✓ (reactive engine) |
| Client Portal | ✓ | ✓ (PDF export) |
| Multi-Currency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works Offline | ❌ | ✓ 100% |
| AES-256-GCM Encryption | ❌ | ✓ Client-side |
| One-Time Payment | ❌ | ✓ $49 forever |
| Immutability Guard | ❌ | ✓ Invoice integrity |
| Health Score | ❌ | ✓ Business health |
| Data Location | Harvest servers | Your machine |
| Project Limits | 2 (Free) / Unlimited (Pro) | Unlimited |
| Team Collaboration | ✓ (paid seats) | ❌ (solo focus) |
| Integrations (Slack, Asana, etc.) | ✓ | ❌ (standalone) |
When Harvest Makes Sense
- Time tracking is your primary billing method — you bill by the hour for every client
- You need integrations with project management tools (Asana, Trello, Basecamp)
- Your team needs shared time tracking across multiple people
- You're okay with subscription pricing
When LockMargin Makes Sense
- You send fixed-price invoices, recurring invoices, or value-based billing — not just hourly
- You want professional invoices with customization and branding
- You need Snapshots, Health Score, and Immutability Guard — features Harvest doesn't have
- You value data privacy — your invoices never touch the cloud
- You want to eliminate subscription costs — pay $49 once, use forever
Key Difference: Primary Use Case
Harvest users typically track time all day and send invoices at the end of the month. LockMargin users create invoices as they work — whether billing by project, retainer, or hourly. Harvest asks "How much time did you spend?" LockMargin asks "What are you billing for?"
If you charge by the hour and need robust time tracking with integrations, Harvest is a solid choice. If you send invoices — whether hourly, fixed-price, or recurring — and want better invoicing features without the subscription cost, LockMargin wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import Harvest time entries into LockMargin?
Yes. Export your time entries from Harvest as CSV and import them into LockMargin. You can then create invoices from those time entries with LockMargin's time-to-invoice conversion.
Does LockMargin have a timer like Harvest?
Yes. LockMargin includes a start/stop timer and manual time entry. Tracked hours can be automatically added to invoices — just like Harvest's timer feature.
Does Harvest work offline?
Harvest requires an internet connection to log time, create invoices, and access your data. LockMargin works 100% offline — no internet needed.
What if I need both time tracking and invoicing?
LockMargin handles both. If you primarily bill hourly, LockMargin's time tracking integrates directly with invoicing. If you need advanced time tracking features (like team timesheets, integration with 50+ apps), Harvest may be better. But for most freelancers, LockMargin covers both needs at a fraction of the cost.
Ready to try LockMargin?
Download free. No account required. No credit card. See if it works for you — and if not, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid licenses.