Kimai

Self-Hosted

Open-source time tracking for teams and freelancers

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Overview

Kimai is a self-hosted time tracking tool designed for freelancers, agencies, and teams. It enables tracking time for projects, tasks, and clients, with built-in invoicing, reporting, and multi-user management. Deploy via Docker (one-click setup), traditional LAMP stack (PHP/MySQL), or cloud platforms. Key features include timesheet approvals, rate management, expense tracking, and integrations with Trello/Jira. It prioritizes data privacy and control, letting users own their time data without relying on third-party SaaS services.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE 

version: '3'
services:
  kimai:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: kimai
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

  • Project/task/client time tracking with detailed reports
  • Invoicing and expense management tools
  • Docker and self-hosted deployment options

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Kimai hard to install?

Kimai is easy to install via Docker (single command) or traditional LAMP stack (PHP 8+ and MySQL/MariaDB). Cloud hosting options are also available for users who prefer no server management, making it accessible for both tech-savvy users and beginners.

? Is Kimai a good alternative to Toggl Track?

Yes—Kimai offers core time tracking features like project/task tracking and reporting, but as a self-hosted tool, it gives full data ownership. Unlike Toggl's paid tiers for advanced features (e.g., invoicing), Kimai includes these in its free open-source version.

? Is Kimai completely free?

Kimai is 100% open source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, self-host, and modify. Optional premium plugins or commercial support are available but not required to access all core features.

Top Alternatives

Toggl Track Search Google
Harvest Search Google

People Also Ask about Kimai

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source
Category Time Tracking
Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

  • ⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
  • ⊕ No recurring subscription fees
  • ⊕ Integrates with Trello, Jira, and other project tools

Cons

  • ⊖ Requires server or Docker setup for self-hosting
  • ⊖ Basic technical knowledge needed for initial deployment

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