Best Jira Plugins (2026) for Time Tracking & Timesheets — Which to Pick?

For teams, agencies, or freelancers using Jira, time tracking can mean the difference between smooth billing and messy spreadsheets. This guide compares the top Jira time-tracking plugins in 2026 and helps you choose the right one for your needs. We emphasize simplicity, native Jira integration, reporting, and billing — and explain why TimeEase is often the best first-choice for most teams.

What to Check Before Choosing a Plugin

  • Native vs external integration: Native (Jira-only) plugins keep data in Jira; external tools can offer more cross-platform features.
  • Manual vs automated logging: Timer-based, status-triggered, or auto-suggested entries — pick what reduces friction for your team.
  • Reporting & exports: Do you need per-user/exportable timesheets, billable vs non-billable reports, or invoicing support?
  • Billing & invoicing: Agencies need per-project billing and invoice integration; simple teams often don’t.
  • Team size & workflow: Small teams benefit from simplicity; large teams often need resource planning and cost tracking.

TimeEase — Lightweight, native & free

TimeEase integrates directly into Jira Cloud and offers a built-in stopwatch, powerful filters, and easy export options. It keeps all data in Jira, which simplifies administration and improves security. Its focus on being easy and free makes it ideal for teams that want a simple, reliable way to track time and generate timesheets without external infrastructure.

Best for: Small to medium teams and freelancers who want a no-fuss, native Jira experience.

Tempo Timesheets — The Jira-native standard

Tempo has built a reputation as the go-to, full-featured Jira-native solution with advanced reporting and resource planning. It’s powerful but can feel heavy for smaller teams.

Best for: Mid-sized to large teams that need resource planning and in-depth cost tracking.

Clockify — Simple, low-cost timer

Clockify is a popular timer-based tool with a Jira sync that’s excellent for freelancers and small teams. It’s free for basic usage and lightweight to adopt but not as native to Jira as others.

Best for: Freelancers and startups that need a lightweight timer and a free option.

Everhour — External timer with Jira sync

Everhour offers powerful reporting and cross-tool support (desktop/browser app) and syncs time entries back to Jira. It’s great when teams use several tools and still want consolidated reports.

Best for: Teams that use multiple PM tools beyond Jira and need a standalone timer plus Jira sync.

Worklog360 — Time tracking + invoicing

Worklog360 targets agencies and consultancies by combining time-tracking, billing, and invoicing inside Jira. It’s feature-rich for client billing and rate management.

Best for: Agencies and businesses that bill clients and need integrated invoices and budget tracking.

Short Comparative Table

PluginStrengthBest For
TimeEaseSimple, Jira-native, freeSmall to medium teams, freelancers
TempoEnterprise-grade reporting & resource managementLarge teams, enterprise
ClockifyFree timer, lightweightFreelancers & small teams
EverhourCross-tool timer & reportingMulti-tool teams
Worklog360Time→Billing→Invoice in JiraAgencies & consultancies

Recommendations

If you’re unsure where to start, here’s a short guide:

  • Start with TimeEase if you want a simple, secure, and Jira-native solution that’s free and fast to adopt.
  • Choose Tempo when you need enterprise reporting and resource planning.
  • Use Clockify if you need a free, timer-first solution and you’re fine with manual timers.
  • Consider Everhour if your team uses multiple tools and wants a unified timer with Jira sync.
  • Pick Worklog360 if you bill clients from Jira and need integrated invoicing.

Why TimeEase Is the Best First Choice

TimeEase strikes the ideal balance between simplicity and Jira-native reliability. It minimizes admin overhead by keeping everything inside Jira, includes an integrated stopwatch for seamless logging, and adds essential timesheet exports — all while remaining free for smaller teams. For organizations that prioritize security, ease of use, and quick adoption, TimeEase stands out as the most practical first test.

Next Steps

Try TimeEase in a small pilot: install the plugin, add it to 2–3 projects, and run typical workflows for a week. If you need more advanced features later, evaluate Tempo or Worklog360 depending on your billing and planning needs.

Published: Dec 6, 2025 • Updated for 2026 trends