Top 6 Time Management Apps Popular Among Freelancers and Small Businesses in Japan
Time management is gaining serious traction in Japan, especially as more professionals recognize it as a key factor in productivity. For freelancers and small business owners in particular, how you manage your time can make or break your results, especially when resources are limited.
This guide introduces six of the most highly rated time-tracking and productivity apps currently being used in Japan. Whether you’re looking for simple time logging, project-based tracking, or invoicing integration, these tools offer a wide range of features to match your work style and business needs.
Top Time Management Apps Ranked
- Toggl Track
- TimeCrowd
- Rescuetime
- Clockify
- Backlog + Cacoo
- Kinnosuke
1. Toggl Track
Source: Toggl Track Homepage
Originally developed in Estonia in 2006, Toggl Track is a global favorite among time-tracking apps. The interface is available in Japanese, and its simple, intuitive design makes it easy to start tracking your time with just a few clicks. It works seamlessly on smartphones, desktops, and browsers.
Key Features
- Start/stop the timer for each task
- Organize time by client or project
- Integrates with Google Calendar and Slack
Pricing
- Free plan available
- Paid plans from 10 dollars per month (adds reports and team management tools)
Toggl Track is ideal for freelancers, remote workers, and independent professionals juggling multiple projects.
2. TimeCrowd
Source: TimeCrowd Homepage
Launched by a Tokyo-based startup in 2016, TimeCrowd is a homegrown time-tracking tool designed for small teams. It’s simple to use but powerful when it comes to team-wide visibility, which makes it especially useful for managing remote or hybrid teams.
Key Features
- Visual breakdowns of time by member and project
- Chat and Slack integrations
- Japanese-language support and straightforward pricing
Pricing
- Free for up to 3 users
- Paid plans start at 500 yen per user per month
TimeCrowd is ideal for small teams (under 10 people), especially in web design, consulting, or nonprofit work.
3. RescueTime
Source: RescueTime Homepage
This U.S.-born app has been around since 2008 and uses AI to automatically track your digital activity. RescueTime helps visualize how you're spending your time, which makes it perfect for boosting focus and identifying time drains.
Key Features
- Automatically tracks activity on your devices
- Sends alerts when you spend too much time on social media or entertainment sites
- Encourages breaks and balance with well-being features
Pricing
- The free version includes weekly reports
- The premium plan starts at 6 dollars per month (adds productivity analysis and custom alerts)
RescueTime is ideal for creative professionals, remote workers, and anyone looking to improve focus and time awareness.
4. Clockify
Source: Clockify Homepage
Developed in Serbia and released in 2017, Clockify is a fully free, open-source time-tracking app. It’s especially popular with cost-conscious businesses that want serious time-tracking features without the price tag.
Key Features
- Offers both manual entry and timer-based tracking
- Visual dashboards for logged hours and billable time
- Unlimited users and projects—completely free
Pricing
- 100% free, with no user or feature limits
Clockify is ideal for budget-minded teams, small businesses, and coworking spaces.
5. Backlog + Cacoo
Source: Backlog Homepage + Cacoo Homepage
Backlog is a project management tool developed by Japanese company Nulab in 2005, and Cacoo is their diagramming tool released in 2009. Used together, they create a fully integrated platform that makes both project timelines and visual information easier to manage across teams.
Key Features
- Gantt chart task tracking
- Log work times and share them using diagrams
- Boosts team-wide transparency and time awareness
Pricing
- Backlog: From 2,640 yen per month (team pricing)
- Cacoo: From 660 yen per month per user
Backlog and Cacoo are ideal for tech startups, web development teams, and remote teams working on visual or collaborative projects.
6. Kinnosuke
Source: Kinnosuke Homepage
Developed by Human Technologies, a Japanese company founded in 1983, Kinnosuke is a labor management system tailored specifically to Japanese businesses. It handles everything from clock-in/out tracking to payroll integration and labor law compliance.
Key Features
- Tracks attendance via IC card or smartphone
- Supports shift work, flextime, and discretionary labor systems
- Built to comply with Japanese labor regulations and reduce HR risk
Pricing
- From 200 yen per user per month (scales by company size; setup fees not included)
Kinnosuke is ideal for SMEs in Japan with strict HR or compliance needs.
Conclusion
Time is one of the few resources we all have equally, but the way we use it defines what we achieve. For freelancers and small businesses, time is just as critical as capital or people.
One designer, overwhelmed by constant deadlines, started using Clockify and immediately saw improvements in how they prioritized work. A small business that adopted TimeCrowd gained clarity into team workflows and saw a boost in mutual trust..
Each of the six tools in this list takes a different approach to helping users “see” how they’re spending their time:
- Toggl Track: Refines your time awareness with powerful yet user-friendly tools
- TimeCrowd: Helps small teams visualize their efforts and build trust
- RescueTime: Makes unconscious habits visible to support better focus and balance
- Clockify: Offers professional-grade tracking and billing—entirely free
- Backlog + Cacoo: Connects time and visual communication for team cohesion
- Kinnosuke: Practical labor tracking built around Japan’s workplace culture
In today’s fast-moving world, reflection and visibility are new forms of competitive advantage. To avoid getting lost in the daily grind, finding the right time management tool for you or your team is the first step toward better outcomes. Try one today and start redefining your relationship with time.
