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Timely Review 2026: Pricing, Time Tracking Features, Pros, and Cons

Last Updated: 23 May 2026

Our take

Best for: Consultancies, agencies, and SaaS businesses billing by the hour

Strengths

  • Automated background time tracking via AI

Limitations

  • Mobile app lacks automated background tracking; task management costs extra

Top summary

FeatureDetails
Product/VendorTimely by Memory AS
Main categoryTime and attendance
Best forConsultancies, agencies, and SaaS businesses billing by the hour
Pricing visibilityPublic and quote-based
Starting price$11 per user/month (billed monthly)
Key strengthsAutomated background time tracking via AI
Key limitationsMobile app lacks automated background tracking; task management costs extra
Evidence confidence75/100
Last verified2026-05-23

Editorial verdict

Timely, developed by Memory AS, is a cloud-based time and attendance platform that differentiates itself through its AI-driven "Memory Tracker" [01] [02] [15]. Rather than relying on manual start-and-stop timers, the platform silently records desktop application and website usage in the background, automatically drafting timesheets for user approval [07] [15]. This approach makes it a strong fit for knowledge workers, consultancies, and agencies that bill by the hour and want to minimize administrative overhead [04] [18].

The platform scales effectively for small and mid-market teams (11–200 employees) that require project capacity planning and HR analytics dashboards [04] [05] [08]. However, buyers should be aware of a few structural limitations. The automated background tracking is restricted to desktop operating systems, meaning field workers using the mobile app must rely on manual timers and GPS [16]. Additionally, basic task management capabilities are gated behind a per-user add-on fee rather than being included in standard subscriptions [17].

Overall, Timely is a strong shortlist candidate for professional services teams seeking frictionless time capture. Buyers with complex mobile workforce needs or strict local compliance requirements should verify the platform's capabilities directly with the vendor before purchasing [03] [16].

Quick facts

FactDetail
VendorMemory AS [01]
ProductTimely [20]
CategoriesTime and attendance, HR software [02]
HeadquartersOslo, Norway [01]
OwnershipPrivate [01]
Main use casesAutomatic time tracking, timesheet creation, project capacity planning [02] [05]
Pricing modelPer user, per month [21]
Starting price$11 USD [21]
Free trial14 days [21]
Data quality score75/100

What is Timely?

Timely is a cloud-based time tracking and attendance software tool created by the Norwegian company Memory AS [01] [02]. It is designed to replace manual time entry with AI-assisted automation. The system captures user activity across desktop applications and websites, drafts timesheet entries automatically, and allows users to approve them with a single click [07] [15]. The software provides managers with dashboards to monitor team capacity, billable percentages, and overtime without requiring granular surveillance [05] [08].

Who is Timely best for?

Best for

  • Consultancies and agencies: The AI-driven automatic timesheets are highly recommended for professional services and SaaS businesses that bill by the hour, as the system captures all billable time without manual entry overhead [18].

Good fit for

  • Small teams (11–50 employees): Popular among knowledge workers and freelancers who require minimal administrative friction [04].
  • SMBs (51–200 employees): Scales effectively for mid-sized teams that need project capacity planning and team reporting dashboards [05].

Not ideal for

  • Mobile-first field workers: The automated background tracking is limited to desktop environments. The mobile app only supports manual timers and GPS, which may frustrate workers expecting full automation on the go [16].

Buyers should verify first

  • Total cost of ownership: Buyers should confirm their need for task management features, as these require an additional $5 per user per month add-on fee [17] [28].
  • Local compliance: While the platform supports over 50 currencies globally, specific native local compliance frameworks are not confirmed in the available data [03].

Products and modules

  • Memory Tracker: The core functionality of Timely. It silently runs in the background on macOS and Windows desktop computers to record app and website usage, automating the time-tracking process [15] [16].
  • Tasks Add-on: An optional module that allows teams to assign, schedule, and track progress against complex deliverables for an additional monthly fee [28].

Features and capabilities

CapabilityStatusEvidence strengthNotesSource
Automated time trackingSupportedStrongAI captures desktop activity and auto-allocates time.[15]
Approval workflowsSupportedStrongAI drafts entries; users approve with a single click.[07]
HR analyticsSupportedMediumDashboards display total hours, overtime, and billable percentages.[08]
Mobile appSupportedStrongNative iOS and Android apps available, but restricted to manual tracking and GPS.[06] [16]

Pricing

Timely offers transparent, public pricing for its standard tiers and quote-based pricing for its Enterprise plan [21] [27]. The platform operates on a per-user, per-month billing model and offers a 14-day free trial granting unlimited access to all features [21].

Note: Third-party sources from late 2022 list older, lower pricing for Timely's plans, but current official vendor data confirms the rates below [29].

Pricing tiers

  • Starter: $11 USD per user per month (or $9 USD billed annually). Includes automatic time tracking, AI-assisted timesheets, and project dashboards. Limited to a maximum of 5 users and 20 projects [21] [22].
  • Premium: $20 USD per user per month (or $16 USD billed annually). Includes all Starter features, unlimited projects, project management sync, advanced reporting, and team management. Limited to a maximum of 50 users [23] [24].
  • Unlimited: $28 USD per user per month (or $22 USD billed annually). Includes all Premium features, capacity management, Azure AD support, and branded reports. Supports unlimited users and projects [25] [26].
  • Enterprise: Quote-based pricing. Includes all Unlimited features, tailored onboarding, premium team training, and priority support. Buyers must contact sales for a custom quote [27].
  • Tasks Add-on: $5 USD per user per month. Can be added to any base subscription to enable task scheduling and deliverables tracking [28].

Region and country coverage

Buyers should verify whether Timely meets specific local labor laws or regional compliance frameworks before deployment, as the provided data establishes international usage but not native regulatory compliance [03].

RegionCapabilityCoverage typeEvidence statusNotesSource
GlobalTime trackingUnknownInferredSupported internationally with 50+ currencies, but exact localized compliance scope is unconfirmed.[03]

Implementation and support

Support typeStatusNotesSource
Email supportSupportedIncluded alongside a standard help center.[12]
Dedicated CSMSupportedRestricted to the Enterprise tier.[13]
TrainingSupportedPremium team training is provided on the Enterprise plan.[14]

Pros and cons — Pros

ProWhy it mattersEvidenceCaveat
Automated time trackingEliminates the need for manual start/stop timers, reducing administrative burden.The AI-driven Memory Tracker silently records background activity. [15]Desktop only.

Pros and cons — Cons

ConWhy it mattersEvidenceCaveat
Mobile app limitationsField workers cannot rely on automated tracking.The mobile app relies strictly on manual timers and GPS, omitting the core automated Memory tracking. [16]None.
Add-on costsIncreases total cost of ownership for teams needing task management.Features for detailed task management incur an extra $5 per user per month cost. [17]Applies to all base subscription plans.

Buyer checklist

Before purchasing Timely, buyers should:

  • Confirm total cost: Calculate the exact monthly or annual cost for your team size, factoring in the $5/user/month Tasks add-on if you require task management [28].
  • Verify mobile capabilities: If your workforce operates heavily from mobile devices, test the manual and GPS tracking during the free trial to ensure it meets your needs, as automated tracking is desktop-only [16].
  • Check user limits: Ensure your projected growth aligns with the tier limits (Starter is capped at 5 users; Premium at 50 users) [21] [23].
  • Validate local compliance: Ask the vendor if the platform natively supports specific local labor regulations or multi-country processing structures [03].

FAQ

Evidence audit

MetricStatus
Overall page confidence score75/100
Number of sources11
Number of vendor-owned sources4
Number of third-party sources7
Strongest evidence areasPricing, core tracking capabilities, and platform strengths.
Claims buyers should verifyIntegration capabilities, security/compliance certifications, and native local legal compliance.
Publication readinessGood page with some caveats; suitable for publication with visible verification warnings regarding integrations and compliance.

How we reviewed this article:

We review vendor pages regularly and update them as pricing, coverage, and capabilities evolve.

Current VersionMay 24, 2026
Written ByHR.software Editorial Team