Harvest
Patriot Software
| Feature | Harvest | Patriot Software |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $10.8/mo | From $17/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | agencies, consultants, freelancers, professional-services | us-small-businesses, startups, solopreneurs, small-employers |
| Founded | 2006 | 2002 |
| Time Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expense Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Project Budgets | ✓ | ✗ |
| Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Team Capacity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Integrations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accounting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payroll | ✗ | ✓ |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Reports | ✗ | ✓ |
| Direct Deposit | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Harvest Pros
- Integrated invoicing from tracked time
- Project budget tracking with alerts
- Excellent reporting for team utilization
- Simple one-click timer interface
✗ Harvest Cons
- Limited project management features
- Only one project on free plan
- No built-in scheduling or resource planning
✓ Patriot Software Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- US-based phone support
- Easy to use interface
- Combined accounting and payroll
✗ Patriot Software Cons
- US-only
- Limited integrations
- Basic reporting compared to competitors
The Verdict
Harvest is built for agencies and consultants, with a focus on time-tracking and invoicing. Patriot Software targets us small businesses and startups and leads with accounting and payroll.
On pricing, Harvest is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $10.8/mo compared to $17/mo for Patriot Software. That $6.199999999999999/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Harvest has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Patriot Software requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Harvest offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Patriot Software takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.