Is Kimai really free?

Yes, Kimai is open-source and free. But you need a server to host it, which costs money and time to maintain. Chronum is free during beta, $5/month after — with no infrastructure to manage.

What features does Kimai have that Chronum doesn't?

Kimai has team features, extensive plugins, and full API access. If you need multi-user setups or deep customization, Kimai's open-source nature is an advantage. For solo billing workflows, Chronum is simpler.

Can I export my Kimai data to Chronum?

Not yet — data import is on our roadmap. Since Kimai is open-source with full database access, migration will be possible once we build the import feature.

Is my data secure with Chronum?

Yes. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Unlike self-hosted Kimai where security is your responsibility, Chronum handles backups, updates, and security patches automatically.

No server setup
No database maintenance
No security patches

Open-Source Power. Zero Setup.

Kimai is powerful and free — if you can host it yourself. Server setup, database maintenance, backups, updates. Chronum gives you similar billing features in a native app you download and run. No DevOps required.

Open Beta: Free while we polish the final detailsCreate Your First Invoice Free

Chronum native desktop app — same billing power as Kimai, no server setup required

How It Works

1.
Download
Get the native app for Mac, Windows, or Linux. No server to configure, no database to set up, no Docker containers to manage.
2.
Track
Start tracking immediately. Projects, tasks, and rates — configured in minutes, not hours.
3.
Bill
Generate professional invoices with multi-currency support. Export or send directly to clients.

Why Freelancers Consider Kimai Alternatives

Self-hosting isn't free — it costs time.

Kimai is an excellent open-source time tracker with strong billing features. But "free" comes with hidden costs: setting up a server, configuring a database, managing backups, applying security updates. For developers who enjoy that, great. For freelancers who want to track time and bill clients, it's overhead.

Chronum offers similar features — PDF invoices, multi-currency, batch invoicing, historical rates — without the infrastructure burden. Download the app, create an account, start tracking. Your server is our problem.

What Sets Chronum Apart

Key features that differentiate Chronum from Kimai
Feature	Chronum	Kimai
Setup required	No	Server + DB
Auto exchange rates	Yes	No
Visual timeline	Yes	No
Native desktop app	Yes	3rd party

Multi-Currency Billing

Global Billing Without Server Config

Kimai supports multi-currency, but you need to configure currency plugins and settings. Chronum includes it out of the box — set a currency per project, get automatic exchange conversions. No plugin installation required.

Multi-currency billing out of the box in Chronum — no plugin configuration

Historical Rates Built In

Historical Accuracy Without Database Queries

Both tools support rate history. In Kimai, you manage this through database records. In Chronum, it just works — change rates anytime, past sessions stay accurate. No SQL needed.

Rate history that just works in Chronum — no database queries needed

Native Desktop Performance

No Browser Tab Required

Kimai runs in your browser (or a third-party app). Chronum is a native desktop app — starts instantly, uses minimal resources, syncs in real-time. Keyboard shortcuts for everything.

Full Feature Comparison

Complete feature comparison between Chronum and Kimai
Feature	Chronum	Kimai
Pricing	Free (beta)	Free (self-host)
Setup required	No	Server + DB
Multi-currency	Yes	Yes
Rate history	Yes	Yes
PDF invoicing	Yes	Yes
Batch invoicing	Yes	Yes
Auto exchange rates	Yes	No
Task-level rates	Yes	Yes
Visual timeline	Yes	No
Native desktop app	Yes	3rd party
Mobile app	Soon	PWA
Automatic updates	Yes	No
Team features	No	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to skip the DevOps?

Same billing features as Kimai — without the server, database, or maintenance.

Compare all features in our comparison hub or compare with Toggl, Clockify