# I Built a Time Tracker Because Every Existing One Was Either Ugly or Overcomplicated

For a Technical Project Manager, keeping track of time is an integral part of the job. It involves monitoring client hours, project phases, and billable work. However, every time tracker they tried proved frustrating. Toggl was powerful but too complicated with numerous features they never used. Clockify had the same issue. Harvest was designed for teams, not individuals seeking to understand their day. The design of most of these apps also seemed outdated, as if they had been built in the 2010s and never updated.

The author, fed up with these apps, decided to create their own: Tempo. Their frustration stemmed from existing time trackers having too many features, overwhelming users, or simply being unappealing. The core problem he was trying to solve was the overwhelming number of options presented to him every morning. By simplifying the process, he aimed to ensure users could start tracking their time with just a single tap.

Building Tempo without writing a single line of code was a unique experience for him. As a Technical PM, he understood systems, workflows, and user experience but lacked coding skills. He utilized AI tools to transform his idea into a fully functional Android app within a few months. Despite encountering bugs and confusing UX decisions, the thought of using the app daily kept him motivated.

Tempo's interface is intentionally minimal, offering only one tap to start tracking. Users can toggle between billable and non-billable time, get daily and weekly reports, and customize projects with icons and colors. Importantly, Tempo does not offer project management, team collaboration, integrations, or invoicing. These are features provided by separate tools, allowing Tempo to focus on time tracking effectively.

While the app has limitations, such as being offline and lacking integrations, the author emphasizes that Tempo's simplicity is its strength. They had to resist the urge to add more features, choosing instead to focus on the core experience. Their journey to shipping Tempo taught them that deciding what not to build is just as crucial as deciding what to build.

Tempo caters to freelancers who bill hourly, remote workers, and students who want to understand their daily activities. For these users, Tempo provides accurate time tracking and insightful data without the need for managing a second system. If you're a freelancer who bills by the hour, Tempo can help you track your time accurately and determine what's billable at the end of the week. If you're interested in understanding how you spend your day, Tempo offers honest, visual data without added complexity.