Fix the step that took twice your estimate
starting next time
A time-tracking tool that records effort by structure with a 4-level WBS and timers
Client A EC Site › Implementation › Frontend
Product detail page
Started 09:15
Sound familiar?
Even with a time-tracking tool, some problems often go unsolved
Estimates and actuals are always far apart
You estimate "about 10 hours," then it ends up taking more than double. Put an end to that cycle.
You can't say which step took the time, in numbers
You may feel "design dragged on," but most of the time you can't back it up with accurate figures.
You forget to start the timer, leaving gaps in your records
Manual operation is a hassle, so you forget to stop and fix it the next day. We remove that recording stress.
What only LayerClock lets you see
Differences in structure and mechanics change how deep your insights go
Typical tools (2 levels)
What you can tell
- ✕Which task took the time (all tasks on the same level)
- ✕Which step — design, implementation, or testing — is behind
- ✕Whether you can improve estimate accuracy per phase
4-level structure
What you can tell
- ✓What % of the budget the design phase alone consumed
- ✓Which deliverable's estimate was too optimistic
- ✓Which step to fix in your next project
Selecting a task = the timer starts automatically
No "start tracking" button needed. Recording begins the moment you pick a task
Click a task
Pick a task from the WBS tree
Timer starts automatically
Tracking begins instantly. No action needed
Switching stops the previous one
Picking the next task automatically stops the previous measurement
Tracking continues on the server even if you close the browser. Your records never break.
See it in action
From setup to reports, everything stays simple
4-level structure, schedule-health badges, and estimate/actual/remaining at a glance
Everything you need for effort tracking, in one place
4-level WBS management
Unlike the typical "project → task" 2-level model, LayerClock structures work in 4 levels (project, phase, deliverable, task). Reorder freely with drag and drop.
One-click timer
Just pick a task and start. The timer begins automatically, and stopping or resuming is one click. Switching tasks auto-stops the previous timer, preventing double counting and building accurate records.
Automatic totals & chart reports
Task time rolls up automatically to the deliverable, phase, and project. Line charts visualize workload over time so you catch delays and imbalances early (Business plan).
Estimate vs. actual analysis
Register an estimate per task and the gap from actuals is computed automatically. It's also aggregated by phase and project, so you can see which step took the time, in numbers.
Log management & filtering
Filter logs by date, project, tag, and status. Quickly search and edit past records, with custom-period totals and year-over-year comparison (Business plan).
CSV export
Export WBS structure and work logs as CSV. Use them directly for invoicing, Excel analysis, or integration with external tools. The Business plan covers logs from all periods.
Chosen by people like you
For everyone who wants to track project effort accurately
Back your invoices with numbers
At month-end, effort across multiple clients tends to blur together. Project-level actuals export straight to CSV, so you can show "I spent X hours on this task" in numbers. It also adds weight to rate negotiations and explaining extra costs.
Spot "design alone is 2x the budget" early
Effort management loses the big picture across phases. Task actuals roll up to higher levels, so you can check phase-level consumption in real time — catch delays early and adjust your next phase's plan.
Fragmented time adds up accurately
It clears up the "how many hours did I spend on that job today?" haze. Just switch tasks and the previous measurement stops automatically; later, the logs make each job's effort obvious. Focus on work without recording stress.
How we differ from other tools
A 4-level WBS and auto-starting the timer on task selection are unique to LayerClock
| Item | LayerClock | Tool A | Tool B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hierarchy | 4 levels | 2 levels | 2 levels |
| Timer start method | Auto on task select | Manual | Manual |
| Free users | Unlimited | Up to 5 | Unlimited |
| Estimate vs. actual | Shown at every level | Some plans only | Some plans only |
| Japanese support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price (lowest paid) | ¥980 / mo | $10 / mo | $3.99 / mo |
Official information as of 2026-04. Please check each service's website for the latest details.
Simple pricing
Try the Free plan at no cost, and upgrade when you need to
Free
- ✓Up to 5 projects
- ✓Timer & log recording (no limit)
- ✓4-level WBS management
- ✓Dashboard & log list
- ✓6 months data retention
Business
- ✓Unlimited projects
- ✓Timer & log recording (no limit)
- ✓4-level WBS management
- ✓Chart reports & EAC forecast
- ✓Per-tag effort analysis
- ✓Advanced filters (any period)
- ✓CSV export (all periods)
- ✓API access (PAT)
- ✓Profitability analysis
- ✓36 months data retention
Team
- ✓Everything in Business
- ✓Up to 5 team members
- ✓Member permission management
- ✓Cross-team log viewing
Cancel anytime, on your own, from the Stripe Customer Portal.
Have questions? Check the FAQ.
Get started in 3 steps
Register your WBS
Break a project into 4 levels (phase → deliverable → task) and register it.
Reorder by drag and drop, reflecting your existing project structure as-is.
Start a task
Just pick a task and start the timer — or launch instantly with the Shift+S shortcut.
Switching tasks auto-stops the previous timer, so nothing slips through.
Analyze actuals
Review work time by day and project on the logs page. Chart reports reveal time-allocation gaps.
Export to CSV for external analysis or backup. Accumulated actuals improve your next estimate.
Frequently asked questions
If this doesn't help, feel free to reach out
Does the timer keep running if I close the browser?▼
Can I use the timer and basic recording on the free plan?▼
Can I migrate data from an existing tool?▼
Can I add team members later?▼
Where is my data stored?▼
Is canceling easy?▼
Can data be deleted on the Free plan?▼
Can sole proprietors use it?▼
Make effort tracking simpler
Accurate actuals change the precision of your next estimate. Start with the free plan and give LayerClock a try.
Learn effort management
We share tips that help improve estimate accuracy
5 things to check before choosing a time-tracking tool
Sorting out your project count, team size, and needed aggregation axes before choosing prevents post-adoption regret. We organized the selection criteria into 5 points.
Read article →A WBS breakdown method that doubled estimate accuracy
Breaking work into three stages — phase → deliverable → task — makes it obvious which step tends to balloon. We explain a breakdown approach that improves estimate accuracy.
Read article →Building a recording system that eliminates month-end gaps
A practical flow combining a timer that auto-stops on task switch with CSV export. An approach to prevent the "I thought I recorded it, but it doesn't add up" problem.
Read article →
What users say