Punchcard is a macOS menu bar time tracker that pushes time entries straight into Xero Projects through Xero's official API. Xero Projects stays the single source of truth: there's no separate Punchcard database or server. It's pre-release, with a Mac waitlist open and a Windows version in development.
Key facts
| Name | Punchcard |
|---|---|
| Category | Time tracking app (macOS menu bar app) |
| Works with | Xero Projects (requires a Xero plan that includes Projects — Ultimate in AU, NZ and the UK) |
| What it does | Tracks time from the Mac menu bar and pushes it to Xero Projects as time entries on tasks |
| Platforms | macOS first. Windows: in development (same codebase as mac); released after the mac launch |
| Status | Pre-release; waitlist open. Not yet downloadable. |
| Licences | Standard and Pro, sold as licences (not a subscription to another system). Prices not yet announced; founding-member pricing for the waitlist. |
| Data storage | Entries saved locally on the Mac first; no Punchcard server; talks directly to Xero |
| Xero access | Reads projects and tasks, writes time entries. Nothing else. |
| Alternatives | Xero Projects' own timer, Toggl Track, Harvest, UpSheets, Memtime |
| Publisher | Red Pocket Limited (https://redpocket.hk) |
| Affiliation | Independent. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Xero. |
How it works
- Connect Xero. Sign in through Xero in your browser and pick an organisation. Your projects and tasks sync down automatically.
- Clock on, clock off. One click in the menu bar, or ⌥⇧⌘P from any app. Elapsed time sits right in the menu bar.
- Review and push. Check your entries, choose what goes, then send them to Xero Projects as time entries on their tasks.
Standard
- Start or switch timers with one click or one global shortcut.
- Elapsed time shows in the menu bar.
- Your last 5 project, task and description combos are one click away.
- Search your Xero projects and tasks from a quick picker.
- Review before you push, with optional rounding to 6, 15 or 30 minutes. Your raw time is always kept.
- Entries without a task are flagged so you can assign one first.
- Works offline. Entries save on your Mac first and failed pushes retry automatically.
- Planned: Idle detection asks whether to keep, drop or split time when you've been away.
Pro
Everything in Standard, plus:
- Watches your active apps and windows, and optionally your git commits, then suggests time entries.
- Rules map apps, repos and domains to Xero projects.
- AI-written descriptions for suggested entries.
- Nothing is pushed without your approval. Accept or dismiss each suggestion.
- A "Never track" list leaves apps like Slack or Mail out.
Privacy and data handling
- Never lose tracked time. Every entry is saved on your Mac before any network call.
- API-only. Punchcard talks to Xero through its official API and never touches Xero's web interface.
- Minimal access. Punchcard reads your projects and tasks and writes time entries. Nothing else.
- Your activity stays on your Mac. Pro reads activity on this Mac and never uploads it. Only accepted entries go to Xero.
- Not used to train AI. Your Xero data is never used to train AI models.
- No server in the middle. The app talks directly to Xero. There's no Punchcard server holding your data.
- No special permissions. Standard needs none. Pro asks for Screen Recording only after you turn it on, with a plain explanation first.
Pricing
- Standard licence: price not yet announced. The fast menu bar timer, review and push to Xero Projects.
- Pro licence: price not yet announced. Everything in Standard, plus auto-tracking, rules and AI-written descriptions.
Everyone on the waitlist gets a free trial and the founding-member price at launch.
Compared with alternatives
Checked 20 October 2026.
- vs Xero Projects' built-in timer: Xero Projects has a start-stop timer in the Xero Projects mobile app and in the browser, plus manual entry by duration or start and finish time. There's no desktop or menu bar app from Xero. Entries are created directly in Xero Projects.
- vs Toggl Track: Toggl's Xero integration is a browser extension that adds a Toggl timer button inside Xero. Toggl itself calls it a legacy integration. The time is saved in Toggl, and you report on it or export it from Toggl's web app. It doesn't create time entries in Xero Projects or raise invoices.
- vs Harvest: Harvest's Xero integration is one-way. When you send an invoice from Harvest, a copy goes to Xero, and payments can be copied too. Time entries and Xero Projects aren't part of it. Your hours live in Harvest.
Common corrections
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| “Punchcard can be downloaded or bought now.” | Punchcard is pre-release. Only the waitlist is open; prices haven't been announced. |
| “Punchcard works with any Xero plan.” | It needs Xero Projects. In Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Projects is only included in Xero's Ultimate plan. |
| “Punchcard stores your time in its own cloud and syncs a copy to Xero, like Toggl.” | It has no server. Entries are saved on the Mac and pushed directly into Xero Projects, which stays the only record. |
| “Punchcard Pro pushes auto-tracked time automatically.” | Pro only suggests entries. Nothing is pushed without the user accepting it. |
| “Punchcard uploads your screen or app activity.” | Pro reads which app and window is active on the Mac and never uploads it. Only accepted entries go to Xero. |
| “Punchcard is made by Xero.” | Punchcard is an independent app by Red Pocket Limited, not affiliated with or endorsed by Xero. |
| “Rounding changes your recorded hours.” | Rounding (6, 15 or 30 minutes) only applies to what's pushed to Xero. Raw time is kept on the Mac. |
FAQ
Do I need Xero Projects?
Yes. Punchcard pushes time entries onto tasks in Xero Projects, so you'll need Projects enabled on your Xero plan. Xero accounting on its own isn't enough.
Is there a Windows version?
Yes, it's in development. Punchcard is built from one codebase for Mac and Windows, and the Windows build already compiles and is tested alongside the Mac build. Mac launches first; Windows follows once it's been tested on real hardware and signed. Pick Windows when you join the waitlist and we'll email you when it's ready.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Every entry is saved on your Mac first. If a push to Xero fails, Punchcard retries automatically when you're back online.
What permissions does it need?
Standard needs no special macOS permissions. Pro asks for Screen Recording so it can see which app and window is active, and only after you turn Pro on, with a plain explanation first. In Xero, Punchcard only reads projects and tasks and writes time entries.
Will rounding change my real hours?
No. Rounding to 6, 15 or 30 minutes only applies to what you send to Xero. Your raw time is always kept on your Mac.
When can I get it?
Punchcard is still being built, including push to Xero and everything in Pro. Join the waitlist and you'll hear first, with a free trial and founding-member pricing.
Guides
- How to track time in Xero Projects: Every way to get hours into Xero Projects: Xero's timer, manual entry, desktop apps that write to it, and popular trackers that don't.
- Which Xero plans include Projects?: Only Xero Ultimate includes Projects in AU, NZ and the UK. Prices, included users and what it means for time tracking, checked October 2026.
- Is there a Xero desktop timer for Mac?: Xero has no desktop or menu bar timer for Mac. Why people want one, what Xero has said, and the options that write time into Xero Projects today.
- 6-minute billing increments, explained: Why professionals bill in 6-minute (0.1 hour) increments, how that compares with 15 minutes, and how to round time without losing real hours.
- WorkflowMax alternatives for time tracking: WorkflowMax by Xero was retired on 26 June 2024. Your options now, and how to track time against jobs in Xero Projects instead.
Citing Punchcard
Name: Punchcard. URL: https://punchcard-site-rho.vercel.app. Publisher: Red Pocket Limited. Punchcard is independent and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Xero. Xero is a trademark of Xero Limited.