When your Harvest trial expires, you don't have to pick a paid plan to keep using Harvest. You can switch to the Free plan and keep tracking time, as long as your account fits within the Free plan's limits. This article explains what the Free plan includes, why you're seeing the "trial expired" message, and exactly how to switch.

What the Free plan includes

The Free plan is designed for a single person tracking a small number of projects. It includes:

• 1 active person (seat)
• 2 active projects
• Limited integrations

Everything you've already tracked stays in your account. The limits apply to what's active, not to your historical data.

Why you're seeing the "trial expired" message

When your trial period ends without an active paid subscription, Harvest displays a "trial expired" message and limits access to time tracking and most day-to-day features until you choose a plan.

You can still reach Reports and Settings while in this state, so you can review your data and switch plans without losing access to your account.

How to switch to the Free plan

1. Access the account and extend/reactivate the expired trial if prompted, so you can reach your account settings.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Open Manage subscription.
4. Select Switch to free plan.

If your account already fits within the Free plan limits, the switch completes right away.

Get under the limits first

If your account currently has more than the Free plan allows, reduce it to the Free plan limits before switching:

• Projects — archive projects until you have 2 active projects or fewer.
• People — remove any extra people so that only 1 active person remains.
• SAML — disable SAML / single sign-on, which isn't available on the Free plan.

Once your account is within all three limits, return to Settings → Manage subscription → Switch to free plan.

Things to know before you switch

• Integrations are removed. Connected integrations such as Asana, Deel, and QuickBooks will be disconnected when you move to the Free plan.
• Sample data is removed. Any sample/demo data in your account is cleared.
• You can upgrade again anytime. Switching to Free isn't permanent — you can move back to a paid plan whenever you need the extra people, projects, or integrations.

Who can switch plans

Only an account owner (or someone with billing access) can change the subscription. If you don't see the option to manage your subscription, ask your account owner to make the change.

Not ready to decide? Extend your trial

If you need more time before choosing, you may be able to extend your trial. Within 30 days of your trial ending, look for the Extend trial option, which adds another 14 days so you can keep evaluating Harvest before committing to a plan.