Many small- to medium-sized businesses find managing payroll and keeping track of their team’s hours accurately to be one of the biggest challenges. It isn’t always glamorous, but it is one of the most important responsibilities. When you get time and attendance right, you are able to pay employees accurately, you ensure that your business is compliant, and you save valuable time. If you get it wrong, the results can be errors in payroll, disputes with your finance team, and even fines.
Time and attendance software is no longer a “nice extra” for running your business. In 2025, it has become a necessary tool for ensuring that your business runs smoothly. Most software on the market doesn’t only record when your team clocks in and out, but they also give you an easy way to manage leave requests, calculate overtime, and the best software allows you integrate your time and attendance tracking with your payroll systems.
Freeing up time so you can focus on growth and alleviating admin headaches is an obvious benefit, but with so many time and attendance platforms available to choose from, how do you decide which is the best fit for your business? In this short guide, we’ll take a look at 5 great time and attendance software in 2025 ranging from SMB-friendly options to enterprise-level systems.
💡 In a rush? Our comprehensive comparison chart gives you all the information you need at a glance.
What is Time and Attendance Software?
Time and attendance software is a digital tool that tracks when employees work, when they are absent, and how overtime and breaks are applied. Instead of relying on outdated punch cards, paper timesheets, or free time and attendance templates these systems use mobile apps, biometric devices, or web portals to record hours accurately.
Key functions of time and attendance software include:
- Clock-in/out tracking (via mobile apps, QR codes, or other devices)
- Leave management (paid time off, sick leave, and holiday requests)
- Scheduling tools to assign and monitor shifts
- Payroll integration, ensuring that approved hours are reflected on payroll
- Analytics and reporting, providing visibility into labor costs, overtime, and absences
The ultimate goal of time attendance software is accuracy and efficiency. Employees get paid correctly for the hours they work, managers save time, and compliance with labor laws is easier thanks to policies and settings that you configure.
Top 5 Time and Attendance Comparison Chart
Before diving into detailed reviews, it helps to see how the top platforms stack up side by side. The chart below highlights the five best time and attendance software options in 2025, showing who each one is best suited for, their standout features, and typical pricing. This overview makes it easier to compare your choices at a glance before exploring the details.
| Platform | Best For | Key Highlight | Price Range |
| Factorial | SMBs and mid-market companies | All-in-one HR, payroll, and time tracking platform | From $8 per employee/month |
| Microsoft | Mid to large enterprises | Seamless Microsoft 365 & Teams integration | $100 – $130 per user/month |
| Oracle | Large corporations with complex needs | Enterprise-grade compliance and workforce analytics | Custom, ~$18 – $30 per employee/month |
| SAP SuccessFactors | Enterprises with global teams | Robust SAP ERP integration and advanced scheduling | Custom, ~$18 – $30 per employee/month |
| Workday | Global enterprises | Unified HR + Finance with strong mobile experience | Custom, ~$25 – $45 per employee/month |
While all five platforms provide reliable time and attendance functions, each one is designed for a different type of business. Most of the solutions in the table are geared towards larger, enterprise-level companies.
Factorial stands out for SMBs that want simplicity and affordability, while Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, and Workday are built for larger organizations with more complex needs. Use the chart as a quick reference point, then take a look at the reviews to see which solution matches your business goals.
Best Time and Attendance Software in 2025
1. Factorial
Best for: SMBs and mid-market companies that need an affordable, all-in-one HR and business management platform.
Factorial is a popular choice for SMBs. It avoids the complexity of enterprise-focused systems while still providing essential tools for managing time and attendance. Your team can clock in through the desktop or mobile app. Options such as QR-code scanning and geofencing ensure accuracy and compliance. You can define company policies for overtime and breaks with built-in notifications to ensure complaince with these policies. Factorial makes it easy to track absences and generate reports that connect directly with payroll preparation. The platform is easy to set up and your team will have no problem using it for daily processes.
Factorial’s biggest strength is that it goes beyond time and attendance tracking. With Factorial, your people, finance, and business management is connected in a single hub, so you have more oversight and control. It helps reduce the need for multiple systems and saves you significant admin time. For SMBs in need of a solution to streamline operations without having to commit to the cost and complexity of enterprise solutions, Factorial is the most practical choice.
The platform’s combination of time tracking, leave management, payroll prep, and other HR tools like document management, e-signing, and performance reviews make it especially appealing for growing businesses that need to manage everything in a single platform. As your business grows, Factorial will support your growth and scale with you instead of holding you back due to technical limitations.
Key features:
- Multiple clock-in/clock-out options: mobile app with one-tap, QR codes, and geofencing to confirm the location of your team
- Shift planning and scheduling: create shift templates and update schedules in real time
- PTO and absence management: employees submit requests digitally and managers approve with one click
- Payroll integration: overtime and absences automatically sync with payroll data
- Reporting: track attendance trends, labor costs, and overtime
Pros:
- Designed specifically for SMBs
- Affordable pricing
- Combines HR, payroll, and time tracking in one platform
- Quick implementation and strong customer support
Cons:
- May be too advanced for very small teams (<10 employees)
- Lacks some deep compliance tools available in enterprise-grade platforms
Price: Starts at $8 per employee/month, custom enterprise plans available
2. Microsoft (Dynamics 365 Human Resources)
Best for: Organizations already using Microsoft 365 or Azure.
For businesses already using Microsoft’s systems, Dynamics 365 creates a seamless connection between existing workflows. The platform provides a set of tools for managing attendance, leave, and workforce data. It integrates tightly with Microsoft Teams, Office 365, and Power BI. Employees can clock in or submit leave requests from the apps they use every day, which makes the adoption of the software much easier.
Managers can configure policies for overtime, absences, and scheduling. Centralized employee records also make admin work easier. Time and attendance can be connected to payroll, finance, and performance management through the broader Dynamics suite, giving you more insight into your workforce and more operational efficiency.
Dynamis 365 is best suited for mid-sized to large companies where spreadsheets are no longer sustainable.
Key features:
- Clock-in and out tracked with Microsoft Teams integration
- Absence and time off management with policy configurations
- Analytics and reporting by Power BI
- Integration with Office 365
Pros:
- Microsoft tools integrations
- Strong reporting and data visualization
- Scalable for medium to large enterprises
Cons:
- Microsoft-heavy infrastructure required
- May be too complex for SMBs
Price: $100 – $130 per user/month, depending on package
3. Oracle (Oracle HCM Cloud)
Best for: Large corporations with complex compliance needs.
Oracle HCM Cloud is a broader HR suite that provides time and attendance tools for enterprise-level organizations. Employees can clock in through mobile app or other biometric devices, while managers have access to advanced scheduling and compliance features. Oracle’s system is designed with global workforces in mind with rules for overtime, leave, and agreements that you can configure. Data regarding time and attendance is synced with their payroll and ERP modules, streamlining the workflow between finance and HR teams using a single source of truth.
Organizations with a system that scales across multiple countries choose Oracle for its ability to integrate with financial operations. Analytics features help teams gain insight into workforce costs and productivity, helping managers make informed decisions regarding staffing and budgeting.
Implementation is complex and requires significant resources, but Oracle is a strong choice for very large companies.
Key features:
- Biometric and mobile time capture
- Advanced scheduling and labor compliance tools
- Real-time workforce analytics for decision-making
- Payroll and ERP integration with Oracle’s systems
Pros:
- Global scalability
- Advanced compliance management
- Deep analytics capabilities
Cons:
- High cost
- Steeper learning curve for teams
Price: Custom pricing, typically $18 – $30 per employee/month
4. SAP SuccessFactors
Best for: Enterprises with global and distributed teams.
Another enterprise-level HCM suite, SAP SuccessFactors is known for strong time and attendance functions, particulary popular with organizations already using SAP ERP systems. It is particularly useful for multinational organizations who need global time tracking, rostering, and shift scheduling. Attendance and time data are integrated directly into SAP payroll and ERP, allowing finance and HR teams to stay aligned. Managers can monitor workforce planning, gain insight into absenteeism, and ensure compliance with local labor laws with built-in reporting and analytics.
SuccessFactors is a great fit for large organizations operating globally in need of consistent oversight across different regions. Setup and customization is complicated and requires specialists, but the result is a solution that scales well and is capable of managing complex workforces.
Key features:
- Global time tracking with compliance for multiple jurisdictions
- Shift scheduling and rostering for large teams
- Advanced workforce analytics for strategic planning
- Integration with SAP payroll and ERP software
Pros:
- Strong enterprise integrations
- Suitable for multinational companies
- Comprehensive reporting tools
Cons:
- High cost
- Complex to implement
- Requires SAP expertise
Price: Custom pricing, generally $18–$30 per employee/month
5. Workday
Best for: Global enterprises that want HR and finance in one place.
Many multinational corporations use Workday. It is known for strong HR and finance capabilities including time and attendance tools with a mobile-first approach.
Workday is known for a cloud-based approach to HR and finance. Mobile-first time and attendance features allow employees to clock in, request leave, and view schedules from anywhere. Managers gain real-time insight into attendance data using dashboards that combine attendance with workforce analytics, helping them montior productivity and plan staffing more effectively.
Workday is usually a top choice for enterprises that want to unify HR and finance through a single platform. Time and attendance data are connected directly with payroll and budgeting, so managers get an overview of people and finance data and the impact of scheduling decisions. While costly and perhaps too complex for SMBs, Workday offers large organizations a very comprehensive platform.
Key features:
- Mobile clock-in/out from any location
- Leave and overtime management
- Workforce analytics with customizable dashboards
- Integration with Workday HR and Finance software
Pros:
- Excellent mobile experience
- Combined HR and finance
- Highly scalable
Cons:
- High cost
- Too complex for smaller companies
Price: Custom, usually $25 – $45 per employee/month.
Investing in the Best Time and Attendance Software
Making the decision to invest in time and attendance software is a strategic decision that will help your business run smoothly. It is more than a technical upgrade – when used properly, it will help you reduce costs and save time.
Payroll errors are one of the most common sources of employee dissatisfaction, and fixing them wastes valuable resources, time and money. With a system in place for tracking, your processes will become more accurate and disputes over hours and days worked will decrease.
The return on investment is often faster than most business owners expect. Considering the amount of time (often up to 5 hours per week) managers spend collecting and checking timesheets, that alone adds up 260 hours per year. When you multiply that by average the average wage of a manager in the US, the money wasted on admin tasks already exceed the subscription fee of an SMB-friendly solution like Factorial. When you add in any fines you may incur for non-compliance and legal fees for handling disputes, the case for time and attendance software becomes even stronger.
Key benefits and drivers of ROI include:
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Reduced payroll errors: Accurate hours go directly to payroll, avoiding costly mistakes.
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Time savings for managers: Less manual admin means more time spent on strategic tasks.
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Compliance: Alerts based on policies you configure help minimize risks of penalties.
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Cost control: Overtime, absences, and scheduling issues are tracked in real time, helping you prevent overspending.
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Strategic insights: An overview of absenteeism, overtime, and performance support you in making smarter decisions.
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Employee satisfaction: Transparent records and reliable pay improve trust amoung your team.
Conclusion
Beyond helping you save money, time and attendance software help you grow your business. Reliable data gives managers a solid foundation to plan your workforce, create better schedules, and avoid putting your team in a position where they have to work overtime.
Choosing the right software comes down to understanding your needs and what your plans are for the future. Small- to medium-sized business will benefit from a scalable and easy-to-use solution like Factorial, while larger organizations may opt for a more complex solution like Oracle, SuccessFactors, or Workday for more advanced features and integrations.
No matter the size, the right system will help you reduce risk, save money, and free up your time to focus on growing your business instead of fixing problems and troubleshooting payroll mistakes because of incorrect time and attendance tracking.
FAQs
What is the best time tracking software for construction?
Construction businesses often need mobile clock-ins, geofencing, and project-based tracking. Factorial works well for smaller firms because it’s affordable and easy to use, while Oracle is better for larger companies that need advanced compliance features.
What is the #1 employee time tracking tool for daily office use?
For everyday office work environments, Factorial is a great choice for small to medium-sized bussinesses thanks to its simple interface, easy implementation, and payroll integration. Companies already using Microsoft 365 may prefer Dynamics 365 Human Resources because it connects directly with Teams.
What is the ROI of implementing time tracking software?
The ROI comes from saving managers time, avoiding payroll errors, and reducing compliance risks. Even small improvements usually cover the cost of the software within a few months.
What is the difference between time tracking and attendance?
Time tracking records the exact hours employees work, often down to the minute or linked to projects. Attendance focuses on whether employees are present, absent, or on leave — most modern systems combine both.
How much does time and attendance software typically cost?
Costs vary depending on the provider. SMB tools like Factorial start at about $8 per employee/month, while enterprise systems like Oracle, SAP, and Workday range from $18–$45, and Microsoft Dynamics typically costs $100+ per user/month. Prices should be verified on the websites of each vendor or by contacting their sales teams.
