For many businesses, work doesn’t just happen in the office. From construction sites and factories to delivery routes and maintenance jobs, your team can operate in places where internet connection is weak or completely unavailable. Yet accurate time tracking is still essential for payroll, compliance, and productivity. Offline time tracking apps can help you keep your business running smoothly.
These apps allow employees to clock in, clock out, and log hours even when disconnected from WiFi or mobile data. Once they reconnect, the app automatically syncs their hours to the company’s central system.
In this article, we’ll explain what offline time tracking is, how it works, and why it’s a must for companies with field or remote teams. Then, we’ll review the five best offline time tracking solutions in 2025 comparing their features and pricing.
What Is Offline Time Tracking?
Offline time tracking is feature that allows employees to log their working hours without an active internet connection. It ensures that time data isn’t lost due to poor connectivity especially in work environments where WiFi or mobile coverage can’t be guaranteed.
Instead of requiring constant connectivity, offline time tracking apps store clock-ins locally on the device. Once internet connection is restored, all data syncs automatically to the company’s server or cloud system. This makes it a useful and practical solution for industries that need time tracking for fieldwork or remote locations.
How Time Tracking Works Offline
Here’s a brief explanation of what happens behind the scenes when employees track time offline:
- Clock-in without WiFi: You open your time tracking app or use dedicated hardware to clock in or out. The system records the timestamp locally.
- Local storage: All recorded time data entries (and often GPS coordinates if you are also tracking employee location) are temporarily stored in the device’s memory.
- Automatic synchronization: Once the device reconnects to the internet, it uploads all the stored data to the company’s database.
- Verification and reporting: Managers can review, approve, and export timesheets as normal.
Tracking time even when offline means your team can go through entire shifts offline, knowing that their hours will be recorded accurately once they’re back online.
Examples of Offline Time Tracking in the Workplace
Offline time tracking plays an important role across many industries. Let’s look at where it’s most useful:
- Construction Sites: On construction sites, your team may operate in remote areas with unreliable internet connection. Offline time tracking helps ensure that every hour is recorded even in rural or partially connected sites.
- Field Service and Maintenance: Technicians fixing power lines or installing equipment in underground or rural locations can log their hours and sync data later.
- Delivery and Logistics: Drivers traveling through areas with poor network coverage can record start and stop times without disruption.
- Manufacturing and Warehousing: Industrial zones with limited connectivity can use on-site hardware to record shifts accurately.
- Hospitality and Restaurants: Staff can clock in and out via offline kiosks, ensuring that all shifts are tracked even if the network goes down for any unexpected reason.
In short, anywhere internet connection isn’t guaranteed, offline tracking with a timecard app ensures accuracy and accountability.
Why Offline Time Tracking Matters for Businesses
Offline time tracking isn’t just a backup. It helps you plan ahead and maintain control. It provides a reliable way of clocking in, helps support compliance, and makes the management of field or mobile teams easier.
Here are the main reasons it matters:
1. Accuracy and Data Security
When your rely on manual records or unstable apps, it’s easy for data to go missing. Offline tracking eliminates this risk. Every clock-in and clock-out is saved and automatically synced later. This means accurate records, even in environments with coverage that is unreliable.
2. Simplified Field Operations
For field workers, constant connectivity isn’t realistic. Offline tracking lets them record time without worrying about losing data or waiting to reconnect. Whether they’re underground, on the road, or in remote rural areas, their work hours are still logged properly for accurate timesheets.
3. Reliable Payroll and Compliance
Payroll and labor compliance rely on precise time records. Missing entries or guesswork can lead to errors or even legal issues because of mistakes in payroll. Offline time tracking logs every second worked so that it is accounted for, maintaining compliance with local and international labor laws related to time tracking.
4. Reduced Administrative Burden
With offline syncing, managers don’t have to chase employees for missing hours or manually fill in gaps. The system automatically uploads all stored data when the connection is restored saving hours of administrative time each week. With an app for time tracking, there is also no need to constantly remind your team to clock in with timecard reminders.
5. Boosted Employee Trust and Productivity
When your team sees that their time is tracked fairly without missing shifts and manual errors, it builds trust in the system. Your workforce can focus on their jobs instead of worrying about whether their hours are recorded.
Best 5 Offline Time Tracking Software in 2025
Here are the top five offline time tracking tools you should know in 2025. Each has its strengths, from mobile flexibility to all-in-one HR integration. We’ll break down what makes them unique so you can choose the best one that suits your needs.
1. Factorial
Overview: Factorial is an all-in-one HR platform that brings time tracking, payroll, and attendance together in one simple system. It’s designed to make managing employee hours, schedules, and pay easy for your entire team.
Features & Benefits:
With Factorial, employees can clock in and out using the web or mobile app when they’re online. Managers can instantly see who’s working, track attendance, and manage schedules from one central dashboard. The platform also includes tools for geofencing so managers can check if employees clock in from locations that are not approved, as well as absence tracking, and payroll preparation for simpler payroll.
While the mobile app needs an internet connection to track time directly, Factorial can still work with other on-site devices that record hours offline and sync later. This makes it a good fit for fixed-location teams like restaurants, offices, or brick-and-mortar stores.
Because everything connects in one system, Factorial helps reduce errors, save time, and keep attendance and payroll accurate. It’s a great choice for businesses that want a reliable, easy-to-use way to manage time tracking and HR in one place.
Price: Starts at $8 per user/month for the core HR plan.
2. Jibble
Overview: Jibble is a simple, modern time tracking app built for teams who are always on the move. It works both online and offline, making it perfect for field service, logistics, and maintenance teams who often work in areas without stable internet.
Features & Benefits:
Jibble has an offline mode, which lets employees clock in and out even without a connection. All data is saved on the device and automatically uploads when the internet returns. The app also includes GPS tracking, facial recognition, and group clock-ins through a kiosk mode, which is great for teams working on the same site.
Jibble connects with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Asana, allowing managers to track time directly from the platforms they already use. The app also offers customizable timesheets, job tracking, and helpful reports to keep everyone on schedule.
Because of its offline features, Jibble is especially useful for field teams, delivery drivers, and remote technicians who need accurate time records no matter where they are. It’s easy to set up, user-friendly, and offers a free plan for smaller teams looking to get started.
Price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $3.49 per user/month as listed on their website on Oct. 17, 2025.
3. Clockify
Overview: Clockify is another popular time tracking tool known for being simple, flexible, and affordable. It’s a great option for freelancers, remote employees, and mobile teams who need a reliable way to track hours both online and offline.
Features & Benefits:
Clockify’s offline mode works smoothly across web, desktop, and mobile devices. Employees can log their hours without an internet connection, and the app automatically syncs the data once they reconnect. The platform also includes GPS tracking, project and task-based time tracking, and detailed team reports that help managers see where time is being spent.
One of Clockify’s biggest advantages is its free plan, which supports unlimited users, perfect for growing teams or small businesses. It also integrates with over 80 third-party tools, making it easy to connect with project management or communication platforms your team already uses.
Clockify’s mix of offline access, easy setup, and strong reporting makes it ideal for freelancers, field workers, and hybrid teams who want a simple way to manage time from anywhere.
Price: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $3.99 per user/month as listed on their website on Oct. 17, 2025.
4. Connecteam
Overview: Connecteam is a mobile workforce management app designed for deskless and field employees. It combines time tracking, team communication, scheduling, and task management in one platform, making it especially useful for large, mobile teams in construction, logistics, and retail.
Features & Benefits:
Connecteam’s offline mode lets employees clock in and out even without internet access. Time entries and GPS locations are saved locally and automatically sync once the connection returns. This ensures accurate records from every job site. The app also includes geofencing, real-time location tracking, shift scheduling, and automated time reports, helping managers stay informed about who’s working and where.
Besides time tracking, Connecteam also supports team chat channels and job dispatch tools, allowing managers to send updates, assign tasks, and communicate directly with workers in the field. This combination of features helps teams stay organized, connected, and productive no matter where they’re located.
With strong offline features and built-in communication tools, Connecteam is a great option for growing field teams that need reliable time tracking and coordination across multiple sites.
Price: Free plan for up to 10 users. Premium plans start at $29 per month (flat rate for up to 30 users) as listed on their website on Oct. 17, 2025.
5. Toggl Track
Overview: Toggl Track is a simple and user-friendly offline time tracking app known for its clean design and powerful reporting tools. It’s a favorite among freelancers, consultants, and remote professionals who want to track their work hours accurately even without internet connection.
Features & Benefits:
Toggl Track includes offline time tracking on both desktop and mobile, so users can keep logging hours even when the WiFi drops. Once the device reconnects, all data syncs automatically. The app supports project and client tagging, visual reports, and automatic reminders to help users stay on top of their work. It also integrates with popular tools like Trello, Jira, and Asana, making it easy to connect time tracking with project management workflows.
While Toggl Track doesn’t include GPS or location-based tracking, it shines in its ease of use, strong analytics, and cross-platform support. It’s perfect for people who need reliable, detailed time records and insights into how their time is spent—without extra complexity.
Price: Free plan for up to 5 users. Premium plans start at $9 per user/month as listed on their website on Oct. 17, 2025.
Offline Time Tracking Apps Compared (2025)
| App | Platform | Best For | Key Highlight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factorial | Web & mobile (offline tracking only with extra hardware) | Fixed-location teams like restaurants, factories, and construction sites | Centralized HR, payroll & attendance tools & supports syncing with offline hardware | From $8 per user/month* |
| Jibble | Web & mobile | Field and mobile teams | Full offline mode with GPS, facial recognition & group clock-ins | Free plan / From $3.49 per user/month* |
| Clockify | Web, desktop & mobile | Freelancers, field staff & hybrid teams | Offline tracking across all devices & integrates with 80+ tools | Free plan / From $3.99 per user/month* |
| Connecteam | Web & mobile | Large, distributed field teams | Offline GPS tracking, geofencing & built-in communication channels | Free for up to 10 users / From $29 per month (up to 30 users)* |
| Toggl Track | Web, desktop & mobile | Freelancers, consultants & remote professionals | Simple offline tracking with project tags & detailed analytics | Free plan (up to 5 users) / From $9 per user/month* |
All prices were accurate on October 17, 2025, based on each provider’s official website. Actual pricing may vary by region, plan type, or future updates.
For more options, take a look at our article on these top 11 time tracking software options.
Why Factorial Stands Out for On-Site Teams
Factorial is designed to help businesses manage everything related to their workforce including time tracking, payroll preparation, shift scheduling, and HR all in one place. It’s built for companies that want a simple system they can rely on to keep their employee data organized and connected.
Reliable Time Tracking and HR Management
With Factorial, employees can easily clock in and out using a web browser or mobile app when online. For teams that work in one place, such as restaurants, factories, or offices, managers can set up fixed devices on-site for employees to record their hours. All time entries automatically sync to Factorial’s cloud system, making it easy to record their hours offline.
Centralized Tools for Managers
Factorial goes beyond time tracking. Managers can create and manage shifts, track absences and vacations, and get detailed reports on employee attendance and performance all from one dashboard. The system helps cut down on paperwork and avoid errors while giving HR teams full visibility over who’s working and when.
Seamless Payroll and HR Integration
Because Factorial connects time tracking directly with payroll and HR, there’s no need to switch between different tools. Hours worked automatically update payroll records, vacation balances, and reports for compliance. This saves time, keeps data consistent, and helps businesses stay organized.
If your team works mostly on-site and you want to manage time tracking, scheduling, and payroll prep in one easy-to-use system, Factorial is a strong choice. It helps managers stay on top of attendance, reduces manual work, and brings all your HR processes together in one platform.
Book a free demo with Factorial to see how it can make managing your team simpler, faster, and more accurate.
Offline time tracking FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about offline time tracking. Reach out to our team if you have any more questions!
1. How does offline tracking work without internet?
When an employee clocks in or out offline, the app or hardware records the timestamp locally. Once the connection is restored, that data automatically syncs with the cloud system, ensuring no time entries are lost.
2. Can GPS still function offline?
Yes. GPS operates via satellite signals, not the internet. Apps can record location data offline, though maps and geofencing accuracy may improve once the device reconnects.
3. What’s the best offline time tracking app for field workers?
For mobile employees who frequently change sites an app that offers full offline app functionality with GPS tracking is most useful.
4. What industries benefit the most from offline time tracking?
Industries with field or location-based work benefit most, including:
- Construction and manufacturing
- Field services (HVAC, maintenance, utilities)
- Delivery and logistics
- Restaurants and hospitality
- Remote or industrial operations
5. Can employees use Factorial offline on their mobile devices?
Not directly. The Factorial mobile app requires an internet connection to log time. However, businesses can install hardware terminals that support offline clock-ins. These terminals store data locally and automatically send it to Factorial once reconnected. This setup ensures reliable offline tracking for fixed worksites.
Disclaimer: The information presented on this page is based on publicly available sources as well as on the websites of Jibble, Clockify, Connectteam, and Toggl. The comparisons between Factorial and other providers, are intended solely for the illustration of the respective software features, pricing and functionalities. All information regarding features, prices, and integrations may be subject to change without prior notice. Factorial assumes no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information presented. We recommend contacting the respective providers directly to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information. All legal regulations regarding Spanish fair advertising and competition law are fully observed by us; if you have any concerns, please reach out to us. The comparisons presented do not constitute a final evaluation or recommendation for any provider, but serve solely as an informational source.
