Handwritten time logs are a thing of the past. Now, companies have opted to electronically time track employee hours. The best employee time tracking software will help you track employee hours worked, absences, and PTO so that you can stay compliant with labor laws, measure productivity, and help your team make the most of their day at work.
To aid you in selecting the most suitable option for your specific requirements, we’ve compiled a list of the best time tracking software. Keep reading to explore the advantages and disadvantages of each app, enabling you to make a well-informed choice for your business.
While time-tracking software has been in existence for quite some time, its popularity has surged recently due to the increase of remote and hybrid work setups. However, the abundance of options available can make it challenging to choose the most suitable solution for your needs.
In this article, we’ll look closely into everything you need to know about time-tracking software, its benefits, and what to think about when deciding to take the plunge.
- Employee Time Tracking Software
- What is Employee Time Tracking Software?
- What does an Employee Time Tracking Software do?
- Employee Time Tracking Software Benefits
- How to Choose a Time Tracking System
- 1: Factorial ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 2: Timely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 3: Toggl Track ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 4: Clockify ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 5: TimeCamp ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 6: QuickBooks Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 7: RescueTime ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 8: Connecteam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 9: Insightful ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 10: Harvest ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 11: BambooHR ⭐️⭐️⭐️
What is Employee Time Tracking Software?
Employee time tracking software is typically an online tool hosted in the cloud, created to assist businesses in logging employees’ work hours and activities. Despite its straightforward nature, the information these tools offer is highly valuable. They enable employers to monitor employee attendance, work hours, and tasks, providing valuable insights into performance.
What does an Employee Time Tracking Software do?
Various time-tracking software options come with different features, so selecting the right one requires understanding your needs in advance. Let’s begin by examining some features commonly found in standard time-tracking solutions:
1. Time Tracking:
- Clock: This feature eliminates the need for manually filling out timecards or time logs and typically provides more accurate information about your employees’ working hours.
- Timesheets: Timesheets offer detailed time recording beyond simple clocking in and out, allowing employees to document their daily or weekly work hours, overtime, breaks, and various types of paid time off.
- Task and Project Tracking: Some time-tracking software doubles as productivity tools, enabling employees to track time spent on specific tasks or projects. This is especially beneficial for businesses that bill clients based on hours worked or agile teams managing multiple projects.
2. GPS and Location Tracking
GPS and location tracking is a feature that is becoming increasingly popular. It pairs perfectly with time tracking for remote workers and field workers who need to track worksites. You’ll be able to share your location with team members and managers while logging in your hours.
3. Payroll Integration
Most time-tracking softwares have added additional features such as payroll. Creating a multipurpose software to fit every business’ needs. With automated time tracking, payroll processes become easier and faster for HR teams because they don’t have to manage hours, PTO, and payments manually.
4. Reporting and Analytics
Time-tracking software also has the ability to generate reports based on productivity levels and hours spent on specific tasks or projects. This allows your team to gain more insight and make adjustments accordingly to enhance the workflow.
5. Compliance and Legal Requirements
In some cases, time tracking is mandatory from all companies per labor laws. While in other situations, only require time recording for overtime. Regardless of the circumstances, time-tracking software can aid you in meeting all requirements and ensure no penalties or fines are incurred for inaccurate time logs.
Employee Time Tracking Software Benefits
Manual time logs served a purpose. Apart from the obvious, time recording gave us insight to how much time was spent on specific tasks or projects. Check out the benefits time tracking software can provide your team:
- Enhances Accuracy: Improve data precision and minimize errors linked to manual attendance tracking. Additionally, many systems provide real-time reporting and analytics, empowering your business with insights into attendance trends and patterns, facilitating data-driven decision-making in workforce management.
- Boosts Productivity: Identify attendance patterns promptly and address issues before they affect productivity. Time management software also empowers employees to take charge of their productivity by offering visibility into their time and fostering accountability. Moreover, it reduces HR and management administrative burden by eliminating manual data entry and streamlining processes.
- Supports Remote Work: Modern time-tracking solutions accommodate remote work arrangements by allowing employees to clock in and out from various locations, enhancing their engagement with your organization.
- Enhances Security: Cloud-based time-tracking systems offer improved data security compared to physical record storage. Additional security features, such as restricting access to specific data, aid businesses in meeting stricter security requirements.
How to Choose a Time Tracking System
So, you’re ready to dive into the world of time-tracking systems. What’s next? Here are some guiding questions to help you navigate the selection process and find the right software for your organization:
- Is it User-Friendly?
- Ensure the software is easy to use for both employees and managers. Complex systems can lead to resistance and errors.
- Does it Ensure Accuracy?
- Look for a system that minimizes errors in attendance tracking and reporting.
- Is it Scalable?
- Choose software that can grow with your organization, accommodating current and future needs.
- Does it Integrate with Your Systems?
- Check if the software can integrate with your existing HR, payroll, and other relevant systems to streamline processes.
- Does it Offer Customization?
- Consider if the software allows customization to meet your specific requirements, such as mobile accessibility, biometric features, and compliance options.
- What Reporting Capabilities Does it Offer?
- Evaluate the reporting and analytics features to ensure they provide insights tailored to your needs.
- Who Will Manage the Software?
- Determine the support and training needed for software management and assess the level of customer support available.
- How Secure is it?
- Prioritize data security by selecting software with robust security features to protect sensitive attendance data.
- Consider the Cost.
- Understand the pricing structure, including subscription fees, implementation costs, and ongoing expenses.
- What Do Others Say?
- Research user reviews and case studies to gauge the software’s effectiveness and reliability.
- Is it Compliant with Regulations?
- Ensure the software complies with data regulations, especially if your industry has stricter requirements.
Before making your final decision, take advantage of free trials offered by software providers to test multiple options. Additionally, involve key stakeholders from various departments, including IT, to ensure alignment with organizational needs from the outset.
1. Factorial ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Factorial’s Time Tracking solution streamlines time management for businesses, simplifying the process of tracking employee working hours. This enhances productivity and reduces absenteeism. The software offers easy customization, allowing you to set work schedules, compare actual hours worked to expectations, monitor remote work, and tailor tracking for individual employees.
Key features include daily time tracking, shift approvals, and streamlined management of extra hours, all contributing to increased productivity. Attendance monitoring, location-based clock-ins, and customizable permission settings help reduce absenteeism by providing the right visibility to the appropriate individuals. The mobile app and Slack integration make time tracking convenient, while robust reporting and absence management tools offer valuable insights for informed decision-making.
You can also try our free work hours calculator here.
Pros
✅ Comprehensive HR Management Features: Factorial distinguishes itself with its extensive HR management capabilities, providing a wide array of tools and functionalities to streamline workflows for human resources teams.
✅ User-Friendly and Accessible Design: Many users appreciate the software’s user-friendly interface, which is easy to navigate and features an attractive design, contributing to a positive user experience.
✅ Integration Capabilities: The software seamlessly integrates with popular email and chat tools like Outlook and Slack, facilitating smoother workflows and increased efficiency.
Cons
❌ Undergoing Continuous Improvement: While Factorial’s software functionality is solid, users can expect ongoing enhancements and additions as the platform continues to evolve and expand its offerings.
Pricing
Price varies depending on which customizable bundle you choose. View them all here, or chat with an HR product specialist to help you decide. Book a free demo and we will contact you.
2. Timely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Timely is a business management software that allows you to digitize and automate time logs. It offers time-tracking capabilities and is designed to accommodate businesses of any size, stage, and budget.
Timely empowers businesses with accurate payroll, project management, team management, and capacity planning reporting. It also streamlines timesheet administration, enabling teams to focus on meaningful work while prioritizing user-level privacy.
Pros
✅ User-Friendly: Timely’s system is highly intuitive and consistently praised by users as “excellent.” It is particularly favored by teams handling bookings, marketing, and invoices. Seamless integration with Google Calendar and a convenient widget function for embedding into other tools are appreciated features.
✅ Affordable Pricing: Timely offers a reasonable pricing structure, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses.
✅ Responsive Support: The standout customer support team is known for its responsiveness, helpfulness, and accessibility. The company is dedicated to listening to feedback and continuously improving the platform.
Cons
❌ Customer Dissatisfaction: Some users have encountered significant issues with the software, resulting in dissatisfaction and attrition.
❌ Limited Functionality: While Timely offers a broad range of features, users have noted missing functionalities that can impede their processes. Common complaints include the inability to apply customer credit to invoices already issued and the lack of an option to cancel appointments online.
Pricing
No free plan. Pricing starts at $9 per user per month with a maximum of 5 users. Premium $19 per user per month with a maximum of 50 users. Unlimited doesn’t have a limit to the number of users you can authorize. It is $22 per user per month. And for Enterprises, you must contact Timely directly for a quote.
3. Toggl Track ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Toggl Track is a versatile time-tracking app designed to boost productivity for individuals and large cross-functional teams alike. It features a user-friendly interface, real-time tracking synchronization across devices, and robust reporting capabilities.
Toggl Track simplifies time management and eliminates manual administrative tasks, offering flexibility and integration with various project management and invoicing tools. This makes it an invaluable solution for businesses seeking efficient time tracking and reporting. Not only can big businesses benefit from Toggl Track, but this is a useful time tracker for consultants as well.
Pros
✅ Effortless Task Tracking: Toggl Track simplifies the task tracking process, enabling users to effortlessly monitor their activities, gain insights into time allocation, and improve overall focus and productivity.
✅ Seamless Integration: Toggl Track seamlessly integrates with Asana and other tools, providing a valuable solution for teams looking to optimize their time management and task tracking within existing project management workflows.
✅ Excellent Free Version: Toggl Track’s free version offers comprehensive features and services, allowing users to quickly set up and start time tracking without requiring a subscription.
Cons
❌ Difficult to Use: Some users have faced challenges in understanding how to effectively use Toggl Time. One main concern is the inadvertent loss of logged hours due to users not tracking their time when they believed they were.
❌ Lack of Pause Function: The absence of a pause feature for tracking sessions in Toggl Track has proven problematic for many users. Instead of pausing, users must stop their current session and start a new one, leading to multiple short-duration sessions. Correcting time entries can be frustrating, as minor errors often revert changes back to default entries.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users. The basic plan starts at $9 per user per month.
4. Clockify ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Clockify is a versatile and free time-tracking app designed to meet the needs of teams of all sizes and industries. It enables users to monitor work hours, set hourly rates, and manage tasks seamlessly, catering to diverse businesses such as digital agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions. With features like customizable reports, billable hour tracking, and cross-device accessibility, Clockify ensures efficient time management and productivity analysis.
Pros
✅ User-Friendly and Cost-Efficient: Clockify provides a straightforward and budget-friendly solution with robust features available in its free version. Users appreciate its easy sign-up process, intuitive interface for organizing tasks, and mobile app for convenient time tracking on the go, making it especially valuable for remote and mobile teams.
✅ Comprehensive Support: Clockify offers an extensive library of resources accessible under the Help tab, including documentation, tutorials, and support materials, enhancing the overall user experience.
✅ Easy Billing and Invoicing: Clockify simplifies the process of calculating billable hours and generating invoices directly from inputted data, making it a preferred choice for agencies and freelancers.
Cons
❌ Confusing Reporting: Some users have found the reporting features in Clockify to be confusing, which has occasionally impacted their ability to obtain accurate time logs.
❌ Difficulty in Editing Time Entries: Users have reported difficulty in editing time entries within the app, particularly if they forget to start or stop the timer.
Pricing
$3.99 per user per month. Free version available.
5. TimeCamp ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
TimeCamp is a versatile and cost-effective time-tracking software ideal for teams of all sizes. It provides accurate timesheets, detailed reports, and automatic real-time tracking, enabling businesses to project profitability and forecast employee performance accurately. TimeCamp’s flexibility extends to integrating with various applications, making it a comprehensive system for project management and productivity optimization, suitable for both in-office and remote teams.
Pros
✅ User-Friendly Interface: TimeCamp features an easy-to-use, clean interface that users find simple and intuitive, contributing to a positive experience in tracking and managing their time and projects. It also integrates seamlessly with other productivity tools, such as Asana.
✅ Enhanced Focus and Productivity: Users frequently commend TimeCamp for its ability to help them maintain focus on completing projects. It facilitates task tracking and enables users to review weekly progress, empowering teams to take control of their productivity and time management.
✅ Reliable Uptime and Support: TimeCamp’s consistent internet availability is a significant advantage for users who depend on uninterrupted access. The platform’s technical support is also helpful and responsive, ensuring users receive prompt assistance.
Cons
❌ Costly Investment: Some users have found TimeCamp to be relatively expensive compared to the value it provides, leading them to seek alternative time-tracking solutions.
❌ Difficulty in Adjusting Time Entries: Adjusting time entries, particularly for accidental runs, poses a challenge within the platform. Users are concerned about how this might impact the accuracy of time tracking. Additionally, occasional software glitches have caused timers to malfunction on other platforms.
Pricing
Free plan available. Starter: From $2.99 per user per month. Basic: From $5.99 per user per month. Pro: From $7.99 per user per month.
6. QuickBooks Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
QuickBooks Time, part of the QuickBooks suite, is highly regarded for its seamless integration with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks Online and ADP. This comprehensive solution enables businesses to efficiently manage their workforce, projects, and payroll all within one platform.
QuickBooks Time simplifies employee time tracking and scheduling, streamlining payroll, invoicing, and job costing processes. It provides the flexibility for teams to track time from anywhere using various devices and is seamlessly embedded within QuickBooks, offering a smooth experience for reviewing and approving employee time data without leaving the QuickBooks environment.
Pros
✅ Exceeds Expectations: Users consistently express satisfaction with QuickBooks Time, often finding it to offer more features than anticipated.
✅ Impressive Customer Service: QuickBooks is renowned for its excellent customer service and support, and QuickBooks Time maintains this reputation. Users appreciate the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team in addressing their issues and challenges.
✅ User-Friendly Interface and ADP Integration: QuickBooks Time features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to those with limited computer knowledge. Its compatibility with the ADP system enhances the software’s usability for specific needs.
Cons
❌ Occasional Technical Glitches: Some users have encountered occasional technical issues with QuickBooks Time, such as difficulties in clocking out or starting a new timesheet. These functionality errors, especially those related to QuickBooks integration, have caused frustration among users.
❌ Software Lag and Timing Issues: Reports have surfaced regarding instances where the time clock function of the software lags by a few seconds. This delay or occasional missed clock-in/out can be attributed to the software’s slowness, leading to frustration for some users.
Pricing
QuickBooks Time offers 4 different plans. Each comes with the option to purchase add-ons such as payroll. The Simple Start option starts at $9 per month without payroll.
7. RescueTime ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
RescueTime is a web-based productivity tool crafted to enhance efficiency and focus for its users. By tracking time spent on various applications and websites, it aids in preventing distractions, providing teams and individuals with insights into their daily habits and bolstering productivity.
With over 14 years of expertise in time-tracking, RescueTime stands as a trusted leader in habit-building software, assisting users in setting goals, tracking time, and managing distractions effectively.
Pros
✅ Valuable Additional Resources: Users have discovered that RescueTime offers more than just time tracking; it provides a treasure trove of time management articles and productivity courses via its website. The high-quality content in these resources has motivated users to regularly utilize RescueTime, making it a valuable platform for enhancing productivity and time management skills.
✅ Effective Time Management: RescueTime empowers users to manage their time effectively by offering insights into time allocation, enabling informed decisions about how they utilize their hours, and ultimately boosting productivity. Users particularly appreciate RescueTime’s ability to showcase how and where they spend the majority of their time.
Cons
❌ User Experience and Interface Could Be Improved: Some users have noted that while RescueTime is functional, it lacks a polished and refined user interface and experience.
❌ Limited Use for Individual Projects: While RescueTime proves useful for tracking time on basic projects, some users believe its capabilities are better suited for team collaboration and larger-scale projects.
Pricing
Pricing begins at $6.50 per month. To learn more about pricing for your specific needs, contact RescueTime directly.
8. Connecteam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Connecteam is a versatile workforce management app crafted to streamline business processes and bolster productivity. It empowers managers to automate tasks, freeing up their time to focus on business growth.
This time-tracking app offers employees flexible tools to boost productivity, including custom checklists, task management features, skills development resources, and a GPS-enabled time clock for tracking work hours and scheduling shifts. Furthermore, it streamlines employee communication, supports skills development, and simplifies daily task management.
Pros
✅ Customizable Features: Connecteam offers flexibility, ensuring a streamlined and efficient experience tailored to your organization’s specific requirements.
✅ Clear and User-Focused: Its straightforward design and ease of use make it accessible for users of all technological abilities.
✅ Cost-Effective Pricing: The pricing structure is transparent, allowing users to upgrade without encountering hidden fees.
Cons
❌ Limited Compatibility: Connecteam’s admin features are accessible only through the website, not the app. Additionally, the app is available solely on Android and iPhone platforms, lacking a desktop app for Windows or Mac.
❌ Lack of Advanced Permissions: The platform lacks advanced hierarchy features and customizable permissions for administrators, potentially limiting the level of control and customization some organizations may require.
Pricing
Connecteam offers five pricing options, with a free trial available for up to 10 users.
9. Insightful ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Insightful is a robust workforce analytics and productivity software designed to provide actionable data insights for optimizing employee performance and efficiency. It offers employee productivity monitoring, automatic time-tracking, and remote team management to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
Trusted by over 1,000 global brands, Insightful delivers behavioral data insights to enhance organizational productivity. This user-friendly platform is available in the Cloud or On-Premise, ensuring enterprise-grade security and privacy. It’s the go-to solution for businesses looking to elevate their workforce analytics.
Pros
✅ Comprehensive Time Tracking: With a user-friendly interface featuring start and stop timers, task switching, and break recording, Insightful makes it easy for employees to accurately log their work hours.
✅ Customizable Features: Insightful offers flexible and customizable features tailored to specific needs, including goal setting, project deadlines, and automated reminders for breaks and tasks.
✅ Employee Monitoring: Insightful’s employee monitoring capabilities enable website and software tracking, providing valuable insights into employee productivity.
Cons
❌ Missing Features: Insightful lacks certain features, such as the ability to attach website URLs to projects.
❌ User Management Limitations: Users can only be deactivated and cannot be unmerged once merged.
Pricing
Starts at $6.40 per user per month.
10. Harvest ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
Harvest is a versatile time-tracking and project-management tool crafted to streamline work processes. It simplifies time tracking, gains insights from previous projects, and facilitates efficient payment collection. With native apps and integrations with popular tools like Asana and Slack, Harvest seamlessly integrates into team workflows and offers a variety of visual reports to ensure project smoothness and team support.
Moreover, Harvest also enables teams in turning tracked time and expenses into invoices with integrated online payment capabilities.
Pros
✅ Exceptional Time-Tracking: With features like built-in notifications and auto-adjustments, Harvest provides a user-friendly tool for accurately tracking time.
✅ Seamless Integration: Harvest seamlessly integrates with various project management tools, making time tracking across different platforms effortless.
✅ Ease of Use: Setup is fast and straightforward, and task allocation and timesheet functions are easily accessible.
Cons
❌ Lacks Viewing Options: Harvest only offers a one-day view and lacks calendar or monthly review features.
❌ Limited Functionality for Internal Departments: The platform is primarily designed for agencies working with multiple clients and billing for their services, which means internal departments within a company might need to work around certain structural elements.
Pricing
Harvest offers three pricing options: a limited free account, $12 per month for individuals, and $12 PEPM for teams.
11. BambooHR ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview
BambooHR offers a comprehensive time tracking software solution that seamlessly integrates various functions and tasks, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. Furthermore, the platform automates various processes, thereby ensuring smooth workflows throughout the employee lifecycle. In this way, BambooHR consolidates employee, payroll, time, and benefits information into a single, centralized location, all while maintaining data accuracy and security. Its user-friendly design ensures accessibility and ease of use, even on mobile devices.
Pros
✅ Accessible User Portals: BambooHR provides distinct portals for users, allowing employees to manage their own records, track time off, and electronically sign documents, while HR managers have separate access to the tools they require.
✅ Seamless Interface: The platform features an easy-to-navigate interface that provides seamless access to features for both administrators and end-users.
✅ Streamlined Time Tracking: BambooHR’s mobile app simplifies time tracking and enables company-wide announcements to reach everyone, regardless of their location.
Cons
❌ Complex Custom Reporting: Creating custom or specialized payroll reports within the platform can be time-consuming.
❌ Limited Functionality in Core Platform: Users may need to purchase and integrate additional systems through a “bolt-on” approach to access certain functionalities.
Pricing
Starts at $8.75 per user per month.
