10 Best Time Tracking Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our HR software advisors to find your match.
With so many different time tracking software solutions available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to enhance productivity and provide insights into time allocation and workforce efficiency—but now need to figure out which tool is best. In this post, I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of different time tracking tools with teams of all sizes, with my picks of the best time tracking software overall.
What is Time Tracking Software?
Time tracking software is a digital tool used to record and analyze the time employees spend on various tasks and projects. It enables accurate tracking of work hours, facilitating efficient project management, payroll processing, and client billing. This software often includes features like start-stop timers, manual time entry, project and task categorization, and reporting capabilities.
The purpose is to identify productivity patterns, ensure fair workload distribution, and provide transparency in work processes. By using time tracking software, businesses can enhance productivity, streamline operations, and make informed decisions about time management and resource allocation.
-
Deel
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Rippling
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Willo
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Overviews of the 10 Best Time Tracking Software
Here’s a brief description of each top 10 time tracking software that highlights each system’s noteworthy features, and some pros & cons. Keep reading to find additional bonus picks at the bottom of the list.
Deel is a global workforce platform that helps businesses manage international teams with features like payroll, HR, and compliance.
Why I picked Deel: Deel allows your global team to clock in and out from both desktop and mobile devices, with data automatically synced to the timesheet, minimizing payroll errors. Your team can also track breaks for more timesheet accuracy. Before submitting hours for the day, workers can review their logged time and make adjustments if necessary.
Additionally, Deel gives you control over who can edit timesheets by setting permissions, ensuring flexibility and oversight.
Deel Standout Features and Integrations
Features include global payroll, contractor management, expense management, custom reports, compliance automation, multi-country onboarding, equipment management, and benefits administration.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Hubstaff, Brex, Personio, Sage, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Workable, UKG Ready, QuickBooks, Xero, and BambooHR.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Emphasizes global compliance
- Good payroll automation features
- Mobile app available
Cons:
- Reports could be more customizable
- Could offer the ability to write more detailed notes for different work periods
Connecteam is a time tracking software that helps contractors keep track of their employees with GPS and geolocation.
Why I picked Connecteam: Connecteam makes it easy to understand how your team members spend their time while they’re away from the office. The solution allows you to find your entire team on a map of your area, so you have a clear visual of the routes they take and how they allocate their work time.
Connecteam sends you automated location reports so you’re always aware of where your team members are and what they’re doing. You can also communicate with employees via the built-in chat, so they can keep you updated on their progress.
Connecteam Standout Features and Integrations
Features include timesheets, payroll, GPS tracking, geofencing, PTO and overtime management, break management, employee monitoring, a kiosk app, and automatic reporting.
Integrations include Paychex, Xero, Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll (online + desktop), Zapier, Google Calendar, API access, and others.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automatic end-of-shift reports help your team save time
- In-app chat feature helps you stay on top of every work situation
- Mobile app is simple to use, so employees with no tech background should be able to navigate it with ease
Cons:
- The mobile app may lag when someone uploads a large image
- The solution is flexible, so configuring it to your needs can be time-consuming
Insightful is a time tracking software that enables remote organizations to monitor the activity of their work-from-home employees.
Why I picked Insightful: Insightful helps you create projects, assign tasks to your team members, and then oversee their activity. The software collects data on which apps and websites your employees use while working, so you can identify productivity blockers and take appropriate action.
Insightful turns the data it collects into detailed reports. This enables you to make accurate assessments of how well your team performs and how much productive time it takes to complete a particular project.
Insightful Standout Features and Integrations
Features include real-time monitoring, time and attendance tracking, productivity tracking, apps and websites usage, activity tracking, project management software, and time logs.
Integrations include Asana, Google Docs, Google Hangouts, Jira, Skype, Slack, Trello, and others.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Enables you to define which apps or websites are productive and unproductive
- Real-time employee productivity tracking
- Detailed knowledge base
Cons:
- The software doesn’t allow employees to set their productivity at 100% when adding hours manually
- Can be intimidating for employees
Buddy Punch is a time tracking software that offers multiple punch options, so your team members can login with ease.
Why I picked Buddy Punch: Buddy Punch offers your team multiple ways of clocking in and out of work. The software’s mobile app makes it possible for your employees to punch in with selfies, so you don’t have to worry about someone else checking in on their behalf. Employees can also clock in with PIN codes, QR codes, or username & password combinations.
Buddy Punch allows team leaders and administrators to see which team members are on break, and which are approaching their daily/weekly time limits, so they can schedule their shifts accordingly. Managers also receive instant notifications when someone requests a break or a shift change, and they can track how much time each employee spent on a particular task.
Buddy Punch Standout Features and Integrations
Features include job codes, manager dashboards, multiple punch options, overtime (OT) calculations, and paid time off (PTO), sick or vacation management.
Integrations include ADP Workforce, Gusto, Paychex, Paylocity, PayPlus, Quickbooks, SurePayroll, Workday, Zapier, and others.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Proactive customer support
- Accurate tracking of billable and non-billable hours
- Mobile app interface is easy to navigate
Cons:
- Reporting feature could be more detailed
- Limited in-app customization options
Homebase
Best time tracking software for reducing time theft via geofencing
Homebase offers user-friendly time-tracking software in addition to other modules for employee scheduling, team communication, onboarding, and payroll. Their time-tracking features are location-specific, meaning you'll always know where your employees are when they're clocking in and out.
Why I picked Homebase: I included Homebase in this list because, even though their software is easy to use, it still includes sophisticated features. For example, their time clock feature supports geofencing, ensuring that employees are clocking in and out only when they're at work, reducing time theft and errors. This is a useful feature for both hourly and salaried employees, making it a flexible solution for various business types.
Homebase Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features for Homebase include their automatic scheduling and shift management features, which go hand-in-hand with time-tracking. Managers can easily create custom schedules and assign shifts, as well as assign specific duties and responsibilities to each employee. In addition, Homebase includes tools to manage time and attendance, process vacation requests, track labor expenses, and monitor team performance.
Homebase also offers mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms which are essential for companies with mobile workers who need to track their work hours. Employees can easily clock in and out, check schedules, request time off, and receive smartphone notifications wherever they're located.
Integrations include ADP, Clover, Google, Lightspeed, Payanywhere, Paychex, Quickbooks, Shopify, Square, Toast, Upserve, Vend, and Wells Fargo.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Mobile app is intuitive and easy-to-use
- An all-in-one work management platform
- Works for both hourly and salaried employees
Cons:
- Payroll features are only available as an add-on
- Team communication not included in their free plan
Replicon
Best for unifying time and attendance, schedules, labor compliance, and pay
Replicon is a time tracking software that enables managers to create comprehensive time and productivity reports without difficulty.
Why I picked Replicon Time & Attendance: Replicon enables your employees to keep accurate time records with the help of AI. The software uses machine learning to create review-ready timesheets, minimizing the chances of getting inaccurate reports and increasing your visibility into your team’s productivity.
Replicon enables you to create complex workflows and assign tasks to your employees. You can track your staff’s time and progress in real time to make sure you stay within the project budget. The software creates detailed reports of your team’s activities, allowing you to keep your stakeholders or clients up-to-date with your work.
Replicon Standout Features and Integrations
Features include role-based controls, app and website usage tracking, AI-powered timesheets, overtime and PTO tracking, task management, a self-service portal, geofencing, and reporting.
Integrations include ADP, Google Calendar, Jira, Microsoft Dynamics, QuickBooks, Sage, Salesforce, SAP, Servicenow, Xero, and others.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Activity tracking features
- Customizable reports
- Allows you to manipulate data in multiple ways
Cons:
- Advanced features may seem overwhelming for users who are not familiar with tech
- Interface could be easier to navigate
ExakTime Time & Attendance is a time tracking software-as-a-service (SaaS) product designed for field teams and employees working away from offices.
Why I picked ExakTime Time & Attendance: This platform has plenty of features that are specifically designed for businesses with mobile or remote workforces. It's not just a generic time tracking tool; it's built to handle the specific challenges of managing a mobile team. These features include its mobile app, which has a simple 'go' and 'stop' clock-in and clock-out system that automatically tracks where employees clock in and out from based on their GPS location.
Employees can use their own mobile device, or the sturdy, weatherproof time clocks provided by the company. These are handy for construction sites and other outdoor and rugged work environments. Administrators get a simple, clear overview of employee hours and locations, and can connect the system to their payroll platform and other essential HR tech solutions.
ExakTime Time & Attendance Standout Features and Integrations
Features include GPS tracking and timestamps, employee clock-in map, photo ID capture, multimedia field notes, overtime and certified payroll reports, break tracking, injury reporting, expense tracking, equipment tracking, and over 40 pre-built reports.
Integrations include Sage, QuickBook, Viewpoint, Foundation Software, ADP, Acumatica, ConstructionPayroll.com, MYOB, Paychex, and Workday, among others.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Hardware provided for clocking in and out on-site
- GPS tracking included
- Connects with popular payroll platforms
Cons:
- GPS only works if activated on the mobile device
- May not be suitable for office staff
TimeClock Plus is a time and attendance software designed to automate the time-keeping process so you can proactively manage your employees.
Why I picked TimeClock Plus: The software has many ways in which you employees can interact with the software. This can happen via a computer, phone, tablet, or even smartwatch. Therefore, clocking in and tracking hours are activities that become much easier to use and adopt.
TimeClock Plus Standout Features & Integrations
Features include the ability to track where everyone is via geofencing and geolocation. This will help you if you have a dispersed workforce. Also, its reporting features let you easily track and fix issues if one of your employees forgets to clock in on a certain day.
Integrations include over a hundred payroll solutions like ADP, BAI, Ascentis, Accra, Casamba, Cayenne, Ceridian, and Epicure. Also Quickbooks, Paychex, or even payroll modules from ERP systems like SAP, Sage, and NetSuite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Payroll integrations
- Has mobile features
- User friendly
Cons:
- You have to go through a demo before buying
- Interface looks outdated
Best time tracking software with AI-driven performance insights
Intelogos is an advanced workforce analytics and AI performance management tool designed to improve employee performance and well-being.
Why I picked Intelogos: The software includes project-specific time tracking, which enables precise monitoring of work hours dedicated to individual projects. It also has an AI-driven performance management system, which provides real-time analytics and personalized feedback. This allows managers to gain deep insights into employee performance, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.
Another significant benefit of Intelogos is its focus on employee well-being through features like burnout prevention and attendance tracking. The software includes tools to monitor employee focus, stamina, and availability, ensuring that workloads are balanced and employees are not overburdened.
Intelogos Standout Features and Integrations
Features include remote employee monitoring, computer monitoring, employee recognition, time off management, analytics, automation of daily operations, and cross-platform compatibility.
Integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, and Office 365.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective for remote teams
- Comprehensive tracking for various metrics
- Robust AI analytics
Cons:
- Could offer more customization options
- Limited language support
TimeTrex is a comprehensive workforce management software designed to help businesses with the complexities of time tracking, payroll, and human resource management.
Why I picked TimeTrex: One of the key reasons TimeTrex stands out is its flexibility in accommodating various timekeeping methods. Employees can clock in and out using web browsers, mobile apps, or biometric devices, ensuring that the system adapts to different work environments.
The software also offers precise tracking of work hours, breaks, and overtime, reducing errors in timekeeping and ensuring compliance with labor regulations. Additionally, TimeTrex's real-time reporting capabilities allow managers to monitor attendance patterns and labor costs
TimeTrex Standout Features and Integrations
Features include advanced scheduling, payroll management, employee performance tracking, accruals and leave management, expense tracking, document management, customizable reporting, compliance management, and self-service portals.
Integrations include QuickBooks, ADP, Sage, Microsoft Excel, Google Calendar, PayPal, Slack, and Dropbox.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced scheduling tools include shift planning and time-off management
- Integrated payroll and HR management
- Comprehensive time tracking abilities
Cons:
- Setting up the software can be difficult
- User interface looks outdated
The 10 Best Time Tracking Software Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart that summarizes basic details about each of my top time tracking software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best software for your budget.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Deel | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Website |
Connecteam | From $29/month (for up to 30 users, billed annually) + $0.5/user/month for each additional user | Website |
Insightful | From $8/user/month | Website |
Buddy Punch | From $3.99/user/month + $19/month base fee | Website |
Homebase | From $20/user/month | Website |
Replicon | From $6/user/month | Website |
ExakTime Time & Attendance | From $9/employee/month + $50/month base fee | Website |
TimeClock Plus | Pricing upon request | Website |
Intelogos | From $4/user/month | Website |
TimeTrex | From $5/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareOther Options
Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make the best time tracking software list. I didn't have room for a full review for each of these but they are still worthy of consideration:
- Timely
Time tracking software for automated timesheets
- ClockShark
Time tracking software for remote teams
- Clockify
Time tracking software for accessibility
- Factorial
For creating timesheets to integrate with payroll
- Timesheets.com
Time tracking software for self-employed workers
- Toggl Track
Time tracking software for simple time management
- Harvest
Time tracking software for capacity monitoring
- actiTIME
Time tracking software for customizability
- ClickTime
Time tracking software for goal tracking
- Beebole
Time tracking software for employee cost control
How I Selected the Best Time Tracking Software
Perhaps you're wondering how I selected the best time tracking software for this list? To build this top 10 list, I evaluated and compared a wide range of time tracking systems with positive user ratings.
After determining my long list of top choices, I further honed my list by using the selection criteria below to see how each platform stacked up against the next one. I also drew on my years of HR experience dealing with timesheet data to pinpoint the features that add a lot of value.
Selection Criteria
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best time tracking software for this article:
Usability
Remote and hybrid work environments are more popular than ever, and companies are looking for solutions to oversee their out-of-office team members. However, not every remote worker has a technical background, so I looked for solutions that are easy to use.
Accurate Tracking
Even though time tracking tools offer multiple features, their main purpose is to make it easy for your team members to clock in and out and prepare accurate timesheets. I picked solutions that can help your team members keep track of every minute they spent working.
Mobile Accessibility
Being able to punch in and out from mobile devices is crucial for modern workers, especially for those who work in the field. I chose time tracking solutions that work well on mobile operating systems, such as iOS and Android, or that feature responsive websites.
Software Integrations
Your team members use multiple apps to deliver their work. I selected time tracking tools that integrate with popular business apps so you can easily incorporate them into your solution ecosystem.
Pricing
Time tracking solutions come at different price ranges, depending on the features they offer, their capabilities, and so on. I only selected solutions that offer a great return on your investment (ROI). Some options do have free plans to get you started, but paid plans will always give you a better ROI in the long term.
Time Tracking Software: Frequently Asked Questions
Time tracking software can help you reduce your workforce costs and increase your profitability. Here are some other facts you should know about these user-friendly software solutions.
What is time tracking software?
Time tracking software allows businesses to keep track of employee attendance and work hours. These solutions help managers identify how much time each individual spends on specific tasks, so they can understand their organization’s capacity and plan projects accordingly.
What key features are included with time tracking software?
Besides tracking time, the best time tracking software solutions also include some, if not most, of the following features:
- Shift scheduling
- Attendance tracking
- Project management
- Team management
- GPS tracking
- Geolocation
- Resource planning
- Resource forecasting
- Profitability tracking
- Employee monitoring
- Timesheet management
- Payroll
What are the benefits of using time tracking software?
The main benefits of using time tracking software are that it enables companies to improve their staff’s productivity, streamline their payroll process, and avoid errors in billing and invoicing.
Increase your profitability with time tracking software
Time tracking solutions can help you lower your workforce costs, improve employee productivity, and make your business more profitable. As Lakshmi Raj, cofounder and co-CEO of Replicon, said:
“Enterprises need to maximize employee productivity and get access to real-time, intelligent data insights to deliver better project outcomes, revenue per employee and project profitability. Plus, the organizational focus must shift from merely tracking billable hours to gaining insights that help boost productivity, resource utilization and customer satisfaction. This real-time visibility can help them deliver projects on time and within budget. Hence, enterprises must consider switching to AI-powered and cloud-based time-tracking solutions that enable them to respond rapidly to evolving market conditions.”
If you want to learn more about time tracking, check out the following related resources too:
- What is Time Tracking and How Can it Benefit You?
- How to Build an Energized and Productive Team (a podcast)
- Best Time Tracking Apps for Remote and Hybrid Teams.
Subscribe to the People Managing People newsletter if you want to receive actionable tips on HR and leadership topics directly in your inbox.