The best employee time-tracking apps help streamline your entire time-tracking and employee management process.

Managing a team can feel like a constant battle against the clock. You’re juggling deadlines, productivity, and the ever-present quest for efficiency, all while trying to keep your team aligned and on track.

To help you improve productivity and reduce administrative burdens, I’ve put together a list of the best employee time-tracking apps on the market today.

Here’s a quick overview of my favorite employee time tracking apps:

If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.

Our Top Picks

  1. The best all-in-one time tracking app that stops time theft at the source!

  2. Good for project time tracking

  3. Good for customizable payroll reports

How I Chose the Best Employee Time Tracking Apps

To give you a more specific look into how I narrowed down my list, these are the key functions and features I looked for when reviewing employee time-tracking apps.

Important core features

With so many employee time-tracking apps on the market, it took some time to test out the top contenders. I made sure that the apps on this list have the following core features:  

  • Clock-in/clock-out features: Basic functionality should include the ability for employees to clock in and out, indicating their work hours.
  • Break and overtime tracking: The app should automatically calculate breaks and overtime according to the rules you set.
  • Mobile compatibility: If your employees work remotely or on the go, a mobile app or mobile-friendly version is crucial.
  • Geolocation and geofencing: For businesses that need to track the location of their employees, geolocation features can show where an employee clocked in or out. Geofencing can send alerts if employees clock in or out outside of designated areas.

I also checked for usability features, such as:

  • Interface: It should have a user-friendly interface and not require much training for employees and staff to use.
  • Cost-effective: Some apps charge per user, while others have a flat monthly fee. I chose software with fair and reasonable pricing models.
  • Offers a trial period or demo: I ensured that all vendors on this list offer a trial period or demo version to give you a feel for the software.
  • Customizable: The ability to tailor the app to fit the specific needs of your business, such as custom work hours, roles, or permissions.

I also looked for other product features, like:

  • Offline mode: If employees are in areas with poor internet connectivity, the app should still allow time tracking and sync when back online.
  • Project and task tracking: For businesses that bill clients by the hour or want to track time spent on specific projects or tasks.
  • Automated reminders: The app should allow you to send notifications to employees to remind them to clock in or out.
  • Reporting and analytics: Generate detailed reports on work hours, breaks, overtime, and more. Analytics can provide insights into work patterns and productivity.
  • Integration with other software: The time tracking app should integrate seamlessly with payroll software, project management tools, and other systems you use.
  • Compliance: I ensured the apps help you adhere to labor laws and regulations related to work hours, breaks, and overtime.
  • Security: Features like data encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure data storage to protect sensitive information are key.
  • Approval workflow: Managers or HR personnel should be able to review, edit, and approve time entries before they’re finalized.
  • Scalability: As your business grows, the app should be able to accommodate more users and offer additional features if needed.
  • Reviews and testimonials: I looked for feedback from other businesses to gauge the app’s reliability, functionality, and customer support quality.
  • Backup and data recovery: Ensure the vendor has provisions for data backup and recovery in case of any unforeseen issues.

The 10 Best Employee Time Tracking Apps of 2024

  1. Connecteam — Best all-in-one employee time tracking app

    Connecteam is an all-in-one employee time tracking app that allows you to track your team’s work hours and manage accurate timesheets with complete ease and efficiency, even while on the go.

    Why I chose Connecteam: Connecteam offers exceptional customer service, a user-friendly interface, and a highly customizable platform that can be adjusted to suit your unique business needs.

    Its time tracking capabilities go above and beyond with one-touch clock in & out, GPS tracking, job-specific time tracking options, automated timesheets, time off management, payroll integrations, and more.

    To give you a clear understanding of these capabilities, we’ve detailed how you can use them to improve your workforce management below.

    GPS tracking 

    Connecteam geolocation and time clock status illustration

    The app includes real time GPS tracker that allow you to ensure your employees are exactly where they need to be when on the job. 

    Depending on your preferred settings, you can, for instance, log the exact location from which your employees clock in and out or track their real-time location the entire time they’re on the clock. You can also set up a digital geofence time clock around your workplaces to restrict the area from which your employees can clock in and out. 

    This allows you to avoid employees clocking in before getting to work and prevent buddy punching.

    Job-specific time tracking options

    As an admin, you have full control over what you would like to track time for. This can, for instance, be employee work hours spent on certain jobs, locations, or clients.

    From your admin dashboard, you’ll then be able to view how much time is put towards a specific project or client. This also gives you valuable insights into how your resources are being allocated and is particularly useful for billing and invoicing.

    Automated timesheets

    All tracked hours are automatically organized on a digital timesheet. Here you can easily see and review all logged data, such as total daily work hours, the number of hours worked during a payroll period, overtime, breaks, and time off. The system also flags any irregularities, allowing you to easily spot and correct potentially costly payroll errors. 

    In addition, you can apply different pay rates per employee or job and automatically calculate work hours, breaks, and overtime.

    Employees can review their timesheets, request changes, and send in their approval before you process it for payroll, all from their mobile devices. 

    Time off management 

    a woman looking at her desktop that shows an illustration of a worker day off approval

    Connecteam allows you to easily set up and manage your company’s time off policies for any kind of absence – paid or unpaid – and handle employee time off requests accordingly.

    The system can then automatically calculate and process the absence according to your defined policies, notify the relevant employee of their request status, and document the process. This frees you from unnecessary back-and-forth, complicated manual calculation work, or scattered processes. 

    Payroll integrations

    When ready, you can simply export the timesheets directly to your payroll software or use one of Connecteam’s payroll integrations: Gusto, QuickBooks Online, Paychex and Xero. This allows you to skip the entire manual process, saving you valuable time and effort.

    Everything You Need in One App

    Connecteam is the best employee time tracking software for both large organizations and small business owners with frontline and non-desk employees. Connecteam serves more than 90 industries, including construction, healthcare, F&B, cleaning, field service, and retail.

    Employees spend less time wondering what they should do and where, and more time actually just doing it.

    Rick Peterson
    Director

    Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Try Connecteam here!

    Pros

    • Intuitive and easy to use

    • All-in-one solution

    • Great customer support

    • Budget-friendly

    Cons

    • Needs internet or wifi access to work

    Pricing

    Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users

    See Connecteam’s Time Tracking in Action

    Request a Free Demo
  2. Jibble — Good for project time tracking

    Screenshot of the Jibble webpage

    Jibble is dedicated entirely to time tracking and provides a user-friendly interface for businesses of all sizes.

    Why I chose Jibble: I like how you can customize Jibble based on your needs. It has multiple pricing tiers and even offers a free plan for basic time tracking.

    Easy-to-use employee time tracking

    Jibble’s time clock provides a digital solution for clocking in and out of work, via smartphones, tablets, or computers. Both on-site and field employees simply press a button from the app and the clock starts. Employees can also log their work hours for particular tasks or projects so managers can see how long specific assignments take. 

    The time clock function comes with facial recognition technology and GPS location tracking to eliminate time theft and make sure employees are actually at their worksites while on the clock.

    Employee timesheets

    Jibble automatically stores all employee hours onto digital timesheets for easy review. Timesheets are updated instantly as soon as team members submit an entry, and both employees and managers can view them to make sure they’re correct. If there are any errors, you can quickly edit timesheets before approving them for payroll.

    Jibble also allows you to export precise timetables and hours of different projects so you can bill clients accordingly. 

    Simplified attendance tracker

    The attendance tracker provides a clear overview of employee attendance patterns. It automatically records any employee absences and late clock-ins and compiles this data into attendance reports. 

    You can use these reports to monitor attendance trends, identify patterns of absenteeism, and make informed decisions regarding staffing and employee performance. The feature also allows employees to apply for time off directly through the app. You can then review and approve or deny requests, ensuring that you meet your staffing needs. 

    Integrations

    • ADP
    • Monday.com
    • Gusto
    • Airtable
    • BambooHR
    • Any.do
    • Freshteam
    • Deel
    • Wave
    • And more
    I like the fact that Jibble has a free option so that small businesses like mine can get professional help for less. Also, customer support is always there and that is another reason why I will stay with Jibble, the ease of use is a massive plus.

    👍 Phoenix
    Finance Controller

    Any user can manually change the time. We feel that this feature should only sit with admin rights. Allowing any user to change the times can create inaccuracies within record keeping.

    👎 Karim
    Technician

    Learn more about Jibble

    Key Features

    • Access from desktop, mobile, Slack, or Microsoft Teams
    • In-depth daily, weekly, and monthly alerts
    • Set up an iPad kiosk for all employees to clock in from one location
    • Mobile time clock

    Pros

    • Easy to use
    • Robust automated timesheets and reporting features

    Cons

    • Software crashes frequently
    • Limited customizable abilities

    Pricing

    Starts at $2.49/month + $2.49/user Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

  3. QuickBooks Time — Good for customizable payroll reports

    Available on

    Screenshot of the QuickBooks Time webpage

    QuickBooks Time, formerly known as TSheets, is a cloud-based time tracking and employee scheduling app designed to help businesses accurately track work hours, manage employee schedules, process payroll efficiently, and invoice accurately.

    Why I chose QuickBooks Time: Users can clock in and out of work seamlessly and also add details to timesheets, take breaks easily, change job codes, and change time card options.

    Employee time clock and digital timesheets

    Employees can clock in and out directly from their mobile devices, anywhere and anytime. This ensures that everyone’s hours are logged correctly, including the start and end times of shifts, breaks, and overtime, directly through the app. 

    Employees can also add notes to their timesheets if, for example, you want them to include details about their daily tasks. The mobile app also synchronizes data in real-time, ensuring that timesheet information is always up-to-date and accessible by both employees and managers.

    See who’s working at any given time

    The “See Who’s Working” feature provides a live dashboard showing which employees are currently clocked in, which is particularly useful for teams with field workers. This instant visibility helps you better  adjust staffing in real-time based on workload demands and ensure accurate time tracking for payroll. 

    Customizable reports for payroll

    I really like how customizable Quickbooks’ payroll reports are. You can view detailed reports on work hours, overtime, and breaks for each employee, tailored to the specific payroll period. Reports can be customized to include or exclude specific data points, making it easier to align with payroll requirements.

    Integrations

    Quickbooks Time integrates with all Quickbooks products, as well as:

    • PayPal
    • Stripe
    • Hubspot
    • Salesforce
    • Shopify
    • Square
    • Gusto
    • Mailchimp
    • Google Calendar
    One thing I didn’t like about QuickBooks was the lack of customization options. I found it difficult to customize the look and feel of the software in order to better suit my business needs.

    👍 Roselyn
    Social Media Manager

    It’s convenient that I can send bills and get paid quickly, but I don’t like that my invoice template isn’t customizable. There are instances when I want to add a space between lines, but it won’t let me. Their project management system also needs to be improved.

    👎 Tevin
    Technician

    Learn more about QuickBooks Time

    Key Features

    • Timesheets
    • Time card options
    • Manage payroll
    • PTO tracker

    Pros

    • Integrates with other apps
    • Easy to use

    Cons

    • Poor customer support
    • Not the most intuitive app

    Pricing

    Starts at $20/month + $10/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: No

  4. Toggl Track — Good for measuring productivity

    Screenshot of the Toggl Track webpage

    TogglTrack is the timekeeping product of the Toggl app. It’s easy to use as it requires just a click to clock in or to pick up where you left off. If you forgot to start the timer, the Toggl button and desktop apps will send you a reminder. 

    Why I chose TogglTrack: I like that you can enter hours manually or integrate the calendar so hours are automatically synced. The app comes with features for billing, project budgeting, reporting and payroll. This software is comprehensive and user-friendly, with great customer support.

    Another great thing about TogglTrack is that it comes with over 100 integrations. So if you’re a company that relies on several different software to run your business, chances are Toggl has a built-in ingegration to streamline your work processes.

    If you want additional features, you can also purchase Toggl’s team planning feature (TogglePlan) and HR feature (TogglHire). All three products are excellent for streamlining team productivity.

    Learn more about Toggl Track

    Key Features

    • Integration with over 100 apps
    • Automatically round time entries
    • Project planning
    • Candidate screening and onboarding

    Pros

    • Quick to start and implement
    • Attractive and easy to use interface

    Cons

    • No invoicing abilities
    • The subscription to access all features is very pricey
    • Some functions can be hard to use or take a long time to implement

    Pricing

    Starts at $9/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: Yes — For up to 5 users

  5. Timecamp — Good for creating automated timesheets

    Screenshot of the TimeCamp webpage

    Timecamp is an easy-to-use, automatic employee hours tracker used both by teams and freelancers. The desktop app tracks time in the background so you can stay focused on what really matters. 

    Why I chose TimeCamp: With just a few clicks, Timecamp will complete and fill timesheets with employee hours and computer activities. Tracked time can be turned into an invoice with billing rates, ready to send straight to your clients.

    I also love how easy TimeCamp is to use. It’s user-friendly interface is clean and modern. This time tracking app also allows you to create recurring time entries so you don’t need to waste time creating new ones everyday; you can simply copy and paste your timesheets.

    There’s also a time budgeting tool that helps you allocate resources and better plan projects. With color coded charts and graphics, it’s pretty self-explanatory and intuitive. And lastly, I really like TimeCamp’s time reporting feature that condenses all crucial timekeeping into a single dashboard. It can also create more than 20 types of reports to better understand how your team is spending their time.

    Learn more about Timecamp

    Key Features

    • Project management
    • Payroll system
    • Track employee attendance, vacation and holidays
    • Project management, accounting, sales and dev tools integrations

    Pros

    • Easy to use, yet great time tracking solution
    • Good for teams and freelancers

    Cons

    • Not a huge variety of features
    • Can become pretty pricey depending on the size of your team

    Pricing

    Starts at $2.99/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

  6. Timely — Good for project management

    Screenshot of the Timely webpage

    Timely is an employee hours tracker that records everything you work on and stores it in its Memory Tracker – taking all your recorded work, grouping it together, and then suggesting time entries.

    Why I chose Timely: With Timely, there’s no need to log anything yourself. Instead Timely details what you did and automatically adds project tags. Check that everything was entered correctly and make changes if needed – the more you edit, the more the time tracking software for employees learns and enters time correctly going forward.

    Learn more about Timely

    Key Features

    • Integrates with tons of apps
    • Easily track project progress
    • Time tracking
    • Easy and quick reporting

    Pros

    • Easy to use and well designed
    • Provides clear oversight on projects and time spent on projects

    Cons

    • Users cannot set up recurring time tracking events. Must be manually entered each time
    • Alerts and notifications could be improved

    Pricing

    Starts at $16/user/month, for 6-50 users Trial: Yes Free Plan: No

  7. Hubstaff — Good for remote workers

    Screenshot of the Hubstaff webpage

    With Hubstaff’s time tracking software for employees, you can track hours with GPS location, in addition to functions for payroll, invoicing, scheduling, and more.

    Why I chose Hubstaff: Hours can be tracked offline, and the app will sync in real-time once your phone is back online, so it’s easy to monitor hours when on the road. Hubstaff integrates with Asana, Trello, QuickBooks, and more.

     

    Learn more about Hubstaff

    Key Features

    • Holiday and time-off requests
    • Easily set pay rates for team members or projects
    • Automated payroll
    • Time tracking

    Pros

    • More than 30 applications integrations
    • Automated payroll and reporting

    Cons

    • Difficult to get in touch with customer support
    • Features are hard to navigate and use or require many steps

    Pricing

    Starts at $4.99/user/month, 2 users minimum Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes — For one user only

  8. Harvest — Good for client service businesses

    Screenshot of the Harvest webpage

    With Harvest’s app for employee time tracking, you can use the stopwatch to track time as you clock in or out or enter hours manually.

    Why I chose Harvest: You have the ability to review employee timesheets and track time per client, project, or task. You can even track expenses – just take a photo of the receipt, add details, and hit save. Harvest is available on both desktop devices and smartphones. 

    Harvest is great for small businesses that are interested in efficiently tracking their employees’ hours and project management. In addition, Harvest is a great timekeeping solution for companies that require accurate and precise expense reporting.

    Learn more about Harvest

    Key Features

    • Easy to use employee hours tracker
    • Monitor expenses
    • Integrates with multiple apps
    • Invoicing

    Pros

    • Great for freelancers and contractors
    • Simple and efficient reporting and invoicing

    Cons

    • Features are hard to implement or can become confusing
    • No premade templates, so some forms, reports or invoices must be made manually.

    Pricing

    $10.8/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: Yes — Up to 1 seat & 2 projects

  9. TrackingTime — Good for large teams

    Screenshot of the TrackingTime webpage

    TrackingTime is a well-balanced app for employee time tracking, considering a large number of features it boasts and how easy users find it.

    Why I chose TrackingTime: This time-tracking app allows users to share reports with upper management and helps bring productivity to the next level.

     

    Learn more about TrackingTime

    Key Features

    • Productivity management
    • App integrations
    • Timesheet audits
    • Timecard approvals

    Pros

    • Wide variety of time tracking features
    • Clear reporting and sharing

    Cons

    • Poor customer service
    • Lacks integrations

    Pricing

    Starts at $5/user/month Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes — Up to 3 users

  10. Time Doctor — Good for SMBs

    Screenshot of the Time Doctor webpage

    TimeDoctor app is an employee time tracking app that’s also great for managing projects and employees.

    Why I chose TimeDoctor: This time tracking software allows admins to pay employees directly from the app using integrations such as Payoneer and Paypal. Managers can also take desktop screenshots to see exactly what employees are working on at any given time.

     

    Learn more about Time Doctor

    Key Features

    • Auto screenshots
    • Online timesheets
    • Customization features
    • Chat monitoring

    Pros

    • Easily customizable
    • Useful to refer to when submitting timesheets

    Cons

    • Unattractive user interface
    • Expensive solution

    Pricing

    Starts at $5.9/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: No

Compare the Best Employee Time Tracking Apps

Topic Start for free
Reviews
4.8
4.8
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.5
Pricing
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
Starts at $2.49/month + $2.49/user
Starts at $20/month + $10/user/month
Starts at $9/user/month
Starts at $2.99/user/month
Starts at $16/user/month, for 6-50 users
Starts at $4.99/user/month, 2 users minimum
$10.8/user/month
Starts at $5/user/month
Starts at $5.9/user/month
Free Trial
yes
14-day
yes
yes
30-day
yes
30-day
yes
yes
yes
14-day
yes
30-day
yes
14-day
no
Free Plan
yes
Free Up to 10 users
yes
no
yes
For up to 5 users
yes
no
yes
For one user only
yes
Up to 1 seat & 2 projects
yes
Up to 3 users
no
Use cases
Best all-in-one employee time tracking app
Good for project time tracking
Good for customizable payroll reports
Good for measuring productivity
Good for creating automated timesheets
Good for project management
Good for remote workers
Good for client service businesses
Good for large teams
Good for SMBs
Available on
Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac

What are Employee Time Tracking Apps?

Employee time tracking apps allow businesses to monitor and manage the hours their employees work. These apps provide a range of features, such as online timesheets, GPS tracking, job costing and tracking for remote workers, automated payroll calculation, and time off tracking.

By leveraging the power of technology, these apps allow businesses to accurately record employee hours worked, ensuring accurate payment of wages in accordance with relevant labor laws.

Time tracking apps also offer businesses real-time visibility into who is working on which projects or tasks at any given moment. This gives managers insight into an employee’s performance and can be used to identify areas for improvement or areas where further training may be needed.

The ability to track staff hours also helps eliminate any potential conflicts between employees and supervisors over differences in opinion regarding when certain tasks were completed.

📚 This Might Interest You:

Check out our list of the best time card apps for small businesses.

How do Employee Time Tracking Apps Work?

Employee time tracking apps work by allowing businesses and supervisors to manage, monitor, and track the time their employees spend on a given task or project.

Most time tracking apps include an online interface where users can enter data such as task completion times, breaks taken, and other important information.

This data is then used to generate reports which provide actionable insights into employee performance, job costing information, and more.

Benefits Of Using Employee Time Tracking Apps

Benefits of time tracking apps include:

1. Regulatory compliance

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires all businesses to maintain accurate records of working hours, but it’s up to the owner to choose their timekeeping method. FLSA clearly requires owners to keep documentation for at least two years, and everything must be readily available for government inspection at any time. A work time tracking app keeps all data on hand so you never have to worry that a paper was misplaced or lost.

2. Low error rates

Not all mistakes are totally eliminated, but the odds of an error taking place are much lower.

3. Everything is automatic

Automation makes it easier to organize and confirm timesheets, so you can save time, money, and energy by not being burdened by endless Excel sheets.

4. Real-time data

Since everything is automatic on work time tracking apps, all data is processed in real-time. This allows you to automatically see how many hours an employee has worked. If you need additional hours to cover a project, you can see who really needs it.

5. GPS Tracking

As soon as an employee clocks in or out, a GPS location stamp is added so you always know where the employee was when clocking in or out for the day. This gives you the reassurance that you aren’t paying for time theft.

6. Eliminate rounding up time

A work timekeeping app doesn’t round up time so you don’t need to worry about paying workers for time they didn’t actually work.

7. Get rid of buddy punching

When using an employee time tracking app, it makes it much harder for fellow coworkers to help a friend out by clocking in for them.

8. Manage overtime

As soon as an employee goes into overtime, you are instantly alerted so that the situation can be taken care of. Chances are, the employee simply forgot to clock out, but at least you’re already a step ahead. An employee time tracking app keeps you in control of overtime in real-time, before anything spirals out of control.

9. Improve team management

Know exactly how many hours your employees work with a work timekeeping app to make it easier to track if an individual or team regularly goes over their hours. This makes it easier to lower the workload and avoid employee burnout, while employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance.

How much does employee time tracking software cost?

Employee time tracking apps can vary in price depending on the features you need and how many users you have. From the options included in this article, starting prices range from $5/month to $45/month for the cheapest option.

However, Connecteam is cost-friendly and even offers a completely free plan for businesses with up to 10 users. Prices then start at $29/month for the first 30 users and includes all of Connecteam’s employee management features.

>>Get started with Connecteam for free today!<<

FAQs

Is an employee time tracking app a good fit for both small and large businesses?

Yes, time tracking apps are great for both large and small business owners to accurately track employee hours. These apps save companies time and money when it comes to calculating timesheets and payroll.

What is the best employee time tracking app?

The best employee time tracking app is one that offers competitive pricing for quality features in return. In this case, Connecteam is by far the best choice.

Connecteam’s all-in-one employee management app means you don’t need to jump back and forth between different apps. It’s easy to implement and requires very little training to start.

Is there an app to track field employee work hours?

Yes. Connecteam is designed for field employees who often manage their days by hourly shifts. All they need to clock in from their phones from the mobile employee time clock.

With Connecteam’s smart scheduling system, you can apply overtime rules to keep you alerted whenever they’re exceeded; that way, you can be sure both you and your employees are staying within the guidelines of hourly work. 

For weeks or weekends that you’re in need of additional hands, you can simply look at the hours everyone has worked and see who still hasn’t met their quota. With a time tracker, everything is done for you so that you can easily manage time keeping.

The Bottom Line On Employee Time Tracking App

Accurate time tracking is crucial for any business. When employees have a clear understanding of their schedules and the total hours they work, they will be much happier and more engaged. In turn, productivity and customer satisfaction increase.

Finding the right employee time clock app will open up a world of wonders. Choose from any of the apps listed above, and you’ll easily save time and money!