Construction time tracking software tools allow you to track accurate work hours, automatically calculate billable hours for employee payroll and client billing, and more with complete ease and efficiency. Check out this list of the best construction time clock apps and find the perfect fit for your business.
Tracking your construction team’s work hours is key to delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.
Sounds pretty straightforward? With the right tool – absolutely! But without it? You’re bound to constantly waste valuable time on manual processes and lose money to buddy punching, time theft, and costly payroll mistakes.
Construction time tracking software tools empower you to track who clocked in, when, and from where and prepare 100% accurate timesheets for payroll and billing. This, in turn, frees you up to devote your time to more important tasks.
So with no further ado, let’s look at the best construction time clock apps available below and find the perfect match for your business needs and budget!
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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Best all-in-one construction time clock app
Learn more -
Best for ensuring accurate payroll
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Best for GPS tracking
What to Look For in a Construction Time Tracking Software Tool
There are quite a few construction timesheet apps on the market, but not all of them are worth your time and money.
For a truly effective construction employee time tracking app, you need to be on the lookout for the following features:
- Employee time tracking, preferably with geofencing and GPS tracking capabilities
- A job and employee scheduling feature, across different locations, people and types of shifts
- Multiple in-app communication tools: be able to communicate with everyone, in several ways
- A central knowledge base, so employees can access documents, information and protocols at the click of a button.
The 7 Best Construction Time Tracking Software Tools of 2023
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one construction time tracking software
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Kicking off our list is Connecteam’s all-in-one construction time tracking software. This mobile-first solution allows you to track your team’s work hours and manage accurate timesheets with complete ease and efficiency, even on the go. In addition, Connecteam offers top-level customer service, an intuitive user interface, and a highly customizable platform that can be adjusted to suit your unique business needs.
This software offers advanced time tracking capabilities such as one-touch clock in & out, geofencing and GPS location tracking, project-specific time tracking, 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.
Geofencing & GPS tracking
Connecteam offers multiple GPS tracking capabilities that help you ensure your construction workers are exactly where they need to be when clocked in.
You can, for instance, record the exact location from which your employees clock in and out or monitor their real-time location while on the job. You also can set up a digital geofence around your job sites, defining the radius your employees need to be in to clock in and out.
This allows you to avoid employees clocking in before getting to work and prevent buddy punching.
Project-specific time tracking
It’s entirely up to you to decide what you would like to track time for as an admin. In addition to viewing each individual’s work hours, you can, for instance, see how much time is spent on certain projects, locations, or clients.
In addition, this gives you valuable insight into how you are allocating your resources and is particularly useful for billing and invoicing.
Automated timesheets
Connecteam automatically organizes all recorded hours onto digital timesheets. These allow you to 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 app also highlights irregularities, making it easy to spot and correct costly payroll mistakes.
You can also set different pay rates per team member or job and automatically calculate work hours, breaks, and overtime.
Your staff can quickly review their timesheets, request changes, and approve them before you process payroll.
Time off management
Beyond tracking hours worked, you can also manage time off. Easily set up and manage your company’s time off policies for any kind of absence – paid or unpaid – and handle your team’s time off requests accordingly.
The system then calculates and processes the absence in line with your defined policies, notifies the relevant employee of their request status, and records the process. This eliminates unnecessary back-and-forth, complicated manual calculations, or scattered processes.
Payroll integrations
Once ready, you can simply export timesheets to your payroll software or use one of Connecteam’s payroll integration options: QuickBooks and Gusto. As a result, you can save a lot of time and effort by skipping the entire manual process.
And so much more…
Besides being the best contractor time tracking app, Connecteam’s all-in-one app includes everything your construction business needs to run daily operations smoothly, including:
- Communication: Instantly reach and communicate with your crew on any job site straight through the app.
- Scheduling: Easily create work schedules and attach all the necessary information to each shift for your employees to access, such as tasks, forms, and safety checklists.
- Task management: Create and assign tasks for your employees to complete on the job and track their progress in real-time.
- Forms & checklists: Create digital forms and checklists on any topic and for any job, such as safety hazard reports and inventory checklists.
Game Changer! We were able to discontinue 6 other apps because Connecteam took over their functions. Needed a training tool but got a complete company app!
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Get Started Now!
Key Features
One-touch clock in & out
Digital Geofence & GPS tracking
Job, project, or client-specific time tracking options
Payroll integrations
Pros
Intuitive and easy to use
All-in-one solution
Great customer support
Budget-friendly
Cons
More integrations in development
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
Get The Best Contractor Time Tracking App
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QuickBooks Time — Good for: Accounting
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
QuickBooks Time is a well-known construction time tracking solution, project tracking, and labor estimates. Its core features include accurate payroll, detailed timesheets, workforce visibility, and remaining compliant with DOL and DCAA standards. It’s a solid construction timesheet software…but if you have more than a few employees, it can get very expensive, very quickly.
Learn more about QuickBooks TimeKey Features
- Clock an entire team in and out
- Preset permissions for managers and employees
- Track and submit time right from the app
- GPS time tracking
- Geofence
Pros
- Vast array of detailed reports
- Real-time GPS tracking
Cons
- Additional features require technical assistance
- Poor customer support
Pricing
Starts at $10/month + $8/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: No
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Hubstaff — Good for: Both Desk Work and Field Work
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
By downloading Hubstaff on any mobile device, your construction team can easily clock in and out at any job site. Once downloaded, Hubstaff runs in the background so you and your employees can focus on getting the job done. It’s a great time clock system for construction but can get very expensive very quickly with more than a handful of employees.
Learn more about HubstaffKey Features
- Payroll processing
- GPS location tracking
- Geofence to create job sites
- Automatic time cards
- Worksite budgeting
- Send client invoices
Pros
- GPS tracker included
- Automated payroll and detailed reporting
Cons
- Difficult to contact customer support
- Dashboard is difficult to understand
Pricing
Starts at $5.83/user/month, for more than 1 user Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes — For a single user
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Raken — Good for: Electrical Contractors
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Raken is a construction time card app that makes it easy to digitally track hours and streamline payroll. Raken Time Cards allow you to bulk upload your crews and allocate hours to all teams in one go. Plus, it’s simple and quick to add members to your construction timesheet app or edit hours for an individual team member.
Learn more about RakenKey Features
- Time cards for teams or individuals
- Overtime management
- Assign time to cost codes
- Real-time project progress
- Daily reports
Pros
- Easy to use on mobile devices
- Ability to send out daily reports
Cons
- Does not work offline
- No Excel export capabilities
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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busybusy — Good for: Field Workers
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
busybusy is a cloud-based construction timesheet app that’s available on any mobile device, tablet, or browser. And if you don’t need employees to clock in and out individually, then supervisors for smaller crews can even clock the entire crew in or out at once from this construction time tracking app (although you should know that this function isn’t available on the free plan).
Learn more about busybusyKey Features
- GPS clock in and out
- Digital time card signature
- Advanced reports
- Time tracking for projects, sub-projects, job codes, and equipment
- Location and time based reminders
Pros
- Easy to track workers’ hours
- Streamlines payroll
Cons
- Clocking out sometimes fails to sync
- Unattractive user interface
Pricing
Starts $9.99/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: Yes
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ExakTime — Good for: Managing Labor Costs
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
As cloud-based software, ExakTime is a construction time tracking app that ensures that your password-protected data is available from any device and employees can clock in from anywhere with a click of a button.
Learn more about ExakTimeKey Features
- GPS tracking
- Photo ID capture
- Easy clock in or cost codes
- Instant reporting
- Streamlined payroll
- Compliance with digital forms, hours, and timesheets
Pros
- Excellent reporting capabilities
- The ability to set geofences
Cons
- Employees can’t see hours worked from mobile
- Prone to slow loading and lagging
Pricing
Starts at $8/user/month Trial: Yes — 2-month Free Plan: No
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ClockShark — Good for: GPS Tracking
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
ClockShark is a professional job costing solution as well as a construction time tracking app for your labor force. This way, employees choose what job and task they are working on with each clock in so, you as a good manager, know what they’re doing. Easily read those jobs and tasks on a smooth construction timesheet app, and make edits as needed.
Learn more about ClockSharkKey Features
- Print time reports
- Supervisor or foreman can clock in multiple crews
- Mobile app available on any device
- Drag and drop scheduling
- GPS time clock
Pros
- Great GPS location capabilities
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Reporting sick days takes multiple steps
- Unable to edit timesheets when employees are clocked in
Pricing
Starts at $16/month + $7/user/month, with 1 free admin Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: No
Compare the Best Construction Time Tracking Software Tools
| Topic |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews |
 |
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| Pricing |
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Starts at $10/month + $8/user/month
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Starts at $5.83/user/month, for more than 1 user
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Contact vendor for price
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Starts $9.99/user/month
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Starts at $8/user/month
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Starts at $16/month + $7/user/month, with 1 free admin
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| Free Trial |
yes
14-day
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yes
30-day
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yes
14-day
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yes
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yes
30-day
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yes
2-month
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yes
14-day
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| Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
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no
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yes
For a single user
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yes
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yes
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no
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no
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What Is Construction Time Clock Software?
In general, a construction time card app is a piece of software designed for construction workers to clock in and out from their job site via their smartphones. Instead of clocking in and out using a manual station, users are provided with a specific construction time and attendance software that includes their own personal time card. It also allows managers to track their workers’ time and in some cases even verify that their employees are actually at the job site when clocking in and out.
How Does Construction Time Clock Software work?
There are a handful of common functionalities that you can expect to see in most apps. For a start, construction workers have a digital time card within the app in which they can clock in and out at the beginning and end of their shifts. Work hours are then automatically added to each employees’ digital timesheets, creating reports in the process that managers can inspect when payroll comes around.
Other common features that can be found in many construction timesheet software solutions include the ability to calculate overtime, track PTO, and a time and attendance system. Then other construction timesheet software solutions include advanced features such as geofencing, GPS tracking, and even facial recognition.
Why You Need a Construction Time Tracking App
Why use a construction timesheet app? First of all, it’s the 21st century! And second, manually tracking your employees’ working hours via Excel, pen and paper, Google Calendar or anything else, can only end in time theft and those dreaded payroll errors.
But that’s not all. Here are some of the most important reasons you need a contractor time tracking app ASAP.
- Easily see which employee worked at which site and for which project
- Capture all costs accurately, so you don’t underbill clients
- Keep on track by being able to assign a certain amount of billable hours to each job
- Add value for the client so they can see an accurate and detailed breakdown of costs and hours
- Improve quotes so you can see the big picture of how long a job actually will take
- Understand how long it takes your crew to complete projects
- Since you can’t be in all places at once, you’ll be able to know everyone’s in the right palace, at the right time, without your input.
- Track time for everything you need, including volume, equipment used and more
- Get signatures, upload images, have the most precise timesheets around (and use them for super accurate payroll and invoicing).
- Looking professional and on top of things – show customers how slick and well-managed the whole process is
Running a construction company is hard work, and that’s an understatement. However, that work can be easier when you use construction timesheet software. Below, we list the best time clock systems for construction that you need to look into.
How Much Do Construction Time Card Apps Cost?
Pricing definitely varies from one construction time card app to the other. For example, QuickBooks Time and Busy Busy are the most expensive time clock systems for construction on this list, with plans of $10 per user (plus $40 base fee) per month and $9.99 per user/month, respectively. While time clock systems for construction like ClockShark ($3/user/month + $15/month base fee) and Hubstaff ($7/user/month) have cheaper plans.
However, none of these construction time and attendance software solutions quite compare to Connecteam in terms of the bang for your buck you can get. With its free trial, your first 50 users can clock in and out in real-time, use a kiosk station, and edit timesheets. Many more advanced time clock-related features are available if you decide to upgrade to the Basic plan, which costs $29 per month for up to 30 users. Or, you can simply keep the free plan forever.
Many of these time clock systems for construction either include free trials or free plans. So it’s worth trying them all out to test their basic features so that you can make an informed decision as to which app best suits your business’s needs.
FAQs
Why Should I Invest In A Construction Time Tracking App?
There are countless benefits of implementing a construction timesheet app. Among the most important to your construction business are; saving on costly mistakes due to manual errors on timesheets, ensuring you’re fully complying with regulatory laws for overtime and record-keeping, and fewer accounts of time theft.
Plus, a contractor time tracking app offers you full visibility with robust data on employee hours and productivity.
Will I Have To Pay Per User?
Not all construction timesheet apps are the same so when it comes to pricing, this varies greatly as well. Some contractor time tracking apps will charge per user. Others will charge per project or location or the features you need. Be sure to read everything on the pricing page and ask the sales representative as many questions as possible so that you’re fully informed about pricing before you make a choice on which construction timesheet app to choose.
The Bottom Line on Construction Time Tracking Apps
Construction timesheet apps are going to go a long way in eliminating time theft, buddy punching, and inaccurate timesheets from your business.
Ultimately though, we believe that your construction workers are better of with time clock systems that can truly handle every single aspect of their day-to-day–from time tracking and shift scheduling to employee training and internal communication.
Connecteam’s construction time and attendance software ticks all of these boxes, while providing many more invaluable features to take your construction company to the next level.