Free online time clocks allow you to track your entire team’s hours so you can run payroll accurately. In this article, we’ll be going over the best online time clocks for your business so you can make the best choice.
Free online time clocks are the easiest way to track employee hours, reduce payroll errors, and ensure compliance with labor laws.
Fortunately, we researched the best options on the market, so you don’t have to.
Here are the 9 best online time clocks for small to large businesses that offer free plans. These time clock apps make managing employee hours a breeze, from GPS tracking to scheduling to payroll.
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 time clock tool
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Best for freelancers
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Best for small teams
What to Look For in a Free Online Time Clock App
- Mobile access: Many employees might need to clock in or out from their job sites. A good online time clock should offer mobile compatibility, including a dedicated app.
- Accuracy: The time clock should record time accurately and allow for adjustments if necessary.
- Reporting features: Managers or business owners often need to generate reports and timesheets for payroll or for reviewing employee hours. Look for a system that offers easy-to-understand reporting tools.
- Integration: If you’re using other software for payroll or project management, it’s beneficial if the time clock can integrate with those systems.
- Security: Ensure that the platform is secure, uses encryption, and complies with relevant data protection regulations. Employee data and work hours are sensitive information.
- Scheduling features: Look for an app that includes an employee scheduling tool so you can create schedules from the same application.
- Customizability: Depending on your business needs, you might want a free online time clock app that allows for custom settings, such as different pay rates, overtime calculations, or break times.
- Notifications: Look for an app that offers notifications for managers if employees forget to clock in or out, or if they’re approaching overtime.
- Audit trail: For transparency and accountability, it’s helpful if the system keeps a log of all changes made to time entries.
- Multiple clock-in methods: Depending on your business’s needs, you might want a system that offers various clock-in methods, such as through a computer, mobile device, or even biometric methods like fingerprint scanning.
- Support and customer service: Even if the product is free, it’s essential to have access to support in case you run into issues or have questions.
- Limitations: Since it’s a free product, be aware of any limitations. Some free versions might have restrictions on the number of users, features, or the amount of data storage.
- Upgrade options: If you’re starting with a free version, it’s good to know if there’s an option to upgrade to a paid version with more features in the future.
- Compliance: Ensure that the time clock system complies with labor laws and regulations relevant to your region or industry.
The 9 Best Free Online Time Clock Apps of 2023
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one free online time clock
Connecteam is an all-in-one online employee time clock that allows you to track your team’s work hours and manage accurate timesheets with complete ease and efficiency, even while on the go. It offers a completely free online time clock for small businesses with up to 10 employees, too!
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.
Mobile time clock with geofencing
GPS tracking capabilities in the app allow you to ensure that your employees are exactly where they need to be.
Depending on your preferred settings, you can 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.
Additionally, you can set up a digital geofence around your workplace. If employees leave the area while on the clock, you will both automatically receive a notification.
Intuitive drag-and-drop shift scheduler
Connecteam offers an intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling tool that integrates directly with the mobile time clock. You can create shifts and simply drag employees’ names to them. With the shift scheduler, you can automatically assign shifts based on employee qualifications, preferences, and availability.
Take advantage of scheduling templates to make the process even faster or customize your own however you need.
Additionally, Connecteam has automatic shift conflict alerts that notifies you immediately of any scheduling errors. This helps reduce labor costs by avoiding double scheduling, assigning the wrong employee to a shift, or assigning an employee who’s scheduled for PTO.
Automated timesheets
All tracked hours are automatically organized on digital timesheets. All data, such as daily hours worked, hours worked during a payroll period, overtime, breaks, and time off, can be seen here easily. The system also flags any irregularities, allowing you to easily spot and correct potentially costly payroll errors.
Additionally, you can calculate work hours, breaks, and overtime automatically and apply different pay rates per employee or job.
Employees can review their timesheets, make changes, and approve them before payroll is processed.
Time off management
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 automatically calculates and processes the absence according to your defined policies, notifies the relevant employee of their request status, and documents 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: QuickBooks and Gusto. This allows you to skip the entire manual process, saving you valuable time and effort.
Streamlined employee communication
Team communication is made simple with Connecteam’s in-app chat and employee updates features. Employees can message each other whenever they need to ask questions or get clarification, and you can reach out to any workers whether they are clock in or not. Employees will receive an automatic notification on their phones when they receive a message so they can be sure to respond ASAP.
Everything You Need in One App
Connecteam is the best online employee time clock for both large organizations and small business owners with frontline and non-desk employees. Connecteam also offers a free online time clock for businesses with up to 10 employees. This not only includes the mobile time clock, but all of the app’s features to manage your business and your employees on the go, including an employee scheduler, HR tools, in-app chat, and training tools.
I had people that we would just schedule for work and hope and pray that they show up. And now, we have an average of a 90-95% attendance rate.
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Get Started Now!
Key Features
Time clock chat
Automated payroll processing
Easy to export timesheets to your payroll system
Breadcrumbs GPS to track employees’ general whereabouts
Time off management (sick days, holidays, vacations, and more)
Time clock limitations
Pros
Affordable for any size business
Excellent customer service
Ready to use in less than 15 minutes
Absolutely free plan for up to 10 users
Cons
Additional integrations in development
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
Absolutely free, no credit card required
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clockineasy — Good for creating accurate timesheets
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
ClockInEasy is a cloud-based time-tracking and timesheet solution with a free version. It also includes timesheets, GPS tracking, payroll management, and help with labor compliance. Plus, ClockInEasy’s dashboard is super useful for gathering hours worked reports.
However, some users report that the tablet version of ClockInEasy could be easier to use. You’re also extremely limited by only being able to add one user under ClockInEasy’s free plan.
What Companies Should Use ClockInEasy?
ClockInEasy is suitable for all businesses but works best for sole proprietors and contractors.
Learn more about clockineasyKey Features
- Automated timekeeping
- Easy to manage payroll
- Online free time clock
- Overtime calculations
Pros
- Simple to clock in and out
- Saves time
Cons
- The app can sometimes crash
- No built-in scheduler
Pricing
Starts at $4/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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OnTheClock — Good for small teams
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
OnTheClock is a web-based employee time tracking solution that has a free version for businesses. This free time clock app offers GPS tracking, geofencing, payroll reporting, leave management, and project costing functionalities. It also offers intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling to help you save time.
Unfortunately, OnTheClock’s reporting feature is less functional than many users would like. Also, you can only add a maximum of two employees under this app’s free plan.
What Companies Should Use OnTheClock?
Any business that needs help with tracking employee hours and assistance with the payroll process.
Learn more about OnTheClockKey Features
- Biometric recognition
- Free time-tracking software
- Accessible via mobile device
- Database for employees
Pros
- Great for small businesses
- Easy to use
Cons
- Customer service could be more professional
- Confusing reporting features
Pricing
Starts at $102/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes — For up to 2 users
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Homebase — Good for minimizing time theft
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Homebase is a cloud-based online employee time clock that offers a free version. It includes many employee management tools like scheduling, payroll, onboarding and training tools. You can track all employees’ locations with GPS as well as paid and unpaid breaks. The features in the free version include employee scheduling, online free time clock, recruiting, and reporting.
What Companies Should Use Homebase?
Works well for restaurants, cafes, nonprofits, salons, gyms, and many more who require an online time clock.
Learn more about HomebaseKey Features
- A free time clock online
- Company handbook
- Automated scheduling
- Newsfeed
Pros
- Easy to schedule and track attendance
- Employees can easily switch shifts with each other
Cons
- Correcting clock in and outs can be difficult
- Issues with fully removing former employees from the app
Pricing
Starts at $20/location/month Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes — For a single location & up to 20 employees
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Time Clock Wizard — Good for payroll reporting
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
With Time Clock Wizard, managers can add new employees easily, track hours worked, and calculate payroll reports. With Time Clock Wizard’s free online time clock, businesses can add up to three users per account and can access the employee time-tracking functionality. The free plan also includes an option for email support.
What Companies Should Use Time Clock Wizard?
This free time clock online is great for all companies, especially those in the community service and educational sectors or nonprofit organizations.
Learn more about Time Clock WizardKey Features
- Free online time clock software
- Track attendance, including vacation and sick days.
- Easy shift swap
- Online punch card
Pros
- Streamlines the payroll process
- Very intuitive to use
Cons
- Users note the app can be glitchy
- No offline mode
Pricing
Starts at $19.95/month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Time Doctor — Good for remote employees and field workers
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Time Doctor’s advanced time-tracking capabilities provide analytical data to enhance your company’s productivity.
This online time clock software integrates with many other tools, including Asana, PayPal, and Slack. Time Doctor’s other features include attendance tracking, screen monitoring, and the ability to easily export timesheets.
What Companies Should Use Time Doctor?
Time Doctor is good software for any business or corporation with field workers, office, or remote employees.
Learn more about Time DoctorKey Features
- Online time clock app
- Manage tasks
- Client management
- Expense tracking
Pros
- Timeline report is particularly useful
- Helps allocate time spent for each company project
Cons
- Too many notifications
- Synchronization between PC and mobile app needs improvement
Pricing
Starts at $5.9/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: No
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ClockIt — Good for attendance tracking
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
ClockIt allows you to monitor one or several locations from a single app. This app’s built-in GPS feature lets you track employees’ time and location from anywhere.
You can start using ClockIt from any internet-connected device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers.
What Companies Should Use ClockIt?
ClockIt is a good fit for small to medium-sized businesses looking to stay compliant about tracking time and attendance.
Learn more about ClockItKey Features
- Calculates overtime
- Distribute shifts effortlessly
- Free time card calculator
- Easy to manage payroll reporting
Pros
- Enhances productivity
- Helps with payroll
Cons
- Can be difficult to get in touch with customer service
- Difficult to print reports
Pricing
Starts at $82.50/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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Wrike — Good for creating workflows
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Wrike is a project management software solution with time-tracking capabilities. This tool tracks employees’ working hours so managers can see how long they’ve spend on projects. Wrike also helps with payroll reporting by converting digital time cards into exportable data.
What Companies Should Use Wrike?
Wrike is a good tool for any company that wants to improve how employees track time. It’s also helpful for simplifying payroll reporting.
Learn more about WrikeKey Features
- Budget management
- Project and task management
- Manage events
- Resource allocation
Pros
- Task management is very useful
- Easy to set up
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Difficult to compare project outcomes side by side
Pricing
Starts at $9.80/user/month, for 2-25 users Trial: Yes — 14-day Free Plan: Yes
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QuickBooks Time — Good for large companies
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
QuickBooks Time works with tools such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, and MYOB. This app allows you to use its free online time clock to track time, manage tasks, or collaborate with a team member. This solution can also help you save time on payroll by integrating with various financial software, including Gusto, ADP, and Square Payroll.
What Companies Should Use QuickBooks Time?
QuickBooks offers its platform to all companies looking to ditch expensive hardware to track time and manage tasks more effectively. This tool can help almost anyone, from sole traders to large companies.
Learn more about QuickBooks TimeKey Features
- Notifications
- Offline time tracking
- Automated timekeeping
- Messaging
Pros
- Mobile access
- Streamlines payroll if already using Quickbooks software
Cons
- Customer service could be better
- Steep learning curve
Pricing
Starts at $20/month + $10/user/month Trial: Yes — 30-day Free Plan: No
Compare the Best Free Online Time Clock Apps
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Start for free
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| Reviews |
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| Pricing |
Premium plans start at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Starts at $4/user/month
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Starts at $102/month
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Starts at $20/location/month
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Starts at $19.95/month
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Starts at $5.9/user/month
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Starts at $82.50/month
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Starts at $9.80/user/month, for 2-25 users
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Starts at $20/month + $10/user/month
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| Free Trial |
yes
14-day
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yes
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yes
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yes
14-day
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no
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no
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yes
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yes
14-day
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yes
30-day
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| Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
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yes
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yes
For up to 2 users
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yes
For a single location & up to 20 employees
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yes
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no
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yes
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yes
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no
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What is a Free Online Employee Time Clock?
Free online employee time clocks track and record employees’ working hours. Accessible from desktops or mobile devices, these apps allow employees to clock in and out electronically, ensuring their hours are logged accurately.
Online employee time clocks often offer features like reporting, scheduling, integration with payroll software, and mobile access, making it easier for employers to manage work hours and ensure everyone is paid properly.
How Do Online Employee Time Clocks Work?
Online employee time clocks work by allowing employees to log their work start and end times electronically from their mobile devices. Once an employee clocks in or out, the app records the timestamp and stores the data.
Managers and supervisors can then access this data to review work hours, generate reports, and integrate timesheets with payroll systems. Many of these online time clock apps also offer features like geofencing to ensure employees are clocking in and out from their job sites.
Benefits of Online Time Clocks
Accurate time-tracking
Digital time clocks reduce the risk of human error in recording work hours, ensuring employees are compensated correctly.
Efficiency
Automated time tracking streamlines the payroll process, reducing the time and effort required to calculate hours manually.
Real-time employee monitoring
Employers and managers can monitor attendance in real-time, allowing for immediate adjustments or decisions based on staffing needs. GPS technology helps ensure all workers are on their job sites when they’re meant to be.
Transparency and accountability
Digital records provide documentation of all clock-ins and clock-outs. This transparency can reduce disputes over hours worked and ensure both employees and employers have a clear understanding of work patterns and attendance.
Comprehensive reporting
Mobile time clocks often come with reporting tools, allowing for detailed analysis of work patterns, overtime, absences, helping businesses make better decisions using real data.
How Much Do Online Time Clocks Cost?
The cost of online time clocks varies widely based on features, scalability, and the provider. Some basic versions are available for free, but they may come with limitations in terms of users, features, or data storage. Mid-range solutions can range from $5 to $30 per user per month, while more comprehensive software with advanced features can cost even more.
Some providers offer flat monthly rates for businesses, regardless of the number of users. It’s essential to compare different providers and consider both the immediate and long-term needs of the business to determine the most cost-effective solution.
Fortunately, Connecteam offers a completely free plan for small businesses with up to 10 users, and paid plans start at only $29 a month! The app comes with not only a mobile time clock, but a whole range of features to manage your business from anywhere, including an employee scheduler, task management tools, HR features, and communication tools.
FAQs
How can I track employee hours for free?
To track employee hours for free, use a free online time clock. That way, you can create schedules from the app and employees can clock in and out of their shifts right from their mobile devices. Connecteam, for example, offers a completely free online time clock for businesses with up to 10 employees.
Are online time clocks useful for remote employees and field workers?
Yes, online time clocks are especially useful for remote employees and field workers. They provide a centralized and accessible system for tracking employee hours from any location, ensuring accurate and efficient timekeeping.
How do I have my employees clock in and out remotely?
To have your employees clock in and out remotely, you can utilize an online time clock that’s accessible from mobile devices. These apps allow workers to log their hours from any location so you can be sure that everyone’s hours are tracked accurately.
The Bottom Line On Free Online Time Clock App
Using an online time clock streamlines the process of tracking work hours, ensuring accuracy and transparency for both employers and employees. This digital solution not only modernizes workforce management but also creates trust and accountability in the workplace.