Reliable GPS time tracking for field teams, but with room for improvement in usability and support.
Table of contents
Verdict: 7.4/10
ExakTime offers a comprehensive solution for businesses managing remote and mobile workforces. I found its GPS-enabled time tracking and job site management features particularly impressive. The software shines in construction and field service industries, providing real-time visibility into employee locations and activities.
However, smaller businesses or those with primarily office-based staff may find some features unnecessary.
Also, while the interface is functional, it could benefit from a more modern design to enhance the user experience.
Key Features:
- Mobile time clock: Lets employees clock in/out using their smartphones.
- GPS time tracking: Tracks employees’ real-time locations.
- Geofencing: Ensures employees are tracking time within designated work areas.
- Photo ID verification (FaceFront): Ensures accurate clock-ins with facial recognition technology.
- Job costing: Tracks labor costs and productivity across multiple projects and job sites.
- Scheduling: Enables you to create and manage employee schedules with automatic overtime calculations.
- Meal break and time off tracking: Tracks compliance with break and time-off policies.
Pros ✅ • Accurate GPS-based time tracking • Comprehensive reporting and analytics • Time theft prevention | Cons ❌ • Learning curve for some advanced features • Mobile app occasionally experiences syncing issues • Pricing may be steep for smaller businesses |
ExakTime Pricing
ExakTime offers 3 pricing plans—Advanced, Premium, and Elite. The company doesn’t offer transparent pricing.
Plan | Advanced | Premium | Elite |
Price | $9/employee/month (when billed annually) + monthly base fee (contact for quote) | Contact vendor | Contact vendor |
Features | • Time & attendance tracking • GPS tracking • Geofencing • Meal break tracking • Notifications • Cost code tracking • Wage tracking • Safety reporting forms • Unlimited email, phone, & chat support | Everything in Advanced + • AI-powered custom alerts & notifications • Scheduler | Everything in Premium + • Time off administration |
The Advanced plan, priced at $9 per employee per month (plus a monthly base fee), seems to cover basic time tracking needs. To determine the base fee, you must contact the company for a quote.
The Premium and Elite plans also require you to contact a sales representative for pricing. This approach is common in enterprise software but can be frustrating if you prefer upfront pricing.
When my colleague and I reached out to ExakTime for pricing and a demo for a UK-based business, the sales team explained that the solution isn’t GDPR compliant—so they don’t cater to businesses in areas that follow these regulations. This meant we couldn’t get pricing info or a demo.
That said, I found that many users complained about ExakTime’s pricing. Some say its annual pricing was a dealbreaker for them since they needed monthly pricing. Another reviewer noted that ExakTime keeps increasing their price every year:
In 2020 we paid $2,300 yearly [for] 30 employees. In 2021 we paid $5,040 yearly [for] 35 employees. In 2022 they’re charging $6,048 for the year [for] 35 employees…
Moreover, ExakTime doesn’t offer a free plan or trial, which could be a drawback for businesses wanting to test the system before committing. For companies with simpler needs or tighter budgets, more affordable options with basic time-tracking capabilities might provide better value. For instance, Clockify offers a free plan for basic time tracking, and Toggl Track provides a free trial.
Here’s how ExakTime stacks up against competitors:
Team size | ExakTime (Advanced) | ClockShark (Standard) | Clockify (Standard) | Connecteam (Basic) |
---|---|---|---|---|
View pricing | View pricing | View pricing | View pricing | |
10 Users | $90/month + monthly base fee (contact for quote) | $80/month + $40 base fee | $54.90/mo | Free for life — All features and dashboards |
20 Users | $180/month + base fee | $160/month + $40 base fee | $109.80/mo | $29/month |
30 Users | $270/month + base fee | $240/month + $40 base fee | $164.70/mo | $29/month |
50 Users | $450/month + base fee | $400/month + $40 base fee | $274.50/mo | $39/month |
Read our full ClockShark review | Read our full Clockify review | Learn more about Connecteam |
Verdict: 3/10
ExakTime Usability and Interface
Though I couldn’t get my hands on the demo, I’ve reviewed several online resources—including ExakTime’s website, blog posts, pre-recorded demo videos, and customer reviews—to offer you an informed perspective for this review.
When you first log into ExakTime, you’re greeted by a clean and organized dashboard. The interface is structured with a top navigation bar featuring key sections: Dashboard, Time Cards, Reports, Manage, Tools, Help, Give Feedback, and Refer.
I particularly appreciate how the dashboard displays real-time employee statuses and site conditions. The weather forecasts are especially useful for field operations.
The platform’s strength lies in its employee management capabilities. Adding new staff is straightforward, with various fields for employee details and a customizable permission system. The pre-defined roles (Administrator, Supervisor, Employee) give you good control over who can access the system.
The interface seems to prioritize functionality over aesthetics: its blue color scheme feels somewhat dated, but it’s intuitive and easy to navigate. I appreciated the right sidebar’s quick access to favorite reports and support options.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find obvious accessibility features, including options for adjusting text size or color contrast. This could be a drawback for visually impaired users.
Verdict: 7/10
Mobile app
The ExakTime mobile app extends core functionalities to your phone. It’s designed for on-the-go management and tracking.
The interface is clean and intuitive, with essential features like the Time Clock, Approvals, and SiteHub readily accessible from the main menu. I really like SiteHub, which provides supervisors with a real-time overview of job site activities, including clock-ins, field notes, site photos, and labor costs—all on 1 screen.
The menu items may appear different for different employees, depending on their roles.
What impressed me most was the app’s offline capability—a crucial feature for construction sites or remote locations with poor connectivity. The app keeps working without connectivity by storing data locally and syncing once connection is restored.
The time clock function is straightforward: Employees can clock in/out with a few taps, while GPS integration tracks their locations. I really appreciate how the system flags any discrepancies between job site locations and clock-in spots.
However, the mobile app does have its limitations. Some administrative functions—like adding/removing employees or adjusting roles—still require the web interface. Report access is also restricted compared with the desktop version. Plus, some users have reported delayed data synchronization between the web and mobile apps.
Verdict: 8/10
Feature | Admin | Employee | ||
Website | Mobile App | Website | Mobile App | |
Core Features | ||||
Time Clock | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Time Cards | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Time Off | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Field Notes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
SiteHub | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Forms | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
GeoTrakker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Schedules | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Analysis Features | ||||
Dashboard | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Reports | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Payroll Reports | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Attendance Tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
FaceFront Reports | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Management Features | ||||
Company settings | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Approvals | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Employee Management | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Time Card Editing | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Location Management | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Permission Settings | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
ExakTime Core Functionalities
Time tracking
ExakTime offers multiple methods for tracking time. These include:
- GPS-enabled mobile clock-in/out: Uses employees’ smartphones for location-verified time entries.
- Manual time entry: Lets you or your employees manually input clock-in and clock-out times.
- Kiosk mode: Allows multiple employees to clock in from a single device at a job site.
- Project-based tracking: Enables employees to easily switch between different jobs or tasks for precise time tracking.
To clock in using ExakTime’s mobile app, employees simply open the app, tap the “Clock In” button, and choose the relevant job code and location (if required). Then, they tap “Clock In” again to register their start time. Finally, they press “Stop” to clock out.
For situations where mobile tracking isn’t ideal, ExakTime offers alternatives.
The manual time entry feature—which requires supervisor approval—comes in handy when your workers forgot to clock in.
The kiosk mode is great for larger job sites. You can set it up on a tablet, allowing multiple workers to clock in quickly. It streamlines the process for crew management, though it might take some initial configuration to get it running smoothly.
What impressed me was the rugged time clock option for harsh environments where smartphones or tablets aren’t practical. These kiosk devices are waterproof, operate in extreme temperatures (-10°F to 170°F), and offer up to 21 days of battery life. This is a really unique feature I haven’t seen many competitors offer.
When it comes to editing time entries, I find the process to be both flexible and secure. As an administrator, you can easily adjust clock times or add missing entries. The system maintains a clear audit trail, striking a good balance between flexibility and accountability.
The “My Time Card” feature allows employees to review their own time entries personally. For a broader overview, the “Time Card Summary” page offers a snapshot of overall hours worked, noting any exceptions or discrepancies that require attention. This is visually represented with a blue icon that leads to detailed time card views—and a red exclamation mark highlighting any inconsistencies or missing entries.
For administrative tasks, the “Bulk Time Entry” option lets you simultaneously apply the same time records across multiple employee cards, drastically cutting down on time spent managing individual entries.
Finally, I appreciate that ExakTime uses time data to create payroll-ready timesheets, streamlining the payroll process and ensuring accuracy.
Verdict: 10/10
Location tracking
ExakTime’s location tracking capabilities truly set it apart from many competitors. The mobile app displays a GPS tracking symbol on the top right that clearly shows whether the location is being accurately captured.
The GeoTrakker feature particularly impressed me—it doesn’t just record clock-in/out locations but also tracks employees’ movements throughout their shifts. You can also toggle between road and aerial map views for different perspectives, which I think is neat.
The geofencing feature is a smart addition, letting you set up virtual boundaries around job sites. When workers enter or leave these areas, you get automatic alerts, which helps prevent time theft.
Additionally, the SiteHub dashboard ties everything together nicely, showing real-time information about who’s clocked in, their exact locations, and even current weather conditions at each site.
Verdict: 10/10
FaceFront
ExakTime’s FaceFront feature impressed me as an effective solution to prevent buddy punching. When employees clock in or out using the mobile app, they must take a selfie using their device’s front-facing camera. These photos attach directly to their time cards, making identity verification straightforward for managers.
Administrators can easily access all FaceFront data through the Employee FaceFront Report, which provides a comprehensive view of clock-in/out times with corresponding photos.
However, ExakTime doesn’t offer facial recognition capabilities like competitors Jibble and Timeero.
Verdict: 9/10
Meal break and time off tracking and management
ExakTime’s meal break tracking is straightforward, with a dedicated “Meal Break” button in the mobile app below the standard clock in/out options. The system generates detailed reports showing expected breaks and actual breaks taken—and flags any missed or short breaks.
I appreciated the warning system: If an employee tries to end a meal break early (based on company settings), they receive an alert.
You can see reports on short and missed meal breaks and take corrective action.
However, I noticed 2 limitations: The system doesn’t show break durations in reports when breaks are taken through manual clock-outs, and there’s no dedicated option for tracking shorter rest breaks. This could be an issue for companies needing to monitor meal and rest periods.
ExakTime also offers time off tracking and management, which integrates well with its core time tracking features. However, it comes at an additional cost.
Verdict: 7/10
Scheduling
The scheduling interface integrates well with time tracking and impressed me with its user-friendly design. Creating new schedules is straightforward—just click “Add Shift” and select the date, time, location, and cost code.
I liked how the automatic notification system alerts both employees and supervisors about new or modified schedules.
With the mobile app, employees can easily log in and view their upcoming schedules, which I find particularly useful for field workers.
The real-time tracking of scheduled versus actual hours worked helps you quickly identify who’s late, who didn’t show up, and any recurring attendance patterns.
The color-coding system for different job sites makes it easy to get a quick visual overview of the week’s schedule.
Plus, the ability to set up overtime alerts based on scheduled hours helps you proactively manage labor costs.
That said, there are some downsides: Schedules default to a weekly view, and when you duplicate schedules, linked information—like assigned employees and job notes—doesn’t carry over. You must re-enter these details manually. While not deal-breakers, these quirks can add extra work when managing complex scheduling needs.
Also, ExakTime lacks advanced scheduling capabilities like auto-scheduling, which competitors like Homebase and Connecteam offer.
Verdict: 7/10
ExakTime integrations
ExakTime seamlessly connects with popular payroll systems like QuickBooks, ADP Workforce Now, and Sage, ensuring that your time tracking data flows effortlessly into your payroll software.
Additionally, ExakTime integrates with other essential business tools, such as SAP Business One and Viewpoint Team.
However, ExakTime doesn’t offer as many integrations as some competitors—like Clockify. Also, I’m disappointed it lacks integration with communication and automation tools.
Verdict: 7/10
ExakTime Security
ExakTime places a strong emphasis on protecting user privacy and securing personal information:
- Encryption: Employs military-grade 256-bit AES encryption for data both in transit and at rest, ensuring a high level of security comparable to that of financial institutions.
- Access controls and password policies: Implements strict access controls and complex password requirements to limit access to sensitive information.
- Role-based permissions: Allows fine-tuned control over who can access specific types of data.
- Redundant cloud infrastructure: Uses a strong cloud infrastructure that prevents outages and supports remote data wiping.
Unfortunately, ExakTime representatives told us the solution isn’t currently GDPR compliant, which limits its usability for organizations that must comply with these regulations. Plus, ExakTime’s website doesn’t advertise HIPAA compliance, making this solution less ideal for the healthcare sector.
Verdict: 6/10
ExakTime Reporting and Analytics
ExakTime offers a rich suite of reports, including:
- Employee Reports: Details each employee’s clock-ins, clock-outs, locations, and associated job codes.
- Audit Reports: Tracks modifications within the system, providing a transparent log for compliance purposes.
- Cost Code Reports: Analyzes costs linked to different job codes, aiding in financial management and budget tracking.
- Location Reports: Summarizes time and activities logged across various job sites, helping with resource planning and project management.
- Overtime Reports: Indicates which employees are nearing or have exceeded overtime limits to aid with cost control and labor law compliance.
- GPS Reports: Offers insights into employees’ geographical locations during their clock-ins and clock-outs, enhancing security and accountability.
- Payroll Reports: Projects payroll expenses based on logged hours, facilitating accurate payroll processing and financial forecasting.
You can export reports in multiple formats, such as PDF, CSV, and Excel.
While these reports provide comprehensive data and insights through traditional reporting methods, ExakTime lacks AI-powered insights. You won’t find predictive analytics, automated pattern recognition, or AI-driven recommendations for workforce optimization.
Verdict: 8/10
ExakTime Customer Support
ExakTime offers various customer support options, including phone support, email support, live chat, an online support ticket system, a detailed knowledge base, video tutorials, and bi-monthly training sessions.
The availability of phone support from Monday-Friday 5:00 am-5:00 pm Pacific Time provides a reliable channel for immediate assistance during working hours.
When I used the live chat, I got an automatic reply right away. But it took about 3 hours and 38 minutes before a live agent started talking to me.
While it’s reassuring to eventually reach a human representative, this response time is less impressive compared with those of competitors like ClockIt, ClockShark, and Timeero—with these platforms, live agents responded to my colleagues and me within minutes.
Verdict: 7/10
What are ExakTime’s Review Ratings from Review Sites?
(As of November 2024)
Capterra: 4/5
G2: 4.2/5
Software Advice: 4/5
TrustRadius: n/a
GetApp: 4/5
Google Play Store: 3.8/5
Apple App Store: 2.9/5
ExakTime App Review
ExakTime is an excellent GPS time tracking and workforce management solution that excels in the construction and field service industries. I find its strengths lie in accurate GPS tracking, comprehensive reporting, and strong compliance features—like FaceFront photo verification.
I think the core time tracking features are impressive, especially for industries like construction. That said, pricing may be steep for smaller businesses, and customer support response times could improve.
Consider ExakTime if you need strong GPS-based time tracking and job site management, but explore alternatives if you’re seeking a more modern, comprehensive workforce management solution.
Connecteam: The Better ExakTime Alternative
I’ve found that Connecteam offers several enhancements over ExakTime, particularly in areas like scheduling, communication, and employee engagement.
I found ExakTime’s and Connecteam’s core time and location tracking features to be similarly comprehensive.
Both platforms handle GPS-enabled clock-ins and geofencing effectively. Connecteam’s break management feature is slightly stronger—with better options for labeling, monitoring, and automating mean and rest breaks.
The scheduling for both platforms features drag-and-drop functionality and time off management, but Connecteam has auto-scheduling capabilities. With 1 click, the system can create schedules for you using employee availability, qualifications, and preferences.
I particularly appreciate how Connecteam integrates an online team chat directly into the scheduler, making shift-change communication more efficient than it is with ExakTime, which lacks strong communication features.
Beyond time and attendance, Connecteam includes comprehensive task management features, enabling you to schedule tasks, track their completion, and more.
Plus, Connecteam offers employee development tools, including onboarding and training modules, along with a built-in recognition system—features entirely absent from ExakTime.
What’s more, Connecteam offers transparent pricing—with a free-for-life small business plan for up to 10 users and a super affordable basic plan starting at only $29/month for 30 users.
Connecteam’s additional operational and team development features make it a stronger all-in-one workforce management solution.
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FAQs
Does ExakTime offer a free trial?
ExakTime doesn’t offer a free trial. You must purchase the software to access its time tracking solutions.
Is ExakTime HIPAA compliant?
ExakTime doesn’t explicitly advertise its solution as being HIPAA compliant. Organizations that must comply with health information privacy laws should consider HIPAA-compliant alternatives like Connecteam.