The 6 Best Employee Attendance Tracking Software in 2025

“Bueller? … Bueller?”

If you’ve ever felt like that monotone teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, calling roll and wondering who actually showed up to work, you know the pain of keeping track of attendance the old-fashioned way.

Paper forms, spreadsheets, and text chains only go so far. And those outdated methods usually leave managers scrambling and payroll teams fixing mistakes after the fact.

Attendance tracking software fixes that. It logs hours automatically, flags late arrivals and absences as they happen, and cuts time theft with GPS check-ins, geofencing, and photo verification.

WIth attendance tracking tools, managers get real-time visibility and employees get a clear, accurate record of their time.

The best attendance tracking software serves as a foundation for fairness, compliance, and efficiency. Businesses that rely on manual methods risk wasted money, legal headaches, and frustrated teams. Those that adopt the right tools will build stronger operations and more accountable workplaces.

Overview of the best attendance tracking software

Not all attendance tracking software is built for the same use cases. Here’s a quick look at what makes each tool on our list stand out.

• Buddy Punch combines easy-to-use time tracking with powerful accountability features like GPS location logging, geofencing, and photo verification. It’s ideal for businesses that want accuracy and transparency without unnecessary complexity.
• Kimai is a flexible, open-source platform you can self-host or run in the cloud. It comes with robust APIs and plugin support. It’s perfect for teams that want full control over their data and customization options.
• Jibble offers one of the most generous free plans on the market. It includes facial recognition punch-ins and mobile time tracking. It’s a strong option for startups or small teams on tight budgets.
• Gusto starts with payroll at its core, but it also layers in attendance and HR features. It’s a natural fit for small businesses that want one platform to handle both time tracking and paychecks.
• BambooHR goes beyond punch-ins with strong PTO tracking, vacation scheduling, and employee self-service tools. It’s great for companies that need attendance tracking tightly tied to HR workflows.
• Workforce.com is built for scale. It includes enterprise-grade labor forecasting, compliance tools, and it supports multiple locations. This software is designed for organizations managing hundreds or thousands of employees across departments.

What is attendance tracking software?

Attendance tracking software is a digital tool that records when employees start and end their workday, tracks absences, and highlights patterns like tardiness or missed shifts.

Most platforms also connect those records with schedules so you can instantly see when someone was late, left early, or didn’t show up. Many also include safeguards against time theft. Features like GPS time tracking, geofencing, and photo verification make sure employees only get paid for the hours they’re actually on the job.

Some attendance trackers stay laser-focused on logging hours, while others expand into workforce management. These more comprehensive systems bundle in scheduling, PTO management, payroll integration, and even compliance tools that keep you on the right side of labor laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Benefits of using attendance tracking software

Attendance tracking software gives you clean data you can trust, stops the “Ferrises” of your workplace from gaming the system, and takes the pressure off managers who don’t want to spend extra hours at work fixing messy spreadsheets.

• Stronger accountability: When attendance is tracked automatically, everyone knows the rules. That means employees can’t fudge timesheets and managers can’t play favorites. Transparent reporting levels the playing field, which fosters a culture where showing up on time, every time, is the expectation and not the exception.
• Better workforce planning: Attendance data helps managers see patterns that affect staffing. Maybe Mondays have a high no-show rate, or one department consistently runs short-handed. With clear records you can make data-driven adjustments, balance workloads, and schedule with confidence.
• Reduced disruptions: Last-minute absences can derail an entire shift. Attendance tracking tools send alerts when someone doesn’t clock in, which makes it easier to react quickly to call in backup or redistribute tasks. Fewer gaps in coverage leads to smoother operations over the long haul. 
• Improved employee morale: Few things frustrate employees more than carrying the load for colleagues who skip shifts without consequences. Attendance software gives managers the visibility to address issues fairly and consistently, which boosts morale for the rest of the team. When employees know their contributions are noticed and rewarded, chronic absenteeism won’t slip under the radar.
• Reliable HR records: Reliable attendance records are a must when it comes time to handle PTO requests, prepare performance reviews, or resolve disputes. Automated systems eliminate guesswork and provide clean, exportable reports HR teams can lean on. That way, attendance data becomes a tool for growth and accountability, rather than a source of conflict between managers and employees.

Key features to look for in attendance tracking software

Some tools just tally hours, while others give you the insights and safeguards you need to manage a modern workforce. Here are some of the features that separate the best solutions from the rest.

• Real-time dashboards: You shouldn’t have to guess who’s on the clock (and who’s not). The best tools provide a live dashboard showing who’s working, who’s late, and who missed their shift. That visibility helps managers react quickly instead of waiting until payroll to spot issues.
• Absence and tardiness reporting: A strong system highlights when employees don’t show up or show up late. Customizable absence and early/late reports help you spot patterns and address them before they become chronic problems.
• Scheduling integration: Attendance tracking becomes far more powerful when it’s paired with scheduling. By cross-referencing actual punches with planned shifts, you can easily identify gaps, enforce schedule rules, and prevent unauthorized overtime.
• Automated alerts and notifications: Managers shouldn’t have to monitor attendance like hawks. Look for tools that send instant alerts when someone is late, leaves early, or doesn’t clock in at all. That way, supervisors can focus on solutions, not monitoring.
• Employee self-service: Good attendance software makes employees part of the process. Features like mobile punch-ins, shift reminders, and access to their own attendance records give employees visibility and reduces the administrative load on managers.
• Flexible punch-in options: Whether your team is at desks, in the field, or moving between job sites, the system should meet them where they are. Mobile apps, web based punch-ins, and kiosk modes with PINs or QR codes ensure everyone can track time reliably, from anywhere.
• Security and fraud prevention : To prevent buddy punching or offsite clock-ins, look for safeguards like GPS location tracking, geofencing, photo verification, or facial recognition. These features make sure the hours you’re paying for are the hours actually worked.
• Clean reporting and integrations: Attendance data isn’t useful if it’s stuck in a silo. The best platforms offer exportable reports and integrate with your payroll systems. That way, you can move from tracking attendance to paying employees with minimal manual effort.

The 6 best employee attendance tracking software

There’s no shortage of apps that promise to keep tabs on your team’s time. But the best attendance tracking software goes beyond simple punch-ins to give you real visibility into attendance, help you stay compliant, and reduce the admin burden for managers.

Tool	Best For	What Makes It Unique	Starting Price
Buddy Punch	Time & attendance with GPS tracking	Easy-to-use interface plus GPS logging, geofencing, and photo verification to prevent time theft.	$4.49/user/month + $19 base fee
Kimai	Open source tracking	Self-hosted or cloud, with APIs and plugins for deep customization and full data control.	Free (self-hosted) / ~$4.69/user/month (cloud)
Jibble	Free attendance tracking	Generous free plan with mobile time tracking and facial recognition clock-ins.	Free (paid plans available)
Gusto	Payroll + attendance	Built around payroll, with attendance and HR tools tightly integrated.	$49/month base + $6/user/month
BambooHR	Vacation & PTO tracking	Strong PTO management and vacation scheduling alongside core attendance tracking.	Custom pricing
Workforce.com	Large enterprises	Enterprise-grade labor forecasting, compliance tools, and multi-location support.	Custom pricing

1. Buddy Punch – Best employee time and attendance tracking software with GPS tracking

Buddy Punch stands out as one of the most complete attendance tracking platforms on the market. Given its powerful functionality, its ease of use is all the more impressive.

Buddy Punch’s pick-up-and-go user interface makes it a cinch for both small businesses and growing teams to combine intuitive punch-in options with advanced oversight tools that keep employees accountable and managers informed.

Unlike many competitor tools that feel clunky or overloaded, Buddy Punch keeps the interface clean and approachable while still packing in the kinds of features that prevent time theft, cut down on payroll errors, and ensure compliance with labor laws.

One of Buddy Punch’s strongest advantages is its flexibility. Employees can clock in via web browser, mobile app, or tablet kiosk. That makes it equally effective for office workers, field staff, and hybrid teams.

Employee punches can be reinforced with GPS logging, geofencing, and even facial recognition. The extra accountability gives managers confidence that the hours logged are accurate and legitimate.

Beyond the basics of tracking who is in and who is out, Buddy Punch shines with its robust reporting and analytics. Managers can dig into reports that flag chronic lateness, absences, and discrepancies between scheduled hours and worked hours. These insights directly inform smarter scheduling decisions and reduce costly overtime. 

Buddy Punch also makes it easy to share data with other systems or prepare for audits. Instead of manually keying in hours, which is a common source of error, businesses can push approved timesheets directly into payroll tools like QuickBooks, ADP, and Gusto. Or, users can try Buddy Punch’s own payroll system to make it a more comprehensive workforce management solution.

With built-in scheduling, managers can create, share, and enforce shifts directly within the platform. PTO tracking allows employees to view their accruals and submit time-off requests without relying on email chains or paper forms. All in all, Buddy Punch offers staff management, compliance, payroll, and more all in a single, streamlined tool.

Real-time visibility into attendance

Buddy Punch makes it easy to see who’s working at any given moment. From the central dashboard, managers can instantly view who’s clocked in, who’s late, and who left early. That live data helps supervisors stay on top of attendance issues without waiting for end-of-week reports.

Instead of guessing whether a shift is properly covered, managers get clear visibility into staffing in real time. This helps avoid last-minute scrambles and ensures accountability across the team.

GPS tracking and geofencing

For businesses with employees in the field, GPS tracking is essential. Buddy Punch automatically records an employee’s location whenever they clock in or out, so managers know punches are happening where they should. If needed, you can even turn on continuous GPS tracking to see where employees travel throughout the workday.

Geofencing adds another layer of control. Managers can set virtual boundaries around job sites, and employees won’t be able to clock in unless they’re physically on-site. These tools cut down on “buddy punching” and off-site time theft.

Detailed attendance reporting

Buddy Punch offers robust reporting that helps managers track absenteeism, tardiness, and discrepancies between scheduled and worked hours. Reports like the Absence Report and Early/Late Report make it easy to identify trends and address issues before they become chronic problems.

Because reports can be exported to CSV, Excel, or PDF, you’ll always have accurate records for audits, compliance, or performance reviews. These data-driven insights give businesses the foundation for fair policies and smarter scheduling decisions.

Scheduling and PTO management

Managers can build and share employee schedules directly in the platform, complete with repeating shifts, shift covers, and employee availability.

Employees can also request time off or check their PTO balances without chasing down a manager. Approved time off is automatically reflected in schedules and timesheets, keeping everything aligned. This integration of scheduling and attendance saves time and prevents conflicts.

Payroll integrations

Attendance data becomes most valuable when it feeds directly into payroll. Buddy Punch connects with top payroll providers like QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, and Paychex, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

This seamless integration ensures employees are paid accurately for their time while saving administrators hours of repetitive work. For businesses, that means fewer errors, faster payroll cycles, and more confidence in labor cost management.

Actual vs. scheduled hours

Buddy Punch automatically compares scheduled shifts to the hours employees actually worked. The Actual vs. Scheduled Hours Report highlights gaps, late arrivals, and early departures so managers can spot patterns and intervene quickly.

By putting scheduling and attendance side by side, you get a more complete picture of reliability, making performance reviews and disciplinary conversations much easier.

Absence reporting

Buddy Punch makes it simple to track unplanned absences and missed shifts. With the Absence Report, managers can filter by date, location, or department to see exactly when and where coverage was missed.

This level of detail is particularly useful for larger teams or businesses with multiple job sites. It helps managers quickly identify whether absenteeism is a one-off issue or a recurring trend that needs a closer look.

Pricing

Buddy Punch plans start at $4.49 per user per month. That makes it one of the most affordable attendance tracking solutions on the market, especially given its depth of features. It also offers a free trial so you can take it for a spin before purchasing.

2. Kimai – Best open source attendance tracking software

Kimai stands out on this list because it’s open-source and self-hosted. It’s a great fit for organizations that want full control over their attendance data and don’t mind sacrificing some added IT and administrative time to get it.

Unlike most tools on this list, you can self-host Kimai for free or choose its cloud-hosted SaaS version if you want the convenience of automatic updates, backups, and support. That dual setup makes it unique: you can go lean and self-manage, or outsource the heavy lifting while still benefiting from open-source transparency.

Kimai offers a time-clock so employees can punch in and out in real time, while traditional timesheets let them log hours against projects or tasks. 

Administrators can run detailed reports that highlight absences, late arrivals, and total hours worked, and those reports can be filtered by employee, department, customer, project, or activity. 

With features like vacation, sickness, and public holiday tracking, Kimai offers a complete picture of attendance.

Another strength is its reporting and analytics. Kimai connects attendance data to broader business insights. Managers can view real-time dashboards, analyze time spent across teams and projects or even generate customer-facing reports through a secure client portal.

Smaller businesses benefit from features like custom fields, configurable permissions, and the ability to create unlimited users and projects without hidden fees.

The trade-off is usability. Because Kimai was designed as a developer-friendly tool, its interface isn’t as polished or beginner-friendly as commercial competitors. Still, for businesses that want a customizable, secure, and low-cost attendance tracking solution, Kimai is hard to beat.

Key features

• Open-source and free to self-host
• SaaS option with updates, hosting, and backups
• Time-clock mode for punch in/out attendance
• Vacation, sickness, and holiday tracking
• Detailed reporting and analytics by project, activity, or user
• Client portal for sharing timesheets and stats

Pricing

• Self-hosted version — Free forever with unlimited users, projects, and timesheets
• Standard (SaaS) — $4.69 per user/month. Includes project time tracking, billable vs. non-billable hours, invoicing, data export, audit logs, industry-specific translations, and email support
• Professional (SaaS) — $5.87 per user/month. Includes everything in Standard, plus working hours accounting, public holidays, vacation and sick leave tracking, expense tracking, custom fields, task management, and daily downloadable backups

3. Jibble – Best free attendance tracking software

If cost is your top concern, Jibble stands out as one of the strongest free attendance tracking solutions on the market. 

Unlike most competitors that limit functionality on their free plans, Jibble’s base tier is free forever for unlimited users. That makes it an especially appealing option for small businesses, startups, and nonprofits that need accurate attendance tracking without the financial burden.

But just because it’s free doesn’t mean Jibble isn’t robust.

Employees can clock in and out across multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile apps, browser extensions, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. This flexibility makes it easy for dispersed or hybrid teams to stay accountable, no matter where they’re working. Managers get real-time visibility into who’s in or out, with dashboards that update instantly as punches come in.

For accuracy and security, Jibble includes advanced features you’d usually expect in paid systems. Facial recognition eliminates buddy punching, GPS tracking ensures staff are in the right place at the right time, and geofenced reminders help prevent missed punches. Jibble also supports offline attendance and even NFC kiosks, which are ideal for on-site teams without consistent internet.

Attendance flows directly into automated timesheets. The system calculates regular hours, breaks, and overtime according to rules you set. Managers can review and approve timesheets before payroll, while powerful analytics and filters let you drill down into patterns like absences, late arrivals, and project-specific hours. If you bill clients by the hour, Jibble also supports activity and project tracking with billable vs. non-billable hours built in.

For organizations that want more oversight, Jibble’s desktop app includes screenshot monitoring, making it useful for remote-first teams.

The main catch is that some features businesses consider essential — like unlimited managers and admins, unlimited geofences, unlimited work schedules, and leave accruals and balances — are only available on the Premium plan. Meanwhile, you can’t access attendance reports, create custom permissions, or activate live tracking without the Ultimate plan.

For teams that need more structure and oversight, the “free forever” pitch can quickly turn into a paid subscription.

Key features

• Free forever for unlimited users
• Multi-platform punch-ins (desktop, mobile, web, Slack, MS Teams)
• Automated timesheets with overtime calculations
• Facial recognition and GPS tracking to prevent time theft
• Real-time dashboards showing who’s in or out
• PTO and leave tracking built into timesheets
• Project and activity tracking for billable hours
• Integrations with payroll/accounting tools (QuickBooks, Xero, Deel)
• Optional screenshot monitoring for remote teams

Pricing

• Free Plan: Free forever for unlimited users, includes time tracking, PTO, projects, and integrations
  
• Premium Plan: $4.99 per user per month. Includes everything in Free, plus features like unlimited admins and managers, unlimited geofences, unlimited work schedules, leave accruals and balances, custom time tracking policies, multi-level approvals

4. Gusto – Best payroll software with attendance tracking

Gusto is best known as a payroll and HR platform, but its time tracking and attendance features make it a strong competitor to more specialized tools. For small and midsize businesses that want everything — payroll, benefits, compliance, and attendance — under one roof, Gusto offers a streamlined, all-in-one solution. Instead of stitching together separate tools, managers can track hours, manage PTO, build schedules, and run payroll in a single system.

Employees can clock in and out through the web, the Gusto mobile app, or a time clock kiosk set up on a tablet. The system supports flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid schedules, with GPS verification for location-based accountability. Managers can review and approve timesheets on the go, while automated syncing ensures hours flow directly into payroll without manual data entry. This not only reduces errors but also saves HR teams hours each pay period.

Managers can quickly create and share schedules, avoid conflicts like double-bookings, and even get insights into labor costs to prevent overscheduling. Employees stay in the loop with instant notifications when new schedules are published, and managers can adjust shifts on the fly to accommodate last-minute changes.

PTO and leave management are another strong point. Gusto helps businesses design time off policies that comply with state laws and company rules, then tracks accruals automatically. Vacation, sick leave, and holiday requests sync seamlessly with payroll and schedules, so employees are paid correctly without extra work from managers. Compliance tools like automated break enforcement and customizable policies help businesses avoid costly errors.

Where Gusto stands out compared to niche attendance trackers is its integration with payroll and HR. Attendance reports can be compared directly with workforce cost data, giving business leaders a complete picture of labor hours, overtime risks, and overall workforce spending. For businesses that want one source of truth rather than juggling multiple apps, this level of integration can be a major advantage.

The trade-off is price. Time tracking and PTO management aren’t available on Gusto’s entry-level plan. You’ll need at least the Plus plan to unlock those features. And while it offers breadth, companies that want deep, specialized attendance controls (like geofencing, facial recognition, or punch restrictions) may find Gusto lacking compared to dedicated tools.

Key features

• Web, mobile, and kiosk-based time tracking with GPS support
• Integrated scheduling with labor cost insights
• Automatic syncing of hours and PTO with payroll
• PTO accrual tracking and compliance-friendly leave policies
• Break enforcement and policy customization for compliance
• Attendance and workforce cost reporting
• All-in-one payroll, HR, and benefits platform

Pricing

• Simple: $49/month plus $6 per user. Includes single-state payroll but no time tracking.
  
• Plus: $80/month plus $12 per user. Adds time tracking, PTO management, hiring, and health insurance administration.
  
• Premium: $180/month plus $22 per user. Includes dedicated HR support, performance management tools, advanced analytics, and priority service.

5. BambooHR – Best attendance tracking software with vacation tracking

BambooHR is first and foremost an HR platform, but its time tracking and payroll features make it an attractive choice for businesses that want one system to handle everything from hiring to paychecks. Instead of juggling multiple apps for scheduling, PTO, and compliance, BambooHR brings them all together in a clean, intuitive interface.

On the time and attendance front, BambooHR is designed for flexibility. Employees can clock in from desktop or mobile devices, assign hours to specific projects, and track overtime automatically. Supervisors get streamlined approval workflows, reminders for pending timesheets, and powerful reporting tools that cut down on administrative work. Automated calculations ensure accuracy for overtime, shift differentials, and leave pay, no matter which state your employees are based in.

Where BambooHR really shines is in vacation and time-off management. Employees can submit PTO and sick leave requests through the platform, while managers review everything with a few clicks. A built-in PTO calculator shows balances in real time, and the “Who’s Out” calendar makes it easy to avoid scheduling conflicts. These tools not only simplify administration but also help create a transparent, employee-friendly experience.

Payroll integration is another strong point. Because time and attendance data syncs directly into BambooHR Payroll, there’s no double entry or risk of mismatched records. Managers can set flexible pay rates for different roles, ensure accurate payments for part-time and contract staff, and even automate federal and state tax filings. Employees also benefit from self-service tools that give them instant access to pay stubs, withholdings, and direct deposit info.

Of course, BambooHR’s biggest advantage is its breadth. Beyond time and attendance, it offers performance management, hiring, onboarding, and compliance tools that make it a complete HR solution. For companies that want everything in one system, that comprehensiveness is hard to beat. The trade-off is cost and complexity: BambooHR doesn’t publish pricing, and smaller businesses that just need simple attendance tracking may find themselves paying for features they’ll never use.

Key features

• Time tracking via desktop and mobile
• Automated overtime and PTO calculations
• Seamless payroll sync with flexible pay rates
• Vacation and sick leave management with real-time PTO calculator
• “Who’s Out” calendar to prevent scheduling conflicts
• Automated approval workflows and reminders
• Employee self-service for payroll and time-off info
• Project tracking and geolocation options

Pricing

BambooHR does not publicly list pricing. Businesses must request a demo to receive a custom quote based on their size and needs.

6. Workforce.com – Best attendance tracking software for large enterprises

Workforce.com is built for scale. While smaller businesses might get bogged down in features they’ll never use, enterprise operations that demand advanced features like labor forecasting will love Workforce.com’s beefy feature set.

One of its strongest selling points is data-driven scheduling. Workforce.com uses machine learning and inputs like sales data, weather, and foot traffic to forecast staffing needs. THis helps optimize headcount, reduce overtime, and prevent costly understaffing.

Its compliance automation is another differentiator. Workforce.com enforces city, state, and federal labor laws automatically, covering areas like Fair Workweek rules, mandated breaks, and maximum hours. For large organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions, this level of oversight reduces the risk of lawsuits and penalties that come with mismanaging shifts.

The platform also offers robust attendance management. Beyond tracking start and end times, it accounts for tardiness, missed punches, PTO, and both paid and unpaid breaks. Customizable attendance points systems let managers monitor chronic absenteeism and no-shows, while alerts notify both staff and supervisors when someone is approaching overtime. GPS punch-ins, mobile apps, and self-service tools help keep timesheets accurate and reduce administrative follow-up.

Finally, Workforce.com doubles as a labor cost optimizer. With real-time labor reports, staffing ratios, and productivity dashboards, executives gain a top-down view of how scheduling impacts budgets and performance.

The big drawback? Pricing isn’t disclosed. Workforce.com requires a sales call to get a custom quote, which is often code for “expensive.” For small to midsize companies, that lack of transparency can be frustrating and suggests the platform may be overkill unless you truly need enterprise-grade scheduling and compliance.

Key features

• AI-driven scheduling with labor forecasting (sales, weather, foot traffic)
• Real-time compliance with federal, state, and city labor laws
• GPS-enabled time clock with mobile access
• Overtime prevention and real-time alerts
• Customizable attendance points system
• PTO tracking, shift bidding, and availability management
• Labor cost dashboards and productivity analytics
• Employee self-service for timesheets, PTO, and paystubs

Pricing

Workforce.com does not publicly list pricing. Businesses must schedule a demo to receive a custom quote. For many companies, this lack of transparency is a red flag.

Choosing the best attendance tracking software for your company

With so many attendance tracking tools on the market, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny features. Start by looking at your company’s size, growth path, budget, and workflow.

Small businesses with straightforward schedules may do just fine with free or low-cost options like Jibble or Kimai. Larger organizations with multiple locations and compliance requirements will likely need to take a closer look at enterprise-grade platforms like Workforce.com or BambooHR.

If you’re in construction or healthcare, you’ll probably benefit more from a tool like Buddy Punch that offers GPS tracking and geofencing.

Don’t overlook payroll integration. Attendance data is only as useful as your ability to turn it into accurate paychecks. If you already use a payroll system like Gusto or QuickBooks, choosing software that integrates directly can save hours of manual work and prevent costly errors.

Finally, consider ease of use and transparency. A system is only as effective as your employees’ willingness to adopt it. Look for tools that are intuitive, mobile-friendly, and upfront about their pricing. If you’re facing a sales call just to learn what a system costs, it may not be the best fit unless you truly need the enterprise bells and whistles.

The best attendance tracking software is the one that removes friction from your workflow, keeps employees accountable, and ensures payroll accuracy without eating up manager time. For many small and midsize businesses, that means choosing a platform like Buddy Punch that combines affordability with powerful attendance features.