5 Best Time Clock Software for Windows & Mac
In this article, we’ll start by discussing how Buddy Punch — our time clock software for Windows & Mac operating systems — can help you increase staff accountability and save time on payroll. Then, we’ll list several other attendance tracking options on the market. Our goal is to empower business owners to find an all-in-one time clock system that will work best for specific business needs.
Note that employers and team members can use our employee time tracking solution to track work time not just on their computers, but also on their mobile and tablet devices.
Best Time Clock Software for Windows & Mac
1. Buddy Punch
Brief Overview: How Our Time Clock Software for Windows & Mac Works
In this section, we’ll provide a very brief explanation of how Buddy Punch works as a Mac time tracker (and Windows time tracker). Following that, we’ll dive into more specific details as well as explanations for the impact accurate time management has on businesses of all size.
1. Employees can punch in and out through our online time clock in just a couple of clicks (whether it be on their computer, phone, or tablet).
2. Our software automatically calculates each employee’s regular hours, time off, overtime, and more. You can then export an Excel file that includes this information, making the payroll process a breeze.
Increase Staff Accountability via Geofencing, IP Address Locking, Photos on Punch, and more
Buddy Punch is one of the best time tracking apps for mac because it offers a plethora of accountability-related advanced features that restrict employee time entries to a specific location, Wi-Fi network, and more. These tools make it easy to reduce labor costs and improve profitability, though which options will prove the most useful will depend on your managerial style and team members. We’ll cover just a few of those key team management features below.
Note that these time & attendance features are not required to track employee time and are turned off by default.
Geofencing
Buddy Punch makes employee attendance easy to manage, even at multiple locations. With Geofencing, you enter a business address (e.g., 123 North Street) and then specify a radius around it (e.g., 300 feet).
Employees will then only be able to punch in and out within 300 feet of 123 North Street (as displayed in the screenshot).
If they submit a punch outside your designated area, they will receive an error notification and be asked to try again within the correct location. This automatic employee monitoring lets you track hours that can later be checked via reporting features.
Click here to learn more about Geofencing.
IP Address Locking
IP Address Locking is best suited for automated time tracking & employee management in office environments.
This feature lets you restrict employee punches to a specific Wi-Fi address or device (e.g., a desktop computer).
Click here to learn more about setting up IP Address Locking.
Photos on Punch
With Photos on Punch, each time an employee punches in or out through our time clock software, they’re required to take a photo (selfie) of themselves.
You can then log in to your dashboard (pictured below), view those backup photos, and ensure that each employee punched in from the correct location.
Click here to learn more about setting up Photos on Punch.
Other Accountability Features
Besides the aforementioned attendance software features, we also offer Facial Recognition Punching, GPS Tracking, and more. So no matter what your business’s needs are, there’s likely an option in our automatic time tracking tool that suits what you’re looking for.
Features to Help You Save Time on Payroll
Payroll Reports on Demand
As we’ve already mentioned, our time clock solution automatically calculates each employee’s regular hours, time off, overtime, and more. Combine this with options like punch limiting to ensure any freelancers you hire don’t go overboard with their hourly rates. You can then export these customizable time reports in an Excel CSV or Adobe PDF format, making the payroll process a breeze.
Click here to learn more about our Payroll Reports.
Payroll Provider Integrations
Buddy Punch integrates with several different payroll software providers, such as QuickBooks, Paychex, SurePayroll, ADP, Workday, and Gusto, to name but a few payroll systems. Click here to see the complete list of payroll integrations.
Completely streamline how you handle project time and work hour data for payroll. In just a couple of clicks, you can transfer your employee hours (and other relevant information) directly into your payroll provider.
Click here to learn more about our payroll provider integrations.
Time Off Tracking
Buddy Punch makes automatic time off tracking a breeze for both employers and employees. Consider these pros it has over manual time tracking methods:
- Employees can request time off within the software, subject to an administrator’s approval.
- Time off balance (paid and unpaid) is automatically calculated and easily accessible to view, whether it be through a computer (Windows and Mac), iPhone (iOS), Android, tablet, and so on.
- This is just the tip of the iceberg. We offer many other time-off tracking features and even let you automate approvals.
Accruals
If time off accrual rules are relevant to your business, here’s a help doc article that covers this in detail.
Note that our help doc center contains other useful articles on how to best utilize Buddy Punch, and we’re always available via live chat to answer questions.
You can book a one-on-one personalized demo here.
Buddy Punch Offers Many Other Features
Besides the aforementioned features, we also offer:
- Employee Scheduling
- Overtime Calculations
- Job Codes / Project Tracking
- Time Card Approvals
- Kiosk Functionality
- Multiple Punch and Login Options
- Adding, Editing, or Deleting Punches
- And so much more. (Click here to explore our comprehensive feature list.)
Buddy Punch is available in the app store on apple devices in addition to being available on the web. As long as you’re not offline, you can use Buddy Punch on any device.
Buddy Punch’s Online Reviews
As of the writing date, Buddy Punch has 4.8 out of 5 stars and 789 reviews on Capterra.
Below, we’ll list just a few reviews that speak to Buddy Punch’s ease of use and great customer support service. (Click here to explore the full list of reviews.)
As several reviewers have noted, Buddy Punch’s intuitive interface is easy to use for both employers and employees:
“We signed up for the trial period, and our employees were impressed immediately. They were able to start… immediately with zero training or assistance, which was a priority for us. The system is also very easy to use from an administrator end.”
Click here to read the full review.
“Their team is knowledgeable about my organization and the way that we use the platform — I have received many helpful suggestions to how we can best leverage the Buddy Punch platform in our sometimes complicated organizational structure. We have had very few issues, but have always received immediate resolutions when anything has come up.”
Click here to read the full review.
“Most folks pick up on it right away. The system is intuitive and those who do have difficulty only need a quick tutorial and they are good to go.”
Click here to read the full review.
“The chat staff has been super helpful to me every single time I have messaged them. They assisted me to get the software ready for a trial run which was very helpful! Every chat session was emailed to me for future reference.”
Click here to read the full review.
Try Buddy Punch for Free
If you feel that Buddy Punch might be the right fit for your business, sign up for a free trial. You can also book a one-on-one demo, or view a pre-recorded demo video.
2. Connecteam
Connecteam is considered one of the best time trackers on the market and offers various features and functionality, some of which include:
- Employee Time Clock
- Employee Task Management
- Employee Scheduling
- Employee Training
- Employee Communication
- Checklists and Forms
- And so on
It’s a great cloud-based software with a Windows and Mac App, and it also works with mobile and tablet devices. As of the writing date, Connecteam has 4.8 out of 5 stars and 140 reviews on Capterra.
“I have several old-school folks on my team. I tend to get a lot of push back when I introduce a new form of technology. We don’t have a central meeting location therefore I can’t have one time clock for everyone to punch. This app works great and my team really seems to like it. It is very easy to install and user friendly.”
Click here to read the full review.
3. OnTheClock
OnTheClock offers various features and functionality, some of which include:
- Time Clock for Desktop, Mobile & Phone Apps
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Surveys
- GPS Tracking
- Messaging
- And so on
It’s a great idle time tracking software that you can use to track projects and record billable hours for client, and works on PC (Windows) and Mac, and it also works with mobile and tablet devices. As of the writing date, OnTheClock has 4.7 out of 5 stars and 503 reviews on Capterra.
“Overall it was exactly what I needed. The tools are very simple and easy to manage. The reporting is direct and to the point. It doesn’t offer many thrills, but for the cost it’s well worth the price.”
Click here to read the full review.
4. When I Work
When I Work offers various features and functionality, some of which include:
It’s a great timesheet software for desktop (Windows and Apple), and it also works with tablet and mobile devices. As of the writing date, When I Work has 4.5 out of 5 stars and 911 reviews on Capterra.
“I love being able to instantly share schedules and schedule changes with employees on the corresponding app. I also really like the time clock tool that allows employees to clock in and out on a workstation or their phone app. Very convenient. Text help was quick to reply during regular business hours. Reasonably priced for my business type.”
Click here to read the full review.
5. Hubstaff
Hubstaff offers various features and functionality, some of which include:
- Detailed Reports
- Automated Payroll & Invoicing
- GPS Location Tracking
- Linux Time Tracker
- Employee Productivity Monitoring
- Employee Scheduling
- Slack Integration
- Online Time Reporting
- And so on
It’s a great clock in and clock out software for computers (Microsoft Windows and Mac OS), and has a free plan for 14 day. It also works with mobile and tablet devices (e.g., iPad) and has a shortcut chrome extension for Google Chrome’s menu bar.
As of the writing date, Hubstaff has 4.6 out of 5 stars and 1235 reviews on Capterra.
“Hours and productivity are tracked easily day to day and the platform provides useful feedback. I have recommended it to other business leaders also.”
Click here to read the full review.
Runner ups include Clockify (which is a great free time tracker for unlimited users, though it limits most features behind paid plans), Toggl, and Tyme.
Try Buddy Punch for Free
If you feel that Buddy Punch could be the right fit for your business, sign up for a free 14 day trial. You can also book a one-on-one demo, or view a pre-recorded demo video.