Best Employee Time Track Apps | Top 5 Choices

time track

Searching for the best employee time track apps? Click here to jump directly to our top 5 picks!

How do employee time track apps help small businesses?

Well!

It gives businesses valuable insights into time spent, enabling them to identify inefficiencies, optimize workflows, and allocate resources effectively. 

It also helps companies accurately calculate payroll, streamline the time tracking processes, and ensure compliance with labour regulations.

The top three issues that employee time track software can resolve for employees and employers are,

Improved Accountability: Time tracking holds employees accountable for their time, discouraging time wastage and fostering a culture of accountability within the organization.

Enhanced Productivity: By tracking time and identifying time-consuming tasks, employees and employers can collaborate to find ways to increase productivity.

Accurate Payroll: For businesses that need to track employee hours for payroll purposes, precise time tracking ensures that payroll processes are error-free and efficient.

If you want to opt for the employee time tracker apps for your small business, our top five choices are as follows: 

  1. Buddy Punch
  2. Clockify
  3. Connecteam
  4. FreshBooks
  5. ClickUp

However, before we jump directly into our top five picks, let’s first understand what exactly a time-tracking software is. 

Try Buddy Punch For Free

What is Time Track Software?
Time tracking refers to recording and monitoring time spent on various activities and tasks. 

It involves tracking the start and end times of activities and any breaks or interruptions to gain insights into employee performance, efficiency, and resource utilization. 

Why Are Employee Time Track Apps Important for Businesses?

Time tracking is essential for businesses as it provides valuable insights into how time is utilized across various tasks and projects. 

This information is beneficial for enhancing productivity, improving project management, and maximizing profitability. 

By accurately tracking time, businesses can identify inefficiencies, allocate resources more effectively, and make informed decisions to optimize their operations. 

Additionally, time tracking enables companies to ensure compliance with labor laws, and streamline payroll processes. 

Is Time Track Suitable For All Types Of Work Environments?

While time tracking can benefit many work environments, its suitability may vary depending on the nature of the work and the organizational culture. 

In environments where tasks are highly variable, strict time tracking may be perceived as restrictive and counterproductive. 

However, time tracking can be highly beneficial in industries where time management is critical, such as project-based work. 

Methods to Track Time Of Employees

Smart Time Tracker

Following are the methods to track time:

1. Paper Timesheet 

A paper timesheet is a traditional method of tracking time where employees manually record their work hours on a physical document. 

While simple and cost-effective, paper timesheets are prone to errors, such as inaccurate time entries or data loss.

2. Using Spreadsheet

Using a spreadsheet is a standard method for tracking time, especially for small businesses. 

Spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets allows users to create custom time tracking templates. 

3. Manual Time Tracking

Manual time tracking involves employees recording their work hours manually, using pen and paper or a simple time tracking log. 

Employees may need to remember to register their time correctly, leading to inaccurate time records. 

4. Time Tracking Software

Time tracking software offers a range of features, including automated time tracking, task categorization, reporting, and invoicing capabilities. 

The software can be installed on computers or accessed through web browsers (Windows or Mac) and mobile devices (Android or iOS), making it convenient for remote and on-the-go work environments. 

How Can I Ensure Accuracy In My Time Track Efforts?

Following are the ways to ensure accuracy in my time track efforts:

1. Use Reliable Time Tracking Tools

One of the most effective ways to ensure accuracy in your time tracking efforts is to use reliable time tracking tools

Try Buddy Punch For Free

Choose a software that offers automated time tracking, real-time tracking, and reporting capabilities. 

Reliable time tracking software will ensure your data is secure and protected from loss or manipulation. 

 2. Define Clear Policies and Procedures

To ensure accuracy in your time tracking efforts, it’s vital to establish clear policies and procedures for time tracking within your organization. 

Clear policies help eliminate ambiguity and ensure consistency in time tracking practices across the organization. 

3. Provide Training and Education

By offering training sessions or educational resources, you can help employees understand the importance of accurate time tracking and how to use the available tools. 

Many inaccuracies in time tracking stem from misunderstandings about using time tracking tools effectively. 

4. Regularly Monitor and Review Time Data

By regularly reviewing time data, you can identify trends or patterns that may indicate inaccuracies in your time tracking processes. 

This involves periodically checking time records for accuracy and completeness and promptly addressing discrepancies or issues.

5. Regularly Audit Time Records

Auditing involves reviewing time records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies and regulations. 

Regular audits allow you to identify and address any discrepancies or issues in time tracking data before they become significant problems.

6. Stay Informed About Labor Laws

Labour laws vary by jurisdiction and may dictate requirements for overtime pay, break times, and record-keeping practices. 

By staying informed about these laws, you can ensure that your time tracking practices are compliant and avoid potential legal issues

Best Time Track Software Option

Following are the best time track software options.

  1. Buddy Punch
  2. Clockify
  3. Connecteam
  4. FreshBooks
  5. ClickUp

1. Buddy Punch | Best Time Tracking App

buddy punch.png

Buddy Punch is a popular time tracking solution used by businesses of all sizes and across various industries. 

It allows employees to clock in and out using a digital device like a computer, tablet, or smartphone. 

One key advantage of Buddy Punch over the manual and other time tracking solutions is its accuracy and reliability. 

Buddy Punch uses biometric authentication, such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, to verify employee identities, ensure that time entries are accurate.

1. Real-Time Insights Into Employees’ Hours

Real-time features are handy for businesses with remote arrangements, allowing managers to track employee hours accurately. 

Managers and administrators can see who is clocked in, how long they have been working, and when they clock out, all in real-time. 

2. Accountability Through GPS and Webcam Images

With GPS tracking, employers can track where employees spend their workday, providing assurance and oversight. 

Promote Accountability With Webcams And GPS

Webcam images are captured with each clock-in or clock-out, offering visual confirmation of the employee’s presence. 

3. Time Off Request Tracking

With Buddy Punch’s time off request tracking, employees can submit requests for paid or unpaid time off, which are then sent for approval to designated managers. 

Upcoming Request: Request Time Off example

The system keeps track of these requests, ensuring that time off is accurately recorded and accounted for in scheduling and payroll. 

4. Flexible Punch Options

Buddy Punch offers flexible punch options, allowing employees to record their work hours accurately. 

The flexibility ensures that employees can track their time accurately, even on the go. 

5. Workflow Management For Managers

Buddy Punch offers workflow management for managers, allowing them to oversee multiple employees, approve time cards, and receive custom alerts. 

The software provides real-time insights into employees’ hours, simplifies payroll with job codes and custom reports, and integrates with popular payroll systems. 

6. Job Codes On Different Tasks Or Projects

With job codes, employees can easily select the task or project they are working on when they clock in or out. 

Job Codes 2

Using job codes on different tasks or projects can improve the accuracy of your time tracking efforts, leading to better project management and budgeting. 

7. Time Card Approvals To Ensure Accuracy

Time card approvals allow employees to submit their time cards to a manager or administrator for review before processing payroll. 

Managers can easily verify the hours and make necessary adjustments before finalizing payroll. 

8. PTO Accruals Management

With Buddy Punch, you can streamline PTO accruals management, making tracking and managing employees’ time off easier, thereby reducing errors and improving overall accuracy in your time tracking efforts. 

Adding a new PTO Accrual Rule in Buddy Punch

These features help you manage PTO accruals effectively, ensuring that your employees’ time off is accurately recorded and accounted for. 

9. Daily and Weekly Overtime Alerts

For monitoring overtime, Buddy Punch offers daily and weekly overtime alerts

New Notifications: Alex Wizard working overtime Walker inc

These alerts can be set up to notify you when employees approach or exceed set thresholds, helping you manage labour costs effectively.

By leveraging these features, you can enhance the accuracy of your time tracking, streamline payroll processes, and ensure compliance with labour regulations.

10. Geofencing To Restrict  Specific Locations

Geofencing allows you to restrict clock-ins and outs to specific locations, ensuring that employees only track time when they are physically present at designated job sites. 

Geofence

The feature can be handy for remote teams, helping you monitor and manage their work hours more effectively. 

Buddy Punch’s Online Reviews

As of the writing date, Buddy Punch has 4.8 out of 5 stars and 934 reviews on Capterra.

Buddy Punch Capterra Reviews

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.)

“We needed a new solution for timekeeping and Buddy Punch came through! Onboarding and integration was so easy. Once I figured out all the setting options, it’s really easy to customize to exactly what you need. Employees love using it because it’s so straight forward to use.”

Click here to read the full review

“BuddyPunch has been very helpful and I am glad my organization made the switch from our previous tracker to BuddyPunch. As mentioned earlier, the ease of use of BuddyPunch is what separates it from a lot of competitors.”

Click here to read the full review

“Easy to clock in from anywhere and still manage how much time you’ve worked in a day. Easily tells you when you’ve gone past 8hrs, and also great for seeing when your team members are clocked in or out.”

Click here to read the full review

Try Buddy Punch for Free

Ready to give Buddy Punch a try?

For free trial, no credit card required.

If you feel that Buddy Punch might be the right fit for your business, sign up for a 14 day free trial (no credit card needed). You can also book a one-on-one demo, or view a pre-recorded demo video.

2. Clockify | Best Free Time Tracking Tool

Clockify is a time tracking tool designed to help businesses track employee work hours, manage projects, and analyze productivity. 

It offers features such as time tracking, reporting, project management, and team collaboration, making it suitable for freelancers, small businesses, and large enterprises alike.

Key Features,

  1. Time Tracking
  2. Project and Task Management
  3. Reporting and Analytics
  4. Billable Hours Tracking
  5. Team Collaboration
  6. User Permissions and Roles
  7. Integration with Third-Party Apps
  8. Mobile Time Tracking
  9. Invoicing
  10. Browser Extension

Clockify has 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra as of the writing date.

It has a total of 4748 reviews on Capterra.

 “It is a great software for smart working experience. It works very well and it helps you to track time from anywhere.Its flexibility makes it compatible with everyone.collected data by clockify helps me alot to analyze employees performance and also create reports.”

Click here to read the full review.

3. Connecteam | Best Time Tracking App for Teams

Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app that helps businesses streamline communication, scheduling, training, and task management. 

It offers features like employee scheduling, time tracking, shift management, and customizable forms, making it ideal for remote teams, field service businesses, and frontline workers.

Key Features,

  1. Scheduling & Time Tracking
  2. Real-Time Operations Monitoring
  3. Internal Communications Hub
  4. Employee Growth and Training
  5. Success Stories and Case Studies
  6. Results-Driven Performance:
  7. Full Support Services
  8. Small Business Support:
  9. Webinars and Blog Content
  10. Podcast Episodes

Connecteam has 4.8 out of 5 stars on Capterra as of the writing date.

It has a total of 323 reviews on Capterra. 

“Connecteam was easy to set up and deploy. The changes and improvements that came over the last year and a half or so were timely and (with 1 exception that was only an issue for about a month) improved the value of the program greatly.”

Click here to read the full review.

4. FreshBooks | Best For Accounting Firms

FreshBooks is cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers to streamline invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and financial reporting. 

It offers features such as online payments, project management, client communication, and tax preparation, making it a comprehensive solution for managing finances and business operations.

Key Features,

  1. Invoicing
  2. Expense Tracking
  3. Time Tracking
  4. Project Management
  5. Estimates
  6. Financial Reporting
  7. Online Payments
  8. Mobile App
  9. Client Portal
  10. Integration with other tools

Freshbooks has a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 on Capterra.

It has 4375 reviews on Capterra.

“Overall I am very happy with FreshBooks. Invoices are quickly generated and paid, and hourly tracking has gone from a burden to an easy process directly integrated into our day to day tasks.”

Click here to read the full review. 

5. ClickUp | Best For Project Management

ClickUp is a project management and productivity platform that offers a wide range of features such as task management, goal tracking, time tracking, document collaboration, and team communication. 

It is highly customizable and suitable for teams of all sizes and industries, from startups to large enterprises.

Key Features,

  1. Task Management
  2. Customizable Workspaces
  3. Time Tracking
  4. Collaborative Docs
  5. Goal Tracking
  6. Gantt Charts
  7. Integrations
  8. Automation
  9. Multiple Views
  10. Reporting

ClickUp has   4.7 stars out of 5 on Capterra as of the writing date.

It has a total of 3997 reviews on Capterra.

“Our overall experience with ClickUp has been positive. It’s a powerful tool that has streamlined our project management and collaboration. While the learning curve was initially steep, the benefits we’ve gained regarding organization and efficiency have been well worth the effort.”

Click here to read the full review.

Benefits Of Online Time Track Software For Small Businesses

Following are the benefits of time track software for small businesses.

1. Efficient Time Management

Online time track software, with its solid time tracking features, enables small businesses to manage their team’s time more efficiently. 

time management

Features like time reports and attendance tracking help in identifying how much time is spent on each project, including unlimited projects, thereby allowing for better planning and allocation of resources. 

Tools like Asana and Trello integrate seamlessly, making it easier to keep track of time across various tasks and improving overall time management.

2. Accurate Payroll Processing

Integrating time tracking software with payroll systems, such as QuickBooks integration, ensures accurate payroll processing by automatically calculating work time and overtime. 

This eliminates errors associated with manual timesheet app entries, making sure employees are paid precisely for their time, including time spent on project time tracking. 

Such accuracy promotes trust and transparency between employees and management.

3. Save Money By Minimizing Time Theft

Employee monitoring features in time tracking software help small businesses in minimizing time theft, saving significant amounts of money. 

By keeping an accurate track of time, businesses can ensure that they are only paying for the actual hours worked. 

This also discourages unproductive behaviors and encourages a more disciplined approach to work time.

4. Improved Productivity Throughout The Workday

Project management tools like Jira, combined with time tracking software, can significantly improve productivity throughout the workday. 

Businesses can identify bottlenecks and optimize workflows by enabling project time tracking and providing insights into how time is spent. 

Integration with communication tools like Slack further enhances team management by streamlining communication and coordination.

5. Enable Better Project Management

The best time tracking software offers users the ability to manage their projects more effectively. 

time management

With features such as project management software integration and unlimited projects capability, teams can stay on top of their workloads, ensuring that project time is managed efficiently. 

This not only helps in meeting deadlines but also in maintaining high-quality standards across all projects.

6. Stay Compliant With Labor Laws

Attendance tracking and time tracking features ensure that businesses remain compliant with labor laws by accurately recording work hours and breaks

This is particularly important for small businesses that might not have dedicated HR teams to monitor compliance. 

Time tracking software automates these processes, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential legal issues.

7. Accountability In Remote Work

Keeping a widget on your desktop for easy access to time tracking can enhance accountability. 

Employee monitoring and attendance tracking functionalities allow managers to ensure that team members are productive, even when they are not in a traditional office setting. 

By implementing a timesheet app that integrates with project management tools, businesses encourage a culture of accountability and responsibility. 

When team members can easily track their time and see how their efforts contribute to the team’s objectives, it motivates them to be more engaged and responsible for their tasks.

8. Data-Driven Decision Making

The integration of time tracking software into businesses process help in data-driven decision-making. 

By analyzing time reports and project time tracking data, businesses can gain insights into their operations, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about resource allocation, project prioritization, and strategic planning.

How Can I Stay Motivated To Track Time Consistently?

Employee Motivation

One way to stay motivated is by using time tracking software that offers user-friendly interfaces and features that align with your needs. 

Setting realistic goals and deadlines can also help you stay motivated. 

Reviewing your progress and celebrating milestones can further reinforce your commitment to tracking time consistently.

Do Employee Time Tracking Software Offer Features Like Time Reporting?

Yes, employee time tracking software typically offers features like time reporting among various other functionalities, emphasizing intuitive functionality to ensure ease of use for all users. 

These platforms are designed with a free plan to cater to businesses of all sizes, alongside premium features for expanded needs. 

Time reporting features allow managers and employees to generate reports based on the tracked time, integrating seamlessly with management tools and offering notifications to keep all parties informed. 

These reports can include detailed insights into hours worked, project time allocation, overtime, and time off, utilizing automatic time tracking to eliminate manual entries and reduce errors.

The features may vary across different software, but here are some common time reporting functionalities found in employee time tracking software:

Time Sheets: Automated timesheets that capture every clock-in and clock-out, supported by time clock functionality, making it easier to monitor daily, weekly, or monthly work hours. 

This system is often accessible via a web app or desktop app, including versions for macOS and Chrome.

Project Time Tracking: The ability to track project time spent on individual projects or tasks, helping in analyzing productivity and project costing, with support for unlimited projects.

Real-time Reporting: Provides real-time insights into work time, allowing for immediate adjustments to work schedules or allocations, complemented by timelines for visual project management.

Customizable Reports: Users can generate customized reports based on specific criteria such as time period, projects, employees, departments, etc., with the option to export data in CSV format for further analysis.

Overtime Tracking: Tracks overtime hours worked by employees, which is crucial for compliance with labor laws and for payroll processing. 

This includes monitoring idle time to ensure accurate representation of working time.

Attendance Reports: Offers detailed attendance reporting, including late arrivals, early departures, and absences records, enhancing the management of working time.

Exportable Data: Allows users to export time tracking data into formats compatible with other software, like payroll systems or project management tools, ensuring timesheet app integration.

Integrations: Many time tracking software solutions offer integrations with other business tools, enhancing the utility of time reports for broader business analysis. 

This includes features like a kiosk mode for centralized clock-in processes.

They are especially useful for remote teams, freelancers, and businesses that rely on accurate time tracking for billing and project management, providing a comprehensive suite of tools to manage work time, absences, and project allocation efficiently.

Try Buddy Punch For Free

Final Thoughts,

When it comes to time tracking, choosing the proper methods and software is crucial. 

Software options like Buddy Punch offer features such as geofencing, which ensures employees clock in and out from specified locations, enhancing accountability and compliance with labour laws. 

Moreover, Buddy Punch provides detailed reports for insights into productivity and attendance, alongside accurate time logs and basic time tracking capabilities, streamlining your overall business process. 

Similar Posts