The 8 Best Time Tracking Apps for Contractors in 2025

Every general contractor knows the drill. Guys are running late and ask their buddies to punch in for them so they can make a quick stop at the gas station to fill up and grab a coffee on the way out to the job site. Paper timesheets get lost in the truck. Meanwhile, jobs are running over budget because nobody had a clear record of who was working where.

You miss a few hours here, an electrician rounds up a few hours there, and suddenly your labor costs are bleeding you out faster than you can bill.

Time tracking is about survival. If you don’t have eyes on your crews across every site, you’re flying blind. And in construction, flying blind means underbidding, overpaying, or eating the cost when the client won’t.

Fortunately, there are contractor apps built for days in the dirt and the dust, not some office cubicle.

The best time tracking apps for contractors include GPS clock-ins that stop buddy punching, real-time reporting so you know which crew is burning overtime, and integrations that drop hours straight into payroll back at the main office.

We sorted through the pile and picked out the tools that actually work in the field. Whether you’re running a hundred-man crew across three zip codes or a five-man shop tackling remodels, these are the apps built to keep your labor tight and your margins protected.

Overview of the best time tracking apps for contractors

Here’s a quick look at the top time tracking apps built for construction crews and job site realities. Each tool takes a different angle, but all aim to keep hours accurate, crews accountable, and payroll running smooth. To learn more about a specific tool, click its link to jump down to our full review.

• Buddy Punch: GPS and geofencing clock-ins make sure crews are where they say they are. Admins can set rules to block early punches and stop costly overtime before it happens.
• SmartBarrel: Built for big job sites, SmartBarrel doubles as a rugged kiosk and digital sign-in sheet. It’s especially strong for union contractors who need compliance-ready reporting.
• mJob: An enterprise tool for contractors managing multiple subs across multiple sites. Tracks labor hours, equipment use, and integrates with major construction ERPs.
• Workyard: Known for its high-frequency GPS pings, giving GCs proof that workers were actually on site. It’s built to settle disputes and keep billing airtight.
• WorkEasy Software: Offers biometric fingerprint and face recognition to eliminate buddy punching. A solid choice for larger crews where trust has to be verified.
• ConstructionClock: Lightweight and simple, with GPS check-ins and easy payroll exports. Ideal for smaller contractors who don’t need bloated project management features.
• Raken: Combines daily reporting with time tracking so supervisors can handle compliance and hours in one app. It’s designed for foremen who are already filling out daily logs.
• BusyBusy: A popular pick for contractors thanks to offline functionality and strong labor cost reporting. Even in remote areas with no service, crews can still clock in.

What is a contractor time tracking app?

A contractor time tracking app is software that keeps crews honest and payroll accurate without chasing down paper timesheets. Instead of supervisors scribbling hours on the tailgate or workers “rounding up” at the end of the week, everything is logged automatically through phones, tablets, or kiosks.

These apps are for field crews, general contractors, and subcontractors who move from site to site. They handle GPS check-ins, overtime rules, and job costing in a way that works for concrete pours, roofing crews, electricians, and anyone else who bills labor to the minute.

Benefits of using a time tracking app built for contractors

Every extra hour you can’t account for eats into profit, which is why time tracking matters.

• No more chasing down timesheets: Instead of calling foremen on Friday night, you’ve got accurate hours in the system automatically.
• GPS keeps everyone honest: You know exactly when and where crews clocked in, so there’s no “I was at the site at 7” when the app shows 7:42.
• Faster payroll, fewer mistakes: Hours flow straight into your payroll or accounting software so you’re not stuck keying them in line by line.
• Tighter job costing: Real-time labor costs tied to specific projects or tasks mean you can see when a job is slipping before it eats your margin.
• Compliance built in: Overtime, breaks, and labor laws get tracked automatically, saving you from expensive disputes later.
• Keeps crews moving: With mobile clock-ins, crew leaders can punch in an entire team at once and get them back to work instead of standing in line at a punch clock.

Key features to look for in a contractor time tracking app

Not every time tracking tool is built for the realities of construction. A good one should cut down on paperwork, keep crews honest, and feed clean data back into payroll and job costing. Here are the features that matter most:

• Mobile crew clock-ins: Your guys aren’t chained to a desk. They need to punch in from the job site, whether it’s a new build, remodel, or service call.
• GPS and geofencing: Know who’s on-site and who isn’t. Geofenced clock-ins stop “I forgot” excuses and keep payroll tight.
• Crew clocking: Foremen can clock in an entire crew at once, which is a lifesaver on big sites with subcontractors rolling in and out.
• Offline mode: Construction happens where WiFi doesn’t. The app should log hours even when signals drop and sync later.
• Job and task tracking: Track labor against specific jobs, cost codes, or phases so you know exactly where time (and money) is going.
• Payroll and accounting integrations: Push hours straight into QuickBooks, ADP, or whatever you already use. No more double entries.
• Compliance tools: Breaks, overtime, prevailing wage — the right app helps you stay out of hot water with labor laws.
• Reporting: Clean, exportable reports for job costing, invoicing, or proving hours to clients.

The 8 best time tracking apps for contractors

Most construction time card apps sound good until you try them on a noisy job site with spotty cell service. The nine below have proven they can keep crews honest, hours accurate, and payroll moving even when the work gets messy.

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	Standout Feature
Buddy Punch	Easy clock-ins with GPS and scheduling	$4.49/user + $19/month	Geofencing and crew scheduling
SmartBarrel	Large project tracking	Contact for pricing	Construction-specific compliance tools
mJob	Heavy-duty contractor operations	Contact for pricing	Deep job costing and integrations
Workyard	GPS-accurate crew tracking	$6/user + $50/month	Pinpoint GPS breadcrumb trails
WorkEasy Software	Simple time clocks with biometrics	Contact for pricing	Fingerprint/biometric options
ConstructionClock	Small-to-midsize crews	$10/user/month	Affordable GPS time clock
Raken	Daily reporting + time tracking	Contact for pricing	Time + daily reports in one app
BusyBusy	Large construction companies	$9.99/user/month	Job costing + photo documentation

1. Buddy Punch

Buddy Punch has become a go-to choice for contractors who need a straightforward but flexible way to track time across multiple job sites. Instead of chasing down paper time cards, crews clock in from their phones, tablets, or a shared kiosk device. For general contractors juggling electricians on one site, drywall crews on another, and subs rotating in and out, that flexibility makes a real difference.

One of Buddy Punch’s standout strengths is how it handles accountability. GPS location tracking, facial recognition, and custom punch rules eliminate buddy punching and help you verify that hours logged match the work performed. Whether you’re overseeing a dozen guys on a remodel or running payroll for 150 across scattered projects, that peace of mind matters.

Contractors also appreciate the scheduling tools built right into the platform. Instead of juggling separate apps for time and scheduling, Buddy Punch lets you assign shifts, track time-off requests, and push real-time updates to field crews. That kind of all-in-one setup saves your office staff hours of admin time each week.

Reporting and integrations round out the package. With automated timesheet exports and direct connections to QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP, and other payroll systems, Buddy Punch turns messy time data into clean, ready-to-run payroll. No more hand-correcting overtime hours or rekeying data from one system to another.

Buddy Punch gives contractors a reliable, no-excuses system that keeps crews honest and payroll accurate.

GPS-verified time tracking

Every punch is tagged with GPS coordinates, so you can confirm your electrician clocked in on the right site instead of from his truck two miles away. For contractors managing crews across multiple sites, this locks in accountability without extra check-ins.

Kiosk mode with facial recognition

On busy sites, one tablet can become a shared time clock. Each worker uses a PIN and optional photo capture to clock in. This eliminates buddy punching, which is a common problem when crews are spread out and supervisors can’t be everywhere at once.

Job codes and reporting

Contractors can assign hours to specific projects or tasks (framing, plumbing, drywall, etc.). Reports then break down labor costs by job, helping you tighten bids, track profitability, and defend invoices if a client questions hours.

Scheduling and shift updates

Drag-and-drop schedules can be pushed to crews’ phones, cutting down on confusion when project timelines shift. Workers see where they’re expected and when, reducing no-shows or “I didn’t know” excuses.

Payroll integrations

Instead of re-entering hours, Buddy Punch exports directly to QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, Paychex, and more. That means payroll is processed faster with fewer mistakes, saving contractors hours each week on back-office work.

Pricing

• Starter — $4.49/user/month (+$19 base fee). Includes GPS on punches, mobile apps, time tracking, time off tracking, alerts, job tracking, payroll integrations, and reporting.
• Pro — $5.99/user/month (+$19 base fee). Adds scheduling, basic geofencing, QR codes, kiosk PIN, and webcam punches.
• Enterprise — $10.99/user/month (+$19 base fee). Adds real-time GPS tracking, dedicated support, API access, and SSO.

2. SmartBarrel

Unlike most apps that rely solely on smartphones, SmartBarrel pushes its rugged, solar-powered jobsite clocks. Pair those with its mobile app, and you’ve got a system that eliminates buddy punching, prevents payroll disputes, and keeps subs honest.

For crews that just want to punch in and get to work, SmartBarrel’s biometric verification makes the process simple. Workers type their phone number into the kiosk or app, the system scans their face, and they’re on the clock. No PIN sharing, no “he clocked me in.” It’s fast, fair, and tamper-proof.

Beyond time entry, SmartBarrel doubles as a compliance and safety tool. It detects PPE at clock-in, logs incidents in real time, and even generates automated daily reports for the office. With headcounts, weather tracking, and productivity notes automatically fed into dashboards, foremen don’t waste evenings chasing down paperwork.

General contractors managing multiple subs will appreciate the integrations. SmartBarrel pipes data into Procore, CMiC, and PowerBI, turning jobsite activity into actionable reports without the usual spreadsheet shuffle. For larger jobs, their biometric turnstile integration also doubles as access control, ensuring only verified workers make it onto the site.

Bottom line: if you’re tired of questionable timesheets and endless payroll disputes, SmartBarrel’s hardware-first approach is one of the most foolproof ways to lock down jobsite time tracking.

Key features

• AI-powered facial verification eliminates buddy punching and payroll disputes
• Rugged, solar-powered portable time clocks with biometric access control
• Mobile and kiosk modes for individuals, small crews, or large sites
• Automatic PPE detection, incident reporting, and work summaries
• Seamless integrations with Procore, CMiC, and PowerBI
• Automated daily logs with weather, headcount, and productivity data

Pricing

SmartBarrel does not publish pricing publicly. Plans vary based on hardware needs and the size of your crews. You’ll need to request a demo for a custom quote.

3. mJob

mJob is built for contractors who live in the weeds of cost codes, union rules, prevailing wage, and multi-crew logistics. Instead of forcing every foreman to track time the same way, it meets you where you work: real-time punches from the field, kiosk/crew entry on a supervisor’s device, after-the-fact adjustments from the trailer, and optional biometric hardware for sites that demand it. 

If your day includes reconciling multiple subs, equipment hours, and differing bill rates, mJob gives you the levers.

Data capture is flexible by design. Crews can clock live from iOS/Android phones (with offline mode), supervisors can bulk-enter or correct shifts, and you can add signatures at clock-out for clean audit trails. For high-control environments, mJob supports barcode scans and facial capture; if you want true tamper resistance, they pair with rugged biometric terminals (including severe-duty units for wet, dusty, or extreme temps).

With mJob, you can codify the gnarly stuff — daily/weekly OT, 7th-day rules, shift differentials, holiday handling, meal/rest deductions, minors, and region-specific break rules — then apply them by craft, crew, job, or location. The system also handles geofencing with alerts, so you’re logging hours only when workers are inside the job boundary.

On the cost side, mJob lets you distribute labor and equipment time across jobs and cost codes in real time, then reconcile with powerful batch editing. Custom bill/pay rate tables help you mirror vendor contracts, which is useful when a GC must bill owners one way and pay multiple subs another. 

Detailed reporting (Daily Job, Employee Time with audit logs, Job Cost Detail, Timesheet w/ Approvals) turns those inputs into numbers your PMs, payroll, and accounting can actually use.

If your operation needs industrial-grade controls, biometric options, geofencing, and deep rule engines, mJob can handle it.

Key features

• Multiple capture modes — real-time mobile punches (offline capable), kiosk/crew entry, and after-the-fact supervisor edits
• Biometric options — facial capture, barcode scans, and rugged time clocks (severe-duty hardware available)
• Geofencing and GPS — auto-log hours inside job boundaries with violation alerts and location stamps at punch
• Advanced rule engine — daily/weekly OT, 7th-day rules, holiday handling, shift-based rules, custom break deductions, and minors compliance
• Cost control — distribute labor and equipment hours by job/cost code; batch edit many records at once
• Contract mirrors — custom bill and pay rate tables for vendor/owner agreements; same-day invoicing support
• Audit-ready records — clock-out signatures, approval workflows, change history, and detailed compliance reports
• Reporting suite — Daily Job, Employee Time (with audit), Job Cost Detail, Timesheet w/ Approvals, plus custom reports
• Multi-language UI and offline mode — for diverse crews and remote sites

Pricing

mJob does not publish pricing. Plans vary based on software scope and any biometric hardware. Contact mJob for a tailored quote and deployment options.

4. Workyard

Unlike generic time trackers, Workyard zeroes in on construction’s toughest challenges: keeping crews honest with GPS-verified punches, automatically tying hours to projects and cost codes, and cutting down payroll headaches.

For contractors juggling multiple crews across sites, Workyard’s automation takes the edge off constant oversight. Features like continuous GPS tracking, photo verification, and automatic job assignment make it almost impossible for hours to slip through the cracks. That means fewer disputes, tighter job costing, and more confidence in your numbers.

Scheduling is another strong point. Instead of passing around paper calendars or endless texts, Workyard gives you a centralized digital calendar to assign shifts, manage crews, and keep office and field service teams aligned in real time. Supervisors can clock in entire crews at once, or you can set up a kiosk on site for shared clock-ins.

What sets Workyard apart is its focus on compliance. Automations trim timecards, enforce break rules, and require sign-offs on safety questions at clock-out. That means better protection against labor disputes and a clear audit trail if regulators come calling. And when the day’s done, its reports roll smoothly into payroll and project management systems so you’re not burning hours on manual entry.

Key features

• GPS-verified time tracking with continuous location logging and geofenced auto clock-ins
• Automated job costing that assigns labor hours to projects and cost codes in real time
• Digital scheduling calendar to assign shifts, track progress, and reroute crews as needed
• Compliance tools like break enforcement, timecard trimming, and end-of-day safety sign-offs
• Integrations and API for payroll, project management, and accounting systems

Pricing

Starter ($6/user/month + $50 monthly base fee) — Includes GPS time tracking, supervisor-led time entry, mileage tracking, break and overtime compliance, notes/photos/receipts, timesheet reporting, payroll integrations, and human support.

Pro ($13/user/month + $50 monthly base fee) — Everything in Starter, plus scheduling and tasks, recurring checklists, time clock rules (auto clock-in/out, geofencing restrictions, meal break automation), project tracking, labor cost reporting, clock-in photo verification, time off management, and deeper accounting integrations.

Enterprise (Custom pricing) — Everything in Pro, with added automation for project time allocation, incident reporting, advanced compliance tools, real-time alerts, ERP integrations, and custom API access.

5. WorkEasy Software

Contractors can run everything — time tracking, scheduling, PTO management, HR records —  through WorkEasy’s cloud-based software, but the company pushes its Xenio biometric clocks as the backbone. That means if you want airtight attendance records and protection against buddy punching, you’ll need to consider not just the software, but the hardware setup as well.

For construction teams, the appeal is obvious: biometric facial or fingerprint verification ensures that every punch is tied to the right worker. On jobs where labor disputes are frequent and compliance matters, this level of control can keep payroll fair and disputes to a minimum. However, it also means there’s an upfront investment in devices, plus the extra logistics of installing and maintaining them at job sites.

On the software side, WorkEasy offers a comprehensive dashboard that covers more than just time. Managers can create shift schedules, distribute work based on seniority or lowest-cost labor, and even enforce equal-hour rules to balance workloads. PTO requests are managed in-app, policies can be customized for different crews or roles. Everything feeds into centralized HR records, which is a big deal for contractors running larger or multi-site operations.

The system also emphasizes compliance and cost control. Overtime alerts trigger before costs spiral, approved hours flow directly to payroll, and job costing can be tracked by client, project, or task. For companies running multiple crews on multiple projects, the reporting suite delivers visibility into who worked where, when, and at what cost.

The tradeoff with WorkEasy is its all-in-one ambition. For smaller crews, the extra HR features may feel like overkill. But for contractors juggling headcount, equipment, job costing, and compliance across multiple projects, it offers a consolidated hub backed by biometric certainty.

Key features

• Xenio biometric time clocks for accurate, buddy-punch-proof attendance tracking
• Mobile app clock-ins with GPS support for field crews working outside the main site
• Advanced scheduling tools that optimize for availability, seniority, cost, and fairness
• Integrated time off management with custom accrual policies and mobile approvals
• Centralized HR data including digital forms, e-signatures, asset tracking, and employee records
• Compliance controls with overtime alerts, early/late punch tracking, and labor cost monitoring
• Job costing by project, client, or task with detailed reporting dashboards
• Seamless integrations with payroll and HR software via API

Pricing

WorkEasy Software does not publish pricing on its website. Contractors must request a quote for software and any accompanying hardware bundles. Expect costs to vary depending on workforce size and the number of Xenio devices required.

6. ConstructionClock

ConstructionClock uses automatic geo-location clock-ins to log exactly when crews arrive and leave a job site. For contractors running multiple sites and juggling different subs, this means real-time accountability without the manual entry and errors that slow down payroll.

What makes ConstructionClock stand out is how little effort it requires from workers in the field. Once a project is set up with a geofence, crew members don’t need to pull out their phones or remember to clock in. Their time is tracked automatically as soon as they’re within the job site boundaries. That’s a big win for compliance and accuracy, but also for adoption. It’s hard to forget to clock in if the app does it for you.

The platform also integrates directly with payroll systems like QuickBooks and Xero, so hours can flow seamlessly into invoicing and payroll runs. Reports export cleanly to PDF and Excel, making it easy to share timesheets with clients or auditors. Contractors can also set budgeted labor hours per project and get live updates on progress, which helps prevent cost overruns.

Beyond the basics, ConstructionClock includes a few lightweight project management tools: task assignment, crew notes, and scheduling with automatic deductions. While these aren’t as deep as what you’d get from a full project management suite, they add enough structure to keep small-to-midsize crews organized without creating more admin overhead.

For crews that just want to clock in, work, and get paid fairly, ConstructionClock keeps the process as streamlined as possible. The tradeoff is that larger firms needing more robust compliance or HR-level features may outgrow it, but for straightforward time tracking tied directly to jobs, it hits the mark.

Key features

• Automatic geo-location clock-ins track worker hours the moment they arrive at the job site
• Seamless payroll integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and export to PDF/XLSX
• Budgeted labor hours with live progress tracking to prevent overruns
• Task assignment and crew notes to streamline communication in the field
• Flexible scheduling tools with automatic deductions for breaks or work styles
• CompanyCam integration to sync photos with projects and reduce admin time

Pricing

• Essentials (Free) —  for individuals. Includes auto clock-in/out, tasks, notes, labor hours and cost, payroll exports, and web app access.
• Teams ($10/user/month) —  Adds unlimited projects, full reporting (PDF/XLSX), QuickBooks and Xero integration, and CompanyCam integration.

7. Raken

Raken offers a wide gamut of reporting tools, risk and safety management, and certification tracking for the construction industry.

That doesn’t mean its time tracking features are an afterthought. For contractors juggling compliance, union rules, and multiple subs on the same site, Raken’s platform blends time entry, production tracking, and reporting into a single workflow. 

Crews log their hours right from the job site through individual devices, shared kiosks, or supervisor-led time cards. Those hours instantly roll into branded daily reports that can be sent to clients, owners, or head office.

A foreman can clock in a crew, snap photos of work completed, add safety notes, and push it all to the cloud in minutes. By the time office staff see the data, it’s already organized into a polished report with weather conditions, time-stamped images, and cost code details.

For subcontractors, Raken offers collaborator reports. Those entries are automatically indexed into the master report, so GCs don’t have to beg or chase down documentation. And for self-performing contractors, segmented reports let you split logs by supervisor, shift, or location.

Raken’s time tracking also accounts for the nitty-gritty of construction labor. You can set custom payroll policies for overtime, breaks, and union-specific pay codes, assign cost codes, and build detailed timesheets for approval. Workers can sign off in-app, supervisors can batch approve, and AI-powered photo verification helps prevent time theft.

Ultimately, Raken is a field-first reporting system that happens to handle time tracking exceptionally well. If your business is already struggling with siloed daily reports and disconnected payroll data, Raken consolidates it into one system that’s easy for crews to adopt and thorough enough to satisfy auditors and clients alike.

Key features

• Flexible time entry — individual clock-ins, kiosk mode, or supervisor-led crew time cards
• Payroll compliance tools — custom OT rules, breaks, rounding, pay codes, and union regulations
• AI photo ID verification — to reduce time theft and ensure accuracy
• Collaborator access — for subs, with auto-indexing into master reports
• Integrated production insights — compare actuals vs. estimates in real time
• Seamless reporting — hours, notes, and photos automatically formatted into branded PDFs

Pricing

Raken does not list public pricing. Plans are quote-based and scale depending on company size and feature needs. Contractors can request a demo to explore options.

8. BusyBusy

BusyBusy eliminates paper timecards and gives contractors a clear, real-time picture of where their people are and what they’re working on. If you’re running multiple crews across several job sites, BusyBusy makes sure you never lose track of hours, projects, or equipment.

Crews clock in individually on their phones, through a shared kiosk, or by having a supervisor clock in the whole team at once. Every punch comes stamped with GPS and project details, so there’s no guesswork about whether hours were logged in the right place. 

Add-ons like GPS breadcrumbing and required onsite verification stop the bad habits — like clocking in from the truck down the street — before they start.

Supervisors get their own set of tools, which save time when you’re trying to keep multiple moving parts in order. They can clock in or out whole teams, assign cost codes, or handle break tracking for the group, all from the app. 

On top of that, BusyBusy gives you a “Universal Map” view. It’s a live snapshot of who’s on each project, what they’re doing, and where your equipment is.

BusyBusy breaks data down by project, employee, cost code, or equipment, so you have the hard numbers you need to see whether labor is actually lining up with estimates. Reports on progress, production, and budgets are clean enough for office staff but detailed enough to help foremen make real adjustments in the field. BusyBusy’s reports also feed directly into payroll, cutting down on time wasted cleaning up timesheet errors at the end of the week.

Beyond time tracking and job costing, the app packs in features designed to reduce liability and keep compliance simple. Crews can add photos and notes stamped with time, date, and GPS coordinates. Injury and incident reports can be logged straight into the system, helping contractors stay on top of OSHA requirements without drowning in paperwork.

BusyBusy is designed for companies that want their time tracking to pull double duty as both a job site management and compliance tool, not just a digital punch clock.

Key features

• Multiple ways to clock in — Individual, kiosk, or supervisor-led crew clock-ins, all with GPS and project stamping.
• GPS breadcrumbing and onsite verification — Prevents false punches by tracking movements and requiring workers to be inside the geofence before clocking in.
• Supervisor tools — Clock in/out whole crews, manage breaks, assign cost codes, and keep projects organized in real time.
• Universal Map — Live view of who’s working where, what equipment is in use, and which projects are active.
• Job costing and progress tracking — Break down labor hours by employee, project, cost code, or equipment and compare against estimates.
• Photo, notes and incident reporting — Timestamped documentation for proof of work, safety compliance, and liability protection.
• Payroll-ready reports — Timecards, approvals, and cost codes feed directly into payroll, cutting down on cleanup.

Pricing

• Free — Includes GPS time tracking, job costing, equipment tracking, and unlimited users.
• Pro ($9.99 per user/month +$40 admin license, first admin included) — Adds GPS breadcrumbing, supervisor tools, daily sign-offs, photos and notes, and scheduling.
• Premium ($14.99 per user/month +$40 admin license, first admin included) — Everything in Pro, plus documents, daily project reports, progress tracking, checklists, team messaging, video and photo markups, Zapier integration, and PPE scans.

Choosing the best time tracking app for your contracting business

The wrong tool just adds more headaches to an already chaotic business.

To make sure you find the best time tracking app for your contracting business, start by looking at how your teams actually operate in the field. 

If you run small crews that move fast from site to site, a simple GPS-enabled mobile app might be enough. But if you’re managing a big GC operation with subs, equipment, and compliance requirements, you’ll need something that handles scheduling, cost codes, and real-time reporting without slowing everyone down.

Don’t ignore the hardware question. Some apps play fine on phones, but others lean hard into kiosks, rugged jobsite clocks, or biometric scanners. If buddy punching is bleeding you dry, hardware-backed verification might be worth the extra spend.

Integration is another big one. A system that pushes clean data into your payroll and project management tools will save you hours of admin every week. If you’re still downloading CSVs and cleaning them up by hand, you’ve got the wrong setup.

Finally, weigh cost against control. Free and cheap apps can work for small operations, but if you’re running multiple crews across multiple sites, investing in a system that enforces rules and prevents disputes usually pays for itself in a couple of payroll cycles.

At the end of the day, the best app is the one your crews will actually use. If it’s too complicated, they’ll find a way around it. If it’s too easy to cheat, you’ll be back where you started. Test a couple, see what sticks, and go with the one that gives you the most accurate picture of your labor without turning your foremen into babysitters.