Gusto
Best all-in-one employee time tracking app with payroll
Overview
Gusto offers a fully integrated time tracking and payroll solution designed for small businesses. With easy clock-ins via mobile, web, or kiosk and built-in GPS tracking, it simplifies time management while keeping your team accountable. Payroll, HR, and compliance tools are seamlessly connected, saving hours on admin each month. Gusto handles everything from PTO accrual to tax filings automatically—making it a top choice for teams looking to streamline processes without juggling multiple tools or vendors.
Key Features
Integrated payroll, time tracking, PTO, and HR
Clock-in via mobile, web, or kiosk (with GPS/location restrictions)
Automated tax filing, PTO accrual, and compliance tools
Custom PTO and holiday policies
Built-in workforce costing and job tracking
Time-off requests and approvals from any device
Time kiosk with PIN entry for multiple worksites
No integrations needed—everything works in one platform
Pros and Cons
Pros
Seamless payroll + time tracking in one place
Time tools included with Plus and Premium plans
GPS and kiosk options for accountability
Compliance guardrails built in
Transparent pricing and easy setup
Cons
No time tracking on the Simple plan
No biometric clock-in support
Limited admin controls on mobile
Pricing
Time tracking is included in Gusto’s Plus and Premium plans.
Plus: $80/month + $12/person/month
Premium: Custom pricing
Free trial: Yes — pay only when you run payroll
Free plan: No
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
Deputy
Best time tracking app for shift-based scheduling
Overview
Deputy is purpose-built for shift-based businesses like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. It combines robust time tracking with powerful scheduling tools that optimize shifts by skill, availability, or labor forecasts. Employees can clock in via app, web, or tablet using facial recognition or GPS. Managers can send SMS shift alerts, enable shift swaps, and track compliance—all from one dashboard. For multi-location businesses, it’s a smart, scalable option.
Key Features
Facial recognition and GPS-enabled clock-ins
AI-optimized scheduling by skill, role, or forecast
Employee shift swapping and notifications
Built-in compliance for breaks and overtime
POS and payroll integrations
Real-time labor cost tracking and reporting
Pros and Cons
Pros
Optimized for shift-based teams
Smart scheduling saves hours weekly
Built-in compliance for labor laws
Works across multiple locations
Strong value at a low price point
Cons
Time tracking and scheduling are separate plans
No built-in payroll — requires integration
Android kiosk app has limited features
Pricing
Deputy’s Scheduling or Time & Attendance plans start at $4.50/user/month each.
Both features combined: $6/user/month
Custom pricing for 250+ users
Free trial: 1 month
Free plan: No
Workyard
Best time tracking app for field workers
Overview
Workyard is built for teams on the move—especially in construction, home services, landscaping, and field-based industries. It features high-accuracy GPS tracking that automatically records job site visits, driving routes, and mileage. Employees get clock-in reminders as they arrive, while managers can assign jobs, add checklists, and track costs by project. Unlike geofencing-only tools, Workyard uses motion-based tracking for reliable accuracy and better accountability.
Key Features
GPS time tracking with motion detection
Push notifications for clock-in reminders
Job, project, and location-based tracking
Real-time labor cost tracking and reports
Built-in scheduling and checklist tools
Mileage and drive-time logging
Payroll integrations (Gusto, QuickBooks, ADP)
Mobile-friendly with live location map
Pros and Cons
Pros
High-accuracy GPS for real-time accountability
Built-in job costing and project reports
Easy payroll integrations
Flexible scheduling and job assignment
Works well for dispersed, mobile teams
Cons
Steep base price + per-user fees
No free plan
Requires onboarding to maximize features
Pricing
Time Tracking plan: $50/month + $8/user (billed annually)
Workforce Management plan: $50/month + $16/user
Free trial: 14 days
Free plan: No
Hubstaff
Best time tracking app for productivity & employee monitoring
Overview
Hubstaff offers robust time tracking with deep productivity insights—ideal for remote or hybrid teams. Employees can clock in from any device, while GPS and geofencing track field activity. What sets Hubstaff apart is its employee monitoring suite: screenshots, app usage, keystrokes, and activity rates give you a clear picture of who’s doing what and when. It also includes budget tracking, payroll integrations, and team management tools.
Key Features
Manual or automated time tracking
GPS, geofencing, and idle time alerts
Screenshots, keystroke tracking, and activity rates
Budgeting, invoicing, and payroll support
Project and attendance reports
Employee productivity and engagement tools
30+ integrations with tools like Trello, PayPal, Gusto
Supports multi-currency payments
Pros and Cons
Pros
Most comprehensive monitoring tools available
Great for remote accountability and insights
Strong app and payment integrations
Detailed project budgeting and reports
Geofencing + idle alerts improve time accuracy
Cons
Monitoring tools may feel invasive to teams
Add-on packages drive up total cost
No ACH/direct deposit support
Limited value on lower-tier plans
Pricing
Starter: $4.99/user/month (limited features, no integrations)
Grow: $7.50/user/month (adds expenses, 1 integration)
Team: $10/user/month (includes monitoring and scheduling)
“Tasks” and “Insights” sold separately
Free trial: 14 days
Free plan: Yes (1 user only)
ADP Workforce Now
Best time tracking & payroll for larger businesses
Overview
ADP Workforce Now is designed for midsize businesses ready for a more advanced, scalable solution. Its integrated suite includes payroll, HR, time tracking, and analytics—along with tools for compliance, attendance, and leave management. Time tracking isn’t included in lower-tier plans, but in the Premium tier, it supports complex scheduling rules, biometric clock-ins, and detailed labor costing. It’s powerful, but pricing is opaque, and customer support can be hit or miss.
Key Features
Full-service payroll, HR, and time tracking
700+ software integrations
Advanced compliance and scheduling features
Biometric and mobile clock-ins
Leave management and attendance tracking
Workforce analytics and industry benchmarks
Supports multi-language and global compliance
Modular features by business size
Pros and Cons
Pros
Extremely scalable for growing companies
Deep customization and reporting tools
Advanced compliance support
Global-ready features and integrations
Biometric time tracking available
Cons
Time tracking not included in all plans
Confusing, quote-only pricing
Interface can feel outdated
Support is inconsistent
Pricing
Workforce Now pricing varies by plan tier—Select, Plus, or Premium. Time tracking is only included in the highest tier.
No public pricing is available; quotes are required.
Free trial: No
Free plan: No
TimeCamp
Best time tracking app for hybrid & remote teams
Overview
TimeCamp is built for modern, distributed teams. It combines manual and automated time tracking, allowing users to log hours by project or track usage based on apps, websites, or keywords. TimeCamp also includes geofencing, kiosks, and productivity insights—ideal for remote or hybrid workforces. With billing tools, customizable reports, and integrations with platforms like Trello and Google Calendar, TimeCamp is a flexible solution for tracking time across teams and clients.
Key Features
Manual and automatic time tracking by project
Productivity tracking based on app and site usage
Invoicing and billing for client projects
Geofencing and time clock kiosks
Color-coded, customizable timesheets
PTO and attendance tracking
Admin tools: audits, approvals, and user roles
Integrations with tools like Asana, Trello, Google Calendar
Pros and Cons
Pros
Free plan supports unlimited users and projects
Combines productivity insights with time tracking
Clean, color-coded visual design
Works well for hybrid or remote teams
Built-in billing and invoicing
Cons
No biometric clock-in
Limited payroll integrations (QuickBooks, Xero only)
Steep learning curve for new users
Most useful features require paid plan
Pricing
Free: Basic time tracking + unlimited users/projects
Starter: $2.99/user/month (adds PTO and attendance)
Premium: $4.99/user/month (adds productivity tracking + budgeting)
Ultimate: $7.99/user/month (all features + advanced admin controls)
Free trial: 14 days
Free plan: Yes
Connecteam
Best free time tracking app for small businesses
Overview
Connecteam offers a surprisingly full-featured free plan for teams of up to 10 employees—making it a great starter tool for small businesses. Clock-ins, geofencing, scheduling, and team communication are bundled into one clean interface. It’s not a complete payroll or HR solution, but for teams that need strong time tracking with built-in task management and communication tools, Connecteam delivers. As teams grow, however, pricing and feature access can get complex fast.
Key Features
Free time tracking and scheduling for up to 10 users
Clock-in via app with GPS, geofencing, and reminders
Shift scheduling with qualifications, preferences, and limits
Task management, shift swaps, and mobile communication
Basic PTO, time-off tracking, and document storage
Integrated chat, surveys, and recognition tools
Timesheet export or integration with Gusto, QuickBooks, Xero
Modular “hub” pricing across Operations, Communications, HR
Pros and Cons
Pros
Excellent value for small teams (free up to 10 users)
Powerful scheduling and clock-in features
Native mobile app supports full workflow
Includes basic HR and communication tools
Works well as a starter platform
Cons
Feature access depends on selected pricing “hubs”
Limited reporting and analytics
No built-in payroll or benefits tools
Price climbs quickly beyond free plan
Pricing
Free: Up to 10 users with full Operations tools
Basic (Operations Hub): $29/month for 30 users
Advanced: $49/month | Expert: $99/month (30 users)
Additional charges apply for more users or added hubs (HR, Comms)
Free trial: 14 days
Free plan: Yes
Compare All
| Pricing | Free Trial | Free Plan | Best Use Case | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | Small businesses wanting time tracking fully integrated with payroll and HR | ||
 | $3–$6/user/mo | (31 days) | Shift-based businesses needing advanced scheduling and compliance | |
 | ~$50/mo + per-user fees | (14 days) | Field-based teams needing high-accuracy GPS time tracking | |
 | ~$4.99/user/mo | (14 days) | (limited) | Remote teams needing productivity monitoring and activity insights |
 | Custom pricing | (select plans) | Larger SMBs needing scalable payroll + time tracking | |
 | Free; Starter $2.99/user/month; Premium $4.99/user/month; Ultimate $7.99/user/month | (14 days) | Hybrid and remote teams tracking time by project or client | |
 | Free up to ~10 users; paid from ~$29/mo | (14 days) | Small businesses needing a free or low-cost time tracking app |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| $3–$6/user/mo | (31 days) |
| ~$50/mo + per-user fees | (14 days) |
| ~$4.99/user/mo | (14 days) |
| Custom pricing | (select plans) |
| Free; Starter $2.99/user/month; Premium $4.99/user/month; Ultimate $7.99/user/month | (14 days) |
| Free up to ~10 users; paid from ~$29/mo | (14 days) |
FAQ
What is the best app for tracking hours?
The best app depends on your business needs—Gusto is great for all-in-one payroll and HR, while Workyard excels in field tracking. Look for features like GPS, payroll integration, and compliance to choose what’s best for your team.
How can I track my hours for free?
You can track hours for free using tools like TimeCamp (unlimited users) or Connecteam (up to 10 users). Most free plans offer basic clock-in/out and timesheets but limit advanced features like payroll, reporting, or integrations.
Is time tracking effective?
Yes, time tracking improves productivity, reduces payroll errors, and helps manage labor costs. It also keeps teams accountable—especially in remote or shift-based environments—by showing exactly how work hours are spent.
Does Google have a time tracker?
No, Google does not offer a dedicated time tracking app. However, some apps like TimeCamp and Hubstaff integrate with Google Calendar to help track time across scheduled tasks and meetings.
Is Clockify really free?
Clockify offers a free plan with unlimited users and basic features. While it’s not covered in this guide, it’s a legit option for simple tracking—though advanced tools like billing, productivity reports, or GPS require a paid plan.
