Best Time Clock Software | Side by Side Reviews

When it comes to finding Employee Time Tracking Software comparing quotes is the key to getting a top product for the lowest price.

We've gathered information on the top suppliers, user reviews, and buying tips, and made it easy to get the best price from companies in your area.

Featured Time Tracking Software Providers

From Buddy Punch to TimeTrex, we examined over 50-time clock software solutions. Why is this important? There's an insidious form of workplace theft that robs US employers of 20 percent of every dollar they earn. One that results in more than $400 billion per year in lost productivity.

Stemming the “bleed” from this theft proves a challenge. It doesn't involve material items such as merchandise, money from the till or office supplies.

This “theft” comes in the form of lost time. When an employee surfs the Internet, takes a private call or fudges on their time card, for instance.

Fortunately, time clock software can take the guesswork out of keeping track of your employees and the hours that they actually work. Here are our expert reviews of the top ten best worker time clock systems out there.

Top 10 Employee Time Clock Systems 

1. Mitrefinch

If you're looking for employee time tracking software with plenty of flexibility and functionality, our review suggests you'll get this with Mitrefinch.

This time clock manager can handle offices that staff anywhere between ten and 10,000+ employees, and it's capable of dealing with scheduling, accrual rules, and complicated reports. Employees clock in using their fingers.

The software not only captures and calculates time, but it also holds information in a database setting. That way, companies can store valuable information about employees and produce helpful reports.

Gaining a handle on all of its features requires an initial learning curve, but it ultimately results in fewer workforce hours dedicated to attendance and time. And when do technical issues occur? The support team responds rapidly and effectively.

That said, the more employees you have, the slower the reporting time. Understanding all of its features also requires time. Unfortunately, there is no guide for administrators that lists all the codes and settings.

2. Paycom

Paycom represents a web-based time clock that allows employees to enter hours, clock in, and clock out via an app. This app also approves timesheets and automatically sends them to payroll.

The result? No more time spent manually calculating or re-keying employee hours logged. Employers and employees enjoy 24/7 access to Paycom, yet IP address filtering and geofencing prevent unauthorized punches.

That means you can control your employees' time clock for work during scheduled shifts. To ensure the most accurate data, you can restrict punch types.

Although Paycom is easy to use and doesn't require a steep learning curve like Mitrefinch, it can cause errors when steps get missed.

3. Buddy Punch

Buddy Punch is a cloud-based time clock solution that makes punching in and out accessible on desktop and mobile devices. It pre-populates reports for payroll, making it convenient to check in on your employees' productivity.

The system allows you to view who's working when and their location using GPS. You can limit where employees can punch, and it integrates with ADP, QuickBooks, Paychex, and SurePayroll. You can easily export reports in Excel.

The system comes with facial recognition, a helpful feature for cutting down on unwarranted clock-ins.

Cons include system lag times, which some users report can get frustrating. There's a fair amount of room for error, and the system lacks notifications. Finally, adding a paid time off can get confusing and complicated.

4. IDEAblox

IDEAblox uses cloud-based technology to track employees at both small and large businesses. Its employee time clock system requires a single click for each clock in and out. This ease-of-use translates into fewer time card-related mistakes.

Because it exists in the cloud, you don't have to worry about downtime spent loading and installing the software, which makes it easily deployable.

What do users love about IDEAblox? Its simplicity and ability to track employee times through easily accessible, downloadable reports.

What about the downsides of this software? You must have a computer up and running before anyone can clock in and the software's inability to handle complicated functions like employee personal time rollover.

5. ExakTime

For over 20 years, ExakTime has dominated the construction and field-based industries in employee time tracking. This app comes with robust tracking and scheduling features that sync directly with cloud software.

The result? Easy scheduling of tasks and shifts. The app also keeps track of real-time attendance, cost codes, hours, and other data as actionable and accessible items from anywhere.

The software is compatible with iOS and Android phones and other devices, and its time tracking data syncs with major accounting programs.

Some users report dissatisfaction because each timesheet requires manipulation. Most report a significant decrease in the time to process payroll.

6. TimeWorksExpress

TimeWorksExpress allows users to track time, create schedules, and manage PTO in a matter of minutes. PTO balance tracking means approvals with the click of a button. As a cloud-based solution, you can access it remotely from any location.

The software includes missed punch notifications and open shift and change information. That way, scheduling gaps get filled quickly.

While some users report that the transition to this software can feel rocky at first, its long-term benefits offset the initial discomfort.

7. SYNCrew

If you're looking for more insights into your per-project profits, then SYNCrew is the program for you. It captures on-site work information from the field, even allowing employees to take photos with the app.

The photos get stored and automatically organized forever, and this information is used to create timesheets. This system also leads to profit-boosting business intelligence that contributes to accurate records and increased efficiency.

The only con cited by most users is the fact SYNCrew does not integrate into property management software. Instead, it must be synced to Quickbooks and then manually pushed into the other system.

8. TSheets

TSheets represents a fantastic time tracking product for companies looking for an intuitive, easy-to-use tracking system for their employees. Employees can use it to track their time from any location with an Android or iOS mobile phone and devices.

It integrates easily with QuickBooks, ADP, Sage, Paychex, and other systems for faster, more accurate payroll, invoicing, and billing.

The main problem users report? A lack of editing with data input. This problem comes up when accidental input requires correction.

9. When I Work

When I Work offers an easy and effective way to schedule employee work. You can also communicate with hourly employees. It comes with apps downloadable on iPhones and Androids and is free for tracking up to 75 employees.

Users love the ease with which you can mark when you work. They also love the fact that it eliminates much of the paperwork and hassle associated with tracking employee time.

That said, some employees find the system confusing at first. Some users also report clock-in mistakes when they first use the system.

10. Timeco

Companies are raving about the user-friendly, simplified nature of Timeco. It allows managers and supervisors to enter and modify employee work schedules.

The system permits exception reports submitted by managers and supervisors when employees make mistakes, such as swiping in twice. Finally, it provides managers with an overall sense of the organization and its employee productivity.

Some users report that employees who work different pay shifts encounter problems selecting the correct job title. As a result, supervisors must later go into the system to update non-primary shifts before payroll gets submitted.

What Is Employee Time Clock Software?

Now that we've reviewed the ten best employee time tracking apps out there, let's consider a few more essentials before you make a purchase.

Time clock software is used by HR departments and managers to keep track of their employees' work hours. The best software includes functionality that increases data accuracy and streamlines payroll tasks.

That means no more manual-punch time cards or hours spent logging employee hours on spreadsheets. Additional features such as GPS help employers keep track of workers, cutting down on workplace “time theft.”

Types of Time Clock Software

While you'll find a diverse variety of time clock software on the market, the most popular forms include digital clocks. Think of these as modernized versions of the punch card clock.

Instead of inserting a time card, employees swipe cards with magnetic strips through a machine. These swipes keep track of the date and time.

Sometimes, an electronic touchpad where employees key in personalized codes gets used. Either way, these provide deterrents to arriving late and leaving early and reporting inaccurate hours.

Time station software allows employees to clock in and out on a desktop or mobile device. Sometimes all employees use the same computer or device. In other cases, employees may download an app to their phone or device.

Fingerprint clocks provide another layer of security. They ensure that other employees don't log in and out for one another.

They use a scanner that reads each employee's fingerprint to clock them in and out, which means no lost cards or forgotten keypad codes.

How Much Does Time and Attendance Software Cost?

Because time tracking software solutions differ in the features they offer, they also differ in terms of price. For a business with 20 employees, time tracking software runs between $20 and $300 per month.

This pricing goes up based on added features and functionality.

What Are the Most Important Features to Look For?

As you explore the full range of time clock systems, here are some features that you should consider depending on your workplace's specific needs:

• Saas systems where the company hosts the software for you
• 24-hour shifts
• Overtime tracking
• Flexible pay periods
• Badge terminal systems, which integrate with the company time clock that relies on proximity cards or badges for clocking in and out
• Shift swap systems where employees can swap shifts or bid for shifts through the time clocking system

By having a clear picture of which of these features you need, you'll be in a better position to make an informed selection for your company. Besides these key features, there are a few more things to keep in mind.

Additional Features to Consider

On-premise time clocks work well for companies that require employees to work at a specific location.

On-premise time clocking allows employers to keep track of employee locations by scanning a bar code, fingerprint recognition, or facial recognition. This data gets transmitted automatically to a database.

GPS fleet tracking allows employers to monitor employees who travel from one job site to the next. They do this through permanent fleet fixtures or mobile devices. It also helps employers streamline workday activities and procedures.

Geofencing allows employers to draw a digital perimeter around a designated space. Then, they can track employees who leave this designated space, sending this information to a database.

Computer and mobile device tracking represents another way to ensure employees who work remotely are doing what they should when they should. This monitoring works well for fleets and distributed workplaces.

You should also look for payroll and HR integrations associated with your time clock software. These recommendations prove especially true if you're outsourcing HR.

These integrations allow labor data to sync with a button push. Say, bye-bye to painful and monotonous manual entries!

What are Biometric Time Clocks?

Biometric time clocks help cut down on employee time stealing. How? By collecting and analyzing an individual's physical and behavioral characteristics.

In terms of time-clocking, this includes an identifier such as your fingerprint, facial characteristics, iris pattern, or walking gait.

These are used by software to identify you at work. Biometric time clocks cut down on payroll mistakes, out-of-schedule punches, and time theft through buddy punching or hour padding.

How Do You Evaluate Time Clock Software ROI?

To analyze your company's return on investment (ROI) for time clock software, consider factors such as

• How often your company does payroll
• How many employees you have
• How many hours each employee clocks per week
• The average hourly rate for your employees
• The average hourly rate for your payroll employees
• The monthly cost resulting from human error

You'll also want to consider material costs like those associated with punch cards. When you factor all of these expenses in, you can use this figure to budget for the right time clock software for your company and industry.

Now that you've got a better idea of how you can cut costs and improve workplace efficiency by tracking worker time through an electronic time clock, are you ready to explore other ways to save money?

Read on to learn more about Business VoIP and how it can benefit your company.

Which time tracking software do you think is BEST? WORST? Write your review here.