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Time Clock Software and Time Tracking App for Year 2024

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Time Clock Software and Time Tracking App for Year 2024

Dec, 2023











Choosing the right time clock software or time tracking app can be a daunting task with the sheer number of options available today. This comprehensive guide will simplify your search by breaking down the key features to look for, top vendors to consider, pricing models, and critical questions to ask in 2024.



We'll focus on software and apps ideal for small business employee time tracking for payroll, attendance, and billing purposes. Both web-based and mobile time tracking solutions will be covered.



Introduction to Time Tracking Software



Time clock software records and monitors employee work hours for payroll, billing, attendance, and productivity purposes. The software allows employees to clock in and out from any device, and managers have access to reports and dashboards for payroll, invoicing, schedules, and more.



Traditionally, time clock software required on-premise hardware time clocks and installation on a local computer. Now, most solutions are web-based or mobile apps that offer anywhere, anytime access from any device.



Here are some examples of how time tracking software is used:



  • Employees clock in/out for shifts to track hours worked for payroll
  • Contractors log billable hours for invoicing clients
  • Attendance monitoring for hourly employees
  • Productivity tracking of different tasks and projects
  • Generate reports for payroll, billing, schedules, time off accruals, etc.


Key Features to Look For



When evaluating your time tracking software options, here are some key features to look for:



  • Multiple access options - Web, mobile apps, hardware time clock, dial-in, etc.
  • Clock in/out - Easy ability for employees to clock in and out of shifts or jobs.
  • GPS tracking - Clock in/out based on location for mobile employees.
  • Project tracking - Log hours to specific projects or tasks.
  • Overtime calculations - Automatically calculate overtime based on rules.
  • Reporting - Robust reporting for payroll, invoices, schedules, productivity, etc.
  • Notifications/alerts - Custom notifications for missed punches, overtime, etc.
  • PTO tracking - Track vacation, sick time, and time off accruals.
  • Scheduling - Schedule and assign shifts to employees.
  • Integrations - Integrate payroll, accounting, HR systems, etc.
  • Security - User access, permissions, data encryption, etc.
  • Support - Quality technical support and training options.


Top Time Tracking Software for 2024



With a crowded marketplace, here is a hand-picked list of the top time tracking software options for small businesses to consider in 2024 based on features, value, and ease of use:



Open Time Clock



Open Time Clock offers a full-featured online time clock with mobile apps, scheduling, overtime calculation, reporting, and integrations.



Pricing is $29.95 per month for unlimited users. A 30-day free trial is available.



Homebase



Homebase focuses on shift-based businesses like restaurants with scheduling, timecards, reporting, hiring, and more. Mobile apps are included.



Pricing starts at $29 per month for up to 40 employees per location. A free version is also available.



TSheets (QuickBooks Time)



TSheets is ideal for field service businesses with GPS mobile tracking, project tracking, scheduling, integrations, and robust reporting.



Pricing starts at $8 per month per user plus $20 base fee. A free trial is offered.



Deputy



Deputy offers shift scheduling, time tracking, task management, and reporting accessible from any device.



Pricing starts at $2.49 per month per user billed annually. Discounts at higher user counts.



TimeClock Plus



TimeClock Plus caters to enterprises with advanced scheduling, data integrations, payroll exports, accrual tracking, and real-time reporting.



Pricing starts at $5 per month per employee. A free trial is available.



OnTheClock



OnTheClock is designed for small businesses with web and mobile apps, overtime and notification rules, reporting, and integrations.



Pricing starts at $3.50 per month per employee. A free plan is offered for up to 2 employees.



Planday



Planday offers employee scheduling, time tracking, communication, and an analytics dashboard for retailers and restaurants.



Pricing starts at $2 per month per user billed annually. A free trial is available.



When I Work



When I Work focuses on shift-based scheduling and time tracking for hourly teams. Mobile apps and messaging are included.



Pricing starts at $1.50 per month per user billed annually. A free trial is offered.



Boomr



Boomr caters to field service businesses with time tracking, scheduling, dispatching, GPS tracking, invoicing, and more.



Pricing starts at $3 per month per user. A free trial is available.



TimeCamp



TimeCamp tracks time, productivity, websites visited, apps used, and provides reports and charts for teams.



Pricing starts at $7 per month per user billed annually. A free basic plan is offered.



ClockShark



ClockShark offers GPS-based time tracking, scheduling, reporting, and field operations management for mobile employees.



Pricing starts at $8 per month per user plus $20 base fee. A free trial is available.



HoursKeep



HoursKeep provides web and mobile apps for time tracking, scheduling, communication, reporting, and integrations.



Pricing starts at $5.25 per month per user billed annually. A free trial is offered.



Timesheet Mobile



Timesheet Mobile is an intuitive iOS/Android app for employees to clock in/out, track GPS location, view schedules, and get notifications.



Pricing starts at $1.99 per month per user billed annually. A free trial is available.



Hubstaff



Hubstaff offers time tracking, reporting, GPS location, activity monitoring, schedules, and invoicing.



Pricing starts at $7 per month per user billed annually. A free trial is available.



Harvest



Harvest focuses on tracking billable hours and projects for consultants and agencies to invoice clients.



Pricing starts at $12 per month per user billed annually. A free trial is offered.



Toggl



Toggl provides a simple time tracker web and mobile app with reporting and integrations for basic time tracking needs.



Pricing starts at $10 per month per user. A free plan is offered.



Clockify



Clockify is a free time tracking and reporting app for web and mobile ideal for freelancers and consultants.



A free plan is offered. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month per user annually for advanced features like timesheets.



Time Tracking Pricing Models



Pricing structures can vary greatly between time tracking solutions. Here are some of the most common pricing models:



  • Per user per month - Price based on number of users. Ranges from $2 to $12+ per user monthly.
  • Tiered pricing - Charges per user decreases as user count increases. Encourages larger plans.
  • Free plan - Limited free version up to a certain user count. Paid plans unlock additional features.
  • Annual discounts - Paying annually reduces the monthly per user cost, compared to paying month-to-month.
  • Base fee + per user fee - A fixed monthly base fee plus additional charge per user.
  • Free trial - Free short-term access to test system. Ranges from 14 to 30 days typically.
  • One-time fee - Rare today, but some charge a single upfront cost for the software license.


When evaluating pricing, calculate the total monthly and annual costs based on your needs to accurately compare options. Watch for hidden fees and be wary of too cheap or too expensive solutions.



Key Time Tracking Software Questions



Here are some important questions to ask when researching time tracking systems:



  • What access methods are available? (Web, mobile, hardware clocks, etc.)
  • What are the core features and are any missing? (Reporting, OT, scheduling, etc.)
  • What is the pricing model and total costs? (Per user, tiers, etc.)
  • Is there a free plan available? If so, what are the limitations?
  • Is there a free trial period? How long is the free trial?
  • What support options are available? Phone, email, chat, knowledgebase?
  • What training resources are offered? Videos, docs, demos, webinars?
  • Can it integrate with my other software? Payroll, accounting, HR, POS, etc.
  • How easy is it to use? Is the UI intuitive for employees and admins?
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Open Time Clock is a powerful and user-friendly online time clock software designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers a comprehensive set of features to effectively manage employee time and attendance. With real-time tracking capabilities, employers can monitor employee hours from anywhere, whether in the office or on the go. The system supports various functionalities such as timesheet management, payroll automation, project tracking, and scheduling. It includes advanced features like geofencing, facial recognition, and GPS tracking to ensure accurate attendance records and prevent time fraud. Open Time Clock provides secure data storage, reliable performance, and flexible access options via desktop, mobile devices, and browsers. With its intuitive interface and extensive reporting capabilities, businesses can streamline their time management processes and enhance productivity. Sign Up Now!