Quick Overview
- 1#1: Connecteam - All-in-one employee management app with GPS-enabled time clock, scheduling, and attendance tracking for frontline teams.
- 2#2: Hubstaff - Remote team time tracking software with GPS location, screenshots, and activity monitoring for accurate attendance.
- 3#3: Deputy - Employee scheduling and time attendance tool with mobile clock-in, timesheets, and labor cost insights.
- 4#4: When I Work - Shift scheduling and time tracking app with geofencing clock-in and real-time attendance updates.
- 5#5: UKG Ready - Cloud-based workforce management with advanced timekeeping, scheduling, and attendance compliance features.
- 6#6: Time Doctor - Productivity and attendance tracking software with automatic time tracking, screenshots, and idle detection.
- 7#7: BambooHR - HR platform with integrated time tracking, PTO management, and employee attendance reporting.
- 8#8: QuickBooks Time - Mobile time tracking and GPS attendance tool that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks payroll.
- 9#9: Clockify - Free time tracking software with unlimited users, attendance reports, and kiosk mode for clock-in/out.
- 10#10: Homebase - Free scheduling and time clock app with geofencing and attendance tracking for small businesses.
Tools were selected based on their ability to deliver core attendance tracking features, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they cater to diverse workplace needs, including remote teams, frontline staff, and enterprise workflows.
Comparison Table
Tracking employee attendance effectively is vital for workplace productivity and organization. This comparison table highlights leading tools like Connecteam, Hubstaff, Deputy, When I Work, UKG Ready, and others, outlining their core features, benefits, and considerations. Readers will find actionable insights to choose the software that aligns with their team's specific requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecteam All-in-one employee management app with GPS-enabled time clock, scheduling, and attendance tracking for frontline teams. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Hubstaff Remote team time tracking software with GPS location, screenshots, and activity monitoring for accurate attendance. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Deputy Employee scheduling and time attendance tool with mobile clock-in, timesheets, and labor cost insights. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | When I Work Shift scheduling and time tracking app with geofencing clock-in and real-time attendance updates. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | UKG Ready Cloud-based workforce management with advanced timekeeping, scheduling, and attendance compliance features. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Time Doctor Productivity and attendance tracking software with automatic time tracking, screenshots, and idle detection. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | BambooHR HR platform with integrated time tracking, PTO management, and employee attendance reporting. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 8 | QuickBooks Time Mobile time tracking and GPS attendance tool that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks payroll. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Clockify Free time tracking software with unlimited users, attendance reports, and kiosk mode for clock-in/out. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 10 | Homebase Free scheduling and time clock app with geofencing and attendance tracking for small businesses. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
All-in-one employee management app with GPS-enabled time clock, scheduling, and attendance tracking for frontline teams.
Remote team time tracking software with GPS location, screenshots, and activity monitoring for accurate attendance.
Employee scheduling and time attendance tool with mobile clock-in, timesheets, and labor cost insights.
Shift scheduling and time tracking app with geofencing clock-in and real-time attendance updates.
Cloud-based workforce management with advanced timekeeping, scheduling, and attendance compliance features.
Productivity and attendance tracking software with automatic time tracking, screenshots, and idle detection.
HR platform with integrated time tracking, PTO management, and employee attendance reporting.
Mobile time tracking and GPS attendance tool that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks payroll.
Free time tracking software with unlimited users, attendance reports, and kiosk mode for clock-in/out.
Free scheduling and time clock app with geofencing and attendance tracking for small businesses.
Connecteam
specializedAll-in-one employee management app with GPS-enabled time clock, scheduling, and attendance tracking for frontline teams.
Advanced facial recognition and GPS geofencing combo for highly accurate, tamper-proof time tracking
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management platform with powerful attendance tracking tailored for frontline and deskless teams. It enables mobile clock-in/out with GPS geofencing, photo verification, and facial recognition to ensure accuracy and prevent time theft. Managers gain real-time visibility into attendance, automated timesheets, overtime tracking, and seamless payroll integrations for efficient workforce management.
Pros
- Robust GPS geofencing and facial recognition prevent buddy punching and ensure precise location-based clock-ins
- Real-time attendance dashboards and automated timesheets streamline approvals and payroll processing
- Mobile-first design with offline support works seamlessly for field and remote workers
Cons
- Full feature set may overwhelm users needing only basic time tracking
- Advanced features like facial recognition require premium plans
- Pricing scales quickly with larger teams beyond the free tier
Best For
Medium to large businesses with deskless or field-based employees requiring mobile, fraud-proof attendance tracking.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $29/month for the first 30 users (Operations), with $0.50 per additional user, up to Enterprise custom pricing.
Hubstaff
specializedRemote team time tracking software with GPS location, screenshots, and activity monitoring for accurate attendance.
Automated screenshots and real-time activity rate monitoring providing visual proof of attendance and productivity
Hubstaff is a comprehensive employee monitoring and time tracking platform designed for tracking attendance, productivity, and work hours across desktop, web, and mobile devices. It provides automated screenshots, keyboard/mouse activity levels, GPS location tracking for field teams, and integrations with payroll and project management tools. This makes it ideal for verifying employee attendance and ensuring accountability in remote or hybrid work environments.
Pros
- Precise multi-device time tracking with activity levels and screenshots for verifiable attendance
- GPS and geofencing for field workers to confirm location-based attendance
- Seamless integrations with payroll, invoicing, and 50+ apps for streamlined workflows
Cons
- Invasive monitoring features like screenshots raise privacy concerns for some teams
- Advanced plans can become expensive for larger teams
- Initial setup and customization have a moderate learning curve
Best For
Remote, hybrid, or distributed teams needing detailed productivity monitoring and accurate attendance verification.
Pricing
Free for 1 user; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Starter, billed annually) up to $20/user/month (Premium), with custom Enterprise options.
Deputy
specializedEmployee scheduling and time attendance tool with mobile clock-in, timesheets, and labor cost insights.
Facial recognition time clock for fraud-proof, touchless attendance verification
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling and attendance tracking, ideal for shift-based industries. It offers mobile clock-in/out with GPS geofencing, facial recognition, and kiosk options to ensure accurate time tracking and prevent buddy punching. Managers gain real-time visibility into attendance, overtime, breaks, and labor costs through intuitive dashboards and reporting tools.
Pros
- Advanced time tracking with GPS, facial recognition, and geofencing for secure clock-ins
- Seamless integration with scheduling, payroll, and compliance tools
- Real-time alerts and mobile app accessibility for employees and managers
Cons
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported by users
- Steeper learning curve for complex configurations
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare needing integrated attendance and scheduling.
Pricing
Essential plan at $3.50/user/month; Plus at $5.25/user/month; Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial available.
When I Work
specializedShift scheduling and time tracking app with geofencing clock-in and real-time attendance updates.
Verified mobile time clock with GPS geofencing and selfie authentication to ensure accurate attendance without buddy punching
When I Work is a mobile-first workforce management platform primarily focused on employee scheduling with robust attendance tracking capabilities. It enables employees to clock in and out via an intuitive app with GPS location verification and photo capture to prevent time theft. Managers gain real-time visibility into attendance, overtime alerts, and detailed reports integrable with payroll systems like QuickBooks.
Pros
- Seamless mobile clock-in/out with GPS and photo verification
- Real-time attendance dashboards and absence notifications
- Strong integration between scheduling and time tracking
Cons
- Attendance features require Pro or higher plans (no free tier for time tracking)
- Limited advanced reporting customization without add-ons
- Per-active-user pricing can escalate for large or variable workforces
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, or field services needing combined scheduling and attendance tracking.
Pricing
Essential scheduling free; Pro ($2/active user/mo) adds basic time tracking; Elite ($5.20/active user/mo billed annually) unlocks advanced attendance features.
UKG Ready
enterpriseCloud-based workforce management with advanced timekeeping, scheduling, and attendance compliance features.
AI-powered dimensional workforce management with predictive scheduling and geofencing for precise attendance verification
UKG Ready is a robust workforce management platform from UKG that provides advanced employee attendance tracking through features like mobile time entry, biometric clocks, and geofencing. It integrates seamlessly with payroll, scheduling, and HR functions to ensure accurate timekeeping and compliance with labor laws across industries. Ideal for mid-to-large organizations, it offers real-time visibility into attendance data and analytics for workforce optimization.
Pros
- Comprehensive attendance tools including mobile app, kiosks, and geofencing for flexible tracking
- Strong integration with payroll and scheduling for streamlined operations
- Advanced compliance features supporting ACA, FLSA, and union rules
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup for non-enterprise users
- Custom pricing often expensive for small businesses
- Reported occasional glitches in mobile app syncing
Best For
Mid-sized to large enterprises seeking scalable, integrated attendance tracking within a full HCM suite.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; typically $25-$60 per employee/month depending on modules and company size.
Time Doctor
specializedProductivity and attendance tracking software with automatic time tracking, screenshots, and idle detection.
Idle detection and screenshot proof-of-work that automatically verifies employee activity during tracked attendance periods
Time Doctor is a robust employee monitoring and time tracking software designed to track attendance, productivity, and work habits for remote and hybrid teams. It automatically logs time via desktop apps, captures periodic screenshots for verification, and monitors app/website usage to ensure accurate attendance records. The platform generates detailed reports on work hours, idle time, and productivity levels, integrating with payroll systems for seamless attendance-based billing.
Pros
- Comprehensive tracking with screenshots and activity monitoring for precise attendance verification
- Automated timesheets and payroll integrations reduce manual entry errors
- Detailed productivity reports help identify attendance patterns and inefficiencies
Cons
- Screenshots and constant monitoring can feel invasive to employees
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans, increasing costs
- Occasional desktop app glitches reported by users
Best For
Remote or distributed teams requiring detailed attendance tracking combined with productivity oversight.
Pricing
Basic plan at $7/user/month (billed annually), Standard at $9.99/user/month, Premium at $19.99/user/month; 14-day free trial available.
BambooHR
enterpriseHR platform with integrated time tracking, PTO management, and employee attendance reporting.
Deep integration of attendance data with full HRIS for automated payroll and compliance reporting
BambooHR is a cloud-based HR management platform that includes attendance tracking capabilities through its mobile app for clock-in/out, timesheet submissions, and time-off requests. It enables employees to log hours accurately while managers approve timesheets and monitor attendance patterns integrated with broader HR functions like payroll and performance management. Though not a dedicated time-tracking tool, it provides solid basic attendance features within a comprehensive HR ecosystem.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for easy clock-in/out and timesheet management
- Seamless integration with HR tools for payroll and reporting
- Strong time-off tracking and approval workflows
Cons
- Lacks advanced features like GPS geofencing or biometric verification
- Pricing is tied to full HR suite, making it costly for attendance-only use
- Limited customization for complex shift scheduling
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking integrated HR and basic attendance tracking without needing specialized time-tracking tools.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $6-12 per employee per month, billed annually based on company size and modules.
QuickBooks Time
enterpriseMobile time tracking and GPS attendance tool that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks payroll.
GPS-powered geofencing that auto-clocks employees in and out upon arriving at or leaving designated job sites.
QuickBooks Time is a robust time tracking and scheduling platform designed for businesses to monitor employee attendance through mobile clock-ins, GPS tracking, and geofencing technology. It captures accurate time entries with features like photo verification on clock-in, automatic timesheets, and job costing for precise attendance and productivity insights. Seamlessly integrated with QuickBooks payroll, it simplifies attendance data flow into payroll processing while supporting remote and field teams effectively.
Pros
- Advanced GPS geofencing and location tracking for automatic attendance logging
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for streamlined payroll and reporting
- Intuitive mobile app with photo clock-in for reliable verification
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams with per-user fees
- Some users report occasional GPS accuracy issues in remote areas
- Advanced attendance analytics require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses already using QuickBooks that need mobile-first attendance tracking for field or remote employees.
Pricing
Premium plan at $8/user/month (billed annually) plus $20 base fee; Elite at $10/user/month plus $40 base fee; free for solo users.
Clockify
specializedFree time tracking software with unlimited users, attendance reports, and kiosk mode for clock-in/out.
Kiosk mode for touchless clock-in/out on shared devices, enabling hassle-free attendance tracking
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking platform that enables employees to record work hours via start/stop timers, manual entries, or timesheets, making it adaptable for basic attendance monitoring. It supports team collaboration with project assignments, detailed reports, and a kiosk mode for shared-device clock-ins/outs. While versatile for productivity tracking, it excels in simplicity but lacks specialized attendance tools like geofencing or biometric verification.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited users and tracking
- Intuitive interface with mobile apps and kiosk mode for easy clock-in/out
- Robust reporting and integrations for time analysis
Cons
- Limited advanced attendance features like GPS or facial recognition
- No native scheduling or shift management tools
- Customization can feel basic for complex HR needs
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking a free, simple solution for tracking employee hours and basic attendance without advanced HR integrations.
Pricing
Free forever plan for unlimited users; Pro at $3.99/user/month (annual) for scheduling and advanced reports; higher tiers up to $11.99/user/month.
Homebase
specializedFree scheduling and time clock app with geofencing and attendance tracking for small businesses.
Free forever plan with geofenced time tracking and photo verification for accurate attendance without upfront costs
Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform tailored for small businesses, with strong employee attendance tracking via mobile time clocks, geofencing, and timesheet management. It allows employees to clock in/out remotely with photo verification to prevent buddy punching, while managers monitor real-time attendance, generate reports, and track PTO. Integrated scheduling ensures attendance data aligns with shifts, supporting labor law compliance and payroll exports.
Pros
- Generous free plan for one location with unlimited employees
- Intuitive mobile app with geofencing and photo clock-in
- Seamless integration of attendance with scheduling and payroll
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting on free/basic plans
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Scalability issues for multi-location businesses without upgrading
Best For
Small businesses with hourly workers seeking affordable, mobile-first attendance tracking combined with scheduling.
Pricing
Free for one location (unlimited employees); Essentials starts at $29.99/location/month; Premium at $49.99/location/month (billed annually).
Conclusion
Amidst a suite of tools designed to address varying workforce needs, connecteam rises as the top choice, offering a versatile all-in-one platform with gps-enabled time tracking and scheduling for frontline teams. hubstaff and deputy follow closely as strong alternatives—hubstaff excels for remote teams with location and activity monitoring, while deputy stands out with robust scheduling and labor cost insights. Together, these tools highlight that for comprehensive attendance management, connecteam sets the standard, though others cater to specific needs.
Take the first step toward smoother operations—try connecteam now to experience its seamless attendance tracking and integrated features, empowering your team and simplifying management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison