GITNUXSOFTWARE REVIEW
HR In IndustryTop 11 Best Payroll Time and Attendance Software of 2026
Compare payroll time and attendance software options for payroll and scheduling teams, with details and tradeoffs to guide shortlisting decisions.
How we ranked these tools
Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.
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Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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UKG Pro is the best choice for mid-market and enterprise teams standardizing time and payroll across locations because its approval workflows feed directly into payroll earning, deductions, and absence logic, while Workday Time Tracking fits enterprises that need governed, policy-driven time capture that flows into Workday payroll approvals.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
UKG Pro
Time and Attendance approval workflows that directly feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic.
Best for: Mid-market and enterprise employers standardizing time and payroll across locations
Workday Time Tracking
Editor pickWorkday Time Tracking policy-driven time capture with approval workflows feeding directly into payroll
Best for: Enterprises needing governed time tracking integrated with Workday payroll workflows
ADP Workforce Now
Editor pickADP Time and Attendance workflows with exception-based approvals tied to payroll processing
Best for: Mid-size to enterprise organizations needing integrated payroll and time workflows
Comparison Table
UKG Pro
enterprise suiteUKG Pro combines time and attendance with workforce management and HR payroll capabilities for accurate time capture, schedules, and payroll readiness.
Time and Attendance approval workflows that directly feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic.
UKG Pro combines payroll and time management in one system, which reduces data re-entry between attendance and pay rules. Its Workforce Management tools support scheduling, time capture, and approval workflows that feed payroll processing. Deep integrations for HR records and employee data help keep absence, pay codes, and labor reporting aligned across the employee lifecycle.
- +Tight time to payroll processing reduces manual reconciliation and coding errors
- +Configurable scheduling and approval workflows support complex labor rules
- +Strong employee data model keeps absence and pay variables consistent
- +Robust reporting for labor, attendance, and payroll analytics
- –Implementation and configuration effort is high for multi-union or multi-location rules
- –User workflows can feel heavy without role-based training
- –Advanced scenarios may require vendor or partner support
Best for: Mid-market and enterprise employers standardizing time and payroll across locations
Workday Time Tracking
HCM-integratedWorkday Time Tracking records employee time, manages approvals, and supports payroll processes within a unified HR and finance platform.
Workday Time Tracking policy-driven time capture with approval workflows feeding directly into payroll
Workday Time Tracking stands out as a configurable time and attendance module built for organizations that already run Workday HCM and payroll. It supports flexible time capture, approvals, and policy controls for multiple pay rules, leave handling, and audit-ready time edits.
It also integrates tightly with Workday payroll so finalized time can flow into pay calculations with fewer manual steps. The solution is strongest for enterprise governance, complex scheduling needs, and standardized workflows across distributed workforces.
- +Deep integration with Workday Payroll for streamlined time-to-pay
- +Configurable time capture and approval workflows for complex policies
- +Strong audit trail for time edits and approval decisions
- +Supports multi-location and distributed workforce time management
- –Best results require existing Workday HCM and payroll setup
- –Configuration complexity can slow rollout for simple time needs
- –Limited standalone value for organizations not invested in Workday
Best for: Enterprises needing governed time tracking integrated with Workday payroll workflows
ADP Workforce Now
payroll-integratedADP Workforce Now provides time and attendance with scheduling, absence management, and payroll integration for large and mid-market employers.
ADP Time and Attendance workflows with exception-based approvals tied to payroll processing
ADP Workforce Now is distinct because it tightly connects workforce management, payroll, and time and attendance in one system with ADP payroll processing. It supports core timekeeping workflows like employee clock-in rules, scheduled and unscheduled hours, approvals, and timecard adjustments.
It also includes shift management and workforce analytics that help teams monitor labor usage and exception activity. Implementation and ongoing administration require ADP configuration and HR alignment, which can slow setup for organizations seeking quick standalone time tracking.
- +Strong integration between timekeeping workflows and ADP payroll processing
- +Supports approvals, adjustments, and exception handling for timecards
- +Robust shift and scheduling capabilities for managing labor rules
- +Detailed reporting for labor trends, compliance visibility, and exceptions
- –Setup and rule configuration are complex for multi-state or custom labor
- –User experience can feel enterprise-heavy for basic time tracking needs
- –Customization usually requires implementation effort beyond simple requirements
Best for: Mid-size to enterprise organizations needing integrated payroll and time workflows
Paycom
all-in-one payrollPaycom’s time and attendance tools capture time, automate approvals, and connect with payroll and HR in one system.
End-to-end payroll-ready time tracking with approvals and automated pay rule handling
Paycom blends payroll with time and attendance so managers can run scheduling, time capture, and payroll processing from one system. It supports time clocks, mobile time entry, approvals, and overtime rules with automated pay impacts.
- +Tight payroll and time integration reduces duplicate rekeying and timing mismatches
- +Role-based approvals for timesheets and exceptions streamline manager workflows
- +Mobile time entry supports on-the-go clocking and corrections
- –Configuration for work rules, overtime, and schedules can be complex
- –User setup and policy tuning often require strong HRIS process ownership
- –Workflow depth can overwhelm managers who want simple clock-only tracking
Best for: Mid-size organizations needing payroll-integrated time approvals and rule-driven overtime
Rippling
SMBUnifies payroll, time tracking, attendance, scheduling, and employee systems administration.
Rippling automation can connect timekeeping events to downstream HR and payroll execution workflows.
Rippling ties payroll workflows to workforce timekeeping so managers can capture, approve, and export time data for pay periods. The system supports employee web and mobile clock-ins with configurable work rules and time-off related processes that flow into payroll execution.
- +Time and payroll workflows stay linked through shared employee records
- +Configurable clock and pay period rules reduce manual exception handling
- +API and automation support targeted system integrations and provisioning
- +Centralized approvals create a clearer timekeeping audit trail
- –Advanced labor rule setups can require careful configuration discipline
- –Some workforce management features may not match specialized time vendors
- –Deep integrations increase dependency on integration and governance work
- –Reporting for uncommon labor edge cases can require workaround logic
Best for: Fits when mid-market and enterprise teams want time and payroll operations connected with automation and integration control.
Dayforce
enterpriseProvides payroll, workforce management, time collection, scheduling, and human capital management.
Exception and attestation workflows that drive time corrections into payroll-ready pay period close across complex labor rules.
Dayforce is a payroll time and attendance system designed for enterprise payroll operations that need configurable work rules, complex schedules, and audit-ready timekeeping. It covers web and mobile time entry, time clocks with offline support for certain deployments, approvals, and exception handling tied to pay processes.
- +Configurable work rules for overtime, breaks, and exception-driven time corrections
- +Strong labor allocation support for job costing and cost attribution
- +Approvals and exception workflows tied to payroll readiness
- +Enterprise-grade timekeeping audit trail for pay period close
- –Configuration complexity rises quickly for multi-site and union-driven rules
- –Deeper HR and payroll coupling increases change-management effort for time-only rollouts
- –Admin screens can feel dense compared with simpler time clock tools
- –Integration outcomes depend on the payroll data path and mapping scope
Best for: Fits when enterprises need complex labor rules, approvals, and payroll-ready timekeeping across many locations.
Paychex Flex
SMBCombines payroll processing with time tracking, attendance, scheduling, and human resources tools.
Exception management workflows for missed punches and irregular entries route items to the right approver, preserving a clear timekeeping audit trail.
Paychex Flex combines payroll administration and time and attendance workflows under one vendor ecosystem, which helps organizations reduce cross-system reconciliation. Core capabilities include web and mobile time capture for employees, supervisor approvals for timesheets, and payroll-ready outputs that support pay period close processes.
- +Supervisor approval workflows reduce timesheet rework cycles
- +Exception workflows help manage missed punches and irregular time
- +Payroll-ready outputs fit pay period close requirements
- +Vendor ecosystem supports consistent payroll and time operations
- –Advanced time rules can require more configuration than standalone tools
- –Clock hardware and integrations may depend on add-on setup
- –Reporting depth can feel payroll-centric for time-only operators
- –Role-based workflows take training to avoid approval bottlenecks
Best for: Fits when payroll and time processes must follow one operational governance model across departments.
Paylocity
enterpriseOffers payroll, time and labor management, scheduling, and employee administration.
Exception-driven timekeeping workflows route irregular punches to the right supervisor for correction before pay period close.
Paylocity combines payroll operations with time and attendance workflows used by mid-market employers, with structured approval paths that tie hours to pay readiness. Teams can manage web clock and mobile time entry, route exceptions to supervisors, and preserve a timekeeping audit trail for pay period close.
- +Time approvals and exception routing reduce off-cycle payroll fixes
- +Timekeeping audit trail supports pay period close reviews
- +Overtime and schedule configuration supports common labor rules
- +Integration options help move time totals into payroll workflows
- –More governance is needed to keep approvals and exceptions consistent
- –Biometric or location enforcement depends on supported clock hardware setup
- –Some labor allocation and job costing needs extra configuration effort
- –Reporting depth can require admin training to interpret exception drivers
Best for: Fits when mid-market employers need tight control over time approvals and payroll-ready audit trails without heavy custom integration work.
QuickBooks Payroll
SMBProvides payroll with time tracking connections through the QuickBooks business platform.
Payroll run controls and payroll-ready reporting integrate directly with hours worked used for pay calculations.
QuickBooks Payroll ties payroll processing to time and attendance workflows by centering payroll runs, pay-period controls, and tax-ready output in the QuickBooks ecosystem. It supports timesheet-style reporting for hours worked and then carries those results into payroll calculations so pay and hours stay aligned.
- +Tight handoff from hours data into QuickBooks payroll calculations
- +Pay-period controls reduce last-minute payroll adjustments
- +Approval workflow supports structured manager review of timesheets
- +Reporting stays in the QuickBooks reporting model for operational continuity
- –Time and attendance depth is thinner than dedicated clocking systems
- –Advanced labor allocation needs often require additional setup
- –External time data integrations depend on specific QuickBooks import paths
- –Complex labor rules can require manual exception handling during close
Best for: Fits when payroll processing in QuickBooks is the system of record and time data needs a dependable payroll-ready handoff.
UKG Ready
SMBCombines payroll, timekeeping, scheduling, and workforce management for growing organizations.
Exception workflows that route time issues to managers for attestation-style resolution during the pay period close cycle.
UKG Ready brings UKG timekeeping and workforce workflow into a payroll time and attendance role for companies that need reliable clock capture plus approvals. It supports web and mobile time clocks, shift-based attendance workflows, and structured exception handling through manager review.
- +Time and attendance workflows tied to shift and approval steps
- +Exception management routes issues to the right supervisor
- +Mobile and web clock options support frontline day-to-day use
- +Timekeeping history supports audit trail needs for pay period close
- –Complex setups take time for multi-role approval chains
- –Advanced labor allocation often depends on configuration scope
- –Workflow tuning is needed to keep exceptions from overwhelming supervisors
- –Reporting depth can require admin knowledge to refine filters
Best for: Fits when mid-market and enterprise teams need shift-based approvals and payroll-ready time audit trails.
Conclusion
After evaluating 11 payroll time and attendance software, UKG Pro stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
Gusto
small-business payrollGusto supports time tracking and payroll operations together so managers can review hours and run payroll from the same platform.
Payroll tax filing and payroll processing connected to time data from integrated time tracking
Gusto stands out for tying payroll and benefits workflows to time-based employee actions in one connected system. It supports time tracking via integrations with common time and attendance providers and then routes hours into payroll runs.
- +Strong payroll automation with integrated payroll tax filings
- +Smooth onboarding for payroll, time entry, and pay distribution
- +Good time tracking support through established third-party integrations
- –Time and attendance capabilities depend on external integrations
- –Limited native shift scheduling and advanced workforce management
- –Reporting for time-to-pay workflows is less detailed than dedicated T&A suites
Best for: Organizations needing payroll-first processing with simple time tracking integration
How to Choose the Right Payroll Time and Attendance Software
This buyer's guide explains how to select Payroll Time And Attendance software that turns employee time capture into payroll-ready records. It covers UKG Pro, Workday Time Tracking, ADP Workforce Now, BambooHR Time Tracking, Paycom, Gusto, Deputy, When I Work, Sling, and Tanda. You will get a feature checklist, a selection process, and common pitfalls grounded in what these specific platforms support.
What Is Payroll Time and Attendance Software?
Payroll Time And Attendance software captures employee time from clocks, mobile check-ins, kiosks, or timesheets and then routes approvals for payroll use. It solves the recurring problem of getting hours, absences, schedules, and pay rules to line up so you can finalize payroll without manual rework. UKG Pro and Workday Time Tracking illustrate the payroll-ready model by using approval workflows and governance that feed time into payroll processing. BambooHR Time Tracking and When I Work illustrate a scheduling-linked model by connecting shift context to time clocking and manager approvals for paid hours.
Key Features to Look For
These capabilities determine whether your time data becomes payroll-ready with fewer exceptions and less manual reconciliation across employees and locations.
Time-to-pay approval workflows that feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic
UKG Pro centers on time and attendance approval workflows that directly feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic so payroll rules stay consistent with time edits. ADP Workforce Now also ties exception-based approvals to payroll processing so timecard decisions connect to downstream payroll outcomes.
Policy-driven time capture with governed edits and audit trails
Workday Time Tracking uses policy-driven time capture with approval workflows that feed directly into payroll and maintains an audit trail for time edits and approval decisions. Deputy also creates an audit trail before time exports with approvals that managers can verify prior to payroll.
Scheduling context that stays connected to time clocking and approvals
When I Work links shift scheduling to time clock approvals so paid hours reflect the same shift context used for scheduling and attendance approvals. Deputy also combines live scheduling with mobile time clocks so employees check in on assigned shifts and managers approve payroll-ready records.
Mobile and kiosk check-in workflows for reliable attendance capture
Deputy supports mobile and kiosk check-in so missed clock entries become less common for frontline schedules. Paycom supports mobile time entry so employees can clock and correct time events tied to payroll-relevant rules.
Exception handling for timecard adjustments with role-based controls
ADP Workforce Now supports approvals, adjustments, and exception handling for timecards so teams can manage anomalies like missed punches and nonstandard hours. Paycom and Deputy both use role-based approvals for timesheets and exceptions so managers handle workflow steps before payroll export.
Time export and integration depth for your payroll engine
Gusto connects payroll operations with time tracking by routing hours into payroll runs and includes payroll tax filing and pay calculation tools. Sling focuses on payroll readiness through exporting time data and coordinating approvals rather than offering a deep payroll engine inside the product.
How to Choose the Right Payroll Time and Attendance Software
Pick the tool that matches your payroll model and operational complexity, then validate that its time capture, approvals, and reporting match how your payroll rules get applied.
Match the platform to your payroll ecosystem and governance needs
If your payroll is built on Workday, choose Workday Time Tracking to use policy-driven time capture and approvals that feed directly into Workday payroll. If you need an all-in-one enterprise HR, scheduling, and time-to-pay approach across locations, choose UKG Pro to standardize time and payroll with approval workflows that feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic.
Validate time capture method and manager approval workflows for your workforce
For distributed hourly teams that live on shifts, Deputy provides live scheduling plus mobile and kiosk time clocks and approval workflows that create an audit trail before time exports. For teams that want shift scheduling tied to time clock approvals, When I Work connects scheduling-first context to attendance approvals for payroll export.
Test exception handling and timecard adjustment support for your real edge cases
If you routinely manage anomalies like missed punches and custom adjustments, ADP Workforce Now supports approvals, adjustments, and exception handling tied to payroll processing. For overtime and rule-driven pay impacts, Paycom automates pay impacts from time clocks and supports role-based approvals for timesheets and exceptions.
Assess scheduling depth versus payroll depth for your operational complexity
If you need deeper scheduling and labor rules beyond basic clocking, UKG Pro supports configurable scheduling and approval workflows for complex labor rules. If you need simpler scheduling-linked time tracking integrated into HR workflows, BambooHR Time Tracking provides timesheet-based time capture and approvals tied to BambooHR employee records.
Plan for integration and rollout complexity before you commit
Workday Time Tracking delivers best results when your organization already uses Workday HCM and payroll, so evaluate rollout effort alongside your existing system readiness. UKG Pro and ADP Workforce Now can require higher implementation and configuration effort for multi-location or multi-union rules, so confirm you have the operational ownership to tune scheduling, approvals, and pay logic.
Who Needs Payroll Time and Attendance Software?
Payroll Time And Attendance software helps organizations that must turn time, schedules, and absences into payroll-ready records with approvals, audit trails, and exception handling.
Mid-market and enterprise employers standardizing time and payroll across locations
UKG Pro is best for standardizing time and payroll across locations with time-to-pay approval workflows that directly feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic. You get configurable scheduling and approval workflows built to support complex labor rules, which reduces manual reconciliation during payroll readiness.
Enterprises running Workday HCM and Workday payroll that need governed time-to-pay workflows
Workday Time Tracking is designed for organizations already invested in Workday HCM and payroll and provides policy-driven time capture with approval workflows feeding directly into payroll. The solution also supports an audit trail for time edits and approval decisions, which supports enterprise governance.
Mid-size to enterprise organizations that want integrated timecards and payroll processing
ADP Workforce Now connects workforce management, scheduling, and timekeeping workflows to ADP payroll processing with exception-based approvals tied to payroll. This fit is strongest when you need approvals, adjustments, and timecard exception handling in the same system used for payroll.
HRIS-led teams using BambooHR and wanting timesheets and approvals tied to employee records
BambooHR Time Tracking is best for companies using BambooHR that want timesheet-based time capture and approvals tied to BambooHR employee profiles. It aligns time off and schedule review so managers can handle payroll-ready review workflows without cross-checking across disconnected systems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These pitfalls show up when organizations buy the wrong balance of payroll integration, scheduling depth, and operational workflow ownership.
Buying a scheduling tool that exports time but does not manage payroll rules
Sling and Tanda can keep scheduling and approvals tightly connected for frontline workflows, but their payroll depth is lighter than dedicated enterprise payroll suites. If your payroll rules require deep earning, deduction, and absence logic inside the time workflow, choose UKG Pro or Workday Time Tracking to feed payroll-ready decisions rather than rely on exports.
Underestimating configuration effort for complex labor rules and multi-location governance
UKG Pro and ADP Workforce Now require high configuration effort for multi-union or multi-location rules and complex labor decisions, so rollout can slow without strong HR and workforce ownership. Workday Time Tracking also increases complexity when your organization is not already set up in Workday HCM and payroll.
Choosing a payroll-first approach that depends on external time integrations
Gusto ties time tracking into payroll runs through integrations with external time and attendance providers, which limits native shift scheduling and advanced workforce management depth. If you need comprehensive time and scheduling workflows inside one governed solution, Deputy or When I Work can better support shift scheduling plus time clock approvals.
Expecting advanced workforce analytics from tools that focus on scheduling and approval workflows
Sling and When I Work prioritize scheduling-linked attendance and approvals, but payroll reporting and exports can be less robust than dedicated payroll and time platforms. For stronger labor, attendance, and payroll analytics, UKG Pro and Workday Time Tracking provide reporting aligned to labor and payroll readiness.
How We Selected and Ranked These Tools
We evaluated UKG Pro, Workday Time Tracking, ADP Workforce Now, BambooHR Time Tracking, Paycom, Gusto, Deputy, When I Work, Sling, and Tanda across overall fit, feature depth, ease of use, and value. We prioritized tools that connect time capture to payroll-ready outcomes through approval workflows, policy controls, and exception handling tied to payroll processing. UKG Pro separated itself by combining configurable scheduling and approval workflows with strong employee data consistency and time-to-pay workflows that feed payroll earning, deduction, and absence logic. Workday Time Tracking also scored high for policy-driven time capture, governed edits, and audit trails that feed directly into Workday payroll.
Frequently Asked Questions About Payroll Time and Attendance Software
How does payroll time and attendance software move approved time into payroll runs?
Which payroll and time systems support integration via documented API and automation tooling?
How should organizations handle offline or poor connectivity for employee clock-in and time entry?
What breaks if an organization cannot map work rules and pay codes to captured time?
When do missed punches and time entry exceptions need approvals, and where do they route?
How do RBAC and audit logs show who changed time and why during pay period close?
Which systems are strongest for shift-based approvals across multiple locations?
How should data migration be planned when moving from legacy time clocks or spreadsheets?
What is the tradeoff between payroll-first ecosystems and time-first standalone timekeeping?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
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