GITNUXSOFTWARE REVIEW
Finance Financial ServicesTop 10 Best Payroll Time Keeping Software of 2026
Editorial roundup comparing payroll time keeping software options, with fit notes for teams and an overview of UKG Pro features and tradeoffs.
How we ranked these tools
Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.
Agents extract product evidence with provenance, then collect written reviews and transcribe video reviews and podcasts.
Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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UKG Pro is the best choice for enterprises needing integrated time capture that stays payroll-ready, since its rules-based processing routes payroll-impacting adjustments through approvals with clear audit trails, while ADP Workforce Now fits firms that want time exceptions management that flags missing punches and invalid entries before payroll.
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
Rules-based time processing with approvals and audit trails for payroll-impacting adjustments
Best for: Enterprises needing integrated time capture, approvals, and payroll-ready exceptions
ADP Workforce Now
Editor pickTime and attendance exception management that flags missing punches and invalid entries
Best for: Enterprises and mid-market employers needing integrated payroll and timekeeping automation
Rippling
Editor pickRippling Automated Workflows that route time approvals and sync changes into payroll
Best for: Companies centralizing HR, time tracking, and payroll on one operational platform
Comparison Table
UKG Pro
enterprise HR payrollDelivers time and attendance and absence management integrated with payroll and HR administration for workforce compliance and reporting.
Rules-based time processing with approvals and audit trails for payroll-impacting adjustments
UKG Pro stands out by combining payroll and timekeeping processes in one workforce management suite, including absence and scheduling workflows that feed payroll decisions. Core capabilities include employee time capture, rules-based time processing, approvals, and audit trails designed for compliance-oriented payroll operations.
The system also supports integrations with UKG modules and HR data so time and payroll calculations stay consistent across workforce changes. Administrators get reporting for hours, adjustments, and exceptions tied to pay outcomes.
- +Integrated time, absence, and payroll workflows reduce reconciliation between systems
- +Rules-based time processing supports complex pay and rounding scenarios
- +Approval workflows and audit trails improve control over time corrections
- +Robust reporting for hours, adjustments, and payroll-impacting exceptions
- –Configuration depth can slow rollout for teams with limited HRIS administrators
- –User experience varies by role when navigating time exceptions and approvals
- –Building tailored time rules can require expert administration knowledge
Best for: Enterprises needing integrated time capture, approvals, and payroll-ready exceptions
ADP Workforce Now
enterprise suiteProvides payroll-ready time tracking with scheduling, attendance, and workforce management workflows that feed payroll processing.
Time and attendance exception management that flags missing punches and invalid entries
ADP Workforce Now stands out for combining payroll processing with time and attendance in one system for organizations with complex pay rules. It supports manager and employee time tracking workflows, including approvals, timesheets, and exceptions for missed or invalid entries. The platform also integrates with payroll, tax, and HR data so time and earnings align during payroll runs.
- +Time and attendance links directly to payroll earnings and pay codes
- +Strong approval workflows for managers and employees across locations
- +Exception-based alerts reduce manual corrections before payroll closes
- +Configurable pay rules support complex schedules and shift patterns
- –High configuration depth can slow setup for smaller teams
- –Role-based navigation can feel dense without dedicated administration
- –Some advanced timekeeping scenarios require careful HR and payroll mapping
- –Reporting customization can take time to learn and maintain
Best for: Enterprises and mid-market employers needing integrated payroll and timekeeping automation
Rippling
all-in-one payroll HRAutomates employee time collection and enables payroll integration with approval workflows and workforce reporting.
Rippling Automated Workflows that route time approvals and sync changes into payroll
Rippling unifies HR, payroll, and time tracking with shared employee records and workflows. Payroll processing can pull hours from time entries for automated earnings and pay calculations.
Automated rule-based workflows reduce manual handoffs between timekeeping and payroll administration. The platform also supports attendance data collection features such as schedules, approvals, and policy-driven time rules.
- +Single employee system connects time entries directly to payroll calculations
- +Workflow automation supports approval chains for timesheets and exceptions
- +Configurable time rules and schedules reduce manual corrections before payroll
- +Audit-friendly history links changes to workers and timestamps
- –Timekeeping setup can be complex for organizations with intricate shift policies
- –Advanced workflow configuration may require specialized admin knowledge
- –Reporting for edge-case labor policies can need extra configuration effort
Payroll administrators
Auto-calculate pay from time entries
Fewer manual pay adjustments
HR operations teams
Standardize time rules and approvals
Consistent attendance compliance
Show 2 more scenarios
Multi-state employers
Centralize payroll and attendance workflows
Reduced cross-team handoffs
Time and payroll processes stay connected through shared employee data across locations.
Managers and team leads
Review and approve employee attendance
Faster time-to-pay
Managers can approve time and schedules so payroll processing uses validated hours.
Best for: Companies centralizing HR, time tracking, and payroll on one operational platform
BambooHR
SMB HRSupports employee time tracking and payroll-ready reporting through HR operations workflows for small to mid-sized teams.
Time off requests with role-based manager approvals
BambooHR stands out for combining employee record management with time tracking and approval workflows in one system. It supports time-off requests, scheduling views, and manager approvals, which helps connect workforce data with day-to-day attendance decisions.
- +Unified employee profiles and time-off requests reduce duplicate data entry.
- +Manager approvals streamline review of time and absence submissions.
- +Strong attendance and absence reporting supports operational visibility.
- –Time data exports can add steps for payroll teams needing strict imports.
- –Scheduling depth is limited versus dedicated workforce management systems.
- –Advanced timekeeping rules and edge cases may require configuration support.
Best for: Mid-size teams needing HR records plus basic time-off approvals and exports
Gusto
SMB payrollEnables employee time tracking with payroll processing and provides tools for managing approvals and labor data.
Time tracking with manager approvals tied into payroll processing
Gusto stands out by combining payroll, benefits, and team time tracking in one workflow that reduces manual handoffs between systems. It supports employee time capture and approval flows, then feeds hours into payroll processing.
- +Time tracking connects directly into payroll workflows for fewer data transfers
- +Approval flows support controlled changes before payroll processing
- +Centralized employee records reduce lookup errors across time and payroll
- +Self-serve employee time submission supports consistent day-to-day usage
- –Clocking depth for complex shift rules can feel limited
- –Granular scheduling and forecasting needs may require extra tooling
- –Reporting flexibility for time variances is less robust than standalone systems
Best for: Service and retail teams needing payroll-ready time approvals with minimal system sprawl
When I Work
workforce schedulingOffers employee scheduling and time clock features that capture attendance for payroll-ready labor reporting.
Shift scheduling with employee time clock tied to assigned shifts
When I Work stands out with schedule-first time tracking that lets managers build shifts and employees clock in against those assignments. It supports time and attendance workflows like time-clock punches, shift coverage, approvals, and audit-ready changes.
- +Schedule-driven time tracking reduces mismatches between planned shifts and punches.
- +Mobile clock-in and geofenced options support field and on-site employees.
- +Manager approvals and edit history help maintain auditability for timesheets.
- +Exports and integrations support downstream payroll calculations for hourly wages.
- –Advanced labor rules like overtime and complex compliance need careful setup.
- –Lighter enterprise reporting limits visibility for multi-location analytics.
- –Setup can feel heavy when switching from freeform timesheets to schedules.
Best for: Hourly teams needing schedule-based time clocks and manager approvals
Paychex Flex
payroll and timeCombines employee time tracking with payroll processing and HR administration for structured approvals and audit trails.
Integrated time and attendance to payroll processing within Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex stands out by combining payroll processing with HR administration and time and attendance in a single workflow. It supports employee time tracking, pay coding, and payroll data preparation with centralized reporting.
- +Unified time and attendance plus payroll reduces rekeying and pay discrepancies.
- +Pay code and time entry structure supports cleaner payroll processing workflows.
- +Role-based access and reporting help keep approvals auditable.
- –Setup complexity can slow initial deployment for multi-location workflows.
- –Workflows depend on HR configuration that may require administrative effort.
- –Reporting options can feel less flexible than purpose-built time tools.
Best for: Mid-market employers needing integrated time tracking for payroll processing workflows
OnPay
payroll platformProvides time tracking that connects to payroll runs with permissions, approvals, and payroll reports for compliance.
Time and attendance approvals that feed directly into payroll calculations
OnPay stands out by combining payroll processing with time and attendance inputs used to calculate employee pay. Core time-keeping capabilities center on employee time tracking, approvals, and payroll-ready summaries that reduce manual reconciliation.
- +Payroll-first design keeps time data aligned with payroll calculations
- +Approval workflow supports manager sign-off before pay runs
- +Time summaries and payroll-ready exports reduce spreadsheet reconciliation
- +Usable employee time tracking reduces administrative effort
- –Advanced scheduling and shift optimization tools are limited
- –Timekeeping depth for complex labor rules can require extra process
- –Reporting is more payroll-focused than operations-focused
- –Customization for unique attendance policies is constrained
Best for: Small to mid-size payroll teams needing integrated time-to-pay workflows
Tanda
shift schedulingRuns shift scheduling and time clock workflows with attendance tracking that supports payroll calculations for hourly teams.
Shift-based timesheets with manager approvals tied to rostering
Tanda stands out with a shift and timekeeping workflow that connects staff rostering to attendance and time approval. It covers core payroll timekeeping inputs like clock-in and clock-out capture, timesheeting, and manager approvals.
- +Rosters link directly to timesheets for faster time approval workflows
- +Mobile clock-in and shift-based attendance capture reduce manual data entry
- +Role and location scheduling supports multi-team, multi-site operations
- +Approval controls help managers review anomalies before payroll submission
- –Payroll calculations are less flexible than systems built for complex pay rules
- –Configuration for approvals and exceptions can require admin effort
- –Reporting focuses on time data and may need exports for broader analytics
Best for: Mid-size shift-based teams needing time approvals tied to rostering
Workday Time Tracking
HR platformManages time entry, approvals, and absence workflows designed to integrate time data into payroll processing.
Configurable Time Entry and Approval workflows with audit trails for every payroll-relevant change
Workday Time Tracking is distinct because it combines timekeeping with Workday HCM workflows for approvals, audits, and reporting in one ecosystem. It supports employee time entry, managerial approvals, time-off synchronization, and exception handling for payroll-relevant edits.
- +Deep Workday integration for time entry, approvals, and payroll-ready reporting
- +Configurable approval workflows with audit trails for compliance evidence
- +Exception management for late, missing, and irregular time to reduce payroll corrections
- –Setup and workflow design can require specialized configuration effort
- –Best results depend on broader Workday HR structure and master data alignment
- –Time capture options may feel less flexible than dedicated time clock products
Best for: Organizations using Workday HCM and payroll that need audited, workflow-driven timekeeping
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 payroll time keeping 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.
How to Choose the Right Payroll Time Keeping Software
This buyer’s guide explains how to choose Payroll Time Keeping Software with concrete examples from ADP Workforce Now, UKG Pro, Workday Time Tracking, Rippling, and other tools in the top set. It covers time capture, approvals, exceptions, audit trails, and how time connects to payroll-ready calculations. It also highlights common deployment mistakes seen across ADP Workforce Now, Paychex Flex, and Tanda.
What Is Payroll Time Keeping Software?
Payroll time keeping software records employee work time, manages timesheets or shift-based attendance, and routes approvals and edits that can impact payroll. The core job is to convert clock punches or planned shift time into payroll-ready hours with clear audit trails and exception handling. Systems like ADP Workforce Now combine time and attendance workflows with payroll-ready pay coding and exception management. Workday Time Tracking ties time entry and approvals into Workday HCM workflows so time changes remain traceable for payroll processing.
Key Features to Look For
The right features prevent payroll mismatches by keeping time capture, approvals, and exception workflows aligned with payroll rules.
Exception management for missing or invalid time
ADP Workforce Now flags missing punches and invalid entries through exception-based alerts that reduce manual corrections before payroll closes. Workday Time Tracking also supports exception handling for late, missing, and irregular time to reduce payroll edits.
Rules-based time processing that matches complex pay rules
UKG Pro delivers rules-based time processing tied to approvals and audit trails for payroll-impacting adjustments. ADP Workforce Now supports configurable pay rules for complex schedules and shift patterns so hours align with pay calculations.
Approval workflows with audit trails for every payroll-relevant change
Workday Time Tracking provides configurable approval chains with audit trails for every payroll-relevant change. Paychex Flex and OnPay both support role-based access and manager approvals that keep time corrections auditable before payroll runs.
Time to payroll alignment through pay codes, calculations, and exports
ADP Workforce Now links time and attendance directly to payroll earnings and pay codes so time maps to payroll processing. Paychex Flex integrates time entries to payroll execution in one workflow to reduce rekeying and mismatches.
Shift scheduling tied to time clock and timesheets
Tanda connects rostering to timesheets so shift-based attendance drives faster manager approvals. When I Work is schedule-first and ties employee time clock punches to assigned shifts to reduce planned versus actual mismatches.
Centralized employee records and workflow automation across HR and payroll
Rippling unifies HR, payroll, and time tracking with shared employee records so payroll can pull hours from time entries. Gusto also keeps centralized employee records and routes time submission through approvals that feed payroll processing with fewer data transfers.
How to Choose the Right Payroll Time Keeping Software
Shortlist tools by mapping the organization’s time capture method and payroll complexity to the specific workflow, rules, and audit needs.
Match time capture to your workforce model
If shift scheduling drives attendance, tools like Tanda and When I Work tie employee clock-in to scheduled assignments. If the organization runs complex scheduling and multiple locations with payroll mapping needs, ADP Workforce Now focuses on configurable pay rules and exception management tied to payroll workflows.
Verify that payroll-impacting exceptions are handled before pay runs
Look for exception alerts that flag missing punches and invalid entries, which ADP Workforce Now provides through exception-based alerts. Workday Time Tracking and UKG Pro also emphasize exception handling and audit trails for payroll-relevant time edits.
Require approvals and audit trails for controlled corrections
Choose tools that support approval workflows with audit trails tied to specific changes, which Workday Time Tracking implements for every payroll-relevant change. Paychex Flex and OnPay both use role-based access and approval workflows so manager sign-off and time corrections remain traceable before payroll processing.
Assess how well rules and pay coding align to payroll
For complex pay and rounding scenarios, UKG Pro provides rules-based time processing with approvals and audit trails. ADP Workforce Now supports configurable pay rules and links time to payroll earnings and pay codes, which helps time and earnings stay consistent during payroll runs.
Choose the deployment path that fits admin capacity
If HRIS administrators are limited, avoid assuming rules-heavy configuration will be quick, since UKG Pro and ADP Workforce Now have configuration depth that can slow rollout. Rippling can also require specialized admin knowledge for intricate shift policies, while Paychex Flex and Workday Time Tracking can demand specialized workflow design to align master data.
Who Needs Payroll Time Keeping Software?
Payroll time keeping software fits organizations that must turn time capture into approved, auditable, payroll-ready hours.
Enterprises and mid-market employers needing integrated payroll and timekeeping automation
ADP Workforce Now fits organizations that need time and attendance feeding payroll processing with configurable pay rules and exception management. UKG Pro also fits enterprises that want rules-based time processing tied to approvals and audit trails for payroll-impacting adjustments.
Enterprises already running Workday for HR and payroll
Workday Time Tracking is designed for audited, workflow-driven timekeeping that integrates into Workday HCM and ties time entry and approvals to payroll-ready reporting. This approach is strongest when Workday master data and approval chains are already in place.
Mid-market organizations managing time approvals with payroll workflows
Paychex Flex suits mid-market employers that want time and attendance integrated to payroll processing within one workflow. OnPay also suits payroll teams that need time-to-pay alignment with payroll-ready summaries and manager approvals feeding payroll calculations.
Shift-based hourly teams that need schedule-first time clocks and faster approvals
Tanda is built around shift-based timesheets where rostering drives attendance tracking and manager approvals. When I Work supports schedule-first time tracking with mobile clock-in options and approvals tied to audit-ready change history.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common selection and rollout mistakes appear when organizations underestimate configuration depth, approval design, and payroll-rule alignment needs across these tools.
Overlooking exception workflows until payroll corrections become routine
Organizations that skip exception-focused timekeeping often end up rebuilding hours after payroll is nearly closed, which ADP Workforce Now helps prevent through exception-based alerts for missing punches and invalid entries. Workday Time Tracking and UKG Pro also prioritize exception handling and audit trails for payroll-relevant edits.
Assuming time setup will be quick for complex schedules and labor rules
ADP Workforce Now and UKG Pro both have configuration depth that can slow setup, especially for teams without dedicated administration capacity. Rippling can also become complex when shift policies are intricate and require specialized workflow configuration.
Choosing a schedule workflow that does not match planned shifts to punches
When employee clock-in is not tied to assignments, planned versus actual mismatches increase, which Tanda and When I Work specifically reduce by connecting time clock actions to rosters or assigned shifts. Tools that focus more on payroll-first summaries, like OnPay, may require additional processes for scheduling depth.
Relying on exports instead of native workflow alignment for strict payroll processes
BambooHR relies on time exports and integrations rather than native payroll processing in every payroll scenario, which can add steps for payroll teams that require strict imports. Paychex Flex reduces rework by integrating time entries to payroll execution within its workflow, which helps keep time and payroll aligned.
How We Selected and Ranked These Tools
We evaluated every tool on three sub-dimensions with fixed weights. Features carry 0.4 of the score because time rules, exception handling, approvals, and time-to-pay workflows determine whether payroll can close cleanly. Ease of use carries 0.3 of the score because setup and day-to-day navigation affect whether managers and employees can complete timesheets correctly. Value carries 0.3 of the score because the balance of workflow depth and operational payoff matters during ongoing payroll cycles. Overall equals 0.40 × features + 0.30 × ease of use + 0.30 × value. ADP Workforce Now separated from lower-ranked tools with time and attendance exception management that flags missing punches and invalid entries, which directly strengthens the features dimension tied to reducing payroll corrections before payroll closes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Payroll Time Keeping Software
How do payroll timekeeping tools move hours from time capture into payroll calculations?
Which integrations and APIs matter most for syncing employee and time data into HR and payroll systems?
What security controls support access governance for time approval and payroll-impacting adjustments?
How do data migration workflows handle historical punches and prior time adjustments?
When do managers need the ability to override time, and how do tools record those changes?
How do schedule-first workflows prevent buddy punching when employees clock in outside assignments?
What breaks if rounding rules and grace period settings do not match the organization’s pay rules?
How do tools handle overtime calculation when employees work across multiple labor codes or job costing categories?
What admin controls are typically required to keep approvals, timecard changes, and attendance policy enforcement consistent?
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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