Quick Overview
- 1#1: Hubstaff - Comprehensive time tracking and employee monitoring for remote teams with screenshots, GPS location, activity levels, and scheduling.
- 2#2: Time Doctor - Productivity monitoring software that tracks time, captures screenshots, monitors apps and websites for remote employees.
- 3#3: DeskTime - Automatic time tracking with screenshots, productivity scores, and distraction blocking tailored for remote work.
- 4#4: Toggl Track - User-friendly time tracker with team dashboards, project reporting, and idle detection for distributed remote teams.
- 5#5: Clockify - Free unlimited time tracking with timesheets, invoicing, and team management features for remote workers.
- 6#6: Harvest - Simple time tracking integrated with invoicing and expense management for remote project teams.
- 7#7: RescueTime - Automatic time tracking that categorizes activities, provides productivity reports, and blocks distractions for remote professionals.
- 8#8: Everhour - Time tracking and budgeting tool that integrates seamlessly with project management apps like Jira and Asana for remote teams.
- 9#9: Timely - AI-powered automatic time tracking that logs work across devices and generates accurate timesheets for remote users.
- 10#10: Insightful - Employee monitoring platform with time tracking, screenshots, and behavior analytics designed for remote workforce management.
These tools were chosen for their robust feature sets, consistent performance, intuitive design, and alignment with remote work needs, balancing functionality, ease of use, and value to ensure they meet the demands of modern distributed teams.
Comparison Table
For remote teams, effective time tracking software is vital for balancing productivity, transparency, and work-life balance. This comparison table outlines key tools—including Hubstaff, Time Doctor, DeskTime, Toggl Track, Clockify, and more—detailing features, pricing, and unique value to help you select the right fit.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hubstaff Comprehensive time tracking and employee monitoring for remote teams with screenshots, GPS location, activity levels, and scheduling. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Time Doctor Productivity monitoring software that tracks time, captures screenshots, monitors apps and websites for remote employees. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | DeskTime Automatic time tracking with screenshots, productivity scores, and distraction blocking tailored for remote work. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Toggl Track User-friendly time tracker with team dashboards, project reporting, and idle detection for distributed remote teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Clockify Free unlimited time tracking with timesheets, invoicing, and team management features for remote workers. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Harvest Simple time tracking integrated with invoicing and expense management for remote project teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | RescueTime Automatic time tracking that categorizes activities, provides productivity reports, and blocks distractions for remote professionals. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Everhour Time tracking and budgeting tool that integrates seamlessly with project management apps like Jira and Asana for remote teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Timely AI-powered automatic time tracking that logs work across devices and generates accurate timesheets for remote users. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Insightful Employee monitoring platform with time tracking, screenshots, and behavior analytics designed for remote workforce management. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
Comprehensive time tracking and employee monitoring for remote teams with screenshots, GPS location, activity levels, and scheduling.
Productivity monitoring software that tracks time, captures screenshots, monitors apps and websites for remote employees.
Automatic time tracking with screenshots, productivity scores, and distraction blocking tailored for remote work.
User-friendly time tracker with team dashboards, project reporting, and idle detection for distributed remote teams.
Free unlimited time tracking with timesheets, invoicing, and team management features for remote workers.
Simple time tracking integrated with invoicing and expense management for remote project teams.
Automatic time tracking that categorizes activities, provides productivity reports, and blocks distractions for remote professionals.
Time tracking and budgeting tool that integrates seamlessly with project management apps like Jira and Asana for remote teams.
AI-powered automatic time tracking that logs work across devices and generates accurate timesheets for remote users.
Employee monitoring platform with time tracking, screenshots, and behavior analytics designed for remote workforce management.
Hubstaff
enterpriseComprehensive time tracking and employee monitoring for remote teams with screenshots, GPS location, activity levels, and scheduling.
Timed screenshots providing visual proof of work alongside keyboard/mouse activity levels
Hubstaff is a leading remote employee time tracking software that provides automated time tracking, activity monitoring, screenshots, and GPS location for distributed teams. It enables managers to oversee productivity, generate accurate payroll, and integrate with project management tools like Asana and QuickBooks. With desktop, mobile, and web apps, it supports freelancers, agencies, and remote businesses in verifying work hours and optimizing workforce efficiency.
Pros
- Comprehensive monitoring with screenshots, activity rates, and GPS tracking for remote verification
- Seamless integrations with payroll, invoicing, and 50+ productivity tools
- Flexible scheduling, timesheets, and automated reporting to streamline operations
Cons
- Screenshots and app/URL tracking raise privacy concerns for some employees
- Advanced features like unlimited screenshots require higher-tier plans
- Desktop app can occasionally experience performance issues on older hardware
Best For
Remote businesses, agencies, and freelancers needing detailed productivity monitoring and proof-of-work for distributed teams.
Pricing
Free for 1 user; paid plans from $7/user/month (Basic) to $20/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually, with features scaling by tier.
Time Doctor
enterpriseProductivity monitoring software that tracks time, captures screenshots, monitors apps and websites for remote employees.
Periodic screenshots combined with AI-powered productivity scoring for verifiable proof of work
Time Doctor is a comprehensive time tracking and employee monitoring software tailored for remote teams, automatically logging time spent on tasks across desktop, web, and mobile apps. It captures periodic screenshots, tracks keyboard and mouse activity to measure productivity levels, and generates detailed reports on time usage, distractions, and efficiency. The tool integrates with project management platforms like Asana and Trello, helping managers enforce accountability and optimize remote workforce performance.
Pros
- Robust monitoring with screenshots, activity tracking, and app/website usage reports
- Seamless integrations with popular PM tools and payroll systems
- Detailed productivity analytics and customizable alerts for better team management
Cons
- Privacy concerns from screenshots and constant monitoring may deter some users
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features and initial setup
- Higher costs for premium plans with full functionality
Best For
Remote team managers and businesses needing in-depth productivity monitoring and proof-of-work verification.
Pricing
Basic plan at $7/user/month (billed annually), Standard at $9.99/user/month, Premium at $19.99/user/month; free trial available.
DeskTime
specializedAutomatic time tracking with screenshots, productivity scores, and distraction blocking tailored for remote work.
AI-powered automatic categorization of apps and websites into productive, unproductive, or neutral activities
DeskTime is an automatic time tracking software tailored for remote teams, monitoring employee activity through desktop apps, websites, and idle time without requiring manual timers. It categorizes tasks into productive, unproductive, or neutral using predefined or custom rules, generates detailed productivity reports, and captures optional screenshots for accountability. The tool also supports project tracking, payroll integration, and offline time logging, making it suitable for distributed workforces needing oversight.
Pros
- Automatic real-time tracking with no manual input required
- Detailed productivity analytics and customizable categorizations
- Screenshot capture and offline functionality for flexible monitoring
Cons
- Privacy concerns due to screenshots and constant monitoring
- Can foster employee distrust if not implemented transparently
- Free plan is limited; full features require paid subscription
Best For
Remote team managers seeking automated, insightful productivity monitoring with accountability features.
Pricing
Free Basic plan for solo users; Pro at $7/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing with advanced features.
Toggl Track
specializedUser-friendly time tracker with team dashboards, project reporting, and idle detection for distributed remote teams.
Autotracker AI automatically detects and categorizes time from apps and websites for effortless logging
Toggl Track is a straightforward time tracking software that enables remote employees and teams to log hours via a simple timer, manual entries, or AI-powered autotracking. It excels in generating detailed reports, visualizations like timelines, and profitability insights for projects and clients. With cross-platform support including desktop, mobile, and browser extensions, it's designed for accurate time capture without invasive monitoring. Ideal for productivity tracking in distributed teams, it integrates seamlessly with tools like Asana, Jira, and Google Workspace.
Pros
- Intuitive one-click timer and offline support for flexible remote use
- Powerful reporting with timelines, charts, and profitability tracking
- Over 100 integrations for seamless workflow embedding
Cons
- Lacks screenshot capture or keystroke monitoring for stricter oversight
- Advanced admin controls and project budgeting require Premium plan
- Free tier limited to 5 users with basic features
Best For
Small to medium remote teams and freelancers needing simple, non-intrusive time tracking for billing and productivity insights.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; Starter $9/user/mo (annual) or $10 monthly; Premium $18/user/mo (annual); Enterprise custom.
Clockify
specializedFree unlimited time tracking with timesheets, invoicing, and team management features for remote workers.
Unlimited free time tracking for teams with no caps on users, projects, or tracked time
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking software that enables remote employees and teams to log time via timers, manual entries, or timesheets across projects, clients, and tasks. It provides detailed reports, invoicing, and team management features like approvals and dashboards, ideal for monitoring distributed workforces. The tool supports desktop, web, and mobile apps with offline functionality, making it accessible for remote setups.
Pros
- Unlimited users, projects, and tracking on the free plan
- Intuitive interface with cross-platform apps and offline support
- Robust reporting, timesheets, and team approval workflows
Cons
- Advanced features like scheduling, expenses, and GPS tracking require paid upgrades
- Lacks built-in productivity monitoring like screenshots or activity levels
- Reporting depth is limited on the free tier compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Small to medium remote teams seeking a simple, cost-free time tracking solution focused on billable hours and project management.
Pricing
Free plan with unlimited users and basic features; paid plans (Basic $3.99/user/mo annual, Pro $9.99, Enterprise $19.99) unlock advanced reporting and tools.
Harvest
specializedSimple time tracking integrated with invoicing and expense management for remote project teams.
One-click time tracking to invoice conversion with automated profitability calculations
Harvest is a straightforward time tracking and invoicing platform that enables remote teams to log hours via timers, manual entry, or integrations with calendars and project tools. It excels in project-based tracking, expense logging, budgeting, and generating profitability reports to ensure accurate billing. With mobile apps and robust integrations like Asana, Slack, and QuickBooks, it's tailored for distributed teams managing client work efficiently.
Pros
- Intuitive timer and mobile app for effortless remote time entry
- Powerful reporting and profitability insights for project management
- Seamless integrations with 100+ tools like Trello, Jira, and QuickBooks
Cons
- Lacks advanced employee monitoring features like screenshots or idle detection
- No built-in payroll or GPS tracking for field workers
- Per-user pricing scales expensively for large teams
Best For
Small to medium remote agencies and freelance teams prioritizing billable hours tracking and invoicing over strict oversight.
Pricing
Lite: $10.80/user/month (time tracking only); Pro: $12/user/month (includes invoicing, expenses, scheduling); billed annually with 30-day free trial.
RescueTime
specializedAutomatic time tracking that categorizes activities, provides productivity reports, and blocks distractions for remote professionals.
Automatic productivity scoring based on learned user behavior and historical data
RescueTime is an automatic time tracking tool that runs in the background on desktops to monitor app and website usage, categorizing time into productive, distracting, or neutral activities. It provides detailed reports, productivity scores, goal setting, and focus modes to help users optimize their workday. For remote teams, the Business plan offers admin dashboards for oversight without screenshots or invasive monitoring.
Pros
- Fully automatic tracking with no manual input required
- Insightful productivity scores and historical categorization
- Non-intrusive team dashboards focused on insights over surveillance
Cons
- Lacks screenshots, GPS, or proof-of-work features common in employee monitoring tools
- Limited project/task-specific time allocation
- Reporting is more individual-focused than robust enterprise team analytics
Best For
Remote teams prioritizing productivity insights and self-improvement over strict time verification or billable hour tracking.
Pricing
Lite: Free; Premium: $6/user/month (billed annually); Business: Starts at $12/user/month with team features.
Everhour
specializedTime tracking and budgeting tool that integrates seamlessly with project management apps like Jira and Asana for remote teams.
Native, one-click time tracking directly within integrated project management tools
Everhour is a time tracking software that integrates deeply with project management tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, and Monday.com, allowing remote teams to log time directly on tasks without switching apps. It offers features like visual timelines, budget tracking, capacity planning, and customizable reports to monitor productivity and project profitability. Designed for distributed teams, it supports offline tracking, mobile apps, and automated reminders to ensure accurate time capture in remote work environments.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with major PM tools for effortless time tracking
- Advanced budgeting, forecasting, and capacity planning tools
- Comprehensive reporting and visual timelines for remote team oversight
Cons
- Limited standalone functionality without a PM tool integration
- No activity monitoring or screenshots for detailed employee oversight
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Best For
Remote teams using project management platforms like Asana or Jira who need integrated, accurate time tracking and budgeting.
Pricing
Team plan starts at $10/user/month (annual billing), Business at $20/user/month; free 14-day trial, no free plan.
Timely
specializedAI-powered automatic time tracking that logs work across devices and generates accurate timesheets for remote users.
Memory automatic time tracking that builds a timeline of your day from app usage and calendars without screenshots
Timely is an automatic time tracking software tailored for remote teams and freelancers, using its Memory feature to capture and categorize time spent on tasks without manual timers. It integrates seamlessly with calendars, project tools like Asana and Jira, and productivity apps to reconstruct daily activities accurately. The platform provides detailed reporting, project budgeting, and profitability analytics to help managers oversee remote employee productivity and billing.
Pros
- Automatic Memory tracking eliminates manual entry for remote workers
- Strong integrations with calendars and PM tools for effortless setup
- Comprehensive profitability and budgeting reports for team oversight
Cons
- Pricing scales per user and can get expensive for larger teams
- Limited advanced customization in reporting compared to top competitors
- Memory feature requires desktop app for full automatic capture
Best For
Small to medium remote teams and agencies seeking hands-off time tracking with profitability insights.
Pricing
Starter at $10/user/month (basic tracking), Unlimited at $20/user/month (full features); billed annually with discounts.
Insightful
enterpriseEmployee monitoring platform with time tracking, screenshots, and behavior analytics designed for remote workforce management.
Proof of Work screenshots with activity timelines for verifiable time tracking
Insightful (insightful.io) is a robust employee monitoring and time tracking platform tailored for remote teams, offering automatic time tracking, periodic screenshots, and detailed activity monitoring across apps and websites. It provides productivity analytics, customizable reports, project time tracking, and real-time alerts to help managers optimize remote workforce performance. The software emphasizes proof-of-work verification and integrates with popular tools like Slack, Jira, and Asana for seamless workflow management.
Pros
- Comprehensive activity tracking with screenshots and app/website usage logs
- AI-powered productivity insights and customizable reports
- Offline tracking with automatic sync and strong integrations
Cons
- Privacy concerns from invasive monitoring like screenshots
- Desktop agent can be resource-intensive
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
Best For
Remote-first SMBs and enterprises needing detailed productivity monitoring and proof-of-work verification.
Pricing
Starts at $6.40/user/month (Starter, billed annually), $10.40/user/month (Premium), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
Sifting through the top tools reveals Hubstaff as the clear leader, offering a robust mix of time tracking, monitoring, and scheduling features ideal for remote teams. Though Time Doctor and DeskTime follow closely—each excelling in areas like productivity insights and distraction management—they cater to distinct needs, solidifying the top three as strong choices. In the end, Hubstaff’s comprehensive approach makes it the standout pick for many remote work environments.
Don’t miss out on maximizing your remote team’s productivity—explore Hubstaff today to streamline time tracking and enhance workflow efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison