Quick Overview
- 1#1: QuickBooks Time - Cloud-based employee time tracking with GPS geofencing, scheduling, and seamless QuickBooks payroll integration.
- 2#2: Homebase - Free time clock and scheduling software for hourly teams with geolocation, messaging, and performance insights.
- 3#3: When I Work - Employee scheduling and time clock app featuring shift trades, availability management, and labor cost forecasting.
- 4#4: Connecteam - All-in-one workforce app with mobile time clock, GPS tracking, scheduling, and communication for frontline workers.
- 5#5: Deputy - Shift-based time clock software with forecasting, compliance tools, and integrations for retail and hospitality.
- 6#6: 7shifts - Restaurant scheduling and time clock platform with labor budgeting, tip pooling, and team communication.
- 7#7: Clockify - Free unlimited time clock and tracking tool with timesheets, reports, and kiosk mode for teams.
- 8#8: Sling - Employee scheduling and time clock app with shift reminders, notifications, and availability coordination.
- 9#9: Hubstaff - Time tracking software with GPS, activity monitoring, invoicing, and scheduling for remote and field teams.
- 10#10: OnTheClock - Simple online time clock with facial recognition, GPS, and payroll reports for small businesses.
Tools were chosen based on key features (including GPS tracking, payroll integration, and shift management), quality (reliability, user experience), ease of use, and overall value, ensuring they meet the varied needs of hourly, remote, and frontline teams.
Comparison Table
Effective time clock and employee management software is essential for streamlining workflow. This comparison table breaks down key tools like QuickBooks Time, Homebase, When I Work, Connecteam, Deputy, and more, helping readers identify the best fit for their business needs, from features to usability and beyond.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Time Cloud-based employee time tracking with GPS geofencing, scheduling, and seamless QuickBooks payroll integration. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Homebase Free time clock and scheduling software for hourly teams with geolocation, messaging, and performance insights. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 3 | When I Work Employee scheduling and time clock app featuring shift trades, availability management, and labor cost forecasting. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Connecteam All-in-one workforce app with mobile time clock, GPS tracking, scheduling, and communication for frontline workers. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Deputy Shift-based time clock software with forecasting, compliance tools, and integrations for retail and hospitality. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | 7shifts Restaurant scheduling and time clock platform with labor budgeting, tip pooling, and team communication. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Clockify Free unlimited time clock and tracking tool with timesheets, reports, and kiosk mode for teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 8 | Sling Employee scheduling and time clock app with shift reminders, notifications, and availability coordination. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 9 | Hubstaff Time tracking software with GPS, activity monitoring, invoicing, and scheduling for remote and field teams. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | OnTheClock Simple online time clock with facial recognition, GPS, and payroll reports for small businesses. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
Cloud-based employee time tracking with GPS geofencing, scheduling, and seamless QuickBooks payroll integration.
Free time clock and scheduling software for hourly teams with geolocation, messaging, and performance insights.
Employee scheduling and time clock app featuring shift trades, availability management, and labor cost forecasting.
All-in-one workforce app with mobile time clock, GPS tracking, scheduling, and communication for frontline workers.
Shift-based time clock software with forecasting, compliance tools, and integrations for retail and hospitality.
Restaurant scheduling and time clock platform with labor budgeting, tip pooling, and team communication.
Free unlimited time clock and tracking tool with timesheets, reports, and kiosk mode for teams.
Employee scheduling and time clock app with shift reminders, notifications, and availability coordination.
Time tracking software with GPS, activity monitoring, invoicing, and scheduling for remote and field teams.
Simple online time clock with facial recognition, GPS, and payroll reports for small businesses.
QuickBooks Time
enterpriseCloud-based employee time tracking with GPS geofencing, scheduling, and seamless QuickBooks payroll integration.
Deep, bidirectional QuickBooks integration that auto-populates payroll from tracked time
QuickBooks Time is a robust time tracking and employee scheduling software that enables businesses to monitor employee hours via mobile clock-in/out, GPS tracking, and geofencing. It excels in generating accurate timesheets, facilitating job costing, and integrating seamlessly with QuickBooks for automated payroll processing. With features like kiosk mode for office time clocks and real-time alerts, it simplifies compliance and workforce management for diverse teams.
Pros
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for automatic payroll syncing
- Precise GPS and geofencing for mobile/field employee tracking
- Intuitive mobile app and kiosk mode for easy clock-in/out
Cons
- Higher cost for small teams not using QuickBooks ecosystem
- Advanced reporting locked behind premium plans
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported by users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses using QuickBooks that manage field, remote, or hourly employees needing accurate GPS time tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $20 base fee/month + $8/user/month (Elite plan); free for one user, with Premium at $6/user/month + base.
Homebase
enterpriseFree time clock and scheduling software for hourly teams with geolocation, messaging, and performance insights.
GPS geofencing combined with photo and facial recognition for secure, location-verified time clocking
Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform tailored for small businesses, featuring a robust time clock system with GPS geofencing, photo verification, and facial recognition to prevent buddy punching and ensure accurate time tracking. It integrates seamless scheduling, team messaging, and payroll syncing with services like Gusto and QuickBooks, helping managers control labor costs and streamline operations. Primarily designed for hourly workforces in retail, restaurants, and hospitality, it offers a free tier for basic needs, making it accessible for growing teams.
Pros
- Generous free plan for one location with unlimited employees and core time tracking
- GPS geofencing and photo clock-in for accurate, fraud-proof time punches
- Strong integrations with popular payroll providers like Gusto and QuickBooks
Cons
- Advanced reporting and hiring features require paid upgrades
- Limited customization options in the free tier
- Customer support can be slower for free users
Best For
Small business owners in retail, restaurants, or hospitality managing hourly shift workers who need affordable, mobile-first time tracking and scheduling.
Pricing
Free for one location (unlimited employees); paid plans start at $29.99/location/month (Essentials) up to $99.99/month (Premium), billed annually.
When I Work
enterpriseEmployee scheduling and time clock app featuring shift trades, availability management, and labor cost forecasting.
GPS geofencing and photo-capture time clock to verify employee location and identity during clock-ins
When I Work is a versatile workforce management platform specializing in employee scheduling and time tracking, with robust time clock features accessible via mobile app. It enables employees to clock in/out remotely with GPS geofencing and photo verification to prevent buddy punching and ensure accurate time records. The software integrates time tracking seamlessly with shift scheduling, PTO requests, and payroll exports, making it ideal for hourly workforces.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile time clock with GPS geofencing and photo verification
- Seamless integration of time tracking with scheduling and communication tools
- Real-time notifications and shift trading to reduce administrative burden
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics locked behind higher-tier plans
- Additional fees for multiple locations or larger teams
- Slightly steep learning curve for non-mobile administrative features
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses with hourly employees needing combined scheduling and reliable time clock functionality.
Pricing
Free for one location up to 75 users; paid plans start at $2/user/month (Essentials) up to $4/user/month (Elite), billed annually.
Connecteam
enterpriseAll-in-one workforce app with mobile time clock, GPS tracking, scheduling, and communication for frontline workers.
Facial recognition and biometric verification for secure, tamper-proof clock-ins
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management platform with robust time clock features designed for frontline and deskless workers. It enables mobile clock-in/out with GPS geofencing, facial recognition to prevent buddy punching, and offline support for reliable time tracking. The software also includes timesheet approvals, overtime alerts, payroll integrations, and exportable reports for streamlined payroll processing.
Pros
- Advanced verification like facial recognition and GPS geofencing for accurate, fraud-proof clock-ins
- Intuitive mobile app with offline mode ideal for field workers
- Seamless integration with payroll systems and timesheet management
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams beyond the free tier
- Web dashboard feels secondary to the mobile-first experience
- Limited advanced reporting customization in lower plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with mobile or deskless workforces needing reliable time tracking alongside scheduling and communication tools.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; paid plans from $29/month (Basic for 30 users) to $99/month (Expert), per user/month with annual discounts.
Deputy
enterpriseShift-based time clock software with forecasting, compliance tools, and integrations for retail and hospitality.
Facial recognition clock-in to accurately verify employee identity and prevent buddy punching
Deputy is a robust workforce management platform with advanced time clock features designed for shift-based businesses. Employees can clock in and out using mobile apps, kiosks, or web portals, supported by GPS geofencing, photo verification, and facial recognition to minimize time theft. It integrates seamlessly with scheduling, task management, and communication tools for comprehensive employee oversight.
Pros
- Advanced anti-fraud tools like facial recognition and GPS tracking
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go clocking
- Strong integration with scheduling and payroll systems
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Full feature set may overwhelm users needing only basic time tracking
- Occasional mobile app performance issues reported
Best For
Medium to large shift-based businesses in retail, hospitality, or healthcare seeking integrated time clock and scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $3.50 per active user/month (Essentials plan), with Pro at $5.25 and Enterprise custom pricing; billed annually.
7shifts
specializedRestaurant scheduling and time clock platform with labor budgeting, tip pooling, and team communication.
GPS-verified mobile time clock with photo capture and real-time labor forecasting tied to POS sales data
7shifts is a restaurant-focused workforce management platform that provides robust time clock features integrated with scheduling, labor forecasting, and team communication tools. Employees clock in and out via a mobile app with GPS geofencing and photo verification to ensure accuracy and prevent time theft. Managers benefit from real-time labor cost tracking, overtime alerts, and seamless POS integrations for streamlined payroll processing.
Pros
- Integrated scheduling and time tracking tailored for restaurants
- GPS geofencing and photo verification for accurate clock-ins
- Real-time labor cost insights and POS integrations
Cons
- Primarily designed for restaurants, less ideal for other industries
- Pricing scales per location, which can get expensive for chains
- Advanced features may require a steeper learning curve
Best For
Restaurant managers and multi-location owners needing an all-in-one solution for time clock, scheduling, and labor management.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/location/month (Essential); Pro at $109.99/location/month; custom Enterprise pricing available; 14-day free trial.
Clockify
specializedFree unlimited time clock and tracking tool with timesheets, reports, and kiosk mode for teams.
Unlimited free users and projects with no time or feature restrictions on core time tracking
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking software designed for employees to clock in and out via timers, manual entries, or kiosk mode on shared devices. It offers timesheets, detailed reports, project categorization, and basic invoicing to monitor productivity and billable hours. With support for unlimited users and projects on the free plan, it's scalable for teams while integrating with tools like Google Workspace and QuickBooks.
Pros
- Completely free plan with unlimited users and projects
- Intuitive timer and kiosk mode for easy clocking
- Robust reporting and timesheet exports
Cons
- Advanced reporting and automation require paid plans
- Limited native payroll integrations
- Customization options are basic on the free tier
Best For
Small to medium businesses and teams seeking a no-cost, straightforward time clock solution for hourly tracking.
Pricing
Free forever plan (unlimited everything); Pro $3.99/user/month; Business $5.49/user/month (billed annually).
Sling
enterpriseEmployee scheduling and time clock app with shift reminders, notifications, and availability coordination.
Integrated scheduling and time clock with geofencing for accurate, fraud-proof clock-ins
Sling is an all-in-one workforce management platform focused on employee scheduling and time tracking for hourly shift workers. It features a mobile time clock with geofencing to prevent buddy punching, real-time schedule sharing, and labor cost insights. Designed for industries like restaurants and retail, it helps managers forecast labor needs and track attendance efficiently.
Pros
- Free plan with core scheduling and time tracking
- Mobile-first time clock with GPS geofencing
- Real-time notifications and shift trading
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting in free tier
- Fewer integrations than enterprise competitors
- Customization options could be more robust
Best For
Small to mid-sized shift-based businesses like restaurants and retail needing affordable, mobile-friendly time tracking and scheduling.
Pricing
Free forever for basic features; paid plans start at $2 per active user/month for premium tools.
Hubstaff
specializedTime tracking software with GPS, activity monitoring, invoicing, and scheduling for remote and field teams.
GPS time clock with geofencing to prevent buddy punching and ensure location-based clock-ins
Hubstaff is a comprehensive time tracking and employee monitoring platform designed for remote, hybrid, and field teams, enabling easy clock-in/clock-out via desktop, web, or mobile apps. It captures detailed proof of work through optional screenshots, keystroke/mouse activity levels, and GPS location tracking to verify time entries. The software also integrates payroll, invoicing, scheduling, and project management tools for streamlined workforce management.
Pros
- Robust GPS and geofencing for accurate field worker time tracking
- Detailed activity monitoring with screenshots and productivity insights
- Seamless integrations with payroll (e.g., QuickBooks) and PM tools (e.g., Asana)
Cons
- Invasive monitoring features like screenshots raise privacy concerns
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Steeper learning curve for full customization and reporting
Best For
Remote, freelance, and field service teams requiring verifiable time tracking with productivity oversight.
Pricing
Free for 1 user; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Basic, billed annually) up to $20/user/month (Enterprise) with features scaling by tier.
OnTheClock
specializedSimple online time clock with facial recognition, GPS, and payroll reports for small businesses.
Photo and GPS verification on clock-ins to prevent buddy punching and ensure accurate time tracking
OnTheClock is a cloud-based time tracking software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, enabling employees to clock in and out via web browsers, mobile apps, or kiosks. It includes features like GPS geofencing, photo verification, scheduling, PTO tracking, and integrations with payroll systems such as QuickBooks and ADP. The platform emphasizes simplicity and affordability, helping managers monitor hours, generate reports, and ensure compliance with labor laws.
Pros
- Generous free plan for small teams with unlimited users
- Intuitive mobile app for clock-ins with GPS and photo verification
- Seamless integrations with popular payroll software
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Customer support primarily email-based with no live chat
- Some premium features like facial recognition require higher tiers
Best For
Small businesses and teams needing simple, affordable time tracking with mobile accessibility.
Pricing
Free Basic plan for unlimited employees (core features); Premium at $3.50/user/month and Elite at $4.50/user/month with advanced tools like GPS and scheduling.
Conclusion
After reviewing a range of top time clock tools, QuickBooks Time leads as the top choice, boasting cloud-based tracking, GPS geofencing, and seamless QuickBooks payroll integration. Homebase stands out as a free, user-friendly option for hourly teams needing geolocation and messaging features, while When I Work excels in scheduling flexibility and labor cost forecasting. Each platform addresses unique team needs, ensuring diverse workflows find a strong fit.
Take the next step in streamlining your operations—explore QuickBooks Time to leverage its integrated capabilities and enhance your team’s time management efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
