(650) 332-8623The 7 Best Employee GPS Tracking Apps for 2025
Looking for an employee GPS tracking app for your construction business? We’ve reviewed 7 of the best apps on the market to help you!
Employee GPS tracking apps help field businesses stay in control by tracking locations, verifying job site attendance, and reducing time theft in real time. With live visibility into your team’s movements, you can streamline scheduling, improve accountability, and boost productivity across every job.
In this guide, we’ll compare these top apps based on features, pricing, pros, and cons so you can find the best fit for your business.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
Our score |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Best for |
The most accurate GPS-enabled time-tracking app for field workers. |
Safety monitoring software for lone workers. |
Simple scheduling and time management. |
Keep your crew always in sight, even off-site. Try Workyard!
See how it works
9.2 
14-day trial with no credit card required
7.9
7-day trial with no credit card required
7.3
14-day trial with no credit card required
8.2
30-day free trial with no credit card required
7.9
14-day trial with no credit card required
7.8
14 day trial with no credit card required
7.8
30-day trial with no credit card required
What Is an Employee GPS Tracking App?
An employee GPS tracking app is a mobile-based solution that lets businesses monitor the real-time location of their field staff during working hours. Using GPS signals from a smartphone or device, these apps provide visibility into where employees are, how long they spend at each job site, and how efficiently they move between tasks.
Typically used by construction crews, service contractors, delivery teams, and other mobile workforces, employee GPS tracking apps are essential for operations managers, dispatchers, and business owners who need to verify attendance, assign jobs quickly, and reduce payroll discrepancies.
Key features often include live GPS tracking, geofencing, automated clock-ins, route history, and mobile checklists.
By giving teams access to a real-time field visibility platform, businesses can improve accountability, reduce time theft, streamline scheduling, and better serve customers without constant back-and-forth communication. Whether managing a small crew or multiple field teams, a GPS tracking app helps you stay in control while keeping your operations running smoothly.
Who Needs an Employee GPS Tracking App?
Any business with a mobile or remote workforce can benefit from an employee GPS tracking app. But some industries rely on it daily to stay efficient and accountable.
- Construction crews use GPS tracking to verify job site arrival times, monitor daily activity, and prevent timecard fraud without needing manual check-ins.
- Property maintenance teams work across multiple locations, making GPS tracking essential for confirming service visits and keeping projects on schedule.
- Home service businesses, such as electricians, cleaners, and HVAC techs, use tracking to optimize routes, reduce travel time, and maintain accountability between jobs.
- Remote teams and field-based staff benefit from accurate time logs and location records, which reduce payroll errors and help managers see what’s happening in real time.
If your team spends more time in the field than in the office, a GPS tracking app gives you the visibility and control to run smoother, smarter operations.
Top Features to Look for in the Best Employee Tracking App
Not all GPS tracking apps are created equal. The best employee tracking app should offer not just basic location data but also the tools to manage your workforce with accuracy and accountability.
Look for real-time GPS employee tracking that lets you monitor where your team is during working hours, along with geofencing to trigger automated clock-ins and clock-outs as employees enter or leave job sites.
For businesses working in low-signal areas, offline GPS tracking capabilities ensure location data is still captured and synced once back online.
Built-in crew scheduling tools help you assign and adjust shifts quickly, while customizable privacy settings ensure tracking only happens during work hours.
Whether you’re managing job sites, service routes, or remote staff, a reliable employee location tracking system with a user-friendly field staff mobile app tracking interface can streamline operations and build trust across your team.
Final Thoughts
When looking for an employee GPS tracking app for your construction business, consider one with comprehensive features to effectively monitor your field employees, improve their safety, increase their productivity, and boost your company’s efficiency.
In short, it should provide valuable insights to help fine-tune your employee management and business operations.
Workyard is an excellent app for tracking the activities of field workers and mobile employees and gaining real-time insights into their day-to-day tasks.
It’s designed to be simple and easy for workers and supervisors. With its GPS time clock that automates clock-ins and clock-outs, you can be sure your employees get paid for the exact time they’ve spent working. This data flows automatically into timesheet creation for payroll and job costs, allowing Workyard to do all the heavy lifting for you, so you can focus on what matters — building a more profitable and successful construction business.
Click here to see more about how Workyard’s GPS tracking system works, or sign up for a free trial today!
Our Scoring System Explained
Our 8-part scoring system was created to help you understand the potential value of any software we review simply and fairly.
We created it after reviewing dozens of software products, which we covered in depth, but without providing a direct and simple way for readers to compare products on their merits – without spending a lot of time looking through our articles for the information they needed to make an informed decision.
Every app we review will include Customer Support and Company scores, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Many of the factors reviewed in this article will also be consistent across most (or all) of our software reviews, with some differences:
The 8 factors assessed and their contribution to a product’s overall score may differ slightly from product to product based on various factors, such as the use case we’re reviewing for, the type of business these products are tailored to, and other considerations. However, all reviews will feature an 8-part score, weighted and combined to calculate each product’s overall score.
How We Score Software
All factors in our reviews are scored on a 10-point scale – technically 11 points – from 0-10. However, we only give products a score of 0 if it does not include an essential feature at all, and we try to avoid giving out 0 scores if a product can demonstrate any functionality in line with the specific factor being reviewed.
In general, the 0-10 range translates as:
- 9.0 – 10 – One of the absolute best in its category (amazing).
- 7.5 – 8.9 – Very good, but with some minor issues (very good).
- 6.0 – 7.4 – Mediocre performance with notable shortcomings (average).
- 3.0 – 5.9 – This feature is not ready for prime time (borderline).
- 1.0 – 2.9 – This feature actually makes its product worse (unacceptable).
- 0 – The product doesn’t include this important feature at all.
How We Calculate Overall Scores
The 8 factors reviewed are weighted based on an overall total of 100%:
- Ease of Use: 20%
- Time Tracking Accuracy: 20%
- Scheduling Features: 15%
- Job Tracking: 15%
- Integrations: 10%
- Customer Support: 15%
- Company: 5%
Methodology for Each Factor
Ease of Use
We evaluate a product’s ease of use based on three main considerations:
- How easy is it to set up this app?
- How easy is it for managers to use the backend dashboard?
- How easy is it for frontline workers to use the (mobile) app?
These three considerations cover the main ways you and your team would use the software being reviewed – when you first obtain it, when someone (a manager, executive, team leader, or similar role) needs to use it to manage people, money, data, and other things, and when workers you’re tracking use the app (usually a mobile version of the software designed for frontline and/or field team members) to clock in, clock out, record time worked, or address other day-to-day needs.
Time Tracking Accuracy
Every minute matters when you’re trying to control payroll costs. This factor accounts for various features and common needs in time-tracking apps, such as…
- How accurate or precise is its GPS tracking capability?
- How accurate – and how customizable – is its geofencing feature?
- How accurate is its travel and mileage tracking (if available)?
- Can it automatically clock workers in and out based on the above?
- Can you set and/or restrict rules for clocking in and out?
- Can the app continue tracking workers while offline?
- How easy is its mobile app and/or kiosk for frontline workers?
Scheduling Features
Many construction businesses prefer to manage as many aspects of employee labor activity as possible in a single app, which is why many time-tracking apps also include worker scheduling as a core feature.
When we consider a product’s scheduling features, we look at:
- Its dashboard customizability (daily, weekly, or monthly views).
- Its project-based scheduling and visibility.
- Its real-time updates and notifications for workers.
- Its real-time map views of worker locations for best-fit scheduling.
- Its recurring schedule (copies to subsequent weeks, etc.) functionality.
Job Tracking
This factor helps you understand if the software can also provide insight into specific projects, which is particularly handy when your business deals with many customers or clients who generally need shorter-term work. Effective job tracking typically also includes accurate job costing functionality for construction companies.
We assess several things when calculating a product’s job tracking score:
- Its project-based tracking for multiple projects per day/week/etc.
- Its ability to track multiple / many projects simultaneously.
- Its use of (and your ability to customize) construction cost codes.
- Any built-in job costing views.
- Any integrations for cost coding (QuickBooks etc.)
Integrations
No business can operate on a single app, which is why integrations with other apps and tools are such important aspects of modern business software.
To calculate a product’s integration score, we’ll examine:
- How many native integrations (the simplest connection) does it offer?
- How effective and easy-to-use are its integrations with payroll software?
- Does it have robust data import and export features?
Customer Support
Learning how to use a new app can be frustrating, even if it’s meant to be the most user-friendly app around. That’s why great customer support is so essential when considering which time-tracking app to use.
Customer support scores are calculated based on:
- Live support channels available (phone, email, chat, etc.).
- Live support hours (business hours only, 24/7, etc.).
- The strength of the product’s online help center and/or FAQs.
- What other users say about support in online reviews.
Company
A great company with a highly customer-friendly approach can often make up for shortcomings in their software products – at least up to a point.
When assessing this score, we’ll examine:
- Transparency (easy-to-find pricing, etc.)
- Trial period (duration, feature availability, credit card requirements, etc.).
- Subscription flexibility (contracts, required durations, etc.).
- Ease of cancellation or pausing subscriptions.
- Customer perceptions (online product reviews).
- Website (a minor consideration, but great companies tend to have great websites).
Any questions about our scoring system? Have any suggestions on how we could make it even better? Click here to send us your feedback – we’d love to hear from you!
The best employee GPS tracking apps are:
- Workyard is a leading construction time clock app with built-in GPS. Construction and field service companies use it to accurately record employee hours, locations, jobs, and mileage. It also has an easy-to-use employee scheduling feature.
- Apploye is an all-in-one solution for managing remote teams. It offers real-time location tracking, attendance monitoring, progress tracking, and detailed performance reports.
- Timeero allows tracking of employee hours, mileage, and location with GPS tracking, automatic geofencing, job management, scheduling, time off tracking, payroll reports, and integrations.
- Hellotracks focuses on field services, providing a web interface for administrators to oversee the workforce, a built-in messaging system, task assignment, progress tracking, and automatic data collection.
- Connecteam offers employee GPS tracking, time tracking, scheduling, task management, and communication features.
Free employee GPS tracking apps like Jibble offer 100% free employee GPS tracking.
They have features like monitoring employee locations during clock-ins and clock-outs, live location tracking, offline time tracking, route optimization, geofencing, and smart alerts. Many free GPS tracking apps also have notifications, facial recognition for attendance, a timesheet app, and advanced tools for workforce management.
Some standard features of employee GPS tracking apps include:
- Real-time location tracking to monitor the real-time location of mobile employees
- Geofencing, which sets virtual boundaries and receives alerts when employees enter or leave designated locations, helps ensure employees are working at the correct job sites
- Time tracking and features like automatic clock in/out, time card management, and payroll reporting to track employee hours accurately
- Mileage tracking, which records miles traveled between job sites, appointments, or along delivery routes to optimize routes and assist with job costing
- Employee-activated tracking, which gives employees control over when tracking is enabled and helps address privacy concerns
- Emergency panic button, which allows employees to quickly call for help in case of an emergency, with their exact location sent to the employer
- Portable tracking, which enables employees to bring the GPS tracking with them on their mobile devices rather than being limited to a vehicle
- Detailed reporting to generate reports on employee locations, routes, attendance, and productivity to help optimize workforce management
To get your employees to adopt and use a GPS tracking app, follow these best practices:
Establish a Clear GPS Tracking Policy
- Clearly define the purpose and scope of GPS tracking in your policy
- Obtain written consent from employees, if required by state laws
- Explain how employee data will be collected, used, and protected
- Make the policy readily available for employees to reference
Implement a User-Friendly App
- Choose an app with an easy-to-use and intuitive interface
- Ensure the app has customizable settings to comply with laws and your GPS tracking policy
- Implement robust data security measures to protect employee information
Provide Training and Support
- Train employees on the app’s features, functionality, and alignment with the company’s policy.
- Address employee questions and concerns to build trust and cooperation.
- Offer alternatives if employees are more productive with specific tracking tools or features.
Empower Employees
- Allow employees to control their actions when tracking is enabled, especially after working hours.
- Offer an employee-activated tracking option to respect personal privacy.
- Implement an emergency panic button for employee safety.
Maintain Transparency
- Communicate the reasons for implementing GPS tracking
- Be upfront about monitoring rather than being underhanded
- Welcome questions and convey the benefits of GPS tracking for both the company and employees
No. For instance, if you’re an Apple device user, there will be no push notification in the Find My app when you stop sharing your location. However, the other person may notice in two places: (1) in Find My, you’ll disappear from their People list or your location will no longer be visible; and (2) in iMessage, a system line may appear in the thread saying “[name] stopped sharing location.”
On your screen, you may see “You stopped sharing location with [name].” You can always turn location sharing back on later if you change your mind.
When someone stops sharing their location with you on their iPhone, you’ll receive a “No Location Available” message the next time you attempt to access the Find My app. If you see a “No Location Found” message instead, this has a different meaning.
Unlike the “No Location Available” message, the “No Location Found” pop-up does not mean someone has stopped sharing their location with you. This notification can appear for the following reasons:
- Internet connectivity issues
- A low or drained battery
- A turned-off device
- Outdated software
In this case, you should regain access to the person’s location once the connectivity issue is resolved. If you’re still having issues after the above reasons are addressed, you may need to contact Apple support for assistance.
When you receive the message “No Location Available” on your device, this simply means that the person whose location you’re trying to access has turned off their location services or stopped sharing their location with you. On the other hand, “No Location Found” means there is a technical error with the person’s device or their location-sharing app.
There are multiple reasons why a person’s location may not be found, including:
- Poor or no internet connection
- Low phone or device battery
- The phone or device is shut off
- Outdated software
- The device is set to low-power mode
- The device is in a remote area and cellular activity has been interrupted
To turn on GPS on your Android phone, open Settings > Location and turn the Location toggle On. Then choose a Mode (High accuracy, Battery saving, or Device only). If prompted, allow location services/permissions.
Activating Do Not Disturb on your iPhone or Apple device prevents calls, texts, notifications, and pop-ups from coming through during a designated period of time. This will not impact your iPhone’s location services, since they are two completely separate settings.
You will still be able to utilize your GPS and other location-related services as normal. If you’ve granted your friends and family access to your location, they will also be able to access your whereabouts via the Find My app when you have Do Not Disturb activated.
If you wish to turn off your location on your iPhone, it’s a straightforward process. Take the following steps:
- Click on the app’s Setting on your device.
- Scroll down and select Privacy & Security.
- Click on Location Services. It should be the first available option if your software is up-to-date.
- From here, you can turn Location Services off. This will also turn off location sharing with your contacts.
Choosing to turn off your location may impact your ability to access certain features and functionalities on some of the applications on your iPhone. You can turn Location Services back on at any time by following the same above process and clicking “On” instead of “Off” in the last step.
Open Google Maps, tap the blue dot (your location), choose Calibrate compass, and move your phone in a figure-eight to improve accuracy. On some devices, you may also see Calibrate on map—follow the prompts and move the phone in different directions to refine the location.
Quick steps:
-
Open Google Maps → tap the blue dot.
-
Select Calibrate compass → perform a figure-eight motion.
-
If available, choose Calibrate on map and follow on-screen prompts.
These steps align your phone’s sensors so navigation apps give more precise directions. Names/menus can vary by device and Maps version, but the process is similar.
You can navigate offline by downloading maps ahead of time and using an app that works without data—GPS itself doesn’t need internet. First, confirm your device has built-in GPS. Before your trip, download offline maps for your area (e.g., Google Maps, Maps.me, OsmAnd). Then enable Location/GPS in Settings and, if prompted, calibrate the compass. Open an offline-capable app (e.g., Google Maps with offline areas, Sygic, GPS Essentials, or Workyard for field tracking) to see your position and get turn-by-turn directions where supported.
GPS is a satellite-based system that provides location and time data anywhere in the world, even without internet or cellular service. GPS Cellular combines GPS with cellular networks to enable real-time tracking, live updates, and data sharing.
- GPS: Works globally without cellular service; no data fees. Limited to showing location only.
- GPS Cellular: Adds real-time traffic, location sharing, and emergency features. Requires cellular coverage and may include data costs.
Key difference: GPS shows where you are; GPS Cellular lets you share and interact with that location.
No. Using the signals and satellites, GPS can receive information and relate it to the orbit of the Earth. The signals get sent to your device without needing data from your cellular network, which means GPS can be used even if cellular data is turned off or there is no Wi-Fi connection. Once signals are transferred, the GPS knows exactly where you or your device is located on a map. Most GPS applications allow people to download maps for offline use, which assists when traveling to locations with poor reception or no service at all.
One example of a time when cellular data might need to be considered is when downloading applications that function with GPS but require data for additional features or services. It is always a good idea to review the fine print before use. If the app is necessary, limiting data or turning it off completely can be used as a workaround. The good news is that normal GPS maps, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, do not use cellular data.
