7 Alternatives to Legacy Punch Clocks with GPS Features (2026 Guide)

Field crews no longer work beside a wall-mounted punch clock. They move between jobsites, spend hours on the road, and work in areas with weak signals – all within a day’s work. Legacy punch clocks can’t verify where a worker was, can’t track travel, can’t assign hours to jobs, and can’t prevent off-site clock-ins.

This guide breaks down the best modern, GPS-enabled alternatives to legacy punch clocks built for construction, service, and specialty contractors.

You’ll see how each tool handles GPS accuracy, geofencing, breadcrumb trails, travel-time logging, offline reliability, kiosk/crew tools, and job coding.

Here are the best alternatives to legacy punch clocks with GPS features in 2026:

• Workyard — Best overall for construction and field crews
• ClockShark
• Jobber
• Connecteam
• ExakTime
• ClockIt
• Assignar

Let’s dive in.

What to look for in alternatives to legacy punch clocks with GPS features

Modern punch clock replacements should be able to solve gaps that physical clocks cannot:

• GPS breadcrumb trails
• Job and task coding
• Travel-time and mileage capture
• Offline reliability for remote jobsites
• Timecard review workflow
• Payroll and accounting integrations
• Crew-friendly mobile usability

How we chose the best alternatives to legacy punch clocks with GPS features

We evaluated tools based on construction-specific criteria, not just generic workforce tracking benchmarks. These include:

• GPS accuracy and background breadcrumb tracking
  
• Geofencing quality i.e., polygon or circular zones, auto clock-in/out support
  
• Travel-time and mileage logging
  
• Anti-fraud tools such as kiosk modes, PIN/face verification,and  geofence rules
  
• Offline reliability for remote sites
  
• Crew clocking workflows, including supervisor clock-ins
  
• Job coding, task tagging, and reporting
  
• Pricing transparency, including base fees and user add-ons
  
• Fit for construction crews, not just office teams
  

It’s clear from these criteria that modern construction jobsites, mobile crews, and project-based work have outpaced legacy punch clocks. Let’s look at some modern solutions below.

Best alternatives to legacy punch clocks with GPS features in 2026

Best alternatives to legacy punch clocks with GPS features for 2026 at a glance (use the most common top features as criteria)

Brand	Time tracking and offline	GPS verification and breadcrumb trails	Travel-time and mileage capture	Use case (1–2 sentences)	Price (as provided)
Workyard	✅ (continuous GPS + offline caching)	✅ (high-accuracy GPS + geofences + breadcrumb trails)	✅ (automatic mileage and travel logging)	Field-focused crew tracking for contractors who need verifiable timestamps, automated job assignment, and accurate travel costing.	Starter: $6 / user / month + $50 company base; Free 14-day trial.
ClockShark	✅ (mobile timers + offline sync)	✅ (geofences and breadcrumb trails)	✅ (route history; mileage via breadcrumb data)	GPS time tracking: easy payroll export, supervisor clock-ins	Standard: $9 / user / month + $40 base;
Jobber	✅ (mobile job timers with GPS-stamped clock-ins/outs)	✅  (GPS waypoint tracking + optional geofenced location timers)	⚠️ (no native route replay or mileage tracking; location logged only at events)	Job-based GPS tracking and payroll timesheets for home services.	Starts at $28/month for 1 user (Core tier)
Connecteam	✅ (mobile + offline mode)	✅ (geofencing + location history)	✅ (basic mileage / travel logging)	All-in-one crew app: scheduling, comms, GPS, costing (<30 users)	Small Business: free for first 30 users. Basic: $35/mo (+$1/user over 30).
ExakTime	✅ (mobile app + rugged clocks)	✅ (GeoTrakker + geofencing + MapView)	✅ (breadcrumb travel logs; detailed location reports)	Construction verification: rugged hardware, audit trails for large sites	Essential: from $9 / user / month + base fee. No free trial (custom quotes for Pro/Elite).
ClockIt	✅ (mobile/web + web clock with IP restrictions)	✅ (mobile GPS + geofencing)	⚠️ (route/check-in support; travel capture is limited vs. construction-first apps)	Low-cost attendance: multi-verification (IP, biometric, Slack) for mixed teams	Paid plan: $2.99 / user / month. 14-day trial.
Assignar	✅ (digital timesheets, crew bulk clocking)	✅ (GPS clock-ins with job association)	⚠️ (job / activity breakdowns; travel capture available but workflow-dependent)	Operations platform: crew/equipment tracking, compliance, ERP exports	Pricing: custom (contact sales). Demo available.

1. Workyard – Most accurate GPS-enabled punch clock alternative for construction teams

What is Workyard?

Workyard is a modern, construction-first alternative to legacy punch clocks built for crews who move between multiple jobsites and need verifiable GPS timestamps. Unlike old physical punch clocks that can be cheated, Workyard uses high-precision GPS with verifiable timestamps equipped with location context (breadcrumbs) during work time.

It automatically handles clock-ins, mileage, meal-break compliance, and project assignment without workers or supervisors needing to remember anything. The result is reliable payroll, cleaner labor cost reporting, and total visibility for both office teams and field supervisors.

What are Workyard’s key features?

• Real-time GPS breadcrumbs with optional geofence rules/reminders
  
• High-accuracy GPS time clock with automatic clock-in/out
  
• Automatic mileage and travel logging for accurate travel-time capture
  
• Customizable geofence rules and clock-in restrictions
  
• Crew scheduling + real-time crew location map
  
• Photo receipts, notes and attachments on timecards
  
• Kiosk mode with photo verification
  

Start a free trial today Book a demo

Account for every minute with the most precise GPS time clock app available.

Account for every minute with the most precise GPS time clock app available.

Avoid late clockins- automatically clock employees in when they arrive.

Avoid late clockins- automatically clock employees in when they arrive.

Detect when workers forget to clock out and trim timecards to the last visit.

Detect when workers forget to clock out and trim timecards to the last visit.

Automatically assign project time by locations and customizable rules.

Automatically assign project time by locations and customizable rules.

Auto-capture exact mileage per employee and project for reimbursement.

Auto-capture exact mileage per employee and project for reimbursement.

Use rules to restrict clock-ins and clock-outs based on location and time.

Use rules to restrict clock-ins and clock-outs based on location and time.

How much does Workyard cost?

• Starter: $6 per user/month + $50 company base fee
  
• Pro: $13 per user/month + $50 company base fee
  
• Free Trial: 14 days, no credit card required
  

What are the pros and cons of Workyard?

Pros	Cons
Extremely accurate GPS with live crew map and continuous tracking	Costs can add up for very small teams
Automatic mileage, auto clock-ins, and project/cost-code assignment reduce admin work	Geofence and job-code setup requires some initial configuration
Strong compliance tools (break rules, audit trails, signoff)	Continuous GPS tracking may raise privacy concerns (needs onboarding)
Seamless QuickBooks and payroll integrations

What are the use cases of Workyard?

Workyard is ideal for contractors replacing outdated punch clocks and who need GPS-verified hours, travel logs, and accurate job costing for crews moving across multiple sites. It’s especially useful for construction, trades, service teams, and compliance-focused businesses that require precise, auditable timestamps tied to real jobsite presence.

Learn more about Workyard’s construction time tracking software

2. ClockShark – GPS time tracking with crew clocking and job-based scheduling

What is ClockShark?

ClockShark is a GPS time tracking and crew-management platform built for construction, trades, and field service teams. It provides mobile clock-ins, breadcrumb routes, geofencing reminders, crew clocking, and a kiosk mode for shared devices. The app helps reduce payroll errors, simplify scheduling, and export time directly to payroll tools like QuickBooks, ADP, and Xero. ClockShark is a practical step up from legacy punch clocks because it adds GPS visibility, job tracking, and mobile usability to time tracking.

What are ClockShark’s key features?

• Mobile time tracking with GPS breadcrumb trails
  
• Geofencing reminders for jobsite entry/exit
  
• Crew Clock (supervisor clocks in whole crew)
  
• Kiosk Clock with PIN + facial recognition
  
• Who’s Working Now (real-time worker location map)
  

How much does ClockShark cost?

• Free Trial: 14 days (no credit card)
  
• Standard: $9 / user / month + $40 base fee
  
• Pro: $11 / user / month + $60 base fee
  

What are the pros and cons of ClockShark?

Pros	Cons
Breadcrumb trails show route history throughout the day	GPS tracking is less precise compared to construction-first platforms like Workyard
Crew Clock + Kiosk Clock helps simplify clock-ins for teams	Base fees increase total cost for small companies
Easy payroll exports to QuickBooks, ADP, Xero	Job-costing and reporting are more basic than dedicated construction systems

What are the use cases of ClockShark?

ClockShark works well for construction and field service teams that need simple GPS time tracking, route visibility, and supervisor-led clocking across a mobile workforce. It fits companies that want scheduling, job updates, and payroll export in one tool but don’t need advanced labor-cost analytics or strict geofence automation.

3. Jobber – GPS-enabled job time tracking for home service teams

What is Jobber?

Jobber is a field service management platform built for home service businesses that need simple, reliable job scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing. It’s widely used by small to mid-sized service companies (HVAC, lawn care, cleaning, plumbing, electrical) to track hours worked in the field, generate payroll-ready timesheets, and understand labor costs by job—without paper timesheets or manual follow-ups.

Unlike workforce-first tools, Jobber’s time tracking is tightly connected to jobs, visits, and customers, making it especially useful for payroll accuracy and job costing.

What are Jobber’s key features?

• Mobile job-based time tracking
  
• GPS waypoint tracking (“breadcrumb” history)
  
• Location-based timers (geofencing)
  
• Timesheet approval & editing
  
• Travel and mileage capture through FleetSharp, Force Fleet, etc.
  

How much does Jobber cost?

• Free Trial: 14 days (no credit card required)
  
• Core: $28/month for 1 user
  
• Connect: $84/month for 1 user, or $119/month for up to 10 users
  
• Grow: $140/month for 1 user, or $245/month for up to 10 users
  
• Plus: $420/month for up to 15 users
  

What are the pros and cons of Jobber?

Pros	Cons
Strong GPS verification via waypoints and geofencing	No facial recognition feature
Easy-to-use mobile experience for techs	GPS is event-based (waypoints), not continuous live tracking
Excellent payroll visibility and reporting	Advanced automation and reporting require higher-tier plans

What are the use cases of Jobber?

Jobber works best for home service businesses that want simple, GPS-backed job time tracking tied directly to payroll and job costing. It’s ideal for companies where technicians work independently on scheduled jobs and clock in from their own phones.

4. Connecteam – All-in-one mobile GPS time clock with crew tools

What is Connecteam?

Connecteam is an all-in-one mobile workforce platform offering GPS time tracking, crew clocking, job scheduling, geofencing, and field communication tools. It replaces legacy punch clocks with a mobile-first workflow designed for distributed construction and field service teams. The app helps supervisors manage timesheets, verify locations, and coordinate jobs without paperwork or manual data entry.

What are Connecteam’s key features?

• Mobile GPS time tracking with breadcrumb-style location history
  
• Geofencing reminders for jobsite entry/exit
  
• Crew Clocking (foreman clocks in multiple workers from one device)
  
• Kiosk Clock with PIN + facial recognition
  
• “Who’s Working Now” real-time location map
  
• Offline time tracking for remote jobsites
  

How much does Connecteam cost?

• Free Trial: 14 days (no credit card)
  
• Small Business Plan: Free for the first 30 users
  
• Basic: $35/mo + $1 per additional user over 30
  
• Advanced: $59/mo + $3 per additional user over 30
  
• Expert: $119/mo + $5 per additional user over 30
  
• Enterprise: Contact sales
  

What are the pros and cons of Connecteam?

Pros	Cons
GPS time tracking, geofencing, kiosk, and crew clocking	Once you exceed 30 users, pricing increases quickly
Offline time tracking works well in remote areas	Some features require higher-tier plans
Integrates with major payroll systems	Construction job costing is less detailed than construction-first tools

What are the use cases of Connecteam?

Connecteam works well for construction and field service teams that need a broad all-in-one platform covering GPS time tracking, scheduling, communication, and basic job costing. It’s especially cost-effective for companies under 30 workers. Contractors needing more precise GPS verification, route-level travel tracking, or detailed cost codes may prefer construction-specific systems..

5. ExakTime – Rugged GPS time clock alternative built for construction

What is ExakTime?

ExakTime is a GPS time tracking system that replaces legacy punch clocks with mobile clock-ins, geofencing, and rugged jobsite time clock hardware. It’s designed specifically for contractors who require strict location verification, travel logs, and detailed compliance reporting. ExakTime is widely used by crews working across multiple jobsites where accountability and auditable timesheets are a priority.

What are ExakTime’s key features?

• Mobile GPS time clock with jobsite geofencing
  
• GeoTrakker breadcrumb trails for travel and jobsite movement
  
• Real-time “MapView” showing active worker locations
  
• Rugged jobsite time clocks (weatherproof and impact-resistant)
  
• Photo ID capture on clock-in/out
  
  

How much does ExakTime cost?

• Free Trial: Not available
  
• Essential: Starts at $9 per user/month + base fee
  
• Professional: Contact sales
  
• Elite: Contact sales
  (Pricing varies depending on whether you also require physical hardware.)
  

What are the pros and cons of ExakTime?

Pros	Cons
GPS with geofencing with breadcrumb trails	No free trial
Rugged physical time clocks ideal for harsh construction sites	Pricing rises with team size
Strong audit trails and compliance-friendly reporting	Interface feels older than newer mobile-first apps
	Travel/mileage tracking less automated than some modern apps

What are the use cases of ExakTime?

ExakTime is ideal for construction companies with strict verification requirements, union environments, or crews working on large outdoor jobsites where rugged time clocks are useful. It works well for businesses that need both mobile GPS tracking and physical onsite hardware alongside strong compliance and reporting workflows.

6. ClockIt – Multi-channel GPS time clock with web, mobile and biometric options

What is ClockIt?

ClockIt is a multi-platform time and attendance system that replaces legacy punch clocks with GPS-enabled mobile clock-ins, web punching, IP restrictions, biometric devices, and tablet kiosks. It’s built for teams that need flexible ways to track time across jobsites. Its strength lies in offering multiple verification layers (GPS, IP, device source, geofencing) in one unified system.

What are ClockIt’s key features?

• Mobile GPS clock-ins with geofencing
  
• Browser-based web clocking with IP/domain restrictions
  
• iPad/Android tablet kiosk with PIN, photo capture, and QR codes
  
• Timecard calculator with automated overtime + break/lunch rules
  
• Night shift tracking with cross-day calculations
  

How much does ClockIt cost?

• Free Trial: 14 days (no credit card)
  
• Paid Plan: $2.99 per user/month
  

What are the pros and cons of ClockIt?

Pros	Cons
Multiple clock-in methods (mobile, web, kiosk, biometric)	Not built specifically for construction workflows
GPS, geofencing, IP restrictions, and device source checks	Lacks deep job costing or cost codes
Affordable pricing	Limited travel/breadcrumb-level GPS tracking

What are the use cases of ClockIt?

ClockIt is a good fit for mixed teams that need flexible clock-in options such as office, remote, field, and biometric hardware users. Works well for companies needing GPS verification plus IP or kiosk restrictions, but contractors who require detailed job coding, travel tracking, or precise GPS timestamps may prefer a construction-first tool.

7. Assignar – Operations platform with time tracking and field compliance tools

What is Assignar?

Assignar is an operations and workforce management platform built for contractors. It centralizes scheduling, crew compliance, equipment management, and time tracking into one platform. Its time card tools focus on accurate field data capture, ensuring workers and tasks are recorded properly for billing and project reporting.

What are Assignar’s key features?

• Mobile app for timecards, job assignments, and task check-ins
  
• GPS-enabled clock-ins with job and cost code association
  
• Real-time scheduling board for crews, equipment and jobs
  
• Timesheet review and export tools for payroll
  
• Two-way communication between office and field
  

How much does Assignar cost?

Assignar pricing is custom and based on company size, modules, and field operation needs. You’ll need to request a quote from their sales team. There is currently no free trial, but a demo is available. 

What are the pros and cons of Assignar?

Pros	Cons
Built specifically for contractors and field operations	Pricing is custom i.e. may be expensive for small teams
Strong compliance, scheduling, and equipment features	More complex setup compared to lightweight apps
Robust field forms (safety, QA, competency, etc.)	Time tracking is good but not the platform’s sole focus
Integrates with leading construction ERPs	Best suited for medium–large contractors

What are the use cases of Assignar?

Assignar works best for contractors managing multiple crews, equipment fleets, and strict compliance requirements. It’s ideal for companies that need job-specific time entries tied into scheduling, certifications, and project documentation – not just simple clock-ins. 

Why alternatives to legacy punch clocks with GPS features matter for construction crews

Modern GPS time clocks help crews and supervisors:

• Prevent off-site punches and buddy punching
  
• Assign labor to the correct job and cost code
  
• Automate mileage reimbursement
  
• Verify travel between sites with breadcrumb trails
  
• Reduce payroll disputes with location-stamped logs
  
• Improve dispatch visibility
  
• Keep accurate records even in low-signal areas
  

Example:
A crew moving between three jobsites in one day could easily produce 30–60 minutes of untracked travel if relying on a wall-mounted punch clock. A GPS-enabled app fills in those gaps automatically.

Conclusion

Choosing the right GPS-enabled punch clock replacement depends on your crew size, mobility, and verification needs.
Workyard stands out as the strongest construction-ready solution thanks to its high-accuracy GPS trails, job coding, automatic travel-time/mileage capture, and offline reliability.

ClockShark suits trades/field service teams, while Connecteam fits small crews needing an all-in-one tool. ExakTime supports large, compliance-focused environments while Jobber is a good choice for for technicians who work independently on scheduled jobs. 

For contractors wanting clear, verifiable timestamps and accurate job costing, a modern GPS time clock is essential – and Workyard leads the pack.See how Workyard’s GPS time clock replaces your legacy punch clock with accurate time tracking, or sign up for a 14-day free trial today!