(650) 332-8623The 7 Best GPS Time Clocks That Work Offline in Remote Areas (2026)
Need reliable GPS time clocks for offline use in remote areas? Check out our 7 best picks for 2026 to revolutionize your tracking!
The best GPS time clocks for remote areas are Workyard ($6/user/month + $50 base) for construction and field crews, Assignar (custom pricing) for large infrastructure operations, and ClockIt ($2.99/user/month) for budget-conscious hybrid teams.
Expect to pay anywhere from $2.99 to $11.99+ per user/month. Find the best fit based on your team’s size and industry (construction vs. infrastructure), level of GPS precision needed, and budget considerations.
Which GPS time clock works offline in remote areas? Answer: Mobile GPS time clocks that store timestamps and coordinates locally, syncing automatically once the signal is restored. Remote jobs, such as construction in rural places or concrete indoors breaks traditional time tracking since devices can lose connectivity, leading to failed clock-ins.
Offline GPS offers a solution because GPS does not require cell service. The app records location and time stamps offline, then uploads them later when connectivity returns.
In this guide, I’ll show how I ranked offline GPS time clocks, how offline tracking actually works, and why it matters for real-world construction crews. Here’s a quick preview of my top picks:
- Workyard
- Assignar
- busybusy
- Timeero
- ClockIt
- ExakTime
- ClockShark
What to look for in a GPS time clock that works offline in remote areas
The right answer to which GPS time clock works offline in remote areas comes down to whether it truly records labor with no or weak signal and syncs automatically later. Use the checklist below to see if your pick passes the test:
- True offline mode
- GPS breadcrumb capture while offline
- Local data storage on the device
- Automatic sync when signal returns
- Job and task coding offline
- Travel-time capture between sites
- Clear timecard review after sync
- Crew-friendly mobile usability
Tools that miss one or several of these points can create payroll gaps on remote jobsites, adding more admin tasks to your workload.
Best GPS time clocks that work offline in remote areas in 2026 at a glance
For teams working in low-signal environments like remote construction sites or mines, offline time tracking with GPS is a must-have. The table below compares top contenders on key criteria including offline capabilities, GPS accuracy, and crew coordination.
Brand | Offline Time Tracking | GPS Accuracy and Breadcrumbing | Crew Management Features | Primary Use Case | Starting Price |
Workyard | ✅ Full offline punch and sync | ✅ High-precision GPS + travel and mileage logging | ✅ Crew tracking and live map visibility | Construction, landscaping, utilities | $6/user/mo + $50 base |
Assignar | ✅ Offline forms and timesheets | ✅ GPS stamped time logs | ✅ Field ops and compliance for large teams | Infrastructure, mining, field ops | Custom quote |
busybusy | ✅ Automatic offline mode | ✅ GPS breadcrumbing + equipment tracking | ✅ Crew management, photo verification | Construction, equipment crews | $11.99/user/mo + $40 admin |
Timeero | ✅ Continuous offline GPS and mileage tracking | ✅ Route replay + geofence enforcement | ✅ Real-time map, face ID, mobile logs | Delivery, oil and gas, ag teams | $4/user/mo |
ClockIt | ✅ Offline punch + kiosk mode | ✅ GPS + geofencing + selfie verification | ✅ Kiosk clock-ins, mobile sync | Distributed or hybrid teams | $2.99/user/mo |
ExakTime | ✅ Mobile + hardware offline capture | ✅ GPS stamps + rugged JobClock | ✅ Photo ID, compliance logs, crew logs | Remote civil, heavy construction | $9/user/mo + base fee |
ClockShark | ✅ Works fully offline with auto sync | ✅ Breadcrumb GPS and mapped punches | ✅ Crew Clock, job codes, kiosk support | Field service, mobile crews | $9/user/mo + $40 base |
How we ranked/chose which GPS time clock works offline in remote areas
I ranked tools based on how reliable theirGPS time clock works offline in remote areas for construction workflows.
The criteria I used focused on field reality:
- Reliability of offline capture: Does the app continue recording time without cell service?
- GPS accuracy during offline periods: Are entry and exit points captured precisely, not approximated later?
- Sync behavior: Does data sync automatically when the signal returns, or require manual uploads?
- Construction-specific workflows: Can the multi-site job tracking tool handle job switching, travel time tracking, and multi-site workdays for crews?
- Job coding + travel tracking: Are hours tied to the correct job or cost code even offline?
- Field usability: Can crews use it quickly with gloves, dust, and poor conditions?
- Evidence of real-world use: Is it proven on remote civil, infrastructure, and rural jobsites?
1. Workyard – GPS time tracking with offline mode for remote locations
What is Workyard?
Workyard is a high-precision GPS construction time tracking software built for the field. It excels in tracking your crew’s location, travel time, mileage, and on-site presence, even in remote areas. I’ve tested it onsite and on the road, and both times Workyard delivered accurate data for my time records. Workyard enables offline time and location logging, ensuring automatic syncing once connectivity returns.
What are Workyard’s key features?
- Offline GPS time tracking for remote locations
- Automatic travel time and mileage logging
- Precision GPS trail with breadcrumb accuracy
- Task and cost code tagging
- Mobile crew tracking and route visibility
- Payroll integration with QuickBooks, ADP, and others
- Real-time job costing and project analytics
How much does Workyard cost?
- Free Trial: 14 days (no credit card)
- Starter: $6/user/month + $50 base
- Pro: $13/user/month + $50 base
What are the pros and cons of Workyard?
Pros | Cons |
Most accurate GPS trail and travel time tracking | Base fee increases cost for smaller teams |
Robust offline support with auto sync | Crew members need GPS onboarding to address privacy concerns |
Built specifically for construction workflows |
What are the use cases of Workyard?
Workyard is ideal for construction, utility, or landscaping teams that need precise GPS tracking and travel verification, even in rural or low-signal environments. It helps managers control labor costs by confirming location and duration for every job.
2. Assignar – Field operations and compliance for large crews
What is Assignar?
Assignar is a digital field operations platform for infrastructure, mining, and large-scale construction companies. I noted that includes workforce management, scheduling, timesheet software, and compliance forms with support for offline capabilities for job sites without connectivity.
What are Assignar’s key features?
- Offline mode for timesheets, forms, and assignments
- Auto-sync when back online
- GPS stamping on time entries
- Equipment and asset tracking
- Safety and compliance forms (digital checklists)
How much does Assignar cost?
- Custom pricing based on company size and modules
- No free trial; demo available
What are the pros and cons of Assignar?
Pros | Cons |
Comprehensive offline mode for forms and time | No listed pricing indicates higher cost |
Built for large infrastructure and mining companies | More complex than SMB-focused apps |
Tracks field compliance alongside time | Limited small-business support |
What are the use cases of Assignar?
Assignar fits mid-to-large construction, infrastructure, and field service firms that need compliance tracking, resource scheduling, and mobile forms—especially on remote or unconnected job sites.
3. busybusy – Time, GPS, and equipment tracking for construction
What is busybusy?
busybusy is a mobile-first GPS time clock for construction and service companies providing offline time and location tracking, geofence enforcement, and equipment tracking as well as usage logging.
What are busybusy’s key features?
- Offline time and GPS tracking
- Equipment usage and machine hours logging
- Breadcrumb trail of employee movement
- Geofence enforcement for jobsite clock-ins
- Photo verification for identity checks
How much does busybusy cost?
- Free Trial: 14 days (Pro)
- Pro: $11.99/user/month + $40 admin license
- Premium: $17.99/user/month + $40 admin license
What are the pros and cons of busybusy?
Pros | Cons |
Strong offline support with GPS breadcrumbing | Admin license adds extra cost |
Geofencing capability | Interface less customizable than others |
Equipment tracking | Higher-tier features require Premium plan |
What are the use cases of busybusy?
I think busybusy is a good choice for construction and equipment-heavy field teams that need time tracking, asset logs, and location data, even in areas without internet.
4. Timeero – Affordable GPS and mileage tracking with facial recognition
What is Timeero?
Timeero is a GPS time tracking and mileage logging app that works offline for small to mid-sized teams needing location and travel accountability. I discovered that it supports route replay, geofencing, and facial recognition for secure clock-ins.
What are Timeero’s key features?
- Offline GPS and mileage tracking
- Route replay with breadcrumb trail
- Geofencing to restrict clock-ins
- Facial recognition for identity confirmation
- Mobile time, break, and PTO tracking
How much does Timeero cost?
- Free Trial: 14 days
- Basic: $4/user/month
- Premium: $8/user/month
- Pro: $11/user/month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
What are the pros and cons of Timeero?
Pros | Cons |
Affordable pricing tiers | Lacks equipment tracking features |
Offline GPS, mileage, and geofencing | Route accuracy lower than construction-specific competitors |
Facial recognition | Limited integrations in lower tiers |
What are the use cases of Timeero?
Timeero is great for small to midsize businesses needing affordable, offline-capable GPS time tracking and mileage logs for mobile employees. It’s ideal for delivery, sales, or maintenance teams in remote areas.
5. ClockIt – Budget-friendly mobile time clock with GPS and kiosk mode
What is ClockIt?
ClockIt is a cloud-based time tracking tool with GPS verification, offline punch support, and kiosk mode. I noticed that it’s mostly designed for distributed teams that want affordable clock-ins from mobile or shared devices.
What are ClockIt’s key features?
- Offline clock-ins with GPS logging
- Geofencing and job restriction rules
- Photo capture and face recognition
- Kiosk mode with PIN
- Web and mobile access
How much does ClockIt cost?
- Free Trial: 14 days (no credit card)
- Paid Plan: $2.99/user/month
What are the pros and cons of ClockIt?
Pros | Cons |
Low-cost GPS time clock | Lacks advanced job costing or equipment features |
Works offline and on kiosk | Limited payroll/export integrations |
Great for basic mobile time logging | Lacks supervisor/crew control tools |
What are the use cases of ClockIt?
ClockIt fits teams on a budget needing basic GPS-verified time tracking in offline environments. It’s great for field teams or distributed office staff using time clock kiosks or mobile punch-in options.
6. ExakTime – Rugged offline time tracking for remote construction sites
What is ExakTime?
ExakTime is a GPS time tracking and compliance platform for construction crews. Known for its rugged JobClock hardware and offline mobile features, it offers jobsite-verified time and photo records.
What are ExakTime’s key features?
- Offline mobile time tracking
- GPS stamping + geofencing
- FaceFront photo ID on punch
- Rugged JobClock hardware (offline)
- Crew time tracking
How much does ExakTime cost?
- Essential: $9/user/month + base fee
- Professional and Elite: Custom quotes
- Free Trial: Not available
What are the pros and cons of ExakTime?
Pros | Cons |
Built for rugged/offline job sites | No free trial offered |
Hardware and mobile options | JobClock setup adds upfront cost |
Detailed compliance reporting | UI is dated compared to competitors |
What are the use cases of ExakTime?
ExakTime is ideal for large-scale construction, utility, and infrastructure firms working on remote or unmanned sites. I like that it provides verifiable, audit-ready time records through both mobile and hardware options.
7. ClockShark – GPS time tracking with crew clocking and job-based scheduling
![ClockShark’s dashboard showing “Who’s Working Now” view with GPS information for field users.]](https://www.workyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ClockShark_which-GPS-time-clock-works-offline-in-remote-areas-1024x478.png)
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.
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
- Offline sync with GPS + time
How much does ClockShark cost?
- Free Trial: 14 days
- Standard: $9/user/month + $40 base
- Pro: $11/user/month + $60 base
What are the pros and cons of ClockShark?
Pros | Cons |
Breadcrumb trails show route history | GPS precision lower than construction-first competitors |
Crew Clock and Kiosk Clock options | Base fees increase cost for small teams |
Easy payroll exports to QuickBooks, ADP | Reporting less advanced than construction-specific apps |
What are the use cases of ClockShark?
In my opinion, ClockShark is best for construction and field service teams needing mobile time tracking, crew clock-ins, and GPS history in offline areas. It suits growing companies wanting an all-in-one solution with payroll and scheduling tools.
How offline GPS time clocks work (and their limitations)
How GPS time clocks track time without internet
Offline GPS time clocks still capture time and location accurately because GPS satellites do not require internet access.
When a worker clocks in, the app records the exact timestamp and GPS coordinates from satellites. This data is stored locally on the device. Even with zero signal, the app preserves clock-in, movement, and clock-out. The app syncs everything back to the office system automatically once the phone reconnects.`
What managers can and can’t see before sync
Crews’ hours are recorded offline, but managers won’t see them until the device syncs.
Before connectivity returns:
- Time entries are captured and saved
- GPS points are logged locally
- Job switches still occur in the app
What managers cannot see:
- Live locations
- Real-time dashboards
- Same-day reports until sync completes
Note that this is a visibility delay, not a data loss event.
Offline GPS vs satellite tracking
Offline GPS time clocks are not the same as satellite tracking systems.
- Offline GPS apps use standard GPS satellites, store data locally, and sync once the device reconnects. These are typically low-cost and common in construction.
- Satellite trackers transmit data in real time via satellite networks. These are accurate but expensive and typically used for equipment, not labor.
Most construction teams choose offline GPS time clocks because they balance accuracy, cost, and ease of use.
Common misconceptions about offline GPS tracking
- “Offline means no GPS.” Not true. GPS works without internet.
- “Data gets lost without signal.” Not true. Data is stored locally until sync.
- “Managers can see everything instantly.” Not true. Visibility resumes after reconnection.
Understanding these limits prevents unrealistic expectations in the field.
Why offline GPS time clocks matter for construction crews
Offline GPS time clocks matter because construction doesn’t stop when cell service disappears.
They are essential for:
- Remote jobsites without signal.
- Mountain, desert, and rural infrastructure work.
- Underground utilities and interior concrete pours.
- Preventing payroll gaps caused by missing entries.
- Reducing forgotten job switches during long days.
- Preserving accurate labor records regardless of connectivity.
Offline GPS tracking benefits construction companies by cutting down time fraud and errors. Consider: A remote crew missing just 15 minutes per worker per day loses over 1.25 hours per person each week. On a 12-person crew, that’s 15 paid hours per week that disappear without offline tracking. Offline GPS time clocks stop this leakage by accurately logging worked hours for construction crews, wherever they are.
Workyard’s offline GPS time clock captures precise coordinates, arrival/departure times, and addresses via satellites for construction crews in dead zones like remote sites, mountains, and underground work without needing internet. Data is automatically captured and stored locally on devices, auto-syncing to the cloud when a connection is restored. This captured data is available to managers immediately after syncing, ensuring no gaps in timesheets and payroll.
When labor accounts for 50% of costs, contractors can’t afford unreliable time clocks or guessed hours. Workyard protects your bottom line by capturing worked hours, travel time, mileage, and job presence even in low-signal areas.
Looking for a deeper dive into GPS time tracking for field teams? Check out our upcoming [GPS Time Tracking Guide] for everything you need to know.
Bottom Line
For construction crews working in low-signal and remote environments, offline GPS time tracking is a must-have for payroll accuracy and job costing. This article compares leading tools by offline reliability, GPS accuracy, and crew workflows.
Workyard is the GPS time tracking and job costing platform built for construction and field service crews who move across multiple jobsites, capturing exact GPS timestamps, working fully offline, and syncing automatically to deliver payroll-ready data without manual fixes.
Assignar fits large infrastructure teams, busybusy suits equipment-heavy crews, Timeero and ClockIt serve small budgets, ExakTime offers rugged hardware, and ClockShark supports trade scheduling.
See how Workyard’s GPS time clock with offline capability can help your business, or sign up for a 14-day free trial today!
Offline-capable GPS time clocks can handle several core functions even with no connectivity:
- Clocking in and out
- Capturing GPS coordinates and timestamps
- Storing job codes, notes, or photos locally
- Queueing data for later sync when online
Workyard’s mobile app works offline so crews can still clock in/out and capture GPS-verified timestamps on remote jobsites. Once signal returns, Workyard automatically syncs those punches so the office still gets payroll- and job-cost-ready time data.
When offline, time clocks store punch times, GPS coordinates, job codes, crew photos, and any notes or verification data on the device.
Once the device regains connectivity, all this information is automatically uploaded to the server and becomes available for supervisor review and payroll processing.
Offline GPS time clocks are designed to retain data for days or even weeks if necessary. Local storage ensures that punches and GPS logs are preserved until the device reconnects.
This is especially important for jobs in remote regions where internet access may only be available at the end of a shift or when workers return to base.
With Workyard, offline punches and GPS logs are saved on the device until connectivity returns, so remote or low-signal jobs don’t force crews back to paper. Once back online, Workyard uploads the full record automatically for payroll and job costing.
If a device shuts down before syncing, all locally stored data remains on the device’s internal memory or app cache, provided it wasn’t manually wiped.
- Most apps automatically resume syncing once the device restarts and reconnects
- Data loss is rare unless the app is uninstalled or reset
- Some systems offer backup or export options for added protection
Once back online, the time clock app uploads the stored GPS data with timestamps, allowing supervisors to view punch location history and breadcrumb trails.
- Many apps display GPS pins and travel paths on a map
- Breadcrumbing confirms whether the device moved between job sites
- Geofencing alerts can also verify if the punch happened within a job zone
Supervisors can’t view real-time data while the device is offline, but once connectivity returns, synced data populates in the admin dashboard.
This delayed visibility is usually only a few hours or a shift late and still provides accurate logs, timestamps, and locations.
Workyard syncs everything automatically once connectivity returns. That means supervisors still get a complete, GPS-verified record for fast approvals and job-cost accuracy without relying on handwritten notes.
Some platforms flag offline punches for review or include audit trails showing the time and date of syncing.
- Apps may log the sync time alongside the original punch time
- Certain systems highlight “delayed” or “offline” entries for supervisor review
- This helps verify authenticity and prevents data tampering
Offline tracking actually improves payroll accuracy in low-connectivity settings by ensuring no punch data is lost. It reduces manual edits and timecard disputes.
GPS logs, timestamps, and photo verification help confirm that workers were on-site, even if the data syncs later, limiting time theft and improving trust.
Workyard’s offline mode keeps payroll accurate by capturing GPS-verified timestamps even in low-signal areas, then syncing the proof later. In our discovery calls, 55% of contractors cited time theft/no proof of hours as a top pain, and Workyard helps close that gap with location-backed records.
If the app doesn’t sync properly or fails to log crucial data, there’s a risk of incomplete time records that could affect wage and hour compliance.
- Inaccurate logs can trigger audits or disputes
- Missing location data could create liability in regulated industries
- Reliable apps mitigate this by syncing automatically and preserving audit trails
While most apps are robust, problems can occur if users forget to sync, delete the app, or use unsupported devices.
- Battery drain or device shutdown before syncing
- App crashes or failed updates
- Lack of crew training on proper use
The biggest risks are process issues such as dead batteries, untrained crews, or app removal. Workyard is designed to stay simple for field adoption and resume syncing automatically when signal returns. With labor at ~50% of costs, keeping a reliable, GPS-verified record is what prevents payroll disputes and costly clean-up later.