A face recognition attendance system gives construction teams a faster, more accurate way to track hours by using AI to confirm each clock-in. It prevents buddy punching, reduces payroll fixes, and keeps time records consistent across busy, fast-moving jobsites.
For crews spread across multiple locations, facial recognition also adds the on-site verification that manual methods often miss. It simplifies daily time tracking and gives managers a clear view of who is actually on the job.
Below are the top systems worth considering if you need a more reliable, secure attendance solution for your construction workforce.
Top Face Recognition Attendance Systems for Construction Crews at a Glance
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
Our score |
9.8 |
8.0 |
7.5 |
Best for |
Secure, accurate, effortless face recognition attendance |
Secure, touch-free face recognition |
Flexible, secure time tracking |
Pricing |
Starts at $ 6/user + $50/month company base fee |
Starts at $35 / up to 10 users |
Starts at $5.49 /user + $19 monthly base fee |
In a nutshell
Workyard has been consistently reliable for face recognition on active jobsites. The scans are quick and accurate, which cuts down on buddy punching and keeps payroll clean. It removes a lot of the second-guessing that normally comes with tracking crews across different locations.
The Time Clock Kiosk has been particularly useful on shared devices, allowing crews to clock in quickly with facial recognition while the system handles the heavy lifting in the background. This setup is similar to other time clock kiosk apps used in construction, but Workyard’s version feels more dependable day to day.
With GPS tracking and automated timecards working alongside it, Workyard provides a clear, real-time view of who is on-site and when, giving me stronger control over labor costs without creating extra admin work.
To give a clearer picture of what sets Workyard apart, here’s a closer look at the features that had the biggest impact on day-to-day operations.
Key features
- Accurate GPS time tracking for jobsites
- Face recognition attendance for secure and fast clock-ins
- Flexible time tracking: employee, kiosk, and supervisor modes
- Automated overtime and break compliance
- Integrated scheduling with real-time updates
Reliable identity verification with facial recognition
The feature that made the biggest difference for me was Workyard’s facial recognition clock-ins. I tried it across both mobile devices and the shared kiosk, and the verification was quick and accurate each time.
It solved the two issues that usually create payroll headaches: making sure the right person is clocking in and removing any wiggle room for buddy punching.
Once enabled, it runs quietly in the background and doesn’t slow crews down. This makes it far smoother than older punch clock apps that still rely on manual adjustments.
Stronger oversight with GPS-verified attendance
Facial recognition is only half the story. The GPS tracking layer gives every timecard contextual proof of where the clock-in happened. I find it especially useful on scattered jobsites where arrival times used to be a guessing game.
The breadcrumb-style location history and jobsite geofences make it easy to see whether crews actually started at the scheduled location. It fills in gaps that usually require a phone call or follow-up to verify.
Avoid late clockins- automatically clock employees in when they arrive.
Automatically assign project time by locations and customizable rules.
Auto-capture exact mileage per employee and project for reimbursement.
Use rules to restrict clock-ins and clock-outs based on location and time.
Automated timecards that reduce manual cleanup
Workyard’s automated timecards are a major timesaver and feel more polished than many time card apps I’ve tried.
Break enforcement, overtime rules, and daily summaries are baked in, the kind of automation you’d expect from a modern automated time tracker. I wasn’t stuck fixing time entries or chasing people down for missing information.
The part that made the biggest difference for me was the weekly sign-off flow. It creates a clean, verifiable record for payroll without the endless back-and-forth that usually delays processing.
Easy scheduling that actually helps dispatch teams
Scheduling often feels like its own separate system. But in Workyard, it works hand in hand with time tracking. I like how quickly I could assign crews, add job notes, and push updates out instantly through the app.
Real-time location visibility makes same-day adjustments easier, and the drag-and-drop calendar keeps project planning from turning into a spreadsheet puzzle. It creates a rhythm that field teams can follow without constant calls or texts.
Communicate new tasks to your team instantly with push notifications.
Assign work in minutes with a powerful digital team calendar.
Group by employee or project with custom labels for organization.
Job tracking that ties hours directly to progress
Workyard’s job tracking links time, photos, notes, and cost codes into a single running record. Whenever I submit a timecard tied to a job, the dashboard updates instantly with labor totals and progress notes. It makes it easier to understand where time is being spent and whether a project is drifting off plan.
For teams that bill hourly or track productivity daily, this view becomes indispensable.
Accurate cost tracking for predictable job budgets
Workyard’s automatic link between timecards and job costing makes it much simpler to monitor labor expenses. Since Workyard updates labor expenses in real time, I can see cost overruns developing instead of discovering them days later.
The ability to filter by job, employee, or cost code makes it easier to pinpoint inefficiencies. It’s the kind of automatic financial visibility that helps prevent budget surprises.
Empower your team to share job progress updates.
Track automatic and manual changes in a comprehensive activity log.
Reports that help surface real issues quickly
Workyard’s attendance flags, job summaries, and weekly comparisons make it easy to spot patterns without clicking through layers of menus.
The dashboards don’t try to do too much, which I appreciate. When something seems off, pulling up supporting details, such as GPS points, job notes, or timecard history, takes only a moment.
This type of visibility isn’t something you get with every time and attendance software option, especially those without GPS or job-level context.
Built-in labor compliance that reduces risk
Workyard’s automatic compliance rules are hard to ignore. Overtime calculations, break tracking, and audit-ready history are handled behind the scenes, and crews can view and verify their records directly.
This transparency alone cuts down on disputes. For companies operating across multiple states or adhering to strict wage rules, this feature removes a significant amount of manual oversight.
Seamless integrations for payroll and accounting
The integrations are simple to set up. And once connected, time data flowed cleanly into payroll without the usual formatting issues. I exported to QuickBooks and found the job and cost code mapping accurate every time.
Workyard also supports API connections and custom file exports, which makes it flexible enough for mixed tech stacks. Eliminating double entry by syncing employees, jobs, and pay rules saves hours each week.
Pricing
Free trial
14-day trial with no credit card required
Starter
Starts at $6/month per user
+ $50 company base fee
Pro
Starts at $13/month per user
+ $50 company base fee
Pros and cons
Accurate facial recognition and GPS-verified clock-ins
Automated timecards that reduce corrections and compliance issues
Simple scheduling and job tracking in one system
Designed primarily for construction and field teams
Most powerful features are available on higher-tier plans
Ratings and reviews
Our score
DH96_ praised Workyard for its ease of use, highlighting that it helps track hours effortlessly without requiring much thought when arriving at and leaving job sites.
Been using the app recently and had a great experience using it. Helps with keep track of hours and not having to think too much when I get on the job site and leave for the day. Great app to use.
Ralph Milton liked the Workyard app for its quick, professional, and accurate responses to questions, helping employees efficiently access the right information.
I work for a great company, it’s called BM Marine Construction. When there is an issue, and if you need a question answered, I’ve always gone to the Workyard app. You got any answer. They answer quick and are very professional and do not beat around the bush; they give you an answer that is accurate. So at the end of the day, I love where I work, and I love the things that they have in place to help us as employees to get the right information.
Nikki W. found Workyard to be a game-changer, appreciating its ability to track employee locations, prevent unauthorized time edits, and allow easy time modifications, but wished employee suspension could be managed via mobile.
Locations of my employees has been a game changer!!!! Not allowing them to personally change their clock in and out times has also been a plus. Now they have to prove they were on time and where they went and I can change the times.
Pros: I can modify and amend all times and workers easily from my phone anytime or day
Cons: I hate paying for employees that I forget delete after they no longer for me because I have to use my laptop to suspend them. need that feature on my phone and can’t find it.
In a nutshell
Lathem’s FaceIN system uses 3D facial recognition, and I find the depth of its scans helpful for reducing misreads from lighting changes or small shifts in appearance.
The touch-free clock-ins move quickly, and features like Auto Punch and Interactive Mode make basic time tracking tasks straightforward. Pairing it with PayClock Online also makes exporting hours to tools like QuickBooks, ADP, or Paychex relatively smooth.
There are a few trade-offs, though. For example, I occasionally see reports of app crashes and missed punches that need manual cleanup, and relying on a fixed hardware unit can be limiting for crews who move between sites.
Lathem’s face scans are accurate, and the system is secure, though the day-to-day use can feel a bit clunky for crews that need fast, reliable clock-ins from different jobsites.
Key features
- 3D biometric face recognition for accuracy
- Auto Punch Mode for touch-free clock-ins
- Interactive touchscreen for crew management
Pricing
Free Trial?
15-day trial of PayClock Online
Standard
Starts at $35 / month for up to 10 users
Enterprise
Starts at $3 / user + $50 base fee
Pros and cons
Accurate, touch-free 3D facial recognition
Flexible clock-in modes
Easy syncing with PayClock Online and payroll tools
Occasional crashes and missed punches reported
Hardware setup limits mobility
Setup can feel complex initially
Ratings and reviews
Our score
The App Store doesn’t yet have enough reviews to reflect overall user feedback.
On the Play Store, some users report stability issues, including frequent error pop-ups that interrupt basic use. Here’s Barry Kellogg’s review:
⭐⭐⭐
I keep getting PayClock isn’t working, close app or wait button pop-up every five seconds. It makes it very difficult to use the app; I have uninstalled and reinstalled many times.
On Capterra, Christie B. noted that the system works well for simple time tracking but may feel limited as a company’s needs become more complex.
Good Time Clock Management – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our experience was good; we just outgrew it as we grew and needed additional functionality, not just a time clock.Pros: It did what we needed in the beginning, which is just to track time. Also, reports were easy to run.
Cons: We needed more functionality, and we needed compliance tools. We are in California, so making sure breaks and lunches were taken and acknowledged electronically was important to us.
In a nutshell
Buddy Punch includes facial recognition as part of its time-tracking system, and I find the setup straightforward for crews who prefer quick FaceID clock-ins.
It also offers other options such as QR codes, PINs, GPS tracking, and geofencing, which give teams flexibility across different worksites.
The photo verification feature captures an image at each punch, making it easier for managers to confirm identity directly from the timecard.
But do note that some users report issues with hours not displaying correctly and occasional problems with punch recognition that can require manual corrections.
Overall, Buddy Punch provides solid verification tools and multiple ways to clock in. But the reliability gaps may stand out for teams that depend on accurate, consistent attendance data.
Key features
- Face recognition time clock for secure clock-ins
- Auto Punch Mode for touch-free clock-ins
- Interactive touchscreen for employee management
Pricing
Free Trial?
14-day free trial with no credit card required
Starter
$5.49 / user + $19 base fee
Pro
$6.99 / user + $19 base fee
Enterprise
Contact Buddy Punch for plan pricing
Pros and cons
Facial recognition and photo verification for identity confirmation
Multiple clock-in methods, including QR code, PIN, GPS, and geofencing
Flexible setup that works across different worksites
Occasional issues with hours not displaying correctly
Punch recognition can fail at times, requiring manual fixes
Ratings and reviews
Our score
vandy7 found Buddy Punch easy to use and glitch-free, making clocking in and out smooth, while adding a playful nod to the app’s name.
Buddy Playful Punch – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easy to use – no glitches to date (knock on phone as opposed to wood) and I know the punch refers to punching in and out – but I thought I would throw in playful like a buddy would punch.
Fale Pearson found the app’s interface confusing, struggling to locate a clear option to create a new account, making it difficult to even try the app.
⭐⭐⭐
You might think this is user error, but given that one normally doesn’t search “how to create account” in the help topics, I think there might be an ease-of-interface issue. I can request forgotten usernames and passwords, etc. But there are no obvious links or routing trails that lead to “create new account”. Soooooooo, I guess I can’t even try the app. Not sure why it’s not an obvious button somewhere.
For Jim R., Buddy Punch is a reliable tracking system with strong mobile punch tracking for remote teams, but it could automatically adjust start times for early punches.
Buddy Punch can be your watchdog buddy. – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In general, it is a reliable tracking system. We have had no real major issues with it.Pros: We like the tracking of the mobile punches. Most of our crew is remote. Gives us that security and control aspect to see where their in and out punches are taking place.
Cons: It may have it, but I wish it automatically adjusted their start time to 5:30 am even if they punch in at 5:14 am. Would save adjustments.
In a nutshell
Timeero includes a face recognition option within its mobile time tracking system. The app matches each punch to a stored photo and pairs it with GPS data, which gives managers a clearer view of attendance across different job locations.
It works well for crews that rely on smartphones instead of fixed kiosks and need a straightforward way to verify identities in the field.
I did notice some areas where the experience can feel inconsistent. For instance, face matching slows down in low-light conditions. The accuracy also varies with the device’s camera, which can lead to occasional delays when several workers try to clock in at once.
Even so, Timeero provides a practical, mobile-first approach to facial verification for teams that want a simple attendance tool without complex hardware.
Key features
- Face recognition clock-ins for identity verification
- GPS tracking that records the location of each punch
- Geofencing to prevent off-site clock-ins
- Mobile app for on-the-go time and attendance
- Automatic mileage tracking for travel between sites
Pricing
Free Trial?
For 14 days
Basic
$4 / user
Pro
$8 / user
Premium
$11 / user
Enterprise
Must contact sales for pricing
Pros and cons
Simple facial verification for daily clock-ins
Mobile-friendly for crews working across sites
Location tools support basic attendance oversight
Verification slows down in poor lighting
Camera quality affects consistency
Clock-ins can back up during busy periods
Ratings and reviews
Our score
The App Store has only one published review so far, but it offers a glimpse into how some users experience the app. Here is what user Keanneeeeeee had to say:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’re looking for the best time/location tracker app, this is it! We’ve tried a dozen apps, and this is by far the best and easiest to use. Works best for a non-techy handyman. I have other operator/contractor friends, and they recommended this app. So I do recommend it to anyone who would like to try it too:) Customer service is excellent, too.
On the Play Store, Yanely Brito shared a more critical experience that highlighted some reliability concerns.
⭐
It’s been awful to record my working hours; it logs me out when it wants to. It won’t let me add/take a pic because I need to be connected to the internet, even though I am. It has also said I was working overnight 🙃
Over on Capterra, John Alfred C. gave the app high marks and described a largely positive experience.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall experience is good, would definitely recommend, and will continue to use the application because it is very useful.Pros: The efficiency and accuracy in time tracking. Tracking location also makes it easy. I also talked to customer support and was very helpful.
Cons: I don’t think there is something that I like least about the application. Everything about it has been good so far.
In a nutshell
AMGtime leans more toward hardware-based tracking, and using its facial recognition clock made that clear right away. The device verifies workers quickly, and combining those punches with GPS from the mobile app creates a solid record of who was on-site.
It feels best suited for teams that want identity checks to happen at a physical terminal rather than relying entirely on phones. The variety of biometric options adds flexibility, the Wi-Fi clocks sync reliably once everything is connected, and the reporting tools give enough detail for daily oversight. Payroll integrations with major providers also make it easier to keep hours aligned during pay runs.
But there are also a few trade-offs to be aware of. Setting up the hardware takes more effort than I expected, and the software interface feels dated in spots. I also ran into occasional stability issues, and support responses can be slower than ideal.
These aren’t major deal-breakers, but they do add friction for teams looking for a smoother, more modern experience. Overall, AMGtime is a solid fit for businesses that prefer hardware-driven time tracking and want biometric security built directly into their attendance workflow.
Key features
- Face recognition and biometric verification to reduce buddy punching
- Multiple clock-in methods
- Supports both cloud-based and on-premise deployment
- Wi-Fi-enabled time clocks with real-time syncing
- Mobile GPS and location-based clock-ins
Pricing
Free Trial?
15 days
Essential
$1.20 / user + $15 monthly base fee
Advanced
$1.80 / user / + $20 monthly base fee
Premier
$2.50 / user + $30 monthly base fee
Data capture hardware
From $397
Pros and cons
Flexible biometric options, including facial recognition and fingerprints
Time clocks sync reliably once configured
Reporting and payroll integrations cover most daily needs
Hardware setup requires more effort than expected
Occasional software stability issues
Customer support can be slow to respond
Ratings and reviews
Our score
Redanblack reported that the app no longer works reliably on Apple or Android devices, frequently failing to boot and requiring constant reinstalls, which affects their paycheck.
Not working. – ⭐
This app used to work well with Apple phones. It would be buggy on occasion, but always worked. They had difficulty with Android devices, and they fixed it. Now we are having the same exact issue with Apple devices; the app won’t even boot up. You click the app, it tries to log in, and disappears. Uninstall, reinstall, same problem. I don’t understand, it is almost a biweekly occurrence lately that this app is unusable for either Android or Apple devices. This app directly affects my paycheck. Not something I would want to constantly have issues with.
Austin B. found the software easy to use with great customer service, but noted that hand scans don’t always work properly.
Great – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 10/10Pros: It’s easy to access and easy to use. Also, the customer service is great.
Cons: My employee’s hands don’t always wanna scan.
In a nutshell
Truein uses a mobile-first setup for face recognition attendance, which makes it easy to adopt without dedicated hardware. I tried it on both a phone and a tablet, and the workflow felt easy to pick up on each device.
The face recognition is quick, and the AI handles masks, glasses, and other small changes well. The selfie-based geofencing also helps ensure punches come from approved locations rather than anywhere the app is opened.
Offline attendance is useful for sites with unreliable connectivity, since punches sync automatically once the device reconnects. Truein also includes attendance rules, leave management, and payroll-ready summaries that help consolidate routine admin work.
Unfortunately, GPS accuracy can fluctuate depending on the environment, which affects location validation. Getting payroll integrations set up also takes more steps than expected. The reporting tools cover the basics, though the customization options feel limited.
Overall, Truein is a convenient option for teams that want a touchless, mobile-based attendance system with solid face recognition. It handles the core tasks well. But teams with tighter payroll or location requirements may need additional configuration to make the most of it.
Key features
- AI face recognition for secure clock-ins
- Mobile/tablet-based, no extra hardware needed
- Selfie geofencing prevents off-site punches
Pricing
Free Trial?
Yes – 14 days
Premium
$0.75/user/month + $40/monthly base fee (billed annually)
Enterprise
For more than 1000 staff, call sales
Pros and cons
Touchless face recognition that works well on mobile devices
No dedicated hardware for setup or daily use
Offline attendance that syncs automatically when back online
GPS accuracy can fluctuate depending on the environment
Payroll integration setup requires extra steps
Reporting tools feel limited for teams that need deeper customization
Ratings and reviews
Our score
EshaC14 shared that the shift to face-based attendance worked well for their team and felt easy for everyone to use.
Easy to use and handy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Face-based attendance was a new thing to us, but we are happy with this system; it’s easy and handy to use for everyone.
Sumit Joshi described the app as simple and reliable, especially for basic attendance tracking and visitor alerts.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The app does what it says. It’s pretty simple and good for attendance and visitor alerts.
Sachin M. appreciated the system’s ease of use, although morning punch-ins occasionally ran into technical issues during busy periods.
It is very easy to use ⭐⭐⭐⭐
GoodPros: Face tracking, real-time attendance data
Cons: Sometimes, problem comes while punching attendance in the mornings due to Truein technical errors and peak-hour issues
In a nutshell
Using Jibble on both a mobile device and a shared kiosk gave me a clear feel for how it handles daily attendance. The facial recognition works quickly for clock-ins, and geofencing helps confirm that punches are happening at the right job location.
Offline tracking also came in handy on sites with spotty service, since all the punches synced automatically once the device reconnected.
The mobile app is simple enough for field teams to pick up, the kiosk mode requires minimal setup, and the Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations make attendance updates easier to share. The live map is also useful for a quick view of who is on-site.
But there are areas where the system feels more limited. The scheduling tools are fairly lightweight, especially when managing shifting crews or multiple job sites. The lack of built-in payroll integrations adds extra steps when preparing hours, and the reporting tools focus more on basic summaries than on deeper job or compliance details.
Overall, Jibble is a straightforward attendance tool with reliable face recognition. It handles the essentials smoothly. But teams with more complex scheduling or payroll workflows may feel its limitations more quickly.
Key features
- AI face recognition for secure clock-ins
- Mobile, kiosk, and geofencing clock-ins
- Real-time tracking with live location map
Pricing
Free Trial?
14 days for Premium and Ultimate plans
Premium
$3.49/user/month
Ultimate
$6.99/user/month
Enterprise
$8.99/user/month
Pros and cons
Reliable facial recognition with geofencing support
Simple mobile and kiosk setup for field teams
Live map offers quick visibility into who is on-site
Scheduling tools are basic for multi-crew workflows
No built-in payroll integrations, adding extra steps
Reporting is limited for teams needing deeper job or compliance details
Ratings and reviews
Our score
Ange7989 found Jibble great for tracking field canvassers, appreciating its geo-fencing, device restrictions, and customizable settings but noted it requires a paid plan for full features.
A Must have to track Field Canvassers – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This app has made it extremely easy to track our field canvassers (door-to-door/knockers). You can easily see who is canvassing and who isn’t because it pings their device every couple of minutes. You can set device restrictions so that if they clock in on a phone, they can’t clock out on a computer (prevents stealing time and fraudulent punches). You can also set geo-fences, so if your employee leaves an area they’re assigned to, it lets you know! If you have a field canvassing team – or really employees you’re not able to manage in person, and they’re out in the field – this was definitely the best app I came across. I like the versatility with exporting weekly time sheets, too. Everything is customizable in here, so you really can make the settings in your Jibble account fit your business needs. $5 per user per month to have all the bells and whistles. Very robust product, so thank you, guys, for making it!
Brett Pighin struggled to integrate Jibble with QuickBooks, found customer support unhelpful, and warns that Jibble works best as a standalone app without strong third-party integrations.
⭐⭐⭐
I tried to sync Jibble2 to my QuickBooks software, and I couldn’t get it to work after hours of trying different things. Customer support wasn’t very helpful, as they couldn’t solve the problem. They said they were going to contact the integration team to help me, then I never heard back from them. So if you only want to use it as a standalone app, it’s great! Don’t expect any great integrations with other apps.
Bonnays N. found Jibble easy to use for time tracking on mobile and desktop, but noted that adjusting tracked hours can be tricky.
A very nice tool with a lot of flexibility – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We start using it in our small company to avoid loosing time and be more aware about time consumingPros: The easy way to make time tracking using mobile device or computer . Easy to explain to all colleague even the guy who are not very fan of technology
Cons: Adjusting some time tracking hours can be sometimes a little bit tricky but nothing is impossible with good mindset
What is a face recognition attendance system?
Face recognition is one type of biometric time clock, giving teams a quick, accurate way to confirm who is clocking in. Instead of entering a PIN or scanning a badge, the worker looks at a device, and the system matches their face to their profile.
It’s fast, accurate, and removes a lot of the issues that come with manual methods on busy jobsites.
Construction teams use these systems to keep payroll accurate, verify who’s actually on-site, and avoid the kind of timekeeping mistakes that happen when crews move between multiple projects.
How a face recognition attendance system works
Most face recognition attendance systems begin with a simple profile setup for each crew member, usually a reference photo and a few basic details.
After that, clock-ins happen through a phone or a kiosk, where the system matches the worker’s face to their record. GPS or geofence checks run quietly in the background to confirm they’re actually on the right site.
Supervisors get updates in real time, so it’s easier to keep track of arrivals or sort out gaps in the schedule. Breaks, overtime, and payroll exports are handled automatically, which helps keep weekly records clean and consistent across multiple jobsites.
Benefits of face recognition attendance systems for construction crews
- Prevents buddy punching: Every clock-in is tied to the worker’s face, so time theft becomes harder to pull off.
- Keeps payroll clean: Verified hours mean fewer corrections at the end of the week.
- Supports compliance: Accurate records for breaks, overtime, and hours help with audits and labor rules.
- Gives supervisors visibility: You can see who showed up and where they clocked in, even across multiple projects.
- Cuts down admin work: Automations handle most of the approval and cleanup.
- Works for mobile crews: Phones or kiosks both get the job done.
- Improves site security: Only authorized workers can clock in or be counted as present.
How much does a face recognition attendance system cost?
Most face recognition attendance systems follow a per-user, per-month pricing model, with costs rising as you add more workers or advanced features like geofencing, job costing, or integrations.
Some tools offer flat-rate plans for small teams, while others scale based on headcount. Free trials are common, and a few platforms provide limited free tiers for very small crews.
Beyond the subscription, consider setup needs such as kiosk hardware, training time, or data migration, which can add to the overall cost depending on your job site workflow.
What to look for in a face recognition attendance system
A good platform should cover a few non-negotiables that keep payroll clean, prevent time theft, and give supervisors a reliable view of who actually showed up on site.
- Consistent facial verification: Confirms the worker clocking in is the one assigned to the job
- Location-aware clock-ins: GPS or geofencing helps ensure hours are logged on the right project
- Automatic timecard rules: Breaks, overtime, and approvals should be applied without constant editing
- Reliable, searchable records: Make audits and payroll reviews far easier to handle
Once you know the essentials are covered, the extra features are what separate one system from another. These additions tend to make the tool easier to use in the field and quicker to manage in the office.
- Flexible clock-in methods: Mobile and kiosk options help crews in different work environments
- Offline functionality: Keeps time tracking intact on remote or low-signal jobsites
- Payroll and project tool integrations: Cut down on duplicate work and reduce back-office errors
How to choose the best face recognition attendance system
- See how well it recognizes people in real jobsite conditions. Crews work in sun, shade, dust, and PPE, so the scanner should still pick up faces quickly without constant retries.
- Check whether the basics line up with how your team actually clocks in. The system should confirm who punched in, tag the right location, and handle breaks and overtime without someone fixing entries later.
- Try it during a normal shift, not just in a demo. This is where you see if the app loads fast, if GPS behaves on your sites, and whether supervisors can approve punches without digging through menus.
- Make sure it works with the tools you already rely on. Clean payroll exports, simple job costing outputs, and reports you can read at a glance make a big difference once the system is in daily use.
- Weigh the cost against the headaches it solves. The best pick is the one that fits your budget and cuts down on time theft, payroll fixes, and jobsite confusion.
Final Thoughts
After testing these systems side by side, most handled basic face recognition without trouble. But Workyard was the only one that stayed accurate, reliable, and easy to manage across real jobsites.
If you’re trying to clean up payroll and get a clearer view of who’s actually on-site, Workyard is the option that delivers without adding extra work. A free Workyard trial is the easiest way to see the difference.
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!
Yes. Face recognition attendance systems are safe for construction crews when used properly. They verify worker identity at clock-in using biometric data and typically store only encrypted templates, not raw images.
To protect privacy and stay compliant, contractors should inform workers how data is used, limit tracking to work hours, and choose systems that follow U.S. biometric and labor regulations. When implemented correctly, these systems improve accuracy without compromising worker privacy.
Crews can sometimes bypass face recognition systems when the technology or policies are weak. Common risk areas include identity sharing, poor photo verification, outdated hardware, or systems that don’t actively detect spoofing. These gaps can allow false clock-ins if safeguards aren’t in place.
To prevent misuse, contractors should use systems with liveness detection, require on-site verification, pair facial recognition with GPS or geofencing, and enforce clear attendance policies. When properly configured, face recognition systems significantly reduce buddy punching and time theft rather than enable it.
The best face recognition attendance system for construction crews is one that verifies worker identity at clock-in and confirms they are on the correct jobsite.
Construction-focused platforms like Workyard stand out by combining facial recognition with GPS-verified time tracking, which helps prevent buddy punching and keeps payroll accurate across active jobsites.
