The 7 Best Field Service Scheduling Software Solutions for 2024
Looking for the best field service scheduling software for your construction business? Check out our review of 7 top apps in the market!
Field service admins face unique challenges when managing their operations. From coordinating technician schedules to tracking job progress and completion, the logistical complexities can quickly become overwhelming without the right tools in place.
Today, plenty of field service management software solutions aim to address this need. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore seven of the best field service scheduling software options to help you find the right fit for your business needs.
We’ll be examining the key features of each solution in detail, then listen to what actual users say about them. Lastly, we’ll assign a score based on an identical set of criteria.
Let’s start with a quick overview of our list.
Top Picks
Below, you’ll find a summary of each app we’ve reviewed, with our scores, each app’s ideal use cases, its pricing, the availability of any free trials or free tiers, and the platforms on which the app is available. Each app has been thoroughly investigated and analyzed for users like you, with pros and cons, key features, integrations, and real user reviews.
Let’s take a look…
9.3 
14-day free trial
7.7 
Demo available upon request
8.0
Demo available upon request
7.8
Demo available upon request
EDITOR’S NOTE: We created Workyard – the first app reviewed here – to address issues we encountered while struggling to track and manage construction payrolls for over 700 workers in over 50 construction businesses. We built the Workyard app from the ground up to support construction companies like yours, with industry-essential features like the industry’s most accurate time clock app with GPS and geofencing, intuitive contractor scheduling, construction cost tracking tools, and more.
Learn more about how Workyard works on our main website, or sign up for a 14-day free trial today to see what Workyard can do for your business.
Workyard
Scoring
Key Features
-
Scheduling for individual workers and teams
-
Job-tracking with real-time data
-
Best-in-class GPS time clock
-
Job costing for all types of jobs
-
Reporting with analysis and insights
-
Labor compliance in-app functionality
-
Integration with payroll systems and workflow in minutes
Intuitive for field workers
Accurate GPS location and time capture
Great mobile experience
GPS tracking can drain device battery
May not track in rural areas
Needs integration with other apps for invoicing
Highlights
Scheduling
Workyard’s scheduling calendar is built for field workers. To assign projects and tasks, simply drag and drop assignments to team members on its visual calendar dashboard.
Use Workyard’s field service scheduling software to:
- Schedule multiple jobs for any worker (or several workers to the same job)
- Assign job duration from start to completion
- Add to-do checklists to each job
- Track scheduled jobs by status
- See schedules by week, month, or task
- Organize schedules by job type, deadline, date, and others
- Repeat scheduled projects or tasks
Workyard’s mobile app syncs employees’ schedules in real time to keep everyone updated on schedule changes and assignments.
Use Workyard to provide more details and attach additional instructions to tasks, including job checklists. Your employees can use the app to provide job updates with notes and photo attachments of their own.
Lastly, Workyard’s powerful GPS tracking shows team members’ locations on a job site as well as their location history to help you make better dispatch decisions.
Best-in-Class GPS Time Clock
Workyard’s time clock is specially designed for fieldwork. The app uses live phone-based GPS tracking alongside personalized geofencing to accurately track workers’ locations. On the road or in the field, your employees can rest assured that every worked minute is accounted for.
Field employees no longer need to punch time cards manually – in fact, they may not even need to clock in on their phones. Workyard automates clock-in and clock-out for every employee. The app also puts every team member on a live map you can view anytime.
Keep reimbursements for vehicle trips accurate by letting Workyard calculate exact mileage and journeys via GPS tracking.
Thanks to its GPS’ laser precision, Workyard keeps every timecard and timesheet error-free, reflecting actual labor costs to keep projects profitable.
See why 50,000+ workers and over 10,000 contractors use Workyard (and why construction managers and leaders like you have rated us 4.9 of 5 stars on Capterra). Explore Workyard and start a 14-day free trial today to see how we can speed up your construction and workforce management.
Job Tracking
Use Workyard’s job-tracking software to access key metrics and real-time updates from the field.
Workyard allows you to easily:
- Capture job progress with the mobile app
- Increase transparency around project activity
- Speed up business processes
- Improve billing and job estimates with labor costs
Even when you’re in the office, Workyard supplies you with vital field service data, including:
Labor time and costs. Every timecard submission includes hours worked per job and/or cost codes.
Site visits. Every employee clock-in and clock-out is automatically captured.
Worksite vehicle trips. Relevant driving trips to each job site are tracked and recorded.
Project updates. Every worker assigned to a job can share progress updates with notes and photos.
Receipts. Team members have the autonomy to record receipts and attach them to the relevant job.
Job Costing
Field service managers use Workyard’s live cost tracking to capture job costs by automatically recording and analyzing time card submissions.
Filter and group job costs by:
- Employee
- Project type
- Duration of project
- Cost code
- Date
With each log and time card received, Workyard automatically calculates labor costs for each field job. The platform does this for every field service personnel on your team and updates your dashboard in real time.
The platform synchronizes job cost data and time sheets with existing accounting systems to speed up processing.
Reporting
Workyard’s customizable reports and dashboards give you insights for better business and field service management.
Simply click a button to generate and customize the following reports in minutes:
- Time cards (detail, summary)
- Time card notes
- Time off summary
- Pay period time
- Project and cost code time (detail, summary)
With Workyard, you can customize reports by task, project, progress, and employee time:
Task report. Filter and group entries by time, cost code, and project code
Project report. Create project reports on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
Progress report. Export current project notes in PDF and CSV format, including image attachments
Employee time report. Create reports on teams’ worked hours, labor costs, and activity on job sites
Workyard places key metrics and data at your fingertips to help you gain insight into project labor costs and understand how employees spend their hours on the field.
Labor Compliance
Workyard’s field service scheduling software is equipped with built-in labor guidelines for managing compliance. The app automates the creation of audit trails to document time records for field service workers.
Workyard is fully aligned with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines. You can use Workyard’s online archive to search time records anytime. You can also set rules for mandatory breaks and overtime by state, staying compliant with labor regulations.
Integrations
Workyard integrates with accounting and payroll systems to keep payslips accurate. Its native integrations include QuickBooks, Gusto, Oracle NetSuite, and Rippling.
The platform exports employee and project data to other systems to streamline billing, invoicing, and job cost reporting.
Workyard also exports data to CSV for use in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. The app’s Developer API lets you connect to more systems not already on the list.
Reviews
Workyard users say they can rely on Workyard to keep time cards (and pay) accurate.
iOS user Jeshua Pence says Workyard keeps time cards accurate:
iOS Review:
Accurate employee time cards ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve been impressed with how well the GPS data has worked. When we started using Workyard we were trying to eliminate the time consuming back and forth that usually goes into making sure time cards are accurate. One of the biggest problems we have is that our employees forget to clock in when they arrive on site. Workyard allowed us to set the addresses for all of our job sites so that when an employee arrives to the project Workyard uses GPS to capture their actual arrival time.If they forgot to clock in and do it say an hour later we have that audit trail to compare to. We can see that they arrived on site at 7 AM vs an 8:15 AM clock in. Our workers love it because when they forget to clock in it’s almost always an honest mistake. This way they feel confident their time card is going to be accurate and they’ll get paid what they deserve.
Android user randy jordan says the app gives him peace of mind:
Google Play Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
App is amazing, it allows me as a technician if I accidentally forget to sign in to a customer that I’ll have proof I was there with the GPS location. It’s overall makes it easier on management because they can see where all the techs are and when new customers call in they’re able to call the nearest tech to pick up more business. Overall a very needed app for any business that has several techs or employees that are mobile. And it makes tracking hours easy.
Workyard user Jose M. says says Workyard helps him with scheduling:
Capterra Review:
Business Origination ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: Our business has improved dramatically due to schedule improvements and cost code help us see where we are successful and where we need improve to have better services for our customers.Pros: The most impactful thing is how using all the tool from scheduling to cost codes to time cost reports helped streamline our business. Shows us where we need to improve and where we’re successful.
Cons: So far I have not learned all the tools useful to my business there are so many. I would change the easy of administrators to change things via mobile phones. Also integrating with google calendar to help block off unavailable times.
Pricing
Free Trial?
14-day trial with no credit card required
Time Tracking
Annual: $6 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $8 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Workforce
Management
Annual: $13 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $16 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Workyard makes field service scheduling easy!
Click Here to Find Out More
ServiceMax
Scoring
Key Features
-
Service Board scheduling environment with search function
-
Automated scheduling and dispatch
-
Project scheduling with intelligent assistance
-
Crew management with contact details
-
Shift-based scheduling on different rates and days
Easy to access remotely
Good onboarding experience
Great customer and tech support
Users report slow performance
Not easy to set up
Expensive for large companies (extra costs for development fees)
Highlights
ServiceMax field service management software serves trade industries, as well as building and construction equipment businesses.
It offers Service Board, a scheduling environment built for field service dispatchers. You can use the tool’s automated scheduling and dispatch function to match the right technicians based on SLA, proximity to job site, territory, and customer preference. Its project scheduling function comes with intelligent assistance and automation features to help you optimize field service scheduling.
The platform allows you to assign work orders to partner companies and contractors. You can also schedule workers based on shifts at different rates and on multiple days.
The app is equipped with communication channels so you can reach out to contractors on the field. Team members can view each other’s details and contact one another to collaborate on assignments.
ServiceMax integrates with Accenture, Capgemini, IBM, Wipro, and other third-party systems.
Reviews
ServiceMax users say the app is easy to use, but needs to perform better and faster.
iOS user Scott Freebie complains the app is slow:
iOS Review:
Data sync is slow ⭐⭐
Data Sync is very slow, it hangs up all the time with latest version.
ServiceMax user Shelby G. says the app integrates well with other systems, however, multiple issues caused periods of downtime:
Capterra Review:
ServiceMax fair review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: I have used servicemax daily for years. We integrated service max with Salesforce and this works well. Used for the field management and dispatch of work orders to national engineers, the system works wellIt is easy to train to new staff and has a good and simple layout.Cons: We had multiple issues with the dispatch console which have led to periods of downtime
Pricing
Free Trial?
Demo available upon request
Tiers
Must contact sales for pricing
Fieldpoint
Scoring
Key Features
-
Smart service scheduling and dispatch for high call volume
-
Work order scheduling management with ERP system integration
-
Contract management for SLA and service agreements
-
Project and job costing with inventory tracking
-
GPS tracking with route planning and optimization
Ease of use
Offers tailored solutions for businesses
Great customer support
Users report slow data updates
Weak performance in offline mode
Poor mobile experience
Highlights
Fieldpoint is field service management software for trade industries as well as medium and enterprise businesses in the medical, oil and gas, and IT industries.
Fieldpoint’s smart scheduling and dispatch software allows you to quickly route assignments and calls to field technicians. The platform automates scheduling for installation and service projects in real time, helping you manage high call volumes.
Its work order scheduling management also helps you monitor and automate customer service requests. It enables you to track customer relationships, manage service level agreements (SLAs), and set schedules for preventative maintenance to maximize profitability.
Fieldpoint’s mobile app equips field technicians with online and offline tools, including search functions for replacement parts, invoice creation, and estimates for client jobs. The mobile app also enables field technicians to accept jobs, order parts, and encode job costs using the mobile app. Fieldpoint uses GPS to provide field technicians with the most efficient routes to job sites and optimize schedules.
The platform also gives you visibility into previous client appointments, inventory and parts tracking, and work order documentation.
Fieldpoint integrates with CRM, ERP, tax, payroll, and accounting systems, among others.
Reviews
Fieldpoint users say the app offers an attractive range of features, but needs to be better for field work.
iOS user TJ-AIG says the app has impressive features, but it periodically crashes:
iOS Review:
Good features, lacks robustness ⭐⭐
We have been using the app for about 6 weeks with about 15 technicians. Features are good, but app has been randomly crashing and users need to uninstall and reinstall the app. Some users are not “tech savvy”, which creates additional unnecessary overhead work to make sure the technicians stay using the app and focused on their work.I am pretty sure FieldPoint will eventually figure it out, but given the monthly subscription fee price they need to step their game up considerably quicker.
I wish them lucky and we are here to provide feedback if needed. We will continue to use it for 12 months, but we need a more robust system as we want to scale up a 5 fold.
Fieldpoint user Tn F. says the app was off to a good start, but it fell flat with integration troubles:
Capterra Review:
A good start, but let down by integration ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: It served our needs but ultimately we had to replace FP with a more integrated solution.Pros: Web-based Mobile app Offline accessible
Cons: Integration to dynamics GP was poor Manual syncing Inventory on mobile was not great Separating technician time for call time was difficult
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free demo only
No Tier
Contact Fieldpoint for pricing
50,000+ professionals trust Workyard for construction workforce management.
Find out why
ServiceTitan
Scoring
Key Features
-
Scheduling with custom tags for special tools and prior rescheduling
-
Dispatch board with intelligent schedule optimization
-
Technician availability and job progress tracking
-
Integrated workforce management and marketing tools
-
Client portal with work orders and payments
Integrates well with other systems
Great customer service
Easy to use
Expensive
Poor onboarding experience
App bugs are not quickly addressed
Highlights
ServiceTitan is service management software designed for trade industries and home service businesses, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance repair, among others.
Its scheduling feature allows you to categorize upcoming jobs with custom tags to flag special tools needed, languages spoken, and prior reschedules. You can track technician availability and job progress within their job cycles, allowing you to queue up new jobs as they finish up current calls.
Its dispatch board uses point-and-click functions to extend, shorten, or reschedule jobs. The board also allows you to send and receive SMS texts, streamlining communication.
ServiceTitan offers tools for creating proposals and quotes, invoices, and service agreements. It also manages client appointment confirmations via text, eliminating unnecessary calls. The platform offers flexible payment options to clients via a personalized online payment portal.
ServiceTitan integrates with GPS providers to track technicians’ locations. The platform also integrates with other third-party apps, including QuickBooks, Google Local Services Ads, Trane, and Thumbtack.
Reviews
ServiceTitan users say the app streamlines some business tasks, but requires a lot of effort to set up.
iOS user HVAC tech69 the mobile experience is pure frustration:
iOS Review:
App not optimized for mobile ⭐
The company I work for has struggled to find an effective app that suits both technicians in the field as well as office personnel. While this app does provide a decent medium for technician and office to enter job details, it is plagued by poor mobile development. Just about every day I struggle with losing a well thought out description of work performed as the app loves to just close the current sheet you attempt to fill out. Resizing on mobile is a cancer and often soft locks to the point you must close the app and reopen to fix. Currently they are having an issue with data sync where it gets stuck in an endless loop and never syncs. It is so bad that 4 of our employees regularly have this issue with no resolution. Unless they take steps soon to solve the many issues for mobile I would not recommend for the pure frustration this system offers daily.
ServiceTitan user Beth K. says the app integrates well with other systems, but its scheduling and calendar features could be much improved:
Capterra Review:
Huge setup time, knowledge and effort. It would be nice if you could pay them to do it ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: I wouldn’t recommend but I haven’t used any other HVAC industry software so I don’t know how that compares to their competitors.Pros: Easy to schedule technicians. Invoicing and QuickBooks integration works once the setup is done (if it ever is completed)
Cons: Calendar is difficult to read; a colorful, muddled mess. No help or support from ServiceTitan. Simple things like QuickBooks COA updates take weeks to get answers on; if at all. Updates take two plus months.
Pricing
Free Trial?
Demo available upon request
Starter
Essentials
The Works
Must contact sales for pricing
Skedulo
Scoring
Key Features
-
Visual calendar with drag-and-drop scheduling
-
Schedule grouping by worker, customer, or job type
-
Map view of workers’ real-time locations via GPS
-
Automated scheduling with Skedulo MasterMind
-
Smart recommendations for routes, proximity, or job completion
Good scheduling features for remote teams
Customizable
Great customer support
Slow processing time
Frequent issues with map view
Needs more user privacy layers and access levels
Highlights
Skedulo is a workforce management platform for field service, healthcare, energy and utilities, and the public sector among other industries.
It offers solutions for scheduling, team communication, and analytics. You can use its visual calendar to drag and drop assignments to team members.
You can group and manage schedules by team member, customer, or job type. The calendar shows your pipeline of requested, scheduled, dispatched, and finished jobs. It also offers a map view of workers’ real-time location via GPS tracking.
Skedulo’s MasterMind automates scheduling according to customers’ needs, your business goals, or your mobile workforce capability. The engine makes smart recommendations to shorten travel time, cluster appointments that are close to each other, or speed up task completion.
Skedulo integrates with a few third-party apps, including Salesforce, Zendesk, and Workday.
Reviews
Skedulo users say it solves several problems, such as centralizing resources and documents. However, users say it needs to be more reliable and conscientious about their privacy.
iOS user gtyblifder complains of frequent app crashes:
iOS Review:
App Crashes ⭐
My job just switched over to using this app over our old one, (which was most better). I cannot even log in to the app after multiple failed attempts on my phone and laptop. I highly discourage any company from using this app. It’s unreliable and a waste of company money
Skedulo user Lindsay M. worries about her personal data privacy:
Capterra Review:
For use in British Columbia, CAN read PIPA first. ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: If my employer had actually read local privacy laws prior to roll out and implementation of this app, I certainly hope they would have chosen to provide company managed devices. Devices that they could log, monitor and secure my personal and employment information against improper disclosure and access or use. I’m not sure why but I was ignored by my employer when I submitted a formal complaint about privacy. The Privacy Commissioner of B.C has now been engaged as a result of compliance issues with local laws.Pros: As the employee being managed by this software, the central location of job details and relevant document attachment is handy. The mapping/location feature I’m sure would be helpful in many situations. Appears to be fairly customizable as all forms and links are in house.
Cons: My employer chose to roll this app out for use on employee personal devices. They have %0 controll or access logging. My personal contact info (email and phone) are posted for all other users to see. My daily timesheets completed thru the app are accessible to other field level employees and include hours & locations worked, rate of pay and any pay premiums applicable. Images of my signature are also accessible to my peer coworkers. All in one location and visible as far back as Feb 2022 for every day. My employer has not educated any users on how to safely or securely install app on personal smartphones to keep app data separate and secure from malicious apps installed for personal use.
Once installed and logged in to app I can hard reset phone by holding power button to shut down and restart phone, once restarted I can open app without a password. The location and tracking features of the app interfere with manufacturer gps Protocols and overrides location permissions to run 24/7 in background.
Pricing
Free Trial?
Demo available upon request
Schedulers
Must contact sales for pricing
Mobile Workers
Must contact sales for pricing
COVID Testing &
Vaccine Administration
Must contact sales for pricing
MSI Data
Scoring
Key Features
-
Visual scheduler with technician availability visibility
-
Automated dispatch tool with GPS rerouting
-
Task overview dashboard for current and upcoming tasks
-
Automatic assignment based on skill and location
-
Team communication and alerts
Easy to use
Great customer support
Good scheduling tools for service teams
Limited customization
Significant app lags
Not easy to use for service technicians
Highlights
MSI Data is field service management software serving trade industries, like construction, HVAC, oil and gas, manufacturing, and fire protection. It offers solutions for scheduling, asset management, preventative maintenance, and service management.
Its visual scheduler allows you to view available technicians on an interactive board and updates technicians when new jobs become available.
MSI Data’s field service scheduling tool includes an automated dispatch feature that calculates drive time to save time between jobs. It’s also equipped with GPS for automatic rerouting when the schedule changes.
The platform provides a task overview on its dashboard so you can see current and upcoming tasks. It also automatically assigns technicians to certain jobs based on their skills and location. This helps you process high-volume tasks quickly and optimize field service scheduling.
MSI Data integrates with ERP systems via Service Pro.
Reviews
MSI Data users say it simplifies time logging, but struggles with more complex functions like platform synchronization.
iOS user 805Kel says the mobile app doesn’t sync well with the platform:
iOS Review:
Delete appts before starting work ⭐⭐⭐
We use this to manage our service team for the last year. The biggest frustration has been constant syncing issues and pictures from jobs not being uploaded after closing even though the app won’t allow you to close the job without attaching pictures. I finally found the workaround. Do not start a job when working in an appointment. You need to delete the appointment before you start the work. In fact you can’t even hit work started and then attach pictures. Just add the pictures after deleting the appointment. Then after all have been uploaded, hit accept job, work started, then close. If you try to attach pictures within an appt or when you are in work started the app will give you sync errors. This work around has saved many frustrating hours of work. Other than that it’s a decent app. But it took a year to figure this out.
MSI Data user Nicole H. says it makes clocking in and out easy:
Capterra Review:
employee user ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: I really like that it’s easy to clock in and out every dayCons: I don’t have any complaints about this software
Pricing
Free Trial?
No Free Trial available
Tiers
Must contact sales for pricing
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service
Scoring
Key Features
-
Self-service scheduling via Microsoft’s customer portal
-
Automated client service reminders via email and SMS
-
Dynamics 365 Guides for remote issue assistance
-
Work order management with Copilot for Field Service
-
Financial and inventory data integration with Dynamics 365 Business Central
Comprehensive features
Improves response time to clients
AI takes care of routine tasks
Some features require additional products
Requires extensive boarding
Data storage limits
Highlights
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service is cloud-based field service operations software providing field service and operations solutions.
Its self-service scheduling enables customers to book appointments via the customer portal in Microsoft Power Apps. The platform also sends automated service reminders to clients through email and SMS. The calendar gives you visibility into client appointments in real time.
You can use Dynamics 365 Guides to help technicians resolve issues remotely. Copilot, Microsoft’s intelligent assistant, is also integrated into the system and can be used to find relevant answers within online technician guides faster.
Copilot also assists you in work order management, summarizing key details from work orders and recommending next steps.
The app integrates financial and inventory data between Dynamics 365 Field Service and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Reviews
Users of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service say it offers a wide range of features. However, it needs to work on the details to increase its practical value.
iOS user Dunkin Junk says uninstalling and reinstalling the app has become an unwelcome monthly habit:
iOS Review:
App is constantly getting “stuck” ⭐⭐⭐
I have to delete and reinstall this app a few times a month because it gets stuck loading, I have also been deleting and reassigning service visits from CRM to be able to open them. It could definitely be easier to navigate the system to enter hours and resources. I like that the jobs are easy to move and fall off immediately when closed, I also like the interactions feature which I use to log calls with the customer or any other relevant information.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service user Renaud M. says the app was okay, but not very impressive:
Capterra Review:
Cumbersome, not very portable ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: It was ok, but I fund the software to be too cumbersome to use efficientlyPros: This is a full feature solution that can integrate in a ERP system with lost of options
Cons: It looks lime it was developed years ago and has not changed much. The mobile application is not great and the customization is difficult, long and expensive
Pricing
Free Trial?
30 days
Dynamics 365 Field
Service Contractor
$50 user/month
Dynamics 365 Field
Service
$95 user/month
The Bottom Line
As field service continues to evolve in an increasingly digitized business landscape, the need for robust yet user-friendly scheduling software will become more felt among field service managers.
The solutions highlighted in this guide represent some of the best in the market, each offering a unique set of features and solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of modern service businesses.
By carefully evaluating your specific requirements and pain points, you’ll be able to select the field service scheduling software that will have the greatest impact on your operations and field service team productivity.
Construction managers and field service personnel love the Workyard mobile experience. Our iOS and Android apps are designed around the needs of team managers in the construction business. Our web platform improves scheduling, time tracking, team management, and more for construction managers.
Try Workyard free for 14 days and see how we can simplify your field service management and make your business more profitable!
For more information, check out the following resources:
- Field Service Scheduling: Tips and Best Practices
- Dispatch Board: How It Works in Field Service Management
- Construction Scheduling Problems: Most Common Fixes
- Understanding Construction Phases and Their Impact on Scheduling
- How to Monitor Progress on a Construction Project with Scheduling Tools
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!
