The search for the best time clock apps for small businesses can be challenging because there are so many options – most of which have a range of features your company may not need.
This article gives you a deep dive into the best time clock apps for small businesses in 2024, which we’ve evaluated based on user feedback, features, pricing, adaptability, and their potential impacts on work operations. We know every business has unique needs, processes, and approaches, so keep reading to narrow down your options.
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.
Scoring
Key Features
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Most accurate GPS time clock app with geofencing boundary settings
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In-depth job tracking and progress monitoring
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Easy timecard checking, invoicing, payroll preparation
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Automatic job cost calculations
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Simplified job scheduling for a variety of projects
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Built-in labor compliance (for breaks and overtime)
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Seamless integrations with key business apps, systems, and workflows
Accurate, intuitive, with real-time insights on employees on the clock
Easy-to-navigate UI
Robust and highly customizable features
Top-tier customer and technical support
Time and effort required for the initial set-up
Some time record adjustment and payroll integration issues
Highlights
Workyard’s standout feature is its central time clock app, powered by the most precise GPS and geofencing tools among apps of its type. It also leverages auto clock-in and clock-out features based on workers’ real-time locations. Here’s how Workyard can help track your employees and boost your overall business profitability…
Precise and Robust Time Clock App for Field Service Businesses
Monitoring employee progress or productivity across multiple simultaneous locations or projects can be tricky. You don’t want to waste precious time checking on each one when you can be doing other high-priority tasks.
Workyard’s real-time mobile phone-based GPS tracking and highly adaptable geofencing rules ensure you will pay your employees only for their actual hours worked.
Live map views of your employees’ locations also allow supervisors, managers, and other office personnel to remotely monitor work statuses and employee whereabouts. Should they miss an important update or veer off course, you can simply ping them on the Workyard app.
Workyard’s GPS precision makes it easy to accurately monitor and optimize employee movements in different job sites, including quick trips to supply stores or company depots.
The app also logs work-related travel distances to help streamline your company’s mileage reimbursements and more accurately calculate project costs.
Hassle-Free and Accurate Recordkeeping and Reporting
Workyard organizes everyone’s project updates and work activities into clear, easy-to-understand reports. This way, you can get invaluable insights into the different aspects of your business operations, employee locations, material and labor costs, task progress, and travel durations.
It gives you a clear picture of your business’s financial health, how you utilize your resources, and how efficient your employees are in every project — ultimately helping you achieve better project outcomes.
Robust Scheduling Feature for Large Field Workforces
A simple but powerful scheduling app is necessary when overseeing a widespread field workforce with diverse tasks and strict deadlines.
With Workyard’s contractor scheduling software, you can schedule work, create detailed to-do lists, and organize schedule entries by criteria relevant to your business.
You can easily switch from calendar to task-based views.
Once an employee has been assigned a task, it can be accessed on their Workyard app. They can create notes, upload photos, or take new photos directly on the task. This allows the team to communicate in real time and keep a comprehensive record of work completed.
Real-Time Overview of Job Costs
Another critical feature of Workyard is its construction cost tracking software, which consolidates workers’ time cards and other work entries into a clear, real-time overview of job costs.
You can customize your cost codes for different aspects of your projects, such as employees or dates, to easily track where and how budget allocations are being used and rectify errors or inefficiencies immediately.
You won’t have to wait until project completion to conduct a financial review ― Workyard’s detailed metrics are updated in real time as your team completes their daily tasks.
Aside from project expense tracking, it converts these detailed metrics into precise invoices, streamlining your billing processes and ensuring accurate charges to your clients.
If you need a time clock app for small businesses with an effective cost management tool, Workyard is an excellent option to track project expenses and ultimately drive your business to profitability.
Built-In Automation for Labor Law Compliance
The app provides specific rulesets for pay rates, breaks, overtime, and workers’ compensation, which can be selected and set when adding workers to your team. You can also edit worker rules afterward if you want to change or add a new ruleset.
If any unique requirements are not covered by Workyard’s extensive database, you can create custom compliance rules as well.
With Workyard’s compliance tools, it’s simple to maintain comprehensive and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)-compliant recordkeeping practice becomes a breeze.
The app provides specific rulesets for pay rates, breaks, overtime, and workers’ compensation, which can be selected and set when adding workers to your team. You can also edit the worker rules afterward if you want to change or add a new ruleset.
If any unique requirements are not covered by Workyard’s extensive database, you can create custom compliance rules as well.
With Workyard’s compliance tools, maintaining a comprehensive and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)-compliant record-keeping practice becomes a breeze.
Native Integrations with Essential Construction Business Apps
Workyard’s native integrations with well-known payroll and financial management systems ensure compatibility with your business’s payroll system.
You can choose from native integrations such as Microsoft Excel (with exported spreadsheets), QuickBooks (supporting Desktop and Online versions), ADP, API, Gusto, Oracle NetSuite, Paychex, and more.
If your business requires additional applications and you have the development resources, you can create custom integrations with Workyard’s developer API and connect with any app or platform that supports it.
Automatically import data such as employees, vendors, projects, and cost codes. Export time data to streamline your accounting process.
What Real People Say About Workyard
If you’re still debating the benefits of using Workyard, you should also hear it straight from Workyard users. Workyard has garnered solid scores on the three major platforms on which we track app reviews.
After getting every team member set up, iOS user mmg2010sf shared they could already use Workyard that day. Now they can knock off for the day on time and hit the sack earlier!
iOS Review:
“App really saves me time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was able to get everyone set up and using Workyard within a day, and we’re now about to pass the time card data on to our payroll system. Let’s just say I’m getting to bed earlier. The big surprise with Workyard is all the reporting it’s capable of. I’m getting reports now, showing me how much our work time is costing us on each job. I even added cost codes for specific tasks, and the app creates reports off of that. Really glad we found it and looking forward to seeing what’s next.”
Another Workyard user using the Android version can’t help but gush over the super easy way it tracks employee hours and project costs.
Google Play Review:
“Great for keeping track of employee hours. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Even better than that, I can get reports on the labor costs for each of my projects without any extra effort!
If you want to see the most accurate Workyard reviews, check out the reviews typically coming from business owners, managers, supervisors, and HR or administrative officers who often review apps on Capterra.
Capterra Review:
“Best app for my company. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Workyard has exceeded my expectations in every way! I have been so busy that I haven’t spent enough time doing little things in it that I want to do. But I am blown away at how simple it was to implement this into our company and set up the guys, saving time and energy chasing down receipts, photos of the jobs, daily updates on job statuses, and timesheets. It is a timesaver and a blessing!”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Yes – 14-day trial with no credit card required
Time Tracking
Annual: $6 / month per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $8 / month per user + $50 base fee
Workforce Management
Annual: $13 / month per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $16 / month per user + $50 base fee
Boost your profit with Workyard’s accurate time tracker
See MoreScoring
Key Features
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Timekeeping available across multiple devices
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Integrates with 50+ productivity and project management tools
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Dashboard calendar connects to Google Calendar and Outlook
Effective free time tracking tool for small businesses
Feature-rich free version
Unlimited number of users
Very project-focused as a time-tracking tool
Manual export to payroll software
Some user challenges on kiosk feature
Highlights
Clockify is also a great time clock app for companies with hybrid workforces. Its robust timekeeping, reporting, and work management features cater to businesses across many industries.
Users love its ease of use and intuitiveness, even when accessed via the mobile app. Moreover, the free and paid plans are rich in features to enhance how you track hours and create timesheets for your teams.
Its management features, such as time-off and expense management, invoicing, and scheduling, are also invaluable to startups and small businesses that want to maximize resources while keeping costs low.
What Real People Say About Clockify
Clockify’s free version has emerged as a favorite among free time clock apps for small businesses. Because it’s free and effectively logs employee hours, it’s no surprise Clockify has generated high scores and garnered many reviews on the following platforms.
Clockify user Virgil Brigman is delighted with the free plan’s basic features and functionality, giving it a five-star rating.
iOS Review:
“Great product – even the free “basic” version. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After evaluating a dozen other options, I landed on Clockify and am quite pleased with the features and functionality – even in the “basic” version. It does what I need it to do and then some, and I’ve come to really enjoy how easy it is to use.”
Dave Vanos has been using Clockify for years. According to Dave, the Chrome extension works well, but there are still issues with the mobile app. He shares his 4-star rating below.
Google Play Review:
“ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If I stop a task via the PC, the mobile widget doesn’t seem to realize it and will keep counting. This leads to double entries and incorrect task durations, which could get me in a bit of hot water as I use this for work.”
According to web designer and developer Lucian C., it’s a great free tool for business, but the UI could use some improvements.
Capterra Review:
“Affordable powerhouse. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great for new businesses as it’s free. I love the time tracking most of all, with the ability to make clients, projects, and tasks, and tag activities. It makes my work and the analytics really useful. I feel like the UI could use a freshen-up. Especially within the tasks area. The UX of tasks could be improved in general to make it a bit more useful, as at the moment I use another separate app to track all my tasks.”
Pricing
Free trial?
Yes – Unlimited free trial for basic time tracking
Basic
$4.99 / month per user
Standard
$6.99 / month per user
Pro
$9.99 / month per user
Enterprise
$14.99 / month per user
Scoring
Key Features
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Time clock app for most Android, iOS, and POS devices
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Payroll processing and management features
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Integrations with hiring and onboarding software
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HR features to measure employee performance and sentiment
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Robust messaging system that can be linked to messaging apps
Timekeeping, payroll, and modern HR tools for team management
Employee happiness insights
Messaging system with customizable channels
Inconsistent logging, scheduling, and notification systems
May be costly for teams working in multiple locations
Highlights
Homebase’s strength is its time clock functionality. Logging work hours and automatically translating them into timesheets is a breeze.
Creating schedules, tracking team members’ availability, and forecasting labor are hassle-free, too. The full-service payroll processing feature, available as an add-on, can make your payroll management more efficient.
Homebase’s messenger features, reminders, and real-time alerts also make it easy to communicate with everyone. If your business wants to automate and streamline its workflows, Homebase can cover that, plus other business needs.
With its employee hiring and onboarding tools, you can easily hire and onboard new workers. Want to know how employees feel about their jobs and your company as a whole? Get employee feedback and helpful insights on employee sentiment over time.
What Real People Say About Homebase
The best time clock app doesn’t need many bells and whistles. It’s supposed to accurately log work hours once you clock in and log you out when it’s time to call it a day.
Homebase users are pretty satisfied with this part of the app’s functionality, awarding it a 4.8 overall score in the iOS App Store with over 52,000 reviews and similarly strong scores elsewhere. Find out how Homebase fares in other review platforms below.
Kthaze, a Homebase user on iOS, loves the app. However, the frustrating errors can’t be ignored, especially when they use the app on a daily basis.
iOS Review:
“Love this app! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have always loved this app. However, lately, it’s been doing this thing where it will log me out every time I’m not using the app. And it didn’t use to do that. I would always stay logged in. Now, I have to enter my username and password every single time I get on there, which is a little frustrating, especially if you are using the app a lot every day.”
For beginners to time clock apps, Android user Tammy Scarborough thinks it’s pretty good, even in bad weather.
Google Play Review:
“ This is a good app for beginners. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And it works well in bad weather. Great for keeping time straight.”
One reviewer from Capterra, Tom H., has been using Homebase and finds it easy to use, saving time and minimizing mistakes.
Capterra Review:
“Awesome scheduling and payroll combined! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easy to set up. Awesome onboarding from the Homebase team. Saves me time to process payroll. saves me a lot of time and mistakes.”
Pricing
Free trial?
YES – 14-day trial with no credit card required
Basic
$0 for 1 location (up to 20 employees)
Essentials
$24.95 / location per month (unlimited employees)
Plus
$59.95 / location per month (unlimited employees)
All-in-One
$99.95 / location per month (unlimited employees)
Scoring
Key Features
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Time tracker and schedule builder using time templates by client or project
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Multiple options for clocking in and out (web, mobile app, Slack, kiosk, or biometrics)
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Real-time and tailored employee activity notification
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Availability and time-off management
A centralized system to manage all employees in multiple locations
Real-time time clock notifications
ClockIt Help Desk for employee support
Steep learning curve for non-tech savvy users
Information-heavy because of too many features
Difficulties in correction and configuration process
Highlights
For businesses looking for a traditional time clock app to manage employee time, ClockIt can be a great option.
It offers a host of features that cater to the unique needs of various businesses, such as a time clock manager dashboard, shift scheduling, task management, route planning, and real-time payroll reports.
ClockIt integrates many features so you and your employees can accomplish more.
Receive real time and configurable attendance notifications to inform you who’s early, who’s late, and who did not show up for work. It also simplifies PTO tracking management. Employees can also lodge tickets for different issues, like mileage or expense tracking, via the ClockIt Help Desk.
For a time clock app that streamlines business operations, enhances employee productivity, and gathers actionable insights, it’s not surprising some new users feel overwhelmed by its many features.
What Real People Say About ClockIt
User reviews online for ClockIt are divided. Reviews on Capterra have mostly been positive, while Google Play reviews are weaker.
There aren’t many app reviews for ClockIt in the App Store – not enough for Apple to calculate an overall score. However, users who have taken the time to share their reviews gave it a one-star rating, such as this review by Taylor.gringo2.
iOS Review:
“Terrible. ⭐
I try clocking in every morning and the screen turns white, and I have to reset my phone! EVERY TIME!”
Terynn Plale, who downloaded ClockIt from the Google Play Store, is not that impressed and gave the app a one-star rating.
Google Play Review:
“Our employees have a frequent issue with clocking in due to GPS error. ⭐
It happens on Android and iPhones.”
Randall A., an operations manager for a consumer electronics company, finds ClockIt simple and easy to use, even on the free trial.
Capterra Review:
“Changed our process! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was easy to implement for our team and a simple way to keep track of our team’s hours. If I have to say something, it’s the cost. But that isn’t prohibitive.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Yes – 14-day trial with no credit card required
Pay Per User
$2.99 / month per user
Team Plans
Starts at $29 / month for up to 10 users
Scoring
Key Features
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Secure employee time clock on any mobile device
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Built for businesses of any size in any industry
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Scheduling, attendance tracking, communication
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Full-service payroll management
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Integrations with payroll, point of sale, and operations software
Time clock on any mobile device or computer
Robust features on a simple and functional platform
Supports complex tasks with its advanced features
Customer service offers no phone support, only live chat and ticketing
Additional cost to add Time & Attendance and Payroll
Reporting feature can be better
Highlights
The ease of logging attendance and the ability to put together employee schedules in only a few clicks are indeed the strengths of When I Work. Any computer or mobile device can be an employee time clock, and you can check their attendance straightaway.
Your staff can also easily view tasks and team availability, allowing them to trade or fill shifts as needed or manage their time-offs.
The company’s Team Messaging app, available on mobile and desktop, simplifies communication between employees and managers. It provides instant notifications and works for private conversations, group messages, and broadcast messaging, so everyone is always in the loop.
What Real People Say About When I Work
With thousands of reviews online and an overall score of 4.8 on the App Store, When I Work seems to be a strong option for a small business time clock app. Here’s what users are saying about it.
One user on iOS has no complaints about When I Work’s scheduling features. However, frustration over its messaging features affects their user experience.
iOS Review:
“It’s okay. ⭐⭐⭐
This app has been nice for scheduling purposes. However, I have had major issues with the WorkChat section. I sometimes don’t get a notification that a text has been sent in the group chat. This has happened on many occasions, and it hinders my ability to pick up extra shifts or cover shifts.”
Stacey Shamrock on the Play Store is pretty satisfied and finds Where I Work easier to use than other time clock apps she has previously used.
Google Play Review:
“This is absolutely the best work app I have ever used. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I actually recommend any and all companies to switch over to this! There is no confusion. It’s extremely easy, and you do not have to change passwords every other day or anything! Just download the app to your phone, and make sure you get the invite from your employers. That’s it!”
Felicia B., an operations manager for an entertainment company, has been using Where I Work for more than two years. Here’s what they love and don’t love about it.
Capterra Review:
“LV loves WIW! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I like the web-based system. I love the instant communication of changes. I love the color coding of roles and the budgeting features on the schedule. But reports are confusing. There should be more premade reports to choose from. I hate that we can’t report an absence without removing the employee from the schedule.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Yes – 14-day trial with no credit card required
Essentials
$2.50 / user per month
Pro
$5 / user per month
Premium
$8 / user per month
Scoring
Key Features
-
QR codes to automatically clock employees in and out
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Text to punch for employees with no internet connection
-
Automatic photo capture for clock-in and clock-out
-
Duration entry for salaried employees
Simple and user-friendly features
Feature-based pricing plans
Multiple clock-in/out options
Limited functionality on mobile (unlike the desktop app)
Some clock-out and time entry editing issues
Highlights
With Buddy Punch, you can have an attendance tracking feature that gives real-time information about your team’s hours.
Its webcam image and GPS features also keep you on top of everyone’s locations, whether they’re clocking in via their pins, username and password, QR code, or facial recognition.
You also won’t break a sweat booking and scheduling time-off requests using Buddy Punch’s built-in calendar.
The app’s dashboard itself is easy to navigate and user-friendly. Buddy Punch also fully integrates its time tracker with its payroll system so you can quickly and efficiently pay your staff and contractors.
What Real People Say About Buddy Punch
There are plenty of things to love about Buddy Punch, and many reviews online say it’s one of the most effective time clock apps around. Still, there are drawbacks, as these users shared in their reviews…
An IOS user of Buddy Punch who owns a catering business doesn’t think it’s suited for all types of businesses because of the issues they encountered.
iOS Review:
“Not good for certain industries. ⭐⭐
We have a catering business with about 75 employees that we pull from based on the size of our events. Having to inactivate them all and then reactivate every month led to errors and hold-ups when employees would clock in. The software would be better if it only charged for employees that actively punch in during a month while letting us leave all of our employees active in the system. Also, we had a pattern of some employees with darker skin having problems with facial recognition. So, that was a bit embarrassing and led to the final decision to put everyone back on punchcards.”
Meanwhile, Dwight Kilgore, a Buddy Punch user on Android, finds it to be an awesome app for scheduling and payroll.
Google Play Review:
“It works great. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome at keeping payroll on time. Great for writing schedules. Low-cost time clock because it uses cell phones or computers we already have on site.”
Jillian K., an operations consultant at a non-profit, finds Buddy Punch a great system and addition to their payroll management.
Capterra Review:
“Great system for employee time tracking and more. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall, this platform has been a time saver and a wonderful addition to our payroll and time management. Staff can clearly see their hours and submit them for approval after review. It allows for accuracy and transparency.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Yes – 14-day trial with no credit card required
Standard
$4.99 / user per month +$19 base fee
Pro
$5.99 / user per month +$19 base fee
Premium
$7.99 / user per month +$19 base fee
Enterprise
Contact Buddy Punch for plan pricing
Scoring
Key Features
-
Day-to-day team management dashboard
-
Free forever plan for small businesses with <10 employees
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Operations, Communications, and HR & Skills modules
-
Ideal for deskless or remote workforce management
Simple time tracking with business operation features
Great for mobile and remote workforces
Feature-rich free forever plan
Steep price to unlock all features
No phone support
Highlights
Employees can log their hours via the time clock app bundled in Connecteam’s Operations Hub package, which also comes with automated timesheets.
Managers can monitor attendance in real time and create optimal schedules on the fly. Moreover, timesheets can be exported as XLS (spreadsheets) or PDF documents, and can also be integrated with payroll systems like QuickBooks and Gusto.
Connecteam is a great option for business owners who want customizability and flexibility to simplify work processes and enhance productivity. But with this multitude of features, getting started and setting up can take time, and a longer learning curve should also be expected.
What Real People Say About Connecteam
Broadly-accessible time clock apps like Connecteam often have thousands of reviews online, which you’ll see below. Check out Connecteam’s average score and number of reviews on the following platforms:
One Connecteam user on iOS has only been using the free plan for a short while but is already impressed by its many features, helping them keep their operating costs down.
iOS Review:
“This is incredible! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We just started using this, so we haven’t really jumped into all of it yet. But there are so many features that will be key in encouraging and enforcing communication, expanding our knowledge base and training, as well as some fun ways to reward your employees and incentivize them. Keeping my staff engaged with each other and with me is priceless. And best of all, it is free for up to 10 or fewer employees. That helps me keep costs down. Thank you, Connecteam.”
Karen Kaufman, who’s using Connecteam on her Android device, gave it a two-star rating because of the problems she’s encountered.
Google Play Review:
“Very clunky app ⭐⭐
The UI is circa 2008; the notifications require opening the app to figure out if a shift is changed, added, or canceled. It does not have the option to export my work schedule to another calendar (e.g., Google Calendar) so my spouse can see my work schedule. I have to manually transfer all this information whenever my schedule is posted, or something changes.
Renee C. shared her thoughts about using Connecteam at her job as a safety officer in a construction company.
Capterra Review:
“Connecteam streamlines your time tracking and keeps your team connected! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall, we are very happy to be using Connecteam, and our staff all agree it has made things much easier. From time tracking to job briefings, mileage reports, and gathering documents, there is nothing you can’t do on Connecteam!
Pricing
Free Trial?
Yes – 14-day trial with no credit card required
Small Business Plan
Free for life
Basic
$29 / month for the first 30 users
Advanced
$49 / month for the first 30 users
Expert
$99 / month for the first 30 users
Final Thoughts
When choosing the best time clock app for your small business, it’s crucial to first determine your business needs and what information you want the app to capture or log.
Consider the number of employees and where you often conduct the bulk of your work. Moreover, determine which additional features you want that will make everyone’s lives easier. As much as possible, these features should seamlessly integrate with tools or programs you’re already using.
More importantly, opt for a time clock app that does more than just log hours and track worker productivity. Ideally, it should simplify your schedules, reports, project management tasks, and more.
There are quite a few efficient time clock apps out there.
But if there’s one built for small businesses like yours: Workyard. It’s a simple and efficient app you can roll out to your team to streamline your operations, reduce your administrative burdens, and save thousands per worker by eliminating time theft and payroll waste.
See how Synaptic Solar quickly began recovering $5,000 per week with Workyard’s precise time clock app with GPS:
Click here to see Synaptic Solar’s story ->
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!
Some essential features of the best time clock apps for small businesses include:
- Automated Time Tracking: Time clock apps automate tracking of employee work hours, saving time and reducing errors in manual tracking.
- Geofencing Tools: Geofencing helps prevent time theft by tracking employee locations when they clock in and out, ensuring accurate reporting.
- Integrations: Look for apps that offer integrations with other software to enhance functionality and streamline processes within your business.
- Reporting Tools: The best time clock apps provide reporting tools for analytics, identifying payroll trends, and optimizing schedules to reduce costs
- User-Friendly Interface: A simple and intuitive interface makes it easy for employees to clock in and out, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
- Customer Support: Quality customer support is crucial for promptly resolving issues and ensuring the smooth operation of the time clock app.
These features are essential for small businesses to effectively track employee hours, prevent time theft, optimize scheduling, and streamline payroll processes.
The best free time clock apps for small businesses include:
- Hourly: Offers an all-in-one solution with a time clock, time tracking, payroll, and workers’ comp management features, including automatic timesheets, productivity tools, overtime monitoring, and robust reporting capabilities.
- Homebase: This service provides basic time clock and time tracking features, along with employee scheduling, hiring tools, and a built-in messenger app. The free plan accommodates unlimited users, and additional features are available in paid plans.
- Clockify: A free time clock app that allows clocking in and out using a timer, tracking attendance, team activity, and exporting data for payroll and billing.
For many small construction companies (and even the larger ones), Workyard’s GPS time clock is also ideal because it efficiently tracks employee hours, optimizes scheduling, and more!
Small businesses that would most benefit from using effective time clock apps include:
- Service-based companies with hourly employees, such as:
- Consulting firms
- Law practices
- Marketing/advertising agencies
- IT/software development companies
- Construction/renovation companies
These businesses need to track employee hours accurately to ensure proper payroll, prevent time theft, and optimize labor costs.
- Retail and hospitality businesses with shift-based workers, such as:
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Salons and spas
- Hotels and hospitality venues
Time clock apps help these businesses manage employee schedules, monitor attendance, and maintain compliance with labor laws.
- Small businesses with remote or mobile employees, such as:
- Home services providers (e.g., plumbers, electricians)
- Field sales representatives
- Delivery/logistics companies
Regardless of the industry, any small business with hourly employees or complex scheduling needs would benefit from implementing an effective time clock app to improve accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.