The 6 Best Time Tracker Devices for 2024
Looking for a time tracker device for your construction business? We’ve reviewed 6 of the best apps on the market to help you!
Tracking time with pen and paper methods are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
As workplaces continue to evolve, the need for effective time tracker devices and solutions becomes increasingly crucial. Time tracker devices help individuals track time efficiently, helping team managers optimize team productivity.
To help you choose the right solution for your team’s needs, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best time tracker devices available today.
In this article, we’ll examine the key features of each, see what real users say about them, and score them based on an identical set of criteria.
Let’s start with a quick overview of the 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, (no card needed)
7.7
15-day free trial
7.4
30-day free trial with no credit card required
6.6
90-day free trial
7.0 
7.5
7-day free trial
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
-
Best-in-class GPS time clock
-
Integration with payroll systems and workflow in minutes
-
Labor compliance in-app functionality
-
Scheduling for individual workers and teams
-
Job-tracking with real-time data
-
Job costing for all types of jobs
-
Reporting with analysis and insights
Eliminates time card errors
Simple to use for field workers
Integrates time cards with payroll
Occasional issues exporting subcontractor hours
GPS tracking can have issues with multiple nearby jobsites
Editing time cards could be easier
Highlights
Best-in-Class GPS Time Clock
Workyard’s time clock has been consistently praised for its accuracy and precision.
The app uses live phone-based GPS tracking alongside personalized geofencing to accurately track workers’ locations. It ensures every service personnel’s worked minute is accounted for, keeping time cards and labor costs accurate.
With Workyard, employees no longer need to punch their time cards manually.
Workyard automates clock-in and clock-out for every employee upon arrival and departure from a job site. The app puts every team member on a live map, so you can view workers’ locations anytime during working hours.
The app also ensures accurate reimbursements for vehicle trips by calculating mileage and journeys via GPS. This reduces error and guesswork when logging hours and distance traveled during work-related trips.
You can also check stopovers, detours, and side trips made during these trips.
Workyard uses its precise GPS tracking to keep every time card submission and timesheet accurate. Its dashboard reflects actual labor costs, so you can maintain project profitability at all times.
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
As a manager, you need to know how jobs are progressing in the field. Workyard’s job-tracking software helps you keep tabs on key project metrics with real-time updates.
Use Workyard to:
- Capture job progress with the mobile app
- Increase transparency around project activity
- Speed up business processes
- Improve billing and job estimates with labor costs
Workyard’s platform provides you with vital project 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.
Reporting
Reporting is seldom anyone’s favorite task, especially with large teams and multiple projects. With Workyard, you can easily create customizable reports and dashboards, giving you insights for better business and workforce management.
Use Workyard to generate and customize the following reports with a few clicks:
- Time cards (detail, summary)
- Time card notes
- Time off summary
- Pay period time
- Project and cost code time (detail, summary)
Workyard helps you create the following reports in minutes:
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
The platform lets you access key metrics and data to gain insight into project labor costs and employee productivity.
Scheduling
Scheduling is one of many construction team managers’ critical daily tasks.
Workyard’s construction scheduling software lets you:
Workyard simplifies scheduling and makes it easy to assign team members to projects and tasks. Simply drag and drop assignments to the right date and team member using the app’s visual calendar dashboard.
- 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
- The mobile app syncs employees’ schedules in real-time so everyone stays on the same page.
Job Costing
Workyard uses live cost tracking to monitor project expenses. The platform captures real-time job costs by recording and analyzing time card submissions.
Understand your project expenses by grouping and filtering job costs by:
- Employee
- Project type
- Duration of project
- Cost code
- Date
Workyard receives time card submissions and automatically calculates job costs for each task. The platform captures labor costs for every team member and updates your dashboard in real time.
The platform synchronizes job cost data and time sheets with existing accounting systems for faster processing.
Labor Compliance
Workyard takes care of compliance by ensuring labor rates and workers’ hours are aligned with labor laws and regulations. The app is equipped with built-in labor guidelines for managing compliance.
The app is fully aligned with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines. It stores employee records in an online, searchable repository you can access anytime. It creates automatic audit trails to document time records for every employee on your team.
Use Workyard to set rules for mandatory breaks and overtime by state and stay compliant with labor regulations anywhere in the U.S.
Integrations
The platform also integrates with accounting and payroll systems for streamlined business processing. Workyard’s native integrations include QuickBooks, Gusto, Oracle NetSuite, Rippling, and others.
Within minutes of completing your app connection, Workyard will export employee and project data to other systems to streamline billing, invoicing, and job cost reporting.
Workyard also exports data to CSVs for use in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. The platform offers its Developer API to help you connect to more systems not already on its list of native integrations.
Reviews
Workyard users says it takes no time for field employees to use the app, though the GPS tracking has occasional bugs:
iOS user RHEC615 appreciates the app’s ease of use:
iOS Review:
Best app ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By far the best app I’ve ever used for work. Most consistent and accurate app hands down. Haven’t had any difficulties at all, was very easy to use. I will never use another app for clocking my hours at work.
Android user Charles Settles says he likes the app’s customizable clock-in and clock-out features:
Google Play Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really like the workyard app the time tracker is a user friendly app. You can modify it to where if you forget to clock in or if you don’t want to clock in or early but you don’t want to forget to, you can easily change it to the time when you start and it’ll automatically start for you I think that feature is amazing and workyard is an exceptional employer to work for. They found my dream job the first time out! Also a thanks to the developers behind the scenes keeping it running seamlessly!
Workyard user Sam D. says the app hit the ground running in terms of setup, time tracking, and payroll integration:
Capterra Review:
First time Geo-Fence Time Clock User – Love Workyard! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: We have loved getting onto digital timecards, and have found the direct export from Workyard to our payroll company to greatly reduce payroll errors and delays. We strongly recommend this service to any company looking to upgrade their payroll timecards.
Pros: Workyard was incredibly simple to roll-out, easy to train our current staff how to use, and easy to geo-fence projects.
Cons: The geo-fence feature can get complicated with projects that are in the same building, or very close to each other.
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
Try the most accurate time tracker for construction
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TimeBuzzer
Scoring
Key Features
-
Real-time tracker device with app synchronization
-
Drag-and-drop time entries
-
Offline time-tracking mode
-
Hardware buzzer with proximity sensor
-
Reporting and analytics on time spent
Easy to use
Simple setup
Good report function
Users report device costs extra atop monthly fees
Time recording actions are confusing
Needs wider range of features
Highlights
TimeBuzzer is a time-tracking platform designed for agencies, freelancers, and project-oriented teams.
The TimeBuzzer platform offers a desktop app, a mobile app, a web console, and a physical device for tracking time.
Its physical device resembles a buzzer, which synchronizes with the TimeBuzzer app. Users can press the buzzer to start and stop its timer. They can also use gestures to open and close the desktop app, switch tasks, and set reminders to track time.
The desktop app allows you to move entries by drag-and-drop or click-and-drag actions. You can add notes to time submissions, make corrections, set reminders for time-tracking, and change controls from the buzzer to the keyboard and mouse.
TimeBuzzer’s mobile app allows employees to track time on their phones in real-time. They can also add time entries manually. The mobile app includes an offline mode for tracking time and syncing with the web console when connection is restored.
TimeBuzzer’s physical device includes a proximity sensor for opening its desktop app. It allows multiple user actions and gestures, such as pressing to record time, rotating to select activity, and touching to activate the app.
TimeBuzzer creates transparent reports to provide insight into employee time usage. You can search and filter time entries and mark hours as billed. You can also set roles and permissions within your team’s account for managing time entries.
TimeBuzzer integrates with external systems and apps, including Make, Zapier, ClickUp, QuickBooks, and more.
Reviews
There wasn’t a lot of buzz around TimeBuzzer when we reviewed it, but users say it does its job — that is, when it’s working.
iOS user rohitgangwani says the app ceased working:
iOS user rohitgangwani says:
Not working ⭐
Not updated – disbanded app
TimeBuzzer user Volker W. says it saves him time and money:
Capterra reviewer Volker W. says:
Fast, easy and saving time and money ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: We have now a Perfect timecontrol and the time we have to put into factoring
Pros: I like the easy use, the good reports, the teamwork and the use by app in iOS.
Cons: We missed the integration to microsoft but work on it
Pricing
Free Trial?
15-day free trial
timeBuzzer Pro
Annual: $5.59 / mo. per user
For more than 50 users, must contact sales for pricing.
Optional Add-on hardware
$69.33 / device
Timeular
Scoring
Key Features
-
Automated time-tracking with timesheet population
-
Billable hours tracking
-
Employee leave and PTO tracking
-
Smart time reporting with weekly reports
-
Budgeting feature with time and expense tracking
User-friendly
Good customer support
Reliable app
Difficult to import and export data
Not easy to customize
Hardware issues ex. constant unpairing
Highlights
Timeular is a time-tracking platform for enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses. It serves project-oriented teams, software developers, lawyers, and marketing agencies, as well as other businesses.
Timeular offers desktop and mobile apps for time tracking, as well as a physical device. You can track time using the tactile tracker, which is a physical device with eight sides. You can also use the Quicktrack web shortcut or the Timeular mobile app.
Timeular automates time tracking and instantly populates timesheets with context details (apps and websites used) and time entries. It also tracks billable and non-billable hours for specific tasks. You can also assign hourly rates for individual projects to monitor revenue growth.
The software helps you track all types of employee leaves, including paid time off, sick leave, and vacations. You can set leave type quotas for individual employees, follow leave and PTO policies, and receive alerts for new leave requests. It also calculates leave statistics to help you streamline PTO processes.
The Timular platform offers a smart reporting feature for tracked time, consolidating records into weekly, customizable reports. The app provides a complete overview of employee time, overtime hours, billable hours, project and work hours, and PTO and time off.
Timeular includes a budget feature designed to help you keep track of hours and expenses for individual projects. The tool alerts you when your team is close to exceeding the allotted project budget, helping you avoid over- or under-servicing clients.
Timeular integrates with external systems, including payroll, invoicing, calendar, sales, and ERP tools, and others. These include QuickBooks, Google Calendar, JIRA, and Microsoft Teams.
Reviews
Timeular users say they like the concept, but wish it was simpler to use.
iiOS user Pmj83 says the app could be simpler to use:
iOS user Pmj83 says:
Too complex interface. ⭐⭐⭐
To make manual edits e.g. existing entries you have to enter the record then tap notes, the save the note tapping Save button, then save the entry by tapping again Save button. Even worse is tagging. There’s is not shortcut, on the keypad you need to find hash button, another two more taps. This should be easier. UX is behind in my opinion.
Timeular user Sarah C. says the app has great concept and design, but the device often malfunctions:
Capterra reviewer Sarah C. says: ⭐⭐⭐
CGreat concept, but a little glitchy
Overall: Overall, it is a great concept and I like the product. I just think there is some opportunity for future improvements.
Pros: Look and feel of the application, ability to add tags and customize the work categories.
Cons: The cube seems to malfunction often. I wish the application was a bit more easy to use – such as when I click on an already entered time segment I can’t just exit, I have to click cancel. I also wish it was easier to break up a chunk of time to assign tags – example: 4 hours on a project, but need to break that time into 3 different projects with varied time entries. Also, I wish the setting for the date/time would ‘stick’.
Pricing
Free Trial?
30-day free trial
Personal
Annual: $7.50 / mo.
Monthly: $9 / mo.
Personal Pro
Annual: $11.70 / mo.
Monthly: $14 / mo.
Team
Annual: $15.80 / mo. per seat
Monthly: $19 / mo. per seat
Enterprise
Must contact sales for pricing
Adafruit
Scoring
Key Features
-
Time-tracking tactile devices with multi-gestures
-
Automated timesheets via the Adafruit app
-
Customizable and programmable tracking cube
-
3D printing of time- tracking hardware
Customizable
Educational
Best for DIY enthusiasts
Not for non-tech/DIY users
Limited job tracking tools
No reporting feature
Highlights
Adafruit IO is a time-tracking device designed and developed by open-source hardware company Adafruit. Unlike other time-tracking devices, Adafruit is geared towards educational institutions, DIY enthusiasts, and engineers.
Adafruit tracks time through a tactile device that can be controlled through multiple gestures. It resembles a cube, which can be flipped to start and stop a timer.
The cube connects to several apps, including Adafruit IO and Zapier. It can also be programmed to automate timesheets and log data into Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.
Adafruit can be customized to include new parts such as sensors, microcontroller boards, and buzzers. It is 3D-printable on any fused deposition modeling (FDM) machine. Adafruit provides templates to print the hardware on dual or single-extrusion 3D printers.
Its working parts (mechanical and electronic) can be ordered online via the Adafruit website.
Reviews
Adafruit has not yet gathered a large following, but some users report practical issues with the device and its companion app.
iOS user Sunny_Glows says she was disappointed with the device and app:
Wish it would work⭐
Can’t get the board scanner to work, the AR playground crashes the app to home screen immediately. iPhone 13 Pro Max iOS 16.1.2
Pricing
Free Trial?
90-day free trial
Adafruit IO
Free forever
Adafruit IO+
Annual: $99 / year
Monthly: $10 / mo
TimeFlip2
Scoring
Key Features
-
Time-tracking tactile cube with multi-gestures and actions
-
Billable hours tracking
-
Web-based timesheet app with data visualization
-
Data export in XLS and CSV formats
-
Integration with calendar apps
Easy to use
Good customer support
Integrates with external calendars
Too easily unsyncs with app
Spotty Bluetooth connection
Hardware issues ex. stops tracking time randomly
Highlights
TimeFlip2 is a time-tracking device designed for freelancers, developers, consultants, copywriters, and individuals with ADHD who want to manage their time.
The device pairs with TimeFlip2’s web service and mobile app to track, store, and process time data. It has 12 sides, which support actions and gestures for tracking time for tasks. It uses direct and Pomodoro timers, and also includes onboard memory storage for offline tracking.
TimeFlip2 automatically tracks time based on which side of the device is facing up. Each side of the physical tracker can be associated with a different activity. Aside from flipping the device, you can also double-tap to set it on pause or long tap to lock it.
TimeFlip2 tracks billable hours, which you can access via the web and mobile app.
The TimeFlip2 web-based timesheet app visualizes time data processes and processes it for export in XLS and CSV formats. The mobile app allows you to set up tasks and tag them to a project or client. You can also set billable rates for tracked time.
TimeFlip2 integrates with calendar apps, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Microsoft Calendar.
Reviews
TimeFlip2 users say it’s a cool idea, but more features would be even cooler.
iOS user T0x15e reports issues with the hardware and software:
iOS Review:
Rough around the edges ⭐⭐⭐
Had some issues at first (the second day I tried to use it, I had to hard reset it because of the “not your device” error) but that hasn’t happened again so I’m still using it. It’s a little fiddly but it’s still handy enough.I’m currently running into 3 issues:
I can’t set anything as billable because once I focus the amount box, I can’t close the numeric keyboard anymore. That means I can’t tap the save button, so everything billable ends up set at $1.
If those 3 things were resolved, this would be near perfect for my needs.The double tap isn’t consistent enough to trust. I usually have to try a few times to make it register and sometimes have to give up and open the app on my phone to do it. That’s a pain because…
The app doesn’t consistently reconnect when I start it, no matter how much I shake the device to wake it up. I usually have to force-quit it and start again to make it reconnect.
Timeflip2 user Christian S. says the idea of tracker device and app combo is cool, but wishes more streamlined features for users:
Capterra Review:
Cool combination of a tracker device and an app for tracking time and expenses ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: I was looking for something different than a traditional digital tracking app and found this time tracking cube, which is a really cool idea because it is very easy to use. I actually like having it on my desk and interacting with it rather than with an app. There is no subscription fee either, so I just paid for the device in the beginning and never paid again.
Cons: I had some issues in the past with the app, but they have been fixed already. Would be nice to add a sound buzzer to the cube and also a switch on/off button so I could carry it around without the need to lock it in the app each time.
Pricing
Free Trial?
No
Timeflip2
$59 (One-time payment)
TF2 Crew Pack
$159 (One-time payment)
TF2 Firm Pack
$249 (One-time payment)
Clockify
Scoring
Key Features
-
Time tracker with start/end-of-work timer
-
Auto-tracker for webs and apps used
-
Time off management with request notification
-
Timesheet and expenses approval
-
Invoicing with discount and tax
Reliable mobile time-tracking
Free version includes many basic features
Easy to use
Difficult to manage groups of users in the app
Occasional issues with reporting
Not easy to edit time card errors on mobile
Highlights
Clockify is a popular time-tracking solution designed for various industries, including construction, startups, law firms, accounting, non-profits, and others.
The platform includes a time tracking tool equipped with a start/end-of-work timer and timesheet log for weekly activities. The app allows you to examine and approve both timesheets and project expenses with the right permission level.
Clockify automatically tracks websites and apps used during working hours.
It breaks down user time spent on websites and apps, adding details on when they were accessed and used. It also provides a summary of clock-in and clock-out entries together with a record of activities.
You can manage time-off requests and check remaining time-off balances with Clockify, as well as define policies and holidays. The platform handles invoicing and provides options for adding discounts and taxes to invoice templates.
Clockify integrates with QuickBooks and other project management apps, such as Asana, Trello, Wrike, and Monday.
Reviews
Clockify users say it does its job, but it could be better designed for ease of use.
iOS user Alyssabeth9 says the app fails to track her project costs:
iOS Review:
Does not track earnings accurately ⭐⭐
I switched over to CLOCKIFY and I had great hopes. I’m an interior designer and I need to be able to track the total cost in labor for the project and to monitor when I’m close to or at the budget. I also need to send weekly reports and reports that reflect the total hours spent on a project.Reasons why I do not recommend CLOCKIFY at all…
(1) The earnings/ hours worked from the reports and the earnings/hours worked tracked under the project tab do not match so I don’t even know how much I’ve worked. (2) The reports do not offer customizable dates so I cannot send the total time spent on a project if the project overlaps two different years. (3) This software is not intuitive or easy to use. (4) The CLOCKIFY app lags and glitches sometimes depending on how strong your wifi is. I lost tracking data one time because of this glitch and had to guess how much time I had worked on a project. (5) The app for tracking your time doesn’t let you easily pause a project if you happen to have two different billing rates for the same client.
These are 5 huge flaws with Clockify. I went through customer service to try and determine why the hours on the project are not matching the hours on the reports and they had no answer or solution. How can I run a business and not even know what my earnings are? I will continue to search for a better software. I’m glad I only paid for two months and not the discounted 12 month option. What a waste.
Android user Chris Le Brese says the app also has trouble tracking time:
Google Play Review:
⭐⭐⭐
App rarely tracks time properly. Time tracking for the day often goes negative. Adding time entries can often incorrectly add 24 hrs. Interface seems to depend heavily on a stable network otherwise these issues are exacerbated.
Clockify user A. K. says the app is easy to use especially for older professionals, however it could do with less repetitive user actions:
Capterra Review:
That’s a clock. I’ll give it that ⭐⭐
Overall: I stopped using it after two months and went on to more mainstream tools
Pros: The fact that it’s straightforward and could be a good starting point for older professionals who like simplistic dashboard and intuitive navigation
Cons: The design is not aesthetic and there’s still a lot of repetitive button presses involved in tracking my time
Pricing
Free Trial?
7-day free trial
Basic
Annual: $3.99 / mo. per user
Monthly: $4.99 / mo. per user
Standard
Annual: $5.49 / mo. per user
Monthly: $6.99 / mo. per user
Pro
Annual: $7.99 / mo. per user
Monthly: $9.99 / mo. per user
Enterprise
Annual: $11.99 / mo. per user
Monthly: $14.99 / mo. per user
Final Thoughts
The list of time tracker devices in this article offers you and your team a range of efficient solutions for tracking time.
From tactile devices to best-in-class GPS tracking solutions, these tools are equipped with the technology and features to replace pen and paper methods of logging hours.
Now that you’re equipped with the list of options above, you can make an informed decision about the best time tracker device and solutions for your team’s needs.
Construction managers and field workers 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 simplifies time tracking, scheduling, 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!
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!
A time tracker device is a tool designed to monitor and record the time spent on various activities, projects, or tasks. These devices can be physical or digital and are used by individuals, teams, and organizations to track time for various purposes such as:
- Employee Time Tracking: To monitor and record employee working hours, ensuring accurate compensation and payroll processing.
- Project Management: To track time spent on specific projects or tasks, enabling accurate project budgeting and resource allocation.
- Productivity Improvement: To help individuals and teams manage their time more effectively, identify time-wasting activities, and optimize productivity.
- Client Billing: To track billable hours and expenses, generating accurate invoices for clients.
Time tracker devices can be categorized into different types based on their functionality and design:
- Physical Devices: These are tangible devices that users interact with directly. Examples include the Timeular tracker and TIMEFLIP2, which use a polygon design with customizable sides for different activities.
- Digital Tools: These are software applications that run on computers, mobile devices, or the cloud. Examples include Clockify, TimeCamp, and BambooHR, which offer various features for time tracking, reporting, and integration with other tools.
Time tracker devices provide several benefits, including:
- Improved Productivity: By tracking time spent on tasks, individuals can identify areas for improvement and optimize their workflow.
- Accurate Time Tracking: Physical and digital devices ensure accurate time tracking, eliminating manual errors and discrepancies.
- Enhanced Reporting: Time tracker devices provide detailed reports on time utilization, enabling better project management and resource allocation.
- Increased Transparency: Time tracking helps organizations maintain transparency in employee work hours, ensuring fair compensation and payroll processing.
Overall, time tracker devices are essential tools for individuals and organizations seeking to manage time effectively, improve productivity, and enhance their overall efficiency.
Time tracker devices work by using a combination of physical and digital components to track time spent on various activities. Here is a general overview of how they function:
- Physical Component: The physical component is usually a small device, such as a cube or a polygon, that is designed to be easily carried and used. This device typically has multiple sides or faces that are labeled with different activities or tasks.
- Tracking Mechanism: When the user wants to track time for a specific activity, they simply flip the device to the corresponding side. This action triggers the device to record the start time of the activity.
- Digital Component: The device connects to a mobile app or desktop application via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This digital component is responsible for recording and storing the time data.
- Data Syncing: The device periodically syncs the recorded time data with the digital component, ensuring that the data is up-to-date and accessible across devices.
- Reporting and Analysis: The digital component provides various reporting and analysis tools to help users visualize and understand how they spend their time. This includes features such as time logs, reports, and charts.
- Offline Tracking: Many time tracker devices offer offline tracking capabilities, allowing users to continue tracking time even without an internet connection. The data is then synced when the device reconnects to the digital component.
- Integration: Some time tracker devices integrate with other tools and software, such as project management apps, calendar apps, or accounting software, to provide a more comprehensive view of time usage.
Overall, time tracker devices aim to simplify and streamline time tracking, making it easier for users to manage their time effectively and improve their productivity.
1. Workyard
Workyard is a comprehensive project management and employee time tracking app that offers a robust set of features for tracking time, mileage, and tasks. It uses GPS technology to automatically detect when a contractor enters and exits a job site, eliminating the need for manual time tracking. The app is highly accurate and can be integrated with payroll apps for seamless time tracking and management. Key features include:
- High-accuracy GPS for automatic time tracking
- Geofencing for precise job site detection
- Integration with payroll apps for streamlined time tracking
- Mobile app for on-the-go tracking
- Desktop app for detailed project management
2. Timeflip2
Timeflip2 is a physical time tracking device that uses a unique hexagonal design to track different tasks or activities. Each side of the device has a name or icon, which can be customized using stickers. The device connects to a mobile app via Bluetooth and records time automatically when a task is started. Key features include:
- Physical time tracking device with customizable stickers
- Automatic time tracking with Bluetooth connectivity
- Offline tracking for up to 40 days
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
3. Timeular
Timeular is a time tracking solution that offers a physical tracker and a mobile app for tracking time and activities. The tracker has eight sides, each representing a different activity or project. The app allows for automatic time tracking, customizable reports, and goal setting. Key features include:
- Physical tracker with eight sides for different activities
- Automatic time tracking with Bluetooth connectivity
- Customizable reports and goal setting
- Mobile app for tracking and reporting
- Offline tracking capabilities
Each of these devices has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user.
