(650) 332-86237 Top Geofencing Time Tracking for Construction Projects for 2026
Discover the best geofencing time tracking apps for construction projects, with features, pricing, and top picks like Workyard and BusyBusy to improve payroll accuracy and jobsite efficiency.
Quick Answer:
The best geofencing time tracking for construction projects is Workyard (starts $6–$13/user/mo + $50 base) for multi-site GPS-verified time and job costing, busybusy ($11.99/user/mo + $40 admin) for labor + equipment tracking, and ExakTime (starts $9/user/mo + base fee) for rugged on-site time tracking with photo ID.
Pricing ranges from $4.99–$17.99+/user/mo (plus fees). Choose based on geofence accuracy, payroll/job costing exports, and multi-site crew movement.
Tracking labor across multiple jobsites is one of the fastest ways construction payroll gets messy. Missed punches, paper timesheets, and buddy punching all lead to misallocated hours and job costing mistakes.
That’s why geofencing time tracking for construction projects matters: it supports accurate construction time and location tracking, ties time entries to real job locations, and helps prevent off-site clock-ins.
In this roundup, we explain how geofencing works on real jobsites and compare seven tools based on features, pricing, pros/cons, and best use cases. We evaluated these tools for geofence reliability, GPS accuracy, offline performance, and payroll-ready reporting.
- Workyard
- busybusy
- ExakTime
- Connecteam
- ClockShark
- Hubstaff
- Buildertrend
Best geofencing time tracking apps for construction at a glance
Brand | Time tracking | Geofencing accuracy (polygon support) | Offline mode | Use case | Starting price |
Workyard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Multi-site contractors | Starts $6/user + $50 base |
busybusy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Equipment + crews | $11.99/user + $40 admin |
ExakTime | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Rugged on-site time clocks | $9/user + base fee |
Connecteam | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Frontline teams | Free tier / starts at $35/mo for 30 users |
ClockShark | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Team communications | $9/user + $40 base |
Hubstaff | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Productivity monitoring | Starts at $4.99/user (annual) |
Buildertrend | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full PM for builders | Custom pricing |
How we evaluated our top picks for geofencing time tracking
We evaluated GPS time tracking products that match real construction workflows: multi-site crews, long travel, offline use, payroll accuracy, and privacy. The criteria below are what we consider essential for jobsite use:
- GPS accuracy and background tracking: The app needs to capture reliable location breadcrumbs while running in the background.
- Geofence quality (polygon and circle with rule flexibility): We prefer polygon fences and configurable rules over basic circular zones.
- Automatic clock-in/out and anti-fraud controls: Location-triggered punches, photo verification, and supervisor overrides help prevent buddy punching.
- Mileage and travel logging: Automatic travel capture between sites reduces guesswork and improves reimbursements.
- Offline reliability and sync: The system should cache time punches and GPS data offline, then sync when service returns.
- Integrations: Exports to payroll and accounting tools reduce Friday payroll cleanup.
- Pricing: We factored in per-user cost, base/admin fees, and whether the tool is realistically priced for a construction crew.
How accurate are geofences on real construction jobsites?
In real-world construction environments, geofences are never “perfect.” We’ve seen jobsite conditions (steel framing, dense city blocks, large multi-acre builds, and bad signal) create GPS drift that makes a worker look like they’re outside the boundary even when they’re on site.
That’s why we score tools higher when they pair geofence rules with GPS breadcrumbs, supervisor review controls, and realistic exception handling.
What factors affect geofence accuracy (site size, entrances, GPS drift)?
Geofence accuracy depends heavily on site size, the number of entrances, and how close the site is to other jobs nearby.
A small circular fence might be too strict in tight areas, while a huge fence can allow parking-lot punches that don’t reflect real work time.
GPS drift is also a real issue, especially during bad weather, low signal, or when workers spend most of their day inside structures.
1. Workyard: Accurate geofencing time tracking app for construction
Workyard is a mobile-first time tracking and crew management tool built for construction teams that need reliable, location-verified payroll data.
What makes Workyard stand out for geofencing time tracking for construction projects is how it combines geofence enforcement with GPS-verified time tracking. Admins can draw job boundaries, require employees to be on-site to clock in, and automatically assign time to the correct project.
Workyard also captures travel time and mileage between jobsites, which is a big deal for crews moving across multiple locations in a day.
Workyard heads the list, thanks to its advantages:
- Built specifically for construction workflows (polygon geofences, travel/mileage, cost code allocation)
- Strong auto-assignment of time to projects based on GPS + geofence rules
- Robust payroll/accounting integrations
- Offline caching and verification controls that fit jobsite realities
What are Workyard’s key features?
- Geofence-based automatic time and project assignment
- High-accuracy GPS time clock with automatic clock-in/out
- Automatic mileage and travel logging
- Customizable geofence clock rules and restrictions
- Crew scheduling and real-time crew location tracking
- Job tracking and labor cost analysis
- Payroll and accounting integrations
Can geofencing prevent early clock-ins or off-site punches?
Yes, when it’s enforced properly. In our experience, the most common “easy time theft” is someone clocking in from home or a gas station before actually arriving.
Workyard’s approach makes it easier to tie clock-ins to physical arrival while still keeping a record of what happened if a supervisor needs to review it later.
What safeguards prevent false clock-ins or clock-outs?
This is where we’re cautious with strict geofence lockouts. GPS drift happens, and if the system blocks clock-ins too aggressively, you end up with constant exceptions that supervisors have to clean up.
The best safeguard isn’t just “deny punches outside the zone.” It’s combining:
- geofence rules,
- GPS breadcrumbs,
- verification options (like photo capture),
- and supervisor review tools
That way, a timecard stays fair, defensible, and usable for payroll.
How should exceptions and overrides be handled?
We prefer tools that flag exceptions clearly (off-site punches, missing GPS signal, out-of-zone clock-outs) and let supervisors approve edits with a reason. The goal isn’t to punish workers for weak signal. It’s to keep the record clean and explainable if there’s ever a dispute.
How much does Workyard cost?
Pricing tiers
- Starter: Starts at $6/month per user plus a $50 company base fee
- Pro: Starts at $13/month per user plus a $50 company base fee
Free Trial?
- Yes, a 14-day trial with no credit card required
What are the pros and cons of Workyard?
Pros | Cons |
Strong geofence enforcement and auto clocking | No free forever plan due to extensive GPS features |
Project auto-assignment by location | Workers need onboarding to address privacy concerns |
Designed for ease of use for field workers | GPS can impact device battery |
What are the use cases of Workyard?
Best for multi-site contractors who need accurate, GPS-verified time tied to on-site presence. Workyard’s geofence rules help prevent off-site punches, and the GPS record makes payroll review and job costing more defensible.
See how Workyard’s GPS time clock works for multi-site crews.
2. busybusy: Equipment tracking with location data
busybusy is a timekeeping and job costing app aimed at contractors, site superintendents, and project managers. It supports geofencing, equipment tracking, and offline functionality.
What we like most about busybusy is the equipment angle. For contractors who aren’t just tracking labor hours but also trying to keep equipment assignments clean, busybusy makes that easier.
It also has a “Required Onsite” rule that forces workers to arrive before their punches count, which helps reduce obvious off-site clock-ins.
We can use busybusy’s GPS breadcrumbs and attendance logs to create a clear audit trail for each punch. The app also supports equipment-level GPS tracking so machinery can be tied to specific jobsites.
How do geofences handle workers moving between nearby sites?
This is an area we watch closely. When two sites are close together (especially in subdivision builds, tenant improvements, or dense commercial areas), geofencing can mis-tag time unless the app handles job switching cleanly.
In those situations, we prefer systems that keep strong location breadcrumbs and allow supervisors to confirm which job the time belongs to.
What are busybusy’s key features?
- GPS breadcrumbing for clock-in/out verification
- Required onsite geofence enforcement
- Equipment GPS tracking per jobsite
- Offline time and location capture
- Daily scheduling and dispatch tools
How much does busybusy cost?
Pricing tiers
- Free: Free forever for basic features
- Pro: $11.99/user per month +$40 admin license
- Elite: $17.99 per user, per month, billed annually +$40 admin license
Free Trial?
- Yes, a 14-day free trial
What are the pros and cons of busybusy?
Pros | Cons |
Offers equipment tracking | Higher per-user cost and admin fee |
GPS breadcrumbs and push reminders | Admin license complexity |
Free trial available | Geofence issues when the project code is missing |
What are the use cases of busybusy?
It’s good for contractors who need to track both crew time and heavy equipment assignments by location. If equipment usage drives cost reporting or billing, busybusy is one of the strongest fits in this list.
3. ExakTime: Rugged, on-site time clocks for construction
ExakTime (part of Arcoro) is known for rugged hardware options, detailed location reporting, and field-proven audit tools.
ExakTime’s GeoTrakker continuously logs GPS breadcrumbs while employees are on the clock, then pairs that data with MapView and Touch Detail reports for review.
ExakTime supports mandatory photo capture on clock-in/out to help prevent buddy punching and verify worker presence. Crews can clock in from the mobile app, and some teams use rugged on-site time clock hardware depending on how they prefer to track attendance.
What are ExakTime’s key features?
- Geofence-enabled clocking with on/off-site validation
- GPS GeoTrakker breadcrumb tracking
- Touch Detail and MapView location reporting
- Photo ID verification for every punch
- Meal break and time-off tracking
How much does ExakTime cost?
Pricing tiers
- Essential: $9/mo. per user + monthly base fee
- Professional: Must contact sales for a custom quote
- Elite: Must contact sales for a custom quote
Free Trial?
- No, demo available
What are the pros and cons of ExakTime?
Pros | Cons |
Photo ID on clock-in/out | Lacks mileage tracking |
Rugged clock and hardware options | Custom pricing and potential hardware costs |
Analytics and reporting | No public free trial |
What are the use cases of ExakTime?
It’s best for construction teams that want strong verification controls and don’t mind adding rugged clock hardware. If audit trails matter more than travel-time automation, ExakTime is a solid pick.
4. Connecteam: Time-tracking and scheduling for frontline teams
Connecteam is a workforce management and time tracking platform designed for deskless teams. It offers time clocks, basic scheduling, task lists, and employee communication tools.
Connecteam works best for companies that want one app for daily operations and don’t need strict jobsite-level geofence enforcement. That said, its offline limitations make it a weaker fit for remote construction sites compared to tools built more specifically for field use.
What are Connecteam’s key features?
- Custom geofences for jobs and shifts
- Real-time attendance map with live locations
- Geofence alerts and approval workflows
- Shift scheduling and PTO tracking
- In-app chat and updates feed
How much does Connecteam cost?
Pricing tiers
- Small Business Plan: Free for life for up to 10 users
- Basic: $35/mo. for the first 30 users
- Advanced: $59/mo. for the first 30 users
- Expert: $119/mo. for the first 30 users
- Enterprise: Must contact sales for custom pricing
Free Trial?
- Yes, 14 days (no credit card required)
What are the pros and cons of Connecteam?
Pros | Cons |
Easy-to-create geofence zones | Advanced features available only on higher-priced plans |
Free for the first 30 users on the Small Business plan | Less specialized for equipment tracking and construction |
Free trial available | Per-user scaling raises monthly costs due to add-ons |
What are the use cases of Connecteam?
Connecteam is best for small to midsize subcontractors who need scheduling and communication in one app. It delivers geofencing, PTO management, and in-app messaging for frontline teams.
5. ClockShark: Time tracking with jobsite scheduling tools
ClockShark combines time tracking with scheduling and basic team communication features. It’s one I see used when the company wants a simple time tracking setup plus scheduling in the same place.
If your primary goal is strict geofencing time tracking for construction projects, ClockShark may feel limited compared to tools that focus more on GPS verification and job costing workflows.
What are ClockShark’s key features?
- Geofenced job sites with automatic punch reminders
- Clock-in/out geofence alerts and error prevention
- Built-in crew scheduling and shift visibility
- Photo and file attachments for jobs and time entries
- GPS tracking with live map view
How much does ClockShark cost?
Pricing tiers
- Standard: $9/month per user + $40 base fee
- Pro: $11/month per user + $60 base fee
Free Trial?
- Yes, 14-day trial
What are the pros and cons of ClockShark?
Pros | Cons |
Geofencing with reminders | Advanced features may require a higher tier |
Integrates with payroll/QuickBooks | Limited customization for clock-in/out rules |
Offers a free trial for testing | Device battery drain |
What are the use cases of ClockShark?
ClockShark works best for teams needing a jobsite clock and scheduling tool with built-in team communications. Its ‘Conversations’ feature centralizes all communications related to jobs and customers within the platform.
6. Hubstaff: GPS time tracking with productivity monitoring
Hubstaff is more of a general workforce tool that leans into monitoring and productivity tracking. It can work for companies that want time tracking plus workforce analytics, but we don’t typically see it as a “construction-first” choice.
If you’re mostly trying to prove on-site time, Hubstaff can cover the basics, but it’s not purpose-built around construction cost codes or job-based payroll review.
What are Hubstaff’s key features?
- Geofenced job sites with automatic clock-in/out
- Real-time GPS tracking and route visibility
- Customizable reporting and audit tools
- Employee scheduling and time off management
- Productivity monitoring with screenshots and app/URL tracking
How much does Hubstaff cost?
Pricing tiers
- Starter: $7/month per user
- Grow: $9/month per user
- Team: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: $25/month per user
Free Trial?
- Yes, 14-day trial
What are the pros and cons of Hubstaff?
Pros | Cons |
Low entry price for GPS-enabled tracking | Feature set may exceed construction needs/not construction-first |
Robust reporting and invoicing | Limited job costing capability |
Free trial available | Users report mobile experience could be better |
What are the use cases of Hubstaff?
Hubstaff is suitable for teams that want low-cost GPS time tracking with productivity monitoring tools. The app supports geofenced clocks and reporting as well as invoicing.
7. Buildertrend: Full project management + time tracking
Buildertrend is known as an all-in-one platform for builders who want CRM, scheduling, budgeting, and time tracking in one system.
If you already run Buildertrend for project management, its time clock and geofencing features can be convenient. But if you only need time tracking, the platform may feel over-featured and harder to justify from a cost standpoint.
What are Buildertrend’s key features?
- Mobile GPS time clock with location tagging
- Geofencing to prevent off-site punching
- Offline time tracking with automatic sync
- Payroll integration with major providers
- Labor law compliance reporting
How much does Buildertrend cost?
- Custom Quote: Must contact sales for pricing
Free Trial?
- No
What are the pros and cons of Buildertrend?
Pros | Cons |
Mobile GPS time clock with geofence verification | Potentially over-featured & costly for time-tracking |
Unified project data | No transparent pricing |
Good for project management | Longer ramp-up given its many features |
What are the use cases of Buildertrend?
Buildertrend is best for builders who want an all-in-one platform with integrated project management features, CRM, and time tracking.
The app delivers scheduling, budgeting, and compliance reports. However, the platform can be both over-featured and costly if you only need a reliable time clock solution.
Why geofencing time tracking apps matter for construction
Geofencing helps tie time entries to the right jobsite and reduce off-site punches, but it works best when paired with GPS verification. Geofencing is the rule layer (inside or outside a boundary), while GPS tracking is the proof layer (location breadcrumbs and timestamps).
That’s why we prioritize GPS-verified time logs tied to job costing. Workyard does this well by keeping location context attached to each shift instead of relying on geofences alone. On real jobsites, GPS drift and overlapping projects can still cause false exceptions or mis-assigned hours.
For multiple jobsites, set one geofence per project with clear naming and boundaries around real entry and work zones. If crews move between nearby sites, job switching and supervisor review matter as much as the fence itself.
The best tools also support fast exceptions and overrides, audit-ready edits, and work-hour-only tracking for privacy. In low-signal or wide rural areas, optional geofencing is often more practical than strict lockouts.
The Bottom Line
Geofencing time tracking is now a must for construction teams that want payroll accuracy, accountability, and real-time project visibility.
After reviewing these tools, Workyard is the strongest overall choice for geofencing time tracking for construction projects when crews move across multiple sites and you need GPS-verified time tied to job costing. busybusy is a great fit when equipment tracking is a core requirement, while ExakTime stands out when rugged on-site verification and audit reporting matter most.
If you’re trying to keep labor hours clean across multiple jobsites, geofencing can help. But the difference is whether your system can prove where time happened and keep timecards payroll-ready without constant manual cleanup. That’s why Workyard is the first tool we’d look at for most contractors managing multi-site work.
Geofencing is a virtual boundary around a jobsite that connects time punches to a physical location. It helps assign hours to the correct project and flag off-site punches.
Geofencing sets the boundary rules (inside/outside), while GPS tracking provides the location proof (breadcrumbs and timestamps).
Geofences are generally accurate, but GPS drift can cause false exceptions in real jobsite conditions. The best tools back geofences with GPS breadcrumbs and supervisor review.
Site size, entry points, nearby sites, and GPS drift affect accuracy most. Polygon geofences usually fit irregular job boundaries better than simple radius fences.
Set one geofence per jobsite with clear project naming and boundaries around real work zones. Avoid oversized fences that include streets, parking lots, or nearby businesses.
Nearby jobsites can overlap and mis-assign hours unless the system supports clean job switching and review. GPS breadcrumbs help confirm which job the time belongs to.
Yes, when enforced, geofencing can block off-site clock-ins and flag punches outside the boundary.
The best safeguard is combining geofence rules with GPS breadcrumbs, verification options, and supervisor overrides. This reduces false lockouts while still protecting payroll accuracy.
Exceptions should be flagged clearly and approved with a reason before payroll runs. A clean audit trail keeps edits defensible.
Supervisors should review time by job, confirm exceptions, and approve timecards before payroll exports. The best workflows show time entries and location context together.
Privacy and compliance depend on state laws and company policy, so tracking should be limited to work hours with clear employee communication.
Geofencing should be optional when signal is unreliable or crews work across wide, shifting areas. In those cases, GPS-verified time plus supervisor review is often more practical than strict lockouts.