15+ Best Time and Attendance Systems of 2025: Reviewed
In addition to time tracking, some of these time and attendance systems can also manage your payroll, benefits, and HR.








Top time and attendance systems enable companies to record employee work hours, often through web-based punching and timesheets.
These solutions can accommodate all of your time-tracking needs, from generating employee schedules, managing time off requests and PTO, tracking hours for specific projects, and reporting on clock-in/out locations. Plus, some cover scheduling or payroll features, or can integrate with a system that does.
We know there are way too many of options out there, so we've done the hard work for you (researched, demoed, tested, and compared different vendors.) Check out our list below for the best employee time and attendance tracking software around.
In our relentless pursuit of the best time and attendance software, we thoroughly evaluated numerous tools against several vital criteria. We zeroed in on three main considerations; time-tracking, payroll software functionality (or integrations), and scheduling capabilities.
Our rigorous approach, which included conversations with dozens of users and HR & payroll experts, led us to curate this standout list of exceptional solutions.
- Time Tracking: The selected solutions go beyond the basics of time-off requests and PTO functionality. We prioritized vendors with advanced time-tracking features, such as GPS-enabled clock-ins, and customizable timesheets.
- Payroll Functionality (or Integrations): We sought out software options that include payroll functionality, or integrate with trusted payroll providers. The chosen solutions enable the automatic syncing of online time data with payroll, at the very least.
- Scheduling Capabilities: We focused on tools that include a robust scheduling module. The best time-tracking solutions should offer scheduling features such as shift planning, employee availability tracking, shift swapping, and scheduling templates.
To better understand our meticulous evaluation process, we encourage you to explore our post detailing how we curate the best HR tech.

Connecteam

Connecteam is one of the few vendors that offer robust GPS clock-ins and flexible job scheduling at such a competitive rate (or for free if your user count remains at or below 10).
PROS
- Great employee scheduling capabilities.
- Set clock-in and automatic clock-out times for shifts.
- GPS-enabled clock-ins to avoid time theft.
- Customizable automated timesheet exports.
- Job Insights for resource allocation details.
- Automated break deduction/calculation.
- One of the only fully-mobile HR tech tools for deskless workers
- Very adequately-priced for all it entails, SMB-friendly
- Quite open to feedback, having implemented user suggestions as features in the past.
CONS
- Limited payroll integration options.
- No phone support.
- In the communication hub, the app offers no confirmation that messages were sent and/or seen.
- Certain features that some teams consider essential, such as GPS-tracking, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.
If you want a robust location tracking feature in your time and attendance software, Connecteam could be the answer. Featuring Geofence, this platform enables employers to track employees' real-time location and limit where they can clock in and out.
Job scheduling is another aspect that Connecteam handles well. This tool covers shift planning, staff availability, and shift rescheduling. Plus, depending on what you need, it can work independently or be synced with the time tracking feature.
For example, for your hourly-paid workers, you can let the sync happen to make things easier for the workers to clock in directly from their shift and for you to track hours. On the other hand, keeping these two tools un-synced would make more sense for salaried workers whose time does not need to be tracked.
Connecteam doesn’t have its own payroll function, which is fine if the vendor has good integration capabilities. Unfortunately, the integration list is rather disappointing, with only four options. Furthermore, only those paying for the priciest plan gain API access.
Connecteam’s Help Center is timely and informative. Email support and live chat are also in good shape, with an average turnaround time of about 1 hour. Note, though, that there is no phone support and the only immediate support option, dedicated CSM, is limited to the Enterprise plan.
36,000+ organizations, including Edible, Mango, and Subway.
Connecteam is free for up to 10 users. Paid plans start at $29 per month and a 14-day free trial is available (no credit card info is required).
Best For
Great for multi-branch businesses that need to track employee time and attendance.

TCP

Apart from providing all the bare necessities of time and attendance software, we love how TCP (formerly TimeClock Plus) takes it up a notch by helping you stay ahead of labor laws and ensuring that your data is secure.
PROS
CONS

TCP Software offers a reliable, flexible solution for timekeeping and compliance that we find well-suited to US-based businesses.
One of the standout features we discovered was the Default Rules and Conflicts Library. Setting up time tracking and scheduling rules was straightforward, with configurable defaults for maximum and minimum working hours, shift gaps, and consecutive workdays. TCP also allows for custom rules for teams with specific operational needs, which is good for unique schedules or specific labor requirements.
The Minor Work Rules feature deserves a mention for its practical application. During our test, we connected with a TCP customer in the food service industry to hear their experience with this feature. They loved it. “It simplified the way we tracked work schedules for minors based on age, school calendar, and legal guidelines,” they shared, “we feel reassured now that we can ensure compliance with labor laws around minor employees and avoid scheduling conflicts.”

TCP’s compliance tools don’t stop there. With state-specific break rules—like California’s strict meal break requirements—the platform automatically enforces compliant break schedules. This will be especially helpful for teams based on the state to see in action, as it eliminates the risks associated with labor violations and provides peace of mind in highly regulated environments.
TCP offers multiple options for time collection, including hardware clocks and mobile clocks with geofencing, which in our test, only allowed our tester to clock in and out when they’re in our designated work area.
While TCP’s compliance features are comprehensive, it’s hyperfocused on the US market, meaning it may not be the best fit for international companies. Also, we wouldn’t recommend this vendor if you’re looking for a plug-and-play time tracking system with in-minute deployment. TCP typically takes 30 to 60 days to implement.
Another thing worth noting is the recent price increase from $2.50 to $4 per user per month since our last review of the tool. Although TCP remains affordable for most small companies, it’s a factor for budget-conscious teams to keep in mind.
18,000+ companies, including Marriott, the University of Georgia, Texas Tech, and Kaiser Permanente.
TCP pricing starts at $4 per employee per month. A free trial is available post-demo.
Best For
US-based SMBs, especially those in healthcare, government, and education.
We used TimeClock Plus to track all timekeeping for both hourly and salaried employees, therefore, daily. TCP's geofencing was extremely important for our owner to track all remote staff, and it was used daily. The app allows the employer to map a location to an employee, and geofencing in this app is extensive. TCP setup for the entire company was very streamlined, and new hire onboarding was simplified. Tech support is very competent. Tracking employees by what they're working on can be preset, and an employee can switch tasks for accurate job costing. Employees and managers used the app daily to clock in and out, track their hours, request and approve PTO, see regular hours and overtime hours, and communicate via notifications.
TimeClock Plus is robust, with many features we do not use because our payroll company provides them, but it's nice to know the tools are there. The dashboard and exceptions filter make it simple for managers to approve their employees' hours and time-off requests. TCP has decent training videos. The PTO calendar and employee notifications are very helpful. Integration into my payroll, Gusto, was seamless.
We switched to TimeClock Plus (TCP) when we experienced unacceptable issues with Homebase. TCP integrated with my payroll company, Gusto. TCP was very cost-effective when we used the minimum features. TCP has decent geofencing and geolocation, which was a requirement by the owner. TCP also has overlapping features with my payroll that we didn't need, but it was nice to have the option as a backup.
TimeClock Plus can be overwhelming for a small business, as it has many features that might not be used. Some employees reported that their times weren't being recorded properly, but managers could easily log in and make adjustments. It can be expensive if you purchase features you do not utilize.
TimeClock Plus is a lot like Kronos to me, with many features. I like it for how customizable everything is, and their help team walked me through the process for anything I couldn't figure out.
First, determine if you need all the features offered. We narrowed everything down to the Time and Attendance Essentials. TimeClock Plus integrates with everything, but ensure it's a seamless integration with your payroll. TCP has serious scalability, so if you anticipate a lot of growth, this is a solid system.
I've only used TimeClock Plus recently.
TimeClock Plus is great for mid-sized to large organizations that need a high level of customization. TCP worked extremely well for a small manufacturing business, though we only utilized the minimum features.
TimeClock Plus isn't needed for a very small organization. There are many other timekeeping systems specifically designed for very small businesses.

Paylocity

Paylocity’s Time & Attendance software simplifies workforce management with intuitive tools for tracking employee hours, enforcing attendance policies, and managing schedules. Its seamless integration with payroll and HR modules ensures businesses avoid redundant data entry and reduce errors.
PROS
- Multiple clock-in options, including a mobile app with geofencing.
- Both employers and employees commend Paylocity’s customer support for its helpfulness and professionalism.
- Automated alerts for missed punches and overtime.
- Scheduling tools that allow employees to claim open shifts.
- Provides strong value relative to other high-end payroll and workforce management solutions.
- The app is easy to use and handles essential payroll and time-tracking functions.
- Paylocity offers step-by-step onboarding assistance, making the transition smoother for new users.
- Paylocity’s customer support is highly rated for always being available to answer questions.
- Global payroll support for 100+ countries.
- Provides free and unlimited training modules on the website.
- Paylocity’s mobile app has a good UI and functionality
- The tool is easy to use for both employees and employers.
- Has 350+ pre-built integrations.
CONS
- Larger teams may find the reporting features less comprehensive than of competitors.
- Custom reports require external data manipulation.
- Customer support is available only in English, limiting accessibility for global teams.
- Smaller businesses may find Paylocity’s feature set more than they require for their workforce size.
- Response times for customer support can be inconsistent.
- Limited international functionality.
- Undisclosed pricing.
- It doesn’t have a free trial or free plan.
- Support is available in English only.
- It isn’t the best solution for remote teams looking for a tool to manage payroll and benefits for their contractors.
Paylocity’s Time & Attendance software is offered within a broader HCM tool. We’ve been writing about this company, one of the leaders in the space, for years now. That said, the recent development of their time and attendance modules made it beckoning for us to feature them on this page.
While perhaps the main benefit is that it integrates 100% with payroll and core HR if you’re already using Paylocity for those workflows, the time tracking tool’s ease of use is also quite notable. Diving into the module, we immediately noticed how easily it is to flow from one action to the other. Employees can clock in via a web portal, mobile app, or physical time clock, and managers receive automatic alerts for late punches and overtime risks.
Praise must also be made for the variety of methods they provide for time and attendance tracking. You can configure clocks within the employee’s platform, which is accessible via browser, web app, and mobile. They also offer a Kiosk Tablet, which can be preconfigured to be used physically at a location of your choice for employees to punch in at the start of their day.
Another standout feature was the shift scheduling tool. Employees could claim open shifts, reducing administrative burden. However, while scheduling worked well, we found that reporting was more limited compared to enterprise-grade alternatives. Custom reports often required exporting data to spreadsheets for further analysis.
Despite these drawbacks, Paylocity’s time-tracking software is a strong choice for mid-sized U.S. businesses looking for an integrated and user-friendly workforce management solution.
Paylocity is used by over 40,000 companies. Some notable names include Momentus, Watters, and Weigel’s.
Pricing is custom and depends on company needs.
Best For
Paylocity is best suited for mid-sized U.S.-based companies who’d favor keeping recruiting, core HR tools, time tracking, and payroll within the same tool.
I use Paylocity daily to handle a wide range of HR tasks. My primary use is for payroll, ensuring timely and accurate payments for all employees. Besides payroll, I also use the software to track employee attendance and manage benefits. One of its standout features is the reporting tool, which helps me understand how our team is performing and what tasks they are working on.
Paylocity also includes an employee self-service portal where staff can update their information, request leave, and access pay stubs whenever they need. This platform has turned what was once a cumbersome process into a hassle-free experience.
Paylocity’s user-friendly design makes managing HR tasks incredibly easy. Tracking employee hours, processing payroll, and handling benefits is convenient and helps prevent errors. The reporting and analytics tools provide a clear overview of the team’s performance, enabling me to make informed decisions.
We chose Paylocity to address numerous issues with our previous HR and payroll system. The old system caused delays in paychecks and dissatisfaction among employees due to multiple errors.
We needed a solution that could manage everything from payroll to career development in a single platform. Paylocity stood out because of its simplicity and useful features, and it’s scalable to support our company's growth.
Since implementing Paylocity, we've seen significant improvements in payroll accuracy, compliance with statutory requirements, and employee satisfaction. Employees can now view their pay stubs and request leave on their own, streamlining HR tasks.
I've been using Paylocity for approximately two years, and it has transformed our HR processes, making everything more efficient.
Paylocity's customer service can be slow, which is frustrating when dealing with urgent issues. While the customization features are helpful, they can sometimes feel limited and don’t always fit our needs perfectly. The mobile app, though functional, could benefit from design improvements to make it more user-friendly and enjoyable to use.
Paylocity stands out because of its simple layout and ease of use, unlike other platforms that require extensive manuals just to understand basic functions. It offers a one-stop shop for HR tasks, including payroll and talent management, without being overly complex.
The self-service portal for employees, which allows them to manage their own information, is a great feature that fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork. Paylocity seems tailor-made to meet our organizational needs, ensuring smooth operations and employee satisfaction.
When choosing an HR and payroll system like Paylocity, usability and compatibility with other programs are key factors. Ensure the platform is easy to use for HR staff and employees alike, and that it integrates seamlessly with other tools your company uses.
Customer support is also crucial, as you’ll need reliable assistance during setup and daily use. Additionally, consider future scalability—choose a system that can grow with your company without requiring major overhauls down the road.
Paylocity has made several improvements over time, particularly by adding new analytics and reporting features that help companies better understand their employees. The platform has maintained its ease of use with a redesigned interface and a more intuitive mobile app.
They’ve also introduced social collaboration tools and personalized employee dashboards, making it easier for employees to access their work-related information and engage with colleagues. These updates reflect Paylocity’s commitment to meeting HR needs and keeping employees engaged and satisfied.
Paylocity is ideal for mid-sized businesses that need a comprehensive solution for HR and payroll tasks. It efficiently handles employee payments, time tracking, and benefits management on one simple platform.
The employee portal allows workers to access their data and communicate with others, making it a great fit for companies that value collaboration and satisfaction among their staff.
Additionally, HR professionals needing strong reporting and analytics tools will benefit from Paylocity's capabilities.
Paylocity may not be suitable for very small companies with minimal HR needs, as its features could be more than necessary and its pricing might be too high. Large corporations with complex and highly customized HR processes might find Paylocity’s customization options too limited compared to enterprise-level solutions.
Also, companies needing extensive integrations with niche or industry-specific programs might struggle, as Paylocity’s integration capabilities, while strong, may not meet all specialized demands without additional customization or external applications.

Workable

We picked Workable for its refreshing simplicity and automation in time tracking. Setting up policies was easy, and we loved how employees could clock in and out right from their mobile app. The automated reminders and detailed reporting, especially the scheduled vs. actual hours comparison, also made a big difference in streamlining attendance management.
PROS
- Easy setup of time tracking policies with customizable rules for departments and teams.
- Employees can clock in and out via desktop or mobile app, with automated reminders to reduce missed punches.
- Reporting features make it easy to compare scheduled vs. actual hours worked and export data for payroll.
- Consistently introduces new features and enhancements to the product.
- User-friendly interface with minimal training required for HR teams and employees.
- You can post jobs with one click to over 200 sites. You also get access to access to Workable’s talent pool with over 400 million profiles.
- Workable has built-in cognitive and personality candidate assessment. The platform also has features for offer management, which means you can create offer letters and collect e-signatures without needing to use third-party tools
- You can reduce unconscious hiring bias with Workable’s anonymized screening feature. It helps you hide identifying candidate information from the sourced and applied stages of the hiring process.
CONS
- No native payroll tool and payroll integrations only available on highest-tier plan.
- Lacks GPS-enabled clock-in, making it less ideal for tracking remote or field workers.
- Designed primarily for white-collar teams, with limitations for industries requiring more complex workforce tracking.
- Workable doesn’t provide automated reference checking and onboarding features.
- Useful features such as candidate texting, video interviews, and assessments are not offered in any of Workable’’s plans and instead, sold separately.
- Several users complained about the reporting feature not being detailed or customizable enough, and that the candidate search function could use more filters.
Since Workable has primarily been known for its recruiting tools and HRIS, we were intrigued when they launched their time tracking feature in open beta for all HR customers in February 2025. Naturally, we wanted to see how well it handled time and attendance management, and we have to say, our experience wasn’t bad at all. The tool is still new but already shows a lot of promise.

Right from the start, setting up time tracking policies was straightforward. We could apply different rules for specific departments, teams, or locations without any confusion. Compared to the manual Excel and spreadsheet tracking we’ve used, this was a major upgrade. Employees could clock in and out easily using either the desktop or mobile app, and we especially appreciated the automated reminders, which helped reduce missed punches.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Workable’s time tracking is its reporting function. After running a test with a small team, we generated reports comparing scheduled vs. actual hours worked. The system made it easy to spot discrepancies—like employees forgetting to clock out—and allowed us to export the data for payroll processing. However, we quickly realized that Workable doesn’t offer native payroll functionality, and payroll integrations are only available on the highest-tier plan. For companies looking for a smooth payroll sync without upgrading, this could be a significant drawback.
We also tested the scheduling feature and found that while it worked well for white-collar teams, it had some limitations for more complex workforce needs. Assigning shifts and setting recurring schedules was simple, but the lack of a GPS-enabled clock-in feature makes it less ideal for tracking remote or field employees in industries like construction or manufacturing.
That said, it’s clear that Workable is focused on continuous improvement—just in the past few months, they’ve rolled out features like automatic calendar updates for booked time off and a time-off balance calculator, which we found useful for planning PTO more efficiently. Given this proactive approach, we wouldn’t be surprised if Workable secures a strong foothold in the time tracking space in the coming months.
30,000+ companies, including The Telegraph, Ogilvy, and Eurobank.
Workable's time and attendance tools are included in the platform’s HR bundle, whose price starts at $99 per month when billed annually. They also offer a free trial and bundle discounts.
Best For
If you're a growing SMB looking to combine your recruiting technology and HRIS, Workable's time tracking software is an excellent option.

Buddy Punch

Buddy Punch goes beyond basic time and attendance tracking; it packs advanced features that enable companies to identify and record when, how, where and by whom time is being logged.
PROS
CONS

Buddy Punch is a cloud-based software solution that digitizes how companies track their employee’s attendance, time off, and overtime. With features such as webcam photo capture, facial recognition, GPS tracking, and IP address locks, Buddy Punch not only tells you when employee hours are logged, but also where and how those hours were logged.
The University of Michigan, The YMCA, Manpower Group, StateFarm
You can purchase Buddy Punch’s time tracking and scheduling modules separately or combine them should you need both. Do note that employee seats cannot be purchased separately but in scales. When billed annually, here’s how much Buddy Punch costs for a company with 10-14 employees:
- Time & Attendance: $39.99 per month
- Time & Attendance + Scheduling: $49.99 per month
- Enterprise: $64.99 per month
Best For
Buddy Punch can be used by companies of all sizes.
I use Buddy Punch at least twice a week to supervise payroll, and employee requests. In those sessions, I review all updates, approve requests and submit items for future discussion. The platform is a straightforward employee management system. Buddy Punch makes employee communication a more effective process. It also integrates easily to other services that my clients use.
The platform is straightforward and user friendly. It allows me to keep track of any employee requests. Its tracker for employee disciplinary issues is easy to follow. The system is great for payroll management.
I have used Buddy Punch to manage employees for clients since 2021. The service is a platform that allows employees to have hands-on access to necessary information like time off and payroll. My clients were looking for an option that enabled them to track expenses, manage employees, and maintain disciplinary information for each member of the team i.e. late arrivals. It has been an affordable alternative to other products for my clients (particularly small team startups). Buddy Punch simple interface allows the HR team to keep track of important changes when I need legal guidelines or employee related team management.
I don’t have any major complaints about the product outside of it being difficult to contact support. The software can be slow to update but it is more than worth the price. It can take extra time to manually upload data.
Buddy Punch is pretty great in comparison to some of its competitors. The service is affordable and user friendly. For about $60 per year, you know what you are getting and your expectations are often exceeded.
Do you need a product that is more AI focused? Are you rapidly expanding and will you have time to manually update information?
I have used Buddy Punch since 2021 and it has been a consistent service. They have improved the loading time.
Buddy Punch is good for small-medium sized organizations that are easing their way into effective HR. At a $60 annual price point, it is easy to manage and offers simple functionality but a great experience.
I would not recommend Buddy Punch to large companies or rapidly expanding businesses. If you want a more aesthetically pleasing service, there are other options.
When I Work
With its sleek user interface that enhances communication, When I Work focuses on decreasing labor costs and time spent on scheduling.
PROS
CONS

When I work is a simple to use scheduling and timekeeping platform that provides an easy way for managers to manage employee time and their staff. Time can be managed from their mobile app, or their desktop application. Known for its robust scheduling product, users can manage and view the entire staff schedule, setup time for staff to clock in and out, and alert staff via notifications. Employees can clock in and out and view their hours, or trade shifts with coworkers. This is a great platform for shift based or hourly workers.
Ben and Jerry’s, Harvard University, CVS Pharmacy, Verizon, Taco John’s.
- Small Business: This plan costs $4.00 per user per month and allows small businesses (with 100 employees or less) to schedule shifts, track time across multiple locations, and communicate all on a single platform.
- Enterprise: This plan is designed for large companies (between 100 to 10,000+ employees) and provides its users with access to When I Work’s full-featured platform to improve team coordination and efficiency.
Best For
Companies of all sizes across different industries looking to track and manage their employee’s working hours, attendance, shifts as well as improve communication.
We use the tool daily to manage day-to-day scheduling of employees, including approving or denying time off requests. It's also instrumental in planning large special events such as fundraisers or camp activities. Additionally, the When I Work app aids in payroll functions, making it an integral part of our operations.
I appreciate that the app has a clean interface and is easy to use, which our employees also seem to like.
Our organization has been using this tool for over 15 months to schedule per diem employees, who are hired as needed. Previously, there was a significant inefficiency in coordinating between management and gig workers, particularly in contacting workers promptly. This platform allows temp workers to schedule themselves at any time of day, effectively resolving the issue and streamlining the scheduling process for gig workers.
Currently, there’s nothing specific that I dislike about the tool.
While there are competitors like UKG and Q-Genda that offer similar services, this tool stands out for our particular needs.
Consider whether you employ many temporary workers and if your workforce is tech-savvy enough to utilize mobile technology effectively. These factors are crucial in determining the suitability of this tool for your organization.
To my understanding, the services provided by this tool have not undergone significant changes since their inception.
This tool is highly effective for small organizations that rely heavily on part-time or temporary workers.
This tool is versatile enough to be beneficial for all types of organizations.
Calamari
We especially appreciate how intuitive Calamari is to clock in using mobile geofencing, QR codes, or via Slack and Teams. The fact that you can start or stop your shift, request leave, and check balances without leaving your team collaboration tools makes it a meaningful advantage for everyday use.
PROS
- Supports multiple clock-in options, including mobile geofencing, QR codes with photo captures, kiosks, and NFC cards.
- Works natively with multiple team collaboration and project management tools.
- Implementation is free and can be completed in as little as three days.
- Built-in global-ready time-off policies.
CONS
- No native payroll tools. Payroll and HRIS integration must rely on its API documentation.
- Standard API quotas (2 requests/second, 600/hour, 6,000/day) may be restrictive for high-volume data syncs.
We spent time demoing and actively testing Calamari’s time and attendance offerings to understand how it holds up in real-world workflows. What stood out immediately was how flexible and approachable the platform felt, especially for teams managing a combination of desk-based and frontline staff.

Calamari’s multiple desirable clock-in methods are all available in the basic plan. We could initiate shifts via Slack, geofence mobile alerts, and QR codes at a simulated kiosk, all of which functioned as expected during our testing.
The Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations, in particular, were among our stand-out features. Employees can clock in, request leave, check balances, and approve absences all from the collaboration tools they already use. That kind of convenience is spot-on for both remote teams experiencing multi-app fatigue, or deskless workers with little time and on the go.
The Time Off module also performed well in our estimation. You can build region-specific leave types, set up accrual rules (monthly, annual, prorated), and even assign visibility restrictions and attachment requirements. During our demo walkthrough of the platform, we found everything to be logically structured and agile, which we believe would be particularly beneficial for companies with employees across multiple countries or subject to different labor laws. The company is based mostly in Poland, but the customer base is all over the world, with a focus on the European Union and the United States. They’ve transformed their location into an asset, since the tool is flexible enough to fit the needs of all kinds of geographies.
On the downside, however, Calamari doesn’t offer native payroll features. As stated before, the platform relies on APIs for its integrations with payroll or HRIS rather than plug-and-play or native connections, or using a tool like Merge. While the API is a good bet and you can count on technical assistance from the Calamari team, we think the standard API limits (600 requests/hour) could be a hurdle for high-volume syncs.
And to not end on a down note, we’ll add that the customer support is lauded for its efficiency and dedication. You can reach out to them via chat or email, and expect a swift reply. If the issue is not resolved soon, they are very accommodating— for instance, jumping on a call with you to figure out the issue and offer a solution.
130,000+ users, including BRAND24, UNICEF, Sonar, and Netguru.
Calamari has a modular pricing model, billed either monthly or annually, and a 14-day free trial. The Time and Attendance module has a minimum cost of $25 per month for annual billing. You can also bundle it with other modules, including Time Off ($2 per user per month), Core HR ($2 per user per month), Performance (coming soon, $2.50 per user per month), and SAML SSO add-on ($0.80 per user per month).
Best For
Calamari is best for small to mid-sized teams with hybrid or fully distributed workforces that need flexible time and attendance tracking.

Parim

Parim is a mobile-first, location-aware time tracking platform that’s built specifically for shift-based and event-driven teams. Its geofencing capabilities, flexible clock-in methods, and real-time visibility into active shifts stood out in our testing as a smart choice for companies that need operational control without unnecessary overhead.
PROS
- Real-time clock-ins with color-coded shift statuses for quick decision-making.
- GPS geofencing supports location-specific clock-ins, breaks, and clock-outs.
- Multiple input methods: mobile app, tablet, browser, SMS, or voice call.
- Filtered attendance view to easily spot and resolve issues.
- Robust absence tracking and approval workflows directly tied to scheduling.
- Real-time clock-ins with color-coded shift statuses for quick decision-making.
- GPS geofencing supports location-specific clock-ins, breaks, and clock-outs.
- Multiple input methods: mobile app, tablet, browser, SMS, or voice call.
- Filtered attendance view to easily spot and resolve issues.
- Robust absence tracking and approval workflows directly tied to scheduling.
CONS
- No built-in payroll features.
- Pricing may be hard to interpret without a sales conversation.
- Integration options were previously limited, though they are improving.
- Mobile browser-based clock-ins have less reliable location accuracy.
- No built-in payroll features.
- Pricing may be hard to interpret without a sales conversation.
- Integration options were previously limited, though they are improving.
- Mobile browser-based clock-ins have less reliable location accuracy.
Parim’s time and attendance software brings together real-time visibility, flexible scheduling, and mobile-enabled workforce management in a single, compliance-ready interface. We were particularly impressed with Parim’s Time Clock view, which shows active shifts in real time. Managers can instantly identify who’s currently working (in green), and any clock-in issues or discrepancies (like late arrivals or off-location punches) are highlighted in red. This visual interface simplifies day-to-day oversight and accelerates timesheet approvals.

From a usability perspective, Parim supports a good range of clock-in methods. Staff can punch in via mobile app (with geofencing support), browser, shared tablet, SMS, or even voice call using a PIN. This flexibility gives businesses more control over how attendance is captured based on their operational needs, which we like. Our tests also confirmed what the vendor recommends, which is that the mobile app is the most accurate option for geolocation compared to browser-based check-ins.
Geofencing is one of Parim’s strongest compliance features, in our opinion. Available on Premium and Enterprise plans, it ensures employees are within a defined radius before they can clock in, out, or take breaks. You can configure these settings by location or event, and the ability to restrict access through the staff portal helps prevent workarounds.
Beyond clock-ins, Parim includes an absence management tab that gives managers a clear overview of holiday and sick leave. You can approve or reject requests, and even add absences directly into the calendar to ensure schedules reflect real-time availability, which makes shift planning significantly easier and reduces the risk of short-staffing.
However, unlike some other vendors, such as Paychex and Rippling, Parim doesn’t have built-in payroll, so it might not be the first choice if you want an all-in-one workforce management solution. We also noticed that Parim’s development has been a bit slow over the past 18 months, but that seems to be changing. They're working on a major upgrade and have recently rolled out new features, including Incident Reporting, Team View, and enhanced compliance tools. This shows that they are investing in its future, which should be good news for long-term users.
200+ companies, including Chelsea FC, Interim Healthcare, Glastonbury Festival, HAP Solutions, and CH&Co.
Parim offers a dedicated plan priced at £119 per month for businesses with 50 or fewer staff. Larger companies can select from three other plans, although there is no free trial or upfront pricing information available.
Best For
Parim is best suited for fast-moving, shift-based industries such as staffing, events, healthcare, and hospitality, particularly those needing mobile-first time tracking with location control.
.png)
Deel
.png)
Deel is a global payroll system that incorporates a basic time and attendance module into its offering. Notably, it can adjust to regional public holidays and schedules completely automatically.
PROS
- One of Deel’s key benefits is its customer support. They offer 24-hour in-app assistance, and users can access localized payroll professionals in their regions.
- Generate invoices automatically for both the company and contractor/employee.
- Incorporate employee virtual hangouts within the platform.
- Enhance engagement with pulse surveys through Slack integration.
- Organize employee responses on a segmented dashboard for improved insights.
- Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
- Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
- User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
- Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.
CONS
- Currently lacks performance management functionalities.
- Lacks goal tracking and OKRs integration.
- Does not offer built-in coaching capabilities.
- Premium offerings from Deel, such as onboarding automation, are only offered as add-ons.
- Flexibility in altering contracts or service agreements is restricted; adjustments usually necessitate addendums.
- A $5 payout fee is applicable for each transaction.
- Invoice generation seems restricted to English only.
- Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
- Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
- Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.

Deel has embraced a global, remote-first approach that's woven throughout the product in subtle ways. Of course, this is evident in their basic time and attendance module. This part of the tool automates the tracking of public holidays, time off, and expenses for employees regardless of where they are in the world.
We’ve been familiar with Deel since late 2020 and were happy to see this addition to their tool shortly thereafter. It makes a lot of sense for international teams to count with a time and attendance tool that automatically syncs with the local calendar for each employee. This way, you can account for public holidays in each jurisdiction and respect the local employee leave regulations. From what we saw in a demo, employees can submit requests and get them approved with only a couple of clicks.
As we’ve stated in other reviews of Deel, their evolution from addressing global payroll to offering robust employee experience software is remarkable.
Deel serves over 10,000 customers, including big names like Nike, Shopify, Dropbox, Notion, Reddit, and Airtable. They also have a strong contingent of SMBs and start-ups in their client roster.
As a new product, Deel has changed a lot since its inception. Its newest offering, DeelHR, allows companies to complete most of their HR operations tasks in Deel.
Best For
Deel’s infrastructure can support businesses at any size, from one to 10,000+ employees. They even offer some free services for companies under 200 employees. While their current focus is SMBs that are growing and want to explore different global markets and talent pools, there is also a large market for mid-market and enterprise companies.
Deel was used on a daily basis for us. It was used to manage all of our international contractors, manage contracts, payments, and payroll, and we used their employer-of-record model to hire in certain areas as well. Being able to run international payroll for various countries outside of the US using one system was extremely helpful. The customer support for Deel is also great, as you get an employment advisor as well who will help you understand how to best use Deel's international PEO/Employer-of-Record services. To summarize, hiring, international payroll, understanding employment/payroll laws of various countries, and making it digestible are the highlights of using Deel. It saved us a lot of time, money, and energy.
- I like that you can use one platform to run multiple payrolls for different countries.
- I like that they make hiring contractors in other countries easier.
- I like that they make understanding other countries' payroll and employment laws easy with all sorts of helpful resources.
Our small start-up company of under 50 employees was looking to hire international consultants in various areas, mainly Canada, Brazil, and later Poland and Ireland. We've used Deel for about 2 years now mainly for contract management and international payroll, and used their PEO and Employer of Record services as well. The key benefit is being able to hire great talent outside of the US and being protected and advised around payroll and employment laws for various countries.
- I dislike their reporting function as it's essentially just Excel and doesn't allow for advanced filtering/reporting.
- I dislike that the integration with Rippling is a bit wonky. Some employee info will flow in, but not all.
- I dislike that making changes in contracts can be difficult and that the e-signature capability is not great.
I believe that Deel is the best in class in terms of international hiring/payroll/compliance/PEO. They have a great team behind getting the system of hiring set up in each individual country. Their customer service is really great and they are great consultants that help you meet your goals. If you use their PEO or Employer of Record service it can be costly depending on where you're hiring.
- Location of Hiring - Depending on where you're hiring, Deel may not support that region so it's important to take a look at which areas they cover. They do cover most major areas of international hiring.
- Cost - Overall it's an affordable and effective system for international payroll. It does sit outside of the HRIS ( if you use one) so that's something to think about as an additional cost.
- HRIS Compatibility - It's also important to think about the compatibility with your HRIS, otherwise you have a lot of data sitting outside of your HRIS which you can manually upload through CSV reports.
In the time that I used Deel, they developed their PEO availability regions. I believe they do a good job at customer listening, and their team is extremely attentive.
Deel is great for small to medium-sized businesses that are looking to quickly expand internationally. It's also important to note that in each new location you're hiring in, if you're looking to have a hiring hub of 20+ more employees in that particular company, using Deel may only be a short-term solution. But for quick hires, small hiring hubs, and hiring consultants across countries, it's a great platform.
I imagine it may not be the best for a very well-established company with a significant number of hires in particular locations. For example, having 20+ employees in one country would not be the best fit for Deel.

Paychex

An all-in-one platform, Paychex Flex integrates its time attendance software with payroll and HR, giving you access to your company and employee information in one single place.
PROS
- Timecard processing can be fully automated.
- Integrates well with benefits providers like Benetrac for benefits management.
- User-friendly interface for reviewing W2s and paystubs.
CONS
- Limited third-party integrations.
- Some users reported slow app login.
- Less modern looking compared to competitors.

Paychex Flex offers a time and attendance platform that helps businesses save time and improve accuracy with online timekeeping, time clocks, and integrated payroll. They have many flexible options based on how you track time, providing a solution that is easily integrated and mobile for users. This is a great all-in-one solution for very small businesses, who need guidance on the time and attendance side of things.
ESET, Funnelbox Inc., Smile Cafe, H.Y.P.E. Counseling Services, ASG, Pet Partners.
Paychex’s pricing isn’t listed on their website. However, you may reach out to their sales team for an estimate according to the size and scope of your operation.
Best For
Companies of all sizes looking for an all-in-one solution for payroll, time and attendance, benefits, and more.
We used Paychex regularly to manage payroll and track benefits. We also used it to initiate onboarding for new hires and to maintain employee data.
The self-service tool allowed employees to update their information as needed. The portal was used frequently by employees to update personal details such as phone numbers, addresses, and more. Employees could also access their pay stubs as needed.
The payroll processing was simple and accurate. We were able to trust the data. I liked the employee self-service feature. I appreciated the added benefits such as reporting, employee data management, and onboarding support.
We chose Paychex to simplify payroll and maintain compliance with payroll guidelines. We had employees in multiple states across the U.S. and needed a system that could manage that complexity. We were able to utilize some of the benefits management features.
We needed a solution that could handle payroll processing accurately, provide tax compliance support, and come at an effective price. We used Paychex for about two years before I left the company.
The reporting feature wasn't user-friendly. The mobile app was not easily accessible or intuitive. Completing a task in the system often required several unnecessary steps or clicks.
In comparison with other systems such as BambooHR or ADP, Paychex is more simplified and customizable. Payroll processing is straightforward and reliable. Competing systems that are more robust tend to be less user-friendly.
The size of the payroll and the number of employees should be considered when purchasing this type of system. Integration capabilities and how easily reports can be generated or exported are also important factors.
There is now a performance management feature available. They have added fraud detection and a survey feature. More features have been introduced to appeal to larger companies or industries.
Paychex is well-suited for small to mid-sized companies. It works well for companies that prioritize compliance. Organizations with smaller accounting teams may benefit more from Paychex than those with larger teams.
Paychex may not be ideal for larger companies or those with large accounting teams. Larger companies often have the budget and internal capacity to manage payroll in more complex systems. They may not require as much support with compliance.
Rippling
Workflow automation has long been Rippling’s signature, and it’s well showcased in the vendor’s time and attendance product.
PROS
- One platform for performance, payroll, time and attendance, and more.
- In-app policy non-compliance alerts with one-click solutions.
- Ability to set security restrictions to prevent timecard fraud.
- Excellent workflow automation features.
- Self-service capabilities included.
- All-in-one platform for employee management + PEO services offered, and even a suite of other IT products
- With 500 integrations, it’s very likely that they integrate with other key tools from your tech stack.
- Operates globally with any currency
- Workflow automation
- Analytics opportunities
- Provides a holistic view of company outflows—headcount costs included
CONS
- Requires annual subscription. No free plan (a free trial is occasionally available, though).
- The mobile app offers core functionalities, but some advanced features and administrative tasks are only doable on the web platform.
- Additional charges may apply for phone support, depending on the plan.
- Total buy-in to Rippling is essential
- Very SMB-oriented, in case you’re a larger company.
- New features tend to be buggy in ways that tech teams are not accustomed to fixing

Being a diverse, distributed team ourselves, we understand how hard it is to keep up with the ever-changing labor regulations and laws. This was why we were immediately drawn to Rippling’s automated policies upon testing them. Regardless of whether your workers are based in the U.S. or abroad, the system will automatically inform you if your policies are not in compliance with local regulations and the needed actions to resolve these issues.
As expected from a high-tech startup, Rippling’s automation capabilities extend beyond compliance. With this tool, you can create custom rules for alerts and notifications concerning meal breaks, shift endings, early clock-outs, overtime, approvals, and even cost control.
For teams with onsite, deskless workers, Rippling’s Time and Attendance tracking tool supports scheduling and allows employers to limit the geolocation where employees can clock in and out. And, if you’re considering not just the time and attendance but also the payroll product from Rippling, there's more good news: All approved hours in the time and attendance will auto-sync with payroll. Plus, you can even review time cards right inside each pay run.
A fair warning, though. Rippling is not for those on a tight budget, as the platform pricing is on the higher end, on an annual basis, and comes with no free option like Connecteam. But they do sometimes have short-term free trials which you may want to keep an eye out for.
16,000+ companies, including Dwell, Superhuman, and Expensify.
Rippling offers quote-based pricing, with a starting cost of $8 per month for each user.
Best For
Companies who prioritize automation and customization in their time and attendance software.
As the Head of People Operations, my daily workflows rely on Rippling. Overseeing the employee lifecycle requires me to use a combination of onboarding/offboarding, reporting, benefits administration, performance management, and general employee data management on a weekly basis. From an onboarding/offboarding perspective, Rippling not only serves as the home base for information but also communicates timely and effective tasks to the necessary parties, ensuring a clear and compliance-first process. With Rippling’s ability to relay information to integrated accounts like Guideline and Carta, my role leans more into oversight, allowing me to focus strategically elsewhere.
Rippling centralizes the majority of the HR processes (+ Finance and IT, if you chose) that would otherwise be spread across multiple systems. For example, our company’s flex benefits, COBRA, and ACA were either managed with a carrier outside of our broker or manually by us and now Rippling handles the administration of all these areas in consolidation with our other health insurance benefits.
The strength of Rippling’s integration library allows for consistent and regular communication to and from Rippling for processes that are not directly managed within the system. For example, prior to Rippling, we manually onboarded and offboarded employees to/from Guideline. With Rippling, the systems speak to each other and manage the employee’s lifecycle with our company-sponsored 401k.
A highly beneficial aspect of Rippling is the workflow feature. Workflows have allowed us to set up Rippling in a way that allows it to speak within the system, initiate processes, and communicate to people/external systems. Rippling is a high-tech HRIS and a constantly progressing platform that meets the needs of today’s operations teams (HR, IT, Finance included).
We selected Rippling to implement a strong HRIS while centralizing other HR operations. By implementing Rippling, we were able to solve and improve several areas. First, we consolidated historical employee data from three to four different platforms into one, allowing us to use Rippling reporting to provide company trends. Second, we simplified benefits administration by transferring health insurance, Flex Benefits, COBRA, and ACA management to the Rippling platform. Third, Rippling offers a cleaner, more centralized, and highly integrated solution for our HRIS needs. I have been actively using Rippling for six months.
Rippling is a complex system. For it to be fully functional to the best of its ability it needs to be given the time to implement and set up in great detail. Knowing this, the implementation should have been much more hands-on. I’d recommend that whoever is leading the implementation internally has experience with other systems, so they know what to look for.
Rippling does not have an employee “notes” section. As the place I rely on for the most up-to-date employee job and personal information, it is missing the ability to keep it up to date with employee relations information directly in their profile. This is a feature I have experience with in other HRIS’s and is a missed opportunity in the Rippling platform.
Unlike BambooHR, a competitor, Rippling does not offer a “missing data” report. To find out who within the company is missing information, we will have to discover it when it is flagged during another unrelated process. I think this puts us at risk if we are unknowingly missing key information or signatures from any employee.
Rippling is a fully functional operations system with a large integration library. It provides HR with the necessary tools and offers Finance and IT tools. Incorporating various clouds and add-ons allows Rippling to carry an administrative weight heavier than its competitors.
Rippling is a complex system, so you should be prepared to invest time and attention to building a strong foundation during the implementation process. It can do a lot, but it needs to be built on the backend for the front end to function at its best. Since many tools within Rippling rely on one another, approach it with a big-picture philosophy for your organization’s intentions. Be clear about what you need during the discovery process, as Rippling has many features, but not all may be necessary for your company.
Rippling continues to introduce small improvements to existing features and entire tools, like performance reviews, and exclusive highly functional built-in integrations, like Carta. These developments are likely to continue as Rippling gains popularity in HR and Finance.
Rippling is highly flexible and can be strong for a wide range of companies. It can suit new startup companies (less than 50 employees) but may be best for 70+ and growing SMBs.
Businesses with more than 500 employees may outgrow the system.
BambooHR
Extremely user friendly and full of HR features, Bamboo HR can help you save considerable amounts of time spent on time tracking. Automatic reminders, fast clock-in-clock-out for employees, one-click timesheet approval for managers.
PROS
- Time tracking capabilities, though offered as a separate module, are precise and easy to use.
- BambooHR’s multiple tiers and custom pricing models are good for diverse business needs, ensuring cost-effectiveness and scalability.
- With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, BambooHR provides a straightforward tool that can be easily navigated and utilized by HR pros of all levels.
- Integrates with several payroll and accounting systems, providing a streamlined process for U.S.-based employees to ensure efficient and error-free payroll management.
- Flexible packaging and custom pricing is the way they roll. You can pick out one or two packages and pick other modules as add-ons based on your needs.
- Very simple and straightforward tool, easy to use.
CONS
- Options for non-U.S. employees are limited, which may pose challenges for multinational companies.
- Customer support availability is restricted to U.S. business hours, potentially causing delays and difficulties for businesses operating in different time zones.
- Time tracking is offered only as an add-on, and the same goes for some advanced scheduling features.
- The reporting and analytics capabilities for time tracking data are somewhat limited in BambooHR, which may hinder in-depth analysis and insights for workforce management.
- Payroll is only available for US-based employees
- Customer support is only offered during US business hours.
- Some modules like time tracking, performance management, and surveys are only available as add-ons.

BambooHR is a cloud-based SaaS HR platform for all types of businesses. They automate many of the HR functions, and can help make HR tasks simple and fast. As an add-on, they offer a robust time and attendance platform, which includes a clock-in/clock-out functionality, timesheets and paid time off tracking. Bamboo HR’s easy to use platform is great for those that are looking to track project hours for salaried employees, or utilize a platform for hourly workers.
Among the 20,000+ companies that use BambooHR, you’d find names like Quora, Universal Group, Reddit, Asana, Change.org, University of Maryland, Grammarly, Stance, Postmates, Wistia, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and ZipRecruiter.
Pricing is not disclosed upfront, but they do offer a free trial of their all-in-one software and then go out of their way to find a version that will suit you. Before they come up with a personalized quote that will align with your budget, however, they are also likely to extend your free trial upon request or even give you a free demo of the advanced features.
Best For
BambooHR is ideal for companies seeking a highly customizable HR product with flexible pricing options. Its popularity is particularly evident among teams that operate partially or fully remotely, as BambooHR efficiently addresses the need for effective time and attendance management in such environments.
- The tool has been critical in managing employee data and maintaining the database of employee information accessible by the team remotely.
- We use BambooHR for onboarding and collecting information for new joiners. It is also an ideal tool for recruitment and tracking of candidates throughout the recruitment cycle.
- We are also able to use it to track and manage employee leave applications.
- Reporting has been made very simple since I can pull a report in minutes on headcount, analysis on gender, leave, turnover rates, onboarding, and performance
.jpg)
- Excellent Customer Service: The customer support team has been very supportive and responsive in troubleshooting.
- The system is user-friendly and has some videos guiding you through some of its functions. The system is designed to be customizable, so clients can tailor it to meet their specific needs.
- Powerful reporting: BambooHR's reporting features have allowed me to generate a wide range of reports, such as headcount, turnover, and diversity reports, this information is instrumental in making data-driven decisions.
As Covid-19 forced most employers to look into hybrid working models, there was a need for us to look into tools for managing employee information and tracking time off to streamline administrative tasks and reduce errors while working remotely.
BambooHR offers Recruiting and applicant tracking features that make it easier to find and hire the right candidates for open positions remotely.
Additionally, it provides performance management tools, including goal setting and performance reviews, which can help ensure that employees are working towards company objectives and receiving the feedback they need to succeed.
I found the system to be user-friendly, with a modern interface that is easy to navigate and customize to meet our needs. The system also has video tutorials that are clear and guide you through its functions.
The main con would be its limited payroll functionality. It is not available in Africa and its payroll functionality is currently only available for customers in the United States and Canada, which may be a drawback for companies based in other countries.
Pricing is also on the upper limit compared to other solutions, particularly in Africa.
The features on training could also be more customizable to clients in diverse spaces or lines of work
BambooHR has strong reporting features which allow us to generate a wide range of reports, such as headcount, turnover, and diversity reports, which can help organizations make data-driven decisions.
Its user-friendly interface is easy to navigate and find the information users need. The system is designed to be customizable, so users can tailor it to meet their specific needs.
When buying BambooHR or any other HR software solution, there are several criteria to consider, including:
- Location: BambooHR's payroll functions are better suited for companies in US and Canada. For ease of compliance with local regulations, countries in Africa can consider an alternative tool to run their payroll function.
- Company size and needs: The size of the company and its HR needs are important factors to consider when selecting a software solution. BambooHR is generally well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses with straightforward HR needs.
- Customization: Companies should consider how customizable BambooHR is, and whether it can be tailored to their specific HR workflows and processes.
- Security and compliance: Companies should consider BambooHR's security and compliance features to ensure that employee data is protected and that the system meets relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- Improved user experience: BambooHR has focused on improving the user experience over time, with updates to the system's interface, navigation, and overall usability.
- Deeper analytics: BambooHR has added more powerful reporting and analytics features over time, which has helped users gain deeper insights into their HR data.
BambooHR is well-suited for small to medium-sized organizations with straightforward HR needs. The system is particularly strong in areas such as employee data management, onboarding, and reporting, and is designed to be customizable to meet the specific needs of each organization.
Functions like payroll are better suited for companies in US and Canada.
It is well-suited to organizations that need a flexible, customizable, and user-friendly HR software solution.
Large enterprises: BambooHR is generally not recommended for large enterprises with complex HR needs. The system is designed to be straightforward and easy to use, which means it may not have the depth of functionality that larger organizations require.
It is also not ideal for a company wishing to run payroll that is operating outside the US
.jpg)
UKG
.jpg)
UKG Ready (formerly Kronos) enables efficiency by simplifying routine time and attendance tasks. It also helps HR professionals improve compliance and mitigate risk with automatic updates.
PROS
- Vast experience in people tech with UKG Pro HR solution.
- Comprehensive toolset with UKG Pro for HRMS and UKG Ready for workforce management.
- Administrators have the power to configure user group visibility within the system.
- The Ultimate Community provides on-demand information and fosters connections among UKG Pro users.
- Includes an iOS app and an Android app.
- Super robust product, packing years of experience with HCM and Workforce Management technology
- Since they offer UKG Pro for HRMS and UKG Ready for workforce management, you could arrive at a combination of products that suits many of your HR needs from the same set of tools.
CONS
- May lack a unique selling point or specific focus for niche businesses.
- The Android app has some bugs when logging in and accessing timecards.
- Relatively expensive, particularly for teams with limited budgets.
- Broad range of solutions may not suit those seeking a few specific use cases.
- Compared to newer tools, UKG Pro and UKG Ready tend to miss a unique selling point or a specific focus on a certain type of business. While they work great for bigger companies in all sorts of industries, very niche operations might have a hard time adapting to the tool.
- Similarly, UKG offers many solutions under one umbrella, so it's not the best fit if you're looking for only a handful of specific use cases.

Formerly known as Kronos, UKG Ready stands out as a well-established time and attendance tool for its ability to streamline routine tasks and enhance compliance for HR professionals. It aims to drive efficiencies and mitigate risks with its automatic updates and simplified processes.
One highlight is the ease of configurability for administrators who need to assign user group visibility within the system. This level of control allows organizations to tailor permission— a big plus for teams looking to maintain solid data security.
The abundance of features can make navigation overwhelming. However, the Ultimate Community has been a valuable resource as we explored UKG. We were able to access vendor and user-made product instructions by browsing previous conversations and asking other users for their product knowledge.
We also appreciate that UKG provides an iOS and an Android app that enhances accessibility and convenience for employees, especially ones that usually work onsite. However, logging in and accessing timecards on the app isn’t always easy and occasional bugs prove to be a source of frustration.
The price range for UKG Ready is out of reach for teams with limited budgets. Since the software doesn’t publish its pricing, it's crucial to get on a demo with sales to weigh the cost against your organization's specific needs.
Tesla, Marriott, Yamaha, Aramark, Puma, Sony Music, Samsung.
- Not available on the website. Typically based on a per-employee-per-month model, with options for annual or monthly billing.
- Our research indicates that licenses for UKG Pro begin at around $600.00 per year for every 5 users.
- For detailed pricing information and a personalized quote, contact a sales representative at UKG Pro.
Best For
UKG Pro can be a sound option for companies in many different industries looking to track the hours and attendance of both salaried and hourly employees in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia/Pacific.
I’ll use UKG Pro every working day. Our primary use for it is payroll and timekeeping. Even still, we use a myriad of the other features. This includes employee benefits administration, hiring and onboarding, compensation management, talent management, and a few others. This program also provides a lot of flexibility and freedom in its application.
UKG Pro’s greatest strength lies in its full-suite of payroll and HR tools. It’s all blended together in a “sandbox” environment so users can freely explore the system. In addition to these, it also includes extensive reporting tools which makes work much easier and quicker.
My company transitioned to UKG Pro after frustrations with our former HRIS. One of UKG’s greatest strengths is the program’s ease of use. Not only is it easy for our HR representatives to use, but for our employees as well. We’ve been using UKG Pro for a little over a year now and already it’s proven to be leaps and bounds above some other systems I’ve used. With UKG Pro, you’re getting an excellent value for your money.
UKG Pro is on the expensive side and, to boot, they’re not transparent about their pricing. I also did not appreciate the lack of a free or “trial” mode to try out the product before spending so much for it. Also, scaling up (or down) can be cumbersome as a custom set up is required.
UKG Pro is far more intuitive than other HRI Systems I’ve used in the past. It’s among my favorites for its ease of use and customizability.
When buying this type of tool you want to pay close attention to what is important for your company. You’ll always want to take into consideration pricing. But beyond this, look at the features provided. Does it include a full-suite? Does it integrate well with other systems you’re currently using? You’ll want to really do your research.
I can’t speak too heavily to its evolution. I can acknowledge that they have implemented a few smaller quality of life changes to make the experience run smoother.
This is a good software for larger, very typically structured, organizations. If you’ve got more than 200 employees, this software will make your life easier.
Smaller organizations, namely those with less than 150 employees, should consider other options. UKG Pro is among the most expensive HRIS I’ve used.

nettime solutions

stratustime by nettime solutions integrates well with hundred of devices, payroll systems, and HR platforms. Use this simple software to scale your business in a seamless way.
PROS
CONS

nettime solution’s stratustime is a time and attendance platform that is cloud based and helps companies increase efficiency and make informed workplace decisions. Employees can clock in and out, and request time off. Admins and managers can view dashboards that have labor cost, and wag requirement information. It can also be integrated with many various payroll platforms. This is a great solution for small businesses, at just $4 per month per employee.
University of Pennsylvania, HomeExchange.com, Bossier Parish Library.
The pricing of nettime solutions’ plans and services isn’t listed on their website. Contact their sales team for a price quote.
Best For
Companies looking for a time and attendance software with compensatory time tracking and geofencing capabilities.
Clockify
Clockify allows you to not only track hours but also apps and websites to later create time entries. Clockify's features are wide ranging – you can track time, get graphical reports, set hourly rates. And best of all, it's free.
PROS
- Clockify offers unlimited time tracking for free, for any number of projects.
- Users have praised the software’s ease of use. There really isn’t any hardcore learning required to get a hand of it.
- Open API functionality for custom solutions
- The product is available on all mobile devices (android, iPhone), desktop (windows, mac, linux), and as a web app.
CONS
- Basic project management features. You can only create assign and sort. No deep features like visualization (kanban boards, gantt chart, etc.) or scheduling to maximize team capacity.
- It can get glitchy when the internet connection times out.

Clockify is a simplified, free time tracking timesheet application that allows companies to track team hours and projects. It allows users to keep track of employees timesheets, billable hours, and schedules, as well as generate reports. Clockify integrates with several different technology platforms, such as Jira and Asana, which is a great solution for those looking for a simple solution that is efficient and easy to use.
Atlassian, Google, Amazon, HP, Cisco, IBM, American Express.
Clockify has a free plan that accommodates an unlimited number of users, as well as unlimited hour tracking, projects, and reports. Besides the free offering, Clockify also 4 paid plans that cost as follows when billed annually:
- Basic: This plan costs $3.99 per user per month.
- Standard: This plan costs $5.49 per user per month.
- Pro: This plan costs $7.99 per user per month.
- Enterprise: This plan costs $11.99 per user per month.
Best For
Companies of all sizes as well as individuals looking for an easy-to-use, affordable and multi-access time tracking solution.
I use Clockify daily. We primarily use the Timesheet function to enter hours in 15-minute increments. A Project Tracker function is also available, which can track time down to the second if the organization needs that level of precision.

- Easy to use.
- The interface is visual, allowing users to compare how much time has been spent on each project each day of the week.
- Good value for the cost.
As a startup, we needed a way to track how much time we were spending on setup activities, routine non-billable tasks, and billable client work. More specifically, we needed a method to monitor how much time we spent on deliverables for each client—Clockify provides all of this.
It allows us to easily input the number of hours spent on each type of activity for a given day. For administrators, reports on all of the above are accessible and easy to generate. We have been using Clockify for a little over three months and have found it easy to use.
- Our business does not require tracking time to the second, so it would be helpful if Clockify had an option to enter time in 15-minute increments.
- If time is being entered in 15-minute increments, a dropdown selection would be more efficient than manual entry.
- Two-factor authentication in the app is difficult to use. If I get signed out, I receive an access code by email. When I switch to the Outlook app to retrieve the code, the code entry window in the Clockify app disappears.
I previously used Epoch at my former job. I prefer how Clockify allows users to go back and correct or update entries. With Epoch, if a user made an error, only an administrator could delete the entry, and the user had to re-enter it from scratch.
Necessity—do employees regularly work on different categories of tasks that need to be tracked? If not, a simpler solution might suffice, such as a basic clock-in/clock-out system. Consider cost versus utility, ease of time entry, and reporting capabilities.
This is difficult to answer as we have only used it for a few months. No significant changes have occurred during that time.
Professional service firms that need to track time spent on each client and differentiate between billable and non-billable time.
Organizations that do not need to visualize time spent on specific activities. For example, when I worked in a supermarket where tasks changed frequently, a system like Clockify would have been difficult to use.

ZoomShift

Designed for hourly employees, ZoomShift has helped 20,000+ small businesses in saving time and money. ZoomShift is incredibly user friendly; It lets you easily make schedule, add staff, and view the summary of each hour.
PROS
- Manage staff scheduling on the move
- Color-coded schedules
- Forecast labor costs and hours with ease
CONS
- Updates too often for an employee scheduling software, which some customers may find confusing
- Some reports indicates that the tool tends to crashes and disconnects from the server
- Accidentally deleted shifts cannot be retrieved

ZoomShift is an employee scheduling software designed for hourly employees. It allows for better time management so that milestones can be easily viewed and you schedule work in minutes. Employees can clock-in for assigned shifts using the web time clock or mobile time clock and management can edit timesheets on the fly from the free iOS and Android apps.
ZoomShift will help you to keep your team on the same page, you can invite your team to check their schedule and manage their availability. The drag and drop schedule builder makes it extremely easy for you to create your schedule. You also have the option to share the schedule via text, email to remind your team and keep them updated.
Plus, the app communication features allows for real-time discussion between team members to increase productivity, and improve the quality of work.
Ace Hardware, Amazon, Holiday Inn, Walgreens, ClearWater Outdoor.
- Starter: This plan costs $2 per active user per month and is ideal for growing organizations that just want to time track and schedule shifts.
- Premium: This plan costs $4 per active user per month and is ideal for organizations of any size that want extended, workforce management features.
- Enterprise: This plan is custom tailored for large businesses or franchises with complex needs. Contact ZoomShift’s sales team for pricing.
Best For
Companies across different industries looking to track and manage their employee’s working hours, attendance, as well as shifts.
I use it regularly to manage employee scheduling and time tracking. One of the workflows I use it for is creating employee schedules. I can easily view employee availability, drag and drop shifts to assign them, and reduce errors in the scheduling process.
Another key workflow I use Zoomshift for is time tracking. the tool's time clock integration allows us to track employee hours automatically, which has been a huge time server for our organization.
.png)
There are several things that I like about this tool. Here are three main reasons:
- The first thing I like about Zoomshift is its ease of use. the drag-and-drop interface makes it very easy to create and modify schedules, and the tool's automated shift reminders help ensure that employees are aware of their upcoming shifts. This has made the scheduling process much smoother and more efficient.
- Another thing I like about ZoomShift is its time-tracking capabilities. The tool's time clock integration has helped us save a significant amount of time and reduce errors in our payroll process. I can easily view and approve employees' time cards, as well as generate reports for payroll and other purposes.
- Finally, I appreciate the ability to communicate with employees through Zoomshift. The tool's messaging feature allows us to send real-time updates to employees about their shifts and any changes to the schedule. This has helped us improve communication with our employees and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Overall. I have found Zoomshift to be a very useful and user-friendly tool for managing employees scheduling and time tracking. It has helped us save time, reduce errors, and improve communication with our employees.
Our organization decided to purchase ZoomShift to help streamline our employee scheduling and time-tracking processes. Prior to using this tool, we were manually creating schedules and tracking hours, which was time-consuming and prone to errors. We wanted a solution that could help us save time and reduce errors, while also giving employees more control over their schedules. were actually using this for a couple of months and were happy using it.
Here are some weaknesses of Zoomshift that I think need to improve:
- Mobile app limitation: The mobile app for ZoomShift is not as feature-rich as the web version, limiting the ability to manage and update on the go.
- Limited customization options: While the solutions are flexible, there are some limitations in terms of how much you can customize certain features such as scheduling templates. I wish there were more options for customizations to tailor it to our organization's needs.
- Pricing: Zoomshift’s pricing can be relatively high for businesses with a large number of employees, making it less accessible for small businesses and start-ups with limited budgets.
ZoomShift is different than its competitors in several ways. First, ZoomShift is very user-friendly and easy to navigate, which is not always the case with other scheduling tools. Secondly, ZoomShift offers a wide range of features and customization options, allowing businesses to tailor their scheduling need to fit their specific requirements. This includes features such as time clock tracking, shift swapping, and automatic scheduling.
When buying a scheduling tool like Zoomshift, there are several criteria to consider. Firstly, the tools should be easy to use and navigate, with a clear interface and simple features. Next, it should be flexible and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the scheduling process to their specific needs. It should have features like time clock tracking and shift swapping, which can help streamline the scheduling process. Also, it should be affordable and offer good value for money. Finally, it should have strong customer support, with a knowledgeable and responsive team available to assist with any issues that may arise. My advice would be to research different options and read reviews from other users to find a tool that meets these criteria and is well-suited to your business needs.
Based on my experience, ZoomShift is very good for small to medium-sized businesses that need a user-friendly and customizable scheduling tool. It's also a great option for organizations that require shift schedules for their employees, such as restaurants, retail stores, and healthcare facilities. the tool is well-suited for businesses with employees who work in shifts and require an easy and efficient way to manage their schedules.
For me, one example is those small businesses or independent contractors who do not have a large workforce or who do not require advanced scheduling and time-tracking features. In addition, organizations that do not have reliable internet access or that have limited access to technology may not be able to fully utilize ZoomShift's features, as it is an online-based software. Similarly, businesses that operate primarily on paper-based systems may not find the transition to online-based scheduling and time-tracking software feasible.

QuickBooks Time

QuickBooks Time comes with a plethora of features; track time, build employee schedules, use geofencing technology, connect to your favorite accounting or payroll software, and gain business insights with real-time, interactive reports.
PROS
- Quickbooks boasts frequent promotional offers, occasionally providing discounts of up to 50%.
- Personalized customer service approach, with scheduled call options that receive positive feedback for courteous and tailored issue resolutions.
- Streamlined central clock-in/clock-out system for core work locations.
- This product offers promotions and discounts (up to 50%) from time to time.
- Their customer service is personalized. You get to reach them by scheduling a call and customers have commended the courteous, tailored responses to issues they have.
- Consolidated clock in/clock out system for central work locations.
CONS
- Some users have reported occasional delays in GPS technology updating current locations, displaying prior employee locations rather than live updates.
- There are limited customer support contact options. You usually have to schedule calls for assistance.
- The GPS technology is slow to catch up on current locations at times. Instead of live updates, the software shows the employee’s previous locations.
- While their customer support is very helpful, they don’t provide many options for you to contact them. You can only schedule a call.

Formally known as TSheets, QuickBooks Time is a time and attendance solution. It allows users to ducky review and employee time, process payroll, or recreate invoices in an accessible way. QuickBooks Time keeps a timesheet for each employee and allows them to clock in via a mobile device, or manually add time within the platform. QuickBooks Time is great for companies that are looking for accessibility, and those that are looking for additional time tracking features such as time-tracking and geofencing.
- Premium: The Premium plan packs all the necessary features for you to easily track time & attendance for your workforce, no matter where they work. This plan costs $20 a month for one admin user, + $8 per additional user per month.
- Elite: The Premium plan packs everything in the Premium plan plus additional features for project management and collaboration. This plan costs $40 a month for one admin user, + $10 per additional user per month.
Best For
Any company looking for a robust time and attendance tracking solution.
We used QuickBooks for timesheets. We were able to set it up by manager and their team members. This made it very accessible when it came to approving time and submitting payroll. The timesheets are very easy for employees to submit and for managers to approve or send back to correct any incorrect time entries. When setting it up, you can define working hours, shift differentials, overtime, and reminders. You can also set timesheet submission deadlines for employees or contractors.
The cost can't be beaten. While you do pay per user, there are a few different service options you can select, and it is billed monthly. The mobile time tracking capability is great, particularly for contractors with more hands-on roles who don't always have access to a PC. QuickBooks Time is one of the easiest time-tracking/payroll systems on the market.
QuickBooks is one of the easiest time-tracking and payroll systems on the market. Whether it is a small business or a larger company, QuickBooks is beneficial. This system is also great for contractors that you don't necessarily want lumped with all the benefit-eligible employees. I used it for one year for contractors' timesheets and payroll. There are also mobile capabilities for employees and approvers.
There isn't an overabundance of key reports that can be generated. The actual clock-in and clock-out feature isn't the most accurate. It is easiest to log hours worked if permitted by your employer. If needed, the GPS tracking capability isn't accurate or functional.
It is similar to Bullhorn. Bullhorn may have a more complex dashboard and more kinks; QuickBooks is easier to use. I prefer QuickBooks Time based on mobile app capability, ease of use, and cost per month per employee/contractor.
Do you anticipate having a different number of employees or contractors every month? If so, then QuickBooks is great as it is billed monthly per user so this can fluctuate. Do you have a lot of blue-collar contractors who don't spend hours in front of a computer? The mobile app makes recording timesheets very easy for them, and they can set up notifications when timesheet deadlines are due.
You can now share a schedule for your team within QuickBooks Time. For example, if your project isn't a typical Monday-Friday 9-5 job, you can send schedules directly through QuickBooks. If you need later coverage or give days off for teams or individuals during the normal work week, you can manage that easily.
QuickBooks Time is very good for organizations with a lot of contractors, particularly those with high turnover.
If you have a larger company with a team mainly made up of exempt staff, it's best to use the HRIS the company uses if it has payroll capabilities. QuickBooks Time would be an unnecessary additional expense.
Benefits of Time and Attendance Software
There are many benefits to using a time and attendance platform. We’ve listed some of these below.
- Increased accuracy and efficiency: Time and Attendance software can help improve overall efficiency and productivity. Within a single database, you’ll only have to enter employee information once, which will flow through various stages of your employee lifecycle, which can reduce the need for importing and exporting data.
- Access to a wider pool of talent: Implementing consistent time tracking best practices will make it easier to hire outside of your usual talent pool as remote workers can now be managed more efficiently. When used in combination with services like EOR companies, time and attendance software can help you build a global presence with relatively little effort.
- Automate your processes: Many systems have alerts and notifications that can proactively give employees reminders when employees are nearing overtime. This can notify managers for those in hourly shifts or positions that they need to better address overtime, or better manage their schedule. There can also be alerts that show when an employee has clocked in or out for the day.
- Improved bottom line: when you are using a modem platform, work hours are recorded in real time, which decreases opportunity for manual error. They can also cut down on time theft and things like buddy punching, which help improve your bottom line.
- Avoid tax, payroll and compliance issues: having a time and attendance platform that can help ensure that employees are being paid properly, and decrease any potential issues from a tax or compliance standpoint. Many benefits, such as vacation and overtime are tied to hours worked helps also ensure HR efficiency and compliance.
- Track projects and tasks: some platforms let users track hours for specific tasks or projects, which can be helpful for those that are looking to bill clients for specific tasks, specifically those in the corporate world - such as consultants and lawyers.
- Improve employee engagement and visibility: with time and attendance platforms, you can give your employees access to their schedules through an online profile or sometimes even a mobile app. Your staff should be able to check their own schedule, view the schedule of coworkers or view available PTO time. Many platforms also allow employees to submit time off requests, which will then route directly to a manager. This can empower employees to have control over their own schedule, and increase engagement with any platform.
- Better scheduling: managers can view, build and access employees schedules to ensure there is coverage across the board. With a time and attendance platform you can start to enforce your attendance policy, and log the hours that your staff works (whether they are hourly or salaried). With robust analytics and reporting, this also makes it easy to assign shifts and cut down on employee issues of absenteeism.
- Reporting and analytics are your fingertips: real-time reporting helps you review and monitor your staff attendance. You can have easy access to schedules, see who is in your office or on the floor, and know who is off. This is beneficial for those that are managing shift based schedules or creating future schedules.
General Advice For Buying the Best Time and Attendance Platforms
Here's our best general advice when it comes to buying time and attendance platforms:
- Best in class vs. all-in-one: there are many products out there - some that deliver only time tracking and employee attendance solutions, while others may provide an all-in-one solution that offers a full comprehensive HRIS suite. This should be taken into consideration prior to purchasing any solution (i.e. do you want a standalone time and attendance platform that can integrate with your Payroll or HRIS system, or are you looking for an all-in-one product that offers payroll, time and attendance). Depending on your preference, this may dictate your decision.
- Identify employee processes: prior to buying a Time and Attendance platform it’s helpful to have your processes clearly outlined. You should have a clear understanding on what the approval process is for time, how are employees keeping track of time, etc. If you know who is involved in the approval process, this will make it easier to identify a product that fits your needs.
- Think about compliance: there are many aspects of employee and employer law that come into play on an everyday basis. It’s good to look for a solution that can address some of these compliance needs (such as overtime alerts) to help prevent any unnecessary lawsuits.
Time and Attendance Software Pricing Models
Here are the different pricing models you can expect to see from various Time and Attendance Systems. Many companies have different pricing structures depending on what the product offers. We’ve broken out some of the various options below:
- Employees/User: Many companies charge on a monthly basis per user. For example, if you have 20 employees, you may pay a fee X employee X per month.
- By Month: Many platforms have a monthly pricing model which includes a general base fee, plus a cost per employee. Some companies may also offer a flat fee.
- Annually: There are some companies that bill on an annual basis for a subscription.
Pro Tip: Know which companies charge for integrations and those that don’t. For example, some companies may charge for a direct integration or an API with a payroll platform.
Pro Tip 2: Many Time and Attendance companies offer discounts as part of their pricing model.
Pro Tip 3: Most software companies will require at least a one-year contract, although some may offer month-to-month. Ask this up front, so you know what you are committing to.
Overall Cost
Time and Attendance systems can cost anywhere between $240 – $1,600 for a monthly subscription, depending on the number of employees and the product suite. This also varies off of the time tracking services, integrations, and any hardware associated.
Time and Attendance system can be very affordable with some of the basics.
What to budget:
Small companies can opt into a basic time tracking system for a small investment of $1000 or less. For companies with less than 25 employees, basic time clocks or a timekeeping platform can be implemented for around $500 to $750 (with implementation fees included). For more complex software and additional hardware, this could run from $2000 - $4000 for companies with around 25 to 150 employees.
Mid market - enterprise: For larger companies, they can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 - $100,000 depending on the customization and need. This depends on employee count and total location count. Implementation fees can cost anywhere from $300 - $500, with hardware costing an additional $500 to $1,000 that can be purchased or rented for a monthly fee.
Key Time & Attendance Features
There are many Time and Attendance systems out there, many which have basic features, while some offer more complex features that may cater to your business. The best platforms will have all of the bells and whistles that will make it a smooth transition for you and your employees.
The following capabilities are important features to look for when vetting various companies.
- Clocking in and out: This is a must have for time and attendance - employees must be able to track time, clock in, record breaks, and clock out when the workday is done. This can be done using either card readers, pins, or personalized employee numbers. Devices for clocking in and clocking out can be at a punch station (tablet), on a computer or a mobile device.
- Timesheets: any basic timekeeping software should have an electronic timesheets within the software that includes all time entries for the corresponding pay period. These can be found on a dashboard, or on an individual’s profile.
- Leave management: leave or time off management is a key aspect of time and attendance. There should be some standard level of time off tracking, such as having employees taking a half day, tracking sick time, or being able to add this onto timesheets.
- Time accruals: some time and attendance platforms will allow you to set up time off policies and automatically accrue work hours on employee profiles based on rules that are setup on the back end. This is important for employees to view how much time they have available and can take off for any associated vacation or sick time.
- Reporting: creating and maintaining records is key for any time and attendance platform, and key for any HR activities within an organization. There should be basic reports, such as a total number of hours, overtime, and time off for employees, as well as data exports to CSV and excel.
- Mobile/cloud based: a cloud based solution is key because it allows you and your staff to access your timekeeping platform anywhere. This often includes a browser integration, which means a device can be used to punch in without an app. Mobile and cloud support can help those that are remote time tracking and clocking hours.
- Employee profiles: employees should be able to login on their browser or the application in order to view time, clock in and out, view attendance records, and schedules. This also encourages employees to take ownership for their own schedules.
- Manager dashboard: most platforms offer some version of a dashboard that is accessible for managers to approve time or time recorded for the week or pay period. The dashboard may include employees that report to them, or those that are in their location. This often includes some search functionality for managers to view profiles, and check hours for those that report to them.
- Scheduling: having an option to schedule employee shifts is key for an efficient time and attendance tracking solution. This may include assigning employees shifts, or creating an electronic schedule that employees can view.
Nice-to-haves:
- Biometric attendance: this is great for those with a large workforce, and those that have clock in and clock out functionality. This helps reduce the risk of fraud by using employee fingerprints or a personal identification number to authenticate clock in and clock out.
- Alerts: most platforms will have automated alerts that inform recipients of missed punches, or those that are approaching overtime.
- Integrations w/ calendars: many platforms that have some type of scheduling functionality also offer integrations with google, outlook and more.
- Overtime tracking: many platforms have overtime settings, which is crucial for tracking hourly employees. These settings will allow you to set a work week for the corresponding overtime requirements, such as overtime for a 40 hour week, overtime on a daily basis.
- Payroll integration: some time and attendance platforms offer payroll within the platform, or offer the ability to integrate into an external payroll solution. There should be some level of an integration that will pull through directly into your payroll processing dashboard. This may cost extra, but will save lots of time and effort.
- Timeclock devices: some platforms offer tablets and devices to punch in and out of. For those that are looking for a punch station, these devices can oftentimes be installed by the company on site.
Questions To Ask Time and Attendance Vendors On Demos
Here are several questions we think every HR/Management team should should be asking vendors while on demos:
- Can you clock in and out on a tablet or mobile device?
- Do you need an installer to add?
- What types of internet browsers does this run on?
- Can you export data to payroll/HRIS?
- Can you export data and run reports?
- How does clocking and clocking out work? What data do employees need to have when clocking in and out (i.e. employee number)?
- Is payroll included?
- Do you have an open API?
- What types of reporting functionality do you have?
- Do you have different types of security permissions based on roles?
- How do you approve time?
- Can employees access via an App? Is there mobile functionality?
- Are there any workflows or alerts?
- What types of security do you have in your system?
- Are there additional costs and setup fees per location?
- Does your platform require that we install anything?
- Can any custom PTO policies be tracked or set up?
- Are PTO accruals automated?
- Can you track tips?
- Is there a timesheet dashboard to view hours?
- Does the system include daily, weekly, and seventh day overtime?
- Can the system handle hourly and salaried employees?
- Does the system include the reports you require?
- Does the system include public holidays?
- Can the system handle sick and vacation accruals?
- Can the Administrator add, edit, and delete employee time punches?
- Can employees view their own timecard?
- Can employees request time off from within the system?
- Can the system round employee time punches?
There are many different types of customization within various platforms. It’s important that you ask questions up front based on your needs. Make sure you find a software that meets your needs efficiently, whether you need something focused on time and attendance solely, or need a platform that includes this functionality, and additional HR tools.
Common Terms to Know:
Here are some common terms to know when looking for a Time and Attendance platform.
- Overtime Tracking: overtime tracking is a must for all time and attendance platforms, typically this allows you to track any hours outside of the standard overtime rules and regulations by state.
- Flexible Pay Periods: This allows you to customize pay periods start and end time (i.e. Monday - Sunday).
- 24 Hour Shift: For employees that are able to work time periods of longer than 24 hours without being required to clock in or out.
- Shift Swap Features: employees can switch shifts through a timekeeping platform (great for hourly employees).
- Badge Terminal Systems: when a system uses badges or cards for access in order to clock in and out.
- Alerts and notifications: this refers to notifications or alerts around policies, or reminders on when schedules have changed or it’s time to clock in and out (these may vary across each software platform).
- Managing permissions: this allows you to restrict and access various areas of the platform based on the role.
- Timecard: this displays the attendance for each employee, as well as the details on time clocked in and time clocked out.
- Geofencing: tracking employees’s location via GPS and only allowing them to clock in from a specific area
- Group clock-ins: the ability for multiple employees to punch in using one device
- Time clock kiosk or tablet: this is a designated tablet that acts as a time clock device for punching in and out.
- Hardware: refers to the electronic equipment you may need to get your time tracking system up and running, including clock-in devices like barcode or biometric scanners. This is not always necessary if you aren’t tracking hours of employees on site.
- Software: this includes all of the cloud based functionality for time and attendance, such as the ability to record, organize and store employee hours.
Buying considerations for Time and Attendance Platforms
As you look to begin buying a time and attendance system, you should be asking the following questions: 1) how many employees will you be tracking 2) how many locations will you need this for 3) do you have internet functionality at these locations? 4) what features do you absolutely need? 5) how are you currently collecting data for employee time? Do you use punch clocks, swipe cards, or biometric cards?
- Integration and ongoing maintenance: Do you have in-house IT staff or will you need complete support from the vendor? Though integration is largely a concern for PC-based systems only, there may be browser, mobile, or other configuration issues with a web-based system as well.
- Number of locations and employees: As noted above, you should know how many locations and employees you are going to need to be tracking time for. If you are going to need installation in several different locations, there may be additional integration or installation costs for each location.
- Growth and expansion: Is your company looking to grow or expand in the next couple of years? The platform you end up going should be one that allows you to expand and grow your business easily. Some may need to account for seasonal or temporary employees, which may require additional tracking needs. Many of these platforms have cost on a per employee basis, so you should understand or have a good idea of how many employees you will need to track or will you will require timekeeping needs for.
- Ease of use: it’s important to have a time and attendance platform that is intuitive and easy to use, so your employees can use it without any confusion. User experience should be an important part of the buying criteria.
- Cost: you will need to plan and estimate whether or not each software fits your budget. Most of these platforms are charged on a per employee per month basis, so if you are looking to grow or expand to many locations within the next year or two, this could impact your overall cost.
- Free trial or a freemium version: in order to see what is a good fit for you, you can try a free trial or look for those that offer one. Many offer a free trial for 10-15 days, allowing you to play around in the product without fully committing to a contract.
- Support and resources: when your entire staff will be using a software product, you know that things may and can go wrong. Choosing a software that has a good support team, and good resources on an ongoing basis should be a focus and part of the buying criteria.
Time and Attendance Software FAQs
What is time and attendance software?
Time and attendance software is designed to be a virtual punch card for your employees, where both employer and employees can keep track of hours worked.
Why should you use time and attendance software?
You should use a time and attendance software because it increases accuracy and efficiency, improves your bottom line, automates processes, avoids compliance issues, tracks projects and tasks, improves engagement, and provides reporting and analytics.
What features do time and attendance software provide?
Key features of time and attendance software include clocking in and out, timesheet creation, leave management, time accruals, reporting, mobile apps, employee profiles, manager dashboards and scheduling, alerts, and integration with calendars.
Upcoming Trends
There are many trends that are on the horizon, and are good to note when looking at a time and attendance software. Some significant trends are:
- Mobile devices: most companies do have a mobile app, which allows employees to clock in and out on a mobile device.
- Cloud based systems: these are becoming more and more commonplace for software companies. The benefit is that it allows employees to record and monitor time through devices they are already familiar with. It also allows for data to be captured and recorded in real time, with both managers and employees being able to make adjustments as needed.
About the Author
About Us

- Our goal at SSR is to help HR and recruiting teams to find and buy the right software for their needs.
- Our site is free to use as some vendors will pay us for web traffic.
- SSR lists all companies we feel are top vendors - not just those who pay us - in our comprehensive directories full of the advice needed to make the right purchase decision for your HR team.


















