Top 15 Time and Attendance Systems of 2025

1. Employee Data Tracking & Cross-Syncing between TCP & ADP - In addition to hours worked transmitting to ADP, other employee data such as names and title changes were also automatically updated.
2. Audit Reporting – Being a government entity, we were subject to surprise audits by the Department of Health. The ability to pull real-time employee data to cross-check with their records made the process much easier and served as a central database for employee information.
3. Accountability Tracking – Prior to using TCP, we relied on employee self-reported hours. The reporting features helped managers gather accurate information about employee tardiness and absenteeism.

When the agency was smaller, we didn’t have many employees. We purchased it because it integrated well with our payroll software, which was ADP at the time. However, as the agency began to grow, the need for more sophisticated software became apparent. That's when we decided to purchase the software that integrated seamlessly with our existing payroll system.

Prior to this, we were using paper timesheets that needed to be signed by the supervisor, calculated by the office staff, and then entered manually into ADP. We utilized this program for approximately five years, and it proved to be incredibly helpful in automating some of the more transactional tasks related to payroll. This saved us time and reduced the risk of mistakes, allowing our office staff to focus more on other important tasks, thereby increasing overall productivity and efficiency within the agency.

1. Therapists who travel to/from clients’ homes vs. working in the office sometimes forget to track their time using the mobile app. Also, tracking other time such as travel time and compensation for travel can be difficult using this system.
2. Organizations without dedicated IT support may struggle with the implementation from an administrator level. The time and resources needed for training on how to configure the system can be a challenge, especially for smaller businesses.
3. Mobile App Limitations – The desktop version is more robust than the mobile app. With most of the staff traveling to/from therapy sites, most use the mobile app, which can sometimes be challenging from an end-user perspective.

TimeClock Plus (TCP) is an excellent choice for smaller organizations due to its exclusive focus on time management and attendance. It's less complex than ADP Workforce Now, and its significantly lower cost makes it an attractive option, particularly for startups. Most importantly, when we compared the man-hours needed for manual entry against the cost of TCP, TCP's superior value was evident.

1. Cost - Consider the investment of manual entry and potential errors in timekeeping vs. the cost of TCP.
2. Remote/Off-Site User Adoption - As mentioned previously, a solid change-management program is needed to ensure users (especially those clocking in on the mobile device) are recording time accurately and timely.
3. System Configuration – The time and training required to configure and maintain the system can be costly and does require the administrator to be somewhat tech-savvy.

The implementation of a mobile app version was incredibly helpful for off-site therapists working in clients’ homes. While not a critical element for timekeeping, being able to add additional employee details was helpful, especially during Department of Health audits.

Small to mid-sized non-profit/government organizations, businesses that operate both in-person and remotely, and service-based models. TCPs are helpful for these types of businesses because of the low cost, compliance, and regulatory tracking, and for businesses that operate in multiple locations, including virtual employees.

Paylocity offers many pre-loaded reports, which were useful for targeting specific metrics. The interface is user-friendly and has many valuable features. Having the opportunity to participate in a demo with a representative to walk through Paylocity’s functionality was extremely helpful. Additionally, the function that automatically posts new vacancies to multiple job sites, like Indeed and Monster, was very convenient.

Our company switched to Paylocity after acquiring another franchise. The acquired company already used Paylocity, and it was part of the contract that we would keep and integrate it with our existing employees. I have used it for about two years. However, there were numerous issues on payday, with several instances where paychecks were deposited into the wrong accounts.

While customer support was promised to be excellent, it was often difficult to find solutions when problems arose. The demo of the software was impressive, and the sales team did a great job, which is understandable why people might choose it, but the ongoing functionality can become frustrating when the same mistakes occur repeatedly.

Customer service frequently experienced turnover, making it difficult to find knowledgeable support, which was frustrating. Often, I found that I knew more than the representatives assisting me. We also encountered several instances where an employee’s pay was deposited into the wrong account, which was a significant concern that needed prompt resolution. Lastly, the frequent misalignment of cost centers was a constant issue, taking up a considerable amount of time to correct.

Paylocity has a very user-friendly interface compared to other tools I’ve used. The ability to provide demo training for onboarding new corporate individuals from other brands was a great advantage. However, once our account manager left, it became challenging to bring new users up to speed.

Consider your organization’s specific needs and take detailed notes during demos. Paylocity offers many training advantages, but it’s essential to have clear expectations of what you need from the tool.

Before I left the company, there was talk of introducing a texting feature, which seemed like a valuable addition.

I would recommend Paylocity for larger organizations. It offers a wide range of features that can be useful for payroll, onboarding, recruiting, labor management, and more.

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.

1. User-friendly interface in both the app and the web-based platform
2. Easy to manage a high-volume of team members
3. Solved our problems of needing a centralized scheduling system for multiple locations and a reliable time-keeping app

I utilized when-i-work while employed with JAG Physical Therapy. I have 8 months' experience utilizing the system. It was purchased to be a schedule management system to schedule, track time and attendance, and communicate with our hourly employees. The pain points leading to purchase included a need for an all-access central scheduling system that can accommodate multiple site locations. The key benefits included the ability to keep track of time off, employee availability, and manage shift swaps with a few clicks.

1. The chat feature is clunky. We chose to utilized WhatsApp instead for security purposes
2. Difficulty with integration into ADP payroll system
3. Various aspects of the clock in/clock out logistics, with GPS tracking. This led to extra work when people forgot to clock in or out and had to manually enter

I preferred When-I-Work's App vs Deputy, however preferred the web-based interface of Deputy. It was easier to find settings for changes, easier to copy and duplicate shifts in a series with customization.

1. Cost - When-I-Work is an affordable choice for what you get
2. Other systems in your workplace - check for the ability to integrate
3. Comparison of chat features vs other options - have to find what works best for you. Would be better if when-i-work was encrypted.

It became more user-friendly over the 8 months I utilized the app. The customer service team was helpful in solving challenges that arose.

Any multi-location entity

I appreciated the option to contact a customer service representative for any payroll-related questions. I liked that payroll could be entered online or submitted over the phone. I also valued the flexibility to add additional HR services, such as recruitment, retention, or benefits, if needed.

A previous organization I worked for purchased Paychex to administer payroll. We did not have an existing payroll system and needed a reliable solution to process payroll for 25-30 employees. Additionally, we required the ability to send tax documents and receive tax advice from experts.

Since no one within the company was a payroll expert, access to payroll professionals was essential. We only used Paychex for payroll services and did not require any additional HR functions.

Paychex customer service can be inconsistent; sometimes, I had to call multiple times to get a knowledgeable representative. I found it inconvenient that payroll submissions over the phone had to be done within a specific timeframe, requiring me to adjust my schedule. I also wish there were more self-service training options for employees, as I often felt responsible for training them on the platform.

I have not used other tools as standalone payroll solutions. I like that Paychex offers flexible plan customization based on the services you need. Other providers tend to push full-suite HR packages, whereas Paychex allows businesses to choose only what they require.

I recommend that the payroll administrator has prior payroll experience to ensure they ask the right questions when processing payroll and can assist employees with any issues. It is also important to check if existing HR tools offer payroll integration, as managing multiple platforms can be cumbersome.

While Paychex is a great solution, integrating payroll with other HR systems may be more efficient. If a company needs multiple HR solutions, Paychex can be a cost-effective option for bundling services.

Paychex has expanded its offerings to include additional HR services, supporting a full-suite HR platform.

Paychex is ideal for businesses that want a customizable HR platform, whether they need only payroll services or multiple HR solutions. It is also a cost-effective choice for small businesses that need payroll processing without investing in a full HR system.

It is very comprehensive, providing everything I need, which eliminates the need to connect multiple different platforms. Also, the site is clean, and it runs smoothly and quickly.

We use Rippling for a variety of functions including employee offer documents, onboarding, payroll, PTO, expense reimbursements, and benefits. Without it, we would need to hire several different people, which isn't feasible as we are a smaller company. It makes sense for us to use Rippling instead of hiring a large number of support staff.

There's nothing I really dislike about it; I feel like it gets everything I need done without any headaches.

With one of the companies I used in the past, it felt like I still needed many other tools and platforms to connect to it, whereas Rippling seems to have everything integrated already.

I think it depends on the cost-benefit for you. For us, as a small company, it makes sense to use Rippling rather than multiple different platforms and people. However, for a larger company, it might be more cost-effective to manage these processes in-house.

I haven't noticed any changes myself.

I think it's best for small to mid-size organizations that would benefit from having everything in one place with one provider.

UKG is fairly user-friendly once you get used to the system. The recruiting module feeds into the onboarding, making hiring candidates simple. The community boards in UKG Community are very helpful when you're looking for tips and tricks on how to do something.

Our organization was looking for an HRIS as we were currently only using Ceridian for payroll. We purchased the UKG software about seven years ago. We were sold on the capabilities that were described to us during their sales pitch. The main objective was to streamline our HR processes and integrate various functions like recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and learning into one platform. Since implementing UKG, we have improved our HR efficiency and overall employee management.

Since it's a SAAS system, there is very limited customization despite what their sales team says. For example, we don't like to use the term "review," and their sales team said we could change that to "coaching," but we actually can't.

In the recruiting module, once a requisition is approved, you can't change the job title. For example, if we decided to upgrade an assistant manager role to a manager, we would need to put in a whole new requisition or change it on the back end once the employee is hired.

Time and Attendance can be a challenge depending on how you run your payroll. We've run into problems with showing the correct amount of PTO for our weekly payroll employees.

I've used SilkRoad for recruiting in previous organizations, and I definitely prefer that to the recruiting module in UKG. UKG doesn't let you save your view preferences, so every time you log in to look at jobs, you see everyone's jobs and not just yours.

Organizations need to think about how much customization they really need. If it's minimal, then UKG would be a good option. You should also consider your end user—tech-savvy employees will have little issues learning and navigating the system, while those who aren't as tech-savvy may struggle.

Yes, UKG makes updates based on customer feedback. For example, there used to be no option for new candidates to "sign and accept" their offer letter. Now there is.

UKG is good for a mid-size organization.

Clockify is very easy to use, can be downloaded on any computer and allows me to track time per task or project. It is also very easy to share hours with HR for salary processing.

I have been using Clockify for around two years. We initially started using the software as a 100% remote agency that needed a way to track time and facilitate payments. Clockify is easy to use and solves this problem.

There is nothing in particular that I dislike about Clockify.

I find that Clockify is cheaper and easier to use than its competitors. Others make it hard to track time and are not very user-friendly. The only thing that Clockify lacks is automatic screenshots and tracking of mouse movements.

The most important criteria to think about are price and ease of use. You also need to think about whether having screenshots and tracking of mouse movement is important for your company.

As far as I know, Clockify has remained the same for the two years I have been using it.

Clockify is ideal for remote teams, independent consultants and freelancers.

There are several things that I like about this tool. Here are three main reasons:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3.  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.

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

• The platform syncs seamlessly with payroll, streamlining the payment process.
• Employees appreciate the app’s scheduling features and real-time PTO tracking.
• Contractors value the ability to anticipate their earnings using the app.

I was hired to manage payroll for an organization that has been using QuickBooks Time for two years. I personally joined this project six months ago. QuickBooks Time provided a unified solution for tracking employee hours and integrating accounting and payroll within one system. It simplified the process of clocking in and out for employees, who could use either an app or kiosks set up at various locations.

After adopting QuickBooks Time, the organization experienced fewer issues with employees forgetting to clock out, which had been problematic for compliance with salaried employees required to track hours.

• The pricing can be high, especially for smaller organizations or startups.
• Some smaller organizations I’ve worked with found alternatives that offered basic time tracking at a lower cost.
• While QuickBooks Time integrates well with QuickBooks Online, it may not be as practical for businesses with simpler needs or fewer employees.

QuickBooks Time stands out because of its integration with QuickBooks, which is widely used and familiar to many payroll administrators. This integration simplifies workflows and reduces the learning curve for those with QuickBooks experience.

Consider factors like pricing, the size of your workforce, and the number of locations you manage. QuickBooks Time offers features that are particularly beneficial for larger organizations or those with a mix of hourly and salaried employees.

In my six months of experience, I’ve found the customer support team responsive and helpful, providing phone assistance and screen-sharing sessions to address questions. Their video library of tutorials on core functions and features has also been instrumental in learning and adapting to new workflows.

QuickBooks Time is ideal for larger organizations with multiple locations or businesses seeking to analyze labor costs across projects. Its robust features make it a strong investment for businesses with more complex staffing and payroll needs.