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Top Time and Attendance Software

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.

Phil Strazzulla
Written by
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast
Contributing Experts
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Last Updated: Sep 16, 2025
TOP
Employee time and attendance tracking software for office-based teams
Workable
4.3
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Employee time and attendance tracking software for office-based teams
Workable
4.3
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Time tracking and workforce scheduling for US-based SMBs
TCP
4.1
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Time tracking and workforce scheduling for US-based SMBs
TCP
4.1
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Time tracking, engagement, and recognition in one app
Connecteam
4.5
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Time tracking, engagement, and recognition in one app
Connecteam
4.5
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for distributed teams
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for distributed teams
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Flat rate for unlimited virtual job fairs per license
Premier Virtual
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Flat rate for unlimited virtual job fairs per license
Premier Virtual
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Learn More

Top Time and Attendance Software

CalamariFlexible time and attendance tracking for growing, distributed teams
ParimReal-time time tracking for shift-based teams and event-driven operations
DeelTop attendance and payroll system for global, distributed companies
PaychexCost-effective payroll and attendance monitoring system
RipplingHighly configured tool, best for automated workflows
BambooHREasy-to-use HRIS with time and attendance tracking
UKGEnterprise-ready workforce management platform
nettime solutionsBest attendance system for managing offsite workers
ClockifyTime clock and attendance software for project-based teams
ZoomShiftTime and attendance management system designed for hourly workers
QuickBooks TimeTime and attendance tracking software for mobile workforce

Paylocity

: Attendance and payroll management system for US mid-market

Buddy Punch

: Time and attendance solution with advanced tracking features

When I Work

: Top time and attendance solution for shift-based and hourly workers

TOP
Employee time and attendance tracking software for office-based teams
Workable
4.3
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Employee time and attendance tracking software for office-based teams
Workable
4.3
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Time tracking and workforce scheduling for US-based SMBs
TCP
4.1
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Time tracking and workforce scheduling for US-based SMBs
TCP
4.1
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Time tracking, engagement, and recognition in one app
Connecteam
4.5
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Time tracking, engagement, and recognition in one app
Connecteam
4.5
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Introduction to Time and Attendance Systems

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.

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Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Top Time and Attendance Software

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.

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Compare the Top Time and Attendance Software

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score
4.3
HR teams at SMBs
Frequently updated with new features
Starts at 99/mo
Get pricing info
Yes
30,000+ companies
4.5
4.5
4.1
US-based small and midsize companies
Flexible solution for timekeeping and compliance
Undisclosed
Get pricing info
Yes
18,000+ companies
4.2
4.0
4.5
Deskless teams
Robust GPS clock-in and shift scheduling
Starts at $0/mo
Get pricing info
Yes
36,000+ companies
4.6
4.6
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

Need Help? Get Custom Recommendations for Top Time and Attendance Software

Talk to An Advisor

Detailed Reviews of the Best Time and Attendance Systems

Workable

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Workable
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked 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.

Workable Review

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.

Workable time tracking tool dashboard screenshot

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.

Workable Customers

30,000+ companies, including The Telegraph, Ogilvy, and Eurobank.

Workable Pricing

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.

How has Workable Changed Over Time?

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.

Workable in action
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TCP

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TCP
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked 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

Our reviewer took screenshot of TimeClock Plus Time & Attendance Software during the demo

TCP Review

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 time and attendance software screenshot

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.

TCP Customers

18,000+ companies, including Marriott, the University of Georgia, Texas Tech, and Kaiser Permanente.

TCP Pricing

TCP pricing starts at $4 per employee per month. A free trial is available post-demo.

How has TCP Changed Over Time?

Best For

US-based SMBs, especially those in healthcare, government, and education.

TCP in action
Reviewer's Rating
6/10

As an agency that employed independent contractors, salaried, and hourly employees, we used it to minimize the risk of incorrectly calculating hours using paper timesheets and Excel. The integration with ADP was very valuable. Instead of having to manually transfer the data from TimeClock Plus (TCP) to ADP, it saved the payroll manager and office admins significant time.

Before using it, we had several instances per pay period of human error (e.g., miscalculating hours, staff not recording their hours in a timely manner, misrepresenting hours worked), which were minimized significantly upon implementing TCP. Furthermore, when the Department of Health conducted the annual audit, it was far easier to produce accurate reporting than before implementing TCP.

What do you like about this tool?
  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.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

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.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  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.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

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.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
  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.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

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.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

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.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Service-based, smaller businesses, particularly those providing offsite services or therapies (such as habilitation and speech therapy), are ideal, especially for those with a small budget.

Connecteam

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Connecteam
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Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.6 / 5

Why we picked 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.
  1. One of the only fully-mobile HR tech tools for deskless workers
  2. Very adequately-priced for all it entails, SMB-friendly
  3. Quite open to feedback, having implemented user suggestions as features in the past.

CONS

  • Limited payroll integration options.
  • No phone support.
  1. In the communication hub, the app offers no confirmation that messages were sent and/or seen. 
  2. Certain features that some teams consider essential, such as GPS-tracking, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.
Connecteam time and attendance tool screenshot

Connecteam Review

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.

Connecteam Customers

36,000+ organizations, including Edible, Mango, and Subway.

Connecteam Pricing

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).

How has Connecteam Changed Over Time?

Best For

Great for multi-branch businesses that need to track employee time and attendance.

Connecteam in action
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Paylocity

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Paylocity
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked 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 Review

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 Customers

Paylocity is used by over 40,000 companies. Some notable names include Momentus, Watters, and Weigel’s.

Paylocity Pricing

Pricing is custom and depends on company needs.

How has Paylocity Changed Over Time?

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. 

Paylocity in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

I primarily used Paylocity for recruiting, onboarding, and performance management. I used it to edit and post jobs and job descriptions, review applications, and manage candidates. I used onboarding to launch hiring workflows, administer hiring documents, and utilize E-Verify. I used the performance management module to build and administer annual performance reviews. Additionally, I occasionally used the feature to maintain employee performance and misconduct documentation.

What do you like about this tool?

I loved how simple it was to learn and use Paylocity. It was also easy to navigate and figure things out if I didn't know something. The second thing I liked was the variety of modules—it was easy to quickly access them based on the employee issue or task. Lastly, I loved how the modules essentially "talked to each other." For example, once hired, a candidate automatically moved from the recruiting module to the onboarding module.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I believe my former organization purchased Paylocity to scale their employment growth as they added employees quickly. They were also looking for a user-friendly HRIS while managing costs. I used Paylocity for nearly two years and really enjoyed it. It was very easy to learn. I used each module as it pertained to various aspects of the employee lifecycle.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Paylocity lacked automation in some areas. I think there were opportunities to improve certain workflows. It also lacked some customization features. Finally, Paylocity's customer service was not the best. I remember we had to upload benefits information, and they were neither quick nor efficient in resolving our issue.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I think Paylocity is one of the easiest HRIS platforms to use and learn compared to others. I like that it holds a lot of data and serves as a one-stop shop for all HR functions. The self-service side for employees is also very user-friendly.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

I think company size is probably the most critical factor aside from cost. Small or extremely large organizations may not benefit from Paylocity as much as from other options like Dayforce or UKG.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I'm not sure about the evolution of Paylocity, but I think it does a good job of keeping up with companies' HR needs.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

I would say mid-sized, professional companies. Paylocity could also be good for industrial, manufacturing, or trade companies from an employee-user standpoint.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

As mentioned earlier, very small or very large organizations (in terms of employee size). I'm not sure if Paylocity’s data capabilities would be sufficient for a large employee population, and the cost/benefit may not be ideal for smaller companies.

Buddy Punch

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Buddy Punch
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked 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

BuddyPunch dashboard screenshot - one of the best Time and Attendance Software

Buddy Punch Review

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.

Buddy Punch Customers

The University of Michigan, The YMCA, Manpower Group, StateFarm

Buddy Punch Pricing

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

How has Buddy Punch Changed Over Time?

Best For

Buddy Punch can be used by companies of all sizes.

Buddy Punch in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use Buddy Punch daily. One of the most important tools we use is the Time Clock software for tracking time efficiently. We also use the scheduling workflow and tool daily. We use the payroll integration functionality to seamlessly send pay data to the payroll team, saving us time. Additionally, we use the built-in calendar to track holidays rather than doing it externally.

What do you like about this tool?
  1. Buddy Punch has a very intuitive user interface.
  2. It is a complete tool with time tracking, scheduling, and leave tracking, and it has great payroll integration, allowing us to retire other inefficient, legacy, and more manual processes.
  3. It offers good pricing and is value for money, considering the functionality you receive in return.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We were using a timesheet system already. It was a free, open-source system, but as we grew and our needs became more complex, the system could not keep up. The reporting was not good enough, and it didn't have enough automation. It also lacked employee location-based time tracking, which was becoming essential now that our employees were going remote. Buddy Punch provided greater automation, more self-service, and location-based time tracking. I have used it for about 18 months.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. There wasn't an option for phone support. Online chat is good for simple problems but not as effective for more complicated issues. Typing takes a long time, so a phone support option would be helpful.
  2. If you make an error when punching in or out, it is not easy to go back and fix it.
  3. The software can be a little slow and glitchy at times.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

It offers great value for money. You get a lot of features for the price. I found the chat and email support fast and responsive, better than others, though I would still prefer the option of phone support. The scheduling tool and geofencing apps are the best available for a time-tracking tool.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Geofencing is becoming essential if you have a remote or field team.

Feature-rich time clock and scheduling functionality is crucial, especially in this hybrid and remote working world where people work flexibly. Collaboration is key.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

The geofencing functionality has become more robust and easy to use. The scheduling tool has also gradually increased its functionality.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Organizations with field and remote workers can benefit from Buddy Punch.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Buddy Punch might be overkill for an organization with under 10 staff who all work in the same office five days a week.

When I Work

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When I Work
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked 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 - one of the best Time and Attendance System

When I Work Review

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.

When I Work Customers

Ben and Jerry’s, Harvard University, CVS Pharmacy, Verizon, Taco John’s.

When I Work Pricing

  • 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.

How has When I Work Changed Over Time?

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.

When I Work in action
Reviewer's Rating
6/10

I utilized it for 8 months. The primary function was schedule management - utilizing the platform to keep track of work schedules and shifts available to pick up. Additionally we utilized it for timekeeping purposes, generating reports from the system to pay 10-99 employees. The chat function was used, however sparingly due to preferred other platforms for this. We had users at multiple access levels, with leaders managing the schedules and reports.

What do you like about this tool?
  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
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

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.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  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
How is this tool different than their competitors?

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.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
  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.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

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

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Any multi-location entity

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I cannot think of a situation where it wouldn't be helpful for tracking schedules and time cards.

Calamari

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Calamari
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked 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.

Calamari Review

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 time and attendance platform

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.

Calamari Customers

130,000+ users, including BRAND24, UNICEF, Sonar, and Netguru.

Calamari Pricing

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).

How has Calamari Changed Over Time?

Best For

Calamari is best for small to mid-sized teams with hybrid or fully distributed workforces that need flexible time and attendance tracking.

Calamari in action
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Parim

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Parim
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.1 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked 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 Review

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.

Parim time and attendance platform

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.

Parim Customers

200+ companies, including Chelsea FC, Interim Healthcare, Glastonbury Festival, HAP Solutions, and CH&Co.

Parim Pricing

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.

How has Parim Changed Over Time?

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.

Parim in action
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Deel

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Deel
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Popularity Score
4.4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked Deel

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.
  • Deel HR is free for companies of all sizes.
  • 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 Review

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 Customers

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.

Deel Pricing

How has Deel Changed Over Time?

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 in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used Deel as a payment processor for our international employees. The system is customizable to pay contractors on a weekly, bi-weekly or semi-monthly basis. We were able to pay some contractors weekly, and another group semi-monthly. The system also allows for you to submit payments on behalf of the contractor or out of their usual payroll cycle in an off-cycle payroll. Reimbursements could be paid out by the use of the off-cycle payroll. They could be paid immediately after approval by the admin or included in the next payroll cycle run.

What do you like about this tool?

I liked the customization of contracts. I liked that our contractors could manage their funds after they were available. It was very easy to get help and a solution through their chat feature or by phone with a representative.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We were in search of an international HRIS tool to employ our international contractors and full employees temporarily. We chose Deel due to the ease of onboarding, customization, and 0 dollar up front cost to onboard our international contractors. We used the platform on a weekly basis to onboard and pay our contractors for 6 months. I especially liked that once a contract ended we could still pay out hours via an off-cycle payroll. This was helpful if a contractor missed a timesheet submission deadline. Another benefit to the platform that our contractors favored was the ability to withdraw their funds in their currency of choice; or split payments into various currencies. Once timesheets were approved and processed from an administrative perspective, funds were available, in most cases within 24hrs to the contractors Deel account.

What do you dislike about this tool?

As we were considering hiring international employees we could only do so by paying upfront cost before onboarding them, this was not ideal for us. I did not like that I couldn't set a semi-monthly rate for a few of our contractors. Onboarding manager wasn't easy to reach for quick questions when onboarding contractors.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

The management fees were lower and contractors had more control over their funds.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

If you are hiring contractors or employees and how many. Have a solid understanding of what countries they are located in, as this affects the management fee. Also, management fees are paid each payroll, which could get costly, so be sure the contractor or employee is aware of their pay schedule.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

We only used this tool for about 6 months and did not see any significant changes during that time.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Remote first companies with employees or contractors across the world.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

None

Paychex

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Paychex
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked 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 dashboard screenshot - one of the best Time and Attendance Software with Payroll

Paychex Review

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.

Paychex Customers

ESET, Funnelbox Inc., Smile Cafe, H.Y.P.E. Counseling Services, ASG, Pet Partners.

Paychex Pricing

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.

How has Paychex Changed Over Time?

Best For

Companies of all sizes looking for an all-in-one solution for payroll, time and attendance, benefits, and more.

Paychex in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

We used Paychex for HR, payroll, and timekeeping. It helped automate payroll processing, including direct deposit and tax filings, on a scheduled basis. Paychex served as a solid timecard solution, supporting scheduling, labor cost tracking, and time entry.

It was also useful for managing HR tasks such as onboarding and benefits. Overall, it helped consolidate multiple workflows into a single platform.

What do you like about this tool?

Paychex offers customizable solutions to fit specific business needs. The time entry system helped reduce time theft and manual entry errors. Automation of payroll and HR processes improved accuracy and efficiency.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We used Paychex for HR, payroll, and timekeeping needs. I used Paychex for over a year. We needed a solution that could manage payroll and timekeeping efficiently. We wanted to automate payroll processing on a set schedule, including direct deposit and tax filing services.

Paychex provided a reliable timecard system that handled schedules, labor costs, and time entry. It was also effective for HR functions and onboarding, including benefits management.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Paychex customer service was poor. It was difficult to get answers to questions or resolve system errors. Response times were slow, and customer service often transferred inquiries between multiple people or departments. Occasionally, payroll was delayed due to system glitches.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Paychex emphasizes compliance and positions itself as an all-in-one solution for payroll and HR. I prefer ADP and Criterion over Paychex due to better customer service and fewer payroll issues with those platforms.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Paychex is a good option for small to mid-sized businesses. Consider the complexity of your payroll needs, including multiple pay types and industry-specific requirements. For organizations with more complex payroll scenarios, Paychex may not be the best fit.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Paychex has added a recruitment tool, though it is not yet a robust solution. The platform is evolving toward becoming a full HCM system, similar to Criterion, but still focuses heavily on tax services.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Paychex is well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses that have straightforward payroll requirements.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Paychex may not be suitable for large corporations or organizations with complex payroll needs.

Rippling

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Rippling
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked 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
Rippling time and attendance software dashboard

Rippling Review

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.

Rippling Customers

16,000+ companies, including Dwell, Superhuman, and Expensify.

Rippling Pricing

Rippling offers quote-based pricing, with a starting cost of $8 per month for each user.

How has Rippling Changed Over Time?

Best For

Companies who prioritize automation and customization in their time and attendance software.

Rippling in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

I used the tool for managing workflows, onboarding, I-9 forms, and offer letters by refining existing processes to enhance usability. I gathered user feedback and identified pain points from our employees, focusing on streamlining workflows and making them more intuitive. I also looked into using engagement surveys with Rippling. Through iterative improvements and testing in controlled environments, I created smoother processes that supported efficient task completion. I documented best practices and provided training to ensure users could navigate the tool effectively and maximize its benefits.

What do you like about this tool?

Regarding Rippling, I appreciated its all-in-one capabilities. Another aspect I appreciated was their continuous development of new features. It also provides excellent compliance and management tools. The system's integration with other HR and IT tools is helpful for centralized management.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I assisted with implementing Rippling at the company where it was utilized and had signed on prior to my joining. Initially, they integrated it for approximately 3-6 months, followed by another 9 months, and continue to use it. Their objective was to streamline processes related to onboarding, HR, Carta, and IT solutions. My role involved configuring workflows, email reminders, setting up the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), and implementing Carta. Despite using it effectively for six months at Replit, they aimed for a more efficient onboarding experience but ultimately did not utilize Rippling as extensively as anticipated.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It was quite complex, requiring significant learning effort. The system was not as intuitive as expected, and even the representatives lacked comprehensive knowledge to ensure seamless integration. Rippling demanded considerable time for proficiency, and its compatibility with other systems was limited. Not all data was easily downloadable. If their team responded faster, it would improve the platform. Some workflows were clunky, and many features required explanation over calls, extending the time needed for implementation.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Rippling remains a strong choice for HRIS due to its comprehensive all-in-one functionality. Having multiple HR personnel benefits from its consolidated system, although updating information on one page may necessitate adjustments across other workflows, requiring careful attention. It also has the potential to add benefits and payroll, which are good options if required.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Factors to consider include the investment in financial resources, time from HR representatives, and overall resources dedicated to the software's success. It is crucial to have someone overseeing the broader strategic view and a team to manage the system comprehensively, including regular audits. Consider the level of customization and integration needed and ensure the tool aligns with your company's scale and complexity.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I believe their services are improving, but they need to respond more quickly and avoid giving basic customer service answers. They should show more curiosity about their customers' needs. Building features faster would also be beneficial.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Rippling is a good fit for medium to large enterprises.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Rippling might not be ideal for small companies still figuring out their needs due to its extensive features, which could be overwhelming and unnecessary at their scale. Smaller businesses may find the cost of Rippling prohibitive when simpler, more affordable solutions would suffice. On the other hand, very large companies might outgrow Rippling's capabilities and require more robust, enterprise-level solutions like Workday. As organizations scale, they often need faster response times, more advanced customization, and comprehensive integration options that Rippling may not fully provide.

BambooHR

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BambooHR
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Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked 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.
Our reviewer took screenshot of BambooHR Cloud-Based Time and Attendance System during the demo

BambooHR Review

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.

BambooHR Customers

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.

BambooHR Pricing

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.

How has BambooHR Changed Over Time?

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.

BambooHR in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

BambooHR is an essential part of our workflow at the office. We use BambooHR on a daily basis for reducing manual paperwork and quickly tracking employee information. BambooHR helps to ensure that our manager and team members are up-to-date on records such as shift changes, vacation requests, and job roles. This helps make hiring and onboarding new employees easy, fast, and efficient. BambooHR also allows us to easily track employee performance reviews and keep tabs on employee attendance. Its comprehensive search capabilities enable us to quickly find important documents when needed. BambooHR has been an invaluable tool for improving overall workplace organization and productivity, helping us run our business with fewer manual processes efficiently and effectively.

What do you like about this tool?
  1. BambooHR is an incredibly user-friendly HR platform that has made it easier than ever to manage employee data.
  2. it makes onboarding new employees a breeze, allowing us to quickly and accurately collect important documents with just a few clicks.
  3. The powerful analytics BambooHR provides are also great for keeping tabs on performance, compensation, and attendance.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We chose BambooHR as our Human Resources software because of its expansive, easy-to-use capabilities. We wanted to automate HR processes and initially used Zoho but we found a problem integrating Zoho to meet our expectations since Zoho requires knowledge of IT. BambooHR allows us to easily manage employee timesheets, track new hire onboarding processes, create interactive checklists, and track performance goals with ease. We have been using BambooHR for almost two years now and have seen a great ROI. BambooHR has moved our HR processes into the 21st century and enabled us to make changes quickly while keeping track of valuable data that would have taken us significantly longer to include manually.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. BambooHR does not offer a significant number of options when it comes to customizing your dashboard or user profiles.
  2. BambooHR lacks many advanced reporting features.
  3. BambooHR does not currently offer the ability to track vacation hours for individual employees.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Its strong suite of features make it stand out from similar tools. BambooHR simplifies the onboarding process by helping to manage employee data, providing an effective way to track hours and attendance, or designing custom workflows for tasks like vacation requests. What I particularly appreciate about BambooHR is its ability to create employee reports that are fast, intuitive, and easy to use. BambooHR also integrates seamlessly with other software such as payroll, benefits management, and mailing services. Overall in comparison to other HR tools available today, BambooHR stands above many of them. Its intuitive design and robust functionality make it my preferred choice for managing my HR processes; it gives me everything I need in one place without any hassle.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When considering BambooHR as the right software solution for your business, there are several key criteria to consider. Thoughtful evaluation of factors such as cost and implementation time frame should be taken into account to make BambooHR fits into your business plans and operations. Additionally, it’s important to understand BambooHR's functionality and its capacity for automation to guarantee you’re getting the most out of the software in terms of streamlining tasks and increasing efficiency.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

By consistently listening to customer feedback, BambooHR continues to evolve and grow along with its users' needs. BambooHR now provides software solutions that allow companies to streamline their mundane, yet essential HR processes like record-keeping, onboarding, and more. BambooHR has also added more robust analytics and reporting functionality to offer real-time visibility into human capital metrics.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

BambooHR is an incredibly valuable tool for businesses of all sizes looking to streamline their HR processes. It makes it simple to store employee information, set access permissions, and track important past and present data. From small independent businesses just getting started with their HR needs, to large organizations that have much more complicated paperwork requirements. because the software offers a high range of features and prices that can fit any type of business.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

BambooHR may not be suitable for certain users and organizations due to its specialization in Human Resources. BambooHR’s core focus is streamlining the payroll, hiring, performance reviews, and goals-tracking processes for medium-sized businesses. As such, BambooHR may not be the ideal choice for companies that prioritize a large range of features outside of conventional HR setup or are unwilling to invest time into learning the platform’s unique services. BambooHR also does not have an international presence, so global organizations looking for a comprehensive HR system may need to look elsewhere.

UKG

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UKG
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked UKG

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.
UKG Time & Attendance System screenshot

UKG Review

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.

UKG Customers

Tesla, Marriott, Yamaha, Aramark, Puma, Sony Music, Samsung.

UKG Pricing

  • 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.

How has UKG Changed Over Time?

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.

UKG in action
Reviewer's Rating
3/10

I personally use the tool every day. The main thing I use the tool for is pulling reports about employee information. I use these reports to provide talent metrics to our executive leadership team. I also use the tool daily to review the org chart. This assists in integrating employees into other programs we use, like Officevibe and Linkedin Learning, which UKG does not directly integrate into. One other workflow we use UKG for is assigning HR tasks. You can create custom tasks, so we use it to keep track of tasks that are not related to UKG, like removing people from other programs when they are offboarded.

What do you like about this tool?

Honestly, I do not like UKG, but these are 3 pros:

  1. The org chart is nice to be able to see who each person reports to (although only HR is able to see it)
  2. The HR checklist tasks are useful to keep track of tasks.
  3. The ability to filter reports before exporting is useful.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization bought UKG to replace our old HRIS. We previously were with BambooHR but moved to UKG so that we could move payroll internally. We have been using the tool for one year. This tool provides the bare minimum needed for an HRIS as we have the basic version. We have used the tool for one year, but we are already looking for a new HRIS to move to because we have had a very bad experience with both the tool and customer support. I personally use the tool daily to run reports and review the organization chart.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. Pulling reports is so complicated. It is not streamlined at all.
  2.  When conducting payroll, we get LOTS of error flags that we have to go through (and by LOTS I mean 75-100)
  3. The org chart is only accessible by the HR dept.
  4. It is just not user-friendly. I often have to hold the hands of our employees to show them how to submit a PTO request, change their personal info, etc.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

This tool is much worse than similar tools in my opinion. The reason we switched was so that we could have an internal payroll solution, but after just 1 year we are already looking for a different tool.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The first criteria people should consider is whether the tool meets all of their requirements. That is the reason we switched to UKG because our old system did not meet our new requirements. Next, people should consider whether it has add-ons that support their business. We are looking for a system that has a built-in performance management solution, as well as L&D functions.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

No. The customer support has not been helpful to us.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Small companies that want to do internal payroll but do not need all of the bells and whistles (and who do not mind spending a lot of time on payroll and pulling reports). I do not recommend the tool.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Most organizations. Any org that wants additional tools beyond the bare minimum. Any org that is big enough to need an org chart. We are at 250 and it is already an inefficient tool for us.

nettime solutions

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nettime solutions
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
3.8 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked 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

Our reviewer took screenshot of nettime solutions Time and Attendance Management System during the demo

nettime solutions Review

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.

nettime solutions Customers

University of Pennsylvania, HomeExchange.com, Bossier Parish Library.

nettime solutions Pricing

The pricing of nettime solutions’ plans and services isn’t listed on their website. Contact their sales team for a price quote.

How has nettime solutions Changed Over Time?

Best For

Companies looking for a time and attendance software with compensatory time tracking and geofencing capabilities.

nettime solutions in action
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Clockify

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Clockify
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked 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.
Our reviewer took screenshot of Clockify Time and Attendance System during the demo

Clockify Review

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.

Clockify Customers

Atlassian, Google, Amazon, HP, Cisco, IBM, American Express.

Clockify Pricing

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.

How has Clockify Changed Over Time?

Best For

Companies of all sizes as well as individuals looking for an easy-to-use, affordable and multi-access time tracking solution.

Clockify in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I have Clockify Desktop App installed on my PC. I use it on a daily basis when I start working. It has a button for an on and off-time for the time tracker and a description to write what I am working on.

What do you like about this tool?

It is a good tool to keep track of working hours. I like Clockify because it takes no screenshots. It only tracks time and allows me to add manual time as well if I forget to start my timer.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The company I work for uses Clockify to keep track of employees' working hours. We use it to note down when employees start working and when they log out. My organization bought it 3 years ago to solve the issue of time tracking and noting, and I have been using the tool since 2021.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. No screenshots: This feature can be added to capture screenshots.
  2. Can edit tracked time: It allows you to add manual time and change it. To make it more efficient this feature should be disabled.
  3. Team members can check each other's tracked time: This feature should be private for each user.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

It's different from competitors in a way that it allows to add manual time and the ability to capture no screenshots.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

It's a free tool and easy to use. Startups can easily buy this tool for their team and ask them to track time and activities. When buying this type of tool, people should think about its cost-effectiveness.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

It has given the flexibility to users to add manual time without any screenshots.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Many companies, but particularly remote teams can benefit the most from this tool.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I am not sure.

ZoomShift

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ZoomShift
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked 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
Our reviewer took screenshot of ZoomShift Time and Attendance Software Company during the demo

ZoomShift Review

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.

ZoomShift Customers

Ace Hardware, Amazon, Holiday Inn, Walgreens, ClearWater Outdoor.

ZoomShift Pricing

  • 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.

How has ZoomShift Changed Over Time?

Best For

Companies across different industries looking to track and manage their employee’s working hours, attendance, as well as shifts.

ZoomShift in action
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QuickBooks Time

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QuickBooks Time
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked 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.
QuickBooks Time dashboard screenshot - one of the best software for time and attendance

QuickBooks Time Review

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.

QuickBooks Time Customers

QuickBooks Time Pricing

  • 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.

How has QuickBooks Time Changed Over Time?

Best For

Any company looking for a robust time and attendance tracking solution.

QuickBooks Time in action
Reviewer's Rating
4/10

Employees log all paid hours in the system, including work hours by project and any paid leave offerings. Employees also utilize the "who's working" feature to see who on the team is working and available at a given time. Managers review and approve time entries. Managers, HR, Finance, and Operations leaders use the reporting features to understand productivity, profitability, and overall staff activity. The data from QuickBooks Time is pushed to QuickBooks Online for invoicing to clients and pushed to ADP for payroll processing.

What do you like about this tool?

The ability to set up different projects for clients allows us to track specific types of work employees are doing for each client and invoice accordingly. Integration with other QuickBooks products allows for easy invoicing. Reporting features give managers real-time data about employee time and productivity.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We purchased QuickBooks Time because we were already using QuickBooks for accounting and needed a system for time tracking as our team grew. I have used this system for three years and currently still use it. Prior to QuickBooks, we had a timekeeping system that frequently had errors and glitches, so this transition helped to solve that pain point and allowed us to work within a single, integrated product for time reporting and accounting.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The project design is limited in its ability to be customized, so we have had to adjust our business to fit within the confines of the system. The leave time features do not provide the robust view and data that employees expect to have at their fingertips, which generates questions and unnecessary extra work. The paid leave settings are fairly simplistic and don't allow us to automate accruals based on our company policies, so manual accruals must be set and adjusted annually on an individual basis.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

In terms of timekeeping, QuickBooks is on par with competitors in that it is fairly simple and intuitive for employees to log in and clock in and out. QuickBooks does offer some advantageous features in terms of project tracking, but its customization limits put it behind competitors and really make it suited for only specific types of organizations or work. In terms of approvals, customizable workflows, different access and view levels, etc., QuickBooks is also limited and falls behind competitors. The leave tracking, in particular, is far behind what I've seen in any other time tracking system I've used.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Strongly consider the larger picture for how the data in the system will be used beyond individual time entries. Consider downstream needs such as invoicing, reporting, and payroll to determine if the limitations in the system will meet all of your needs.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

In the years I've used this system, I have seen no meaningful changes. I have been encouraged to submit feedback for consideration for system updates but have not seen any updates that have affected me or my team.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

QuickBooks Time is suited for an organization that has very defined, distinguished projects. For example, possibly a company with various separate construction sites and projects. QuickBooks Time is also likely suited for a small-scale organization of limited complexity.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

QuickBooks Time would not be suited for a large, complex organization. QuickBooks Time would also not be suited for a highly matrixed organization due to the limitations around access and user views. QuickBooks Time would also not likely be valuable for an organization that does not bill time or record hours based on client work. While the system would still allow clocking in and out, most features would not be valuable, and there are other more customizable and user-friendly timekeeping options available for an organization such as that.

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.

Pro Tips on Time and Attendance Systems

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

Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast
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Phil is the founder of SelectSoftware Reviews, a website dedicated to helping HR and Recruiting teams find and buy the right software through in-depth, expert advice. He has bought over $1 million worth of HR and Recruiting tools. Additionally, as of 2023, nearly 3 million HR professionals have relied on his advice to determine which business software they should buy.

Phil studied finance at New York University and started his career working in venture capital before getting his MBA from Harvard Business School. His in-depth understanding of the Saas landscape, especially HR Tech, stems from nearly a decade of researching and working with these tools as a computer programmer, user, and entrepreneur.

Featured in: Entrepreneur Harvard Business School Yahoo HR.com Recruiting Daily Hacking HR Podcast HR ShopTalk Podcast Employer Branding for Talent Acquisition (Udemy Course)

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