Geofencing time clocks are time clocks — however higher — and might prevent money and time.
Geofencing makes use of GPS (or related) in order that workers can solely verify in and take a look at once they’re bodily in the best location on the proper time.
Because of this they allow you to maintain observe of employees even should you’re distant, or have a big workforce in a number of places. You’ll be able to see how many individuals are on-site, forestall time theft (the place workers verify in even when they haven’t arrived), and precisely calculate pay based mostly on hours.
However choosing the proper device could be a mission. There are a ton of choices on the market, every have totally different options, and a few include different instruments that you could be or might not want. Evaluating and contrasting them can really feel like a full-time job in itself.
We all know you simply wish to discover the best device that does what you want and get again to work.
In order that’s why on this submit, we’re overlaying:
- The important thing options to search for in geofencing time clocks
- Our prime 10 shift geofencing time clocks** (and our choose for the most effective all-in-one choice)
- What to think about when shopping for a geofencing time clock
- And customary pitfalls to keep away from when utilizing the device, to get optimum outcomes.
Key options to search for in geofencing time clocks
We suggest on the lookout for the next options when selecting a geofencing time clock device for your online business.
- Geofencing know-how — After all, geofencing time clocks will need to have dependable geofencing know-how in-built, so you possibly can precisely observe worker location and time. Staff can solely clock in when they’re bodily in the best place, making certain exact pay and hour calculation.
- Integration with payroll software program — Now you’ve tracked employee hours precisely, you possibly can translate these hours to pay. A device that integrates seamlessly with payroll software program streamlines your payroll processing and helps you guarantee correct pay.
- Cellular accessibility — A core a part of any geofencing device, you want your time clock to work on cellular gadgets in order that workers can clock out and in from any location, with minimal trouble.
- Actual-time monitoring — A part of utilizing geofencing to trace time is about seeing the place workers are at any time. You’ll wish to search for a device that permits this, to permit supervisors to watch worker hours, and observe attendance in actual time.
- Reporting and analytics — This allows you to observe and analyze worker time and attendance knowledge, so you possibly can acquire larger insights into your workers’ work and habits, and precisely perceive their patterns, hours, and pay necessities.
Our prime choose for geofencing time clocks in 2023 (+ the remainder ranked)
With its complete set of options designed for small companies and hourly employees, we consider that Homebase is without doubt one of the finest geofencing time clock instruments on the market. It provides geofencing and has an all-in-one dashboard to handle different duties like payroll, PTO, scheduling, HR and compliance, onboarding and hiring, and staff happiness.
However no device is ideal, and there are others accessible that might work higher for your online business, relying on what you want. Let’s have a look.
- Greatest all-in-one answer: Homebase
- Greatest for eating places: 7shifts
- Greatest for simplicity: Once I Work
- Greatest for ease of use: Deputy
- Greatest for payroll integration: Quickbooks Time (Tsheets)
- Greatest for multiple-location companies: Sling
- Greatest for development companies: ExakTime
- Greatest for cellular groups: Timesheet Cellular
- Greatest for time-saving automation: Buddy Punch
- Greatest for bigger corporations: Hubstaff
Comparability chart: High 10 geofencing time clock apps in 2023
A breakdown of the ten finest geofencing time clocks
1. Greatest all-in-one answer: Homebase
Supply: JoinHomebase.com
Caption: Homebase’s geofencing monitoring device works on nearly all cellular gadgets
Homebase is an all-in-one staff administration and communication system that features a geofencing time clock as simply one in all its instruments to make time clocking, monitoring, and payroll simpler. Appropriate with nearly any cellular gadget, the time clock makes use of GPS.
It additionally sends automated alerts and messages to assist affirm that employees are the place they should be, ensure nobody forgets to clock out, and assist managers keep away from pricey or unlawful time beyond regulation. It additionally integrates with payroll for super-streamlined funds and extra correct hourly time monitoring.
High options
- Geofencing monitoring with GPS and images, to trace hours, breaks, time beyond regulation, and PTO.
- Cellular app suitable with iOS and Android.
- Distinctive worker PINs to make sure correct monitoring for everybody.
- Alerts for late clock-ins or forgotten clock-outs.
- Constructed-in messaging and reminders.
- Labor value monitoring, and good monitoring of labor vs gross sales.
- Correct timesheets and payroll integration for straightforward hours-worked-to-pay calculations.
- Prompt conversion of timesheets into payroll wages and correct tax funds.
Professionals and cons
The geofencing time clock device integrates seamlessly right into a wider suite of helpful instruments. Customers say that it’s simple for workers to make use of “each day”, with a “clear design” and capabilities which are “akin to far more costly software program.”
Nonetheless, it might provide extra instruments that you simply want in case you are on the lookout for a easy time clock solely.
Pricing
- Free. Time clock and timesheets for one location and limitless workers.
- Necessities. $20 monthly per location. Every thing included within the Free plan, plus staff communication, efficiency monitoring, and distant instruments.
- Plus. $48 monthly per location. Every thing in Necessities, plus labor budgeting and PTO instruments.
- All-in-one. $80 monthly per location. Every thing in Plus, in addition to new rent onboarding, and HR & compliance.
2. Greatest for eating places: 7shifts
Supply: 7shifts.com
Caption: 7Shifts makes use of a variety of instruments to make sure correct geofencing
7shifts provides a variety of highly effective instruments, and is designed for hourly workers within the restaurant business. Its cellular time-clocking functionality is included within the “schedule” a part of its platform and goals to make labor compliance and scheduling simpler, all whereas decreasing the chance of time theft and pay errors.
High options
- Geofencing and photograph choices to make sure your staff is current.
- Cellular time clock app for on-the-go monitoring.
- Time clocking works even with out Wi-Fi.
- Editable punches and timesheets to make sure correct funds.
- Set guidelines like solely enabling scheduled employees to clock in, which saves on unbudgeted hours.
- Observe breaks and PTO.
- Automated alerts for no-shows, break reminders, and time beyond regulation — to guard workers and keep away from additional bills.
- Hyperlink to payroll and timesheets for correct and simple pay.
- Audits and stories for an at-a-glance overview of employees exercise.
Professionals and cons
It provides a variety of highly effective instruments for staff administration, and customers reward the “ease of use” and “streamlined reporting”, and notably like its communication instruments.
Nonetheless, it was created for the restaurant sector, so will not be the only option for different industries.
Pricing
- Comp: Free, for one location and as much as 30 workers. Contains time clock, and scheduling.
- Entrée: $29.99 monthly per location, for as much as 30 workers, Every thing from the Comp plan plus templates, budgeting, and day off monitoring.
- The Works: $69.99 monthly per location, for limitless workers. Every thing from the Entrée plan, plus payroll integration and state-based compliance instruments.
- Gourmand: $135 monthly per location. Every thing in The Works, plus onboarding, labor forecasting, and nearer assist.
7shifts additionally provides a free 14-day trial.
3. Greatest for simplicity: Once I Work
Supply: WhenIwork.com
Caption: Once I Work has easy staff communication instruments to assist handle hours and PTO
Once I Work lets workers observe time with any gadget, and manages when workers can or can’t tackle new shifts. It lets them request PTO, tracks shift knowledge, and automates alerts.
For managers, it lets you use timesheets to run payroll, by way of integrations with fashionable payroll suppliers.
High options
- Works on nearly any cellular or desktop gadget.
- Connects time clocking with pay guidelines and scheduling, to make sure correct hours.
- Sends automated alerts to keep away from time beyond regulation or labor compliance regulation breaches.
- Lets workers talk and handle their very own shifts.
- Tracks and coordinates PTO, breaks, and total attendance.
- Integrates with payroll instruments.
Professionals and cons
Once I Work is easy, with a couple of easy options that work properly. Reviewers say that it’s “simple to navigate” with a “easy and stylish” design, “agility”, and the flexibility to provide employees entry to their work schedule and guidelines within the “palm of their hand.”
In distinction, it doesn’t provide as many options as some all-in-one instruments — for instance, payroll can solely be carried out by way of an built-in, separate device.
Pricing
- Commonplace: $4 per person monthly. Contains time and attendance instruments, and scheduling.
- Superior: $8 per person monthly. Contains superior scheduling with extra dynamic and customizable options, plus time and attendance instruments.
4. Greatest for ease of use: Deputy
Supply: Deputy.com
Caption: Deputy has a color-coded, brilliant interface that helps make it simple to make use of
Deputy’s time clock app goals to make payroll as correct as attainable, and likewise helps employers make it possible for solely employees who’re scheduled to work achieve this. Its color-coded interface makes monitoring time simple, and it makes use of each GPS and facial verification to make sure location-accurate punching in.
High options
- Hours and breaks recorded by way of the identical app.
- Works on a telephone, pill, or laptop.
- Makes use of GPS for location stamps or touch-free face verification.
- Mechanically creates correct timesheets that managers can export simply.
- Allows labor regulation compliance and retains correct data.
- Touchless choices (voice instructions and facial recognition) for cleaner workplaces and sooner monitoring.
- Alerts employees and managers when breaks are due.
Professionals and cons
It features a vary of modern options like touchless clock-ins, and is intuitive to make use of. Prospects particularly like “the straightforwardness of the appliance” and “how simple it’s to navigate”, plus its ease in dealing with “a number of location choices.”
Nonetheless, to entry all instruments together with time clocking you should be on the costlier plans.
Pricing
- Starter: Free, for 100 shifts monthly.
- Time & Attendance: $3.50 per person monthly. Scheduling with attendance monitoring, and timesheet administration, however no automation, reporting, SMS alerts; and fewer staff communication instruments.
- Premium: $4.90 per person monthly. All scheduling, time, attendance, and reporting instruments.
- Enterprise: Value on request. For companies with 250+ workers. Every thing in Premium, plus customized options.
Deputy additionally provides a free 31-day trial.
5. Greatest for payroll integration: Quickbooks Time (Tsheets)
Supply: Quickbooks.intuit.com/
Caption: Quickbooks Time makes use of GPS as a part of its geofencing time clock instruments
From the payroll and invoicing firm of the identical identify, Quickbooks Time (previously often called Tsheets) lets managers observe time precisely. It goals to make payroll painless and consists of dashboards designed to indicate who’s working and when at a look. It additionally prioritizes correct reporting.
High options
- Works straight inside Quickbooks, a significant plus should you already use that software program.
- Cellular app for straightforward on-the-go use.
- Generates separate job and worker codes to assist make extra exact stories.
- Makes use of GPS for geofencing monitoring.
- Displays time beyond regulation and sends customizable alerts.
- Syncs with Quickbooks and creates correct timesheets to run environment friendly payroll and invoicing.
- Gives limitless assist by way of chat or telephone.
Professionals and cons
A significant professional is that it syncs with Quickbooks’ current highly effective software program and consists of many must-have options. Customers say that it’s “handy and simple to make use of”, with additional helpful options like “the flexibility so as to add notes if you clock in to simply observe initiatives,” and retains “all of our timekeeping wants in a single app.”
Nonetheless, it’s not supreme should you don’t use or want the remainder of Quickbooks’ software program.
Pricing
- Premium. $8 per person monthly + $20 base price monthly. Limitless customers.
- Elite. $10 per person monthly +$40 base price monthly. Limitless customers.
6. Greatest for multiple-location companies: Sling
Supply: Getsling.com
Caption: Sling’s time clock device works on almost any smartphone
Sling’s time clock device is a part of a wider suite of options that additionally consists of process administration, labor value monitoring, labor compliance, and staff communication. It additionally helps you handle a number of work places with ease and allows you to observe and optimize labor prices.
High options
- Works on any telephone.
- Lets employers export timesheets for straightforward payroll working.
- Schedule monitoring for a number of places from a single dashboard.
- Retains observe of worker breaks and displays time beyond regulation.
- Workforce communication instruments to make sure everybody is aware of the place they should be, and when.
- Permits you to optimize labor prices and hyperlink schedules for the most effective use of worker hours.
- Job administration to allow employees to work successfully.
Professionals and cons
Sling is designed for every type of industries that depend on hourly groups. Many customers stated that they like how it syncs immediately between gadgets, and “will increase effectivity.”
On the draw back, you should improve to Premium for cellular time monitoring. Plus, some customers say the app has “glitches”, and others say that they’ve discovered the platform to be gradual.
Pricing
- Fundamental: Free. Contains shift scheduling and time-off requests, however no cellular time monitoring.
- Premium: $1.70 per person monthly. Every thing in Fundamental, plus instruments for cellular time monitoring, and optimizing labor prices.
- Enterprise: $3.40 per person monthly. Every thing in Premium, plus knowledge and stories.
7. Greatest for development companies: ExakTime
Supply: Exaktime.com
Caption: ExakTime lets workers use their telephone to check-in, or an on-site gadget designed for development environments
ExakTime is a cloud-based time clock that’s designed particularly for development companies and busy staff who’re continually on the transfer. It really works whether or not you’ve one web site or many extra, and is meant primarily to assist corporations handle labor prices and observe attendance whereas in a busy surroundings.
High options
- Straightforward clock-in and clock-out interface that makes use of “Go” and “Cease” for super-simple monitoring.
- Makes use of GPS and images for clocking in.
- Ensures worker id with ID images.
- Syncs to the cloud and worker gadgets for safe backups.
- Works on nearly any smartphone gadget.
- Staff can use an app or an on-site gadget designed particularly for development websites.
- Integrates with payroll processors.
Professionals and cons
ExakTime has a super-simple interface designed for use in busy, fast-paced environments. Customers say that the “GPS is useful” and that the payroll characteristic is dependable, “user-friendly, and environment friendly.”
In distinction, it’s designed primarily for the development business, so will not be supreme for different workplaces.
Pricing
- $8 monthly per person (paid yearly), plus $50/month base price. Contains GPS, photograph ID, wage monitoring, stories, time beyond regulation alerts, and limitless US assist.
8. Greatest for cellular groups: Timesheet Cellular
Supply: Timesheetmobile.com/
Caption: Timesheet Cellular sends alerts to employees once they’re leaving a piece location
As its identify suggests, Timesheet Cellular is designed particularly for the cellular workforce, and provides geofencing time monitoring together with scheduling, timesheets and stories, staff messaging, and alerts. It additionally lets workers handle PTO and sick days, and provides process administration checklists to make shifts extra environment friendly.
High options
- Geofencing throughout scheduled hours.
- Timesheet reporting for fast payroll processing and labor costing.
- Drag and drop scheduling for jobs and workers, with prompt notifications
- EU working time compliance legal guidelines included in its authorized part.
- Undertaking checklists for process administration throughout every shift.
- Automated alerts for time beyond regulation reminders, working time violations, or late arrivals.
- Workforce messaging to let employees talk, and make clear directions between websites. Assist for 4 languages.
- Day without work and trip schedule administration.
- Integrations with invoicing and payroll platforms.
Professionals and cons
Timesheet Cellular consists of EU working time compliance legal guidelines, so a superb choice for Europe-based companies. Prospects additionally reward how it lets workers “observe working hours remotely, which implies anytime and anyplace”, extra effectively than different timesheet instruments, whereas others notably just like the dwell chat assist.
Nonetheless, it’s primarily designed for cellular workforces, so it might not work if your online business is extra ‘on-site’.
Pricing
Timesheet Cellular calculates its pricing relying on the variety of workers that use it, and whether or not they clock out and in a number of occasions a day.
For instance, for 10 workers:
- Fundamentals: From $16.25 monthly for 3 months. Contains cellular app and geofencing.
- Per Punch Plan: $48 monthly for 3 months. Contains Fundamentals, plus payroll integrations and time beyond regulation warnings. Not beneficial for employees who punch out and in a number of occasions per day.
- Small Enterprise: $64.80 monthly for 3 months. Contains Fundamentals, plus payroll integrations and time beyond regulation warnings.
- Medium Enterprise: $87 monthly for 3 months. Contains Fundamentals, plus payroll integrations and time beyond regulation warnings. Really helpful for corporations with 15 or extra workers.
After three months, Fundamentals rises to $3.49 per worker for limitless punches + $14.99 firm subscription. Per Punch rises to fifteen cents per punch + $29.99 firm subscription.
Small Enterprise rises to $9.95 per worker for limitless punches + $29.99 firm subscription. Medium Enterprise rises to $2.49 per worker for limitless punches + $149 firm subscription.
9. Greatest for time-saving automation: Buddy Punch
Supply: Buddypunch.com
Caption: Buddy Punch makes it simple to create correct time playing cards for every worker
Buddy Punch goals to simplify monitoring, regardless of the place employees are working. Its automation saves hours of labor in reviewing, checking, and verifying worker timesheets earlier than processing payroll. It additionally goals to create correct stories and sheets by way of digital punching out and in.
High options
- Makes use of GPS and picture monitoring.
- Works on cellular and laptop.
- Mechanically tracks paid and unpaid day off and sick go away.
- Creates customizable stories to make payroll working simpler.
- Displays distant staff by way of IP addresses to make sure they’re working.
- Integrates with payroll suppliers, and provides its personal payroll processor, Buddy Punch Payroll.
- Sends notifications to customers routinely.
- On-line chat assist.
Professionals and cons
Buddy Punch is easy and simple to make use of, with images and color-coded dashboards. Prospects like “how fast it’s to punch in and punch out”, its capability to “permit distant check-ins”, and the way simple to navigate it’s.
On the draw back, it requires additional software program Buddy Punch Payroll if you wish to run payroll on the identical platform.
Pricing
- Commonplace: $2.99 per person monthly billed yearly (or $3.49 if billed month-to-month) +$19 base price monthly, together with cellular apps, GPS, payroll integrations, reporting, and break planning.
- Professional: $3.99 per person/month billed yearly (or $4.49 if billed month-to-month) +$19 base price monthly. Every thing in Commonplace, plus worker scheduling, templates, and early or late reporting.
- Enterprise: Value on request. All Professional options, plus API entry.
Buddy Punch additionally provides a free trial.
10. Greatest for bigger corporations: Hubstaff
Supply: Hubstaff.com
Caption: Hubstaff has a variety of instruments and offers detailed knowledge reporting
Hubstaff is a strong worker and workforce administration platform, which incorporates time monitoring as a part of its toolset. It makes use of GPS for cellular geofencing, in addition to worker monitoring capabilities like screenshots and images. It additionally has payroll, invoicing, and scheduling instruments.
High options
- GPS geofencing and customizable job websites.
- Time monitoring and reporting for correct timesheets throughout gadgets.
- Time clock app for particular purchasers and initiatives.
- Job administration instruments for additional productiveness.
- Payroll monitoring and invoicing inside the similar dashboard.
- Productiveness and hourly knowledge monitoring.
- Assist for agile workplaces together with dash planning and digital standups.
Professionals and cons
Hubstaff is a fully-fledged, highly effective platform for bigger corporations. Customers say they like the way it saves time in comparison with guide time monitoring, and the way it improves the “effectivity of the work staff”.
Nonetheless, it might provide extra instruments than you want, relying in your firm measurement and necessities.
Pricing
- Desk Free: Free for one person. Embrace time monitoring and timesheets.
- Desk Starter: $5.83 per person monthly. Begins at $140. Contains two customers. Every thing from the Free plan, plus stories, 24-hour assist, and one integration.
- Desk Professional: $8.33 per person monthly. Begins at $200. Contains two customers. Every thing in Starter, plus day off instruments, mission budgets, restricted API, and expense monitoring.
- Enterprise: Value on request. Every thing in Professional, plus extra insights, greater limits on API, concierge set-up and VIP assist, compliance instruments, and limitless job websites.
Hubstaff additionally provides a 14-day free trial.
What to think about when shopping for geofencing time clock software program
There’s no such factor as a single “finest” platform: all of it relies on what you want. Right here’s what to consider when shopping for geofencing time clock software program, to verify it’s proper to your staff.
- Decide your online business’s time and attendance monitoring wants — Think about precisely what you’re on the lookout for in terms of monitoring time. Do you’ve a number of places? A number of employees? What time monitoring and payroll duties are you presently spending essentially the most money and time on?
- Analysis and examine accessible choices — Evaluate and distinction choices, and make a shortlist. Any of the choices we’ve listed may work, however solely you already know which works finest for your online business. Evaluate options, contemplate how a lot assist you want, and take a look at your price range.
- Think about the price and pricing choices — We don’t suggest selecting a platform based mostly on value alone; a low-priced device should be a waste of time or cash if it doesn’t do what you want. As a substitute, contemplate worth. Take a look at how a lot money and time you could possibly save in the long term.
- Consider the software program’s buyer assist and safety measures — Buyer assist is essential when shopping for a brand new device, particularly should you’re not fairly certain precisely the way to use it, or have a bigger staff to coach. Examine the assistance pages and assist choices before you purchase, for finest outcomes.
- Decide and arrange the software program — When you’ve made a shortlist, choose the most effective device and join. Many instruments provide a free choice or trial, so you possibly can check if it delivers. The most effective platforms can even provide vital onboarding assist, so that you’ll by no means be left confused or caught.
Widespread pitfalls to keep away from when utilizing geofencing time clock software program
Even the most effective software program would possibly fall brief if it’s not getting used appropriately. Listed below are some pitfalls to keep away from, so you may get your platform working optimally.
- Not correctly organising worker info — Not filling in all your workers’ info appropriately can result in errors in terms of monitoring time, and calculating pay. For finest outcomes, ensure worker info is correctly arrange.
- Not frequently reviewing and updating geofencing boundaries — Protecting your boundaries updated implies that geofencing will work correctly, and also you’ll have up-to-date data of worker places and correct check-ins and outs.
- Not correctly coaching workers on the software program — If employees don’t know the way to use the time clock correctly, this may probably trigger main points with right monitoring. There’s a studying curve with any software program, however serving to employees use it properly will guarantee essentially the most correct outcomes.
- Not frequently backing up knowledge — Having common backups of knowledge and digital data helps to guard your online business in case of technical difficulties or hacking. It additionally allows you to get again in your ft simply within the uncommon occasion that your time clock know-how fails you.
Geofencing time clocks: Location is simply the beginning
Geofencing time clocks are a should for any enterprise proprietor who must maintain observe of employees remotely, or desires to make it possible for the hourly-paid wages workers obtain are as correct as attainable.
Geofencing ensures that employees are the place they are saying they’re, avoids pricey and unlawful time beyond regulation, and saves you main time and stress translating hours on the bottom into correct wages (together with ideas, PTO, and breaks).
With so many shifting elements, it is sensible to make use of a digital, geofencing time clock to streamline the method — quite than attempting to do every little thing manually, or utilizing an advanced stack of separate instruments.
When on the lookout for a geofencing time clock, you probably wish to contemplate key options together with dependable geofencing know-how, integration with payroll instruments, real-time monitoring, a cellular app, and insightful reporting capabilities.
Homebase makes a speciality of providing a geofencing time clock that not solely tracks precisely and integrates with payroll (and without cost too!), but in addition connects simply with a collection of different capabilities that small companies have to thrive. These embrace staff communication, scheduling, hiring, HR, and staff happiness.
So you possibly can time clock with ease, calculate pay precisely, and save money and time on time beyond regulation and guide scheduling too — all inside the similar platform.
References
**The knowledge above is predicated on our analysis on geofencing time clock instruments. All person suggestions referenced within the textual content has been sourced from unbiased software program assessment platforms, similar to G2 and Capterra, in February 2023.
