• Time and attendance monitoring: The greatest cell time clocks precisely document arrival and departure occasions, breaks, and whole hours labored. However they nonetheless enable changes — for instance, if workers are late resulting from surprising dangerous climate.
• GPS capabilities: Most trendy time clocks rely upon GPS know-how to confirm every workforce member’s location after they signal into work. It’s extra dependable than conventional punch clock strategies and fewer invasive than utilizing biometric information, like fingerprints or face scans. It additionally permits groups to clock out and in at distant work areas.
• Labor value controls: In addition to precisely recording hours, time clocks can save enterprise house owners cash by stopping early arrivals and late departures. They’ll cease workers from clocking in earlier than a sure time and robotically signal them out when their shift finishes.
• Alerts and reminders: Many prime time monitoring apps have push notifications that immediate workforce members to maintain to their scheduled hours. That method, there’s much less danger of them forgetting a couple of shift or working longer than deliberate. Managers and house owners can even obtain alerts for late arrivals and no reveals to allow them to search for cowl instantly.
• Compliance instruments: Keep away from surprising fines by staying compliant with labor legal guidelines in your state. Some, like Homebase, immediate workers to take breaks and inform you when a workforce member is approaching additional time. Then, you possibly can elevate their pay fee to your state necessities or reassign their additional hours.
• Go away administration: In addition to hours labored, companies additionally want to watch workers depart. So, select a software that permits you to acquire trip requests, approve them, and verify every worker’s private break day (PTO) steadiness. 
• Reporting and analytics: With all the information they acquire, cell time clock apps ought to have the ability to offer you useful insights into additional time ranges, labor prices, and absenteeism charges.
• Payroll administration: To avoid wasting you from having to enter all of your timesheet information into one other software program resolution manually, your app of selection ought to embrace built-in, full-service payroll options or join with in style payroll platforms.
• Integrations: Small companies typically rely upon a wide range of instruments, so your app of selection ought to allow you to join with a spread of different in style apps.
• Suitable with a wide range of gadgets: It’s unlikely all of your workers have the identical sort of smartphone. Owing to that, select a platform that works on most cell gadgets. 

Our prime decide for cell time clocks in 2023 (+ the remainder in contrast)

In the event you’re in search of an app that mixes affordability, ease of use, and flexibility, that’s Homebase. Our time clock software is free for as much as 20 workers, and we embrace lots of our time monitoring options in our lowest-cost plan. 

Our prospects additionally reward our platform due to its easy navigation and intuitive design. Meaning you possibly can belief your workforce will have the ability to decide up and use the app with none coaching or points.

However after all, Homebase isn’t the most effective resolution for everybody. In the event you principally work with contractors, they’ll possible handle their very own time. In that case, an app like Harvest that has a free plan and guide time tracker could also be extra appropriate for you. And in case you run a enterprise outdoors of the US, it’s possible you’ll want Timesheet Cell’s EU compliance controls to remain on prime of related labor rules.

1. Homebase: Greatest all-in-one resolution
2. QuickBooks Time: Greatest for cell groups
3. Harvest: Greatest for freelancers
4. Once I Work: Greatest for a number of directors
5. Sling: Greatest for time zone variations
6. Timesheet Cell: Greatest for small EU companies
7. Connecteam: Greatest for vary of companies

Comparability chart: Prime 7 cell time clock apps in 2023

A breakdown of the 7 greatest cell time clock apps

Now you’ve seen the time clock apps we included on this record at a fast look, let’s discover them in additional element.

1. Homebase: Greatest all-in-one resolution

Homebase is an all-in-one HR app with a wide range of time monitoring options that will help you keep on with your labor funds. Our time clock software lets workers signal into work from anyplace and gives administration with a number of verification choices, like GPS, picture seize, and PIN codes. Homebase can even remind workforce members about their shifts and robotically clock them out of labor to ensure they’re solely working their scheduled hours. All this makes our platform a wonderful selection for budget-conscious small companies. 

Prime options

• Free time monitoring and timesheet options
• GPS time clock to confirm workers’s areas upon arrival and departure
• Geofencing capabilities to create clock in factors for offsite staff
• Time kiosks out there for tablets, computer systems, and level of sale (POS) terminals
• Choice for picture seize throughout signal ins for an additional layer of verification
• Compliance instruments, like alerts for missed breaks and additional time
• Labor value controls to stop early clock ins and automate clock outs
• Workers reminders about upcoming shifts
• Constructed-in payroll administration and a spread of integrations

Professionals and cons

With our free plan and aggressive charges, Homebase is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced choices on our record. Our versatile pricing additionally means you’re prone to discover a plan that matches your funds.

However don’t assume we sacrifice performance for value — Homebase has a flexible vary of time monitoring options, from our GPS time clock to labor value controls and depart administration. 

One disadvantage to Homebase is our lack of instruments particularly geared to workplace staff. As a result of our platform is designed for small companies and hourly work, we don’t provide a desktop time tracker or browser monitor like some competing apps do.

Pricing

Homebase presents 4 plans, they usually all embrace our free cell app. You too can take 20% off with a yearly dedication:

• Free for as much as 20 workers at one enterprise location. Contains primary time monitoring and scheduling instruments, in addition to worker administration options like messaging, point-of-sale (POS) integrations, and entry to e-mail help.

• Necessities for $24.95 per 30 days per enterprise location for every part in Free, plus superior time monitoring and scheduling, workforce communication options, payroll integrations, efficiency monitoring, and entry to reside help.

• Plus for $59.95 per 30 days per enterprise location for every part in Necessities, plus hiring instruments, retention and efficiency monitoring, break day controls, and departments and permissions.

• All-in-one for $99.95 per 30 days per enterprise location for every part in Plus, plus HR and compliance, new rent onboarding, labor value controls, and enterprise insights.

Payroll is offered as a separate add-on for $39.95 per 30 days plus $6 per worker. 

A free time clock that frees up your time.

Monitor hours. Prep for payroll. Management labor prices. All with our free time clock.

2. QuickBooks Time: Greatest for cell groups

QuickBooks Time’s time and site monitoring instruments make it a good selection for touring work crews, like technicians and supply drivers. You possibly can monitor every worker’s mileage and verify their areas all through the day. Meaning you possibly can confirm no one’s making too many pointless pit stops or taking longer routes on function. 

Prime options

• GPS time clock to confirm workers areas on arrival
• Geofencing to let workers signal into their shifts at offsite areas 
• Location and mileage monitoring to watch journey occasions and routes
• Undertaking progress monitoring to make sure groups full all their duties by the anticipated deadlines

Professionals and cons

QuickBooks Time is an Intuit product, so it could possibly simply connect with its wider vary of merchandise and integrations. You possibly can select from classes as numerous as delivery, advantages, and buyer relationship administration (CRM).

However many small companies might not have the funds for QuickBooks Time. The flat fee for on a regular basis monitoring options is $40, which is increased than many competing apps. On prime of that, there’s a cost per worker. 

Pricing

There are two QuickBooks Time plans that additionally include a 30-day free trial:

• Time Premium at $20 per 30 days plus $8 per worker, which incorporates the time clock and depart administration.

• Time Elite at $40 per 30 days plus $10 per worker for every part in Time Premium, in addition to geofencing and mileage monitoring options.

3. Harvest: Greatest for freelancers

Harvest’s guide timer makes it a superb choice for small companies that work with freelancers. You possibly can ask contractors to obtain the free app and ship you a report of their time. Or, for extra oversight and management, go for the paid plan and examine how a lot time every particular person spends on their duties. Meaning it’ll be simpler to identify when there’s an issue with a shopper or an worker that’s slowing a undertaking down.  

Prime options

• Handbook timer for desktop and cell
• Expense administration, which helps you bill shoppers primarily based on billable time
• Information insights into how a lot time workers or groups spend on tasks

Professionals and cons

In the event you’re collaborating with freelancers or contractors, you possibly can’t dictate their working hours, however you continue to want a document of their time to invoice shoppers accurately. Harvest’s guide timer lets workers monitor their very own hours and report them so it’s simpler to arrange correct invoices for shoppers.

However Harvest solely has a guide time tracker, which makes it much less appropriate for small companies with common workers. With out the accuracy of a GPS time clock, you danger doubtlessly shedding cash to buddy punching and workers misreporting their hours.

Pricing

Harvest has a free plan and a paid plan that prices $12 per worker per 30 days. They’ve the identical options, however the distinction is the free plan limits you to 1 person and two tasks, whereas the paid plan is limitless.

4. Once I Work: Greatest for a number of directors

In comparison with different cell time clock apps, Once I Work presents a comparatively easy set of scheduling and time monitoring options. However the platform consists of all of the necessities for correct time and attendance data, just like the GPS time clock and early clock in prevention. Plus, it has attendance and labor distribution stories that will help you spot absenteeism and beneath or overstaffing. 

Prime options

• GPS time clock to verify workers areas upon arrival
• Time and attendance stories to gauge particular person and general enterprise efficiency
• Timesheet rounding to convey time entries as much as the closest 5 or fifteen-minute mark

Professionals and cons

Many cell time clock apps solely enable one admin person for the lower-cost plans, however Once I Work presents three. Meaning you possibly can delegate a few of your scheduling and time monitoring duties to different managers with out sharing login particulars.

Nevertheless, Once I Work doesn’t embrace different important options it’s possible you’ll want. The app solely has scheduling and time monitoring instruments and comes with a restricted vary of integrations with different enterprise software program options. 

Pricing

Once I Work presents two paid plans for $4 and $8 per worker per 30 days. The one notable additional time monitoring characteristic within the higher-cost plan is the customized attendance stories.

5. Sling: Greatest for various time zones

Sling is a cell time clock app with further scheduling and process administration options. It’s noteworthy for its time zone administration capabilities, which allow you to schedule and monitor shifts in native time for all of your workers. That method, in case you have groups in different international locations, you’re much less prone to get confused about after they labored and pay them incorrectly.

Prime options

• GPS time clock for precisely recording worker working hours
• Controls to cease workers from clocking in early and clocking out late
• Reviews on no reveals, sick days, and late arrivals to assist acknowledge developments 

Professionals and cons

Priced at $2 per worker per 30 days, Sling is an reasonably priced app for very small groups. 

However like Once I Work, Sling doesn’t have a full vary of HR options like payroll or recruiting instruments. Additionally, it solely has integrations with Gusto and ADP, so companies that use different accounting software program might have to change or cope with getting into their timesheet information manually.

Pricing

Sling presents three plans:

• Free for limitless workers and enterprise areas. Nevertheless, this plan doesn’t embrace any time monitoring options.

• Premium at $2 per worker per 30 days, which has a GPS time clock, labor value controls, and geofencing.

• Enterprise at $4 per worker per 30 days for all of the reporting options.

6. Timesheet Cell: Greatest for small EU companies

In the event you run a enterprise in any of the EU member states, Timesheet Cell could also be for you. It’s one of many few apps that gives compliance instruments for companies outdoors the US to allow them to keep away from penalties. All you must do is allow the characteristic, and also you’ll get alerts when your corporation is about to violate strict EU rules, like working greater than 48 hours every week. 

Prime options

• GPS time clock to verify every worker’s location initially of their shifts
• Geofencing to let workers clock out and in of labor at distant areas
• Undertaking checklists that ship directors notifications as groups full duties
• Instruments to ensure European companies keep compliant with EU directives

Professionals and cons

Many EU companies have workers and areas in several international locations. Timesheet Cell’s time monitoring and compliance controls make it simpler to make sure they comply with relevant rules, like checking workers take their mandated breaks. Then, the language help and chat options assist you to contact anybody concerned in a possible labor legislation violation to request they cease working or take a break.

The issue is Timesheet Cell’s paid plans could also be restrictive for some small groups. It’s important to select between paying per punch — which might add up rapidly — or paying per worker at increased charges than different apps.

Pricing

There are a number of Timesheet Cell paid plans:

• Fundamentals at $14 per 30 days plus $3.49 per worker for limitless clock ins, which incorporates geofencing, depart administration, and break reminders.

• Per Punch at $29.99 per 30 days plus 15 cents per punch for every part within the Fundamentals plan, plus additional time alerts and workforce messaging.

• Small Enterprise at $29.99 per 30 days plus $9.95 per worker for limitless clock ins and the identical options because the Per Punch plan.

• Medium Enterprise at $149 per 30 days plus $2.49 per worker for limitless punches. This additionally shares all of the Per Punch plan options.

7. Connecteam: Greatest for vary of enterprise instruments

Connecteam is an worker administration and engagement app with time monitoring options. So, you possibly can enhance your workforce’s efficiency by serving to them enhance their attendance and develop their abilities with programs, quizzes, and surveys. Whereas Connecteam has an array of options, it’s value noting that the platform lacks payroll, which implies you must rely upon integrations.

Prime options

• GPS time clock to substantiate workers’ arrival occasions
• Geofencing to let groups clock out and in of labor offsite
• Process administration to trace job progress

Professionals and cons

In the event you’ve obtained ten or fewer workers, you possibly can make the most of Connecteam’s free plan, which features a vary of primary time monitoring options.

However in case you handle a bigger workforce, it’s possible you’ll not recognize all of the upgrades you’re required to make to entry all of Connecteam’s important instruments. It’s important to subscribe to the costliest plan to make use of on a regular basis monitoring options — however there’s nonetheless a restrict on the variety of stories and time clocks per location you should use.

Pricing

Connecteam has 5 plans out there:

• Free for as much as ten customers with all the fundamental options.

• Fundamental for $29 per 30 days, which incorporates timesheets, notifications, and the GPS time clock.

• Superior for $49, which has every part in Fundamental, plus clock in controls and geofencing.

• Knowledgeable for $99, which has all of the options from the earlier two plans, plus the GPS tracker and reporting instruments.

• Enterprise with customized pricing, which has all of the options from the opposite plans.

There’s additionally the choice of a 14-day free trial.

purchase time clock software program

Now you’ve obtained all the data you want about cell time clock apps, it’s time to decide. Let’s undergo the method step-by-step so that you will be positive you’ve picked the fitting resolution for your corporation:

• Determine your wants: Each office has distinctive challenges primarily based on its dimension, business, and workforce. For instance, restaurant staff typically have cut up shifts, so it’s best for them to make use of instruments that accommodate a number of clock ins per day. When you pinpoint your wants, it’ll be easy to identify an app that caters to them.
• Do your individual analysis: In the event you do enterprise in a distinct segment market, it’s possible you’ll want to learn some additional opinions and comparisons to see which options you actually want. As an illustration, some healthcare firms have distinctive challenges, like scheduling uncommon shift patterns and assigning staff to be on name. So, they could require an app with particular capabilities to distinguish and monitor these various kinds of hours.
• Check the app: When you’ve narrowed down your record, join completely different free plans or demos and use them for every week or two to find out whether or not the apps meet your expectations. 
• Ask for suggestions: If workers have bother utilizing your platform of selection, you received’t reap all the advantages. So, ask your workforce about their wants and preferences. That is particularly necessary when you’ve disabled workers who may have the choice to make use of a kiosk to allow them to see the display screen and press the icons extra simply.
• Practice workforce members: For the most effective likelihood of profitable implementation, present workers methods to obtain and use the brand new app. The place applicable, hyperlink them to movies, carry out take a look at runs, and discipline their questions.
• Often assessment and replace: Routinely verify your cell time clock app nonetheless meets your wants with out stretching your funds. You could discover you could change or improve your plan. 

Frequent pitfalls to keep away from when shopping for time clock software program

As you introduce a brand new app to your corporation, guarantee the method goes easily and decrease stress by watching out for the next points:

• Inadequate buyer help: As a small enterprise supervisor, it’s possible you’ll not have a variety of technological experience. Ensure the app you select gives the extent of help you want with the preliminary setup and any potential implementation or troubleshooting challenges additional down the road.
• Restricted scalability: In the event you plan to increase your corporation, select an app that can have the ability to develop with you. Verify whether or not it has options for bigger groups, a number of enterprise areas, and any further providers it’s possible you’ll need to introduce. Additionally, keep away from software program that costs per worker as a result of the additional prices as your workforce grows might disrupt your money circulation and lower into your funds for enlargement.
• Lack of integrations with present software program: Get a platform that integrates together with your present programs otherwise you’ll must manually enter timesheet information in all of your apps. This additional process might cancel out any time further know-how saves you within the first place.
• Rigid cost plans: As your wants change, the options you need to use might shift as nicely. Wonderful time clock software program ought to have an array of various plans, so you possibly can simply increase or scale back the instruments you pay for as you go.

How Homebase makes time monitoring a breeze

As a small enterprise supervisor, you need to pay workers for his or her time whereas defending your backside line. Nevertheless it may appear inconceivable to document hours precisely with out micromanaging your workforce or being all over the place directly.

That’s the place Homebase is available in.

Our cell time clock app lets workforce members effortlessly clock out and in by way of GPS as they arrive to work. In the event that they’re late or don’t present up, managers will instantly obtain a notification by way of the cell app. Meaning you received’t must ask workers any awkward questions or keep on the premises to know they’ve turned as much as work. And our reasonably priced charges and per-location pricing scheme imply you received’t cancel out all of the funds you save by stopping labor leakage.

A free time clock that frees up your time.

Monitor hours. Prep for payroll. Management labor prices. All with our free time clock.

**The knowledge above is predicated on our analysis on cell time clock apps. All person suggestions referenced within the textual content has been sourced from unbiased software program assessment platforms, similar to G2 and Capterra, in April 2023.