How to Choose the Best Employee Time Tracking App for Your SMB

The Best Employee Time Tracking App to Streamline Your Workforce

Managing a growing team can often feel like a race against time. Deadlines are looming, productivity needs constant monitoring, and administrative tasks seem never-ending. For small and medium-sized businesses especially, keeping employees organized, accountable, and on schedule is a constant challenge.

This is where the right employee time tracking app comes in. Modern time tracking tools don’t just log working hours; they transform the way businesses handle scheduling, payroll, productivity measurement, and compliance. With an intuitive and automated system, you can reduce manual paperwork, improve transparency, and empower your team to stay focused on their actual work.

If you’re trying to boost efficiency, streamline workflows, and reduce admin headaches, you need a comprehensive employee time tracking app that fits your specific business model. To make it easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best solutions on the market today — each with its own strength depending on your organization’s needs.

Our Favorite Employee Time Tracking Apps

1. Join Vars – Best All-in-One Employee Time Tracking App 

   Join Vars is more than just an employee time tracking app, it’s a complete workforce management platform. It allows businesses to easily track employee hours, manage shifts, automate payroll, and improve compliance. Its mobile-first approach is perfect for both desk and field employees, offering real-time GPS-enabled tracking and seamless integrations with payroll systems. This all-in-one platform makes it easy to monitor attendance, reduce time theft, and ensure your team stays productive.

2. Jibble – Great for Project Time Tracking If your business revolves around projects, Jibble offers detailed time tracking across multiple tasks and projects. It’s a strong solution for agencies, consultancies, and teams that need billable hour tracking with robust reporting.

3. QuickBooks Time – Ideal for Customizable Payroll Reports QuickBooks Time integrates directly with accounting systems and allows you to create highly customizable payroll reports. This employee time tracking app is particularly useful for businesses that need to streamline billing and payroll management alongside time tracking.

4. Toggl Track – Perfect for Measuring Productivity Toggl Track specializes in productivity analysis. It helps businesses understand exactly how employees spend their time, making it easier to identify inefficiencies and optimize workflows.

5. TimeCamp – Best for Automated Timesheets TimeCamp focuses on automated timesheets, removing the hassle of manual entry. This is ideal for companies with remote teams or flexible schedules.

6. Timely – Strong for Project Management Timely combines time tracking with project management, making it easier to plan workloads, allocate resources, and get a real-time overview of project progress.

7. Hubstaff – Great for Remote Workers Hubstaff offers GPS tracking, activity levels, and detailed reporting, making it perfect for businesses managing remote or field-based employees.

8. Harvest – Great for Client Service Businesses Harvest helps businesses track time spent on client projects and generate invoices directly from tracked hours. It’s particularly effective for freelancers, agencies, and service-based businesses.

9. TrackingTime – Tailored for Large Teams TrackingTime focuses on enterprise-level time tracking, with features built for managing large teams, multiple locations, and complex workflows.

10. Time Doctor – Good for Small and Medium Businesses Time Doctor is built with SMBs in mind, offering real-time monitoring, distraction alerts, and detailed productivity reports to help teams stay on task.

Why an Employee Time Tracking App Matters

An employee time tracking app isn’t just a nice-to-have tool, it’s essential for modern businesses looking to improve efficiency and transparency. By choosing the right platform, like Join Vars, you can:

• Cut down on manual administrative work

• Gain real-time insights into workforce productivity

• Ensure accurate payroll and compliance

• Build a transparent and accountable work culture

• Save time and costs while scaling your operations

How I Chose the Best Employee Time Tracking Apps

With so many options available today, picking the right employee time tracking app can feel overwhelming. Not every solution offers the features your business actually needs, and choosing the wrong one can waste both time and money. To make this list truly useful, I carefully tested and reviewed several platforms, narrowing down the best based on functionality, usability, and scalability.

Here are the key factors I considered when deciding which employee time tracking apps stand out from the rest.

1. Core Features Every Employee Time Tracking App Must Have

The first thing I looked for was whether the software provided the essential time tracking features that every business needs. Without these basics, an app simply won’t deliver value. I made sure each recommended app includes:

• Clock-in/Clock-out functionality: Employees should be able to log their working hours quickly and accurately.

• Break and overtime tracking: The app should automatically calculate breaks and overtime based on company rules, ensuring compliance.

• Mobile compatibility: With more employees working remotely or on-the-go, having a mobile-friendly employee time tracking app is critical.

• Geolocation and geofencing: These tools confirm that employees clock in and out from approved locations and send alerts if someone is outside the designated area.

2. Ease of Use and User Experience

Even the most feature-rich software won’t help if it’s difficult for employees to use. That’s why I looked closely at:

• User-friendly interface: The best employee time tracking app should be intuitive, requiring minimal training.

• Customizability: From setting custom work hours to role-based permissions, the ability to tailor the app is a big plus.

• Trial periods or demos: Every app I included offers a free trial or demo so businesses can test the software before committing.

3. Additional Features That Add Real Value

Beyond the basics, I also looked for advanced capabilities that can make a big difference for businesses:

• Offline mode: Employees should still be able to log hours in areas with poor connectivity, with data syncing once they’re back online.

• Project and task tracking: Essential for businesses that bill clients hourly or want to understand exactly where time is being spent.

• Automated reminders: Notifications help reduce missed punches and ensure more accurate time logs.

• Reporting and analytics: Detailed reports give managers insights into work patterns, productivity, and labor costs.

• Software integrations: A strong employee time tracking app should connect seamlessly with payroll systems, project management tools, and HR platforms.

4. Compliance, Security, and Reliability

Compliance and data protection are crucial in any employee time tracking app. The solutions I selected support:

• Labor law compliance: Automatic tracking of breaks, overtime, and rest periods helps businesses stay compliant with regulations.

• Data security: Features like encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure cloud storage protect sensitive employee information.

• Approval workflows: Managers and HR teams can review and approve time entries before they are finalized.

• Backup and data recovery: Reliable vendors offer robust recovery processes to safeguard against system failures.

5. Scalability and Customer Feedback

Finally, I considered the long-term potential of each employee time tracking app. Businesses need a solution that grows with them, not one they’ll outgrow in a year. That’s why I prioritized apps that:

• Scale easily to handle more users and advanced features as your business expands.

• Have consistently strong reviews and testimonials from other businesses, proving their reliability in real-world use cases.

• Offer responsive customer support, since even the best software occasionally requires assistance.

By reviewing these areas, I was able to confidently recommend the top employee time tracking apps that not only handle the basics but also deliver powerful features to make workforce management smoother, more transparent, and more productive.

The 8 Best Employee Time Tracking Apps of 2025

1. Join Vars 

Managing teams in 2025 requires more than just spreadsheets and manual timesheets. Businesses need smarter tools to track hours, manage projects, and ensure payroll accuracy without wasting valuable time. This is where the employee time tracking app steps in, transforming how you monitor, manage, and pay your workforce.

One of the standout solutions today is Join Vars, an all-in-one employee time tracking app built for modern businesses. Whether you’re overseeing frontline workers, remote staff, or hybrid teams, Join Vars makes it simple to log hours, track projects, automate payroll, and manage leave requests, all from one platform.

Below we explore why Join Vars has become one of the most recommended employee time tracking apps for 2025 and how its features streamline workforce management.

Why Join Vars Tops the List of Best Employee Time Tracking Apps

Join Vars is more than just a clock-in/clock-out tool. It’s a full employee time tracking app that combines workforce management, payroll integration, geolocation tracking, and job-specific reporting.

Let’s break down its features in detail:

1. GPS Tracking and Geofencing

With Join Vars’ built-in GPS tracking, you can monitor your team’s location in real time. This feature ensures your employees are at the right place, at the right time, and performing the right job.

• Real-Time Tracking: You can log the exact location where employees clock in and out.

• Geofencing: Create digital boundaries around worksites to prevent off-site clock-ins or buddy punching.

• Enhanced Security: Each employee’s location data is securely stored for compliance and audits.

This kind of transparency protects your business from payroll fraud and adds another layer of accountability for remote and mobile workers.

2. Job-Specific Time Tracking Options

As a business owner or manager, you need clarity on where your team’s time is going. Join Vars’ employee time tracking app lets you:

• Track hours by client, project, or task.

• Allocate resources more effectively by analyzing real-time data.

• Create detailed reports that help you bill clients accurately and measure productivity.

All this data is instantly accessible on the admin dashboard, giving you better control and visibility over your workforce.

3. Automated Digital Timesheets

Gone are the days of paper timesheets and manual data entry. Join Vars automatically organizes tracked hours into easy-to-read digital timesheets.

• Automatic Calculations: Payroll, breaks, and overtime are calculated for you.

• Error Detection: The system flags irregularities so you can correct mistakes before they cost you money.

• Employee Approval: Workers can review, edit, and approve timesheets from their own devices, ensuring transparency.

• Admin Controls: Assign permissions so only authorized managers can approve or reopen timesheets.

This feature alone can save hours of administrative work every week while reducing payroll errors.

4. Time-Off Management

Managing time-off requests manually can create confusion and scheduling conflicts. With Join Vars’ employee time tracking app, you can:

• Create and enforce company-wide time-off policies for any type of absence.

• Automate approvals and send real-time notifications to employees.

• Track leave balances and keep everything documented for compliance.

This streamlined approach eliminates back-and-forth emails and manual calculations, freeing up your HR team to focus on more strategic tasks.

5. Payroll Integrations

Accurate payroll is the backbone of employee satisfaction. Join Vars integrates seamlessly with leading payroll providers like QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP, Paychex, and Xero.

• Export digital timesheets directly to your payroll system in one click.

• Ensure employee data stays consistent across platforms.

• Reduce manual entry errors and save valuable time every payroll cycle.

Whether you’re managing 10 employees or 300, Join Vars’ payroll integrations help you stay organized, compliant, and efficient.

6. Everything You Need in One App

Join Vars isn’t just an employee time tracking app, it’s a complete workforce management solution. You can track hours, manage leave, handle payroll, and access detailed analytics all in one dashboard.

It’s built for both small and large businesses and works seamlessly across industries like construction, healthcare, hospitality, cleaning, field services, and retail.

7. Budget-Friendly and Scalable

Unlike many competitors, Join Vars offers a free plan for small teams and budget-friendly tiers as your business grows. Paid plans include access to advanced workforce management features, making it easy to scale without breaking your budget.

This flexibility makes Join Vars one of the most cost-effective employee time tracking apps on the market, ideal for startups, SMBs, and enterprises alike.

2. Jibble - A Powerful Employee Time Tracking App for Project-Based Work

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

Key Features:

• Access from desktop, mobile, Slack, or Microsoft Teams

• Detailed daily, weekly, and monthly alerts

• Ability to set up an iPad kiosk for centralized clock-ins

• Mobile time clock for on-the-go tracking

• GPS tracking for employee location verification

• Facial recognition for secure time entry

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly interface

• Robust automated timesheets and reporting tools

Cons:

• Occasional software crashes

• Limited customization options

Why Jibble Stands Out as an Employee Time Tracking App

Jibble is built specifically for time tracking, making it an excellent option for businesses of all sizes that need accurate, real-time data. Unlike many generic tools, Jibble focuses solely on helping managers and business owners streamline time tracking, attendance, and project-based work.

What I like about Jibble is how flexible it is, you can customize it to your team’s unique needs. Whether you’re managing an in-office crew, a remote workforce, or field staff, Jibble’s employee time tracking app offers multiple pricing tiers, including a free plan for basic tracking needs. It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and scales as your business grows.

Effortless and Accurate Time Tracking

With Jibble, you can easily create schedules for your team and set clear parameters such as break times, overtime rules, or project-specific time allocation. The app lets employees clock in and out from smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers, no matter where they’re working.

Jibble’s mobile time clock uses GPS tracking and facial recognition to eliminate time theft and ensure employees are exactly where they should be while on the clock. You can also select one of three time-tracking policies, flexible, moderate, or strict, to match your organization’s preferences.

Smarter Timesheets and Payroll Preparation

One of Jibble’s strongest features is its automated, digital timesheet system. Every clock-in and clock-out entry syncs instantly to employee timesheets, which managers and employees can review in real time. You’ll see exactly who’s working, when they clocked in or out, and any discrepancies that need to be corrected.

Managers can also export precise time data for projects or clients, making billing and payroll much simpler. This feature is especially valuable for businesses that bill clients hourly or track project-based labor costs.

Comprehensive Attendance Tracking

Beyond time tracking, Jibble acts as an attendance management tool. Its built-in attendance tracker automatically records absences, late arrivals, and time-off requests. These insights appear in detailed attendance reports, helping you identify patterns of absenteeism, improve staffing decisions, and ensure compliance with workplace policies.

Employees can also request time off directly from the app. Managers can then approve or deny these requests in just a few clicks, reducing administrative back-and-forth and keeping the entire process transparent.

Integrations That Streamline Your Workflow

Jibble integrates seamlessly with a variety of business and productivity tools, including:

• Airtable

• Paylocity

• Asana

• ClickUp

• Oracle

• Freshdesk

• Notion

These integrations make it easier to sync time-tracking data with payroll, project management, and HR systems, eliminating duplicate data entry and reducing errors.

 

3. QuickBooks Time - An Employee Time Tracking App Perfect for Customizable Payroll

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

Key Features:

• Digital timesheets for accurate time logging

• Flexible time card options

• Payroll and PTO (Paid Time Off) management

• “See Who’s Working” live dashboard

• Customizable payroll and productivity reports

Pros:

• Integrates smoothly with multiple business apps

• Simple, intuitive user experience

Cons:

• Customer support can be slow

• Interface is less intuitive compared to other apps

Why QuickBooks Time is a Leading Employee Time Tracking App

QuickBooks Time (formerly known as TSheets) is a robust cloud-based employee time tracking app designed to streamline work hour tracking, manage schedules, process payroll seamlessly, and improve invoicing accuracy. Whether you’re running a small team or managing a large workforce, QuickBooks Time helps ensure transparency and accountability in your time tracking process.

What I really like about QuickBooks Time is how easy it is for employees to clock in and out, switch job codes, and add notes to their timesheets. The platform’s real-time synchronization also means you always have the most accurate data available.

Reliable Employee Time Clock and Digital Timesheets

With QuickBooks Time, employees can clock in and out directly from their smartphones, tablets, or desktops, no matter where they’re working. Every start time, end time, break, and overtime entry is automatically logged in the app’s digital timesheets.

You can also prompt employees to add notes to their time entries, which is perfect for logging project details, task updates, or special instructions. Managers can view or edit these entries, ensuring every detail aligns with your payroll and project requirements.

This level of real-time accuracy down to job codes or departments is invaluable for project management, cost tracking, and client billing.

Real-Time “Who’s Working” Dashboard

One standout feature of QuickBooks Time is the “See Who’s Working” dashboard. This live view allows managers to see which employees are clocked in at any given time, a major advantage for teams with remote staff or field workers.

By having instant visibility into staffing levels, managers can make real-time adjustments to schedules, assign tasks efficiently, and ensure optimal coverage during peak hours. This feature also boosts accountability and accuracy in payroll.

Customizable Payroll Reports

QuickBooks Time shines in its ability to deliver tailored payroll reports. Managers can generate detailed reports on work hours, overtime, and breaks for each employee, perfectly aligned with payroll periods.

Because it integrates directly with QuickBooks Payroll, you can manage both time tracking and payroll from one platform, saving hours of administrative work. You can also customize reports to include or exclude specific data points, making them fit seamlessly into your company’s payroll process.

Smooth Integrations for a Seamless Workflow

QuickBooks Time offers a range of integrations to help your business operate smoothly:

• Square

• ADP

• Paychex

• MakeShift

• Aero

• OnPay

• JazzHR

These integrations reduce manual work, minimize payroll errors, and improve how time data flows between different systems.

4. Toggl Track – An Employee Time Tracking App Built for Measuring Productivity

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

Key Features:

• Integrates with over 100 popular business apps

• Automatically rounds time entries for clean reporting

• Project planning and budgeting tools

• Candidate screening and onboarding support

• Ready-made weekly and monthly reports

• Automated time tracking that runs in the background

Pros:

• Extremely fast setup and easy to learn

• Modern, attractive, and intuitive interface

Cons:

• No invoicing capabilities built-in

• Premium plan needed to unlock all features

• Some advanced functions can take time to master

Why Toggl Track is a Standout Employee Time Tracking App

Toggl Track is one of the most widely recognized employee time tracking apps for productivity and project management. With a single click, employees can clock in or resume where they left off on a task, while Toggl Track automatically runs in the background to record time spent on each project.

What makes this platform unique is its focus on simplicity and transparency. Toggl Track avoids invasive monitoring practices, there’s no location tracking or stealth “screenshotting.” Instead, it empowers employees and managers with data-driven insights while respecting user privacy.

This makes it ideal for remote teams, creative agencies, and companies that prioritize trust and flexibility.

Automated Time Tracking & Manual Flexibility

Toggl Track blends automated and manual time-tracking features. You can either run a live timer to track your work in real-time or enter hours manually after completing tasks. This flexibility is especially useful for professionals who want precise billing or need to adjust entries at the end of the day.

Because Toggl Track integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar and Outlook, it can automatically sync your meetings and events into the app. This ensures no work hours go untracked and makes scheduling effortless.

Detailed Reporting for Smarter Business Decisions

One of Toggl Track’s strongest selling points as an employee time tracking app is its detailed reporting system. You can instantly generate reports by client, project, task, or time frame. Reports are color-coded and easy to filter, making it simpler to visualize productivity patterns or identify inefficiencies.

For businesses that bill clients hourly, these reports can double as billing records. You’ll be able to produce professional, transparent time statements with minimal effort.

Powerful Calendar View for Visual Time Management

Toggl Track’s calendar view is a productivity booster. It gives managers and employees a visual overview of scheduled tasks and tracked hours across days or weeks.

With color-coded entries by project, users can easily spot gaps, overlaps, or bottlenecks. The drag-and-drop function allows quick editing of time blocks, while calendar integrations with Google and Outlook ensure every meeting or event appears alongside tracked hours.

This feature is particularly helpful for balancing workloads, monitoring project progress, and forecasting timelines.

Integrations That Simplify Workflows

Toggl Track connects with over 100 other tools, meaning it can fit into almost any workflow. Some of its most popular integrations include:

• Trello

• Slack

• GitHub

• GitLab

• Jira

• Google Calendar

• Evernote

With these integrations, time data flows seamlessly between your project management, communication, and scheduling tools, reducing manual entry and making your operations more efficient.

5. TimeCamp - Best Employee Time Tracking App for Automated Timesheets

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

Key Features:

• Project management and budgeting tools

• Integrated payroll system

• Attendance, vacation, and holiday tracking

• Invoicing and budget management

• Custom billing rates for clients

• Productivity and time usage tracking

Pros:

• Simple to use but powerful employee time tracking app

• Great for teams and freelancers alike

Cons:

• Limited variety of advanced features compared to competitors

• Pricing can scale up with larger teams

Overview

TimeCamp is a straightforward employee time tracking app designed for both teams and freelancers. Its automatic time tracking runs quietly in the background on your desktop or mobile device, allowing you to stay focused on your work instead of managing spreadsheets.

Why I Chose TimeCamp: One of TimeCamp’s strongest points is its quick setup and intuitive interface. Within minutes, you can begin logging employee hours, reviewing productivity, and creating timesheets. The clean, modern design makes it simple to navigate, even for new users.

Time Tracking Made Easy

TimeCamp allows employees to start and stop timers directly from their desktop or mobile device, ensuring accurate tracking of tasks and projects. Manual time entry is also available, and you can even create recurring time entries to avoid repetitive setup every day.

Keep in mind: TimeCamp also tracks URLs and applications used while time tracking is active. While this can be valuable for monitoring productivity, some organizations may view this level of monitoring as intrusive.

Time Budgeting and Reporting

TimeCamp offers robust time budgeting tools to allocate resources effectively and plan projects with ease. Its color-coded charts and clear visualizations make tracking hours intuitive. The reporting dashboard consolidates all timekeeping data and lets you generate over 20 types of reports, giving managers a complete overview of how their team is spending time.

Integrations

TimeCamp connects seamlessly with popular tools and platforms, such as:

• Jira

• Salesforce

• Hubspot

• Zapier

• Xero

• QuickBooks

These integrations make TimeCamp a versatile employee time tracking app for businesses looking to unify project management, payroll, and productivity tracking in one platform.

6. Timely – Best Employee Time Tracking App for Project Management

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

Key Features:

• Deep integrations with popular workplace apps

• Project progress tracking in real time

• Automatic time tracking and timesheets

• Quick, customizable reporting tools

• AI-powered Memory Tracker

• Billing and client project management

Pros:

• Intuitive, well-designed interface

• Offers clear oversight on projects and time spent

• Automates most of the time entry process

Cons:

• Recurring time tracking events must be entered manually

• Alerts and notifications could be more robust

Overview

Timely is an AI-powered employee time tracking app that automatically records what you work on and stores it in its Memory Tracker. The software groups activities into organized time entries and even suggests project tags, saving hours of manual input.

Why I Chose Timely: Unlike traditional time trackers, Timely does the heavy lifting for you. The Memory Tracker collects work activity in the background and assigns it to projects, so you don’t have to log anything yourself. This hands-free approach makes Timely one of the most efficient tools on the market for project-based teams.

Project Time Tracking and Timesheets

With Timely, you can create individual projects as the target for your time tracking. Add activities, billing rates, and project details to generate client-specific timesheets automatically.

Its AI-driven Memory Tracker tags activities on your computer and connects them to the appropriate projects. Over time, the system learns your behavior and becomes even more accurate, reducing manual corrections.

Custom Reports and Analytics

Timely’s customizable daily, weekly, and monthly reports make it easy to view and analyze how your team spends its time. The reports are color-coded and clearly structured, making them especially useful for billing, productivity analysis, and client reporting.

Integrations

Timely integrates with numerous tools, including:

• Google Calendar

• Asana

• Trello

• Xero

• Office 365

This makes Timely a versatile employee time tracking app for businesses that rely on multiple systems to manage projects and productivity.

7. Hubstaff – Best Employee Time Tracking App for Remote Teams

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

• Windows

• Mac

Key Features:

• Holiday and time-off management

• Set pay rates for team members or projects

• Automated payroll and invoicing

• Advanced employee time tracking

• Automated timesheets

• Robust reports and analytics

Pros:

• Integrates with more than 30 applications

• Fully automated payroll and reporting

• Designed for remote and distributed teams

Cons:

• Customer support can be slow to respond

• Some features are complex and require multiple steps to set up

Overview

Hubstaff is an all-in-one employee time tracking app created for remote and hybrid teams. It combines automated time tracking, productivity monitoring, and payroll tools to streamline operations for businesses of all sizes.

Why I Chose Hubstaff: Hubstaff’s simple interface and in-depth reporting capabilities make it ideal for companies managing distributed teams. Its automatic time tracking tool runs in the background, while its advanced monitoring options help managers better understand productivity levels across projects.

Time Tracking Tool

Hubstaff’s time tracking tool lets employees simply press start and work without interruption. The app automatically records hours, tracks tasks, and creates detailed timesheets.

During testing, I liked how comprehensive the time reports were. They include activity levels, project spend, and allow employees to add notes for extra context. This makes Hubstaff an ideal employee time tracking app for organizations that need reliable, real-time data on productivity.

Employee Monitoring and Geofencing

Hubstaff offers optional employee monitoring features, including screenshots, app usage tracking, and URL monitoring. These features can help managers identify productivity trends and ensure compliance with company policies.

One standout feature is Hubstaff’s geofencing. Using an interactive map, managers can see where employees are located while on the job. I tested it myself and found it highly accurate, making it an excellent option for field-based teams.

Integrations

Hubstaff connects with a wide range of tools to streamline workflows, including:

• PayPal

• Asana

• GitHub

• FreshDesk

• Bitwage

• Salesforce

This makes Hubstaff one of the most versatile employee time tracking apps for businesses using multiple platforms to manage projects and payroll.

8. Harvest – A Top Employee Time Tracking App for Client-Facing Teams

Available on:

• Web

• iOS

• Android

• Windows

• Mac

Key Features:

• Simple, intuitive employee time tracking app

• Expense monitoring and cost control

• Invoicing and billing capabilities

• Custom reminders and notifications

• Detailed, easy-to-understand reports

• Integrates seamlessly with multiple apps

Pros:

• Ideal for freelancers, contractors, and service-based teams

• Clean interface with straightforward reporting and invoicing

Cons:

• No premade templates (requires manual setup for some reports and invoices)

• Some features can be tricky to implement at first

Overview

Harvest is a versatile employee time tracking app designed for businesses that bill by the hour or manage multiple client projects. Whether you’re a freelancer, contractor, or running a small service-based team, Harvest provides the tools you need to track billable hours, manage expenses, and streamline invoicing, all from one platform.

Time Tracking & Timesheets

With Harvest’s stopwatch feature, employees can clock in and out easily, or manually add hours for missed entries. The timer runs quietly in the background on desktop or mobile, so you don’t have to keep the app open.

I liked how you can assign tasks to projects, break down hours per task, and see a detailed summary of total hours. The automated timesheets compile everything, making it easy to review total time spent on each project at a glance.

During testing, I found Harvest’s built-in reminders incredibly helpful. If you leave the timer running, Harvest will notify you and even auto-adjust your entry, saving time and reducing mistakes.

Invoicing and Expense Tracking

Harvest stands out as more than just an employee time tracking app—it’s also a lightweight invoicing and expense management tool. After tracking time, you can generate invoices directly from logged hours. This feature is perfect for businesses looking to streamline billing without needing separate software.

Reporting & Analytics

Harvest provides clear, customizable reports so managers can review billable hours, project profitability, and individual employee performance. The reporting interface is clean and easy to interpret, even for non-technical users.

Integrations

Harvest integrates with dozens of popular tools to help teams stay organized and improve workflows. Some key integrations include:

• Zapier

• Alfred

• Zendesk

• Trello

• Stripe

• Basecamp

• Asana

With these integrations, Harvest becomes one of the most flexible employee time tracking apps for service-oriented businesses managing multiple clients and projects.

What Are Employee Time Tracking Apps?

An employee time tracking app allows businesses to monitor, manage, and accurately record the hours their employees work. These apps provide a variety of powerful features, including online timesheets, GPS tracking, job-specific time tracking, automated payroll calculations, and time-off management.

By leveraging technology, an employee time tracking app ensures that employees are paid correctly according to labor laws, reducing the risk of wage disputes and payroll errors.

Additionally, these apps provide managers with real-time insights into who is working on which projects or tasks. This visibility helps optimize workforce productivity, identify areas for improvement, and determine where additional training might be needed.

Tracking employee hours digitally also eliminates conflicts between employees and supervisors about task completion times, ensuring transparency and accountability across your team.

How Do Employee Time Tracking Apps Work?

An employee time tracking app works by giving businesses a centralized platform to monitor the time employees spend on tasks, projects, or shifts.

Most apps include an online dashboard where employees can log hours, breaks, and other relevant work data. Managers can then generate detailed reports that provide actionable insights into productivity, project costs, and labor allocation.

Advanced features, such as GPS tracking and mobile access, ensure that teams working remotely or in the field can still accurately log their hours in real time.

Key Benefits of Using an Employee Time Tracking App

Using an employee time tracking app comes with numerous advantages for businesses of all sizes:

1. Regulatory Compliance

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires businesses to maintain accurate records of employee work hours for at least two years. An employee time tracking app keeps all this data organized and readily accessible, eliminating the risk of lost or misplaced paperwork.

2. Reduced Errors

While no system is completely error-free, automated time tracking drastically reduces mistakes in hours worked, overtime calculations, and payroll.

3. Automation Saves Time

Manual spreadsheets and timesheets can be time-consuming and error-prone. Automation within an employee time tracking app organizes work hours, calculates overtime, and prepares data for payroll, saving valuable time and effort.

4. Real-Time Insights

With everything recorded digitally, managers can instantly see who is working, how many hours have been logged, and whether additional coverage is needed for a project.

5. GPS Tracking

Every clock-in and clock-out can include a GPS location stamp, ensuring employees are where they need to be. This feature protects your business from time theft and maintains accurate attendance records.

6. Eliminate Rounding Errors

Traditional time tracking often rounds up hours, which can increase payroll costs unnecessarily. An employee time tracking app records exact hours worked, so you pay only for actual time worked.

7. Prevent Buddy Punching

Digital tracking makes it virtually impossible for one employee to clock in on behalf of another, improving accountability and reducing time fraud.

8. Manage Overtime Effectively

As soon as an employee exceeds their regular hours, the app can alert managers in real time. This proactive approach helps prevent excessive overtime and ensures payroll compliance.

9. Improve Team Management

Detailed tracking allows managers to monitor workload distribution, identify employees consistently working extra hours, and adjust tasks to prevent burnout. This fosters a healthier work-life balance while keeping productivity high.

How Much Does an Employee Time Tracking App Cost?

Pricing for employee time tracking apps varies based on features, integrations, and the number of users. Many popular apps start as low as $5/month per user, with more advanced solutions ranging up to $45/month per user.

Join Vars is a cost-effective choice for businesses of all sizes. It offers a free plan for up to 10 users, with paid plans starting at $29/month for the first 30 users. The platform includes comprehensive employee management features, making it a scalable solution as your team grows.

1. What is an employee time tracking app?

An employee time tracking app is software that helps businesses monitor and manage the hours employees work. It allows staff to clock in and out, log breaks, track overtime, and manage time off. These apps often include GPS tracking, automated timesheets, payroll integrations, and reporting tools to streamline workforce management.

2. How does an employee time tracking app improve productivity?

By providing real-time visibility into employee work hours, tasks, and project progress, an employee time tracking app allows managers to allocate resources efficiently, prevent overtime, and identify productivity trends. Automation reduces administrative tasks, freeing managers and employees to focus on higher-value work.

3. Can I use an employee time tracking app for remote teams?

Yes! Many employee time tracking apps, including Join Vars, offer mobile and web access, GPS tracking, and geofencing features. This ensures accurate time tracking for remote or field employees while preventing time theft and maintaining accountability.

4. Are employee time tracking apps compliant with labor laws?

Most modern employee time tracking apps help businesses stay compliant with labor regulations, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These apps maintain detailed records of work hours, breaks, and overtime, which can be easily accessed for audits or inspections.

5. How much does an employee time tracking app cost?

Costs vary depending on features, integrations, and the number of users. Basic apps start at around $5/month per user, while advanced solutions may go up to $45/month per user. Join Vars offers a free plan for up to 10 users, with paid plans starting at $29/month for 30 users, including all employee management features.

6. Can employee time tracking apps prevent payroll errors?

Absolutely. An employee time tracking app automates timesheets, calculates overtime, and integrates with payroll systems. This significantly reduces human errors, prevents overpayment or underpayment, and ensures employees are compensated accurately for the hours they worked.