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As a small business owner, you know that time is money. Accurate payroll, efficient project management and improved productivity are a big part of your business’s success.
But managing time can be a daunting and, well, time-consuming task. Especially when you’re juggling various jobs, specific projects, billable hours, invoices… The list goes on. Keeping up with all of this can take up so much time.
Time-tracking software solutions help you stay on top of your employees’ hours and encourage them to take ownership of their time. These tools make it easy for your team to manage clock-ins and clock-outs, request time off and view their schedules. Cue trust and accountability among your team. Cue boosted morale and productivity. Cue saving small business time.
Let’s look at the best time-tracking software, focusing on solutions tailored specifically for small businesses like yours.
Small business time-tracking software to consider
- Time by Wagepoint
- QuickBooks Time
- 7Shifts
- When I Work
- Clockify
- Connectteam
- Deputy
- Homebase
- Buddy Punch
What to look for in the best time-tracking software for small business.
To track time and get accurate data, consider the following for getting the job done:
- Ease of use: User-friendly software that’s easy to navigate for both managers and employees will set you up for the best time management.
- Core features: Essential features include time tracking, scheduling, detailed reports and integrations for real-time insights and scope on your workforce.
- Integrations: When time-tracking software integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, such as accounting or payroll software, it makes things like tracking billable time and other specific tasks easier.
- Pricing: Look for transparent pricing plans that make core features versus add-ons and additional features crystal clear. This’ll help you find the best price for your budget.
- Customer service: Make sure the software provider has reliable and responsive customer support.
1. Time by Wagepoint
Time by Wagepoint is dynamic time-tracking software specifically designed for small businesses. It features an easy-to-use platform to manage employee time, attendance and scheduling. With its streamlined approach, Time by Wagepoint is a lean, mean time and attendance machine.
Top features
- Streamlined time and attendance management: Time by Wagepoint emphasizes functionality over unnecessary features while keeping on top of time entries and tasks.
- Geofencing capabilities: The software includes features to set designated job sites and get notified when employees enter or leave those areas. This adds an extra layer of accountability and ensures accurate time tracking.
- Tailored for small businesses: Specifically designed with small business owners and small teams in mind, it caters to their unique needs and challenges.
- Free trial: You can start with a 14-day free trial to test the software. No credit card is needed during this period.
- Straightforward pricing: Pricing is transparent. The pricing page outlines all features and makes it easy to factor into a small business budget once you move to the paid version.
- User-friendly platform: This web app and mobile-friendly platform is easy to use. You can quickly and efficiently manage employee hours, assign various tasks and review reports.
Limitations
- Since Time by Wagepoint is tailored for small businesses, it may not have some of the advanced features needed by larger organizations.
2. QuickBooks Time
QuickBooks Time is a versatile software with on-the-go time tracking and project management tools. It’s designed to cater to businesses of various sizes.
Top features
- Simple timesheets and mobile time tracking: QuickBooks Time provides easy-to-use timesheets and mobile time tracking. Employees can clock in and out from anywhere.
- Customizable reports: The software comes with customizable reports to help you monitor your team’s performance.
- Integrations with accounting or payroll systems: QuickBooks Time integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Payroll and other popular accounting and payroll systems.
- GPS and geofencing capabilities: The software includes GPS tracking and geofencing features, so you know employees are at work within designated areas.
- Web and mobile app access: Access QuickBooks Time via web browser or on the go.
Limitations
- While QuickBooks Time offers a range of features suitable for businesses of various sizes, it is less small business-friendly than other options on this list.
- There may be potential privacy issues as GPS tracking of employees may not be permissible in all locations, depending on privacy laws.
3. 7Shifts
7Shifts is an employee scheduling software designed specifically for the restaurant industry. It aims to simplify scheduling, improve communication and reduce labour costs.
Top features
- Industry specific: 7Shifts is tailored for the restaurant industry, addressing the specific challenges and requirements of managing restaurant staff schedules.
- Built for flexibility: It helps employees and managers to stay connected and work together to manage their schedules effectively. This can be especially helpful for businesses with flexible work arrangements or multiple locations.
- Sales forecasting tools: Reduce labour costs by optimizing schedules and using sales forecasting tools to make informed staffing decisions.
- Comprehensive scheduling options: The software handles various aspects of scheduling, including availability, time off, overtime and more, ensuring efficient staff management.
Limitations
- 7Shifts is designed specifically for restaurants, so other business sectors might not find it as good a fit.
4. When I Work
When I Work brings employee scheduling, time tracking and communication tools together for businesses of various sizes. It covers scheduling aspects like availability, time off, overtime and more while facilitating employee requests for time off and shift swaps.
Top features
- Comprehensive time-tracking: When I Work provides a complete solution for managing employee schedules and tracking their work hours, ensuring accurate payroll and efficient resource allocation.
- Communication tools: The software streamlines communication between employees and managers with one-on-one messages or group chats.
- Built-in sales forecasting: When I Work includes sales forecasting tools to help businesses make informed staffing decisions and achieve their labour targets.
Limitations
- While When I Work has a range of features for businesses of various sizes, it may not be as specifically tailored for small businesses as other options on this list.
5. Clockify
Clockify is a free time-tracking software used worldwide. It has robust features for tracking work hours, employee productivity and managing projects. It can be a good choice for teams on a budget.
Top features
- Free time-tracking software for teams: Clockify is a completely free plan solution for teams to track their work hours and manage projects.
- Comprehensive time management features: The software provides a wide range of time management features, such as timers, timesheets, calendars and automatic time tracking, ensuring efficient tracking and project management.
- Cross-device compatibility: Clockify is compatible with various systems, including mobile devices, allowing users to track their time on the go.
- Expense and invoice recording: For those time-related tasks that need to be linked to an invoice or expense.
Limitations
- While Clockify is a free option, it may lack some advanced features found in paid alternatives, making it less suitable for businesses with more complex needs.
6. Connectteam
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app designed for businesses of all sizes. This solution to streamlines operations and improves productivity. It comes with time tracking, scheduling, communication and training tools.
Top features
- Employee management app: Connecteam has a single platform to manage multiple aspects of employee management, including time tracking, scheduling, communication and training.
- Time-tracking, scheduling and communication tools: The app provides tools for tracking work hours, creating schedules and facilitating seamless communication between team members.
- Customizable training and onboarding modules: Connecteam allows businesses to create custom training and onboarding modules to ensure employees are prepared for their roles.
- Mobile app for on-the-go access: The software is available on both iOS and Android devices. This lets employees and managers access the platform from anywhere.
Limitations
- Connecteam comes with a wide range of features outside of tracking employee work time, so it can be overwhelming for small businesses that are looking for a simple solution and time-tracking tools.
7. Deputy
Deputy is a workforce management software with time tracking, scheduling and communication tools designed to help businesses manage their teams more efficiently and ensure compliance with labour laws.
Top features
- Time-tracking, scheduling and communication tools: Deputy helps with managing employee schedules, tracking work hours and facilitating seamless communication between team members.
- Compliance with labour laws and regulations: The software helps businesses maintain compliance with labour laws and regulations, ensuring accurate payroll and avoiding potential legal issues.
- Mobile app for on-the-go access: Deputy includes a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. Employees and project managers can access the platform from anywhere.
- Integrations with popular payroll and HR systems: The software integrates with popular payroll and HR systems, streamlining workforce management processes.
- Multiple paid plans: Deputy has a number of options including basic plans and more feature-inclusive plans.
Limitations
- Deputy has a range of features and benefits, but its pricing may be higher than some other time-tracking and scheduling solutions when moving to the plan that includes more features.
8. Homebase
Homebase is a time tracking and scheduling software designed specifically for small businesses. It comes with tools for employee scheduling, time tracking, team communication and integrations with popular payroll providers.
Top features
- Time tracking and employee scheduling tools: Homebase comes with the tools for managing employee schedules and tracking work hours, ensuring efficient resource management.
- Team communication features: The software facilitates seamless communication between employees and managers, making swapping shifts and managing schedule changes easy.
- Integrations with popular payroll providers: Homebase integrates with popular payroll providers, streamlining your business processes and ensuring accurate payroll calculations and worker compensation.
- Mobile app for on-the-go access: Homebase lets employees and managers access the platform from anywhere on iOS and Android devices.
- Free basic plan: Homebase has a free plan that gets you started with the basics.
Limitations
- While Homebase offers a range of features suitable for small businesses, it may lack some advanced features until you reach the higher tiered plans.
9. Buddy Punch
Buddy Punch is a software with time tracking, scheduling and reporting features. It’s designed to help businesses manage their employees’ time and attendance more efficiently.
Top features
- Time tracking, scheduling and reporting tools: Buddy Punch has tools for tracking employee work hours, creating schedules and generating reports.
- Mobile app for on-the-go access: The software includes a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. Employees and managers can access the platform from anywhere, making it convenient for businesses with remote or on-site teams.
- Integrations with popular payroll and accounting systems: Buddy Punch integrates with popular payroll and accounting systems, streamlining your business processes and ensuring accurate payroll calculations.
- Customizable settings and permissions: The software allows businesses to customize settings and permissions.
- Multiple punch options: Buddy Punch has a number of clock-in options, including facial recognition.
Limitations
- While Buddy Punch has a range of features and benefits, it may not be as user-friendly as some additional time-tracking and scheduling software options.
- Tiered pricing plans mean not all features are available until the higher priced plan.
Get started with time-tracking software for small business.
There you have it. That’s our list of the best time-tracking software for small business. Now it’s all about choosing the software that fits the specific needs of your business to streamline your operations, improves productivity and ensures accurate payroll.
Time by Wagepoint stands out as a user-friendly and tailored solution for small businesses, complete with a 14-day free trial and straightforward pricing. From client projects to day-to-day tracking, manage employees’ time, attendance and scheduling so you can track your team’s work hours without sacrificing your precious time.
Now is the right time to take advantage of the opportunity to try Time by Wagepoint for free to see how it can transform your small business mojo. Sign up for a 14-day free trial today and experience the many benefits of a tailored time-tracking solution for your small business.
