Say goodbye to paper timesheets and buddy punching, and invest in time clock software to track employee hours in real time, standardize pay stubs, and gain insights on employee work hours. Together, these features assist project or team managers to accurately track employee hours for specific clients or projects and pay them accordingly, boosting productivity and employee morale.
To help you narrow the list of time clock solutions, this article highlights, in alphabetical order, the five top-rated time clock software for small businesses based on user reviews. For each product, we include overall user ratings along with the highest-rated attribute, product benefits, review excerpts from industry professionals, and product pricing.
We selected products for this article based on their average ratings between January 2022 - January 2024, which may differ from their current overall average ratings.
1. Buddy Punch
Buddy Punch offers GPS tracking and geofencing to monitor work hours, overtime, vacation, and sick days. It also allows for making real-time adjustments to the created employee work schedules, which are subject to manager approval. The software integrates with payroll systems to directly sync the employee schedules and calculate their monthly pay. Additionally, it offers a mobile app, enabling employees to clock in and out from various locations, making it suitable for businesses with remote or on-site workers.
Commonly discussed topics by Buddy Punch reviewers
Based on our analysis of Buddy Punch reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are:
Flexible employee management: 96.6% of users appreciate the ability to monitor employees’ vacation, wellness, and holiday hours, and plan future vacations. They also value the ability to control work times, apply rules and restrictions, and ensure timely arrival at jobs.
Efficient digital clock-in system: 75.6% of users appreciate the ease and efficiency of the tool for employees to clock in and out time from remote locations. They also value the visibility of accumulated hours, aiding in paycheck anticipation.
Accurate time management: 69.2% of users appreciate the effectiveness of managing time and employee hours. They also value mobile access, geolocation features, and the fair calculation of hours, boosting employee confidence.
Review excerpts from small business users who have used Buddy Punch for time clock:
“It's also really nice to be able to see your cumulated hours for that pay period displayed clearly right next to the "clock in/out" button, so that you can anticipate how much your next paycheck will be (which is great for those of us with irregular working hours who may lose track of how many hours we've worked that pay period!” (Megan Henderson, Accounts Payable, 2023)
“Additionally, they have a very easily accessible BuddyPunch app, which has made it so much easier for me to clock in and clock out, especially when I'm running late to my shift, or I have to leave and run off to a class or another activity right after I clock out." (Fiona Murphy, Student Worker, St. Catherine University IT Department, 2022)
“We were able to solve the punch in time and location of the employees, as a Construction company, the employees get directly to the job site” (Giovanna Bedoya, Office Manager, 2022)
“I enjoy being able to see my vacation hours, wellness hours, holiday pay and how many hours I have so I can plan on future vacations” (Jennifer Perez, peer specialist, 2023)
“Using Buddy Punch has made managing time more effectively, I am able to approve hours when employees miss punch in time and see all employees login time with accurate location.” (Patricia Castillion, Office Administrator, 2022)
“I like that employees are able to make an adjustment to their time and then it gets approved by manager. (Stacey Larson, Accounting, 2023)
Read all Buddy Punch reviews here.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Highest-rated attribute
Value-for-money - 4.87
Commonly reviewed by*
Professionals in hospital & health care, construction, and education management, according to Capterra’s user reviews
Starting price
$3.99 per user per month (billed annually)
Device Compatibilty
2. ClockShark
ClockShark time-tracking and task-scheduling software offer project management tools, clock-in/out, and GPS tracking. Administrators or project managers can assign employees to specific projects or tasks. The software allows for accurate recording of hours spent on a project or in the field, aiding in labor cost monitoring and job costing. It includes a mobile app for on-the-go time tracking and integrates with payroll and accounting software. The platform also provides detailed reports to evaluate employee performance and optimize task schedules.
Commonly discussed topics by ClockShark reviewers
Based on our analysis of ClockShark reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are:
Efficient in employee tracking: 86.4% of users commend its time-saving features, such as GPS tracking, time recording, and integration with payroll systems. Additionally, the ability to monitor employees' tasks, job sites, and even vacation hours has proven beneficial for them.
Enhanced employee management: 82.4% of users lauded the tool for providing real-time visibility of employees' locations and tasks, aiding in job costing and time management. Users also praise its ability to customize notifications and view timesheets.
Accurate clocking systems: 77.7% of users appreciate its ability to track employees' work hours accurately, even in remote locations, thanks to GPS tracking. However, they expressed a desire for additional features such as automatic reminders, note options for schedules, and clock-in questions for daily check-ins.
Review excerpts from small business users who have used ClockShark for time clock:
“Our field employees are able to clock in and out of jobs more accurately using this software and it only takes a minute or two to update when they change jobs during the day.” (Deborah Gilchrist, Human Resource Manager, 2023)
“We use the daily clock in/out for our field employees and so far (after we were able to get the app working on tablets) it is working to provide what we need. And I use a few of the reports to assist with monitoring labor costs on a job.” (Danette Behrens, GM, 2022)
“This software has been hugely helpful in tracking my employee's hours, whereabouts (drive times + locations), and which service they are doing.” (Jessica Ws, Business Owner, 2022)
Read all ClockShark reviews here.
3. HRnest
HRnest's employee time clock software streamlines HR processes such as leave requests, work scheduling, and time tracking. It allows employees to check their work schedules and request leaves from their mobile devices via the HRnest application. The software also allows managers to track holiday limits for employees and plan vacation periods. Managers can also utilize the "Personal File" module for storing and managing employee documents, such as leave applications, schedules, and pay stubs.
Commonly discussed topics by HRnest reviewers
Based on our analysis of HRnest reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are:
Custom HR management: 100% of users value its adaptability, which allows them to tailor the tool to their company's specific needs. It has proven to be particularly beneficial for companies with outsourced HR or Accounting, ensuring quick and accurate information exchange.
Convenient leave management: 86.7% of users appreciate that the tool allows employees to request leave and check schedules on demand, even via mobile devices. They also find the batch input feature particularly time-saving, enabling mass updates of employee profiles and vacation limits.
Review excerpts from small business users who have used HRnest for time clock:
“Thanks to this, employees can check their work schedule or e.g. request leave on demand even using mobile phone, which is very convenient and useful for them.” (Iwona Fus Potoczak, Administration and Payroll Manager, 2022)
“HRnest has definitely made this task easier for us - all employee documents are assigned to individual profiles, which makes finding them quicker.” (Monika Miroś, Office & HR Assistant, 2022)
“It's extremely helpful in companies with outsourced HR /Accounting - information is exchanged quickly and properly.” (Agnieszka Kosiorek, Finance Director, 2022)
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Highest-rated attribute
Customer support - 4.82
Commonly used by*
Professionals in information technology and services, financial services, internet, according to Capterra’s user reviews
Starting price
$6 per user per month (billed annually)
Device Compatibilty
4. Nowsta
Nowsta scheduling software manages and schedules staff for multiple events at various locations. It integrates with catering software and offers a mobile app for staff to accept or decline shifts, view event details, and clock in or out. The software provides daily, weekly, and monthly calendar views for event staffing and features built-in announcements for staff communication. Nowsta also offers GPS location tracking and the ability to generate business performance and budgeting reports.
Commonly discussed topics by Nowsta reviewers
Based on our analysis of Jibble reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are:
Efficient scheduling: 100% of users value its versatility, allowing for the organization of various staff levels across multiple events and locations. The tool is recognized for its time-saving systematization of schedules, aiding in budgeting and staffing considerations.
Enhanced staff management: 100% of users appreciate its versatility in handling an ever-changing employee pool and facilitating temporary staff engagement. Users also commend different calendar views on event staffing.
Custom employee management: 80% of users say the tool helps in enhancing efficiency in managing employee hours and event placements. However, there is a desire for more customization capabilities, specifically in terms of employee pay rates, not only based on position but also according to the client.
Review excerpts from small business users who have used Nowsta for time clock:
“I like the ability to schedule multiple events and include a multitude of details that are important to convey to our teams.” (Frankie Thaheld, Owner, 2023)
“This allows us to keep budgeting / staffing goals in mind when creating the schedule.” (Tim Mitchell, Founder & General Manager, 2023)
“Nowsta has saved us countless hours allowing us to focus our attention from staff scheduling to team training, client support, sales and marketing.” (Sunni Mullinax, General Manager, 2023)
“I would like to be able to add a little more customization to employee pay rates (not only by position, but by client as well).” (Jennifer Allen, Controller, 2022)
5. Rippling
Rippling is an HR management platform that enables clocking in/out, managing paid time offs, and accessing pay stubs. Employees can update their information, request changes, and handle their time clock system using the self-service portal. The platform tracks time, labor, and other compliance infractors to notify potential issues/delays and remediate them. Rippling integrates with payroll, benefits administration, and time tracking software. Its time clock app enables managers and employees to manage tasks and schedules on the go.
Commonly discussed topics by Rippling reviewers
Based on our analysis of Rippling reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are:
Effortless navigation: 92.2% of users praise the software's navigation and intuitive layout, which allow them to access information, including insurance benefits and 401K, swiftly and effortlessly. The software's ability to consolidate various features in one place is also highly commended.
Efficient document management: 91.8% of users like that the tool simplifies employee document management by providing access to pay stubs, tax forms, and other important documents. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other software, making it a comprehensive solution for data import and export.
Convenient scheduling changes: 75% of users say that the tool is highly versatile and convenient, particularly for those who travel or work non-standard hours. The software also offers an intuitive interface for managing payroll, benefits, and PTO. Employees and administrators also value its ability to correct time entries and request changes.
Review excerpts from small business users who have used Rippling for time clock:
“As someone who is always traveling for work and who works non-standard hours, Rippling's clocking in and out and time clock management make it incredibly fast, easy, and simple to mark my time no matter where I am or when I'm working.” (Corey Howell, Social Media Specialist, 2023)
“There is round up/down settings, customizable and easy to configure payroll, amazing customer service to correct wrong timecards, and just enough details for admin to approve hours / request changes.” (Christie Pang, Co-founder and Co-CEO, 2023)
“It allows me to view my paystubs, request PTO, and update my direct deposit easily and quickly.” (Gabriela Garcia, Claim specialist, 2023)
“The software is easy to navigate, provides all the information in an efficient way, and saves a lot of time for both the user and the administrator.” (Frederico de Almeida, Case Manager, 2022)
“Rippling is super easy to navigate and has a ton of different features that make finding everything in one place a breeze.” (Jane Salady, Member Account Specialist, 2023)
Read all Rippling reviews here.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Highest-rated attribute
Ease-of-use - 4.80
Commonly used by*
Professionals in computer software, information technology and services, and financial services, according to Capterra’s user reviews
Starting price
Available upon request from the vendor
Device Compatibilty
What features does time clock software offer?
Time clock software includes the following core features:
Online time clock: Track the amount of time employees spend completing a particular task or project. This feature enables employees to clock in and out of work shifts using a mobile app, computer, or self-service kiosks.
Timesheet management: Capture employee work hours in online spreadsheets or time-tracking dashboards. The feature allows categorizing time spent on specific tasks, projects, or clients or filtering the data by days, weeks, or months. Users can also generate reports based on time-tracking data for payroll processing, project budgeting, and productivity analysis.
All products listed in this report include the key features mentioned above. Besides these core features, time clock software commonly tends to offer:
Attendance tracking
Compliance management
Employee database
Employee portal
Employee scheduling
Employee time tracking
Mobile access
Punch card
Self service portal
Sick leave tracking
Vacation leave tracking
How to choose the right time clock software for small business
Here are some factors to consider while you look for the time clock software for small business:
Assess the required time tracking features: Time clock solutions offer different capabilities that allow users to track employee hours and assess their performance or create adequate project budgets. Is the basic clocking in/out time sufficient, or does the business require overtime calculation, break tracking, or absence management? Do the projects require detailed time tracking for specific tasks, clients, or budgets? Does the payroll process require automatic timesheet integration for efficiency? These are some common questions to seek answers to and assess the selected software features accordingly.
Evaluate the reporting capabilities. Time clock software with reporting and analytics capabilities helps identify work hour trends and plan budget requirements, analyzing the areas that are working well or need improvement. This enables users to make data-driven decisions and optimize resource allocation for maximum productivity.
Opt for integration capabilities: If the business requires calculating payrolls or managing benefits based on employee work hours, then integrating it with the payroll systems is essential. The integration enables real-time data sync and automatic data transfer to save time and errors of manual data entry.
Common questions to ask software vendors before purchasing time clock software for small business
Consider asking your vendor the following questions so that you find the best time clock software for small business:
Common options offered by time clock software vendors include PIN, fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, geolocation, and time clock app. Employees may also choose from different clocking methods offered by the vendor or those selected by their employer. Selecting any of these options is based on workforce requirements, such as hybrid, remote, or on-field employee time tracking.
Some employee time clock tools automatically calculate overtime based on the predetermined work hours set by the employer. Others may require manually calculating overtime based on the clock-in and clock-out time. Ask for details about the predefined rules, such as setting custom rules for different employee groups or schedules and the frequency of customization allowed. Also, check if the tool allows calculating overtime for days, weeks, or months separately instead of a holistic summary.
Some employee time clock tools have built-in timers for employees to track time spent on individual tasks. Others may not offer built-in timers but allow integrating with third-party timers for real-time tracking of employee hours. Users need to check the importance of having built-in or integrated timers for employees’ time management. Additionally, they can also pay attention to the available integration capabilities (API or add-on) to ensure easy accessibility for employees.
