10 finest geofencing time clocks in 2023

Geofencing time clocks are time clocks — however higher — and might prevent money and time.

Geofencing makes use of GPS (or comparable) in order that staff can solely verify in and take a look at after they’re bodily in the correct location on the proper time.

Because of this they allow you to preserve observe of workers even in the event you’re distant, or have a big workforce in a number of places. You possibly can see how many individuals are on-site, stop time theft (the place staff verify in even when they haven’t arrived), and precisely calculate pay primarily based on hours.

However selecting the best instrument could be a mission. There are a ton of choices on the market, every have totally different options, and a few include different instruments that you could be or might not want. Evaluating and contrasting them can really feel like a full-time job in itself.

We all know you simply need to discover the correct instrument that does what you want and get again to work.

In order that’s why on this submit, we’re masking:

  • The important thing options to search for in geofencing time clocks
  • Our prime 10 shift geofencing time clocks** (and our choose for the very best all-in-one choice)
  • What to contemplate when shopping for a geofencing time clock
  • And customary pitfalls to keep away from when utilizing the instrument, to get optimum outcomes.

Table of Contents

Key options to search for in geofencing time clocks

We suggest in search of the next options when selecting a geofencing time clock instrument for your small business.

  • Geofencing know-how In fact, geofencing time clocks will need to have dependable geofencing know-how in-built, so you’ll be able to precisely observe worker location and time. Staff can solely clock in when they’re bodily in the correct place, making certain exact pay and hour calculation.
  • Integration with payroll software program Now you’ve tracked employee hours precisely, you’ll be able to translate these hours to pay. A instrument that integrates seamlessly with payroll software program streamlines your payroll processing and helps you guarantee correct pay.
  • Cell accessibility A core a part of any geofencing instrument, you want your time clock to work on cell units in order that staff can clock out and in from any location, with minimal trouble.
  • Actual-time monitoring A part of utilizing geofencing to trace time is about seeing the place staff are at any time. You’ll need to search for a instrument that permits this, to permit supervisors to watch worker hours, and observe attendance in actual time.
  • Reporting and analytics This allows you to observe and analyze worker time and attendance knowledge, so you’ll be able to achieve larger insights into your staff’ work and habits, and precisely perceive their patterns, hours, and pay necessities.

Our prime choose for geofencing time clocks in 2023 (+ the remainder ranked)

With its complete set of options designed for small companies and hourly workers, we imagine that Homebase is likely one of the finest geofencing time clock instruments on the market. It gives geofencing and has an all-in-one dashboard to handle different duties like payroll, PTO, scheduling, HR and compliance, onboarding and hiring, and workforce happiness.

However no instrument is ideal, and there are others accessible that might work higher for your small business, relying on what you want. Let’s have a look.

  1. Finest all-in-one resolution: Homebase
  2. Finest for eating places: 7shifts
  3. Finest for simplicity: Once I Work
  4. Finest for ease of use: Deputy
  5. Finest for payroll integration: Quickbooks Time (Tsheets)
  6. Finest for multiple-location companies: Sling
  7. Finest for development companies: ExakTime
  8. Finest for cell groups: Timesheet Cell
  9. Finest for time-saving automation: Buddy Punch
  10. Finest for bigger firms: Hubstaff

Comparability chart: High 10 geofencing time clock apps in 2023

A breakdown of the ten finest geofencing time clocks

1. Finest all-in-one resolution: Homebase

Supply: JoinHomebase.com
Caption: Homebase’s geofencing monitoring instrument works on virtually all cell units

Homebase is an all-in-one workforce administration and communication system that features a geofencing time clock as simply one among its instruments to make time clocking, monitoring, and payroll simpler. Suitable with virtually any cell gadget, the time clock makes use of GPS.

It additionally sends automated alerts and messages to assist affirm that workers are the place they must be, be sure that nobody forgets to clock out, and assist managers keep away from expensive or unlawful additional time. It additionally integrates with payroll for super-streamlined funds and extra correct hourly time monitoring.

High options

  • Geofencing monitoring with GPS and photographs, to trace hours, breaks, additional time, and PTO.
  • Cell app appropriate with iOS and Android.
  • Distinctive worker PINs to make sure correct monitoring for everybody.
  • Alerts for late clock-ins or forgotten clock-outs.
  • Constructed-in messaging and reminders.
  • Labor value monitoring, and good monitoring of labor vs gross sales.
  • Correct timesheets and payroll integration for straightforward hours-worked-to-pay calculations.
  • On the spot conversion of timesheets into payroll wages and correct tax funds.

Execs and cons

The geofencing time clock instrument integrates seamlessly right into a wider suite of helpful instruments. Customers say that it’s simple for workers to make use of “daily”, with a “clean design” and capabilities that are “akin to rather more costly software program.”

Nevertheless, it might provide extra instruments that you just want in case you are in search of a easy time clock solely.

Pricing

  • Free. Time clock and timesheets for one location and limitless staff.
  • Necessities. $20 monthly per location. Every little thing included within the Free plan, plus workforce communication, efficiency monitoring, and distant instruments.
  • Plus. $48 monthly per location. Every little thing in Necessities, plus labor budgeting and PTO instruments.
  • All-in-one. $80 monthly per location. Every little thing in Plus, in addition to new rent onboarding, and HR & compliance.

2. Finest for eating places: 7shifts

Supply: 7shifts.com
Caption: 7Shifts makes use of a variety of instruments to make sure correct geofencing

7shifts gives a spread of highly effective instruments, and is designed for hourly staff within the restaurant business. Its cell time-clocking functionality is included within the “schedule” a part of its platform and goals to make labor compliance and scheduling simpler, all whereas lowering the danger of time theft and pay errors.

High options

  • Geofencing and photograph choices to make sure your workforce is current.
  • Cell time clock app for on-the-go monitoring.
  • Time clocking works even with out Wi-Fi.
  • Editable punches and timesheets to make sure correct funds.
  • Set guidelines like solely enabling scheduled workers to clock in, which saves on unbudgeted hours.
  • Observe breaks and PTO.
  • Automated alerts for no-shows, break reminders, and additional time — to guard staff and keep away from additional bills.
  • Hyperlink to payroll and timesheets for correct and simple pay.
  • Audits and stories for an at-a-glance overview of workers exercise.

Execs and cons

It gives a variety of highly effective instruments for workforce administration, and customers reward the “ease of use” and “streamlined reporting”, and significantly like its communication instruments.

Nevertheless, it was created for the restaurant sector, so will not be the only option for different industries.

Pricing

  • Comp: Free, for one location and as much as 30 staff. Consists of time clock, and scheduling.
  • Entrée: $29.99 monthly per location, for as much as 30 staff, Every little thing from the Comp plan plus templates, budgeting, and time without work monitoring.
  • The Works: $69.99 monthly per location, for limitless staff. Every little thing from the Entrée plan, plus payroll integration and state-based compliance instruments.
  • Connoisseur: $135 monthly per location. Every little thing in The Works, plus onboarding, labor forecasting, and nearer assist.

7shifts additionally gives a free 14-day trial.

3. Finest for simplicity: When I Work

Supply: WhenIwork.com
Caption: Once I Work has easy workforce communication instruments to assist handle hours and PTO

Once I Work lets staff observe time with any gadget, and manages when staff can or can’t tackle new shifts. It lets them request PTO, tracks shift knowledge, and automates alerts.

For managers, it lets you use timesheets to run payroll, through integrations with in style payroll suppliers.

High options

  • Works on virtually any cell or desktop gadget.
  • Connects time clocking with pay guidelines and scheduling, to make sure correct hours.
  • Sends automated alerts to keep away from additional time or labor compliance legislation breaches.
  • Lets staff talk and handle their very own shifts.
  • Tracks and coordinates PTO, breaks, and general attendance.
  • Integrates with payroll instruments.

Execs and cons

Once I Work is straightforward, with a number of simple options that work properly. Reviewers say that it’s “simple to navigate” with a “easy and stylish” design, “agility”, and the power to offer workers entry to their work schedule and guidelines within the “palm of their hand.”

In distinction, it doesn’t provide as many options as some all-in-one instruments — for instance, payroll can solely be performed through an built-in, separate instrument.

Pricing

  • Commonplace: $4 per person monthly. Consists of time and attendance instruments, and scheduling.
  • Superior: $8 per person monthly. Consists of superior scheduling with extra dynamic and customizable options, plus time and attendance instruments.

4. Finest for ease of use: Deputy

Supply: Deputy.com
Caption: Deputy has a color-coded, shiny interface that helps make it simple to make use of

Deputy’s time clock app goals to make payroll as correct as doable, and in addition helps employers be sure that solely workers who’re scheduled to work accomplish that. Its color-coded interface makes monitoring time simple, and it makes use of each GPS and facial verification to make sure location-accurate punching in.

High options

  • Hours and breaks recorded through the identical app.
  • Works on a telephone, pill, or laptop.
  • Makes use of GPS for location stamps or touch-free face verification.
  • Mechanically creates correct timesheets that managers can export simply.
  • Allows labor legislation compliance and retains correct information.
  • Touchless choices (voice instructions and facial recognition) for cleaner workplaces and sooner monitoring.
  • Alerts workers and managers when breaks are due.

Execs and cons

It features a vary of modern options like touchless clock-ins, and is intuitive to make use of. Clients especially like “the straightforwardness of the applying” and “how easy it is to navigate”, plus its ease in dealing with “multiple location options.”

Nevertheless, to entry all instruments together with time clocking it’s essential to be on the dearer plans.

Pricing

  • Starter: Free, for 100 shifts monthly.
  • Time & Attendance: $3.50 per person monthly. Scheduling with attendance monitoring, and timesheet administration, however no automation, reporting, SMS alerts; and fewer workforce communication instruments.
  • Premium: $4.90 per person monthly. All scheduling, time, attendance, and reporting instruments.
  • Enterprise: Worth on request. For companies with 250+ staff. Every little thing in Premium, plus customized options.

Deputy additionally gives a free 31-day trial.

5. Finest for payroll integration: Quickbooks Time (Tsheets)

Supply: Quickbooks.intuit.com/
Caption: Quickbooks Time makes use of GPS as a part of its geofencing time clock instruments

From the payroll and invoicing firm of the identical title, Quickbooks Time (previously often called Tsheets) lets managers observe time precisely. It goals to make payroll painless and contains dashboards designed to indicate who’s working and when at a look. It additionally prioritizes correct reporting.

High options

  • Works immediately inside Quickbooks, a significant plus in the event you already use that software program.
  • Cell app for straightforward on-the-go use.
  • Generates separate job and worker codes to assist make extra exact stories.
  • Makes use of GPS for geofencing monitoring.
  • Displays additional time and sends customizable alerts.
  • Syncs with Quickbooks and creates correct timesheets to run environment friendly payroll and invoicing.
  • Presents limitless assist through chat or telephone.

Execs and cons

A serious professional is that it syncs with Quickbooks’ current highly effective software program and contains many must-have options. Customers say that it’s “handy and simple to make use of”, with extra useful features like “the power so as to add notes while you clock in to simply observe initiatives,” and retains “all of our timekeeping wants in a single app.”

Nevertheless, it’s not superb in the event you don’t use or want the remainder of Quickbooks’ software program.

Pricing

  • Premium. $8 per person monthly + $20 base payment monthly. Limitless customers.
  • Elite. $10 per person monthly +$40 base payment monthly. Limitless customers.

6. Finest for multiple-location companies: Sling

Supply: Getsling.com
Caption: Sling’s time clock instrument works on practically any smartphone

Sling’s time clock instrument is a part of a wider suite of options that additionally contains process administration, labor value monitoring, labor compliance, and workforce communication. It additionally helps you handle a number of work places with ease and allows you to observe and optimize labor prices.

High options

  • Works on any telephone.
  • Lets employers export timesheets for straightforward payroll operating.
  • Schedule monitoring for a number of places from a single dashboard.
  • Retains observe of worker breaks and displays additional time.
  • Workforce communication instruments to make sure everybody is aware of the place they must be, and when.
  • Allows you to optimize labor prices and hyperlink schedules for the very best use of worker hours.
  • Activity administration to allow workers to work successfully.

Execs and cons

Sling is designed for every type of industries that depend on hourly groups. Many customers stated that they like how it syncs immediately between units, and “increases efficiency.”

On the draw back, it’s essential to improve to Premium for cell time monitoring. Plus, some customers say the app has “glitches”, and others say that they’ve discovered the platform to be gradual.

Pricing

  • Primary: Free. Consists of shift scheduling and time-off requests, however no cell time monitoring.
  • Premium: $1.70 per person monthly. Every little thing in Primary, plus instruments for cell time monitoring, and optimizing labor prices.
  • Enterprise: $3.40 per person monthly. Every little thing in Premium, plus knowledge and stories.

7. Finest for development companies: ExakTime

Supply: Exaktime.com
Caption: ExakTime lets staff use their telephone to check-in, or an on-site gadget designed for development environments

ExakTime is a cloud-based time clock that’s designed particularly for development companies and busy staff who’re always on the transfer. It really works whether or not you’ve one website or many extra, and is meant primarily to assist firms handle labor prices and observe attendance whereas in a busy atmosphere.

High options

  • Simple clock-in and clock-out interface that makes use of “Go” and “Cease” for super-simple monitoring.
  • Makes use of GPS and photographs for clocking in.
  • Ensures worker id with ID photographs.
  • Syncs to the cloud and worker units for safe backups.
  • Works on virtually any smartphone gadget.
  • Staff can use an app or an on-site gadget designed particularly for development websites.
  • Integrates with payroll processors.

Execs and cons

ExakTime has a super-simple interface designed for use in busy, fast-paced environments. Customers say that the “GPS is useful” and that the payroll characteristic is dependable, “user-friendly, and environment friendly.”

In distinction, it’s designed primarily for the development business, so will not be superb for different workplaces.

Pricing

  • $8 monthly per person (paid yearly), plus $50/month base payment. Consists of GPS, photograph ID, wage monitoring, stories, additional time alerts, and limitless US assist.

8. Finest for cell groups: Timesheet Mobile

Supply: Timesheetmobile.com/
Caption: Timesheet Cell sends alerts to workers after they’re leaving a piece location

As its title suggests, Timesheet Cell is designed particularly for the cell workforce, and gives geofencing time monitoring together with scheduling, timesheets and stories, workforce messaging, and alerts. It additionally lets staff handle PTO and sick days, and gives process administration checklists to make shifts extra environment friendly.

High options

  • Geofencing throughout scheduled hours.
  • Timesheet reporting for fast payroll processing and labor costing.
  • Drag and drop scheduling for jobs and staff, with instantaneous notifications
  • EU working time compliance legal guidelines included in its authorized part.
  • Challenge checklists for process administration throughout every shift.
  • Automated alerts for additional time reminders, working time violations, or late arrivals.
  • Workforce messaging to let workers talk, and make clear directions between websites. Help for 4 languages.
  • Break day and trip schedule administration.
  • Integrations with invoicing and payroll platforms.

Execs and cons

Timesheet Cell contains EU working time compliance legal guidelines, so a great choice for Europe-based companies. Clients additionally praise how it lets staff “observe working hours remotely, which implies anytime and wherever”, extra effectively than different timesheet instruments, whereas others significantly just like the dwell chat assist.

Nevertheless, it’s primarily designed for cell workforces, so it could not work if your small business is extra ‘on-site’.

Pricing

Timesheet Cell calculates its pricing relying on the variety of staff that use it, and whether or not they clock out and in a number of instances a day.

For instance, for 10 staff:

  • Fundamentals: From $16.25 monthly for 3 months. Consists of cell app and geofencing.
  • Per Punch Plan: $48 monthly for 3 months. Consists of Fundamentals, plus payroll integrations and additional time warnings. Not beneficial for employees who punch out and in a number of instances per day.
  • Small Enterprise: $64.80 monthly for 3 months. Consists of Fundamentals, plus payroll integrations and additional time warnings.
  • Medium Enterprise: $87 monthly for 3 months. Consists of Fundamentals, plus payroll integrations and additional time warnings. Really helpful for firms with 15 or extra staff.

After three months, Fundamentals rises to $3.49 per worker for limitless punches + $14.99 firm subscription. Per Punch rises to fifteen cents per punch + $29.99 firm subscription.

Small Enterprise rises to $9.95 per worker for limitless punches + $29.99 firm subscription. Medium Enterprise rises to $2.49 per worker for limitless punches + $149 firm subscription.

9. Finest for time-saving automation: Buddy Punch

Supply: Buddypunch.com
Caption: Buddy Punch makes it simple to create correct time playing cards for every worker

Buddy Punch goals to simplify monitoring, regardless of the place workers are working. Its automation saves hours of labor in reviewing, checking, and verifying worker timesheets earlier than processing payroll. It additionally goals to create correct stories and sheets through digital punching out and in.

High options

  • Makes use of GPS and picture monitoring.
  • Works on cell and laptop.
  • Mechanically tracks paid and unpaid time without work and sick depart.
  • Creates customizable stories to make payroll operating simpler.
  • Displays distant staff through IP addresses to make sure they’re working.
  • Integrates with payroll suppliers, and gives its personal payroll processor, Buddy Punch Payroll.
  • Sends notifications to customers mechanically.
  • On-line chat assist.

Execs and cons

Buddy Punch is straightforward and simple to make use of, with photographs and color-coded dashboards. Clients like “how fast it’s to punch in and punch out”, its means to “allow remote check-ins”, and the way simple to navigate it’s.

On the draw back, it requires additional software program Buddy Punch Payroll if you wish to run payroll on the identical platform.

Pricing

  • Commonplace: $2.99 per person monthly billed yearly (or $3.49 if billed month-to-month) +$19 base payment monthly, together with cell apps, GPS, payroll integrations, reporting, and break planning.
  • Professional: $3.99 per person/month billed yearly (or $4.49 if billed month-to-month) +$19 base payment monthly. Every little thing in Commonplace, plus worker scheduling, templates, and early or late reporting.
  • Enterprise: Worth on request. All Professional options, plus API entry.

Buddy Punch additionally gives a free trial.

10. Finest for bigger firms: Hubstaff

Supply: Hubstaff.com
Caption: Hubstaff has a variety of instruments and supplies detailed knowledge reporting

Hubstaff is a robust worker and workforce administration platform, which incorporates time monitoring as a part of its toolset. It makes use of GPS for cell geofencing, in addition to worker monitoring capabilities like screenshots and photographs. It additionally has payroll, invoicing, and scheduling instruments.

High options

  • GPS geofencing and customizable job websites.
  • Time monitoring and reporting for correct timesheets throughout units.
  • Time clock app for particular shoppers and initiatives.
  • Activity administration instruments for additional productiveness.
  • Payroll monitoring and invoicing throughout the identical dashboard.
  • Productiveness and hourly knowledge monitoring.
  • Help for agile workplaces together with dash planning and digital standups.

Execs and cons

Hubstaff is a fully-fledged, highly effective platform for bigger firms. Customers say they like the way it saves time in comparison with handbook time monitoring, and the way it improves the “efficiency of the work workforce”.

Nevertheless, it could provide extra instruments than you want, relying in your firm dimension and necessities.

Pricing

  • Desk Free: Free for one person. Embody time monitoring and timesheets.
  • Desk Starter: $5.83 per person monthly. Begins at $140. Consists of two customers. Every little thing from the Free plan, plus stories, 24-hour assist, and one integration.
  • Desk Professional: $8.33 per person monthly. Begins at $200. Consists of two customers. Every little thing in Starter, plus time without work instruments, venture budgets, restricted API, and expense monitoring.
  • Enterprise: Worth on request. Every little thing in Professional, plus extra insights, increased limits on API, concierge set-up and VIP assist, compliance instruments, and limitless job websites.

Hubstaff additionally gives a 14-day free trial.

What to contemplate when shopping for geofencing time clock software program

There’s no such factor as a single “finest” platform: all of it is determined by what you want. Right here’s what to consider when shopping for geofencing time clock software program, to verify it’s proper to your workforce.

  • Decide your small business’s time and attendance monitoring wants Contemplate precisely what you’re in search of with regards to monitoring time. Do you’ve a number of places? A lot of workers? What time monitoring and payroll duties are you at present spending essentially the most money and time on?
  • Analysis and evaluate accessible choices Examine and distinction choices, and make a shortlist. Any of the choices we’ve listed may work, however solely you understand which works finest for your small business. Examine options, take into account how a lot assist you want, and have a look at your price range.
  • Contemplate the associated fee and pricing choices We don’t suggest selecting a platform primarily based on value alone; a low-priced instrument should still be a waste of time or cash if it doesn’t do what you want. As an alternative, take into account worth. Have a look at how a lot money and time you may save in the long term.
  • Consider the software program’s buyer assist and safety measures — Buyer assist is essential when shopping for a brand new instrument, particularly in the event you’re not fairly certain precisely the best way to use it, or have a bigger workforce to coach. Verify the assistance pages and assist choices before you purchase, for finest outcomes.
  • Decide and arrange the software program — When you’ve made a shortlist, choose the very best instrument and enroll. Many instruments provide a free choice or trial, so you’ll be able to take a look at if it delivers. The very best platforms may even provide vital onboarding assist, so that you’ll by no means be left confused or caught.

Frequent pitfalls to keep away from when utilizing geofencing time clock software program

Even the very best software program may fall brief if it’s not getting used accurately. Listed below are some pitfalls to keep away from, so you will get your platform operating optimally.

  • Not correctly establishing worker data — Not filling in your entire staff’ data accurately can result in errors with regards to monitoring time, and calculating pay. For finest outcomes, be sure that worker data is correctly arrange.
  • Not frequently reviewing and updating geofencing boundaries — Maintaining your boundaries updated implies that geofencing will work correctly, and also you’ll have up-to-date information of worker places and correct check-ins and outs.
  • Not correctly coaching staff on the software program — If workers don’t know the best way to use the time clock correctly, it will possible trigger main points with right monitoring. There’s a studying curve with any software program, however serving to workers use it properly will guarantee essentially the most correct outcomes.
  • Not frequently backing up knowledge — Having common backups of knowledge and digital information helps to guard your small business in case of technical difficulties or hacking. It additionally helps you to get again in your toes simply within the uncommon occasion that your time clock know-how fails you.

Geofencing time clocks: Location is simply the beginning

Geofencing time clocks are a should for any enterprise proprietor who must preserve observe of workers remotely, or desires to be sure that the hourly-paid wages staff obtain are as correct as doable.

Geofencing ensures that workers are the place they are saying they’re, avoids expensive and unlawful additional time, and saves you main time and stress translating hours on the bottom into correct wages (together with suggestions, PTO, and breaks).

With so many transferring elements, it is sensible to make use of a digital, geofencing time clock to streamline the method — moderately than making an attempt to do the whole lot manually, or utilizing a sophisticated stack of separate instruments.

When in search of a geofencing time clock, you possible need to take into account key options together with dependable geofencing know-how, integration with payroll instruments, real-time monitoring, a cell app, and insightful reporting capabilities.

Homebase focuses on providing a geofencing time clock that not solely tracks precisely and integrates with payroll (and without spending a dime too!), but in addition connects simply with a collection of different capabilities that small companies must thrive. These embrace workforce communication, scheduling, hiring, HR, and workforce happiness.

So you’ll be able to time clock with ease, calculate pay precisely, and save money and time on additional time and handbook scheduling too — all throughout the identical platform.

References

**The data above relies on our analysis on geofencing time clock instruments. All person suggestions referenced within the textual content has been sourced from unbiased software program evaluate platforms, corresponding to G2 and Capterra, in February 2023.