10 best geofencing time clocks in 2023

Geofencing time clocks are time clocks — but better — and can save you time and money.

Geofencing uses GPS (or similar) so that employees can only check in and check out when they’re physically in the right location at the right time.

This means that they let you keep track of staff even if you’re remote, or have a large workforce in several locations. You can see how many people are on-site, prevent time theft (where employees check in even if they haven’t arrived), and accurately calculate pay based on hours.

But choosing the right tool can be a mission. There are a ton of options out there, each have different features, and some come with other tools that you may or may not need. Comparing and contrasting them can feel like a full-time job in itself.

We know you just want to find the right tool that does what you need and get back to work.

So that’s why in this post, we’re covering:

• The key features to look for in geofencing time clocks
• Our top 10 shift geofencing time clocks** (and our pick for the best all-in-one option)
• What to consider when buying a geofencing time clock
• And common pitfalls to avoid when using the tool, to get optimum results.

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Key features to look for in geofencing time clocks

We recommend looking for the following features when choosing a geofencing time clock tool for your business.

• Geofencing technology -- Of course, geofencing time clocks must have reliable geofencing technology built in, so you can accurately track employee location and time. Employees can only clock in when they are physically in the right place, ensuring precise pay and hour calculation.
• Integration with payroll software -- Now you’ve tracked worker hours accurately, you can translate those hours to pay. A tool that integrates seamlessly with payroll software streamlines your payroll processing and helps you ensure accurate pay.
• Mobile accessibility -- A core part of any geofencing tool, you need your time clock to work on mobile devices so that employees can clock in and out from any location, with minimum hassle.
• Real-time monitoring -- Part of using geofencing to track time is about seeing where employees are at any time. You’ll want to look for a tool that enables this, to allow supervisors to monitor employee hours, and track attendance in real time.
• Reporting and analytics -- This lets you track and analyze employee time and attendance data, so you can gain greater insights into your employees’ work and behavior, and accurately understand their patterns, hours, and pay requirements.

Our top pick for geofencing time clocks in 2023 (+ the rest ranked)

With its comprehensive set of features designed for small businesses and hourly staff, we believe that Homebase is one of the best geofencing time clock tools out there. It offers geofencing and has an all-in-one dashboard to manage other tasks like payroll, PTO, scheduling, HR and compliance, onboarding and hiring, and team happiness.

But no tool is perfect, and there are others available that could work better for your business, depending on what you need. Let’s take a look.

1. Best all-in-one solution: Homebase
2. Best for restaurants: 7shifts
3. Best for simplicity: When I Work
4. Best for ease of use: Deputy
5. Best for payroll integration: Quickbooks Time (Tsheets)
6. Best for multiple-location businesses: Sling
7. Best for construction businesses: ExakTime
8. Best for mobile teams: Timesheet Mobile
9. Best for time-saving automation: Buddy Punch
10. Best for larger companies: Hubstaff

Comparison chart: Top 10 geofencing time clock apps in 2023

Software	Geofencing	Own payroll tool?	Reporting & analytics	Mobile app	Pricing
	✓	✓	✓	✓	Starts from free, to $100 per location per month. Payroll costs $39 per month base fee and $6 per month per employee.
	✓	X	✓	✓	Free for 30 employees. From $29.99 to $135 per month.
	✓	X	✓	✓	From $4-$8 per user per month.
	✓	X	✓	✓	Free for 100 shifts per month. From $3.50 to $4.90 per user per month.
	✓	✓	✓	✓	From $8/user/month +$20 base fee/month, to $10 per user per month +$40 base fee/month.
	✓	X	X	✓	Free plan. Paid plan from $1.70 to $3.40 per user per month.
	✓	X	✓	✓	$8 per user per month, plus $50/month base fee.
	✓	X	✓	✓	From $16.25 per month for 10 users, to $87 per month for Medium Business.
	✓	✓ (linked but separate)	✓	✓	From $2.99 per user per month + $19 base fee, to $3.99 per user per month + $19 base fee. Enterprise on request.
	✓	✓	✓	✓	Free plan. Paid plans from $5.83 per user per month. Starts at $140.

A breakdown of the 10 best geofencing time clocks

1. Best all-in-one solution: Homebase

Source: JoinHomebase.com

Caption: Homebase’s geofencing tracking tool works on almost all mobile devices

Homebase is an all-in-one team management and communication system that includes a geofencing time clock as just one of its tools to make time clocking, tracking, and payroll easier. Compatible with almost any mobile device, the time clock uses GPS.

It also sends automated alerts and messages to help confirm that staff are where they need to be, make sure no one forgets to clock out, and help managers avoid costly or illegal overtime. It also integrates with payroll for super-streamlined payments and more accurate hourly time tracking.

Top features

• Geofencing tracking with GPS and photos, to track hours, breaks, overtime, and PTO.
• Mobile app compatible with iOS and Android.
• Unique employee PINs to ensure accurate tracking for everyone.
• Alerts for late clock-ins or forgotten clock-outs.
• Built-in messaging and reminders.
• Labor cost tracking, and smart tracking of labor vs sales.
• Accurate timesheets and payroll integration for easy hours-worked-to-pay calculations.
• Instant conversion of timesheets into payroll wages and accurate tax payments.

Pros and cons

The geofencing time clock tool integrates seamlessly into a wider suite of useful tools. Users say that it’s easy for employees to use “every day”, with a “clean design” and functions that are “comparable to much more expensive software.”

However, it may offer more tools that you need if you are looking for a simple time clock only.

Pricing

• Free. Time clock and timesheets for one location and unlimited employees.
• Essentials. $20 per month per location. Everything included in the Free plan, plus team communication, performance tracking, and remote tools.
• Plus. $48 per month per location. Everything in Essentials, plus labor budgeting and PTO tools.
• All-in-one. $80 per month per location. Everything in Plus, as well as new hire onboarding, and HR & compliance.

2. Best for restaurants: 7shifts

Source: 7shifts.com

Caption: 7Shifts uses a wide range of tools to ensure accurate geofencing

7shifts offers a range of powerful tools, and is designed for hourly employees in the restaurant industry. Its mobile time-clocking capability is included in the “schedule” part of its platform and aims to make labor compliance and scheduling easier, all while reducing the risk of time theft and pay errors.

Top features

• Geofencing and photo options to ensure your team is present.
• Mobile time clock app for on-the-go tracking.
• Time clocking works even without Wi-Fi.
• Editable punches and timesheets to ensure accurate payments.
• Set rules like only enabling scheduled staff to clock in, which saves on unbudgeted hours.
• Track breaks and PTO.
• Automated alerts for no-shows, break reminders, and overtime — to protect employees and avoid extra expenses.
• Link to payroll and timesheets for accurate and easy pay.
• Audits and reports for an at-a-glance overview of staff activity.

Pros and cons

It offers a wide range of powerful tools for team management, and users praise the “ease of use” and “streamlined reporting”, and particularly like its communication tools.

However, it was created for the restaurant sector, so may not be the best choice for other industries.

Pricing

• Comp: Free, for one location and up to 30 employees. Includes time clock, and scheduling.
• Entrée: $29.99 per month per location, for up to 30 employees, Everything from the Comp plan plus templates, budgeting, and time off tracking.
• The Works: $69.99 per month per location, for unlimited employees. Everything from the Entrée plan, plus payroll integration and state-based compliance tools.
• Gourmet: $135 per month per location. Everything in The Works, plus onboarding, labor forecasting, and closer support.

7shifts also offers a free 14-day trial.

3. Best for simplicity: When I Work

Source: WhenIwork.com

Caption: When I Work has simple team communication tools to help manage hours and PTO

When I Work lets employees track time with any device, and manages when employees can or can’t take on new shifts. It lets them request PTO, tracks shift data, and automates alerts.

For managers, it helps you to use timesheets to run payroll, via integrations with popular payroll providers.

Top features

• Works on almost any mobile or desktop device.
• Connects time clocking with pay rules and scheduling, to ensure accurate hours.
• Sends automated alerts to avoid overtime or labor compliance law breaches.
• Lets employees communicate and manage their own shifts.
• Tracks and coordinates PTO, breaks, and overall attendance.
• Integrates with payroll tools.

Pros and cons

When I Work is simple, with a few straightforward features that work well. Reviewers say that it’s “easy to navigate” with a “simple and elegant” design, “agility”, and the ability to give staff access to their work schedule and rules in the “palm of their hand.”

In contrast, it does not offer as many features as some all-in-one tools — for example, payroll can only be done via an integrated, separate tool.

Pricing

• Standard: $4 per user per month. Includes time and attendance tools, and scheduling.
• Advanced: $8 per user per month. Includes advanced scheduling with more dynamic and customizable features, plus time and attendance tools.

4. Best for ease of use: Deputy

Source: Deputy.com

Caption: Deputy has a color-coded, bright interface that helps make it easy to use

Deputy’s time clock app aims to make payroll as accurate as possible, and also helps employers make sure that only staff who are scheduled to work do so. Its color-coded interface makes tracking time easy, and it uses both GPS and facial verification to ensure location-accurate punching in.

Top features

• Hours and breaks recorded via the same app.
• Works on a phone, tablet, or computer.
• Uses GPS for location stamps or touch-free face verification.
• Automatically creates accurate timesheets that managers can export easily.
• Enables labor law compliance and keeps accurate records.
• Touchless options (voice commands and facial recognition) for cleaner workplaces and faster tracking.
• Alerts staff and managers when breaks are due.

Pros and cons

It includes a range of innovative features like touchless clock-ins, and is intuitive to use. Customers especially like “the straightforwardness of the application” and “how easy it is to navigate”, plus its ease in handling “multiple location options.”

However, to access all tools including time clocking you need to be on the more expensive plans.

Pricing

• Starter: Free, for 100 shifts per month.
• Time & Attendance: $3.50 per user per month. Scheduling with attendance tracking, and timesheet management, but no automation, reporting, SMS alerts; and fewer team communication tools.
• Premium: $4.90 per user per month. All scheduling, time, attendance, and reporting tools.
• Enterprise: Price on request. For businesses with 250+ employees. Everything in Premium, plus custom features.

Deputy also offers a free 31-day trial.

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

Source: Quickbooks.intuit.com/

Caption: Quickbooks Time uses GPS as part of its geofencing time clock tools

From the payroll and invoicing company of the same name, Quickbooks Time (formerly known as Tsheets) lets managers track time accurately. It aims to make payroll painless and includes dashboards designed to show who’s working and when at a glance. It also prioritizes accurate reporting.

Top features

• Works directly inside Quickbooks, a major plus if you already use that software.
• Mobile app for easy on-the-go use.
• Generates separate job and employee codes to help make more precise reports.
• Uses GPS for geofencing tracking.
• Monitors overtime and sends customizable alerts.
• Syncs with Quickbooks and creates accurate timesheets to run efficient payroll and invoicing.
• Offers unlimited support via chat or phone.

Pros and cons

A major pro is that it syncs with Quickbooks’ existing powerful software and includes many must-have features. Users say that it’s “convenient and easy to use”, with extra useful features like “the ability to add notes when you clock in to easily track projects,” and keeps “all of our timekeeping needs in one app.”

However, it’s not ideal if you don’t use or need the rest of Quickbooks’ software.

Pricing

• Premium. $8 per user per month + $20 base fee per month. Unlimited users.
• Elite. $10 per user per month +$40 base fee per month. Unlimited users.

6. Best for multiple-location businesses: Sling

Source: Getsling.com

Caption: Sling’s time clock tool works on nearly any smartphone

Sling’s time clock tool is part of a wider suite of features that also includes task management, labor cost monitoring, labor compliance, and team communication. It also helps you manage multiple work locations with ease and lets you track and optimize labor costs.

Top features

• Works on any phone.
• Lets employers export timesheets for easy payroll running.
• Schedule monitoring for multiple locations from a single dashboard.
• Keeps track of employee breaks and monitors overtime.
• Team communication tools to ensure everyone knows where they need to be, and when.
• Lets you optimize labor costs and link schedules for the best use of employee hours.
• Task management to enable staff to work effectively.

Pros and cons

Sling is designed for all types of industries that rely on hourly teams. Many users said that they like how it syncs instantly between devices, and “increases efficiency.”

On the downside, you need to upgrade to Premium for mobile time tracking. Plus, some users say the app has “glitches”, and others say that they have found the platform to be slow.

Pricing

• Basic: Free. Includes shift scheduling and time-off requests, but no mobile time tracking.
• Premium: $1.70 per user per month. Everything in Basic, plus tools for mobile time tracking, and optimizing labor costs.
• Business: $3.40 per user per month. Everything in Premium, plus data and reports.

7. Best for construction businesses: ExakTime

Source: Exaktime.com

Caption: ExakTime lets employees use their phone to check-in, or an on-site device designed for construction environments

ExakTime is a cloud-based time clock that’s designed specifically for construction businesses and busy workers who are constantly on the move. It works whether you have one site or many more, and is intended primarily to help companies manage labor costs and track attendance while in a hectic environment.

Top features

• Easy clock-in and clock-out interface that uses “Go” and “Stop” for super-simple tracking.
• Uses GPS and photos for clocking in.
• Ensures employee identity with ID photos.
• Syncs to the cloud and employee devices for secure backups.
• Works on almost any smartphone device.
• Employees can use an app or an on-site device designed especially for construction sites.
• Integrates with payroll processors.

Pros and cons

ExakTime has a super-simple interface designed to be used in busy, fast-paced environments. Users say that the “GPS is helpful” and that the payroll feature is reliable, “user-friendly, and efficient.”

In contrast, it’s designed primarily for the construction industry, so may not be ideal for other workplaces.

Pricing

• $8 per month per user (paid annually), plus $50/month base fee. Includes GPS, photo ID, wage tracking, reports, overtime alerts, and unlimited US support.

8. Best for mobile teams: Timesheet Mobile

Source: Timesheetmobile.com/

Caption: Timesheet Mobile sends alerts to staff when they’re leaving a work location

As its name suggests, Timesheet Mobile is designed especially for the mobile workforce, and offers geofencing time tracking along with scheduling, timesheets and reports, team messaging, and alerts. It also lets employees manage PTO and sick days, and offers task management checklists to make shifts more efficient.

Top features

• Geofencing during scheduled hours.
• Timesheet reporting for quick payroll processing and labor costing.
• Drag and drop scheduling for jobs and employees, with instant notifications
• EU working time compliance laws included in its legal section.
• Project checklists for task management during each shift.
• Automated alerts for overtime reminders, working time violations, or late arrivals.
• Team messaging to let staff communicate, and clarify instructions between sites. Support for four languages.
• Time off and vacation schedule management.
• Integrations with invoicing and payroll platforms.

Pros and cons

Timesheet Mobile includes EU working time compliance laws, so a good option for Europe-based businesses. Customers also praise how it lets employees “track working hours remotely, which means anytime and anywhere”, more efficiently than other timesheet tools, while others particularly like the live chat support.

However, it’s primarily designed for mobile workforces, so it may not work if your business is more ‘on-site’.

Pricing

Timesheet Mobile calculates its pricing depending on the number of employees that use it, and whether they clock in and out multiple times a day.

For example, for 10 employees:

• Basics: From $16.25 per month for three months. Includes mobile app and geofencing.
• Per Punch Plan: $48 per month for three months. Includes Basics, plus payroll integrations and overtime warnings. Not recommended for staff who punch in and out multiple times per day.
• Small Business: $64.80 per month for three months. Includes Basics, plus payroll integrations and overtime warnings.
• Medium Business: $87 per month for three months. Includes Basics, plus payroll integrations and overtime warnings. Recommended for companies with 15 or more employees.

After three months, Basics rises to $3.49 per employee for unlimited punches + $14.99 company subscription. Per Punch rises to 15 cents per punch + $29.99 company subscription.

Small Business rises to $9.95 per employee for unlimited punches + $29.99 company subscription. Medium Business rises to $2.49 per employee for unlimited punches + $149 company subscription.

9. Best for time-saving automation: Buddy Punch

Source: Buddypunch.com

Caption: Buddy Punch makes it easy to create accurate time cards for each employee

Buddy Punch aims to simplify tracking, no matter where staff are working. Its automation saves hours of work in reviewing, checking, and verifying employee timesheets before processing payroll. It also aims to create accurate reports and sheets via digital punching in and out.

Top features

• Uses GPS and image tracking.
• Works on mobile and computer.
• Automatically tracks paid and unpaid time off and sick leave.
• Creates customizable reports to make payroll running easier.
• Monitors remote workers via IP addresses to ensure they are working.
• Integrates with payroll providers, and offers its own payroll processor, Buddy Punch Payroll.
• Sends notifications to users automatically.
• Online chat support.

Pros and cons

Buddy Punch is simple and easy to use, with photos and color-coded dashboards. Customers like “how quick it is to punch in and punch out”, its ability to “allow remote check-ins”, and how easy to navigate it is.

On the downside, it requires extra software Buddy Punch Payroll if you want to run payroll on the same platform.

Pricing

• Standard: $2.99 per user per month billed annually (or $3.49 if billed monthly) +$19 base fee per month, including mobile apps, GPS, payroll integrations, reporting, and break planning.
• Pro: $3.99 per user/month billed annually (or $4.49 if billed monthly) +$19 base fee per month. Everything in Standard, plus employee scheduling, templates, and early or late reporting.
• Enterprise: Price on request. All Pro features, plus API access.

Buddy Punch also offers a free trial.

10. Best for larger companies: Hubstaff

Source: Hubstaff.com

Caption: Hubstaff has a wide range of tools and provides detailed data reporting

Hubstaff is a powerful employee and workforce management platform, which includes time tracking as part of its toolset. It uses GPS for mobile geofencing, as well as employee monitoring functions like screenshots and photos. It also has payroll, invoicing, and scheduling tools.

Top features

• GPS geofencing and customizable job sites.
• Time tracking and reporting for accurate timesheets across devices.
• Time clock app for specific clients and projects.
• Task management tools for extra productivity.
• Payroll tracking and invoicing within the same dashboard.
• Productivity and hourly data tracking.
• Support for agile workplaces including sprint planning and virtual standups.

Pros and cons

Hubstaff is a fully-fledged, powerful platform for larger companies. Users say they like how it saves time compared to manual time tracking, and how it improves the “efficiency of the work team”.

However, it may offer more tools than you need, depending on your company size and requirements.

Pricing

• Desk Free: Free for one user. Include time tracking and timesheets.
• Desk Starter: $5.83 per user per month. Starts at $140. Includes two users. Everything from the Free plan, plus reports, 24-hour support, and one integration.
• Desk Pro: $8.33 per user per month. Starts at $200. Includes two users. Everything in Starter, plus time off tools, project budgets, limited API, and expense tracking.
• Enterprise: Price on request. Everything in Pro, plus more insights, higher limits on API, concierge set-up and VIP support, compliance tools, and unlimited job sites.

Hubstaff also offers a 14-day free trial.

Run a better team with smarter scheduling.

Optimize your schedule and keep your team in sync with Homebase.

Learn more

What to consider when buying geofencing time clock software

There’s no such thing as a single “best” platform: it all depends on what you need. Here’s what to think about when buying geofencing time clock software, to make sure it’s right for your team.

• Determine your business’s time and attendance tracking needs -- Consider exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to tracking time. Do you have multiple locations? Lots of staff? What time tracking and payroll tasks are you currently spending the most time and money on?
• Research and compare available options -- Compare and contrast options, and make a shortlist. Any of the options we’ve listed could work, but only you know which works best for your business. Compare features, consider how much support you need, and look at your budget.
• Consider the cost and pricing options -- We don’t recommend choosing a platform based on cost alone; a low-priced tool may still be a waste of time or money if it doesn’t do what you need. Instead, consider value. Look at how much time and money you could save in the long run.
• Evaluate the software’s customer support and security measures -- Customer support is crucial when buying a new tool, especially if you’re not quite sure exactly how to use it, or have a larger team to train. Check the help pages and support options before you buy, for best results.
• Make a decision and set up the software -- Once you’ve made a shortlist, pick the best tool and sign up. Many tools offer a free option or trial, so you can test if it delivers. The best platforms will also offer significant onboarding help, so you’ll never be left confused or stuck.

Common pitfalls to avoid when using geofencing time clock software

Even the best software might fall short if it’s not being used correctly. Here are some pitfalls to avoid, so you can get your platform running optimally.

• Not properly setting up employee information -- Not filling in all of your employees’ information correctly can lead to errors when it comes to tracking time, and calculating pay. For best results, make sure employee information is properly set up.
• Not regularly reviewing and updating geofencing boundaries -- Keeping your boundaries up to date means that geofencing will work properly, and you’ll have up-to-date records of employee locations and accurate check-ins and outs.
• Not properly training employees on the software -- If staff don’t know how to use the time clock properly, this will likely cause major issues with correct tracking. There’s a learning curve with any software, but helping staff use it well will ensure the most accurate results.
• Not regularly backing up data -- Having regular backups of data and digital records helps to protect your business in case of technical difficulties or hacking. It also lets you get back on your feet easily in the rare event that your time clock technology fails you.

Geofencing time clocks: Location is just the start

Geofencing time clocks are a must for any business owner who needs to keep track of staff remotely, or wants to make sure that the hourly-paid wages employees receive are as accurate as possible.

Geofencing ensures that staff are where they say they are, avoids costly and illegal overtime, and saves you major time and stress translating hours on the ground into accurate wages (including tips, PTO, and breaks).

With so many moving parts, it makes sense to use a digital, geofencing time clock to streamline the process — rather than trying to do everything manually, or using a complicated stack of separate tools.

When looking for a geofencing time clock, you likely want to consider key features including reliable geofencing technology, integration with payroll tools, real-time monitoring, a mobile app, and insightful reporting capabilities.

Homebase specializes in offering a geofencing time clock that not only tracks accurately and integrates with payroll (and for free too!), but also connects easily with a suite of other functions that small businesses need to thrive. These include team communication, scheduling, hiring, HR, and team happiness.

So you can time clock with ease, calculate pay accurately, and save time and money on overtime and manual scheduling too — all within the same platform.

Run a better team with smarter scheduling.

Optimize your schedule and keep your team in sync with Homebase.

Learn more

References

**The information above is based on our research on geofencing time clock tools. All user feedback referenced in the text has been sourced from independent software review platforms, such as G2 and Capterra, in February 2023.

The post 10 best geofencing time clocks in 2023 appeared first on Homebase.

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