In the small business world, time is money, so it’s crucial to manage your team’s hours effectively. Thankfully, you no longer have to rely on manual time log systems. The only downside? With a wealth of software options at your fingertips, it can be challenging to sift through them all to find the best employee time log system for you and your business.
Good news! We’ve done the legwork of narrowing down the list to the top 5 options so you can make an informed decision. Follow our handy guide to learn more about the best employee time log systems in 2024, and discover the best fit for your small business.
What is an employee time log system?
Employee time log systems monitor and document the number of hours each employee works. Small businesses track work hours by requiring employees to clock in and out at designated times, like starting and ending shifts and scheduled breaks. But as more businesses turn to hybrid work models and adopt unconventional schedules, tracking employee attendance has become more complicated.
With advanced time log systems that facilitate the process of tracking employee hours, business owners can streamline schedules, stay organized, and even reduce time theft. Having a system that works will transform your small businesses’ operations from chaotic and stressful to smooth and productive.
Why you should use an employee time log software
If you’re still stuck in the past—using outdated paper systems or punch clocks—it’s time to greet 2024 with an automated framework. Employee time log software will not only keep track of hourly workers’ time, but it can also generate useful data. You can use these data reports on attendance patterns, performance, and more to spot potential issues and inefficiencies.
Take your employee time log system by the reins and steer it toward advanced software tools. Here’s why:
- Automate your system with scheduling and payroll
- Save money with less payroll mistakes
- Keep accurate records to help you comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Keep your employees accountable and reduce time theft
- Stay on top of employee attendance, time off, and overtime in real-time
- See where time is wasted, find patterns, and identify how to prioritize tasks
- See where processes should be tightened up to churn out more work in less time, maximizing productivity
- Create a measure of success for your team by using data to inform employee evaluations
- Integrate with other software systems for improved workflow
- Use reports to create new policies that optimize operations
Best employee time log systems in 2024
We’ve rounded up five of the best employee time log systems to use in 2024. By comparing each software’s key features and price points, and identifying what kind of business it’s ideal for, you’ll be able to pinpoint the best fit for your business’ unique needs.
If you use employee time logs as windows into the modern workday, you’re setting your business up for increased productivity, efficiency, and—best of all—success!
Let’s dive in.
1. Connecteam: Best for businesses with larger teams
Connecteam is a cloud-based employee time tracking software. It’s ideal for multi-location businesses where employees have different types of schedules, like construction companies, retail stores, or catering companies. If your business employs some remote or shift workers, use this software option for a user-friendly platform that customizes your time and attendance management systems.
Key features:
- Flexible and customizable templates
- Private workspaces allow for team collaboration, communication, and coordination
- Easy employee scheduling to set up recurring shifts and overtime
- Automated real-time reports and analytics to improve workforce management
- Time clock with GPS lets employees clock in and out from anywhere
Price: Pricing varies based on the features you need, ranging from the free Small Business Plan to the Expert tier at $99 per month.
2. Toggle: Best for small teams and freelancers
Toggl is a popular tool that streamlines time tracking procedures, project management, and hiring processes. Known for its simplicity, this time log software is ideal for independent contractors or business owners who manage a small-scale team of employees. Best used to boost employee performance and accountability, Toggle helps to ensure everyone gets paid accurately and on time.
Key features:
- Simple time tracking with a drag-and-drop scheduling tool
- Detailed and accurate time reports for team scaling
- Built-in Pomodoro time tracker
- Team management tools such as user groups, team member audits, and automated email reminders
- 100+ integration options with popular apps like Asana, Evernote, and Salesforce
Price: Pricing starts with the free plan, ideal for freelancers and small teams of up to 5 people. The Premium plan is the most expensive at $18 per user per month.
3. Clockify – Best for small businesses that need flexibility
Clockify is a solid option for small businesses or startups looking for comprehensive access to the software’s core features. A cloud-based employee time tracking app, it’s user-friendly interface tracks your workers’ attendance, projects, tasks, and activities using various methods. Plus, Clockify’s intuitive and polished dashboard helps streamline processes and workflow.
Key features:
- Offline time tracking that auto-syncs once you’re back online
- Time tracking across multiple projects
- Real-time reminders and notifications to help employees stay on track
- 80+ integrations with other systems such as QuickBooks, Trello, and Asana
- All data can be synced across multiple devices for optimal flexibility
Price: Clockify offers a Free plan with plenty of features, but if your business requires more advanced options, the paid tier starts at $3.99 per user/month, and goes up to $11.99 per user/month.
4. ClickUp – Best for team management
ClickUp is a team and project management tool with time-tracking capabilities. It offers a customizable workspace that’s easy to navigate, as it doesn’t require any code or add-ons. Employees can log time on tasks, set goals, and prioritize deadlines, which helps teams stay organized and manage their daily workload while improving productivity.
Key features:
- Streamlined team collaboration with assignable action items, goal setting, and project views
- Automated sprint workflows with real-time chat functions
- 15+ customizable views such as list, board, box, calendar, and more
- Dashboard allows for the addition of visual widgets for tasks, time tracking, and sprints
- Automatic time tracking, time estimates, and reporting
Price: ClickUp’s Free Forever plan is best for personal use. But depending on your needs, you can sign up for the Unlimited plan for $7 per member/month or the Business plan at $12 per member/month.
5. Homebase – Best all-in-one employee time log system
As a workforce management app designed for small businesses, Homebase offers one of the most user-friendly employee time log systems. Whether you’re running a business in the retail, hospitality, education, or beauty industry, this all-in-one tool can take the hassle out of managing your team’s activities.
Their intuitive interface simplifies employee scheduling and time tracking, letting employees clock in and out of their shifts across devices. This data is automatically converted into free timesheets, streamlining the task of tracking hours worked, breaks taken, and overtime due.
Key features:
- A time clock app to accurately record employee hours
- Daily, weekly, and monthly timesheet templates
- Streamlined payroll preparation process with integration options
- GPS-enabled time tracking, ideal for location-based services like landscaping or cleaning services
- Ability to set break and overtime rules to help comply with local, state, and federal labor laws
Price: Homebase’s Basic plan includes timesheets, time clocks, a schedule builder, hiring tools, POS and payroll integrations, and a messaging feature for up to 20 employees at one location—and it’s completely free!
If your business wants to level up on the advanced features, check out Homebase’s available paid plans:
- Essentials: $24.95 per month, per location. In addition to the features available in the Free plan, you’ll gain access to advanced scheduling and time tracking, team communication, tools for managing remote teams, and payroll integration capabilities.
- Plus: $59.95 per month, per location. Incorporating all the extras of the Essentials package, you’ll also gain access to additional features for hiring, retention, performance tracking, time-off management, and tools for managing departments and permissions.
- All-in-one: $99.95 per month, per location. In the all-in-one package, you’ll have access to everything offered in the Plus plan, along with additional features like new hire onboarding, HR and compliance tools, labor cost management, and business insights tools.
Why you should use Homebase for all of your employee time log needs
Choosing the right employee time log system for your business is all about finding the right balance between your diverse needs and the software’s functionality. If you want a platform that can do it all for a reasonable price, Homebase should be your go-to choice.
Named one of the best free employee scheduling softwares of 2023, Homebase can help you navigate your business’ path to success. With Homebase, you don’t have to juggle multiple different tools to run an efficient team. You can manage everything from time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and more—all in a single, user-friendly interface.
Bonus: it’s free for up to 20 employees. Accounts are also super easy to set up, which is a real plus for busy business owners who are always on the go.
Whether you’re a small business owner with a team of hourly workers or a manager in a company poised for growth, Homebase can be the tool that allows you to scale up your business. It’s time to focus more on innovation, and less on tedious admin tasks.
Is your business struggling with its employee time log system? Homebase can help. Our modern tools make it easy to manage scheduling, time clocks, payroll, team communication, hiring, onboarding, compliance, and more. Get started for free.
Employee time log FAQS
What is an employee time log?
An employee time log is a chronological set of written records detailing employee activities—when they clock in and out of work, break times, etc.—with a timestamp. This data can then be used for internal analysis to improve efficiency.
There are plenty of employee time log software options on the market, which makes choosing the right fit for your business difficult. It helps to first identify specific criteria of your business like team size, type of employee schedules, shift types, etc. This makes it easier to narrow down the list. Some employee time tracking systems work better for larger teams, such as Connecteam, while others are best suited to freelancers, like Toggle. However, you can’t go wrong using software like Homebase, chosen as the best all-in-one employee time log system for small businesses.
Why do I need employee time log software?
You need an employee time log software to accurately keep track of your employees’ time and activities. Along with employee time keeping, time log software can help take your business to the next level by providing data that can optimize efficiency, reduce time theft, and increase productivity on your team.
Maybe your small business needs to streamline its operations, or you’re looking to improve your team management processes. If so, using an employee time log software like Homebase is beneficial.
Tracking your employees’ time provides an accurate picture of how long it takes employees to complete tasks. In turn, this will help you identify low-value tasks so you can invest your time in activities that contribute to your success—music to any business owner’s ears!
Take the chaos and confusion out of tracking your team’s time and activity by adopting an effective employee time log system into your business practice.
What are some employee time tracking features I should look for?
Some employee time tracking features you should look for include:
- Auto-syncing function with other systems like payroll and scheduling
- Flexible and customizable timesheets
- Private workspaces for team collaboration, communication, and coordination
- Employee scheduling tool to track recurring shifts and overtime
- Automated real-time reports and analytics
- Time clock with GPS that lets employees clock in and out from anywhere
- Streamlined payroll preparation process
- Ability to set break and overtime rules to help comply with local, state, and federal labor laws
- Free mobile app
- Comprehensive integration options
Homebase includes all of these core features and more! Try it for free today.
Remember: This is not legal advice. If you have questions about your particular situation, please consult a lawyer, CPA, or other appropriate professional advisor or agency.
