There was a time when attendance was done in registers. This method has been prevalent in schools, colleges and also organizations. Some companies would use the punch method of attendance, where the employee would be given a time sheet and they would need to punch in and out when they arrive and leave the office premises.
However, one of the drawbacks this system had was if an employee was on-field duty, the organizations would have a hard time tracking them. Also, there is always the issue of proxy attendance, which in many cases is unlikely.
As technology evolved, so did attendance systems. It is no longer just about knowing if the employee is in the office, but it is about integrating all the assisted services.
How the Best Employee Attendance Software Is Compared
#1 Flexible time-tracking options
Employee attendance software is all about time tracking, and the best tools will allow you to track your employees’ hours in various ways. Some programs are designed to be used in conjunction with your company’s existing timekeeping system; others let you set up custom categories and a default rate for each.
#2 Accurate timekeeping
The essential feature of any employee attendance software is that it accurately tracks your employees’ hours. The best programs will use GPS technology to confirm that an employee has clocked in and out correctly, so there’s no chance of human error.
#3 The ability to view reports
Employee attendance software should also give you access to detailed reports about your employees’ timekeeping habits—and allow you to export those reports for further analysis in Excel or Google Sheets.
#4 Mobile compatibility
The best employee attendance software will be compatible with your employees’ smartphones, so they can clock in and out on the go. This is especially important if remote workers or employees travel frequently.
#5 Ease of use
The best employee attendance software is easy to use, with a simple interface that doesn’t require much training. The easier it is for your employees to clock in and out, the more likely they will do so.
#6 Integrations
The best employee attendance software integrates with other business tools, such as payroll providers and HR software. This can make it easier for you to manage your employees’ time and attendance records.
#7 Payroll integration
It’s also helpful if your software has an API that lets you integrate with your payroll provider. This will enable you to automatically calculate wages based on hours worked without manually entering this information into two different systems.
#8 Proactive alerts
The best employee attendance software will send alerts when an employee clocks in or out. These alerts can help you manage time off requests and ensure that your employees are clocking in for the right reasons. For example, if an employee takes a vacation day but still clocks in during the workday, this could be an indication that they’re abusing their leave privileges.
#9 Audit trail features
The best employee attendance software will also provide an audit trail of employee activity. This can help you identify potential problems, such as when an employee clocked in for a different reason than what was stated in their request.
For example, you’re away from your desk when an employee requests time off for vacation. Later that day, another employee clocks in for them—which could indicate that there is some sort of attendance fraud.
Features To Look For in Best Employee Attendance Software
#1 Clocking in and out
The best employee attendance software will allow employees to clock in and out via their smartphone, tablet, or computer. This is convenient for you and your employees because it eliminates the need for them to bring a time card to work each day—and it frees up more time for them to focus on their tasks rather than filling out paperwork.
#2 Leave management
The best employee attendance software will allow you to manage to leave requests and approval. This is important because it ensures that you are aware of the amount of time your employees are taking off—and it ensures that they aren’t taking more days off than they should be per year.
#3 Payroll integration
You can use employee attendance software to integrate with your payroll system. This is an excellent feature because it ensures that all of your employees’ time and attendance data are accurate.
#4 Biometric attendance
Using biometric data is another way to ensure that your employee attendance software is accurate. This feature allows you to track how long employees spend at their desks each day and whether or not they are on time for their shifts.
#5 Calendar integration
Automated time clock systems can be connected to your calendar so that employees can clock in and out from their calendars. This is especially useful if you have a large team and need to know who’s working on what days.
#6 Mobile and cloud support
Most automated time clock systems are cloud-based and can be accessed on mobile devices. This makes it easier for employers to manage their workforce because they don’t have to be physically present at work sites.
10 Best Employee Attendance Software
#1 AttendanceBot
AttendanceBot is a cloud-based time and attendance software for small businesses. It’s designed to help you manage your employees’ attendance, payroll, and time off.
AttendanceBot integrates with Google Calendar, G Suite, and Microsoft Exchange so that you can track when employees are at work or on vacation using the calendar system they’re familiar with.
Features:
Integration with Google Calendar, G Suite, and Microsoft Exchange for syncing employee time off with your calendar system
Email notifications when employees are on vacation or sick so you can respond quickly
A single dashboard that shows you who’s on vacation and when they’ll be back
Automated time off requests that require no manual intervention
Pros
Cons
It’s easy to set up and use
Expensive compared with other time-tracking apps
You can customize it to fit your company’s needs
The service is reliable, secure, and backed by Google’s infrastructure
Pricing: From $5.00 per employee per month
#2 TSheets
TSheets is a complete HR solution used by employees, contractors, and volunteers. It’s flexible enough to track time for multiple people with their separate accounts.
TSheets also track other activities like meetings and phone calls, which means it’s great for businesses that have hourly workers but also need to keep track of hours worked by salaried employees (like doctors). It helps meet the company objectives and facilitates the smooth operation of HR functions.
Features:
Real-time feedback, so you can see the status of each employee’s shift in real-time.
Automatically generated timesheets, so you don’t have to manually enter your employees’ hours. (A feature only available on the paid plans.)
The ability to track multiple accounts at once is helpful if you have more than one company.
Ability to track employee activity by day, week, or month.
Built-in reports and graphs
Pros
Cons
The app is easy to use and intuitive
The paid plans are expensive for small businesses
The free version gives you access to all core features
The app can be slow at times
Real-time tracking and timesheet generation
Offers a 360-degree feedback
Pricing: Available on request
#3 ClockShark
ClockShark is a cloud-based employee time-tracking software that helps you keep track of employees’ time. This web-based solution allows you to manage your employees’ time online and provides real-time reports on the hours they’ve worked each day. You can easily achieve company goals with this collaboration tool.
Features:
Time tracking
Payroll integration
GPS Tracking and mobile app
A quick and easy setup allows you to get started with your account in just minutes.
Integrated payroll features, including direct deposit and paycheck-on-demand.
The ability to track time from any device with an internet connection.
Pros
Cons
Easy setup
The lack of a desktop version can make it challenging to manage your account
Real-time updates for managers and employees
The app can be slow at times
GPS tracking, which allows you to see where your employees are working from
Mobile app available for Android and iOS devices
Pricing: From $16.00 per month
#4 Connecteam
Connecteam is a cloud-based employee attendance software that enables you to manage your team’s time and attendance from anywhere. It offers real-time, online employee time tracking and advanced reporting features.
Features:
Manage your payroll with ease through its intuitive interface
Set employee schedules in minutes instead of weeks or months—and get instant updates on when they are scheduled to work
Track how much each employee works per day by using the “time worked” feature
Get a snapshot of your team’s productivity by viewing their weekly and monthly time sheets
Monitor employee attendance with real-time alerts
Pros
Cons
Easy and intuitive interface
It can be challenging to use if you’re not familiar with time-tracking software
Easy to set up employee schedules
Advanced reporting features
Pricing: Free for up to 10 users. Paid plan starts from $29.00 per 30 employees per month.
#5 Monday.com
Monday.com is a cloud-based HR solution that includes an HRM tool, time tracking, employee scheduling, and more. The platform has a mobile app for employees and managers to track their work hours more efficiently.
Features:
Time tracking and analytics.
Employee scheduling.
Attendance tracking.
HR management, including holiday requests and employees, leave records.
Employee performance management.
Generate payroll reports.
Workflow automation with the API.
Pros
Cons
They have a mobile app for employees
The platform is only available for companies with a minimum of 50 employees
It also integrates with other apps like Outlook
The free version has limited features
It’s straightforward to use, especially for non-tech-savvy managers
The platform is well-designed and looks professional
Pricing: From $8.00 for 4 seats per month
#6 DeskTime
DeskTime is a time-tracking software for Mac. It tracks your computer usage, including websites visited, apps used, and documents opened. You can also track your phone usage with the app.
Features:
Time tracking
Overlay of websites visited, apps used, and documents opened
Phone usage tracking with an app (but no text message recording).
Screenshot capture to record how you spend each day.
Scheduling tool to plan out your day in advance.
Automatic reports and email alerts on how long you are spending on each task.
Pros
Cons
It’s easy to use, and it’s free
It doesn’t offer an option to record text messages or phone calls
You can use it on multiple computers and mobile devices
The tool also offers a bookmarklet to log time spent on websites
Pricing: Free lite version. Paid plain from $7.00 per employee per month.
#7 Jibble
Jibble is a cloud-based employee attendance and time-tracking software for small and medium-sized businesses. It’s also the most popular employee attendance tool among small business owners, based on our research.
Features:
Web-based employee time clock
Automatically calculates lunch breaks and overtime pay
Customizable reports
Email notifications when employees are late or leave early (with photo evidence)
Recurring tasks (like picking up lunch)
Create custom-built reports that include attendance, time, and overtime pay
Pros
Cons
Web-based employee time clock allows you to track attendance and time
The software can be complicated and takes some time to set up
Automatically calculates lunch breaks and overtime pay
The interface is also not very intuitive
Create custom-built reports that include attendance, time, and overtime pay
Pricing: Available on request
#8 WorkForce Software
Workforce Software is a cloud-based employee attendance software that allows you to track employee attendance, time off requests, and leave management. It also provides automated time tracking and payroll features.
Features:
Employee time and attendance tracking
Employee leave management
Automated payroll processing
Integrated calendar management and scheduling
Document management capabilities
Pros
Cons
The software includes everything you need to manage your employees and their time
It’s expensive
It’s available across all your devices, so you can access it anywhere
Not designed for large organizations with complex needs
A mobile version also allows you to track employee time and attendance on the go
Pricing: Available on request
#9 TimeClock Plus
TimeClock Plus is a web-based time-tracking software that allows users to track time and attendance, manage projects, and create timesheets. It is available in two versions: TimeClock Plus Basic and TimeClock Plus Professional.
Features:
Web-based application
Allows you to track time and attendance, manage projects and create timesheets
Available in two versions: basic and professional
Free 30-day trial available Customer support available via email, phone, or online chat
Pros
Cons
Easy to use and navigate
Basic version limited to a few features
Affordable time tracking solution for businesses of all sizes
No mobile app is available
Customer support available via email, phone, or online chat
Customer support is not available 24/7
Pricing: Available on request
#10 BambooHR
BambooHR is a cloud-based HR software that provides employee time and attendance tracking, payroll management, benefits administration, and compliance. You can use it in a single location or across multiple locations.
BambooHR is one of the most popular HR software options on the market, and it has many great features. The basic version is free and allows you to track time off requests, manage leave balances, create reports, and more.
Features:
Cloud-based HR software that can be used in a single location or across multiple locations
Paid versions are available with additional features
Free time and attendance tracking
Paid time off tracking
Employee self-service portal
Scheduling
Pros
Cons
Easy to use
Not as customizable as some other HR software options
Free basic version
Cloud-based HR software that can be used in a single location or across multiple locations
Paid versions are available with additional features
Pricing: From $5.25 per month
Takeaway
A lot of companies are switching to employee attendance software. It is an excellent way to ensure that you have the correct number of employees at work and track their attendance and get them in touch with managers more quickly.
FAQs on Employee Attendance Software
What are the advantages of using a timesheet app over paper-based timesheets?
A digital timesheet is easier to handle, organize and share than a paper-based system. It can also be more accurate because it automatically calculates hours worked when you enter them into your smartphone or tablet. It is also more convenient to use. You don’t need to carry paper timesheets with you and file them away when you have finished using them.
Are timesheets a legal requirement?
Timesheets are not a legal requirement, but many employers choose to use them. They can help you keep track of your employees’ hours and ensure that they are paid correctly for the work they do. For example, if you are a small business owner and you have only one employee, it may not be necessary to use time sheets. However, if you have several employees who work at different times of the day and for varying amounts of time each day, then it is likely that a digital system will make your life easier.
Is attendance software different from time-tracking software?
While both types of software are used to keep track of employees’ hours, they have different purposes. Time tracking software is used to record the amount of time that each employee spends working on different tasks. This can help you find ways to increase productivity and make sure that you are paying employees correctly for their work. Attendance software records when your employees come in and leave work each day.