How to Choose Time Tracking Apps: Everything You Need to Know

Finding the right time tracking app comes down to knowing what to compare: clock-in method, feature set, and cost. Missed work and lateness already cost businesses real money, by some estimates as much as $500 to $600 per employee each year, so the app you pick is worth getting right. Here’s what actually matters when choosing one.

Decide on the Type of Time-Tracking Clock

Employee time tracking can be done several ways: facial recognition, a fingerprint reader like TimeTrakGO’s GOtime5, an RFID proximity badge, a shared kiosk, a mobile app, or a web login. Which one makes sense depends on your business and how your employees actually work; a retail counter and a mobile field crew don’t need the same setup.

Most providers, including TimeTrakGO, let you combine these options, so you’re not stuck picking a single method for every employee.

Consider the App’s Features

Not all time-tracking apps offer the same features. Some cover the basics; others go much further. It’s worth mapping out what your business actually needs before comparing options, since that’s what determines whether an app fits or falls short.

The best apps let you automatically track paid time off, and handle time-off requests and approvals in the same system. Other features worth checking for include GPS time tracking for mobile or field employees, biometric or badge-based options like a fingerprint reader or an RFID proximity badge, and payroll integrations.

GPS-based time tracking and non-GPS time tracking solve different problems. A GPS-enabled app records where a punch happened, which matters for a business with employees at multiple job sites or working remotely. A non-GPS app, like a shared kiosk or basic web login, is usually enough for a single-location business where everyone clocks in from the same place. Neither is universally better; it depends on whether location actually matters for your team.

Compare App Costs

Comparing costs matters, since paying for features you’ll never use is a common way to overspend. But the cheapest option isn’t always the best value: a bare-bones app can be missing features you’ll need later, or come with more bugs than a more established provider. A free trial is the easiest way to test an app against your actual workflow before committing to it.

Choosing the Right App

Once you’ve compared clock-in methods, features, and cost, you’ll have a clear picture of which app actually fits your business.

TimeTrakGO offers web-based time clock software with the clock-in options, GPS tracking, and PTO management covered above. Try TimeTrakGO free for 14 days to see how it fits your team before committing to anything.