Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API
Workpuls Hubstaff Toggl TimeDoctor Harvest TimeCamp Timely Everhour Tick TMetric
OVERVIEW
Price (per month) $6 per user $5.83 per user $9 per user $9.99 per user $10.80 per user $5.25 per user $99 for 5 users $7 per user $19 for 10 projects $5 per user
Free trial 7 days 14 days 30 days 14 days 30 days Yes 14 days 14 days 30 days 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Difficult Very easy Easy Very easy Easy Difficult Very easy Difficult
TIME TRACKING METHODS
Manual
Start/stop buttons
Automatic time mapping
IN-DEPTH TASK AND PROJECT ANALYSIS
Screenshots
App and website usage
Activity levels coming soon
Real-time tracking
TASK AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project adding
Project templates
Project status
Task assignment
Task priorities
Budgeting coming soon
Mark billable/non-billable hours
Payroll calculation
Invoicing
ALERTS
Idle time reminders
Deadline alerts coming soon
Budget alerts coming soon
REPORTING
Client login
Productivity analysis
Email reports coming soon
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app coming soon
iOS app Beta
Android app
Browser extension Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge
OTHER
Support Phone and online Email and online Email and online Online Online, email and phone Email, online and support ticket Email and chat Email and chat Email Chat
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations coming soon
API
On-premise hosting

So, you already spoke to your team about the possibility of implementing an employee monitoring software. Now, it’s time to explore your options and see which staff tracking tool you should choose. But it can be so confusing!


There are many options to review, and it’s not like you’ve had prior experience or training on tracking systems.


We understand how hard and overwhelming it can be to find the most suitable monitoring software, which is why we compiled a list of factors you should pay attention to before you pull out your credit card and make a purchase.

Simplicity

No one wants a software that comes with a manual the size of the Game of Thrones books. Everything related to computer monitoring should be super simple - starting with the installation process. Luckily, most software installations take a few clicks nowadays.


However, once you’ve installed the software you should be able to start using it without much trouble. The PC activity monitoring software you select should be user friendly, and easy to navigate.


User friendly tools are those which are extremely simple, they have a clean design which is well-organized, and easy to navigate. To put it in one word - intuitive.


Furthermore, the main characteristic of a user friendly tool is reliability. This is why you must test out a solution before making a purchase. Unreliable computer monitoring app will keep crashing, and end up costing you time, money and patience. 

Features

When looking for a PC monitoring software, you must first answer a few questions:

  • Why are you tracking your employees?
  • What exactly do you want to track?


Only after you’ve answered these, you’ll be aware of what it is that you need from the staff tracking software. 


Now, looking at features, there are a bunch of basic and advanced characteristics you’ll face. Knowing what you need will help you rule out software with unnecessary options.

To help you out, we’ve divided some of the most common employee monitoring software components.


Basic features:

  • Time tracking
  • Website and app tracking
  • Real-time employee monitoring
  • Productivity monitoring
  • Time and attendance
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Screenshots


Advanced features:

  • Projects and tasks
  • Automatic time and activity mapping
  • Client login
  • Payroll calculator
  • Keystroke logger
  • GPS tracking (more suitable for in-field positions, such as delivery people)
  • Integrations
  • Customization


Almost every computer monitoring software has the basic features mentioned above, so they’re pretty easy to find. However, not every tool has the advanced features we listed. Our recommendation is that you make a list of features you need and go from there, instead of shortlisting the tools and then trying to find the one that suits your needs.


Additionally, we advise that you take a good look at integrations and customization options. Your company probably already uses a set of software, and you must decide if it’s important that the employee monitoring app integrates with your toolkit. You also might want some custom options that can fit into your processes. Not every software maker is willing to make adjustments to their product, so be sure to ask about it.

Cost

Whether you already have an approved budget or not, you need to look at the prices. Depending on the type of software, the lowest price range is around $6 per employee/month. Most providers do give discounts for larger teams, but the price may go up if you’re looking to customize the tool, or have an on-premise installation.


Once you decide on a software, double-check for the cost of licence, installation, support, anything that might be charged extra.


You should also know that more sophisticated tools can set you back at more than $200 per employee/month. So, if you choose one of these solutions, make sure you really need all features you’re paying for.


Wrap Up

The world of employee monitoring software is much bigger than you might think. There are countless companies and solutions which are just one click away from you.


Don’t decide on any employee monitoring software overnight. Take the time to think carefully about your options, perform a thorough research and consider everything we listed in this article before making a final decision.


Good luck!

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