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

Figuring out how to track employee computer activity may feel like entering the murky waters. You don’t know if it’s worth your time and resources, and the fear of employee resentment is lurking behind every corner.

Don’t worry! The decision to monitor how your employees behave at their workstations can bring numerous benefits. We have some professional input that can help you implement this change smoothly and efficiently.

The Importance of Monitoring Employee Computer Activity

Monitoring employee computer activity is vital for several reasons:

  • Boosting Employee Productivity: By identifying patterns of unproductive behavior, companies can take measures to encourage more efficient work practices.

  • Compliance and Legal Liability: Monitoring helps prevent unauthorized or inappropriate use of company resources, reducing legal liabilities.

  • Cybersecurity: Keeping an eye on the digital footprints of employees enhances security measures and aids in data loss prevention.

  • Remote Work Management: For businesses with remote or hybrid work models, monitoring provides insights into how out-of-office employees engage with technology and manage their time.

Key Features of Effective Employee Monitoring Software

The monitoring software you choose must align with your company's specific needs. Most companies require the following features:

  • Productivity Tracking: Your monitoring software should help distinguish between productive and unproductive activities. It should also allow for customization according to different departmental roles.

  • Internet & Application Usage Monitoring: This ensures employees are focused on work-related tasks and not accessing potentially harmful sites.

  • Screen Monitoring: Screen monitoring involves capturing images of your employees’ screens on-demand or at set times. This way, you reveal their activities and get a concise overview alongside other activity metrics.

  • Active vs. Total Time Analysis: It's important to differentiate between actively used applications and those simply left running in the background.

  • Location insights: Location insights facilitate the comparison of productivity levels across work environments—remote, in-office, or hybrid. They also enable cost savings by optimizing office space and resource use to make them more in line with productivity reports.

  • Burnout detection: Employers can identify workplace burnout through signs like increased absenteeism and mistakes. To prevent it, they must foster a healthy environment, and a well-rounded employee monitoring software can help in these efforts.

  • Real-Time Alerts & Notifications: Immediate updates on any unauthorized or suspicious activities are vital and allow you to take timely action.

One of the most robust and scalable software for monitoring employee computer activity is Insightful. This tool is equipped with all of the listed features. Thanks to great flexibility, it can meet the needs of office, hybrid, and remote work environments and numerous industries.

Implementing Employee Monitoring Software

To implement an employee monitoring solution effectively, follow these steps:

  1. Trial and Evaluation: Begin with a free trial to assess the software's capabilities and ensure it meets your organizational requirements.

  1. Installation: Install the monitoring dashboard on a manager’s computer and deploy the client version on employees' computers for comprehensive coverage.

  1. Start Monitoring: Utilize the software to generate detailed activity reports, providing valuable insights into employee productivity and potential security vulnerabilities.

Balancing Monitoring & Privacy

When deploying monitoring software, strive to strike a balance between necessary supervision and respecting employee privacy. Pay special attention to providing:

  • Transparent Communication: Clearly inform employees about the monitoring practices and the types of data being collected.

  • Limited Data Collection: Only collect data that is necessary for achieving the stated objectives, such as improving productivity or ensuring security.

  • Clear Privacy Policies: Develop exact policies that outline how the collected data will be used and protected.

Maximizing the Benefits of Employee Monitoring Software

To fully leverage the advantages of employee monitoring software, your company should focus on:

  • Customization: Use the software settings to meet the unique monitoring needs for each of the departments or roles within the organization.

  • Data Utilization: Use the insights gained from monitoring to make informed decisions about policy adjustments, training needs, or technology investments.

  • Continuous Evaluation: Regularly review the effectiveness of monitoring practices and make adjustments to keep up with changes in technology and your business needs.

Conclusion

Employee surveillance should never be conducted just for surveillance’s sake. Keep that in mind and make sure your employees also understand the real reason behind monitoring efforts.

Through supervision, companies collect important data necessary for enhancing productivity. The right tracking tool can also ensure compliance, enhance security, and help manage remote workforces effectively.

A company that has a holistic approach to employee monitoring can see significant improvements in operational efficiency and overall organizational health.

So, make an informed decision about implementing computer tracking software and openly discuss it with your employees for maximum results.

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Employee Monitoring

How to Track Employee Computer Activity: Elevating Productivity & Security

Written by
Vanja Savic Petrovic
Published on
April 3, 2024

Figuring out how to track employee computer activity may feel like entering the murky waters. You don’t know if it’s worth your time and resources, and the fear of employee resentment is lurking behind every corner.

Don’t worry! The decision to monitor how your employees behave at their workstations can bring numerous benefits. We have some professional input that can help you implement this change smoothly and efficiently.

The Importance of Monitoring Employee Computer Activity

Monitoring employee computer activity is vital for several reasons:

  • Boosting Employee Productivity: By identifying patterns of unproductive behavior, companies can take measures to encourage more efficient work practices.

  • Compliance and Legal Liability: Monitoring helps prevent unauthorized or inappropriate use of company resources, reducing legal liabilities.

  • Cybersecurity: Keeping an eye on the digital footprints of employees enhances security measures and aids in data loss prevention.

  • Remote Work Management: For businesses with remote or hybrid work models, monitoring provides insights into how out-of-office employees engage with technology and manage their time.

Key Features of Effective Employee Monitoring Software

The monitoring software you choose must align with your company's specific needs. Most companies require the following features:

  • Productivity Tracking: Your monitoring software should help distinguish between productive and unproductive activities. It should also allow for customization according to different departmental roles.

  • Internet & Application Usage Monitoring: This ensures employees are focused on work-related tasks and not accessing potentially harmful sites.

  • Screen Monitoring: Screen monitoring involves capturing images of your employees’ screens on-demand or at set times. This way, you reveal their activities and get a concise overview alongside other activity metrics.

  • Active vs. Total Time Analysis: It's important to differentiate between actively used applications and those simply left running in the background.

  • Location insights: Location insights facilitate the comparison of productivity levels across work environments—remote, in-office, or hybrid. They also enable cost savings by optimizing office space and resource use to make them more in line with productivity reports.

  • Burnout detection: Employers can identify workplace burnout through signs like increased absenteeism and mistakes. To prevent it, they must foster a healthy environment, and a well-rounded employee monitoring software can help in these efforts.

  • Real-Time Alerts & Notifications: Immediate updates on any unauthorized or suspicious activities are vital and allow you to take timely action.

One of the most robust and scalable software for monitoring employee computer activity is Insightful. This tool is equipped with all of the listed features. Thanks to great flexibility, it can meet the needs of office, hybrid, and remote work environments and numerous industries.

Implementing Employee Monitoring Software

To implement an employee monitoring solution effectively, follow these steps:

  1. Trial and Evaluation: Begin with a free trial to assess the software's capabilities and ensure it meets your organizational requirements.

  1. Installation: Install the monitoring dashboard on a manager’s computer and deploy the client version on employees' computers for comprehensive coverage.

  1. Start Monitoring: Utilize the software to generate detailed activity reports, providing valuable insights into employee productivity and potential security vulnerabilities.

Balancing Monitoring & Privacy

When deploying monitoring software, strive to strike a balance between necessary supervision and respecting employee privacy. Pay special attention to providing:

  • Transparent Communication: Clearly inform employees about the monitoring practices and the types of data being collected.

  • Limited Data Collection: Only collect data that is necessary for achieving the stated objectives, such as improving productivity or ensuring security.

  • Clear Privacy Policies: Develop exact policies that outline how the collected data will be used and protected.

Maximizing the Benefits of Employee Monitoring Software

To fully leverage the advantages of employee monitoring software, your company should focus on:

  • Customization: Use the software settings to meet the unique monitoring needs for each of the departments or roles within the organization.

  • Data Utilization: Use the insights gained from monitoring to make informed decisions about policy adjustments, training needs, or technology investments.

  • Continuous Evaluation: Regularly review the effectiveness of monitoring practices and make adjustments to keep up with changes in technology and your business needs.

Conclusion

Employee surveillance should never be conducted just for surveillance’s sake. Keep that in mind and make sure your employees also understand the real reason behind monitoring efforts.

Through supervision, companies collect important data necessary for enhancing productivity. The right tracking tool can also ensure compliance, enhance security, and help manage remote workforces effectively.

A company that has a holistic approach to employee monitoring can see significant improvements in operational efficiency and overall organizational health.

So, make an informed decision about implementing computer tracking software and openly discuss it with your employees for maximum results.