Best Time and Attendance Software for Small Businesses

If you're running a small business, you know that employee time tracking can turn into a mess fast. Paper timesheets go missing. Employees forget to clock out. Payroll becomes a Sunday night nightmare.

Time and attendance software fixes this. It tracks hours automatically, stops buddy punching, and sends everything straight to payroll without you lifting a finger.

But here's the thing—not all time and attendance software actually makes your life easier. Some create more problems than they solve.

We tested the top options to find what actually works for small businesses. Real features that matter. Real pricing without hidden fees. Real solutions for managing hourly teams.

Let's find the right fit for your business.

‍

{{banner-cta}}

‍

TL;DR: Best time and attendance software at a glance

Need the quick version? Here's what you need to know.

Best overall for small businesses: Homebase offers free scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and team communication for up to 10 employees. No credit card required.

Other solid options:

• Clockify – Free for unlimited users, great for basic time tracking
• QuickBooks Time – Best if you already use QuickBooks for accounting
• Deputy – Strong features for restaurants and retail

Key features that actually matter:

• Mobile clock-ins from any device
• GPS tracking to prevent buddy punching
• Payroll integration that actually works
• Compliance support for labor laws

Bottom line: Start with a free trial. Test the mobile app with your team. Make sure payroll integration works with your existing system.

Ready to stop chasing down timesheets? Let's dive into what makes time and attendance software worth your time.

What is time and attendance software for small business?

Time and attendance software is a digital tool that automatically tracks when employees clock in and out, logs breaks, calculates work hours, and generates timesheets for payroll. It replaces manual time cards and spreadsheets with automated time tracking accessible from mobile devices, tablets, or computers.

What it handles for you

Your team clocks in from their phones, tablets, or computers. The time and attendance system tracks hours in real time. Overtime and breaks calculate automatically. Digital timesheets show up ready for payroll.

No more paper time cards getting lost. No more tracking down people who forgot to clock out. Employee time tracking software handles the work.

Why small businesses use it

Time and attendance apps fix specific problems:

• GPS tracking stops buddy punching. Employees clock in from actual work locations, not from home.
• Mobile time tracking works from any job site. Field teams clock in without needing physical time clocks.
• Automatic reminders catch forgotten clock-outs. The time and attendance app handles the reminders so you don't have to.
• Real-time alerts show problems immediately. Late arrivals, missed breaks, approaching overtime—you see it when it happens.

What changes

You get accurate hours without the manual work. Your team stays accountable without constant check-ins. You run your business instead of managing timesheets.

The difference between tracking time manually and using employee time tracking software? One takes hours every week. The other takes minutes.

How does time and attendance software work?

Employee time tracking software turns manual timekeeping into automated processes. Instead of paper punch cards or handwritten logs, everything happens digitally.

Your team clocks in digitally

Employees log their start times through a mobile app, desktop, or tablet with a tap. Whether through a time and attendance app on their phone or a shared tablet at your business, the process takes seconds. No more paper cards or forgotten signatures.

Hours get tracked automatically

The time and attendance system calculates work time, breaks, and overtime in real time. No manual math, no Sunday night spreadsheet sessions. The system does the work while your team focuses on their actual jobs.

Managers review and approve

See who's clocked in, who's running late, and who's approaching overtime from one dashboard. Approve timesheets or flag issues before payroll runs. One quick review replaces hours of timecard sorting.

Data syncs with payroll

Most employee time tracking software integrates directly with QuickBooks, Gusto, or built-in payroll processing. Hours worked become accurate paychecks without double-entry. One click sends verified hours straight to payroll.

Key time and attendance software features to look for

Some employee time tracking software actually helps. Some just create new problems. Here's how to tell the difference.

Mobile clock-in and GPS tracking

Your team already has phones in their pockets. Time and attendance apps let them clock in from wherever they're working. GPS confirms they're actually at the job site, not their couch.

Photo verification shows who clocked in. And when the Wi-Fi goes out? Offline mode keeps mobile tracking on until your connection comes back.

The best time and attendance apps give your team complete flexibility. Look for iOS and Android apps that work offline, sync automatically when connectivity returns, and let employees view schedules, request time off, and trade shifts—all from their phones. Mobile access isn't optional anymore; it's how your team expects to work.

Automated calculations that actually work

Remember staying up Sunday night doing time card math? The time and attendance system handles that now. Overtime calculates automatically.

Breaks get tracked for compliance. Multiple pay rates compute correctly when someone works different positions. You get your Sundays back.

Payroll integration without the headaches

Good time tracking software talks to your payroll system:

• QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP—hours transfer automatically
• Built-in payroll eliminates the second system
• CSV exports work if you use something else
• One click instead of copying numbers for an hour

Real-time reporting and alerts

See who's working right now. Get notified before someone hits overtime. Spot attendance patterns before they become real problems. Catch issues when they're still small and fixable.

Compliance features that protect you

Break reminders happen automatically. Digital records stay organized for audits. Overtime tracking follows your state's rules. You stay compliant without becoming a labor law expert.

Employee self-service tools

Let your team check their own hours. Time-off requests come through the app. Employees coordinate shift trades themselves. Your phone rings less when people can find answers without you.

"I love the ease of making my team's schedule every week! I can do it from my phone wherever I'm at and that's a game changer for someone who's always on the move like myself!" says Amanda Jensen, Owner of Golden Hour Designs.

Homebase includes all these features in our free plan for small businesses with hourly teams. Try it free.

Time and attendance software comparison: Top 5 solutions for small businesses

We tested the top time and attendance solutions for small businesses based on pricing, features, ease of use, and mobile apps. Here's how they compare.

Homebase – Best for managing hourly employees

Starting price: Free for up to 10 employees

• Essentials: $24/month per location (annual) or $30/month (monthly)
• Plus: $56/month per location (annual) or $70/month (monthly)
• All-in-One: $96/month per location (annual) or $120/month (monthly)

Free plan: Yes - includes scheduling, time tracking, team communication

Mobile app: iOS & Android

Best for: Restaurants, retail, healthcare, service businesses

Why it stands out:

Homebase offers a free plan that actually includes essential features. GPS tracking and photo verification come standard, not as premium add-ons. The all-in-one approach means scheduling, employee time tracking software, payroll, hiring, and team communication live in one place.

Paid plans charge per location instead of per user. As your team grows, costs stay predictable. Direct integrations with QuickBooks, Gusto, and ADP sync hours automatically.

"Before Homebase, we were printing out timesheets and manually calculating hours. To keep up with the times, we have switched to Homebase, and it has made our lives so much more efficient!" says Ashley Ortiz, Owner of Antique Taco.

Clockify – Best free option for unlimited users

Starting price: Free for unlimited users

• Basic: $3.99/user/month (annual) or $4.99/month (monthly)
• Standard: $5.49/user/month (annual) or $6.99/month (monthly)
• Pro: $7.99/user/month (annual) or $9.99/month (monthly)
• Enterprise: $11.99/user/month (annual) or $14.99/month (monthly)

Free plan: Yes - unlimited users with basic time tracking

Mobile app: Yes

Best for: Project-focused teams needing basic time tracking

Why it stands out:

Clockify removes user limits entirely on the free plan. Project tracking and reporting show where time goes across tasks and teams.

QuickBooks Time – Best if you already use QuickBooks

Starting price: $20/month base + $8/user/month (Time Premium)

• Time Elite: $40/month base + $10/user/month
• Requires: QuickBooks Online subscription ($35+/month)

Free plan: No

Mobile app: Yes

Best for: Businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting

Why it stands out:

QuickBooks Time creates a seamless payroll workflow for existing QuickBooks users. Strong geofencing and GPS tracking handle field teams effectively.

Deputy – Best for restaurants and retail

Starting price: Contact for pricing

• Plans available: Lite, Core, Pro
• Minimum monthly spend: $25 USD

Free plan: 31-day free trial

Mobile app: Yes

Best for: Restaurants, retail, hospitality

Why it stands out:

Deputy specializes in hospitality operations. Labor forecasting adjusts staffing to sales patterns. Complex shift management handles the chaos of restaurant and retail schedules.

Buddy Punch – Best for compliance

Starting price: Contact for pricing

• Plans available: Starter, Pro, Enterprise
• Add-ons: Scheduling ($1/user/month), Payroll ($6/user/month + $39 base)

Free plan: 14-day free trial

Mobile app: Yes

Best for: Compliance-focused businesses

Why it stands out:

Buddy Punch prioritizes time theft prevention. Multiple verification methods including webcam photos and facial recognition. Detailed audit trails for compliance tracking.

Bottom line

Choose based on your actual situation. Already using QuickBooks? Their time tracking makes sense. Need unlimited free users? Try Clockify. Want everything in one place without per-user fees? Homebase delivers.

Ready to simplify time tracking for your hourly team? Try Homebase free and see why 100,000+ small businesses trust us to manage their teams.

Benefits of employee time tracking software

Time and attendance software fixes the stuff that eats up your week.

Accurate payroll without the stress

Remember those Sunday nights with your calculator, trying to figure out if you got someone's overtime right? Employee time tracking software handles all of that. The system tracks hours, calculates overtime, and sends the right numbers to payroll. The math just happens, and it's always correct.

Time theft prevention that actually works

GPS shows where someone clocked in from. Photos confirm who's actually there. PINs verify their identity. Buddy punching stops the day you turn this on.

Compliance without becoming a lawyer

Your time and attendance system already knows your state's break requirements. It sends reminders when breaks are due. It calculates overtime based on local laws. When regulations change, the software updates automatically.

Real-time visibility when it matters

Someone's running late? You know before their shift starts. Approaching overtime? Alert hits your phone while you can still adjust the schedule. Need more coverage? You see who's available right now.

Decisions get easier when you're working with real data instead of guessing.

Integration that saves actual time

Hours flow from your employee time tracking software straight into payroll. One click replaces an hour of copying numbers between systems.

"The seamless way the data goes over to Quickbooks and I can run payroll with a couple button clicks is great," says Keith Zimmerman, Owner of Plum Creek Farm.

Time and attendance system requirements

Getting started with employee time tracking software is straightforward. Here's what you need.

What you need to get started

Hardware:

• Smartphones, tablets, or computers for clock-ins
• Reliable internet connection
• Shared tablet for a central time clock (optional)
• Biometric scanners for extra security (optional)

Software:

• Modern web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
• iOS or Android app for mobile clock-ins
• Payroll system that integrates with your time tracking software
• Email for notifications

Business information:

• Employee names and contact details
• Wage rates and pay schedules
• Work locations and departments
• Break policies and overtime rules
• Time-off policies and PTO accruals

What you need ongoing

Stable internet keeps the time and attendance system synced in real time. Someone needs to review and approve timesheets before payroll runs. That's about it.

Software updates happen automatically with most cloud systems. You're not maintaining servers or installing patches. The work is using it consistently, not managing the technology.

Policy reviews matter more than technical maintenance. Labor laws change. Your business changes. The best time and attendance systems adjust break rules and overtime calculations automatically based on your location, so compliance happens without you becoming a regulation expert.

How to choose the right time and attendance software

The right employee time tracking software solves your actual problems, not just the ones in marketing brochures.

Start with your actual problems

What's breaking right now? Employees forget to clock in and you're left guessing at hours? Payroll takes up your entire weekend? Overtime tracking feels impossible, and time-off requests disappear into text message chaos?

Fix your biggest pain point first. The flashiest features don't matter if the software doesn't solve what's actually making your life harder.

Test real-world scenarios

Free trials exist for a reason—use them. Have your team test mobile clock-ins during actual shifts. See what happens when someone calls out last minute. Check if the time and attendance app actually makes things easier or just creates different headaches.

If your team doesn't find it easy to use, they won't use it consistently. You'll be back where you started.

Match software to your business needs

How many employees do you have? One location or several? Mostly hourly workers, or a mix with salary and contractors? Everyone works on-site, or do you have remote and field teams? Simple schedules or complex rotating shifts?

What you actually need:

• Clock-ins that work from phones and computers
• Automatic timesheet generation
• Integration with your current payroll system
• GPS tracking if you have remote workers
• Self-service so employees handle their own requests

Not sure where to start? Look for a forever-free plan with no credit card required—test everything before you commit to anything.

Homebase: The complete time and attendance solution for small businesses

Most employee time tracking software makes you choose between features and affordability. Get the free version with barely anything, or pay per user and watch costs explode as you grow.

Homebase works differently. Scheduling, time tracking, team communication, and payroll integration—all free for teams up to 10 employees. Paid plans charge per location, not per user, so your costs stay predictable.

Why small businesses choose Homebase

Everything lives in one app. Your team doesn't juggle five different logins just to check their schedule and clock in.

GPS verification and photo capture stop time theft without you playing detective. Automatic overtime calculations mean payroll gets done without Sunday night stress. Team messaging keeps everyone connected without mixing work and personal texts.

The free plan actually includes the features you need. Not a stripped-down trial that expires in 14 days.

Real results from real businesses

"As a wedding venue, there are a lot of roles to coordinate in order to execute a seamless event and Homebase helps us verify that the right staff is showing up at the right time each and every day," says Abbey Brown, Managing Director of The Brownstone Wedding & Event Venue.

Start building your unstoppable team today

Join 100,000+ small businesses using Homebase. Sign up for free—no credit card required, no gotcha fees, no limits on essential features.

‍

{{banner-cta}}

‍

Time and attendance software FAQs

What is the best time and attendance software?

Depends on what you actually need. Homebase gives you the most value for small businesses—free scheduling, time tracking, and team communication for up to 10 employees. Clockify works if you need unlimited users with basic features only. QuickBooks Time makes sense only if you're already paying for QuickBooks anyway.

How much does time and attendance software cost?

All over the place. Homebase is free for up to 10 employees, then $24-$96/month per location. Clockify goes from free to $11.99/user/month. QuickBooks Time needs $20-$40/month base plus $8-$10 per user. Deputy and Buddy Punch make you call for pricing. Most let you test before buying.

What's the difference between free and paid time tracking?

Free gets you basic clock-ins and simple reports. Paid adds advanced scheduling, GPS tracking, compliance features, and actual support when things break. Homebase caps free at 10 employees. Clockify offers unlimited users but strips features. Pick based on what you'll actually use, not impressive features you'll ignore.

Do I need GPS tracking for my team?

Need it? Depends where your team works. Mobile workers, field staff, multiple job sites, or remote employees? GPS tracking matters. Everyone works in the same office every day? Probably skip it. Service technicians, delivery staff, construction crews working across different sites? GPS confirms they're where they should be.

How does time and attendance software integrate with payroll?

Most export hours to QuickBooks, Gusto, or ADP. Better ones sync automatically without you copying numbers between systems. Homebase connects free with major payroll providers. Some include built-in payroll processing so you skip the second system entirely. Look for one-click exports that eliminate the manual work.