Best Free Time Clock App For Small Businesses (2026 Guide)

You already know you need a time clock app. You don't want to overpay for features you won't use, but you also can't afford something that breaks or confuses your team. This guide will help you choose.

We're covering free options that actually work for small business teams. That means mobile and desktop access, support for Android and iPhone, GPS tracking where it matters, and the ability to export hours for payroll. No gimmicks, no bait-and-switch trials.

The best free time clock app at a glance

Need a quick answer? Here's what we found:

• Best overall free time clock app for small businesses: Homebase
• Best free employee time clock app with unlimited users: Clockify
• Best free time clock app with export capabilities: My Hours
• Best free GPS time clock app: Jibble
• Best free time clock app for Android & iPhone: Homebase, Clockify

Need a free time clock for employees? Look for mobile clock-in, manager approvals, and simple timesheets. Need exports or payroll prep? Choose an app that lets you download hours as CSV or Excel. Managing a small team? Pick a tool built for hourly work, not freelancers.

How we evaluated the best free time clock apps

We tested each app against criteria that matter for small business teams:

• Free plan limits (users, locations, features)
• Clock in/clock out experience for employees
• Export and reporting options
• Mobile support (Android & iPhone)
• GPS and location tracking (where applicable)
• Fit for small business teams (not just solo users)

We prioritized apps that solve real problems—like preventing buddy punching, exporting hours for payroll, and giving your team mobile access—over apps with flashy features you'll never use.

Best free time clock apps (ranked & reviewed)

We tested dozens of free time clock apps to find the ones that actually work for small business teams. Here are the eight that made the cut, ranked by how well they solve real problems for hourly teams.

1. Homebase: Best free time clock app for small business

Best for: Hourly teams that need time tracking and scheduling in one place

Homebase is built specifically for small businesses with hourly employees. The free plan includes time tracking, employee scheduling, and basic timesheets for up to 10 employees at one location. It works on iPhone, Android, and desktop.

What makes it better for teams than solo tracking tools: your employees clock in from their phones using secure PINs, you get photo verification to prevent buddy punching, and timesheets export directly to payroll systems like QuickBooks and Gusto. Managers can review and approve hours before you run payroll.

The free plan also includes shift reminders. One customer put it plainly: "It's super easy for staff to clock in and out using their phone."

Limitations: Free plan caps at 10 employees and one location. GPS tracking requires a paid plan.

2. Clockify: Best free employee time clock app with unlimited users

Best for: Teams that need unlimited users without paying

Clockify offers unlimited users on its free plan. Employees clock in and out, track time by project or task, and you get basic reports showing who worked when. The interface works on desktop and mobile (Android and iPhone). You can export timesheets as CSV or Excel files for payroll.

Where it falls short: Clockify leans toward freelancers and contractors more than shift-based teams. You won't get scheduling, shift reminders, or manager approval workflows.

Limitations: No scheduling features. Basic reporting only. No GPS tracking on free plan.

3. My Hours: Best free time clock app with export capabilities

Best for: Teams that need detailed timesheet exports

My Hours focuses on time tracking and reporting. The free plan includes unlimited users with timesheets, basic reports, and the ability to export data as CSV or Excel files. It works on desktop, web, and mobile.

You can track time by project, client, or task, which makes it useful if you bill by the hour or need to allocate labor costs. Employees can log hours manually or use a timer.

The tradeoff: My Hours doesn't do scheduling or real-time clock-ins. It's designed for timesheet management, not shift coordination.

Limitations: No GPS tracking. No scheduling features.

4. Jibble: Best free GPS time clock app

Best for: Field teams that need location tracking

Jibble's free plan includes unlimited users with GPS tracking and photo clock-ins. Employees clock in from their phones, and you can see where they were when they clocked in. It's mobile-first, with Android and iPhone apps. You get basic timesheets and attendance tracking.

Where it lacks: Admin controls and reporting are limited on the free plan. You can't set custom break rules or overtime alerts without upgrading.

Limitations: Basic reporting only. No manager approval workflows. Limited admin controls.

5. Connecteam: Best free time clock app for field teams

Best for: Mobile-first teams that need GPS and photo verification

Connecteam offers GPS tracking and photo clock-ins on its free plan, plus basic timesheets and shift scheduling for up to 10 users. It's designed for teams that work in the field—construction, landscaping, delivery. You can export timesheets as CSV files for payroll.

Limitations: 10-user cap on free plan. Limited reporting. No payroll integration on free tier.

6. TimeCamp: Best free time clock app for project tracking

Best for: Teams that track time across multiple projects

TimeCamp offers unlimited users on its free plan with time tracking and basic reporting. The free plan includes desktop and mobile apps (Android and iPhone), plus the ability to export timesheets as CSV, Excel, or PDF.

Where it's weaker: TimeCamp is built for project management and billable hours, not shift work. You won't get scheduling or shift reminders. It's better suited for agencies or consulting teams than restaurants or retail.

Limitations: No scheduling features. No GPS tracking. Manager approval requires paid plan.

7. Toggl Track: Best free time clock app for simple tracking

Best for: Small teams that need straightforward time tracking

Toggl Track keeps things simple. The free plan supports unlimited users with up to 5 projects, basic time tracking, reporting, and the ability to export timesheets as CSV or Excel. Employees can clock in from desktop or mobile (Android and iPhone).

What's missing: Toggl Track doesn't do scheduling, shift coordination, or manager approvals. It's designed for individuals and small teams tracking project hours, not businesses managing shift-based employees.

Limitations: 5 project limit on free plan. No scheduling. No GPS tracking. No manager approval workflows.

8. When I Work: Best free time clock app for medium-sized teams

Best for: Teams with up to 30 employees that need scheduling and time tracking

When I Work's free plan supports up to 30 employees with both scheduling and time tracking. The free plan includes shift scheduling, time off requests, and basic messaging. You can export timesheets as CSV files.

The tradeoffs: GPS tracking requires a paid plan. Reporting is basic on the free tier. You won't get labor cost analytics or overtime alerts without upgrading.

Limitations: No GPS tracking on free plan. Basic reporting only. Advanced features require paid plan.

Best free time clock apps by use case

Not sure which app fits your situation? Here's how these tools stack up for specific needs.

Best free time clock app for small business teams

Homebase. It's built for hourly teams, includes scheduling alongside time tracking, and handles manager approvals. The free plan supports up to 10 employees and exports to payroll systems.

Best free time clock app for employees

Homebase or Clockify. Both offer mobile apps (Android and iPhone) where employees clock in with a PIN or tap. Homebase adds photo verification to prevent buddy punching.

Best free time clock app for Android

Homebase, Clockify, or Jibble. All three have solid Android apps with straightforward clock-in/clock-out interfaces.

Best free time clock app for iPhone

Homebase, Clockify, or Jibble. Same as Android—these apps work well on iPhone with reliable clock-in functionality.

Best free employee time clock app for PC

My Hours or Clockify. Both offer desktop and web interfaces where employees can log hours from a computer. Clockify has the edge if you need unlimited users.

Best free time clock app with exports

My Hours. It's designed around timesheet exports, with CSV and Excel options that make payroll prep simple.

What to look for in a free time clock app

Clock in/clock out basics

Your team needs to clock in and out without friction. Look for apps that support mobile clock-ins and secure PINs to verify who's actually clocking in. Photo verification prevents buddy punching without requiring you to stand over your team's shoulder.

Timesheets and approvals

Digital timesheets eliminate manual calculations. Look for apps that auto-calculate hours and let managers review timesheets before payroll. One business owner described the shift: "Before Homebase I was manually tallying up my team's work hours and entering them into payroll, crossing my fingers I hadn't made any mistakes."

Exporting hours for payroll

If you run payroll through QuickBooks, Gusto, or another system, you need exports. CSV and Excel are standard. Direct integrations save even more time, so hours can flow directly into payroll without copy-pasting.

Mobile vs. desktop access

Most teams need both. Employees clock in from their phones. Managers review timesheets from a computer. Make sure the app works on Android, iPhone, and desktop.

GPS (when it matters, when it doesn't)

GPS tracking matters for field teams in construction, landscaping and delivery. It confirms your team arrived at the job site. For teams that work in one location, GPS is overkill. Focus on features like photo verification instead.

How to choose the best free time clock app for your business

Match your pick to your actual situation, not what sounds good on paper.

• Team size matters. If you have fewer than 10 employees, Homebase gives you scheduling and time tracking together. For teams between 10-30 employees, When I Work offers more capacity. Need more than 30? Clockify, TimeCamp, My Hours, and Jibble all offer unlimited users.
• Where work happens. Field teams need GPS tracking. Office or retail teams need simple clock-in/clock-out and manager approvals.
• Payroll or export needs. If you use QuickBooks or Gusto, look for direct integrations. If you run payroll manually, make sure you can export timesheets as CSV or Excel.
• Growth considerations. Free plans work when you're starting out. Think about what you'll need in six months. If you'll need overtime alerts, PTO tracking, or labor cost reports, pick an app that offers those features on a paid plan you can afford.

Free time clock apps FAQs

What is the best free time clock app? 

Homebase is the best overall free time clock app for small businesses. It includes time tracking, scheduling, and timesheets for up to 10 employees, with mobile and desktop access.

What is the best free time clock app for small business? 

Homebase. It's built for hourly teams, supports manager approvals, and exports hours to payroll systems. The free plan includes photo verification and shift reminders.

Is there a free time clock app for Android and iPhone? 

Yes. Homebase, Clockify, and Jibble all offer free apps for Android and iPhone with clock-in/clock-out functionality.

Do free time clock apps let you export hours? 

Most do. Homebase, Clockify, and My Hours all offer CSV or Excel exports. Homebase also integrates directly with QuickBooks and Gusto.

Is there a free employee time clock app for desktop or PC? 

Yes. Clockify and My Hours both offer desktop and web interfaces where employees can log hours from a computer.

Choosing the right free time clock app

Free doesn't mean broken. The apps on this list solve real problems—eliminating manual timesheets, preventing buddy punching, and exporting hours for payroll—without charging you a dime.

If you're managing an hourly team, start with an app built for that. Generic time trackers designed for freelancers won't give you scheduling, manager approvals, or shift reminders. Homebase gives you all three for free, plus direct exports to your payroll system. Try it free and see how much time you get back.