By Neil Patel

Disclosure: This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.

Why is time tracking still a source of stress for employees, supervisors, and management?

There are only two reasons, really.

They’re not using time tracking software.

Or, they’re using a solution that doesn’t fit with their business.

There is no third reason.

I can say that with total confidence because there are so many good time trackers out there to utilize.

Because no one should suffer any longer, I’m going to share the top five time tracking software options on the market today.

The Top 5 Options for Time Tracking Software

1. Clockify – Best Reporting Features
2. Time Doctor – Best for Employee Monitoring
3. Toggl Track – Best for Holding Everyone Accountable
4. TSheets – Best for GPS Monitoring
5. Tick – Best for SMB Time Management

How to Choose the Best Time Tracking Software for You

If you have searched for time tracking software before, there’s one thing you’ll notice right away.

All of the popular products deliver way more than simple time tracking.

Trying to keep track of all these additional features would be difficult, but they break down into four highly-recognizable areas:

• Scheduling
• Reporting
• Accounting
• Monitoring

Does your time tracker need to be connected to some or all of these areas?

Finding the best time tracking software is all about knowing how you want it to sync with your business. Let’s dive into the core features in each area.

Scheduling

When employees clock in, time tracking software automatically logs their hours. In most cases, users fill out a timecard that says what project or client they are working for.

All of that information gets tracked in a timesheet.

In this example timesheet from Clockify, you can see how all the time entries are automatically mapped out over the week.

Some time tracking software comes with built-in scheduling tools that let you assign shifts and alert users when there’s a change in plans.

Time tracking software that’s light on native scheduling features usually has tight integration with the best project management solutions.

Look for the product that has what you need out of the box or connects with the tools you already use to manage your schedule.

Reporting

Time tracking software will let you monitor productivity and forecast budget problems well in advance.

The products I like pull all your data into clear visualizations.

In this example from Toggl Track, it’s easy to see how work is progressing and the impact that has on revenue:

Good tracking platforms also let you drill down into the specifics of each client, employee, and project.

The more advanced tools will let users and administrators add more detail, but all of the products on this list come with tools that will help you stay on budget.

Accounting

A lot of companies use time tracking software to streamline payroll and invoicing. By integrating with services like Quickbooks and PayPal, these tools can handle the job in a few clicks.

You can forget …read more

Source:: Kiss Metrics Blog

Author: Aaron