If you’re a small business, you don’t need many of the features that popular time tracking software tools include. Instead, you get the essential time-tracking functionality you need and save a tidy sum by finding the plan that suits your specific needs best.
That’s what this article is about. We wanted to find out which of the popular time tracking tools gave small businesses the best value for money without sacrificing important features. After a long evaluation and comparison, this is what we found.
The Winners
It can be a little confusing when you first start to look into this type of technology. There are now so many time tracking software for small business (or so they claim) that determining which product will be right for you can be daunting. Here’s a quick rundown of the top contenders, each excelling in different areas:
- Best for All-in-One Solution: ClickUp
- Best for Productivity Monitoring: DeskTime
- Best for Automation: TrackingTime
- Best for Focus and Distraction Management: RescueTime
- Best for Payroll Integration: Timesheets.com
1. ClickUp (Best All-in-One Solution)
ClickUp is a very simple program but one that packs a punch! It integrates well with other systems and offers enough features to meet the needs of most users.
Specifications:
- Robust reporting options
- Workload view for internal resource allocation
- Simple time trackers
Pros:
- Integrates with other tools
- Easy to use with features like notes and labels
- Billable time allocation options
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming with so many features
- The learning curve is steep for new users
ClickUp’s primary features include:
- Robust reporting options
- Workload view for internal resource allocation
- Simplified time tracking with features such as notes, labels, and options for allocating billable time
What this really means is that ClickUp is a valuable solution for most small companies that are entering into the world of time-tracking for the first time. The mobile app and web browser work seamlessly and the global timer feature allows users to seamlessly jump between tasks.
Price:
ClickUp offers four packages: Free Forever, Unlimited, Business, and Enterprise. The Free Forever is in fact free and provides 100MB of storage and unlimited tasks. The Unlimited package is best for small teams and starts at just $7 per user, per month. The Business package is designed for mid-sized teams and starts out at just $12 per user, per month.
Finally, the Enterprise package is best for large teams and you can get a quote directly from the company based on your needs.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Features: 5/5
- Usability: 4/5
- Integration: 5/5
2. DeskTime (Best for Productivity Monitoring)
DeskTime is one of the most powerful tools for actually monitoring the performance of your employees. Yes, they might have a problem with that, but when they are on the clock you have a right to see what they’re up to! The powerful URL and app tracking of DeskTime makes it ideal for companies that are having problems controlling employees’ online activities.
Specifications:
- URL and app tracking
- Project tracking features
Pros:
- High-level view of work progress
- Easy to assign billable hours
- Controls expenses
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Can be intrusive for employees
DeskTime is definitely the optimal choice for in-depth productivity monitoring of employees. It categorizes each app and URL as productive, unproductive, or neutral based on their relevance to work tasks. This program not only tracks time but also provides insights into how that time is being used. A lot of companies that have implemented this program have been pretty surprised by what they’ve learned about their employees.
Price:
DeskTime also offers robust project management tracking capabilities, providing insights into time spent on specific projects. This means that it is easier to assign billable hours and control expenses.
DeskTime offers three different pricing plans – Pro, Premium, and Enterprise. They are each available with a free trial and you will get a free month by purchasing an annual plan. The Pro package starts at just $7 per user, per month and no credit card is required. The Premium Plan offers a lot more, including shift scheduling and API and starts at just $10 per user, per month. The Enterprise plan is priced at $20 per user, per month and includes VIP support.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Features: 4.5/5
- Usability: 4/5
- Integration: 4/5
3. TrackingTime (Best for Automation)
The real key to time-tracking in small business is automation and that is where TrackingTime really shines. This product is designed for businesses of all sizes and offers a variety of price points to ensure you get the features you need without paying for all of them.
Specifications:
- Real-time tracking
- Automatic monthly attendance reports
Pros:
- Real-time visibility into team activities
- Intuitive time logging
- Automatic attendance reports
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Limited customization
Small teams seeking to automate their time-tracking will find TrackingTime to be the best choice. It is a free time tracking software with unlimited time tracking that offers real-time tracking and automatic monthly attendance reports. This means that it is incredibly useful for managers who want to track employee time and keep an eye on team activities.
One of the most unique features is the GPT Time Tracking Assistant, which uses natural language processing for intuitive time logging. Similar to Timely, another AI powered time tracker, this feature facilitates time logging without workflow disruption and offers real-time insights.
Price:
Tracking Time offers four different packages: Free, Freelancer, Pro, and Business. All of these packages can be purchased on an annual basis with savings of up to 20%.
The Free package allows collaboration of up to 3 users, while the Freelancer package is a single-user product that includes features such as Google Calendar integration and invoicing and is priced starting at $8 per user, per month.
The Pro package is priced at $5.75 per user, per month, with a minimum of three users. The Business package starts at $10 per user, per month and includes all of the bells and whistles, including priority support, audit logs, and guaranteed 99.9% uptime.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Features: 5/5
- Usability: 3.5/5
- Integration: 4/5
4. RescueTime (Best for Focus and Distraction Management)
While keeping track of employee time and making sure everything is billed is important, it is equally important that your employees are actually working during those billable hours. That is where RescueTime comes to the rescue! This product is primarily aimed at making sure your employees are working with focus, setting achievable goals, and becoming better employees, day after day.
Specifications:
- Goal setting
- Focus sessions
- Weekly email reports
Pros:
- Tracks time spent on applications, documents, and websites
- Helps set goals and minimize distractions
- Provides daily coaching and goal setting
Cons:
- Can be intrusive to privacy
- Limited customization abilities
RescueTime is really focused on distraction reduction. It tracks time spent on various applications, documents, and websites, offering a comprehensive view of an employee’s productivity. Many people are absolutely astonished when they use the product themselves and find just how few hours of the day they are doing billable work.
One unique aspect of this product is the daily coaching and focus goal setting, which helps you stay on track and meet your productivity targets. In addition, weekly email reports summarize your activities and provide a productivity score which can be a real eye-opener.
Price:
The RescueTime Lite plan is, in fact, free forever. It offers limited project tracking and calendar integration but is enough for most individuals. For more features, the RescueTime Premium plan starts at just $12 per month or $78 annually.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Features: 4.5/5
- Usability: 4/5
- Integration: 4/5
5. Timesheets.com (Best for Payroll Integration)
Timesheets.com is used by more than 65,000 organizations and is one of the leading payroll products for small businesses.
Specifications:
- Time tracking for payroll and billing
- Time off & PTO
- Mileage & expense tracking
Pros:
- Easy integration with payroll and accounting software
- Comprehensive features for time tracking
- Supports scheduling and human resources
Cons:
- The interface is a little outdated
- Limited customization
For businesses aiming to streamline their payroll process, Timesheets.com is the optimal choice. Its features include:
- Time tracking for payroll
- Time off & PTO
- Time tracking for billing
- Scheduling
- Mileage & expense tracking
- A human resources suite
Its seamless integration with payroll and accounting software is one of the main reasons why it is so popular. By fully integrating with the software you are already running, you will reduce errors, and improve the entire process. On the downside, the user interface may not be as modern as what many people are now used to.
Price:
Timesheets.com is available in three different packages: Free, Standard, and Non-Profit. The Free package is for users who want to manage their own time and expenses. The Standard package is priced at $5.50 per user, per month, and the Non-Profit package is priced at $4.40 per user, per month which is a 20% savings on the regular price.
Rating:
- Price: 4/5
- Features: 4.5/5
- Usability: 3.5/5
- Integration: 4.5/5
How to Choose the Best Time Tracking Software for Your Small Business
Choosing the best time-tracking software for your small business can be confusing, particularly if you have never used this type of software before. So, let’s take a look at some of the key factors that are most important.
The software should be user-friendly and have features that don’t require you or your staff to face a steep learning curve. The software should operate properly across different devices, particularly if your team operates remotely or in the field. If you can, get a copy of the software to use on a trial basis to see if it actually meets your needs.
Make sure that it integrates fully with daily workflow mobile apps, such as:
- Trello
- Asana
- JIRA
- GitHub
Time-tracking software with a team view feature to enhance collaboration is important for larger teams, and compliance features for FLSA and DCAA requirements are needed for all companies.
Your budget is also going to be a significant factor. Some products offer flat rates per user, while others often provide custom pricing or even free versions. Finally, make sure that the product you choose has customer service with a good reputation to ensure you get the best possible user experience.
Summary
The right time-tracking software can transform the way your small business operates. An all-in-one solution like ClickUp, a productivity monitor like DeskTime, or an automation tool like TrackingTime can all be useful in the right situation. RescueTime helps manage focus and distractions, while Timesheets.com streamlines payroll integration.
The key to choosing the best time-tracking software for small businesses in 2024 is to identify your needs and choose the software that best fits your existing workflow while sticking to your budget. The result is you will be able to track time more effectively and boost productivity.
