Best Attendance Tracking Software of 2026

Here's what we'll cover:

What is time and attendance software?

Essential features of time and attendance software

Benefits and competitive advantages of using time and attendance software

Challenges and limitations in time and attendance software

How to choose the best time and attendance software

What do you need to know about time and attendance software?

Time and attendance software helps businesses track and manage employee hours efficiently. It's primarily used by HR managers, payroll administrators, and team leaders to streamline scheduling and ensure accurate payroll processing. Our conversations with HR software buyers reveals that 40% of users prioritize time and attendance features, which highlights the significant demand for these systems in optimizing workforce management. [1]

Although rooted in broader HR management, this software offers specific time and attendance functionalities. It includes an employee database to centralize attendance records, automated HR management to streamline time-tracking processes, and robust reporting/analytics for detailed insights. 

This type of software typically operates on a subscription basis, with options varying widely to accommodate different business sizes and needs. Entry-level solutions start at $7 per month, providing essential functionalities for small businesses. On the highest end, prices can reach up to $17,899 or more, offering advanced features such as extensive customization and detailed analytics. [2]

For first-time buyers, approach the purchasing process by clearly identifying the specific features your business needs. Set a realistic budget, considering both upfront and ongoing expenses. Look for software that can scale with your business growth and seamlessly integrate with your existing systems.

When engaging with vendors, ask critical questions to ensure the software meets your requirements, such as:

• What kind of support do you offer during the implementation phase?

• How does your software handle compliance with local labor laws?

• Are there any hidden costs, such as setup fees or charges for additional modules?

• How often do you update the software, and what is typically included in those updates?

Choosing the right time and attendance software can be challenging with so many options available. This guide simplifies the selection process by outlining key features, offering a straightforward approach to finding the best solution, and sharing expert insights from our seasoned software advisors, Ryan Eschenburg and Steve Burlison. With their guidance, having assisted hundreds of buyers over a combined 17 years, you'll have the expertise needed to make a well-informed decision.

What is time and attendance software?

Time and attendance software automates the tracking and management of employee hours, streamlining payroll processes and ensuring compliance with labor regulations. These systems are in high demand—on our site alone, we feature over 250 attendance tracking software options. In just the past year, we've compiled more than 7,200 reviews for these systems, highlighting their importance in workforce management. [3]

Time and attendance solutions are among the most commonly discussed topics when buyers call us for software advice, with 40% of over 8000 inquiries from human resource software buyers focusing on these systems since late 2023. This significant interest underscores the critical role time and attendance software plays in effective human resource management.

Industries such as healthcare, construction, and manufacturing frequently utilize HR software, and these sectors benefit from specialized features tailored to manage diverse and dynamic workforce needs, aligning HR functionality with industry-specific demands.

Essential features of time and attendance software

Time and attendance software plays a crucial role within the broader framework of HR software, focusing on efficiently managing employee hours. Understanding these features is crucial as they form the backbone of effective employee time management. Let’s discuss the key functionalities integral to both HR and time and attendance systems, helping you identify the most relevant features to your needs.

Core features

Common features

While exploring diverse functionalities of time and attendance software, it's vital to note industry-specific adaptations. Ryan highlights this, explaining, "Companies often need alternative time entry methods. For example, construction companies can't necessarily sometimes use biometrics because there are people working in the field all day long and they're wearing gloves.” So they look for alternative methods, such as facial recognition. This illustrates the importance of versatile time-tracking options to accommodate different workplace scenarios.

Benefits and competitive advantages of using time and attendance software

From analyzing our caller interactions and understanding their pain points, we've distilled the most impactful benefits of time and attendance software. These advantages are designed to address specific challenges, turning potential pain points into operational successes.

• Reduced payroll errors: By automating the capture and calculation of work hours, time and attendance software significantly reduces the risk of payroll errors. This precision ensures that employees are paid accurately for their time, fostering trust and reducing administrative corrections.

• Minimized understaffing and overstaffing: Managers and HR personnel benefit from real-time access to attendance data, enabling proactive management of staffing levels and immediate resolution of attendance issues. This timely information helps prevent understaffing or overstaffing, optimizing labor costs.

• Enhanced regulatory compliance: The software simplifies compliance with various labor laws by accurately tracking employee hours, overtime, and breaks. Automated alerts help managers take timely action to correct potential compliance issues, mitigating legal risks.

• Improved employee satisfaction: Empowering employees with self-service portals for viewing their time records and submitting time-off requests enhances transparency and autonomy. This empowerment can lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.

• Scalable functionality: Tailored to fit businesses of all sizes, the software can scale with your growth. Whether you're expanding your workforce or adapting to seasonal changes, the system adjusts, ensuring consistent and effective time management across all levels of your organization.

Challenges and limitations in time and attendance software

Drawing from an extensive review of our callers’ pain points, we've identified several common challenges associated with time and attendance software. Let’s explore some limitations and practical solutions to ensure that your software meets your organizational needs effectively.

Integration with payroll systems

• Limitation: Users often struggle with integrating time and attendance data with existing payroll systems, leading to discrepancies in payroll processing.

• Solution: Opt for software that offers robust integration capabilities with popular payroll systems, and ensure the software vendor provides support during the integration process to minimize issues.

While many businesses are cautious about changing their payroll systems, the benefits of integration are significant. Steve notes, "Payroll is the most common system that companies want to keep separate, but integrated. The automatic flow of time data into payroll is really beneficial as it doesn't rock the boat with people's paychecks." This perspective reinforces the value of a thoughtful integration that respects existing processes while leveraging new efficiencies.

User compliance with clocking in/out

• Limitation: A frequent issue is employees forgetting to clock in or out, which leads to inaccurate time records.

• Solution: Implement time and attendance software that sends automatic reminders to employees' mobile devices or via email, ensuring they clock in and out at the correct times. Additionally, consider biometric solutions that simplify the process.

System adaptability and scalability

• Limitation: Some businesses find that their time and attendance systems do not scale well with growth or adapt to changing business needs.

• Solution: Choose a software solution that is known for its scalability and flexibility. Look for features that allow easy adjustments to workforce size and policy changes without significant overhauls.

How to choose the best time and attendance software

Selecting the ideal time and attendance software requires a nuanced approach tailored to your business's unique needs. Let’s go through a structured selection process, ensuring you pick a system that enhances efficiency, complies with regulations, and fits seamlessly into your existing operations.

1. Evaluate business size compatibility

When considering time and attendance software, it's essential to understand who benefits most from these systems. Our data suggests a strong need for time management solutions that cater to smaller operations—we analyzed 8000 of our HR software conversations which reveals that businesses ranging from very small (two to five users) to midsize enterprises (up to 24 employees) make up 39% of the inquiries each. 

2. Scrutinize pricing options

Selecting the right time and attendance software involves careful consideration of pricing structures to match your business's specific needs. Most software solutions operate on a subscription basis, with diverse plans to suit various business sizes and operational demands.

• Entry-level plans: Starting at $7, these plans offer basic features tailored for small businesses requiring simple time tracking and basic scheduling capabilities.

• Mid-tier plans: Priced from $17, these include advanced features such as customizable reports, integration capabilities, and enhanced support services, suitable for businesses looking to optimize their workforce management.

• High-end plans: Starting at $150, these plans cater to larger organizations with features such as biometric integration, complex compliance management, and extensive analytics tools.

When assessing costs, it's crucial to account for additional expenses such as data migration, training, necessary hardware, IT support, and ongoing maintenance and upgrades. These factors can significantly impact the total cost of ownership and should be carefully evaluated to ensure budget alignment and operational effectiveness.

3. Compare popular options to find the best software

It’s essential to compare how different time and attendance solutions stack up against each other. This comparison can reveal the specific strengths and weaknesses that align with your business requirements. 

For a comprehensive and reliable evaluation, consider visiting Software Advice to review our FrontRunners in time and attendance software. Here, we rank top-rated solutions based on user reviews, offering an authentic and user-verified perspective on each system's performance.

Additionally, it's important to distinguish between different types of software that may seem similar but serve distinct functions. As Steve points out, "There are payroll time tracking systems, billing and invoicing tracking, and project management time tracking. Understanding that these are completely different is crucial." This insight ensures you select software tailored specifically for time and attendance, avoiding confusion with systems designed for other tracking purposes.

Related attendance tracking software:

• Employee scheduling software

• Human resources software

• Payroll software

About our contributors

Author

Andrew Blair is a content analyst at Software Advice, covering marketing, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies across industries. He leverages his technical expertise and business acumen, acquired from experience as a web developer in the eCommerce industry, to deliver data-driven insights on market and business operations, empowering businesses to embrace the right technology. Andrew’s research and analysis are informed by more than 150,000 authentic user reviews on Software Advice and nearly 3,000 interactions between Software Advice software advisors and software buyers. Andrew also regularly analyzes market sentiment by conducting surveys of IT and marketing leaders so he can provide the most up-to-date and helpful information to small and midsize businesses purchasing software or services. His research and data insights for small and midsize businesses have been featured in SBS Media, IT Brief Australia, and Technology Decisions media publications. Andrew’s commentary on tech trends is published in various content forms, including podcasts, videos, and written interviews. In his free time, he enjoys sports and spending time outdoors.

Editor

Caroline Rousseau is a content editor at Software Advice. A former content analyst, Caroline has, for the past five years, built, written and edited research reports about technological trends, opportunities, and challenges with a SMB audience in mind. Her content has been featured in French Tier 1 media including Le Monde, L’Express and Le Figaro, among other publications. Her previous experience as a graphic designer, translator and LQA specialist in various industries converged into a skill set that allows her to create compelling content about today’s business matters. Caroline’s personal interests include literature and art and she has a passion for Albert Camus, graphic novels and drawing.

Advisors

Steve Burlison is a senior advisor. He joined Software Advice in 2017 as a software advisor and is based in Austin, TX.

As part of the software advisor team, Steve helps HR and learning management industry professionals who are seeking tools such as recruiting, training, and talent management software. He provides a short list of personalized technology recommendations based on budget, business goals, and other specific needs. 

Steve’s favorite part of being a software advisor is partnering with overwhelmed buyers to navigate the confusing software landscape; he enjoys discovering the specific tool a buyer needs and explaining how it will help them.

Ryan Eschenburg is a senior advisor. He joined Software Advice in 2014, and he is based in Austin, TX.

Ryan works directly with small-business leaders to connect them with best fit software providers. He assesses the technology needs of small businesses seeking HR and learning management software through one-to-one conversations and provides a short list of potential matches. 

His favorite part of being a software advisor is helping buyers ease their stress and save time during their software search.

Sources

1. Software Advice advisor call notes: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Software Advice’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking time and attendance tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions from August 2, 2023 to August 2, 2024. Read the complete methodology. 

2. Software Advice Time and Attendance Software Pricing Guide

3. Software Advice reviews data: Software Advice reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from August 2023 to August 2024. Read the complete methodology.