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Project Management

7 Time Tracking Mobile Apps Users Love

Jun 7, 2024

Check out seven mobile time tracking apps that users rate the highest for tracking time on the go.

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Preksha ButtanContent Writer
7 Time Tracking Mobile Apps Users Love

What we'll cover

Managers of remote and on-field employees can enhance operational transparency by using a mobile time tracking app. This app allows employees to clock in and out and record their locations, ensuring better time management and enhanced compliance with state labor laws.

However, before investing, it's crucial to choose an app with features that align well with your specific business needs.

To narrow your research, we looked at 2M+ unique user reviews to see what users said. We’ve highlighted the top seven mobile time tracking apps based on sentiment analysis of reviews, arranged in order of percentage of positive reviews. Read how we selected these at the bottom of the page.

The listed products are categorized into two categories: dedicated time tracking app and other software solutions (workforce management and human resources app) with time tracking capabilities.

1. Time Tracker

Time Tracker is a dedicated time tracking solution for payroll, billing, and productivity management. Its mobile app allows employees to check in and check out, record breaks, and monitor their work hours directly from their devices. Additionally, the app facilitates tracking time and materials for curating a job cost report and enables employees to upload receipts when submitting expenses. It enables administrators and managers to check who has logged in and from which location. They can also leverage the tool to approve submitted time and expense entries, improving management oversight and ensuring accuracy.

  • Customer support: Knowledge base and phone calls

  • Mobile app price: Available with the free and paid plans, paid plans start at $7.2 per user, per month 

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Time Tracker mobile app?

Field team managers and contractors who need to manage time and expenses can invest in Time Tracker. This app allows field employees to log work hours and expenses directly from their job sites, promoting accuracy and timeliness in reporting. It helps managers oversee team activities and simplify payroll and reimbursement processes. Furthermore, the app's real-time data synchronization helps managers monitor project costs and employee productivity remotely.

Review excerpt from a user of Time Tracker’s mobile app:

“Our employees love the mobile experience and we use it daily to ensure everyone's hours and activities are properly recorded and charged. Very east to configure and use. We use it internally to keep track of our activities and hours There really isn't anything we dislike from Time Tracker”

Read all Time Tracker reviews here.

2. Jibble

Jibble is also a dedicated platform for time tracking. It offers a free time tracking mobile app equipped with facial recognition technology, enabling employees to clock in or out by simply scanning their faces. The app automatically identifies the employee, captures a photo, and logs it into a photo timesheet for future auditing purposes. Additionally, Jibble monitors the real-time location and traveled routes of employees, except when they are on breaks, ensuring comprehensive tracking of employee movements and time management.

  • Customer support: Help center and phone support

  • Mobile app price: Available with the free and paid plans, paid plans start at $2.49 per user, per month 

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Jibble mobile app?

HR professionals seeking a tool to reduce time theft and ensure employees clock in from authorized locations may benefit from Jibble’s facial recognition and location tracking technology. The facial recognition ensures that the person clocking in or out is indeed the employee assigned, enhancing security and preventing time theft. Location tracking provides real-time data on employees' whereabouts, crucial for verifying that employees are at assigned locations during work hours. This combination improves compliance and accountability and simplifies the administrative burden of tracking employee hours.

Review excerpt from a user of Jibble’s mobile app:

“It is good experience  since I am using the Jibble in web as well as in Mobile app. I like the most here in Jibble is the time tracking functionality very easy to mark your daily attendance and track your working hours even a second. you can even choose the break time easily. There nothing as of now which least like.”

Read all Jibble reviews here.

3. QuickBooks Time

QuickBooks Time is another dedicated employee time tracking software with a mobile time tracking application. This app allows you to clock in individual employees, contractors, or entire teams. It provides detailed insights into the time spent on various projects or tasks, enabling you to compare actual hours worked against your budgeted hours. Additionally, the app facilitates the creation of job schedules. You can assign employees to specific shifts and easily adjust schedules by dragging and dropping entries from previous plans, simplifying the scheduling process.

  • Customer support: Knowledge base and email

  • Mobile app price: Available with the free and paid plans, paid plans start at $20 per month (+$8 for each user)

  • Billing cycle: Monthly

Who should consider QuickBooks Time mobile app?

Managers overseeing teams of contractors who bill by the hour will find QuickBooks Time's detailed time tracking capabilities useful. This tool tracks the time spent on each task and project and simplifies the comparison between actual time spent and budgeted time. This functionality enables managers to generate accurate bills and invoices, ensuring precise billing and improved financial management.

Review excerpt from a user of QuickBooks Time’s mobile app:

“Very easy to use as they have mobile applications as well, log in and log out from the phone. Detailed report at the end of the week and we can add notes to the timesheet. Easy to navigate and can get reports easily. Long sign-in process, asking for code that sends on mobile. But overall good experience.”

Read all QuickBooks Time reviews here.

Pro tip

Select a time tracking app with geofencing support as it automates the clock-in and clock-out process when employees enter or exit a predefined geographical area. This feature ensures accurate time recording, reduces time theft, and simplifies attendance management.

4. Toggl Track

Toggl Track, yet another dedicated time tracking tool, requires you to have a Toggl Track account to use the app. The app features a QR code scanner, enabling users to create and share custom QR codes embedded with time entries, project, and client details. Simply scanning these codes allows users to start tracking their time efficiently. Over time, the app adapts to user behavior and automatically suggests time entries. It also includes shortcuts that utilize ‘@’ and ‘#’ symbols, making it easy to add projects and tags to time entries, enhancing usability and streamlining the tracking process.

  • Customer support: Help center and inquiry form

  • Mobile app price: Available with the free and paid plans, paid plans start at $9 per user per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Toggl Track mobile app? 

Team managers in need of a comprehensive time tracking solution can consider Toggl Track. This platform enables managers to create detailed project entries that employees can access by scanning a QR code. This method streamlines time tracking and enhances project security by ensuring that only individuals with the QR code can access specific project details. Additionally, the use of shortcuts significantly reduces the time required for manual data entry.

Review excerpt from a user of Toggl Track’s mobile app:

“This is very easy to use. It has a lot of perks and areas that are nice to have like the graphing, anayltics, etc. It's easy to send to payroll and it's free for users! I love that you can use this via mobile, desktop & others and it tracks not only time, but it tracks your projects and provides you with graphs for those more visually geared.  There's nothing I've found that I don't like about this app.”

Read all Toggl Track reviews here.

5. Rippling

Rippling is a workforce management system. Its configurable time clock app allows you to customize and enforce compliance with overtime, meal breaks, and other labor laws tailored to each employee’s work location. You can set custom alerts for important actions and establish personalized approval chains for time off requests and timesheet submissions. Additionally, the time and attendance data automatically syncs with Rippling’s payroll system, enabling you to manage time, paid time off (PTO), and payroll all from one integrated platform.

  • Customer support: Help center and live chat

  • Mobile app price: Available with the free and paid plans, paid plans start at $8 per user per month

  • Billing cycle: Monthly

Who should consider Rippling mobile app? 

HR and payroll managers overseeing employees across multiple locations can consider Rippling. This platform allows customization of the app according to the labor laws specific to each employee's state, ensuring compliance and avoiding legal penalties. Moreover, Rippling can automatically sync time and attendance data with payroll to eliminate the need for manual data entry or data export, thereby simplifying the payroll process. This integration simplifies payroll management, making it more efficient and less error-prone.

Review excerpt from a user of Rippling’s mobile app:

“I love being able to log in at any time, adjust my information to what fits my needs. The ease in putting in days off or completing training makes me feel organized and prepared.  I love the mobile app, its easy navigation and access to everything an employee would need at their fingertips. The home page is clutter free so the information you need is exactly what is there, nothing added to confuse or overwhelm. I have not found anything thus far that merits not liking. Everything I have needed Rippling for has been accessible.”

Read all Rippling reviews here.

Pro tip

Opt for a mobile time tracking app that allows you to see complex data in an easy-to-understand format through charts and graphs. This feature aids in quickly identifying trends, comparing project timelines, and assessing team productivity.

6. Clockify

Similar to most of the listed tools, Clockify is a time tracker and time management tool. Employees can choose a specific project to track, and the app records data each time they start and stop the timer for that project. Alternatively, employees can manually enter their time logs into a timesheet at the end of the day. Additionally, Clockify enables employees to submit project-related fees or expenses and photographs of receipts via the app. 

  • Customer support: Help center, email, chat, and phone support

  • Mobile app price: Available with the free and paid plans, paid plans start at $3.99 per user per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Clockify mobile app? 

Freelancers seeking a tool for time and expense tracking can consider Clockify. This app offers features for tracking the time spent on each project individually and recording any associated expenses. Through Clockify, freelancers can ensure that all time and expense data is accurately recorded under specific projects yet readily accessible within a single system. This process facilitates quick access and efficient management of project details and financials.

Review excerpt from a user of Clockify’s mobile app:

“I had the best experience with clockify app, it is so easy to use, 100% safe and affordable time tracking app. Best thing about clockify app is that it is totally affordable, 100% safe and very easy to use. It can be easily installed in our android mobiles which is very convenient. This app helps me to track time when I am involved in multitasking and can keep track of time I give to a particular task. Great software for time management. The only negative thing I found in clockify is that there is no screenshot facility which I think the developers should add if possible. Otherwise best time tracker application.”

Read all Clockify reviews here.

7. BambooHR

BambooHR is a human resources software solution that supports employee time tracking. The BambooHR mobile app enables users to clock in/out and check and correct any timesheet errors directly via the app. Users can also log hours for specific clients. Additionally, the app incorporates geolocation capabilities, giving managers a snapshot of employee locations. Within the employee time tracking app, managers can access a complete company directory, view employees on PTO or those with upcoming vacations, and plan project schedules accordingly. This integration simplifies HR management and enhances workforce coordination.

  • Customer support: Knowledge base, phone, chat and email support

  • Mobile app price: Available upon request from vendor

Who should consider BambooHR mobile app?

Small business HR managers seeking a basic time tracker can consider investing in BambooHR to manage their employees. This app allows managers to monitor their staff's check-in locations and approve timesheets. Additionally, the app's capability to track paid time off (PTO) helps managers efficiently allocate resources and plan for project staffing needs, ensuring smooth operations and optimal use of personnel.

Review excerpt from a user of BambooHRs mobile app:

“Great product great mobile app. It does its job perfectly.  Easy to use. Thoughtful interface; everything is well organized and easy to reach. Holiday tracking is amazing. Also, document signatures brought us a lot of efficiencies. Performance Tracking is too expensive for what is does.”

Read all BambooHR reviews here.

Pro tip

Choose a time tracker that allows you to review, approve, and manage time off requests. This functionality ensures transparency between employees and management, reduces administrative workload, and prevents staffing gaps by coordinating absences effectively.

Features of interest*

Here are some common features that you can expect in mobile solutions for time tracking.

FeatureDescription
Billable and non-billable hoursCategorize time spent on different tasks as either chargeable to clients (billable hour) or not (non-billable hour). This distinction helps track chargeable work, manage project budgets, and assess productivity.
Employee schedulingCreate, share, and adjust employee work schedules. It facilitates shift planning, ensures adequate staffing, and allows employees to view their shifts in real time.
Project time trackingRecord the time spent on specific projects or tasks. This helps monitor progress, ensure projects stay on budget, and provide insights into productivity.
ReportingGenerates detailed reports on time spent across various tasks, projects, and employees. These reports provide insights into productivity, efficiency, and resource allocation, aiding data-driven decision-making.
Timesheet managementCreate, submit, and review digital timesheets. This facilitates accurate tracking of hours worked, simplifies the approval process, and ensures compliance with labor regulations.

What are the benefits of a mobile time tracking app over a desktop version?

Mobile apps have become increasingly popular because they offer several advantages over the desktop version. Here is why you should consider a mobile app to track time.

BenefitDescription
Real-time dataMobile time tracking apps enable immediate tracking and updates on employee work hours and activities. This allows you to see work progress as it happens, facilitating quick adjustments and decisions to maintain efficiency and productivity. Real-time insights also help ensure accurate time reporting, leading to better resource management and project oversight.
Geolocation featuresGeolocation enhances verification using GPS [1] to confirm employees' locations when they clock in or out. This ensures staff are at their designated work sites, boosting compliance and accountability. Additionally, these features help manage field operations more effectively by tracking movements and optimizing routes.
Push notificationsPush notifications in mobile time tracking apps serve as immediate reminders and alerts sent directly to users' devices. These notifications ensure the timely submission of timesheets, inform employees about schedule changes, and keep teams updated on critical deadlines.
Integration with phone featuresTime tracking apps leverage built-in device capabilities such as cameras, biometric sensors, and GPS. This allows for enhanced functionalities such as secure fingerprint or facial recognition logins, location verification, and the ability to attach photos to reports or tasks directly from the field. Such integrations increase security and enhance the overall usability of the app.

Frequently asked questions when selecting mobile time tracking apps

Here are some common questions you can ask your vendors while looking for the best mobile time tracking app.

  • Does the app support calendar integration?

A mobile time tracking app with calendar integrations offers seamless synchronization of schedules, enabling users to manage their time and tasks more effectively. This feature allows appointments and deadlines from the calendar to be directly linked to a time tracking app, ensuring that all activities are accurately logged and nothing is overlooked. 

  • Can you customize the app as per your business needs?

A customizable time tracking app aligns with specific business processes, workflows, and compliance requirements. Features such as adding custom fields, flexible time entry options, integrations, and policy enforcement improve the app's usability and relevance for a business. This ensures you capture precise data, enforce unique policies, and address particular operational challenges.

  • What are the biometric functions of the app?

Biometric functions, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, offer enhanced security and accuracy in employee time tracking app. Biometrics prevent fraudulent practices such as buddy punching, where one employee clocks in for another, ensuring that only the registered employee can log their work hours. This leads to more reliable and accurate attendance records. Additionally, biometric systems simplify the clock-in process, reducing time theft and improving overall workforce management efficiency.

Methodology

To be considered for this list, products had to:

  1. Have at least 20 unique product reviews published within the past two years that mention mobile-specific capabilities (based on text analysis), with an average rating of 4.0 or higher as of May 24, 2024.

  2. Meet our definition for time tracking software: “Time tracking software automates the tracking of billable hours across tasks or projects.”

  3. Have the highest percentage of positive sentiment (versus neutral or negative sentiment). We calculated the sentiment score by identifying the positive and negative user sentiment specifically around mobile app usage.

*Mobile features of interest were identified from vendor websites. Our research team selected the features considering what we know users expect or find important in a mobile experience.

Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score.

Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by GetApp or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar.

We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.

Definitions

  1. GPS: Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides precise location and time information to users anywhere on or near the Earth's surface.

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About the author

Preksha Buttan

Content Writer
Preksha Buttan is a Writer at GetApp. She provides expert insights and helps small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing user reviews for the highest rated products in relevant software categories. She has previously written and published content for the medical and automotive industries. Her interest lies in marketing and branding. When she’s not working, she can be found watching a thriller.
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