When you run a small business, it’s important to find every way to maximize your time and money. Between managing employees, products and services, and facilities while also trying to grow, it can be challenging to juggle the moving parts with only a small team to support you. That’s why tools like online time clocks should be an essential part of every small business.

An online time clock is a system that allows your employees to clock in and out on a digital device. Many online time clocks provide mobile device apps for flexibility beyond a station or terminal. Other features, like payroll integration, GPS location tracking, and in-system communication, are often included in online time clocks.

While the best online time clocks do cost a monthly fee to use, they also provide features that save you time and money in the long run. The less time you have to spend creating and managing job schedules, monitoring employee attendance, and processing payroll is more time you can use to focus on company growth and excellence.

We compiled a list of the best online time clocks for small businesses in 2020. These time clocks provide the best in device versatility, features, and cost without requiring any hardware. Here they are!

Homebase

Source: joinhomebase.com


Source: joinhomebase.com

Homebase is an excellent time clock solution if your small business only has one location. Why? Because it’s free! With their free plan, you get access to time clocks, timesheets for payroll, a schedule builder, messaging, and hiring tools. If you need features like GPS tracking, late employee alerts, performance reports, or HR and onboarding tools, you will have to pay for a premium plan.

Homebase is free for one location with limited features and starts at $14 per month per location for more than one location.

TSheets


Source: tsheets.com

TSheets is used by thousands of businesses for payroll, invoicing, and scheduling employees. Like many online time clocks, TSheets includes time tracking, a mobile app with GPS, payroll integration, job scheduling, alerts, and real-time reports. It does not include timesheet signatures or geofencing. Since it is a product by QuickBooks, it integrates easily with QuickBooks.

TSheets has a base fee of $20 per month plus $8 per user per month.

OnTheClock


Source: ontheclock.com

OnTheClock is a simple yet powerful online time clock for remote workers or in-house employees. With features like phone apps, paid time off tracking, scheduling, and notifications, employees will find it easy to clock in and out and manage their schedules. OnTheClock also offers GPS tracking, payroll integration, and job costing.

OnTheClock’s fees depend on the number of employees. It is free for 1-2 employees. For 3-10 employees, OnTheClock costs $2.50 per employee. The cost per employee decreases with a larger team.

When I Work


Source: wheniwork.com

When I Work is an online time clock that offers team management, accountability, communication, and empowerment. Specific features include team scheduling, messaging, and shift trading. You can also get features like 10+ day scheduling, multiple locations, and labor reports in the premium plans. When I Work is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it easy to manage your team from anywhere.

When I Work is $0 per user for one location or a single team up to 75 users. For companies with multiple job locations, plans start at $2 per user per month, with an additional $2.50 for timekeeping.

Chronotek

Chronotek Smart Employee Time Tracking: Workforce Dashboard
Source: chronotek.com

We can’t share the best online time clocks without mentioning our own! Chronotek is the smart way to manage employee time and attendance. Employees can clock in and out on a mobile device, tablet, computer, or phone with ease. Features like buddy punching prevention and GPS location tracking help you go beyond basic time tracking and ensure that your employees are on the job when they are supposed to be. Chronotek also comes fully equipped with payroll integration, in-system communication, and live dashboards for reporting and monitoring.

Chronotek has a base fee of $14 per month plus $5 per employee per month.