The use of time-tracking software is expanding as we all move toward a society where the majority of work is automated. Businesses can now be more productive, make the most effective use of their time, and keep tabs on their workers’ working hours thanks to time tracking software like eRS Time Tracking.

Many small firms use sign-in books, spreadsheets, or paper timesheets to keep track of staff hours. These manual techniques, however, take much time and are prone to costly mistakes.

Thankfully, time-tracking software helps prevent this. An efficient time-tracking tool will assist with payroll, ensure regulatory compliance, and track employees’ working hours, overtime, and absence payouts, among other things.

General things to consider while choosing the time-tracking software

Before we get into the specifics of the various types of time-tracking software, we must consider all the factors that may influence your final decision.

This includes:

• Workplace
• Type of business
• Time tracking requirement
• Budget

What makes the best time-tracking software?

Knowing how you spend your time allows you to examine work trends and make more informed business decisions. Time tracking software may provide a thorough overview of your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly work, whether alone or in a small team.

Consider the below points before picking just any time tracking software:

• Real-time tracking: Most tracking applications allow real-time monitoring, providing a running clock that can start when an employee begins a task and stop or pause when the task is completed.
• Reporting feature: The most effective time-tracking tools provide dashboards and reports that allow managers to segment the daily, weekly, or monthly time spent on the project by each individual. 
• Ability to create an invoice or export data: These tools allow managers to export time-tracking data into PDFs, CSVs, or Google Sheets to share with appropriate team members  or automatically generate invoices from the time-tracking data saved in the app.
• Multiple access points: The best time-tracking software makes it simple and practical to start a timer. They are adaptable enough to allow you to create a timer from whichever location is most valuable for you, be it your browser, desktop application, or mobile device.

List of 5 best time tracking alternatives

1. eResource Scheduler

eRS is a robust cloud-based employee time tracking software, and productivity management tool. 

The tool has advanced performance management, timesheet, and payroll features, making it top-time tracking software for your business needs. The device is easily accessible from a desktop browser. 

Key features:

• Time tracking using timecards: Utilize the built-in timesheet management module to record the actual time that resources spend on projects, tasks, and non-project activities.
• Multiple options to fill timesheets: The timesheet can be filled out manually, imported using CSV, automatically pre-populated with scheduling information, or retrieved using our open REST API.
• Color code for easy identification: For simple identification and processing, our timesheet management software displays draft, submitted, approved, and rejected entries in various colors.
• Configurable timesheet settings: eRS timesheet module is highly adaptable and effective in many scenarios since timesheet settings may be changed at the resource, and project levels.
• Automated and manual approval: Specify automatic permission for some resources and human approval for others. Because of its adaptability, workers can use the timesheet module effectively at various levels.
• Efficient and informative approval screen: Making effective decisions is easier when all timesheet entries are displayed on a single screen. To save time and improve productivity, use robust filters and views to find crucial information and valuable features like bulk processing.

                 Using resource view to process entries at resource level

                 Using project view to process entries at project level

                 View each submission’s details

• Approval workflow: Set up entrance, approval, and viewing privileges at any level (resource, project, team, department, etc.). The eRS timesheet software/module is suitable for businesses of various shapes and sizes, thanks to its flexible permissions.
• Dedicate time tracking report: The timesheet shows how much time resources are spent on various projects, tasks, and non-project activities. View reports from several angles (resource, project, role, etc.), and create graphs to make timesheet data easier to understand.
• Planned v/s actual reporting: By comparing scheduled effort v/s actual effort at various levels and highlighting gaps and leakages, detailed reports like planned versus actual utilization and availability provide actionable insights.

Pricing: 

eRS offers a 14-day free trial. Its paid plan starts at $4/ user per month.

2. Paymo

Paymo is a time-tracking and management tool with project-planning features.It can be linked to your Google Calendar. Small and mid-sized businesses, as well as freelancers, can use the tool.

Key features:

• It makes task management simpler by allowing you to log the working time for each task independently and see them as to-do lists, spreadsheets, and task calendars.
• It allows you to develop a project plan and transform routine chores into reusable templates.
• Allows you to add manual time entries for several projects simultaneously.
• Creates invoices that you may email to your clients directly.
• Allows you to pay your staff using your chosen payment processor, such as Square, PayPal, or Stripe.

Pricing:

Paymo offers a 15-day free trial. Its paid plan starts at $5.95/user per month. 

3. Desk time

DeskTime is a time monitoring and accounting program that runs entirely automatically. Numerous performance management tools are included with the time tracker and can be utilized to raise worker output.

Key features:

• It estimates the costs incurred while keeping track of time spent on various jobs and projects.
• Allows you to manage time off requests, shifts, vacation, and free time for employees.
•  Develop custom reports for your internal team.
• Integrates with widely used office applications like Jira and Google Calendar to guarantee continuous workflow.

Pricing:

A free version of DeskTime software is available with limited features. The DeskTime paid plan starts at $7/user per month.

4. Harvest

Harvest is a time tracking and billing system that is cloud-based and used for time management, budgeting, invoicing, and other purposes. The app is accessible on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.

Key features:

• Constantly tracks employee time from a browser, mobile device, or desktop.
• Time spent by your team on each project is tracked, and visual reports are provided.
• Aids in tracking expenses and turning them into invoices.
• Integrates with other office project management tools like Jira and Zendesk to help you streamline your workflow.

Pricing:

Harvest software offers a forever-limited free plan for a single user. Harvest’s paid plan starts at $12/user per month. 

5. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a straightforward yet efficient time tracker, timesheet, and billing program for teams of all sizes. The app is available for computers running Windows, Linux, and Mac OS in addition to mobile devices.

Key features:

• Utilizes a manual time tracker to keep track of team members’ work and online time for each job and project.
• You may manage both local and remote teams with the help of its all-inclusive work time tracker.
• Uses geofencing capabilities to enable your team to track time as soon as they arrive at a defined task site.
• Allows CSV export of your timesheet and reports.
• Provides more than 17 customized reports with date, team, member, project, and client filters.

Pricing:

There is a free plan available for one user with Hubstaff. Its paid plan starts at $7/user per month. 

Time trackers improve all businesses.

All administrators, managers, and owners are aware of the importance of time in the workplace.

Time trackers are important for companies to evaluate their resource utilization in order to be successful. 

You’ll undoubtedly find a time tracker on our list that matches your business model if you’ve grasped the work, outlined the benefits and drawbacks, and paid attention to your employees’ needs.