Businesses of all types nowadays rely on time-tracking software to manage teams of employees, improve productivity, facilitate remote work, and a whole lot more. It doesn’t matter if it’s a startup, small business, freelance service, consulting firm, or even a large enterprise – tools such as Controlio with the capability to track work hours and employee activities are indispensable to modern operations.

In this article we’re going to go over the 5 of the best time-tracking software out there that cater to a wide range of different business models, workflows, and requirements.

• Controlio

Controlio is a time-tracking software that has automated time capture alongside in-depth, real-time monitoring features. It can track practically all types of employee activities, giving businesses detailed data insights to understand how work hours are being utilized by teams as well as individual employees.

If necessary, Controlio can even capture screenshots, screen recordings, or keystrokes. Based on its data, it will generate productivity analytics that allow managers to identify inefficiencies, ensure employees are focused, and more effectively protect company assets.

Because of its robust monitoring capabilities, Controlio is generally best suited to medium or large enterprises that prioritize operational efficiency and security – or have remote teams. However it also has plans that are suitable for small businesses and startups too.

• Time Doctor

Time Doctor is another comprehensive time-tracking and employee monitoring tool that can capture detailed information about work hours and employee activities. On top of that it stacks on project management features that allow it to track time spent on tasks or specific projects.

One of the interesting features in Time Doctor is its inactivity alerts that will immediately notify managers if employees lose focus so it can be rectified at once. Its reports and analytics are detailed, comprehensive, and provide a wealth of insights into employee behavior.

While Time Doctor’s features may exceed what small businesses or freelancers require, it is well suited to medium or large enterprises that want powerful visibility and project management tools.

• Clockify

Clockify is a versatile time-tracking app that has made a name for itself due to its extremely generous free plan. What sets its free version apart is that it is virtually unlimited in terms of users, projects, clients and time entries – making it a favorite among startups and small businesses.

As far as its time-tracking features are concerned, it has an intuitive one-click timer, manual timesheets, automated tracking, and a kiosk mode. All entries can be categorized by project and it will generate a variety of reports. The paid plans have even more features, including GPS tracking, invoicing support, approvals, and time-off management.

• Harvest

Harvest integrates time-tracking with expense management, invoicing, and project budgeting – all under the same roof. It has become popular among freelancers, consultants, agencies, and other professional services that bill by the hour as it eliminates the need for separate tools to manage client billing and billable hours.

The time-tracking interface in Harvest is simple and intuitive – offering either a one-click timer, or manual entries. Its reports provide extensive data insights into project performance, employee productivity, financials, and resource utilization.

• Toggl Track

Toggl Track is known for its clean interface and friction-free approach to time-tracking. Its intuitive one-click timer and user-friendly design lower the learning curve and make it easy for employees to adopt it quickly.

Alongside its manual and automated time-tracking features, Toggl Track can set up projects and tasks, and provides insights into team efficiency, profitability, and productivity. Its cross-device compatibility (mobile, desktop, web, and browser extensions) make it versatile, and it can continue to operate while offline then sync its data later on when an internet connection is available.

Due to its lack of complexity, Toggl Track is very popular among freelancers, creative professionals, remote workers, and consultants that are looking for a ‘quick and easy’ way to track and manage their time and projects.

“Which to Choose?”

Choosing the right software will largely depend on the needs and goals of your business as well as its size, team structure, and workflow demands. Before you make a decision, check out time-tracking software such as Controlio that has a free trial and give it a spin to see exactly what it can do and how easy it is to use it.