Is Clockify Really Free and is it Safe?
Yes, Clockify offers a free plan, but also offers paid plans.
The point is to entice you to sign up for the free plan in hopes of upgrading later.
In regard to safety, yes Clockify can be considered safe considering data security such as SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, backups, and other security features. However it is always a good idea to download reports as your own personal backup plan. It's also a good idea to be careful who you share your data with.
In comparison to employee time clock software, Clockify is primarily a time tracking app used for projects and billing.
So... If you are looking for a free employee time clock, Clockify may not be the best solution.
To help, please see the related post: The Best Free Time Clocks and what they Don't Include
Clockify is located in Palo Alto, California.
The Best Free Time Clocks and what They Don't Include
If you are searching for a free employee time clock, there are a few available.
But why are you asking?
Maybe it's because we are so accustomed to free online services these days, you know, all those online apps with free plans... There are a ton of them.
That would certainly explain searching for a freebie for employees to clock in and out. I don't blame you for looking, it makes sense.
Please keep in mind a few harsh realities.
If you are looking for time tracking for billing, a free service might be the answer.
But if you have hourly employees, pay payroll taxes, and comply with federal and state laws, why would you trust a free service?
Just to save money? Can't afford one?
If trying to save money, consider using spreadsheets, or maybe pen and paper instead. With that, you won't risk losing legal records to a remote free service.
If it is because you can't afford it, remember we value what we pay for.
The best free employee time clocks
Below are the best free employee time clocks available today. I've tried to sort them by popularity, but honestly, that part is not easy to do.
Most importantly, I've pointed out the features NOT included on each free plan.
Knowing what you don't get is a better indicator of value. It will also show if it can replace an employee time clock for payroll or not.
My comments are limited to free plans only. I'm sure paid plans are more comprehensive, and I have no clue if one company is better than another.
Clockify.me
Clockify describes themselves as "The world's leading time tracker and timesheet software for teams".
Whether that is true or not, I'm not sure, but let's say they are good at what they do. It might be safe to say they are also a popular choice.
For their free plan, they do offer timesheets with unlimited time tracking.
Clockify is located in Palo Alto, California.
What the Clockify free plan does NOT include:
- Attendance & overtime
- Rounding
- Decimal format
- Time off
- Breaks
- GPS tracking
- Multi-year range
- Approval
- Scheduling
Opinion
Clockify does provide a free way for employees to track and report their hours. Whether they can clock in and out is not clear.
Since it doesn't offer even the simplest time clock features, such as overtime calculation and rounding, it can't really be called an employee time clock.
Think of Clockify as a time tracking app (better used for billable hours), not a time clock app for payroll.
Opentimeclock.com
Open Time Clock is simply described as "Free Time Clock Software", which appears to be true.
They claim to have been in business since 1997, but their domain was created on April 14th of 2012.
Regardless, I do know they have been in business for many years now, and have specialized themselves as a basic time clock service.
Open Time Clock is located in Singapore.
What the Open Time Clock free plan does NOT include:
- Downloading of PDF or Excel formatted reports
Opinion
Outside of not downloading reports, Open Time Clock apparently offers all their other features on their free plan.
So yes, Open Time Clock does offer a way for employees to clock in and out for free.
For someone with no budget, this might be an attractive alternative.
But for compliance, not being able to access reports is probaly not a good idea.
Also, if it matters to you, the company is not located in the US.
Timeclockwizard.com
Time Clock Wizard describes themselves as "100% Free Online Time Clock Employee Scheduling. Time Tracking. Task Management. Payroll Reporting."
That sounds great, however their free plan doesn't include scheduling, task management, or payroll reporting.
Is it me? I'm thinking the headline is slightly misleading.
Anyway, Time Clock Wizard has been around for a long while, I think they were one of the first services to offer free time tracking.
Time Clock Wizard is located in New York City, New York.
What the Time Clock Wizard free plan does not include:
- Payroll reporting
- Timesheet reporting
- Scheduling
- Task management
- Paid time off accruals
- GPS tracking
- Clock in location restrictions
- Mobile apps
Opinion
Time Clock Wizard does provide a way for employees to clock in and out for free.
But what is not clear, is the ability to calculate payroll hours such as overtime and PTO.
Either way, the fact it does not offer reporting is a big warning sign.
Joinhomebase.com
Homebase advertises with the headline "Employee Time Clock App - Unlimited Use, Always Free".
That title is certainly interesting, but is it a good alternative to a paid employee time clock? Let's take a look.
I could be wrong on this, but I believe Homebase was primarily built for restaurants using their scheduling, POS integrations, and billing by location.
However they market themselves now, they seem like a good company and offer a variety of services.
Homebase is located in San Francisco, California.
What the Homebase free plan does NOT include:
- Overtime calculations
- Pay periods longer than 7 days
- Break tracking
- Timesheets storage over 90 days
- Time off tracking
- Time off accruals
- Payroll integrations
Opinion
Homebase does offer a way for employees to clock in and out for free.
From what I can tell, the "Unlimited Use, Always Free part" is probably true, as the service primarily bills for other services you upgrade too.
But not having overtime calculations and the lack of reporting retention is a hindrance to compliance.
Jibble.io
Similar to Open Time CLock, Jibble makes the claim of "100% FREE Time Clock Software". They also claim 90% of their users are on the free plan.
Their claim is probably true for time tracking, but as an employee time clock, not so much.
Jibble seems more focused on time tracking for billable hours (like Clockify). You can see this by their impressive list of integrations.
Jibble is located in London, England (previously Palo Alto, California).
What the Jibble free plan does NOT include:
- Custom pay periods
- Pay period timesheets
- PTO accruals
- Three or more locations
- Shift scheduling
- Attendance reporting
- Approvals
Opinion
An interesting thing about Jibble's free plan is how they handle timesheet date ranges. It's either daily, weekly, or monthly. Custom pay periods are not supported.
Most companies in the US however are either bi-weekly or semi-monthly, so there is a huge disconnect.
As I'm hinting, Jibble is probably more a time tracking app, and not a time clock app.
Timecamp.com
TimeCamp positions themselves as "Time tracking software that meets your workflow". Probably a more honest description compared to Jibble.
As such, the claim is probably true.
The word Time Tracking means something, it describes a process of tracking billable hours, not payroll hours. TimeCamp doesn't seem to be everything to everybody, which is refreshing.
TimeCamp is located in Walnut, California.
What the TimeCamp free plan does NOT include:
- Attendance tracking
- Overtime tracking
- Time off tracking
- Time rounding
- Pay periods longer than 7 days
- Approvals
Opinion
As you can see from what the free plan is missing, it should not be considered an employee time clock by any stretch.
Sure it's free, but not the tool you need to run payroll.
Connecteam.com
Last on the list is Connecteam who claims "Manage your team in one app". That being an app mostly designed mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
A claim that seems to be true considering all the various upgrades available to manage what they refer to as "deskless" workers.
Although Connecteam offers a free employee time clock using their Small Business Plan, they don't make it center stage as other apps do.
Connecteam is located in New York City, New York (and founded in Tel Aviv, Israel).
What the Connecteam free plan does NOT include:
-
Any employee count over 30 employees
-
More than one time clock (in other words, limited to one kiosk time clock app)
Opinion
With Connecteam, it gets a little complicated. If you have less than 10 employees, you can use their Small Business Plan for free.
Over 10, but less than 30, you have the option of their Limited plan which is also free... But limited.
If you don't mind being limited to one kiosk app on a tablet for clocking, and have less than 10 employees, the Connecteam free plan might be a good choice.
Conclusion
Those are the best free employee time clocks available... At least that claim to be employee time clocks.
Other honorable mentions include
- Busybusy.com
- Everhour.com
- Myhours.com
Generally, with the exception of a couple, most providers claiming to be a free employee time clock, are not time clocks at all.
Instead, they are time tracking apps pretending to be time clocks.
Is all this confusing? Maybe try out our free employee time clock instead.
Just know the free part lasts only 15 days... But it includes everything you need.
How to Choose a Time Clock
If you pay hourly employees, you need a time clock.
Today, I'll explain what to look for and why.
Typically, choosing an employee time clock is a task for business owners, managers, accountants, bookkeepers, or payroll specialists... Whatever your role, I hope it helps.
This advice is for any small business, but also applies to any large business too.
In a related post, read about the 5 Questions when Choosing a Time Clock.
Why use a time clock?
Beyond recording employee hours, consider the following benefits:
Promote fairness. Using a time clock takes away any personal bias. Nobody is given special advantages or favors. Everyone is treated equally.
Keep employees honest. If an employee clocks in late, then they are late. An indisputable record is now etched on their timesheet to prove it.
Know if employees are working or not. Look at their timesheets. Are they clocked in? Some systems provide status reports that keep you informed.
Reduce administrative costs. This varies depending on what kind of time clock. But even a basic clock that prints on a time card is more efficient than writing on paper. Clocks that calculate hours will save hours of time.
Reduce payroll errors. With a completed timesheet, and assuming the approval of both the employee and supervisor, payroll can run safely. Further, some time clocks allow data transfer or full data integration to help eliminate mistakes.
Help with compliance. Here is a quote from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines: "The FLSA requires employers to keep records on wages, hours, and other items, as specified in DOL record keeping regulations."
Types of time clocks
There have been many varieties over the years. But to narrow it down, I'll focus on three broad categories:
- Time clock machines
- Offline time clocks
- Online time clocks
1. Time clock machines
The traditional time clock. Machines with a clock face and mechanism to print a timestamp onto a paper time card. They stand alone with no need for software or network connections.
Here are a few types...
Mechanical time clocks: Extinct as of 2025. These time clocks used a mechanical type wheel that hammered through an ink ribbon onto a time card. Making a loud, "ka chunk" sound. It's where the term "punch" clock came from.
Electronic time clocks: The next generation. Instead of a mechanical punch, electronic clocks print using a dot-matrix printer. Much quieter and lighter. Making them a better choice for offices, as well as manufacturing.
Side printing time clocks: These clocks have a slot on the side where time cards are inserted. You align the card manually on the correct line of their time card. You can also use them to print timestamps on office documents.
Top loading time clocks: Automatically feeds the time card from the top. Like bread in a toaster. Eliminating the print errors found on side printers. They can also print in two colors. Black for regular time, and red for exceptions such as clocking in late.
Calculating time clocks: Just like top loading clocks, but with the ability to calculate cumulative time on the time card. If you prefer using a time clock machine for payroll, this is the type to get.
Advantages
- No computer or software is required
- Most sit on a desktop, or mount to a wall
- Easy for employees to use
- Relatively low cost
- No monthly fees
Disadvantages
- Payroll hours must be manually entered by payroll staff
- Requires cleaning, ink, and card replacements
- Paper time cards get lost, or ruined. Time card racks can help.
- Malfunctioning machines need repair or replacement
Recommendation
Time clock machines are being used less in small business. However there are times where using one makes sense. For example smaller teams, limited network access, and lower operating budgets. The trade-off is more time spent processing payroll hours.
2. Offline time clocks
Offline time clocks are generally a combination of time clock hardware along with some method to manage punch data. Offline meaning they are neither web-based or require monthly subscriptions.
Here are a few types...
Software only: Although harder to find these days, there are companies offering installed software solutions allowing employees to clock from a PC or Mac, sometimes with a USB finger sensor.
Time clocks with PC software: These are a combination of time clock hardware along with Windows-based time clock software (but not Mac). Hardware can include PIN, RFID badge, fingerprint, or facial recognition time clocks.
Time clocks with no software: More recently, low cost biometric time clock hardware from China has been popular. They don't include software, but allow you to use USB drives to export punch data compatible with spreadsheets on your PC.
Advantages
- Automatically calculates total hours
- Reports payroll summaries
- Exports data to outside payroll software
- Allows the storage of historical data
- Reduces errors
- Reduces administrative costs
- No monthly fees
Disadvantages
- Does not support multiple locations without special networking
- Limited to Windows, little support Mac.
- Will not work with phones or tablets
- Support is only for a limited time
- Annual support agreements are an additional cost
- Requires you to maintain and backup data
Recommendation
If you really don't want to pay a monthly fee, have only one location, and are willing to spend more time managing payroll hours, offline time clocks may be a good choice. However if you prefer the convenience of web-based software, keep reading.
3. Online time clocks
In contrast to offline, online time clock systems are not located at your place of business, they operate from the provider's servers. That's why they require monthly fees towards maintenance, support, and future upgrades.
With online, you don't pay for software, you pay for usage, most often in the form of a plan. The model offers great advantages, you just need an Internet connection.
Here are a few types...
Free online time clocks: Some companies offer free plans to entice you to sign up, but with a catch. They ultimately want you to upgrade. Generally, free plans are limited, don't provide extended storage, and often don't calculate overtime or keep you compliant.
Online time clocks as a secondary service: These are companies that added online time clock systems as an afterthought. For example if you run payroll with a large provider, chances are they will try to upgrade you to their in-house time and attendance product.
Online time clocks as a primary service: These are companies created primarily as online time clock systems, some with optional time clock hardware, some without. Some also offer a better alternative to large payroll providers by including embedded payroll.
Advantages
- Access from any web browser
- Easy to network multiple locations
- Real-time data
- Free support, free maintenance, free backups
- Generally more secure than offline
- Reduces administrative costs
- Reduces errors
Disadvantages
- Requires an internet connection
- Requires monthly fees
- Distrust of the cloud
Recommendation
If you have multiple locations, there is no better alternative to an online time clock. Further, if you have a single location, the advantages and conveniences of an online time clock will ultimately increase your efficiency and lower your costs.
Conclusion
I've presented the advantages and disadvantages to every available category of time clock for payroll.
I hope it helps you choose the best one for your business.
If considering an online time clock, please try Webtimeclock free for 15-days.
Time Card Comments for the Record
Several years ago we had the idea to add comments to each time card.
Written comments that could be easily read, saved, and printed on each time card.
At the time, the closest thing other systems offered was some kind of "note" function. But the limitation was you could only read the note by clicking to see what the note was, or hovering over a link.
So, our idea was to make the entire comment visible along with a timestamp.
Since then, customers have confirmed they are very helpful, as they are used ever single day by most of our customers.
Why put comments on time cards?
If you know anything about time cards or timesheets, there is always something.
Somebody had to come it late, somebody couldn't clock in for some reason, somebody had a question on their hours, or somebody wanted time off.
Comments are a way to make these events and questions a permanent record.
That way, if you look back at your time card history, comments will help explain what happened.
How to add comments to a time card
Comments can be added by anyone who has access to the time card including an administrator, manager, and of course the employee.
Each time card has a button on the bottom right named Comment. If you click the button, a form will appear that allows you to type what you need.
Once you do, the comment will appear on the bottom left of your time card along with your name, date, and time.
Comments cannot be edited, but they can be deleted. So you can rewrite a comment if you need to.
Comments on the dashboard
As a bonus, each comment entered by an employee will appear on your dashboard, and each will hang around for 7 days.
This gives you, as an administrator, a heads up when someone enters a comment, letting you know right away if something requires your action.
Conclusion
Our comment feature has become a valuable tool for a lot of companies.
Why not try it out for size?
Sign up for your free 15-day trial.
How to Calculate a Time Card for Payroll
Hourly employees get paid... you guessed it... by the hour. So if you want to keep everyone happy, make sure time cards are calculated correctly.
Today, I'll show you basically how it works.
Hopefully you will find the following steps easy enough to get started.
Step 1: Determine the pay period
This could be weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. It totally depends on your regular payroll frequency.
Your pay period determines the start date and the end date of all workdays for which employees get paid.
Step 2: Determine start day of the workweek
All overtime is calculated based on a workweek, which is a consecutive, 7-day period.
It's up to the employer to determine what that start day is, for example Monday through Sunday. But like your pay period, be sure to keep it the same for each payroll.
Currently there are three states in the US that have daily overtime, but for simplicity, I'll stick to weekly overtime, which is Federal law.
Step 3: Calculate total hours per day
If your time clock gives you totals, great. But if not, here is how it can be done manually.
To find the number of hours between two punches, use decimals, not hours and minutes. That way you can use any kind of calculator.
For example, if someone clocks in at 8.25 (8:15), then clocks out at 13.50 (1:30), then it makes it simple.
13.5 - 8.25 = 5.25 (which means 5 hours and 15 minutes).
But be careful!
Regular hours and minutes can not be added like decimals, so don't forget to convert them. Not converting them is a common mistake.
Here is an example of converting 8:15 AM to a decimal...
((Hours x 60) + Minutes) ÷ 60 = Time in decimals
((8 x 60) + 15) ÷ 60 = 8.25
Step 4: Calculate total hours for each workweek
Now that you have calculated the hours for each day, add them as a total for each workweek.
For example:
WEEK 1 = 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 40
WEEK 2 = 8 + 8 + 8 + 10 + 8 = 42Step 5: Calculate overtime for each workweek
By law, non-exempt employees (aka hourly employees) need to be paid overtime for any hours over 40 during a workweek.
So in WEEK2 above...
Regular Hours = 40
Overtime Hours = 2Step 6: Calculate the total hours for payroll
Using our bi-weekly example above...
WEEK 1
Regular Hours = 40
Overtime Hours = 0WEEK 2
Regular Hours = 40
Overtime Hours = 2TOTAL PAYROLL HOURS
Regular Hours = 80
Overtime Hours = 2Conclusion
In the steps above I've provided a simple example of calculating a time card without pay codes such as double time or PTO.
If you need that, the process is exactly the same.
However to make it even easier, use software instead. At least you know how it works.
Try Webtimeclock free for 15 days, no calculators required.
What if Employees Forget to Punch the Clock?
Employees are human. They might be great people, but they may not always follow the rules in regard to the time clock.
Does this happen at your company?
Do employees forget to clock in or out? More frequently than you like?
Do they clock in too early, or out too late? Maybe to bump up their hours?
If so, how do you fix it?
First of all, you are not alone, this problem is as old as dirt... Or maybe as old as time clocks on the planet.
To help, I'll address some techniques to help solve the problem.
Let employees know the rules
One example is to publish a company handbook for your employees that includes the use of time clocks, and schedules.
This way, you are not pointing fingers at any specific person, just providing a set of rules for everyone to follow.
Another way is to keep reminding them.
To do that, consider sending out reminder emails, or post a memo next to the clock. Anything it takes to bake in the idea.
Not everyone needs reminding, but if done with a light heart, it can really help those that do.
Make clocking easy
The more convenient the better. If you want employees to clock in when they arrive, then place a clock right at the door.
If you want employees to clock in when they sit at a computer, make sure they can clock from the computer.
If everyone has a phone, and you are okay with it, have them clock from their phone instead of down the hall somewhere.
In comparison, the further the clock is from where they work, the less likely they'll want to walk to it.
There is an old saying "don't make me think".
Don't make employees have to think about clocking in, make it where they just do.
Lead by example and be consistent
No matter what, the culture of any organization starts at the top... Like it or not.
So if you are a big shot (aka salary), and are too important to punch a clock, do you have any idea what your staff thinks?
Sure, salary workers are not paid by the hour, but there is zero reason why they shouldn't punch a clock anyway.
At minimum, have your hourly supervisors and managers set the standard of clocking in by the rules. Let them be the guiding examples.
Employees follow those who they admire. If your admired leaders are punching a clock, it's likely others will too.
Don't manage employees with a time clock
Some time clocks have the ability to use shift schedules with rules. For example start and end zones that round a punch to the shift start or end time.
Some clocks have the ability to prevent employees from clocking too, depending on the shift schedule.
But like most things, just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Those kinds of rules are clear to employees that you don't trust them.
As a suggestion, have people manage employees, not software or machines.
Consider using technology as a last resort until you can build better trust between you and your staff.
Talk to employees individually
Sometimes the best policy is to pull an employee aside, and have a friendly conversation.
That way they can explain their side of the story, and who knows, there could be a good reason. It might also give you insight on what employees are thinking in general.
If nothing else, it gives you the opportunity to strengthen the business relationship you have with them.
The old method of "manage by walking around".
Conclusion
I've given you five helpful techniques to help employees follow your time clock rules.
Things are never perfect, but if you are patient, and a leader employees look up to, chances are good they will come around.
A Time Clock With or Without Monthly Fees
There is a shop in Long Island that has been around for many years, Compumatic Time Records, who do nothing else but sell time and attendance systems.
If you want a good price on a traditional time clock or accessories such as ribbons and time cards, they are both friendly and knowledgeable.
They also have a long list of loyal customers going back for years.
Introducing the Compumatic XLS Bio v2
One of the products they sell is called the XLS Bio v2, a fingerprint time clock that is shipped with Compumatic's CompuTime101 time clock software.
In a nutshell, it is affordable and will last for years.
The clock mounts to the wall, and connects to your network via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, while the software installs on your windows PC.
As long as both your clock and the PC are in the same network, the software can download punch data from the clock.
And although there are no monthly fees, each clock comes with free support for 90 days. Beyond that, you have the option to purchase an annual support agreement.
Here are some of the features
- CompuTime101 PC software included
- Upgraded optical fingerprint sensor for wet, dry, and rough fingers.
- Color LCD display with an easy to use menu
- Built in keypad to allow PIN entry or supervisor functions at the terminal
- Multiple communication methods: Ethernet, WiFi, or USB Flash drive (drive sold separately)
- Saves punch data in the clock, downloads to CompuTime101 software
- Built-in relay to trigger external bell or buzzer (bell/buzzer sold separately)
About CompuTime101 software with no monthly fees
While the software itself works fine, and installs on the latest Windows OS, just know it looks... well... dated.
Even Compumatic will admit that.
To be real, there is nothing on the market that doesn't look dated... That is, if you want PC time clock software.
It's a matter of whether you want to own it, or have monthly fees.
In regards to features, CompuTime101 will handle most rules and reports as most time clock software, and is relatively easy to use... Just not through a web browser.
The online time clock upgrade
One huge advantage of the XLX Bio v2 is the ability to connect online with a simple configuration setting.
So instead of using CompuTime101, you could use the XLX Bio v2 with an online time clock system.
That way, you could access your software from anywhere, not just your office.
How to purchase the XLS Bio v2
If interested, here is a link to TimeClockDeals, an authorized reseller of the XLS Bio v2 and other Compumatic products.
https://timeclockdeals.com/compumatic-xlsbio
Conclusion
If you are in the market to purchase a fingerprint time clock, but are not sure about paying monthly fees, the XLS Bio v2 is a great compromise.
It will provide a good solution for any single-site business with a Windows PC and ethernet network.
But when you are ready to go online, your clock will be ready too.
True Employee Self Service
With one login using an email and password, our online time clock offers true employee self-service, not some tired buzzword.
Here is what employees can do...
- Clock in/out using their time clock
- See, print, download timesheets
- Write comments on timesheets seen by managers
- Approve their timesheets
- See their bank of available PTO hours
- See a summary of hours worked on jobs
- Request time off for PTO, vacation, or sick time
- See their schedules
- See, print, download paystubs*
- See, print, download their W-4 form*
- See, print, download W-2 forms*
All from any browser found on desktops, laptops, tablets, or phones.
Wouldn't this cut your busy work?
Try Webtimeclock, it comes with a free, no-hassle 15-day trial.
*Paystubs, W-4, and W-2 forms available with our optional, all-in-one time and full-service payroll system.
Time Clocks and Human Error
We have been offering time clock software for many years now.
But it's just a web-based application, it doesn't have a brain, it doesn't assume anything, and it doesn't act on its own.
It just reacts when something happens.
For example, when someone clocks in, it tells you the time of the punch, and calculates the total hours on the timesheet.
That part is simple.
The part that is not simple is the human part. You know, when employees mess up. Unfortunately this can happen all the time depending on the employee.
Here is a short list
- They clock in late
- They forget to clock in or clock out
- They clock in too early to bump up their hours
- They clock out late for the same reason
- They clock in 30 minutes after they should have, then tell you about it later
What can you do if employees keep making mistakes?
In the short term, not much.
Other than asking them to do better, or in an extreme case threaten to fire them, you can't quickly program them to follow rules.
It's up to them as employees walk the line, and it's up to you as an employer to decide your tolerance level.
Teamwork makes the dream work
For the long term, a better answer is to foster your team towards a common purpose.
This way they can start building good habits towards a goal... And yes, that can include punching a clock.
When that happens, you don't have to remind folks, your team will do that for you.
5 Questions when Choosing a Time Clock
If you have at least one hourly employee, you need a time clock. It keeps payroll accurate, maintains compliance, helps prevent time theft, and keeps things fair.
But not every business is the same, and not every time clock is the same.
To help narrow it down for you, I'll share the typical conversation we have with businesses looking for a time clock solution.
It really doesn't matter what kind of business you have, what matters most is answering the following five questions...
- Do you want online access?
- Do you have multiple locations?
- How many employees do you have?
- How do you want employees to clock in?
- Who does your payroll?
In a related post, read my complete guide on How to Choose a Time Clock.
Do you want online access?
If you do, the only option is an online time clock system with a monthly subscription. There several to choose from.
If you don't, your choices are narrower, that is, if you want to use time clock software. For that, you can still purchase Windows based software with optional time clock hardware. Be advised however this kind of software is dated and most are no longer in development.
If you don't want software at all, there are inexpensive time clocks made in China that capture punches, and export to spreadsheets. Expect to pay at least $50 on up, and expect it to be time consuming.
Another option is purchasing a traditional time clock that prints on paper timecards. Expect to pay at least $200 on up, and don't forget the cost of supplies.
Do you have multiple locations?
If you do, again, the only option is an online time clock system with a monthly subscription. Online systems centralize your time tracking from any web browser. Although it is possible to network multiple locations without the web, it isn't practical anymore.
If you don't, then Windows based time clock software is a viable option. If you only have one location, then one office PC should handle the job.
With a single location, you have the same choice of an inexpensive clock made in China, or a traditional time clock (which may also be made in China).
How many employees do you have?
If you have only a few, you can choose any of the above.
But if you have 25, 50, 100, or more you may want to consider what your time is worth. The use of PC software, or inexpensive time clock solutions, is very time consuming. The money you think you are saving is spent on the time to run payroll.
As an example, the use of PC software requires you to print time cards on paper. If an employee wishes to have a copy, you will have to print it for them. If an employee requests a day off, you will have to handle that manually. If you want to access your records from home, you can't.
In almost every case, you might be better off using an online time clock.
How do you want employees to clock in?
If you want employees to clock from web browsers or phones, your only option is an online time clock.
If you want employees to clock from a wall-mounted time clock, then you could go online, use PC based software, or use an inexpensive clock from China.
If you are okay with paper time cards, then traditional time clocks are the way to go.
Who does your payroll?
If you use an online payroll provider, it makes the most sense to have an online time and attendance provider. However you don't necessarily have to.
For integration, you have to use an online time clock, but for transferring data using CSV files, then PC software will work.
Ideally, having payroll and time tracking as an all-in-one is the best choice. The larger providers are expensive, however providers like Webtimeclock are more affordable and offer great service.
If you do payroll yourself, then choose any of the above.
Conclusion
I hope these five questions help you consider what is best for your company.
What matters most is what works for you.
If considering an online time clock, please try Webtimeclock free for 15-days.