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Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API

If you go online and search computer tracking software, you’ll see many articles and discussions related to the pros and cons of such tool. Even on our blog, you can find stories related to the ethics of employee monitoring, legal side of this practice as well as advantages and disadvantages that come to employers and employees upon installation of the software.

Why Computer Tracking Software Could Be a Curse?

‍

Usage of computer tracking software is steadily increasing, but not everyone is aware of how damaging it can be (in certain cases) to a company. 


One of the main reasons employee tracking program can feel like a curse is wrong implementation of the software. Picture this: you decide to install a tracking and monitoring software without telling any of your employees about it (besides the IT team and team leaders). At some point, one of the employees spills the tea and the information about your unlawful monitoring practices spreads around like a virus. Soon enough, your employees become unsatisfied with their work, and it notice letters start pouring in. What happened? By not telling your employees about your monitoring intentions, you created a sense of distrust, and who would want to stay with an employer who doesn’t trust them to their job?


Another situation where computer tracking software can feel more like a curse is when you use it to provide negative feedback only. If your managers keep going around reprimanding people how they spent 30 minutes on Facebook, but never giving praise to those who completed their projects before the agreed deadline you’re showing your employees that you’re only tracking them so you can implement a punishment system. Punishments and rewards go hand in hand, so if you intend to penalize workers for wrongdoings, make sure you reward them for an excellent job.


How Can Online Employee Tracking System Be a Blessing?

‍

Moving on to lighter topics - software tracker can and should be a blessing! In order to achieve that, you first need to do everything the opposite of what was described in the examples above. But besides that, here are a few more handy tips to help you show your team that the implementation of a monitoring software was the best decision you’ve made.


Since almost all monitoring tools include time and attendance features, you can easily track overtime hours for each of your employees and pay them accordingly. Your employees will never have to worry again if they got paid enough for the hours they’ve put in, and you’ll save a lot of time - since these tools usually automatically calculate the payment amount. Besides making sure your workers are paid fairly, the tracking tool will allow you to be paid fairly on every project. By tracking billable hours for every client, you’ll always have proof of the work you’ve put into the project when you send an invoice through.


With employee monitoring software you can expect that your team will become more productive and efficient than ever. By using the data from your reports, you can allocate workload based on when certain team members are most productive. Additionally, you can allow for a more flexible working schedule, so all your team members can work when they’re actually efficient enough. Thanks to these simple, yet effective, changes your company will be able to complete projects in less time, which means you can take on new clients and earn more money.


Final Thoughts

‍

The fact that computer tracking software didn’t work for some companies is fine. There are many reasons behind it. Some cultures just aren’t cut out for this type of tool, and that’s alright. The important thing is that you assess all factors before implementing an employee monitoring software and you’ll be good to go. Also, give it some time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so could take some time for both you and your team to get used to the new situation.

‍

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Employee Monitoring

Computer Tracking Software: A Blessing or a Curse

Written by
Bojana Djordjevic
Published on
August 27, 2019

If you go online and search computer tracking software, you’ll see many articles and discussions related to the pros and cons of such tool. Even on our blog, you can find stories related to the ethics of employee monitoring, legal side of this practice as well as advantages and disadvantages that come to employers and employees upon installation of the software.

Why Computer Tracking Software Could Be a Curse?

‍

Usage of computer tracking software is steadily increasing, but not everyone is aware of how damaging it can be (in certain cases) to a company. 


One of the main reasons employee tracking program can feel like a curse is wrong implementation of the software. Picture this: you decide to install a tracking and monitoring software without telling any of your employees about it (besides the IT team and team leaders). At some point, one of the employees spills the tea and the information about your unlawful monitoring practices spreads around like a virus. Soon enough, your employees become unsatisfied with their work, and it notice letters start pouring in. What happened? By not telling your employees about your monitoring intentions, you created a sense of distrust, and who would want to stay with an employer who doesn’t trust them to their job?


Another situation where computer tracking software can feel more like a curse is when you use it to provide negative feedback only. If your managers keep going around reprimanding people how they spent 30 minutes on Facebook, but never giving praise to those who completed their projects before the agreed deadline you’re showing your employees that you’re only tracking them so you can implement a punishment system. Punishments and rewards go hand in hand, so if you intend to penalize workers for wrongdoings, make sure you reward them for an excellent job.


How Can Online Employee Tracking System Be a Blessing?

‍

Moving on to lighter topics - software tracker can and should be a blessing! In order to achieve that, you first need to do everything the opposite of what was described in the examples above. But besides that, here are a few more handy tips to help you show your team that the implementation of a monitoring software was the best decision you’ve made.


Since almost all monitoring tools include time and attendance features, you can easily track overtime hours for each of your employees and pay them accordingly. Your employees will never have to worry again if they got paid enough for the hours they’ve put in, and you’ll save a lot of time - since these tools usually automatically calculate the payment amount. Besides making sure your workers are paid fairly, the tracking tool will allow you to be paid fairly on every project. By tracking billable hours for every client, you’ll always have proof of the work you’ve put into the project when you send an invoice through.


With employee monitoring software you can expect that your team will become more productive and efficient than ever. By using the data from your reports, you can allocate workload based on when certain team members are most productive. Additionally, you can allow for a more flexible working schedule, so all your team members can work when they’re actually efficient enough. Thanks to these simple, yet effective, changes your company will be able to complete projects in less time, which means you can take on new clients and earn more money.


Final Thoughts

‍

The fact that computer tracking software didn’t work for some companies is fine. There are many reasons behind it. Some cultures just aren’t cut out for this type of tool, and that’s alright. The important thing is that you assess all factors before implementing an employee monitoring software and you’ll be good to go. Also, give it some time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so could take some time for both you and your team to get used to the new situation.

‍

‍