10 best remote employee software for time tracking in 2025

How do you really know if your remote or hybrid employees are working productively?

It’s a question many leaders face every day. 

You want to trust your team, but without visibility into daily work hours and user activity, you can miss early signs that productivity is falling.

When that happens, projects start to stall and deadlines begin to shift. 

Some employees end up with overwhelming workloads, while others quietly lose focus. At first, it may look like everything is on track, but over time, the gaps become harder to ignore, and overall performance begins to suffer.

This challenge is why more decision-makers are turning to remote employee software, because these tools are built to provide clarity into how work actually gets done across distributed teams

In this article, we’ll compare the 10 best remote employee software tools available today, focusing on their functionality, pricing, and use cases. 

This will help you decide which option is the best fit for your team’s needs.

Table of Contents

Let’s get started.

Why do we need to monitor remote employees?

Monitoring remote employees is not about micromanaging. It is about creating clarity. Without visibility, you cannot accurately track work hours, measure performance, or understand how workflows are moving. 

Remote teams face challenges that office-based teams do not, and monitoring provides the structure to keep projects on track, support your employees, and build trust through fairness.

Here are five ways remote employee software with workforce analytics supports both you and your team:

1. Builds accountability through visibility

When you give your team visibility into their work hours and progress, you create a culture of trust and responsibility. Instead of relying on guesswork, you gain clarity into how work is moving forward, which helps you support your employees, keep them engaged, and ensure tasks are completed on schedule.

2. Ensure accurate billing and payroll

As a leader, you need confidence that client invoices and payroll are accurate. With remote employee software powered by workforce analytics, you can connect tracked hours with projects and tasks. This creates reliable records that simplify payroll and reduce disputes, which saves time for both you and your team.

3. Strengthen project and workload management

When you understand not only how long tasks take but also how workloads are distributed, you can manage projects more effectively. Workforce analytics helps you spot uneven distribution, identify bottlenecks in workflows, and make adjustments before deadlines are at risk. This ensures no one is overwhelmed while others are underutilized.

4. Reduce administrative work through automation

Manual timesheets and approvals often slow you down. By using remote employee software that automates attendance, reporting, and employee monitoring, you minimize repetitive admin tasks. This gives you more time to focus on strategic decisions while your team gains time to focus on meaningful work.

5. Encourage transparency and engagement

When you share insights from workforce analytics, you create transparency. Your team sees their own productivity trends, and you see the bigger picture of employee performance. This shared visibility builds trust, increases employee engagement, and helps you step in early to prevent burnout rather than reacting too late.

Now you know why monitoring matters. But there’s another question to answer. If remote work has so many challenges, why do some companies still choose it instead of keeping everyone in the office? The best way to see this is by comparing remote, hybrid, and in-office setups.

Remote vs hybrid vs in-office work: Advantages and disadvantages

Remote and hybrid work offer flexibility, but they also create more challenges than a traditional office setup. Leaders often struggle with visibility, making it harder to see how projects are moving, how workloads are shared, or how employee performance is holding up. 

On the surface, staying in the office seems easier. Yet many companies continue to choose remote and hybrid models. 

Why employers choose remote work despite the disadvantages

If remote and hybrid work come with challenges, why do so many companies still choose them?

The simple reason is that the benefits are greater. 

Remote work helps you hire talent from anywhere, lowers office costs, and gives employees the flexibility they now expect. These advantages make it easier to grow, attract the right skills, and keep your team motivated.

Remote work also gives your business more flexibility. You can respond more quickly to market changes, expand into new areas, and adjust staffing without the limitations of a single office.

That is why many leaders continue to choose remote work, even when it brings extra complexity.

Since remote work is here to stay, the next step is making it sustainable. This is where remote employee software becomes important. 

Let’s look at the best tools available today and how they compare.

Comparison of the best time tracking software for remote employees

Which remote employee software is best for your needs?

Not every remote employee software is designed for the same type of team. Some tools are a great fit for freelancers who want simple tracking, while others are better suited for larger organizations that need workforce analytics, payroll, or distraction management. 

With so many choices available, the key is to look at how each option aligns with your goals.

Below, you’ll see what each tool is well-suited for and the ways they differ.

1. Time Doctor

Time Doctor is more than a time tracker because it is a workforce analytics platform that helps you see how work actually gets done across your team. It is built for remote and hybrid setups, and it gives you the visibility you need while avoiding surveillance practices. 

With that clarity, you can better support your team, spot bottlenecks before they grow, and keep projects on track. This makes Time Doctor a strong fit for industries such as healthcare, finance, agencies, and BPOs, where compliance, performance, and trust matter every day

Key features of Time Doctor

• Flexible time tracking – you can track work hours automatically or manually, and idle time detection helps keep records accurate.
• Workforce analytics dashboards – role-based dashboards give leaders real-time visibility into workflows, workloads, and performance trends, which makes it easier to act on data quickly.
• Productivity insights – detailed activity monitoring and app usage reports show how time is spent, highlight bottlenecks, and help you improve team output.
• Benchmarks AI and productivity trends – with Benchmarks AI, you can compare performance against industry standards and spot patterns over time. This helps you set realistic goals, strengthen employee engagement, and coach teams with data instead of assumptions.
• Wellness and balance reports – built-in reports surface early signs of burnout or disengagement, giving you the chance to support employees before issues affect performance.
• Privacy-first controls – no keystroke logging, optional blurred screenshots, and full visibility for employees on what’s being tracked build trust while keeping accountability.
• Payroll and attendance – automated attendance tracking, shift management, and payroll-ready timesheets simplify how you pay and manage distributed teams.
• Integrations that fit your stack – connects with 60+ tools, from project management to payroll and communication platforms, to streamline workflows without adding complexity.
• Scalable and cloud-based – whether your team is fully remote, working in a hybrid model, or in-office, Time Doctor scales easily across mid-sized and enterprise organizations.
• Unusual activity reports – intelligent alerts flag irregular employee activity, helping you protect sensitive data, reduce risks of insider threats, and stay compliant.
• Role-based insights – managers, HR, IT, and executives each get tailored views so every leader sees the information that matters most for improving employee performance.
• Simple onboarding – designed to get teams started quickly, Time Doctor offers guided setup and support that makes adoption easy, even for large or distributed workforce rollouts

2. Toggl Track – best for freelancers and small teams

Toggl Track is a simple and intuitive tool that makes it easy to log hours and manage projects. It’s especially useful for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small teams that need straightforward time tracking without the complexity of workforce analytics. 

With its one-click timers, cross-platform apps, and wide integration ecosystem, Toggl Track helps you capture work time quickly and connect it to billing, reporting, and client projects.

Key features of Toggl Track

• Cross-platform time tracking – track time on web, desktop, and mobile with one-click timers, making it easy to record work hours wherever you are.
• Calendar integrations – connect with Google Calendar and Outlook for smoother scheduling and workflow management.
• Over 100 integrations – use browser extensions and app connectors to link Toggl with popular project management, communication, and invoicing tools.
• Projects and tasks – organize time entries by projects and tasks, with estimates and alerts to help keep workloads on track.
• Billable rates – assign billable rates to projects for accurate client billing and simplified invoicing.
• Revenue and productivity reports – access built-in reporting for insights into project progress and team output.
• Collaboration features – share reports and track progress across team members for more transparency.
• Profitability analysis (Premium+ plans) – get insights into project profitability, fixed-fee projects, and workload distribution.
• Scheduled reports and approvals (Premium+ plans) – automate report delivery and enable timesheet approvals for managers.
• Enterprise options – advanced onboarding, tailored workflows, priority support, and volume discounts for large teams.

3. RescueTime – best for distraction management

RescueTime is built to help individuals and teams stay focused by reducing digital distractions. It runs in the background to track how time is spent on apps, websites, and files, while also offering tools to block interruptions and encourage better habits. This makes it a good option if your main priority is analyzing work patterns and building focus, rather than detailed project or billing workflows.

Key features of RescueTime

• Automatic time tracking – runs securely in the background to log how long you spend on websites, applications, and files, giving you a clear view of your day.
• Detailed reports – see which tools and sites take up your time, track productivity trends, and monitor focus levels with weekly and real-time insights.
• Website and app blocking – use Focus Sessions to block distracting sites and apps, set timers, and create a dedicated focus window.
• Goal tracking – create goals such as reducing email or social media time and measure progress through real-time updates, dashboards, and weekly reports.
• Alerts and notifications – receive custom alerts when you meet milestones or go over set limits, helping you stay accountable.
• Timesheets – build visual daily timelines with a drag-and-drop interface, making it easier to review tasks and track billable hours across projects and clients.
• Weekly report – get a summary of focus trends, activities, and productivity scores delivered directly to your inbox.
• Mobile app – block distracting apps on iOS during Focus Sessions and log offline time to complete your productivity picture.

4. Timely – best for hands-free time tracking

Timely is designed for hands-free time tracking. Instead of starting and stopping timers, it runs automatically in the background to record the time you spend across apps and websites. 

This makes it appealing for teams that want seamless data capture without interrupting their work. 

With extras like AI-powered categorization, project health tracking, and real-time syncing, Timely helps businesses manage projects and costs while reducing manual admin.

Key features of Timely

• Automatic time tracking – runs in the background to capture work hours across thousands of apps and websites without manual timers.
• AI categorization – uses machine learning to automatically sort and tag time entries for faster reporting and fewer errors.
• Project and budget management – track project health, manage budgets and costs, and see how time impacts profitability.
• Billable hours reporting – generate accurate client billing reports based on tracked time and project data.
• Integration with project and accounting tools – connect Timely with popular project management apps and accounting platforms to streamline workflows.
• Team management – assign projects, view team workloads, and monitor progress in real time.
• Capacity and overtime reporting – manage capacity, overtime, and undertime to balance workloads.
• Multi-currency support – work with 50+ currencies, making it useful for distributed and international teams.
• Enterprise features – access to premium onboarding, team training, dashboards, and reporting support, along with tailored customer success.

5. Harvest – best for invoicing and payments

Harvest is a time tracking tool with a strong focus on invoicing and payments. It helps agencies, consultants, and service-based businesses track hours, bill clients, and manage payments in one place. 

With built-in project reporting, accounting integrations, and approval workflows, it’s a good choice for teams that want to connect tracked hours directly to billing and revenue without adding extra tools.

Key features of Harvest

• Time tracking across projects – log work hours for multiple clients and projects through desktop, mobile, and browser apps.
• Invoicing and payments – create invoices directly from tracked time and send them to clients; accept online payments to speed up cash flow.
• Reporting basics – access project-level reporting to review hours, costs, and budgets in real time.
• Team reporting – monitor team performance, workloads, and project progress with built-in dashboards.
• Profitability reporting (Premium plans) – analyze how tracked hours impact revenue and margins for projects and clients.
• Timesheet approvals – add accountability with manager approvals for submitted timesheets.
• Activity log and notes – track updates, add context, and ensure accuracy in time entries.
• Custom reports and exports – generate tailored reports and export data for deeper analysis.
• Accounting and payment integrations – connect Harvest with popular accounting tools to streamline workflows and reduce admin.
• Support for scaling teams – unlimited seats and projects on paid plans, plus onboarding for larger teams.

6. Everhour – best for project-based teams

Everhour is designed for teams that manage multiple projects and budgets. With live dashboards, resource planning, and deep integrations, it helps businesses connect time tracking directly to project and billing workflows. 

This makes it a good fit for agencies and service-based teams that need visibility into projects, costs, and invoicing, rather than tools focused on individual productivity or distraction management.

Key features of Everhour

• Flexible time tracking – track work hours with timers or manual entry, add notes, favorite frequent entries, and use reminders or auto-stop to keep logs accurate.
• Team timesheets – view and edit time entries, approve timesheets, and manage overtime, breaks, and clock-in/clock-out routines.
• Optional screenshots – capture visual records when needed for accountability, with settings managed by admins.
• Project management tools – set estimates, create project templates, use List or Board views, and track real-time team timers.
• Reports and dashboards – build saved reports, schedule email summaries, and use live dashboards to track budgets, workloads, and timelines.
• Resource planning – assign roles, manage team availability, plan vacations or absences, and prevent overbooking.
• Billing and budgeting – set project billing types, apply custom rates, monitor budgets, and use over-limit notifications to stay on track.
• Invoicing and expenses – create invoices, track expenses, and sync data with QuickBooks or Xero for streamlined financial management.
• Integrations – connect with popular project tools via Zapier, API, Jira sync, and calendar integrations (Outlook, Google, iCal).
• Security and access control – manage team roles, set custom access levels, audit logs, and use SSO for secure logins.

7. Timeneye – best for simplicity and affordability

Timeneye is a lightweight and affordable time tracking tool built for small teams that want something simple. 

It focuses on calendar-style tracking, easy reporting, and integrations with tools many businesses already use. 

This makes it a practical option if you need straightforward time tracking and budgeting but don’t require advanced workforce analytics or productivity monitoring.

Key features of Timeneye

• Cross-platform time tracking – log work hours through web, desktop, and mobile apps, with reminders and unlimited records to keep time entries accurate.
• Calendar-based interface – visualize tasks and projects in a calendar view for easier planning and review of workflows.
• Timesheets and approvals – manage team entries with approvals, lock time when needed, and handle labor costs and overtime.
• Budget and cost management – track expenses, set project budgets, add monetary limits, and receive alerts if thresholds are exceeded.
• Reporting options – generate customizable and saved reports, schedule reports via email, and use exports (CSV/XLS) for further analysis.
• Team management – organize by roles, user groups, and access levels, plus manage time off and absences for better workload planning.
• Billing and invoicing – support for billable projects (time & materials or fixed fee), custom rates, and client invoicing built in.
• Integrations – connect with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, To Do, Planner, Power BI, Power Automate), plus tools like Asana, Basecamp, Jira, and ClickUp to streamline workflows.
• Optional screenshots – enable screenshots if extra visibility is required, while keeping privacy controls adjustable.
• Security and onboarding – Single Sign-On (SSO), SAML, SCIM, and options for personalized onboarding, account management, and security reviews.

8. ClickTime – best for enterprises that need customization

ClickTime is designed for enterprises that need advanced customization and detailed reporting. With options for custom fields, advanced billing, project budgeting, and an open API, it gives large organizations flexibility in how they track and analyze work. 

This makes it a strong fit for enterprises that want centralized dashboards and role-based controls to manage performance at scale.

Key features of ClickTime

• Flexible time tracking – track work hours with mobile apps, online timesheets, stopwatch timers, and custom entry requirements.
• Approval workflows – managers can approve or lock timesheets, add notes, and enforce overtime or custom rules.
• Project and budget management – create budgets, track actuals vs. estimates, set billing rates, and receive over/under budget indicators.
• Reporting and dashboards – access 70+ pre-built reports, company-wide dashboards, utilization metrics, and productivity reporting.
• Resource planning – monitor real-time employee availability, manage capacity, and plan resources across multiple projects.
• Billing and cost management – apply advanced billing rates, calculate employee costs, and generate financial reports by project, client, or person.
• Time off management – manage vacation, sick leave, approvals, and company holiday calendars, with real-time absence tracking.
• Expense tracking – capture receipts, approve expenses, and generate expense reports (with add-on pricing).
• Integrations and API access – connect with QuickBooks, payroll exports, Zapier, and REST API for custom data flows.
• Security and compliance – GDPR and CCPA compliant, SOC 2 certified, with audit trails, custom alerts, and SCIM/SAML provisioning.
• Enterprise support – offers professional services, guided onboarding, and account management for larger deployments.

9. TopTracker – best for free, no-frills tracking

TopTracker is a completely free time tracking tool designed for freelancers and small teams who need straightforward tracking without the cost of premium software. 

It offers basic features like timesheets, invoices, and simple reporting, making it a practical option if you don’t require advanced analytics or deep integrations.

Key features of TopTracker

• Automatic time tracking – record time spent on apps and websites across multiple devices, with optional sharing controls for added privacy.
• Verification tools – use built-in options like screenshots, keystroke tracking, and webcam capture to make work visible across projects (features are optional and user-controlled).
• Convert activity into time entries – background-tracked activities can be turned into manual work hour entries for easier reporting.
• Timesheets and invoicing – create and manage timesheets and invoices in one place to keep projects and billing organized.
• Payments within TopTracker – request or send payments, add expenses, and process transactions using HireGlobal payments.
• Customer support – access 24/5 support during U.S. business hours to help with project setup, invoicing, or timesheet management.

10. EmailAnalytics – best for email productivity tracking

EmailAnalytics is a specialized productivity tool that tracks employee activity inside email platforms rather than general time tracking. 

It’s especially useful for sales and customer service teams that rely heavily on email, offering detailed insights into response times, communication patterns, and inbox activity. 

This makes it a focused solution for improving communication efficiency, though it does not provide task-based or broader workforce analytics.

Key features of EmailAnalytics

• Employee inbox tracking – add and view unlimited inboxes to monitor employee activity across the team.
• Email volume and patterns – track emails sent and received, segment by internal vs. external contacts, and measure activity by sender or recipient.
• Response time analytics – monitor how quickly employees respond to messages and receive SLA tracking with real-time alerts.
• Inbox organization insights – view label, folder, and category breakdowns to understand how email is managed.
• Contact group analysis – measure engagement with specific clients, accounts, or internal teams.
• Out-of-office support – maintain accuracy with compatibility for out-of-office periods.
• Data export – export insights into PDF or CSV for easy sharing and reporting.
• Email platform integrations – integrates directly with Gmail, Google Workspace, Outlook, and Microsoft 365, including shared mailboxes.
• AI-powered sentiment analysis – use machine learning to evaluate the tone of emails and track communication quality over time.
• Historical sync – pull up to two years of email history for richer reporting.

6 reasons why Time Doctor leads in remote employee software

1. You build trust without micromanaging

Managing remote employees can be tricky when you don’t have visibility. Time Doctor gives you clear data to guide and coach, so your team feels supported instead of watched.

2. You see how remote work actually gets done

Time logs alone won’t show you the full picture. With Time Doctor’s workforce analytics, you can identify workloads, focus trends, and bottlenecks, making it easier to manage distributed teams fairly.

3. You protect privacy while ensuring accountability

Your team handles sensitive work across different locations. With no keystroke logging and optional blurred screenshots, Time Doctor helps you keep employees accountable while respecting their privacy.

4. You prevent burnout in distributed teams

Remote employees often blur the line between work and personal time. Time Doctor’s wellness and balance reports flag early signs of overwork so you can step in before productivity drops.

5. You roll out tools smoothly to dispersed teams

You don’t want adoption headaches slowing your team down. Time Doctor makes onboarding simple with low IT lift and 24/7 support, so your remote employees can get started quickly.

6. You support global teams across industries

Whether your team spans multiple time zones or works in compliance-heavy industries like healthcare, finance, or BPOs, Time Doctor scales securely, allowing you to keep everyone aligned and productive.

Final thoughts: The key to smarter remote work

The decision to invest in remote employee software is about more than tracking time. It is about gaining the visibility to lead your team with confidence. 

You already know how many hours are logged, but do you know how those hours are being used, or whether your team is engaged and balanced?

With Time Doctor, you gain the context that most tools overlook. Instead of just collecting data, you see the patterns that shape employee performance. 

You learn where workflows slow down, how workloads impact your distributed workforce, and when to step in before burnout sets in.

Ask yourself this: Are you only tracking work hours, or are you truly learning how to make them count?

Get a demo of Time Doctor today and discover how workforce analytics can help you support your team, improve accountability, and create a healthier way to work.

Features, use cases, privacy options, integrations, and limitations are based on vendor websites and help documentation as of September 12, 2025.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Carlo Borja is the Content Marketing Manager of Time Doctor, a workforce analytics software for distributed teams. He is a remote work advocate, a father and an avid coffee drinker.