Best Time and Attendance Software Systems in 2025

Why Time and Attendance Software is Essential for Small Businesses

Small businesses often juggle multiple tasks with limited resources. Having the right time and attendance systems for small businesses can streamline operations, providing significant benefits:

1. Efficiency: Automating attendance tracking reduces manual errors and administrative time, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
2. Compliance: Labor laws, overtime regulations, and paid leave can be complicated to manage manually. A good time and attendance system helps ensure you stay compliant with local and federal regulations.
3. Payroll Accuracy: Reducing errors in tracking hours ensures employees are paid correctly and on time, avoiding costly mistakes.
4. Employee Accountability: Accurate attendance records promote a culture of accountability, improving productivity and reducing absenteeism.
5. Cost Savings: With automation and real-time tracking, businesses can prevent time theft and inefficiencies, ultimately saving money.

Best Time and Attendance Software Systems for Small Businesses in 2025

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right time and attendance systems for small businesses. To simplify the decision-making process, we've compared some of the top-rated systems in 2025 based on features, pricing, and customer ratings.

1. TSheets by QuickBooks

TSheets, now part of QuickBooks, is a widely popular time and attendance system for small businesses in 2025. Known for its easy-to-use mobile app, TSheets allows employees to clock in and out directly from their smartphones, with the added benefit of GPS tracking. This feature is especially valuable for businesses with field workers or remote teams, ensuring accurate tracking of work hours regardless of location.

• Key Features: Mobile app, GPS tracking, job costing, reporting, and integrations with payroll systems.
• Pricing: Starting at $8 per user per month.
• Best For: Businesses with remote teams or those needing detailed job costing and reporting.

2. Deputy

Deputy offers a comprehensive solution for small businesses needing time and attendance systems with scheduling and payroll capabilities. With Deputy, you can manage employee schedules, track work hours, and even automate labor cost forecasting. This software is particularly suitable for businesses that require detailed scheduling functionality alongside time tracking.

• Key Features: Scheduling, time tracking, payroll integration, labor cost forecasting.
• Pricing: Starts at $2.50 per user per month.
• Best For: Businesses that need an integrated scheduling and time tracking system.

3. BambooHR

While BambooHR is primarily an HR management system, its time and attendance system is an excellent fit for small businesses. The software provides employee self-service features, allowing employees to track their time and submit time-off requests easily. BambooHR also offers excellent reporting tools to analyze attendance trends and ensure compliance.

• Key Features: Employee self-service, time-off tracking, HR integrations, and reporting.
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on the size of the business.
• Best For: Small businesses that need a comprehensive HR solution with time and attendance capabilities.

4. Homebase

For small businesses with basic time tracking needs, Homebase is a great choice. This software is simple to use, offers free time tracking for businesses with up to 20 employees, and includes features like scheduling, labor cost forecasting, and team communication tools. Paid plans start at just $14.95 per month, making it an affordable option for small businesses looking for efficient attendance management.

• Key Features: Time tracking, scheduling, labor cost forecasting, team communication.
• Pricing: Free for businesses with up to 20 employees, paid plans start at $14.95/month.
• Best For: Small businesses with straightforward time tracking needs and limited budgets.

5. Kronos Workforce Ready

Kronos Workforce Ready is a powerful time and attendance system for small businesses that require more complex features. Kronos offers a comprehensive suite of tools that includes time tracking, payroll, scheduling, and compliance management. While it’s more suited for businesses with complex needs or larger teams, it’s still a great choice for growing small businesses.

• Key Features: Time tracking, payroll, scheduling, reporting, compliance management.
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on the size and requirements of the business.
• Best For: Larger small businesses or those with more complex time and attendance needs.

6. QuickBooks Time

If you are already using QuickBooks for accounting, QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) is a seamless option for time tracking and attendance management. The software integrates perfectly with QuickBooks, offering easy time tracking and payroll integration. It also includes job costing and reporting features, which are valuable for businesses that need detailed tracking of employee hours.

• Key Features: Mobile time tracking, job costing, scheduling, QuickBooks integration.
• Pricing: $8 per user per month.
• Best For: Small businesses already using QuickBooks and needing simple time tracking.

How to Choose the Best Time and Attendance Software

When selecting the best time and attendance system for small businesses, consider the following factors:

1. Business Size and Complexity

Larger businesses or those with more complex needs may benefit from a robust system like Kronos Workforce Ready, while smaller companies can often get by with simpler solutions like Homebase or Deputy.

2. Mobile Capabilities

If you have remote or field workers, look for systems that offer mobile time tracking and GPS functionality, like TSheets or QuickBooks Time.

3. Integration with Payroll

If you already use a specific payroll provider, consider systems that integrate seamlessly with your existing software, such as Deputy, BambooHR, or QuickBooks Time.

4. Pricing

For businesses on a budget, Homebase offers a free plan for up to 20 employees, while other options like Deputy and TSheets are affordable and offer scalable pricing.

5. Ease of Use

User-friendly software like Homebase and Deputy allows you to get started quickly without complicated setups, making them ideal for businesses with limited tech expertise.

Conclusion

Choosing the best time and attendance systems for small businesses in 2025 depends on your specific needs, business size, and budget. Whether you're looking for a simple time tracking solution like Homebase, a comprehensive HR system with time tracking like BambooHR, or a specialized tool for remote teams like TSheets, there are plenty of options to choose from. By considering your business's unique needs and evaluating the available options, you can streamline your time and attendance management, improve payroll accuracy, and ensure compliance with ease.