7 Best Time Tracking Apps for Contractors to Simplify Payroll

Category: Time | By Max Watt | 3 minute read | Updated Dec 8, 2025

If you're still wrestling with paper timesheets or cobbled-together spreadsheets, you already know what that costs you. Missing hours. Payroll errors. Time spent hunting down information that should've been automatic. The right time tracking app doesn't just digitize what you're already doing, it fundamentally changes how you manage your team's time and your business finances.

We've evaluated the best time tracking apps for contractors, comparing them on the features that matter most: reliable GPS verification, accurate job costing, practical pricing models, and interfaces simple enough for your team to adopt them.

Whether you're an independent tradesperson, a field service manager coordinating multiple crews, or a contractor overseeing complex projects, one of these apps will fit how you operate.

7 Best Time Tracking Apps for Contractors to Simplify Payroll

7 Best Contractor Timesheet Apps

ClockShark: Best Overall for Construction & Field Service Teams

ClockShark was purpose-built for how contractors, field service companies, and trade professionals operate. Your team uses their phones to clock in, GPS automatically confirms they're where they should be, and all that data feeds directly into your payroll system. No manual transfers, no reconciliation headaches. The platform handles scheduling, job costing, and time tracking without requiring your crew to become software experts.

Key Features

  • Complete Time Tracking Software
    An integrated system combining timesheets, GPS verification, job costing, and reporting with direct connections to QuickBooks, Sage, ADP, and other accounting platforms you already use.
  • Mobile Time Tracking
    Your crew clocks in and out from their phones on-site, which means paper timesheets and manual data entry become obsolete.
  • GPS Time Clock App
    Every clock-in automatically captures location, verifying that workers are on-site and providing documentation for client billing.
  • Geofence Time Tracking
    Define virtual perimeters around work sites so employees can only clock in when they're there, eliminating time theft and buddy punching.
  • Clock In/Clock Out
    An intentionally simple interface that works on any device, making accurate time tracking accessible to everyone on your team.
  • Web Punch Clock
    Office staff or anyone without a smartphone can clock in through any web browser, maintaining consistency across your entire operation.
  • Kiosk Time Clock
    Deploy a shared tablet at your shop or job site trailer where multiple team members can clock in and out—particularly useful for larger crews.
  • Employee Scheduling
    Build schedules, assign people to jobs, and send automatic notifications so everyone shows up at the right place, at the right time.

Pricing

Standard Plan: $40/month base + $9/user/month
Trial: 14 days free
View pricing

Try ClockShark free → 9,500+ contractors already use it.

2. Connecteam: Best for All-in-One Team Management

Connecteam combines time tracking with team communication, task lists, and digital forms in a single platform. It's designed for contractors who want to consolidate multiple tools into one system.

Key Features

  • Mobile time clock with GPS location stamps
  • Job and project-specific time allocation
  • In-app team messaging and announcements
  • Task assignments and checklists for job sites
  • Custom digital forms and daily reports
  • Employee training and document library
  • Payroll system integrations

Pricing

Small Business Planr (up to 10 users): Free forever
Basic Plan: $29/month for 30 users
Trial: 14 days on paid plans
View pricing

3. Jibble: Best for Budget-Conscious Small Contractors

Jibble provides a free tier that actually includes unlimited users, which covers GPS tracking, facial recognition for clock-ins, and timesheet management without requiring a credit card. It's particularly well-suited to small contracting operations, independent tradespeople, or anyone testing time tracking software before committing to a paid solution.

Key Features

  • Facial recognition prevents buddy punching
  • GPS tracking with geofencing capabilities
  • Timesheet review and approval workflows
  • Payroll export formatting
  • Activity monitoring
  • Offline functionality with automatic sync

Pricing

Free: Unlimited users
Premium: From £2.49/user/month
View pricing

4. QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets): Best for QuickBooks Users

QuickBooks Time connects directly to your QuickBooks accounting system, meaning time entries automatically become payroll records and job costs without manual data transfer. If you're already invested in the QuickBooks ecosystem, this integration eliminates duplicate work and potential errors from moving data between systems.

Key Features

  • Direct QuickBooks Online and Desktop integration
  • GPS-based location verification
  • Job costing with project-level tracking
  • Schedule creation and management
  • PTO request and approval system
  • Multiple clock-in methods (mobile, web, kiosk)
  • Payroll processing automation

Pricing

Time Premium: $10/month
Trial: 30 days
View pricing

5. Harvest: Best for Hourly Billing and Invoicing

Harvest specializes in the path from tracked time to client invoices. Track hours by project and specific tasks, then convert that time directly into professional invoices with your rates already applied. The reporting reveals which projects are profitable and which clients consume disproportionate time. It's particularly effective for contractors who bill hourly and want to reduce the administrative work between completing jobs and getting paid.

Key Features

  • Project and task-level time tracking
  • Invoice generation from time entries
  • Billable expense tracking and attachment
  • Project budget monitoring with alerts
  • Team capacity and availability planning
  • Integrations with accounting and project tools
  • Mobile apps for field time entry

Pricing

Free: 1 user, 2 projects
Pro: $11/user/month (annual billing)
Trial: 30 days for paid plans
View pricing

6. Hubstaff

Hubstaff provides detailed workforce monitoring designed for operations with both field and remote components. Beyond standard time tracking and GPS verification, it offers activity monitoring and optional screenshot capture. This visibility is valuable when you're managing field crews, remote estimators, office staff, and subcontractors simultaneously. The system can automatically process payroll based on verified hours worked.

Key Features

  • GPS tracking with customizable geofences
  • Activity level monitoring and reports
  • Optional periodic screenshot capture
  • Automatic time-based payroll calculation
  • Project budgets and client invoicing
  • Application and URL tracking for office roles
  • Time off tracking and management

Pricing

Starter: $4.99/user/month (billed annually)
Trial: 14 days
View pricing

7. Clockify

Clockify offers unlimited users on its free tier, making it accessible for new contracting businesses or those operating on tight margins. While it lacks specialized contractor features, it handles core timesheet, project tracking, and reporting functions competently.

Key Features

  • Straightforward timesheet interface
  • Project and task time allocation
  • Report generation and data export
  • Calendar-based time visualization
  • Shared kiosk mode for teams
  • GPS and invoicing on paid tiers

Pricing

Free: Unlimited users
Standard: $5.49/user/month (annual)
View pricing

Key Features to Look For in Contractor Timesheet Apps

Picking the right time-tracking app can make a big difference in how smoothly things run. Look out for features like good time tracking, an easy-to-use layout, and software that plays well with others. Detailed reports are a big help, too. With these features, you'll be on track for better time management, more productivity, and making smarter choices for your business.

Enhance Responsibility and Oversight

The best time-tracking apps for general contractors do more than just clock hours and check off tasks. They're like having an extra set of eyes on the crew, making sure everyone's doing their bit. These apps help you keep tabs on the team and make sure they're pulling their weight.

With live tracking and reports, you can see who's where and how things are going, so you can sort out any hiccups quicksmart. This kind of watchful eye not only keeps everyone accountable but also helps build a team that takes responsibility for their work.

Maintain Precise Timekeeping Records

Spot-on timekeeping is a must-have in the best time-tracking apps for general contractors. In trades, time's money, and you want to make sure you're getting paid for every minute.

Find an app that nails the details, whether it's logging in and out, keeping track of breaks, or timing tasks. It's all about having records that you can count on and that hold up if there are any questions. This isn't just about getting your crew paid right—it's also about building trust with your clients by being upfront and transparent.

Crafting Efficient Crew Schedules

Scheduling can be a real headache when you're running a trade crew. Get it wrong, and you're looking at wasted time, lost efficiency, and a hit to your profits. But get it right, and you're laughing all the way to the bank.

Look for apps that give you solid scheduling tools to make the most of your crew's time. Features like drag-and-drop scheduling, easy shift swaps, and reminders can make setting and adjusting schedules a breeze.

By nailing your crew's schedule, you make sure you've got the right folks with the right skills on hand when the job needs doing. That means less waiting around and more getting stuff done, which is good news for everyone's productivity and your bottom line.

How ClockShark Helps Keep Track of Your General Employees

ClockShark isn't just another time-tracking app; it's a tool designed with tradies in mind. Here's how ClockShark can help you keep track of your crew:

  • Clock in with ease: ClockShark's mobile and web apps make it a breeze for your crew to clock in and out.
  • Stay compliant: Features like GPS time clock and overtime policy enforcement help you stay on the right side of the law.
  • Know your costs: ClockShark's detailed reports give you insights into labor costs, so you can make informed decisions.
  • Payroll made easy: ClockShark integrates with your payroll system, so you can say goodbye to manual calculations and errors.

Choosing the best time-tracking apps for contractors can make a world of difference in your business. So, take your time, weigh your options, and get started, making your life easier and your business more successful.

Get started today and make your life easier and your business more successful.

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