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Best 8 Time and Attendance Softwares in 2026: See How They Compare

By Great Startup Tools

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Introduction

ADP Time & Attendance is the best overall time and attendance software in this roundup, thanks to its range of clock-in options and connection to ADP payroll. The other seven tools fit different work setups, from mobile teams to businesses that use physical clocks. The best choice depends on how employees record their hours and how you manage payroll.

Quick comparison

ToolBest forPlatformPricing
ADP Time & AttendanceFlexible time capture with ADP payrollWeb, mobile, kiosk, time clockNot stated
DayforceRecording shift starts, meals, and breaksWeb, mobile, time clockNot stated
Workday Time TrackingTime tracking with broader workforce managementWeb, mobile, kioskNot stated
Rippling Time and AttendanceTime tasks in one appWeb, mobileNot stated
Lathem PayClock OnlineCloud timekeeping with clock supportWeb, mobile, time clockNot stated
Workforce.com Time ClockTime tracking across locationsWeb, mobile, tabletNot stated
Gusto Time ClockTime tools connected to Gusto’s platformWeb, mobileNot stated
Paycom Time Clocks and TerminalsWeb clock-ins or a physical terminalWeb, physical time clockNot stated

1. ADP Time & Attendance

Best for: Businesses that want flexible time capture connected to ADP payroll.

ADP Time & Attendance gives employees several ways to record their hours: computer, mobile app, kiosk, or time clock. It also includes scheduling and attendance management, and time data can flow into ADP payroll.

Standout feature: A range of clock-in options makes it a practical fit for teams with both desk-based and on-site employees.

2. Dayforce

Best for: Teams that need structured clocking for shifts, meals, and breaks.

Dayforce supports clock entries for shift starts and ends, meals, and breaks through time clocks. Employees can also clock in using a web-based employee self-service option.

Standout feature: Employees can record more than the start and end of their workday, including meals and breaks.

3. Workday Time Tracking

Best for: Organizations connecting time tracking with broader workforce management.

Workday Time Tracking brings time tracking together with scheduling, absence management, and payroll. Workers can record time through a kiosk, along with other available methods.

Standout feature: Scheduling and absence management sit alongside time tracking, which may suit organizations looking for those functions in one system.

4. Rippling Time and Attendance

Best for: Businesses that want time tasks accessible in one app.

With Rippling Time and Attendance, employees can clock in, request time off, and check their timesheets. The time-tracking data can also be used for payroll.

Standout feature: Clock-ins, time-off requests, and timesheets are all in one app, so employees can handle common time tasks in the same place.

5. Lathem PayClock Online

Best for: Businesses that want cloud-based time and attendance with time-clock support.

Lathem PayClock Online helps businesses manage employee time data and reports. It supports payroll integrations and mobile time punches, as well as time clocks.

Standout feature: Mobile punches and time-clock support give teams more than one way to record hours across different work settings.

6. Workforce.com Time Clock

Best for: Teams tracking hours across locations with mobile devices or tablets.

Workforce.com Time Clock lets employees use mobile devices and tablets to clock in. Managers can view attendance and clock data across teams and locations.

Standout feature: Managers can see time records across multiple teams and sites, which is useful when employees work in different locations.

7. Gusto Time Clock

Best for: Businesses already considering Gusto’s payroll and HR platform.

Gusto Time Clock tracks employee hours and connects its time tools with Gusto’s payroll, HR, and benefits platform. It may suit businesses that want to manage those functions through Gusto.

Standout feature: Time tools connect with Gusto’s wider platform, including payroll, HR, and benefits.

8. Paycom Time Clocks and Terminals

Best for: Businesses that want web-based clock-ins or a physical time clock within Paycom.

Paycom Time Clocks and Terminals lets employees clock in through web-based time clocks or a physical Face Forward time clock. It’s part of Paycom’s employee software platform.

Standout feature: Businesses can choose between web clocking and a physical terminal to record employee time.

How we picked these tools

This roundup focuses on clear ways to record time and useful attendance management features. We compared the product information available for web, mobile, kiosk, tablet, and physical clock options. We also looked at whether each tool connects time data to payroll or broader HR and workforce management.

The tools cover different working environments rather than assuming every business has the same needs. Some support shared kiosks or physical clocks; others focus on mobile devices or connect to a wider business platform.

We haven’t made claims about pricing, integrations, or features beyond what the product descriptions state. Check each provider’s latest details to make sure its clocking methods and payroll connections fit your needs.

Frequently asked questions

What does time and attendance software do?

Time and attendance software records employee hours and attendance, often through clock-ins and clock-outs. Depending on the product, it may also include scheduling, break tracking, absence management, or payroll connections. Features vary, so check what’s included in the tool you’re considering.

How should I choose between mobile, web, kiosk, and physical time clocks?

Start with where your employees work and which devices they can reliably use. A shared kiosk or physical clock may suit an on-site team better than individual mobile clock-ins. Web or mobile options may fit other setups. Choose a method that works with your company’s timekeeping process.

Does time and attendance software connect to payroll?

Some products send time data to payroll or connect with a payroll platform. Before choosing one, check that it supports the specific connection you need. A stated payroll connection doesn’t necessarily mean the software works with every payroll system.

Can one tool work for teams across multiple locations?

Visibility across teams and locations can help when employees work at more than one site. Workforce.com specifically describes manager access to attendance and clock data across teams and locations. Before committing, check how any tool handles your locations, teams, and clocking setup.

The verdict

ADP Time & Attendance is the strongest overall pick based on the available information. Employees can clock in by computer, mobile app, kiosk, or time clock, and the tool includes scheduling and attendance management. Time data can also flow into ADP payroll. Workday is a runner-up for organizations that want time tracking alongside scheduling and absence management. Workforce.com is worth considering for managers overseeing multiple locations. Check your payroll and clocking requirements before choosing.

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