The 20 Best Employee Monitoring Software of 2025 Compared

Remote work is now the norm. According to recent research from Robert Half, the percentage of fully remote jobs in the US has grown from 10% in Q1 2023 to 13% in Q1 2025.

That shift has left leaders with a tough challenge: How do you keep teams productive, secure, and compliant when you can’t see them in person?

The problem isn’t finding tools (there are arguably too many). The hardest part is choosing the right software that provides visibility without compromising trust, balances oversight with privacy, and fits your team’s workflow.

This guide will walk you through that. You’ll learn what matters in employee monitoring software, compare the top tools, and get clear direction on how to choose the right one for your team.

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What is employee monitoring?

Employee monitoring is the practice of tracking and analyzing how employees spend their work time. It can involve recording information like time spent on tasks, app usage, websites visited, and other activities employees engage in during working hours. 

For most companies, the primary goal behind time tracking is keeping projects on track, improving productivity, and ensuring security.

Done well, monitoring gives managers visibility without micromanagement and constant check-ins. It can also help employees better prioritize their work and provide their employer with tangible data for performance reviews. This data can then be used to negotiate pay raises, bonuses, and promotions. 

What are employee monitoring tools?

Employee monitoring tools are software solutions that track how employees use their time and resources.

They collect data like app usage, website activity, task progress, and productivity metrics.

These tools provide managers with visibility into workflows and project updates without constant check-ins. For employees, they help improve productivity and reduce interruptions.

Monitoring tools can also include features like time tracking, analytics, and compliance safeguards. This makes them essential for managing remote teams effectively.

Why is having employee monitoring software important?

Employee monitoring software gives businesses visibility they can’t get otherwise. It shows how work is getting done, highlights productivity trends, and helps teams stay aligned across different time zones.

It’s also a critical layer of security.

Tracking data access and usage allows teams to reduce the risk of leaks or insider threats. This is particularly important when employees are logging in from various locations and devices.

Finally, it helps with compliance.

Many industries require strict oversight of sensitive data, and the right monitoring system makes meeting those standards easier while respecting employee privacy.

What are key features to look for in employee monitoring software?

Choosing the right employee monitoring software is crucial for maximizing team productivity and ensuring the security of sensitive data.

Understanding these features will help you select an employee monitoring system that aligns with your business goals and effectively supports your remote workforce.

• Real-time activity monitoring. Real-time productivity features help businesses monitor employee activities as they happen. This feature allows managers to see how much time employees spend on tasks, what apps hurt productivity, and which hours help employees reach peak efficiency.
  
• Screenshots and screen recording. Capturing screenshots and recording screens can significantly enhance monitoring by providing visual evidence of employee activities. While this feature is useful for helping teams stay on track, micromanagers can abuse it without proper training.

• Productivity analysis. Productivity tools are vital to understanding how employees work. These tools help identify time-wasting activities and optimize workflows, ultimately boosting employee productivity.
  
• Time tracking and attendance. An employee monitoring system’s time tracking features allow you to accurately monitor work hours and attendance.
  
• User behavior analytics. Analyzing user behavior helps employees comply with company policies, which in turn helps maintain security and prevent data breaches. Some tools offer unusual activity detection to spot potential breaches before they happen.
  
• Alerts and notifications. Setting up alerts for suspicious activities or rule violations helps quickly address potential issues. Following a proactive approach can prevent security issues before they escalate.
  
• Data security and compliance. Given the sensitivity of the data they’re accessing, employee monitoring software must meet data security standards and compliance regulations.
  
• Remote employee monitoring. Tools specifically designed for monitoring remote employees are vital for managing a remote workforce. These tools provide the necessary features to track productivity and gauge employee well-being, regardless of where employees are located.

Pro tip: Don’t define your monitoring needs based on what a typical employee monitoring solution may offer. Instead, clearly identify your business’s goals and requirements first, then shop around. This will make deciding significantly easier.

What are the top employee monitoring software?

With so many options on the market, finding the right employee monitoring software can feel overwhelming.

Some tools focus on productivity tracking, others on data security or compliance, and many combine both. The challenge is knowing which one best suits your team’s needs.

To make the decision easier, we’ve reviewed and compared the top 20 employee monitoring solutions. Each tool is broken down by features, benefits, pricing, ratings, and what type of business it’s best suited for.

Here’s the full list:

In the next section, we’ll dive into each of these tools. We’ll highlight what they offer, how they compare, and which use cases they’re best for.

1. Hubstaff: Best for comprehensive productivity and monitoring in remote teams

Hubstaff is built for leaders managing remote and global workforces who need clarity without micromanaging.

It shows how time is spent, highlights productivity trends, and helps you spot risks before they become problems.

Instead of chasing updates or wondering if work is on track, Hubstaff provides visibility and actionable insights so teams can focus on results.

Features

• Time tracking and timesheets. See how employees spend their work hours. Hubstaff will automatically turn that data into clean timesheets.
  
• Productivity monitoring. Track app and website usage, review optional screenshots, and understand activity levels to quickly identify distractions or inefficiencies with employee productivity monitoring. 
  
• Reporting. Access 20+ customizable reports on time, activity, and attendance, with real-time dashboards that help managers make decisions fast.
  
• Workforce analytics (Hubstaff Insights). Get a deeper look into productivity patterns. Spot unusual activity, see utilization rates, and balance focus vs. meeting time across your team. Try Insights for utilization rates, balancing meeting and focus time, spotting suspicious activity, and more. 

Benefits

Hubstaff makes remote work more transparent without adding more meetings or manual check-ins. Managers get the data they need to understand productivity, while employees gain clear expectations and fewer interruptions.

With features like activity monitoring, optional screenshots, and advanced workforce analytics, Hubstaff helps you identify bottlenecks and eliminate wasted time. At the same time, configurable privacy settings ensure monitoring stays ethical and balanced so you don’t hurt employee trust.

Pricing

• Starter ($7 per user/month): Time tracking, limited reporting, and one integration.
• Grow ($9 per user/month): Advanced reporting, project budgets, and expenses.
• Team ($12 per user/month): Activity monitoring, unlimited integrations, timesheet approvals, scheduling, and access to Hubstaff Insights.
• Enterprise ($25 per user/month): HIPAA and SOC-2 compliance, enterprise deployment, and advanced security features.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

2. Teramind: Best for security-focused organizations and insider threat protection

Teramind is a powerful employee tracking software known for its advanced capabilities in tracking employee activity and preventing insider threats. With features like task management and keystroke logging, Teramind provides detailed insights into employee behavior, making it a good choice for companies focused on data security.

Features

• Behavior analysis. Analyze employee behavior to detect potential risks and improve performance.
  
• Compliance enforcement. Comprehensive tools to ensure adherence to company policies and industry regulations.
  
• Insider threat detection. Identify and mitigate risks from insider threats.
  
• Data leak prevention. Safeguard against data leaks with advanced monitoring and security protocols.

Benefits

With Teramind, companies can expect to significantly enhance their security posture and operational efficiency. The real-time employee monitoring feature allows businesses to maintain a constant watch over employee activities, ensuring that productivity levels are maintained and security risks are minimized.

By preventing insider threats and data leaks, Teramind helps protect sensitive information, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of business data.

Pricing

• Starter (starts at $15 per user/month): Basic monitoring features, including real-time employee monitoring and activity tracking.
  
• UAM (starts at $30 per user/month): Advanced user activity monitoring with behavior analysis and insider threat detection.
  
• DLP (starts at $35 per user/month): Comprehensive data leak prevention and enhanced security features.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

See how it compares with Hubstaff in our in-depth Hubstaff vs. Teramind comparison.

3. Time Doctor: Best for employee performance analysis

Time Doctor is designed to help businesses track employee activity and boost productivity. With a focus on tracking employee productivity and analyzing employee performance, Time Doctor is an ideal tool for businesses looking to effectively monitor their team’s efficiency.

Features

• Time tracking. Monitor how employees spend their time on tasks and projects.
• Apps and website monitoring. Track the apps and websites employees use during work hours.
• Real-time monitoring. View employee activities in real time to ensure immediate accountability.
• Productivity reports. Generate detailed reports to analyze employee performance and productivity.
• Screenshots. Capture periodic screenshots to ensure employees stay on task.
• Payroll. Automate payroll processes based on tracked hours and activities.

Benefits

Time Doctor helps businesses understand how their employees use their work hours. The real-time monitoring feature provides immediate insights into employee activities.

From there, users can then take swift action if productivity issues arise. Detailed productivity reports allow for in-depth analysis of employee performance and detection of shortcomings in the workflow.

Pricing

• Basic ($7 per user/month): Time tracking, silent tracking, activity tracking, and basic reporting.
• Essentials ($14 per user/month): Productivity ratings, web and app usage report, break tracking, and real-time email notifications.
• Professional ($20 per user/month): Video screen recording, internet connectivity reporting, automatic user provisioning, and a dedicated account manager.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.4 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

4. ActivTrak: Best for productivity insights and workflow optimization

ActivTrak is an employee monitoring solution that helps businesses track employee productivity. It lets companies monitor employee activities, analyze performance, and implement data-driven strategies to improve workflows.

Features

• Automated employee monitoring. Automatically track employee activities without manual input.
• Productivity insights. Generate detailed reports to analyze employee performance.
• Activity dashboards. Visualize data with intuitive dashboards for productivity insights.
• Alerts and notifications. Set up alerts for unusual activities or rule violations.

Benefits

ActivTrak empowers businesses to track employee productivity effectively through its automated employee monitoring capabilities. Detailed productivity insights help identify performance trends, enabling data-driven decisions that enhance overall performance.

Pricing

• Free: Activity dashboard, top applications report, productivity report (limited to 3 users).
• Advanced ($10 per user/month): Real-time activity reports, productivity classification by groups and categories, and website blocking.
• Premium ($19 per user/month): Remote vs. in-office productivity analysis, productivity goal setting & tracking, AI-powered productivity coach.
• Enterprise (custom pricing): Comprehensive suite of functionality and features designed for large organizations, including enterprise licensing and dedicated Signature Support.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.3 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

5. Veriato: Best for advanced behavior analytics

Veriato is an advanced employee monitoring solution designed to provide comprehensive insights into team productivity and potential security risks. With features tailored to teams looking for both user activity monitoring and insider risk management, Veriato equips businesses with the tools they need to track working hours, monitor employees, and safeguard against internal threats.

Features

• User activity monitoring. Monitor user activities across websites, applications, email, and documents.
  
• Keystroke and screenshot monitoring. Capture employee keystrokes and screenshots.
  
• Real-time alerts. Receive alerts based on anomalies, events, or keyword triggers.
  
• Predictive behavior analytics. Utilize Generative AI for predictive behavior analytics and risk scoring.
  
• Language and sentiment analysis. Conduct comprehensive language and sentiment analysis to detect potential threats.
  
• PII/PHI identification. Automatically identify sensitive information with pre-trained models for enhanced security.

Benefits

Veriato’s user activity monitoring capabilities allow managers to track working hours and monitor employees across various devices, ensuring that time is spent productively.

Screenshot monitoring and keystroke capture provide a deeper understanding of employee actions. You’ll be able to identify each employee’s most productive hours while also spotting idle time. Additionally, Veriato’s advanced behavior analysis and risk management features leverage Generative AI to predict and mitigate insider threats.

Pricing

• User Activity Monitoring (UAM) ($25 per user/month): Advanced user activity monitoring across websites, applications, email, documents, keystrokes, and screenshots. Includes productivity scores, real-time alerts, and user tracking across multiple devices.
  
• Insider Risk Management (IRM) (custom pricing): GenAI-driven predictive behavior analytics with risk scoring, advanced behavior pattern identification, and language and sentiment analysis. Also includes automatic PII/PHI identification and alert triggers based on complex behavior.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.2 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.3 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.2 out of 5 stars

6. Insightful: Best for productivity analysis and attendance tracking in remote teams

Insightful (formerly Workpuls) is a comprehensive employee monitoring and productivity management solution. By providing detailed insights into employee activities and productivity, Workpuls enables companies to effectively manage projects, track time, and maximize efficiency.

Features

• Apps and web activity analysis. Monitor the applications and websites employees use.
• Attendance tracking. Keep track of employee attendance and working hours.
• Screenshot capture. Capture periodic screenshots to monitor employee activities visually.
• Productivity reports. Generate detailed reports on employee productivity and work types.
• HRIS integrations: Integrate with Human Resource Information Systems for streamlined management.
• Stealth mode. Monitor employee activities discreetly without interrupting their workflow.

Benefits

Insightful’s productivity analysis tools provide managers with deep insights into how employees are spending their time, while real-time attendance tracking ensures that employees are working their expected hours. 

Workpuls’s ability to operate in stealth mode is intended to ensure that monitoring is done unobtrusively. That said, many have strong opinions against it.

Pricing

• Productivity management ($8 per user/month): Apps and web activity analysis, attendance tracking, screenshots, HRIS integrations, and stealth mode.
  
• Time tracking ($10 per user/month): Project management, budgeting, invoicing, and integrations with popular project management and customer service tools.
  
• Process improvement ($15 per user/month): Automated project and task time tracking, workflow analysis, and industry-specific process optimization.
  
• Custom (custom pricing): License management, insider threat detection, SSO, audit logs, customized onboarding and support, and on-premise deployment.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.7 out of 5 stars

7. DeskTime: Best for automatic time tracking and productivity trend analysis

DeskTime provides tools to manage remote teams or office-based employees effectively. With valuable insights into employee activities, DeskTime helps managers make data-driven decisions and maximize efficiency.

Features

• Automatic time tracking. Automatically track the time employees spend on tasks.
• URL and app tracking. Monitor the websites and applications employees use during work hours.
• Document title tracking. Track the titles of documents employees work on.
• Productivity calculation. Calculate productivity based on activity tracking data.
• Project tracking. Monitor time spent on different projects to ensure efficient resource allocation.
• Reports & exports. Generate detailed reports and export data.

Benefits

DeskTime helps businesses improve productivity and operational efficiency. Managers can identify productivity trends and address potential distractions — and the project tracking feature helps businesses complete projects on time. 

Pricing

• Pro ($7 per user/month): Time tracking, URL and app tracking, document title tracking, productivity calculation, project tracking, and reports.
• Premium ($10 per user/month): Screenshots, absence calendar, shift scheduling, integrations, and API.
• Enterprise ($20 per user/month): VIP support, personalized onboarding, unlimited projects, unlimited tasks, unlimited data history, and the ability to request a custom API.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

While DeskTime offers good activity tracking capabilities, it might not be sufficient if you need more advanced productivity metrics. In that case, you should consider a DeskTime alternative.

8. Kickidler: Best for real-time monitoring and policy compliance enforcement

Kickidler lets businesses monitor real-time employee activities, track time, and protect against data loss. Its robust capabilities make it a good choice for companies looking to enhance productivity and ensure compliance.

Features

• Keylogger. Track keystrokes to gain insights into employee behavior and productivity.
• Time tracking. Track the amount of time employees spend on various tasks and activities.
• Screen video recording. Record employee screens for detailed activity analysis and review.
• Policy violation detection. Detect and respond to policy violations in real time.

Benefits

As its name implies, Kickidler has monitoring features that keep idle time at bay. The keylogger feature offers detailed insights into employee behavior, helping identify productive and time-wasting activities. Screen video recording provides a visual record of employee activities, while violation detection helps build a secure and productive work environment.

Pricing

• Free (1 user only): Real-time monitoring, keylogger.
  
• Time tracking ($2.75 per user/month, annual billing only): Time tracking, working hours report, and activity history.
  
• Employee monitoring ($5.5 per user/month, annual billing only): Visual monitoring, real-time monitoring, screen video recording, violation detection, and keylogger.
  
• Data loss protection (DLP) ($11 per user/month, annual billing only): Insider threat prevention, detecting user behavior deviations, printed document tracking, clipboard monitoring, file operations monitoring, and management.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.8 out of 5 stars

9. Staffcop: Best for on-premise monitoring and data loss prevention

Staffcop is ideal for organizations looking to implement on-premise monitoring solutions with short-term and long-term options. With features for monitoring and meeting security needs, Staffcop helps businesses monitor employee activities and protect sensitive information.

Features

• Real-time monitoring. Track employee activities in real time to ensure productivity and compliance.
• Data loss prevention (DLP). Protect sensitive data from being leaked or misused.
• Keystroke logging. Monitor keystrokes to better understand employee activities.
• Screenshots and video recording. Capture screenshots and record videos of employee screens for detailed analysis.
• Comprehensive reporting. Generate detailed reports on employee activities and productivity.

Benefits

Staffcop is ideal for companies that prioritize security first and productivity second. With capabilities like data loss prevention and activity monitoring, the app helps businesses maintain efficient and secure operations.

Pricing

• Perpetual: A perpetual license with no expiration date, on-premise server installation, unlimited user support, 12 months of technical support, and unlimited access to reports. Contact their team for pricing info. 
  
• Standard: Valid for 3, 12, or 24 months. Includes on-premise server installation, technical support for the entire license period, and access to reports only during the license period. Contact their team for pricing info.

Rating

• G2: 4.4 out of 5 stars

10. Controlio: Best for balancing productivity tracking with workplace security

Controlio is an employee monitoring solution designed to give companies visibility into how work gets done, whether in the office or remotely. It emphasizes both productivity measurement and security oversight, making it a good fit for organizations that have monitoring and compliance needs.

Features

• Productivity measurement. Track trends in employee activity levels and performance over time.
• Work time logging. Record hours worked automatically, with breakdowns by tasks and apps.
• App and website usage tracking. See which tools employees rely on most and which may be draining productivity.
• Workplace security tools. Monitor for risky behavior and enforce compliance policies.
• Remote and in-office management. Centralized dashboards to manage distributed and hybrid teams.

Benefits

Controlio helps managers understand not only how much time is being spent at work but also how it’s being used. It combines productivity analytics with workplace security monitoring to reduce risk while giving leaders actionable insights into team performance.

Pricing

• Cloud plan ($7.99 per user/month): All features, at least 5 users, and 6 months of data storage. Supports AWS as a server platform.
  
• On-premise plan (custom pricing): All features, at least 10 users, and unlimited data storage. Supports Windows and Linux as server platforms.
  
• Private cloud (custom pricing): All features, at least 100 users, and unlimited data storage. Supports AWS as a server platform.

Rating

• Capterra: 5 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.9 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 5 out of 5 stars

11. Intelogos: Best for preventing employee burnout

Intelogos is an employee monitoring tool that goes beyond simple time tracking. While it covers essentials like attendance and activity monitoring, its main focus is on detecting signs of burnout and helping teams with long-term productivity. 

Features

• Attendance tracking. Monitor employee attendance and punctuality with real-time logs.
• Time tracking. Automatically record hours spent on projects and tasks.
• Burnout detection. Identify early warning signs of overwork or disengagement.
• Remote employee monitoring. Gain visibility into distributed teams’ activity and productivity.
• Analytics dashboard. See trends across attendance, workloads, and employee well-being.

Benefits

Intelogos helps leaders keep an eye not just on how employees are working, but how they’re holding up under pressure. It combines monitoring with burnout analytics to give managers a chance to intervene before small issues turn into costly turnover. For remote and global teams, this support can strengthen both productivity and morale.

Pricing

• Performance Light ($5 per user/month): This plan includes time tracking, automatic attendance, and basic performance analytics with 3 effort stats.
  
• Performance Pro ($10 per user/month): Includes everything in Performance Light, plus advanced reporting with 9 effort stats, focus and distraction data, and task manager analytics.
  
• Performance + Well-being ($12 per user/month): Includes everything in Performance Pro, plus company and individual burnout data, and a system for automated and peer-to-peer recognition.

Rating

• G2: 5 out of 5 stars

12. BambooHR: Best for all-in-one HR and people management

BambooHR isn’t a traditional employee monitoring tool. Instead, it’s a comprehensive HR platform designed to manage the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to offboarding.

Its strength lies in centralizing all your HR data and processes (like payroll, time tracking, and performance management) into a single, easy-to-use system.

Features

• Hiring and onboarding. A built-in applicant tracking system and automated onboarding tasks help you create a seamless experience for new hires.
  
• Time tracking and payroll. Track employee hours, manage time-off requests, and run payroll.
  
• Performance management. Tools for 360° feedback, goal tracking, and one-on-one meeting notes help you create a culture of continuous improvement.
  
• HR reporting. Access real-time data and generate reports on everything from employee turnover to time-off patterns for better data-driven decision-making.

Benefits

BambooHR frees up HR professionals and managers from time-consuming administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on the people. By having all HR functions in a single platform, you reduce errors, save time, and ensure your data is always up-to-date. This holistic approach helps you not only track what’s happening but also understand the bigger picture of your workforce.

Pricing

Pricing information is not publicly available and is based on a custom quote. You will need to contact BambooHR directly to get a price tailored to your business. However, they offer three plans:

• Core: HR Intelligence, HR Data & Reporting, Hiring & Onboarding, Time Off & Benefits Tracking, Employee Experience, and Compliance Intelligence.
  
• Pro: Includes all Core features, plus Performance Management and Employee Community.
  
• Elite: Includes all Pro features, plus Compensation Management, Custom Dashboards & Analytics, HR Benchmarks, and Premium Services.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.4 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

13. InterGuard: Best for comprehensive security and insider threat detection

InterGuard is a powerful employee monitoring solution designed for businesses that need a robust way to protect against data loss and insider threats.

Unlike basic time-tracking tools, it focuses on providing detailed, in-depth insights into all user activity — from keystrokes and screenshots to file transfers and email content — to help businesses proactively identify and stop risks.

Features

• Keylogger software. Captures all keystrokes, even in incognito windows, to provide a complete record of typed activity.
  
• Alerts and notifications. Use a “Smart Flagging System” to receive real-time alerts for policy violations, suspicious keywords, or unusual behavior patterns.
  
• Screenshots and video playback. Capture continuous screenshots or trigger them based on specific keywords to get visual proof of activity.
  
• Email, file, and social media monitoring. Get a comprehensive view of all communications, file transfers, and social media use to prevent data exfiltration and identify time-wasters.

Benefits

InterGuard helps businesses improve productivity by identifying non-work-related activity and other wasted time. More importantly, it acts as a powerful security tool, providing the means to prevent sensitive data leaks (whether accidental or malicious).

For HR and legal teams, it provides a transparent and tamper-proof audit trail that can be used for investigations and compliance with regulations like HIPAA and PCI.

Pricing

Pricing is not publicly available and is based on a custom quote. You will need to contact InterGuard directly for a price tailored to your business.

Rating

• Capterra: 3.9 out of 5 stars
• G2: 3.3 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 3.9 out of 5 stars

14. We360.ai: Best for AI-powered employee monitoring

We360.ai is a workforce analytics and employee monitoring platform that uses Agentic AI to provide deep insights into productivity, efficiency, and compliance. It’s designed to help businesses move beyond simple monitoring to a more proactive, data-driven management style.

The platform focuses on understanding how work is actually done, identifying bottlenecks, and providing actionable recommendations to improve team performance and well-being.

Features

• Agentic AI. Provides real-time, tailored recommendations to boost performance, mitigate risks, and predict employee burnout or attrition.
  
• Productivity intelligence. Measures and compares productive versus unproductive time and analyzes behavioral patterns to offer personalized productivity metrics.
  
• Screen recording and livestream. Captures real-time and continuous screenshots or video playback of employee screens, with the ability to view them live, for a visual understanding of work sessions.
  
• Domain blocking. Allows administrators to restrict access to non-work websites and applications, with customizable rules and different blocking modes for various teams.
  
• Cost intelligence. Tracks and analyzes workforce spending by department and activity, which helps understand the financial impact of idle time and other inefficiencies.
  
• Attendance insights. Automates attendance tracking and provides a detailed view of online and offline time, active and idle time, and leave trends.

Benefits

We360.ai helps organizations make data-backed decisions that drive measurable efficiency gains. It helps managers proactively balance workloads and prevent burnout. The platform’s focus on compliance and security, along with its ability to simplify tedious tasks, helps businesses save time and reduce operational risks.

Pricing

• Free: Up to 3 users, activity levels, and limited screenshots.
• Starter ($7 per user/month): Scheduling & attendance, project management, and manual reports.
• Pro ($9 per user/month): Workload analysis, productivity goal setting, automatic reports, and website utilization.
• Enterprise (custom pricing): ActiveDirectory Integration, single sign-on, team-based time zones, and 25+ alerts.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.3 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.3 out of 5 stars

Many praise We360.ai for its usefulness in managing freelancers, but some of the praise stems from having the ability to evaluate employee performance based on their metrics.

Every manager will have a different approach to running a team, but we always recommend you look at output first and use employee monitoring if things aren’t working. If this is you, you should check out our Hubstaff vs. We360.ai comparison. Both tools overlap in multiple features, but they have very different approaches to tracking employee data.

15. Traqq: Best for time tracking with team management

Traqq is a time tracking and employee monitoring solution that focuses on providing businesses with insights into productivity and performance without resorting to invasive surveillance.

It’s designed for both freelancers and teams, offering a suite of features that help streamline workflows, manage projects, and simplify payroll. The platform’s emphasis on privacy and building trust makes it a solid choice for organizations that want to monitor performance ethically.

Features

• Smart time tracking. Automatically logs work hours with a simple desktop app.
  
• Team management. Allows for the creation of custom team hierarchies, workload optimization, and real-time visibility into team activity.
  
• Time reporting. Generates comprehensive reports on time and activity breakdowns, idle time, and overtime.
  
• Productivity tracking. Identifies peak performance hours and analyzes distractions, providing insights into personal activity patterns.
  
• Attendance tracker. Automatically records clock-in and clock-out times and flags absences, which syncs with the time-off calendar.
  
• Hourly rate management. Calculates payroll automatically based on tracked hours and allows for custom pay rates for each team member.

Benefits

Traqq helps companies save time on manual tasks, reduce overtime costs, and boost overall team productivity. The ethical approach (which avoids invasive features like screenshots) helps foster a culture of trust. It provides data-backed insights that you can use to make informed decisions about project management, employee well-being, and workload distribution.

Pricing

• Premium Starter: Free for up to 3 users. Includes all Premium features.
• Premium Teams ($7 per user per month): For teams of 4 to 100 people. Includes all Premium features.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for teams with over 100 people. It also includes all Premium features.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.9 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.9 out of 5 stars

16. Monitask: Best for proof of work for remote teams

Monitask helps businesses manage and track the productivity of their remote employees. It streamlines time tracking, project management, and payroll with automated features and a user-friendly interface. The app’s focus on transparency and data-driven insights helps companies optimize their workforce and improve overall accountability.

Features

• Automated time tracking. Automatically records work hours, eliminating the need for manual data entry and ensuring accurate timesheets.
  
• Productivity tracking: Provides insights through proof-of-work screenshots, website logging, and activity scores. It can also detect mouse jigglers to prevent false activity reports.
  
• Online Timesheets: Generates detailed, customizable weekly timesheet reports that can be accessed in real-time from a live dashboard.
  
• Remote employee monitoring: Offers tools for managing and communicating with a distributed workforce, including a clock-in/clock-out board and the ability to track attendance.
  
• Data security: Ensures data security and privacy through cloud hosting, 2FA authentication, and encryption.

Benefits

Monitask provides data-driven insights that can help improve employee performance and reduce costs. It promotes accountability and transparency within teams and can help ensure legal compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR. The software also simplifies project management and payroll to further save time.

Pricing

• Pro ($7.99 per user/month): Time tracking, timesheets, screenshots, and project management.
• Business ($10.99 per user/month): Team management, monthly stats, and employee scorecard.
• Business Premium ($15.99 per user/month): Search query monitoring, URL and page tracking, and document tracking.
• Enterprise (custom pricing): Higher API limits, VIP support, and audit logs.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.9 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  

17. WebWork: Best for AI-powered timekeeping and attendance tracking

Webwork offers a suite of features to help teams boost productivity, manage projects, and streamline financial operations.

It’s a versatile solution for a wide range of industries and team structures, including remote, hybrid, and in-office teams. Its built-in AI features and multi-platform support make it a modern and powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.

Features

• Time tracking with screenshots. Automatically logs work hours and captures periodic screenshots to verify task progress and provide visual evidence of work. Like Hubstaff, it offers customizable settings for screenshot frequency and a blurring option for privacy.
  
• Employee monitoring. Provides real-time monitoring of app and website usage, plus activity levels based on keyboard and mouse clicks.
  
• AI-powered analytics. Analyzes performance, identifies burnout risks, and offers suggestions to optimize workflows.
  
• Project and task management. Users can manage unlimited projects, assign tasks, set budgets, and track progress through different views.
  
• Payroll and invoicing. Automates payroll calculation based on tracked hours, and allows for direct payments and invoice generation.
  
• Attendance tracking. Automatically records clock-in and clock-out times and provides detailed attendance reports.

Benefits

WebWork helps businesses increase productivity and profitability by providing accurate data for project budgeting and resource allocation. It also streamlines operations by centralizing time tracking, project management, and financial tasks into one platform.

Pricing

• Pro ($4.99 per user/month): Time tracking, unlimited projects and tasks, timesheets, activity monitoring, and real-time tracking.
  
• Plus ($7.99 per user/month): Timesheet approvals, video meetings, payroll, budgeting and expense tracking, and advanced work-life balance metrics.
  
• Premium ($8.99 per user/month): Unusual activity detection, whitelabeling, HIPAA compliance, and single sign-on.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 stars

18. Apploye: Best for feature-packed employee monitoring

Boasting over 100 features, Apploye is a versatile time tracking and employee monitoring software designed to help businesses of all sizes.

It offers a large feature set designed to boost productivity, streamline payroll, and provide insights into team performance. The platform is known for being a cost-effective solution with a focus on ease of use and a variety of tools that cater to different work environments.

Features

• Time tracking. Provides flexible time tracking options, like automatic and manual time entry, idle time detection, and offline mode.
  
• Employee monitoring. Includes features like automatic screenshots and app & URL tracking to monitor employee activity.
  
• Team management. Project and task management, budgeting, scheduling, and payroll.
  
• Reporting & dashboards. Generates detailed reports on time usage, productivity, and team performance. It also includes a live dashboard to see who is active in real time.
  
• Payroll: Pay team members based on the number of hours they worked and their pay rates.

Benefits

With over 100 features, Apploye’s main strength is its sheer comprehensiveness. This allows it to serve as a single, all-in-one platform for your team. It consolidates functions like time tracking, project management, scheduling, and more into a single system to help businesses eliminate the need for different tools.

This simplifies your workflow and provides a holistic view of your operations, making it easier to manage a growing business.

However, this “more is better” approach starkly contrasts Hubstaff’s focus on providing valuable workforce analytics as intuitively as possible. While many teams can benefit from it, others might find it overwhelming.

To help you decide which one is better suited for your team, read our comparison between Hubstaff and Apploye.

Pricing

• Standard ($5 per user/month): Time tracking, task management, project budgeting, real-time view of active employees, and invoices.
• Elite ($7 per user/month): Screenshot monitoring, real-time screenshots, app & URL tracking, and activity & engagement metrics.

Rating

• Capterra: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 4.8 out of 5 stars

19. Email Analytics: Best for visualizing email activity

Email Analytics doesn’t work like a traditional employee monitoring tool. Unlike traditional time trackers that log hours spent on tasks or applications, Email Analytics focuses specifically on analyzing a team’s email activity.

It’s a powerful tool for managers who want to understand their team’s communication habits, identify bottlenecks, and improve customer response times without invasive monitoring. A solid choice for teams that rely very heavily on email.

Features

• Email metrics. Access data on average email response times, number of emails sent and received, and email activity by time of day or day of the week.
  
• Team and individual analytics. Shows managers’ analytics for an entire team or a specific individual. They can also identify top senders, recipients, and most-used subject lines.
  
• Non-invasive tracking. Works silently in the background. It analyzes email header data from Gmail and Outlook but does not read email contents to protect user privacy.
  
• Automated reports. Delivers daily or weekly email reports with key metrics and insights, making it easy to stay informed.

Benefits

Email Analytics provides a unique way to measure and improve productivity. By focusing on email, it can help teams improve their communication efficiency. In turn, this can lead to better customer service and faster internal communication.

And since it only tracks metadata, it maintains employee privacy and can be implemented without changing the team’s existing workflow.

Pricing

• Pro ($19 per inbox/month): All features included.

Rating

• G2: 4.8 out of 5 stars

20. SentryPC: Best for small to mid-sized businesses that need simple monitoring and content control

SentryPC provides businesses with tools to effectively monitor employee activities. It offers robust features for tracking employee behavior, capturing screenshots, and ensuring compliance with company policies.

Features

• Activity monitoring. Track employee activities across devices.
• Screenshot capture. Take periodic screenshots to visually monitor employee actions.
• Website and application tracking. Monitor the websites and applications employees use during work hours.
• Time management. Track the amount of time spent on various tasks and activities.
• Content filtering. Block access to inappropriate websites and applications to maintain a productive work environment.

Benefits

SentryPC’s activity monitoring feature helps managers ensure time is spent efficiently by tracking employee behavior across devices without missing a second of tracked time. Screenshot capture provides visual evidence of employee actions and also makes it easier to identify productive and non-productive behavior. Plus, content filtering helps maintain a focused and distraction-free work environment by blocking access to non-work-related websites and applications.

Pricing

• Basic Plan ($69.95/year + $29.95 for each additional license): Manage 1 device with storage for 500 screenshots.
  
• Business 50 ($1,495.00/year + $29.90 per license): Manage up to 50 devices with storage for 500 screenshots.
  
• Business 100 ($2,495.00/year + $24.95 per license): Manage up to 100 devices with storage for 1,000 screenshots.

Rating

• Capterra: 2.3 out of 5 stars
• G2: 2.5 out of 5 stars
• GetApp: 2.2 out of 5 stars
  

How to choose the right employee monitoring software

By now, you’ve seen just how diverse the employee monitoring software space can be. The real challenge isn’t access to the right technology, but rather picking the one employee monitoring software that truly suits your business’ needs.

That will depend on your goals, your team’s setup, and how much oversight you need. Here’s what to keep in mind as you decide.

Assess your needs

Identify the specific requirements of your business. What do you need from a computer monitoring software? 

Consider factors like the size of your team, the level of detail you need in activity tracking, and any specific compliance requirements your industry might have. 

For instance, if you have a remote, international team, you’ll need to take legal considerations for each of those countries into account.

Compare features

Evaluate the features offered by different employee monitoring solutions. Look for tools that provide comprehensive monitoring capabilities, like time tracking, productivity analysis, screenshots, or utilization. The software you choose should be able to track the specific activities that matter to your business.

Consider ease of use

Your employee monitoring app should be easy to set up and use — for both administrators and employees. A complex or confusing interface can hinder productivity, induce frustration, and make it harder to get employee buy-in, so prioritize solutions with intuitive design and clear navigation.

Check for compliance

Check that the computer monitoring software you choose meets all legal and regulatory requirements relevant to your industry. This includes data privacy laws and any industry-specific regulations.

Read reviews and testimonials

Read reviews and testimonials from companies that have used the employee monitoring solutions you are considering. This can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each tool and make a more informed decision.

Is employee monitoring legal or ethical?

Employee monitoring can be a powerful tool, but it also raises important questions about privacy, fairness, and trust. Laws vary by region, and employee expectations vary by culture, so businesses need to tread carefully. 

Here are key considerations to keep your monitoring practices legal and ethical.

Employee privacy

While it’s important to use computer monitoring software to track productivity, respecting your employees’ personal privacy takes precedence. Clearly define what will be monitored and keep your employees’ personal activities private.

If privacy is a top concern for your team, consider solutions with an ethical, privacy-first mindset. Employee monitoring software like Hubstaff allows users to delete sensitive data, such as screenshots, to protect employee privacy. 

Transparency and communication

Transparency helps build trust and helps employees understand the purpose behind employee monitoring apps. Explain how the tool performs employee monitoring, what data it will collect, and how you plan to use it. Open communication can alleviate concerns and contribute to a positive work environment.

Legal compliance

Different regions have varying laws regarding employee monitoring, so it’s important to stay informed about the legal requirements in your area. This includes data privacy laws and any specific regulations related to employee monitoring solutions. Compliance helps protect your business from legal repercussions and is non-negotiable.

Learn about the ethics of employee monitoring and check out our GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II compliance standards. 

Employee monitoring FAQs

What is the best system monitoring software?

There are several top choices when it comes to system monitoring software. Hubstaff is an excellent all-around solution, but other options like Teramind and ActivTrak may offer benefits for specific types of businesses.

Is employee monitoring software a good idea?

Employee monitoring software can be beneficial, but it also has its drawbacks. On the plus side, it helps improve productivity and ensures compliance with company policies. However, it can also raise concerns about privacy and trust among employees. Make sure to prioritize respect for employee privacy and communicate transparently about monitoring practices.

How can I see what my employees are doing on their computers?

Employee monitoring and productivity software allows you to track employee app and website usage, see keyboard and mouse activity, and monitor real-time activities. These tools provide detailed insights into how employees are spending their time, but it’s crucial to be responsible — track only what you need.

What are the different types of employee monitoring software?

Employee monitoring comes in different forms depending on what businesses need to track. Common types include:

• Time tracking software. Logs hours worked and helps analyze productivity.
• Activity monitoring software. Tracks app and website usage, sometimes with screenshots or keystroke data.
• Communication monitoring. Reviews email, chat, or social media activity for compliance and security risks.
• Project and task monitoring. Connects employee activity directly to project progress and deliverables.
• Security-focused monitoring. Detects insider threats, unusual activity, or potential data leaks.
• Social media monitoring. Tracks social platform activity to ensure employees use company accounts responsibly and comply with workplace policies.

Each type serves a different purpose. Many modern tools combine several of these functions into a single platform as well.

Will my employees know that monitoring software is being used?

In most cases, yes — employees will know when monitoring software is installed. Many tools include visible indicators or require consent to comply with privacy regulations. Even when “stealth mode” options exist, transparency is the best practice to maintain trust and meet legal standards.

Are there tools that can be integrated with employee monitoring software?

Yes. Many employee monitoring platforms integrate with project management tools, HR systems, payroll apps, communication platforms, employee productivity tools, and other types of tools. These integrations centralize data, streamline workflows, and reduce switching between several apps.

Improve your team’s productivity with the right monitoring tool

Choosing employee monitoring software isn’t about piling on features — it’s about solving real challenges like accurately tracking time, gauging productivity, and paying employees. 

When choosing employee monitoring tools, your choice shouldn’t be based on which one has the most number of features.

Instead, it should be the one that solves your real challenges.

The options can feel overwhelming, but the path forward is simple: start with your team’s needs, focus on the features that meet those needs, and make sure the tool supports both compliance and employee well-being.

If you’re looking for a solution that combines clear productivity insights with respect for employee privacy, Hubstaff is built with exactly that in mind.

With workforce analytics, activity monitoring, and customizable privacy controls, it gives leaders the clarity they need while helping employees stay engaged and focused.