how Hubstaff tracking works

How Hubstaff tracking features work

Delivering transparency, control, and access to every member of the team

No credit card required.

our guiding principles

Built for transparency
and efficiency

Employee privacy and empowerment are important to us. With every new feature, we work to ensure team members stay in control, that they understand how the software works, when it's running, and that they have access to all of their data.

Hubstaff monitoring features
principle 1

You’re in control

Hubstaff works like a traditional time clock system that’s installed on a desktop or mobile device. You decide when to start the timer, and can easily stop it whenever you need to do something else.

The app only captures proof of work (screenshots, app and URL tracking, and activity rates) if your organization has these features turned on and you’re actively tracking time.

How Hubstaff works

How it works

  1. Choose your app

    Choose your preferred app. Hubstaff is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. For web-based tracking, try the Chrome extension.

  2. Set permissions

    Hubstaff's guiding principles are transparency, access, and control. Depending on the device, you'll likely be asked to allow permissions so that you know what's being tracked.

  3. Clock in and out

    You decide when to start and stop the timer. That means features like time tracking, activity rates, and app and URL tracking are only active when you’re working.

transparency in remote teams
PRINCIPLE 2

Know what’s being tracked

Hubstaff isn’t designed to run without your knowledge. The apps are intentionally transparent about what they’re doing. Notifications tell you when screenshots are taken and when you start and stop the timer. So there’s no question about when and how Hubstaff is working.

What each app tracks

See how the Hubstaff apps differ in what they capture and keep track of while you’re working.

Customizable for each person

Hubstaff can be set up with preferences for each individual. While we’re showcasing all functionality, your organization might choose to turn off or customize certain features.

Desktop permissions

Follow our guiding principles of transparency, access, and control with customizable permissions for every member of your team.

Hubstaff works like a traditional time clock system
PRINCIPLE 3

Access to all your own information

You have access to your own data and can see exactly what management sees. Further, Hubstaff’s default settings allow you to delete your time and the information attached to it if you choose. Your data will never be sold to third parties.

smarter tracking, greater productivity

Benefits for the whole team

Hubstaff lets you access to your own data

Avoid frequent
check-ins

Many distributed teams have to submit progress reports so that everyone else knows what was worked on. Hubstaff takes care of that.

Screenshots can show work in progress so instead of pausing to hop on a call or share sketches, you can keep working. Managers can check the Hubstaff dashboard instead of interrupting their team’s workflow.

work smarter with Hubstaff

Know more,
work smarter

With the information Hubstaff provides, employees and managers can make smarter decisions and focus more time on their most critical work. Your dashboard gives you a clear overview of your day and workweek.

automated clock in

Hate having
to punch in?

Then we have good news. You can create geofences around job sites that tell the Hubstaff mobile app to automatically start and stop the timer when you arrive and leave. You won’t have to fill out time cards at the end of the day or week — it’s already done for you. And you didn’t have to spend a minute thinking about it.

it’s easier to get paid

Get paid

Some workplaces pay their teams through Hubstaff and require timesheet approvals. If that’s the case, you’ll need to submit a timesheet when prompted. Then, payments can be automatically sent to you. Using Hubstaff timesheets to get paid can help avoid any disputes or questions about what was worked on

Boost productivity, safeguard employee privacy

We’re strictly interested in productivity — not personal data. Hubstaff offers the option to blur Apps, URLs, screenshots, and more to help teams reach peak efficiency without compromising privacy. That also means:

  • No keystroke logging

  • No email monitoring

  • No access to cameras, webcams, video recording, etc.

Interviews and articles

Trustworthy tracking

CEO Jared Brown shares our guiding principles for ethical tracking with CNBC and The Today Show.

Frequently asked questions

Need more help?

Still have questions about how the Hubstaff app works?
Check out more FAQs or drop our support team a line.

Start tracking time today

Skip the status meetings and start using Hubstaff today.

Download Hubstaff