Time tracking tools are essential for managing remote teams and tracking productivity. If you're in the market for time tracking software, you might find yourself in the middle of the Hubstaff vs. Apploye discussion. 

Both platforms offer solid features, but which one is the best fit for your needs? Let's take a closer look at each in this detailed comparison. 

Which one should you use?

When deciding between Hubstaff and Apploye, consider these questions:

  • What is the size of your team?

  • What features do you mainly need? Do you need advanced features like employee monitoring and expense tracking?

  • What level of support and customization is necessary?

To help you choose the right one, we’ll discuss each app’s key features, usability, and impact on employee productivity.

hubstaff vs apploye comparison
At a glance
Table of contents

Time Tracking

Hubstaff

At the center of Hubstaff’s feature suite is precise, effortless time tracking. Hubstaff is designed to streamline workflows and track time spent on different projects. Hubstaff offers:

  • User-friendly interface. Easy navigation allows employees to start tracking time without a steep learning curve.

  • One-click tracking. You can track time to a task in one click. You can switch between different tasks, projects, and devices without losing a second of tracked time.

  • Idle detection. Customize idle timeout settings to stop the timer for inactive users and keep time entries and payments accurate.

  • Online timesheets. Hubstaff seamlessly converts tracked time into automated online timesheets that managers can easily review and approve.

Apploye

Apploye provides a rich time tracking experience without compromising on ease of use. Its key time tracking features include:

  • Simple start/stop timer. Allows users to start and stop tracking time instantly.

  • Manual time entry. Manually input time for tasks completed offline or outside normal working hours.

  • Clock in/out. The app allows employees to clock in and out of work, making records of working hours easy to maintain.

  • Timesheets. Generates detailed daily, weekly, and monthly timesheets for better project planning.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye time tracking overview

Both Hubstaff and Apploye have accurate time tracking capabilities. They're also easy to use and take minimal time to learn, making either a good option for time tracking. 

Location tracking

Hubstaff

Hubstaff’s location-tracking capabilities further enhance your time tracking precision. Its GPS tracking features streamline the management of remote and field teams and help ensure accurate billable hours records.

  • Geofenced time tracking. Create geofenced Job sites to automate clock-ins and clock-outs whenever workers enter or leave the radius. This helps reduce manual errors, prevents buddy punching, and saves time.

  • GPS tracker. Hubstaff’s GPS tracker provides real-time location updates to give managers insights into their field team’s movements and productivity.

  • Location-based reports. See how employees spent time in the field in great detail. Access reports for future route planning, the time they spent on each job site, and more.

Apploye

Apploye offers robust GPS tracking to help businesses oversee field teams and improve operational efficiency.

  • GPS location tracking. Allows real-time monitoring of employee locations for increased transparency and accountability.

  • Geofencing. Sets virtual boundaries and automatically tracks time when employees enter or leave specified areas.

  • Manual location logs. Employees can manually log their locations for tasks performed outside geofenced areas to provide flexibility in tracking billable hours.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye location tracking overview

Hubstaff and Apploye offer functionally similar location tracking features. With either platform, you can track your team as they move in the field, and you can access geofencing tools to simplify payments. With either platform, you can expect dependable location data to support your team’s productivity and accountability.

Productivity monitoring

Hubstaff

Hubstaff has extensive productivity monitoring and workforce analytics capabilities that help teams take their efficiency to the next level. It helps businesses understand their employees’ performance beyond the hours they’ve worked and tasks they’ve checked off their to-do lists.

  • Workforce analytics. Access in-depth metrics on employee activity based on time-tracked information to make data-driven decisions and boost productivity. 

  • App and URL tracking. See what apps and URLs your team is using during work hours. You can set productive and unproductive apps for each user based on job descriptions. This helps identify potential distractions and tasks that may be consuming excessive time.

  • Project and task tracking. See how time is allocated across different projects and tasks to identify bottlenecks and optimize workflows.

  • Optional screenshots. The system periodically captures screenshots of employee screens so managers can stay updated on task progress. Based on your management style, you can configure screenshots at different intervals, blur them, or toggle them off entirely. 

Apploye

Apploye offers productivity monitoring features, bolstering its capabilities as a time tracking solution. Teams can use these tools to enhance employee performance and increase efficiency. 

  • Remote track. Enables managers to monitor remote and hybrid teams. They’ll be able to access real-time productivity data.

  • App and URL tracking. Tracks applications and websites employees use during work hours to help identify productivity drains.

  • Screenshots. Captures periodic screenshots of employee screens to check if the right tasks are being worked on at the right time.

  • Live feed. See employee screens in real time to view progress as it happens.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye productivity monitoring overview

Hubstaff and Apploye are close in terms of productivity monitoring, but Hubstaff has a clear edge with its advanced workforce analytics add-on: Hubstaff Insights.

Insights includes features like performance trends, industry benchmarks, focus times, and more. This extra add-on makes Hubstaff the better option for productivity monitoring. Additionally, Apploye’s live feed feature may raise privacy concerns for some users.

Reporting

Hubstaff

Utilize time tracking data to generate detailed reports and help leaders understand team performance and project progress. As a result, businesses can stay on top of their operations more easily.

  • Detailed reports. Generate reports that offer a clear overview of time spent on specific projects.

  • Customize and export. Tailor reports to meet the unique needs of your business. Export to your local drive for safekeeping and future reference.

  • Over 20 reports. Access a large selection of reports on different aspects of your business, from scheduling, budgeting, payroll, and day-to-day efficiency.

Apploye

Apploye’s reporting tools are valuable for businesses that need insights into project progress and team performance over time. Apploye makes reports highly accessible with vibrant yet simple UI elements.

  • Comprehensive reports. Generate reports with detailed information on time spent on different projects, presented in various visual formats.

  • Exporting. Export reports in various formats for easy sharing and analysis.

  • Email reports. Get activity reports in your email inbox every week and track your team’s progress without logging into the app.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye reporting overview

Both platforms let you generate detailed reports to monitor time spent on specific projects and track productivity. Hubstaff has more than time and activity reports, though. It also provides additional reports for expenses, time off usage, advanced analytics, and more. If reporting is important to you, Hubstaff’s reporting kit is more expansive than Apploye’s.

Invoicing

Hubstaff

With Hubstaff, you can use your time entries for more than recordkeeping. It uses these records to create accurate invoices that you can send to clients straight from the app. You’ll only have to assign clients to projects once before you start tracking billable hours.

  • Automated invoicing. Create invoices with automated line items, custom branding, and more. Then, email them right from the Hubstaff app to streamline payments. 

  • Recurring invoices. Set up recurring invoices for ongoing projects or retainers. Send invoices to clients and track their status in the Hubstaff app.

  • Integrated payments. Accept payments directly through the invoice to streamline the payment process for clients and ensure more accurate payment records. 

Apploye

Like Hubstaff, Apploye has an invoicing feature that’s fully integrated with its time tracking functionality. 

  • Client management. Maintain detailed records of clients and projects.

  • Invoice tracking. Monitor the status of invoices, from creation to payment.

  • Billing methods. Bill by employee or project, or set fixed payment amounts in your invoices.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye invoicing overview

Hubstaff and Apploye offer strong invoicing features that simplify the billing process. However, Hubstaff lets clients pay directly from the invoice (and you can mark it as paid within the Hubstaff app), while Apploye does not. Plus, the ability to customize invoices is an added bonus.

Project budgeting

Hubstaff

Businesses will have an easier time keeping projects on track and costs under control with Hubstaff’s project cost management features. Hubstaff also helps you plan and forecast future projects with accurate tracking tools and timely notifications.

  • Budget tracking. Monitor budgets in real time and get a tight handle on project expenses. Easily see real-time budgeting updates on project spend, hours worked, and more.

  • Automated alerts. Hubstaff sends notifications when a project approaches its budget limit. These alerts allow for a more proactive approach to project management.

  • Intuitive dashboard. See project health at a glance with a detailed yet intuitive Hubstaff dashboard. Spot bottlenecks and roadblocks before anyone encounters them.

Apploye

Apploye lets you efficiently manage project expenses through multiple billing and budgeting tools, helping you stay on top of costs throughout the project lifecycle.

  • Budget setting. Set budgets for specific projects and track expenses in real time.

  • Expense tracking. Monitor all project-related expenses and compare them against the budget to identify cost overruns.

  • Budget reports. Generate detailed reports on project costs.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye project budgeting overview

Each platform allows you to set budgets, track expenses, and monitor financial progress in real time. Both Hubstaff and Apploye are good tools for maintaining control over your project finances — you can’t go wrong with either.

Scheduling

Hubstaff

Hubstaff’s employee scheduling feature simplifies the process of creating and managing work schedules. Designed to enhance productivity and ensure efficient time management, Hubstaff offers a range of scheduling tools. Key features include:

  • Easy shift planning. Create and assign shifts with a few clicks. See your team’s shift coverage through a smart calendar view.

  • Shift notifications. Receive real-time notifications about schedule changes, like when someone takes a sick day or will be late for their shift.

  • Time off management. Manage employee time off requests and incorporate them seamlessly into the schedule. Employees can easily request time off from the Hubstaff app.

Apploye

At the time of writing, Apploye doesn't have a scheduling feature.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye scheduling overview

Hubstaff allows you to create and manage work schedules effortlessly with features like shift planning and time off management. On the other hand, Apploye currently does not offer a scheduling feature. For businesses that need scheduling capabilities, Hubstaff is the better choice.

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Payroll management

Hubstaff

Hubstaff's payroll process is fully automated. Online timesheets are generated in real time. Your employees track time, and the approvals trigger the payment process. This makes paying employees with Hubstaff simple, fast, and accurate.

  • Automated payroll. Set employee pay rates and calculate payroll automatically based on tracked time and billable hours.

  • Multiple payment integrations. Hubstaff supports various payment methods with integrations with tools like PayPal, Gusto, Wise, and more.

  • Multiple currencies. Enable payroll in different currencies and handle payments for international employees with ease. 

Apploye

At the time of writing, Apploye only allows businesses to track how much they need to pay employees. It does not have a payments feature.

Hubstaff vs. Apploye payroll management overview

Hubstaff holds a clear advantage in payroll management. While Apploye allows you to track how much you need to pay employees, it doesn't provide an actual way to process those payments. Hubstaff, on the other hand, can calculate and process and send payments directly to employees via several payment integrations from one central payroll platform. 

Hubstaff vs. Apploye:
Which one is right for you?

Choosing the right time tracking tool is an important decision for any business.

In the case of Hubstaff and Apploye, both platforms offer solid time tracking and productivity tools. If these are the main features you need, you can't go wrong with either.

Pricing information

HubstaffApploye

Starter: $7 per user/month. Time tracking, timesheets, activity levels, and limited reports.

Grow: $9 per user/month. Project budgets, expenses, reports, and one integration.

Team: $12 per user/month. Unlimited app and URL tracking, time off, scheduling, payroll and invoicing, and timesheet approvals.

Enterprise: Custom pricing. HIPAA and SOC-2 Type II compliance, account provisioning, single sign-on, and enterprise deployment.

Standard: $5 per user/month. Time tracking, project budgeting, and reports.

Elite: $7 per user/month. Screenshot monitoring and app and URL tracking.

If you’re starting out and budget is a priority, Apploye isn’t a bad choice. It will do a good job at time tracking and activity monitoring, and you’ll get your employee activity data.

However, as your business scales, you might require more in-depth analytics, better payroll and invoicing, and compliance features. Between the two, only Hubstaff can provide these benefits. In terms of long-term impact on business productivity and profitability, Hubstaff is hard to beat.

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