Hubstaff vs Monitask — which time tracking software is right for your business?
Both are popular among distributed teams, but they serve different purposes:
Hubstaff is an all-in-one time tracking software with built-in productivity monitoring, app usage/URL tracking, optional screenshots, geofenced time tracking, and more. It’s ideal for remote, hybrid, and field-based teams. If you're exploring Monitask alternatives with more flexibility and scalability, Hubstaff is a top contender.
Monitask, on the other hand, offers a more lightweight approach with a stronger emphasis on employee oversight. With features like frequent screenshots, keyboard activity tracking, and search query monitoring, it’s a better fit for small teams that prioritize strict employee monitoring.
If you’re comparing Hubstaff vs. Monitask to find the best match for your workflow, you're in the right place. This guide covers everything you need to know (from key features and pricing to ease of use and best-fit scenarios) so you can make a confident, informed choice.
Sit back and enjoy the read!
112,000+ businesses trust Hubstaff for time tracking
Hubstaff vs. Monitask at a glance
Before we dive into the details of Hubstaff and Monitask and what they can do for your business, here's a quick side-by-side comparison table highlighting the key comparisons.
| Category | Hubstaff | Monitask |
|---|---|---|
Starting Price | From ~$4.99/user/month (annual) (“Starter” plan) | $6.49/mo/user (annual) (Pro plan) |
Free Trial | 14-day free trial | Free trial available |
Time Tracking | Project and task-based time tracking via desktop, mobile (GPS tracking), and web. Automated timesheets. | Simple web timer with automatic screenshots as proof of work. |
Productivity Monitoring | A balanced and flexible approach: optional screenshots, activity levels, and app/URL usage. These can be enabled, blurred, or turned off. | Heavy emphasis on automated screenshots, app/website logging, search query tracking, and mouse/keyboard activity. |
Payments & Invoicing | Built-in payments for teams. Send payments via PayPal, Wise, Deel, Payoneer, Gusto. Supports multiple currencies and automatic scheduling. | No built-in payment option available through payment apps, but it can convert time tracking data into timesheets. |
Workforce Analytics & Reports | In-depth workforce analytics, detailed time & activity, work session, budget, expense reports, and more. | Basic reports on time, activity, and app/website usage. Limited analytics depth. |
Integrations | Broad ecosystem (project management, payroll, invoicing, CRM, etc.). More unlocked in higher tiers. | Fewer integrations; some PM tools and Zapier support. |
Best Fit | Distributed teams, BPOs, agencies, large-scale enterprises, and growing companies that need time tracking + payments + workforce analytics. | Small teams/managers seeking simple monitoring with screenshots at a lower cost. |
Key Feature Comparison
Time tracking tools like Hubstaff and Monitask are packed with capabilities to help you manage global teams, improve visibility into productivity, and day-to-day employee workflows. But how closely do they match your business needs? Let's find out.
Time tracking
Hubstaff
Task-level tracking. Track time and convert hours to automated timesheets for accurate payroll. You can also minimize errors and ensure accurate time entries with idle timeouts and alerts.
Mobile + GPS tracking. Plan routes, provide accurate ETAs, and automate clock-ins/outs with geofenced Job sites.
Monitask
Basic timers. Start/stop tracking for the workday with limited flexibility. Hours can’t be tied to specific projects or costs.
Limited mobility. No GPS tracking support is available. Oversight is primarily desktop-based.
Both tools offer intuitive time tracking features, but Hubstaff provides more flexibility with GPS and geofenced time tracking.
Productivity monitoring
Hubstaff
Configurable monitoring. Adjust settings and controls by role or task. Enable, disable, or blur screenshots, URLs, apps, and other data to suit your management style.
Activity levels and app/URL tracking. Provide real-time visibility (without tracking keystrokes) to identify effective tools, minimize distractions, and optimize focus.
Monitask
Random screenshots. Randomized screenshots can provide valuable insights but may also raise concerns about team privacy.
Activity metrics. Track app/website usage and input activity with some customization.
Hubstaff prioritizes productivity without compromising morale. Monitask’s strict monitoring may be suitable for high-control environments, but it can feel more like employee surveillance.
Payments and invoicing
Hubstaff
Automated payroll. Seamlessly convert tracked time into timesheets, invoices, and payments through third-party providers like PayPal, Wise, and Deel.
Multi-currency support. Ideal for global teams with recurring, error-free payments.
Monitask
Invoicing only. Monitask offers built-in billing features, but payroll must be handled manually outside the platform.
Hubstaff simplifies payroll with a built-in payments hub that allows you to send payments across an array of popular platforms simultaneously. Monitask adds steps and complexity by requiring external tools.
Integrations
Hubstaff
Robust app ecosystem. Hubstaff integrates with 30+ project management, CRM, payroll, invoicing, and other tools.
Monitask
Limited integrations. Connects to a few time tracking apps, but lacks a full ecosystem of integrations.
Hubstaff’s deep integration network supports scalable operations. Monitask may be suitable for simpler use cases, but it has significantly fewer integration options.
Reporting
Hubstaff
Custom, exportable reports. Create 20+ reports for time, activity, budgets, payments, and more. Apply custom filters, export reports, and email them to key stakeholders directly from the app.
Dashboard. See real-time data on hours, earnings, activity, PTO, website and app usage, and more from the Hubstaff dashboard.
Monitask
Standard reports. Basic time and activity logs are intuitive, but they lack custom views and scheduling options.
Both tools provide reporting, but Hubstaff delivers context-rich insights while Monitask offers simple outputs for teams looking for only the basics.
Workforce analytics
Hubstaff
Employee productivity analytics. Hubstaff’s Insights add-on provides real-time trends to help teams gauge utilization, balance meeting and focus time, and set work time classifications.
Unusual activity. Track unusual activity to spot anomalies that could indicate time fraud.
Monitask
Basic tracking data. See basic time usage data without the added strategic layer of analytics or performance insights.
Hubstaff turns work data into a clear, strategic direction. Monitask logs time, but stops short of full-fledged workforce analytics insights.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is arguably the most significant factor when choosing time tracking tools. You’ll want to ensure you get the most bang for your buck, so let's explore how pricing compares for Hubstaff and Monitask.
| Hubstaff | Monitask |
|---|---|
Starter $4.99/seat /mo (billed annually). Includes time tracking, activity tracking, timesheets/invoices, app/URL tracking, and productivity tools. | Pro $6.49/seat/mo (billed annually). Includes time tracking, timesheets, screenshots, apps, and URL tracking. |
Grow $7.50/seat/mo (billed annually) All Starter features + 1 integration, idle timeout, project budgets, expenses, more generous limits on screenshots/app & URL tracking. | Business $8.99/seat/mo (billed annually). Everything in Pro+integrations: data storage, team management, internet monitoring, etc. |
Team $10/seat/mo (billed annually). Includes 3-month Insights add-on free trial, everything in Grow + unlimited app & URL tracking, scheduling & attendance, payroll/payments, timesheet approvals, client budgets, etc. | Business Premium $12.99/seat/mo (billed annually). Everything in Business, plus employee scorecard, search query monitoring, full URL, page, and document tracking. |
Enterprise $25.00/seat/mo (billed annually). Includes all team features + enterprise‑level features: higher limits, SOC‑2 & HIPAA compliance, single sign‑on, dedicated support/account rep, and more API capacity. | Enterprise Pricing is available upon request. Includes VIP support, higher API limits, audit logs, etc. |
Each month, Hubstaff tracks:
Why customers are choosing Hubstaff
“We work in a lot of different industries, so I can’t always know what’s a 45-minute task and what’s a four-hour task. With tools like Hubstaff, you can tell. You then decide if a whole project should’ve taken 16 hours or if someone is just not the right fit.”
OneIMS President and Founder
“We believe — just like Hubstaff — that talent is everywhere and people should be able to work any time, anywhere, even in their pajamas,” says Kothari. “As a company, we believe in the same future of work as Hubstaff, which is great because our values align.”
Co-founder at Tallyfy
Ease of Use and Support
Ease of use and support are the two often under-valued components of time tracking software.
Hubstaff is purpose-built for distributed and mobile teams. It combines user friendliness with a comprehensive set of features. You'll find everything without compromising usability, from time tracking, activity monitoring, payroll integration, to detailed workforce analytics.
The interface is clean and intuitive, with guided setup flows that smooth onboarding, even for teams with complex needs. Users benefit from extensive help documentation, live chat support, and dedicated onboarding assistance, ensuring that the platform remains easy to adopt and highly customizable as your team grows.
"What I liked most about Hubstaff is its user-friendly interface and how it simplifies time tracking and productivity monitoring. "
Monitask, on the other hand, focuses on basic features but is highly focused on employee surveillance and monitoring. Its minimal feature set makes it quick to start, and its user interface is easy for managers to navigate.
However, its limited scope can constrain teams looking to scale or needing more granular control over productivity data. While it works well for smaller setups, it lacks the onboarding depth and ongoing support infrastructure that more dynamic teams may require.
"I still have to dive deeper into it to figure out how it works, which might be a minor drawback."
The final verdict: Hubstaff is approachable for small teams, yet powerful enough for global operations. Monitask offers easy entry but limited depth, making it better for short-term or simpler use cases.
Best for (Who Should Use Each?)
Hubstaff is ideal for growing global businesses, remote and hybrid teams, BPOs, and agencies that need more than just time tracking.
Its all-in-one time tracking platform supports everything from productivity monitoring to payroll and client billing, making it a strong operational backbone for companies with:
Multiple team members
Complex projects
Global payroll needs
If your team collaborates across time zones or you're managing multiple clients, Hubstaff's advanced insights and automations offer meaningful time savings and clarity in decision-making.
Monitask is better suited for small teams or managers who require strict monitoring features, such as random screenshots, search query monitoring, or employee scorecards. It's a straightforward solution for keeping tabs on daily activity, but it lacks advanced features like:
Automated payments
Detailed productivity insights
Integrations for broader workflows like payroll
Teams may need to switch platforms to accommodate more complex needs as they expand.
Final Verdict: Hubstaff vs. Monitask
Hubstaff is ideal for growing global businesses, remote and hybrid teams, BPOs, and agencies that need more than just time tracking.
Its all-in-one time tracking platform supports everything from productivity monitoring to payroll and client billing, making it a strong operational backbone for companies with:
Multiple team members
Complex projects
Global payroll needs
If your team collaborates across time zones or you're managing multiple clients, Hubstaff's advanced insights and automations offer meaningful time savings and clarity in decision-making.
Monitask is better suited for small teams or managers who require strict monitoring features, such as random screenshots, search query monitoring, or employee scorecards. It's a straightforward solution for keeping tabs on daily activity, but it lacks advanced features like:
Automated payments
Detailed productivity insights
Integrations for broader workflows like payroll
Teams may need to switch platforms to accommodate more complex needs as they expand.
Ready to transform your team’s productivity?
Start your 14-day trial and see why Hubstaff is the ultimate choice for tracking work hours.