The 8 Best Employee Monitoring Software Solutions for 2025

Looking for employee monitoring software for your construction business? We’ve reviewed 8 of the best apps on the market to help you!

an open laptop computer sitting on top of a desk with an employee monitor software displayed on the screen
FAQs
What is employee monitoring software?

Employee monitoring software is a workplace management technology designed to track employees’ activities, whether in or out of the office.

Office-based or remote employees are often monitored in terms of computer activities. Field employees, on the other hand, are often monitored through GPS tracking capable of recording each worker’s time, location, and driving mileage.

Employee Monitor Software is a type of workplace surveillance tool used by employers to track and analyze employee productivity, computer usage, and other work-related activities. This software helps organizations monitor employee performance, prevent data breaches, and optimize workflows. It is commonly used in both traditional office settings and remote work environments to ensure productivity and security.

Key Features of Employee Monitoring Software

  • Web Activity Tracking: Monitors employees’ internet usage to identify time spent on productive versus unproductive sites.

  • Email Monitoring: Tracks inbound and outbound emails to detect unauthorized file sharing and ensure cybersecurity standards.

  • Computer Monitoring: Tracks all computer events, including web and application usage, login activity, and keystrokes.

  • GPS Tracking and Location Monitoring: Useful for tracking employees’ movements, especially in fieldwork scenarios.

  • Video Surveillance: Allows employers to monitor employees at their workstations.

  • Call Monitoring: Used primarily in call centers for quality control and training purposes.

  • Keystroke Logging: Records keyboard activity to detect user behavior.

However, the use of such software raises legal and ethical considerations, particularly regarding privacy and the monitoring of personal devices or activities outside work hours. Employers must navigate these issues carefully to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, such as GDPR in Europe.

How does employee monitoring software work?

For remote or office-based employees, monitoring starts after installing the software on company-owned computers or devices. This can be initiated by the company’s IT department or completed by the employees themselves.

Meanwhile, field employees are usually required to install employee monitoring software on their mobile phones. As long as the employee is clocked in, the monitoring app can seamlessly track and record the employee’s activities and whereabouts.

 

Employee monitoring software works by tracking various aspects of an employee’s work activities to enhance productivity, ensure compliance, and prevent data breaches. Here’s a breakdown of how it typically functions:

Key Features and Functionality

  1. Employee Tracking:

    • Mouse and Keystroke Activity: Some software tracks the number of keystrokes and mouse movements to gauge activity levels without logging specific keystrokes.

    • App and Website Usage: Monitors which apps and websites employees use, categorizing them as productive or unproductive.

  2. Screenshot and Screen Recording:

    • Periodic Screenshots: Captures screenshots at set intervals to monitor tasks and apps in use.

    • Live Screen Monitoring: Allows real-time viewing of employee screens for immediate feedback.

  3. Time Tracking:

    • Clock-in/Clock-out: Tracks when employees start and stop work, providing real-time attendance data.

    • Idle Time Detection: Identifies periods of inactivity to optimize work habits.

  4. Data Visualization and Reporting:

    • Dashboards: Offers customizable dashboards to display productivity metrics, time usage, and other key performance indicators.

    • Reports: Generates detailed reports to analyze productivity trends and identify areas for improvement.

  5. Integration and Automation:

    • Integrations: Often integrates with other business tools to streamline workflows and automate tasks.

How Employee Tracking Software Works in Practice

  1. Installation: The software is installed on company devices or accessed via web applications.

  2. Configuration: Managers set up monitoring parameters, such as screenshot intervals and app categorization.

  3. Data Collection: The software collects data on employee activities, such as app usage and time spent on tasks.

  4. Analysis and Reporting: Managers review data through dashboards and reports to assess productivity and compliance.

  5. Action and Feedback: Insights are used to provide feedback, optimize workflows, and address potential issues.

Employee monitoring software is designed to balance productivity enhancement with employee privacy, though the level of monitoring can vary significantly depending on the software and organizational policies.

How to find or detect employee monitoring software?

Most robust employee monitoring software can enter stealth mode, making it harder for users to detect its presence on their devices.

However, one possible way to uncover employee monitor software is to use command-line tools like Process Explorer, TCPView, or Netstat. These can scan your device for possible network connections or processes related to monitoring software.

Alternatively, you can run an anti-malware scan on your computer to get a list of potentially unwanted programs, one of which could be employee tracking software.

How to onboard workers to employee monitoring software?

Employee tracking has gained a lot of bad rap for reportedly pushing workers into a constant surveillance system. However, business managers or owners can fine-tune this software to make it less pervasive. They can also help employees get on board faster by communicating clearly, explaining the benefits of each feature, addressing privacy concerns, and providing training to those who need it.

What features should I look for in best employee monitoring software?

When selecting employee monitoring app, look for features such as real-time activity tracking, productivity analysis tools, keystroke logging, website and application usage monitoring, automated reporting capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces. Additionally, consider privacy compliance features to ensure ethical monitoring practices.

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