Payroll is something you don’t want to mess up in your small business. Accurate payroll not only ensures compliance with labor laws and regulation, but also strengthens satisfaction and trust.
That’s why we compiled a list of the seven best payroll apps for small business in 2024. In this article, we’ll examine the best solutions for running payroll, providing an overview of their key features and pros and cons. We’ll also see what actual users say about their experience.
Let’s start with a quick overview of our entries.
Top Picks
Below, you’ll find a summary of each app we’ve reviewed, with our scores, each app’s ideal use cases, its pricing, the availability of any free trials or free tiers, and the platforms on which the app is available. Each app has been thoroughly investigated and analyzed for users like you, with pros and cons, key features, integrations, and real user reviews.
Let’s take a look…
8.1 
30-day free trial
8.1
30-day free trial
7.6 
Demo available upon request
7.5
Demo available upon request
EDITOR’S NOTE: We created Workyard – the first app reviewed here – to address issues we encountered while struggling to track and manage construction payrolls for over 700 workers in over 50 construction businesses. We built the Workyard app from the ground up to support construction companies like yours, with industry-essential features like the industry’s most accurate time clock app with GPS and geofencing, intuitive contractor scheduling, construction cost tracking tools, and more.
Learn more about how Workyard works on our main website, or sign up for a 14-day free trial today to see what Workyard can do for your business.
QuickBooks Payroll
Scoring
Key Features
-
Free payroll tools
-
Tax penalty protection and coverage
-
Synchronization with QuickBooks Time for time-tracking
-
Access to HR support and advisor
User-friendly
Offers unique tax penalty coverage and protection
Streamlined HR and hiring processes
Inflexible deadlines for filing
Poor customer support
Difficult to set up
Highlights
QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud-based payroll service provider serving small to midsize businesses in a variety of industries including construction, nonprofit, manufacturing, retail, restaurants, and others.
The app offers a range of features related to HR and payroll. These include tax penalty protection and coverage in case of filing errors with the IRS. The platform also offers access to HR support and advisors to help set up payroll.
The app’s Workforce Portal collects and centralizes all employee pay details. It also connects to QuickBooks Workforce for time-tracking functions.
QuickBooks Payroll synchronizes with QuickBooks Time to automatically compute compensation based on timesheets. You can also use free payroll tools such as a paycheck calculator, a tax glossary, and a tax map.
Reviews
QuickBooks Payroll users love that the platform is easy to learn and use, but wish the customer service will improve.
Capterra Liz W. says:
Good Product But Could Use Some Improvements ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: Customer service is horrible. You have to go through a maze of transfers to get to the right person. They are never native English speakers and have a very difficult time understanding what you are asking. Once they do understand it can rarely be fixed. I dread calling and will try all alternate options to fix things before attempting to call customer service.
Pros: The software is pretty easy to learn. It is easy to make changes to an individual’s paycheck if needed and there are multiple opportunities for you to correct things before it is actually processed.
Cons: The program can be very glitchy. I have had it kick me out during the middle of payroll for no reason. It has also randomly not taken out payroll taxes a few times or not send the email check stub.
Pricing
Free Trial?
30-day free trial
Payroll Core + Simple Start
Monthly: $6 / employee per mo. + $75 / mo. base fee
Payroll Core + Essentials
Monthly: $6 / employee per mo. + $105 / mo. base fee
Payroll Premium + Plus
Monthly: $8 / employee per mo. + $170 / mo. base fee
Workyard connects to QuickBooks in a snap!
See Our Top Integrations
FreshBooks
Scoring
Key Features
-
Billing with invoicing, payments, and time-tracking
-
Accounting with reports, mileage tracking app, and bookkeeping
-
Client communication with projects, proposals, and estimat
-
Payroll with automated tax calculating and filings
-
Team management with profiles and role permissions
Integrated solution saves time and money
Affordable for small businesses
Good customer support
App glitches
Electronic payment option gets blocked by some banks
Poor mobile experience
Highlights
FreshBooks is cloud-based accounting and payroll software serving freelancers, self-employed professionals, and small businesses with both employees and contractors.
The platform offers several streamlined billing and invoicing solutions, including near-instant invoicing, automatic payment reminders, and a countdown timer for worked hours.
You can manage accounting and taxes with FreshBooks’ customizable chart of accounts. You can also create reports in minutes using report templates for profit & loss, cash flow statements, accounts payable, and more.
FreshBooks’ payroll solutions allow you to automate tax calculations and filings. You can also make unlimited payroll runs and connect external billing and accounting systems.
The platform integrates with more than 100 third-party apps including Square, NiceJob, SBPay, Turnip, and TaxBandits 1099, among others.
Reviews
FreshBooks users say the app is useful for payroll and invoicing functions, but app bugs ruin their mobile experience.
iOS user Badbluesmanlove found the web platform impressive but was not a fan of the mobile experience:
iOS user Badbluesman says:
Not Nearly As Good As The Desktop Version ⭐⭐⭐
I only use the mobile app for entering expenses and uploading photos of receipts. Other more detailed functions are difficult to do with thumbs. However a bug in the expense module has persisted on and off for many months: after entering all data you often hit the save button only to see all of your tedious thumb work vanish
instantly! The only remedy is to re-enter the expense info on your desktop or laptop machine and then use the mobile app to upload the receipt photo. So at this point the app is a time waster rather than a time saver.
Another thing: why isn’t it possible to edit an existing expense to make it a recurring expense? Instead, you have to delete your previous entry and start over to create a recurring expense. Another time waster.
How about adding a mileage field to the time tracking module? That way, the user could track mileage and see a total at the end of the year. The IRS requires record keeping to support mileage deductions. Adding a mileage field to time tracking would create the fastest, easiest possible way to comply with the IRS on mileage. I have probably requested this feature 20 times on support calls. It seems to be falling on deaf ears.
Android user Sheridan Carr says updates ruined perfectly good invoicing functions:
Android user Sheridan Carr says:
⭐⭐⭐
Have been using this app for over a year it’s been mostly good but the new update has taken away the ability to choose a date for invoice payment, you have to select from their drop down choices of 6,15,30 days, 6months or 1 year, unless you log in on a computer. The invoice also gets stuck as a draft, even once it’s been sent until you close down the app and reopen it
Freshbooks user Shubham D. says the platform is easy to use and navigate, but the mobile app performance is less stellar:
Capterra Shubham D. says:
Best invoicing and accounting software here ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: After trying so many software like QB, Freshbooks is one of the best software. I recommended this app to few of my friends over the years and everyone is satisfied.
Pros: It is easy to navigate, simple to input data, not expensive for the accounting system. once you insert all the info and connect with the expense accounts, it is easy to use. I run my reports, prepare tax documents in seconds. i would like greater visual customization of invoices and estimates in Freshbooks. Freshbooks has perfect value for money product in compare of other software like QB.
Cons: overall great platfrom, but poor execution on the mobile app.
Pricing
Free Trial?
YES
30-day free trial
Lite
Monthly: $9.50 / mo.
Annual: $148.20 / year
Plus
Monthly: $16.50 / mo.
Annual: $257.40 / year
Premium
Monthly: $30 / mo.
Annual: $468 / year
Select
Must contact sales
Gusto
Scoring
Key Features
-
Automated payroll, taxes, and filings
-
Time-tracking and time-off request management
-
Hiring and onboarding with checklists
-
Reporting with smart data
-
Worker compensation management
Integrates well with business workflow
Scalable
Versatile payroll features
Difficult to use and navigate
Hard to set up
Poor customer support
Highlights
Gusto develops web-based payroll solutions for small to midsize businesses. It offers HR and employee benefits management tools including hiring, onboarding, automatic savings, 401(k)s, and others.
You can hire and onboard candidates using customized offer letters and requirement checklists. You can also use Gusto’s integrated time-tracking, automated scheduling, and time-off request management features.
Gusto allows you to pay your employees in seconds and set scheduled payments on autopilot. You can also auto-calculate and file your taxes using the platform. Gusto handles workforce compensation to protect businesses in case of worker injury or illness on the job.
The platform comes with talent management tools, such as performance reviews and career development guides. It also offers data-backed guidance and reporting with smart data and recommendations.
Gusto integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, including accounting, insights and analytics, time tracking, and point-of-sale systems, among others.
Reviews
Gusto users are impressed with the app’s ability to adapt to business workflow regardless of company size. However, they complain that customer support is poor and issues take a long time to fix.
Gusto user Bryan H. says the platform is easy to set up, but customer support is terrible:
Capterra reviewer Bryan H. says:
Love and Hate with Gusto ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: If all you are doing is simple payroll processing then I think this is a good option for you. If you have many employees and you offer benefits good luck. Gusto has the worst customer service I would say in the industry. It is extremely hard to get help from their customer service. It seems like the thought and belief is pass the buck to someone else.
Pros: This software is easy to setup and has basic things for businesses. Gusto has a nice user website site that you can do many things very quickly. If you are looking for simple reports and processing than this is good.
Cons: The Absolute worst customer service! If you ever need help with your payroll especially benefits administration good luck getting help. Gusto completely messed up our health insurance plans and signed up our employees with health plans that are not even offered in our state. It took 5 months and threats from our lawyers before they would finally respond from someone that knew what they were doing.
Pricing
Free Trial?
NO
Demo available upon request
SIMPLE
Monthly: $6 / mo. per person + $40 base fee / mo.
PLUS
Monthly: $9 / mo. per person + $60 base fee / mo.
PREMIUM
Must contact sales for pricing
Square
Scoring
Key Features
-
Payroll synchronization with HR, benefits, and accounting
-
All-in-one billing solution with Square Invoices
-
Scheduling and shift management with labor cost reporting
-
Customized permission and access to the Square platform and products
-
HR support with proactive law alerts and access to experts
Streamlines payroll processes
Easy to set up
User-friendly
Lack of flexibility
Tax forms held upon account closure
Expensive
Highlights
Square is an omnichannel solutions provider for restaurants, retail beauty, and other industries, including contractors. The platform offers a range of staff management tools, including payroll, scheduling, and team communications.
Square synchronizes HR, benefits, and accounting with payroll to streamline payments. Its Invoices app automates billing and recurrent invoices. It allows you to set up clients for auto-billing and send payment reminders before, on, and even after the due date for payment.
Square handles scheduling and shift management, offering tools for labor cost reporting, time tracking, and attendance. Its in-app messaging allows you to communicate with employees one-on-one or in groups.
The app allows you to set custom permission and access levels to the platform and other Square products. Square offers HR support with access to HR experts and proactive alerts, so you can stay informed of labor law changes.
Square integrates with a wide range of apps in the Square App Market, including accounting and tax systems, point-of-sale marketing and analytics, field services, and more.
Reviews
Square users say they like the way it simplified their payroll and tax filing processes. However, users cited the software’s high cost and lack of flexibility as major issues.
Square user Laura N. says the app makes running payroll a breeze. However, she was dismayed to find that she would not get her tax forms if she closed her account:
Capterra reviewer Laura N. says:
Great in some ways, very expensive in others ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: I loved this software, ease of use, money paid UNTIL I had a change in employee status and found out, after 3 months and 3 different customer service agents, that you cannot go from using payroll, to not using it without completely closing the account. And if you close the account, you won’t get the tax forms.
Pros: The ease of paying employees when I want to and knowing all the tax forms are done for me is great!Cons: Lack of flexibility. You cannot open/close your payroll account more than once… The second thing I have issue with is lack of customer service. They respond in 3-5 days, with a stock response, and it took me 3 agents before this was explained to me. I have no employees for 6 months, but I have to pay the $45/month if I want my tax forms at years end.
Pricing
Free Trial?
NO
FREE
Monthly: $0 / mo. + processing fees
PLUS
Monthly: $29+ / mo. + processing fees
PREMIUM
Custom + processing fees
(Must contact sales for pricing)
Rippling
Scoring
Key Features
-
Payroll integration with time-tracking solution
-
Multi-state tax filing
-
Benefits and insurance management
-
Compliance 360 with proactive alerts
-
Workforce management with automated scheduling
-
Headcount planning with compensation bands
Simplifies payroll
User-friendly
Scalable to business size and needs
Users report hidden fees
Unreliable customer support
App is slow and prone to issues
Highlights
Rippling is a workforce management system serving a wide variety of industries including technology, retail, nonprofit, manufacturing, marketing and advertising, and healthcare, among others.
The platform unifies payroll with its time-tracking tool to streamline attendance and compensation. It also automates billing and invoices with hyper-custom approval rules.
Rippling helps you stay compliant with its proactive alerts feature. It also manages benefits and insurance in one place to automate processes such as enrollment, ACA compliance, and COBRA payments.
The platform handles tax filing with federal, state, and local agencies, even in the event of employee relocation. Its mobile app allows employees to view paystubs, ask for time off, and see their W-2s.Rippling helps you manage your team with automated scheduling, headcount planning, and employee mapping based on compensation bands.
Reviews
Rippling users say the platform’s range of features and tech stack is impressive. However, several users complained of hidden fees and frequent price hikes.
iOS user md201619 says the platform is not intuitive and made major mistakes in payroll:
iOS user md201619 says:
DO NOT USE ⭐
This company is poorly set up to actually do the basic thing it is meant to do- payroll. It does not automatically update rates nor do they check to make sure that the agency they are paying taxes to is correct…
The other issue we had was that taxes were not paid on time A LOT *or* to the wrong agency *or* (this one is impressive) to the wrong account. How is this company even legal?? On top of that nothing is intuitive on their platform- I don’t think the developers have ever actually ran payroll based on how this app is laid out. They are serving other payroll companies on a platter and tbh, just take the other option, this company is a disaster.
Android user Zach Jordan says the app does a good job when it works, but runs into a lot of glitches:
Android user Zach Jordan says:
⭐⭐⭐
Very slow and glitchy. Takes minutes for app to recognize touch commands especially when switching to time and attendance. It would be nice to have a clock in button on the dashboard to streamline the clocking in and out process. However, when it works it works.
Rippling user Jerry J. says the concept of Rippling is nice, but the platform is expensive and comes with hidden fees:
Support is weak, software is nice, policies are crazy ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: If everything works as it should, the system is nice although a little quirky at times. Features and capabilities would warrant the above-average pricing if it were not for the nightmare that follows glitches.
Reaching support is a role of the dice. Support hours are mediocre. Payroll advice is often contrary to government regulations so beware and check with a professional before letting Rippling support reverse an employee’s payroll. And they essentially shut down your account whenever a problem with your bank arises, even if it is Rippling’s fault.Pros: The concept of Rippling is great. If they could deliver on what they claim, the system would be second to none.
Cons: Hidden fees are a problem. Timely government filings are a huge problem. And heaven forbid their system ever fail on a transaction. Each failure will cost the company big even if it is Rippling’s fault.
Pricing
Free Trial?
NO
Demo available upon request
Tiers
Starts at $8 / mo. per user
Must contact sales for custom pricing
Homebase
Scoring
Key Features
-
Auto-payroll feature
-
Digital time clock with automated reminders
-
Scheduling with trade shift requests
-
Labor cost tracking with payroll and timesheet integration
-
Time card and records management for compliance
Good customer service
Useful notifications like payday alerts
Intuitive payroll functionality
Issues integrating timecards with QuickBooks payroll
App glitches
Issues with scheduling synchronization
Highlights
Homebase is a general HR and employee management app for the retail, education, medical, and service industries. It offers employee scheduling, time-tracking, and task management tools.
Homebase offers an auto-payroll feature, tax calculations, and filing. The platform also automatically tracks hours and labor costs, centralizing time card records for compliance.
The platform calculates worker pay and taxes based on city, state, and federal laws. It also stores time cards and payroll records in compliance with FLSA.
Homebase offers a digital time clock that tracks employees’ clock-in and clock-out times and locations. Its scheduling feature allows employees to trade shifts, change availability, and request time off.
Reviews
Homebase users say the app is useful for employee shift management, but app bugs and missing key functions ruin their mobile experience.
iOS user ESlike711 says Homebase’s missing key functions make paper scheduling a viable option:iOS REVIEW INTRO
iOS user ESlike711 says:
Could be better ⭐⭐
It’s really difficult to see the entire schedule. They don’t show a calendar view, they only show week by week, which you have to scroll through. It makes it really difficult to map out your entire schedule, especially when you plan month by month.
Also, whenever my manager adds something to an already existing schedule, or she creates a new schedule, all it says to me is that a new schedule was published. It does not show what was changed or added. It doesn’t even specify whether it was a change or an entirely new schedule. It only says “new schedule published.” So I have to come through the schedule and compare to see if it was actually a new schedule, or if it was just changes…
And then I have to find those changes myself. Overall, it’s just not very easy to read… Because those little things honestly make it such a pain to use. At this point, I feel like it would be easier to switch to paper scheduling.
Android user Jeremy K. says the app is intuitive and offers good payroll functionality. However, recent updates caused bugs in the scheduling feature:
Android user Jeremy K. says:
Nimble and robust scheduling and payroll app ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: Its a well integrated software for scheduling and time clock monitoring as well as payroll functionality. It has some unfortunate quirks, but none that outweigh the benefits of the app.
Pros: Its very intuitive and easy to navigate. Online connectivity makes it easy for multiple managers to use it for specific roles.
Cons: Homebase “updated” their online scheduling and now its more cumbersome to use – multiple refreshes are necessary to keep up with changes (its frustrating)
Homebase user Jamie B. says the overall user experience is good, but scheduling is their least favorite part:
Capterra Jamie B. says:
Homebase Review ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: Overall experience is good. User friendly and the customer service is awesome.
Pros: Using the phone App is easy and quick. When an employee calls in for the day, I can easily clock them out from the app. Receive message that are helpful in our line of work.
Cons: The schedule part is my least favorite. We have a start time but not a end time. I would like to set it up for only schedule start times. So I would know if someone was late or a no call/no show has happened.
Pricing
Free Trial?
YES
14-day free trial
Basic
$0 / mo. for 1 location
Essentials
Monthly: $24.95 / location per mo.
Annual: $20 / location per mo.
Payroll add-on: $39/mo. base fee + $6/mo. per active employee
Plus
Monthly: $59.95 / location per mo.
Annual: $48 / location per mo.
Payroll add-on: $39/mo. base fee + $6/mo. per active employee
All-in-One
Annual: $80 / location per mo.
Monthly: $99.95 / location per mo.
Payroll add-on: $39/mo. base fee + $6/mo. per active employee
Justworks
Scoring
Key Features
-
Payroll solutions with flexible one-off payments
-
Automated, online onboarding
-
Integrates with Justworks Time Tracking app
-
Benefits and insurance management based on budget
-
Tax support with compliance and risk management
Flexible solutions for small businesses and freelance agencies
Quick to set up
Integrates well with accounting software
UI needs to be improved
No dedicated account manager for smaller businesses
Reporting functions are limite
Highlights
JustWorks is an online service provider of payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR tools. The platform serves small and midsize businesses in various industries.
It offers flexible payroll solutions for hourly workers, salaried non-exempt employees, and contractors. It also handles payroll tax filing and provides access to compliance resources for risk management.
JustWorks offers scalable HR tools that adapt to business size and needs. These include automated onboarding, PTO management, flexible employee and third-party permissions, and online documentation storage.
The platform integrates with the Justworks Time Tracking app to track time and synchronize payroll processes. It also helps you compare benefits and insurance plans based on your team size and budget.
Reviews
JustWorks users say the platform was easy to set up and integrate with accounting software like QuickBooks. However, some had concerns about the limited support for small business users.
iiOS user mikeQA says the app shows improvements but won’t let him clear pesky notifications:
iOS user mikeQA says:
Minimal functionality and notifications won’t clear ⭐
It’s getting better but lacking most of what the site offers. I had an alert 2 days ago, addressed it and still have it. Can’t figure out how to clear and I don’t ever keep any notifications.
Will need to turn off notifications until it’s fixed
Android user Charlie Oliver says the app does its job, but notifications keep intruding into his life beyond business hours:
Android user Charlie Oliver says:
⭐⭐⭐
Good Overall, but could use functionality to limit notifications to only business hours for work/life balance.
Justworks user Dylan C. says the app does its job, but it never wowed him.
Capterra reviewer Dylan C. says:
JustWorks, works well. ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: It was MEH
Pros: It worked. Nothing more than that, like it never wowed me.
Cons: The UI could use an uplift. I felt it didnt integrate well with our 401k provider.
Pricing
Free Trial?
NO
Payroll
Monthly: $8 / mo. per employee + $50 / mo. base fee
PEO Basic
Monthly: $59 / mo. per employee + $49 / mo. base fee
after 50+ employees
PEO Plus
Monthly: $99 / mo. per employee + $89 / mo. base fee
after 50+ employees
The Bottom Line
The best payroll software for small businesses should streamline payroll, billing, and invoicing processes so owners can focus on running their businesses.
Ideally, the best payroll app should feature (or at least easily integrate with) a time-tracking solution that keeps labor costs accurate and integrates seamlessly into payroll. While there are many apps to choose from, the best solutions for small businesses should nonetheless be affordable while retaining these core functions.
Construction managers and field workers love the Workyard mobile experience. Our iOS and Android apps are designed around the needs of field service managers in the construction business. Our web platform also easily integrates with leading payroll and accounting systems like QuickBooks, Sage, ADP, and Gusto. Try Workyard free for 14 days and see how we can simplify your field service management and make your business more profitable!
Our Scoring System Explained
Our 8-part scoring system was created to help you understand the potential value of any software we review simply and fairly.
We created it after reviewing dozens of software products, which we covered in depth, but without providing a direct and simple way for readers to compare products on their merits – without spending a lot of time looking through our articles for the information they needed to make an informed decision.
Every app we review will include Customer Support and Company scores, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Many of the factors reviewed in this article will also be consistent across most (or all) of our software reviews, with some differences:
The 8 factors assessed and their contribution to a product’s overall score may differ slightly from product to product based on various factors, such as the use case we’re reviewing for, the type of business these products are tailored to, and other considerations. However, all reviews will feature an 8-part score, weighted and combined to calculate each product’s overall score.
How We Score Software
All factors in our reviews are scored on a 10-point scale – technically 11 points – from 0-10. However, we only give products a score of 0 if it does not include an essential feature at all, and we try to avoid giving out 0 scores if a product can demonstrate any functionality in line with the specific factor being reviewed.
In general, the 0-10 range translates as:
- 9.0 – 10 – One of the absolute best in its category (amazing).
- 7.5 – 8.9 – Very good, but with some minor issues (very good).
- 6.0 – 7.4 – Mediocre performance with notable shortcomings (average).
- 3.0 – 5.9 – This feature is not ready for prime time (borderline).
- 1.0 – 2.9 – This feature actually makes its product worse (unacceptable).
- 0 – The product doesn’t include this important feature at all.
How We Calculate Overall Scores
The 8 factors reviewed are weighted based on an overall total of 100%:
- Ease of Use: 20%
- Time Tracking Accuracy: 20%
- Scheduling Features: 15%
- Job Tracking: 15%
- Integrations: 10%
- Customer Support: 15%
- Company: 5%
Methodology for Each Factor
Ease of Use
We evaluate a product’s ease of use based on three main considerations:
- How easy is it to set up this app?
- How easy is it for managers to use the backend dashboard?
- How easy is it for frontline workers to use the (mobile) app?
These three considerations cover the main ways you and your team would use the software being reviewed – when you first obtain it, when someone (a manager, executive, team leader, or similar role) needs to use it to manage people, money, data, and other things, and when workers you’re tracking use the app (usually a mobile version of the software designed for frontline and/or field team members) to clock in, clock out, record time worked, or address other day-to-day needs.
Time Tracking Accuracy
Every minute matters when you’re trying to control payroll costs. This factor accounts for various features and common needs in time-tracking apps, such as…
- How accurate or precise is its GPS tracking capability?
- How accurate – and how customizable – is its geofencing feature?
- How accurate is its travel and mileage tracking (if available)?
- Can it automatically clock workers in and out based on the above?
- Can you set and/or restrict rules for clocking in and out?
- Can the app continue tracking workers while offline?
- How easy is its mobile app and/or kiosk for frontline workers?
Scheduling Features
Many construction businesses prefer to manage as many aspects of employee labor activity as possible in a single app, which is why many time-tracking apps also include worker scheduling as a core feature.
When we consider a product’s scheduling features, we look at:
- Its dashboard customizability (daily, weekly, or monthly views).
- Its project-based scheduling and visibility.
- Its real-time updates and notifications for workers.
- Its real-time map views of worker locations for best-fit scheduling.
- Its recurring schedule (copies to subsequent weeks, etc.) functionality.
Job Tracking
This factor helps you understand if the software can also provide insight into specific projects, which is particularly handy when your business deals with many customers or clients who generally need shorter-term work. Effective job tracking typically also includes accurate job costing functionality for construction companies.
We assess several things when calculating a product’s job tracking score:
- Its project-based tracking for multiple projects per day/week/etc.
- Its ability to track multiple / many projects simultaneously.
- Its use of (and your ability to customize) construction cost codes.
- Any built-in job costing views.
- Any integrations for cost coding (QuickBooks etc.)
Integrations
No business can operate on a single app, which is why integrations with other apps and tools are such important aspects of modern business software.
To calculate a product’s integration score, we’ll examine:
- How many native integrations (the simplest connection) does it offer?
- How effective and easy-to-use are its integrations with payroll software?
- Does it have robust data import and export features?
Customer Support
Learning how to use a new app can be frustrating, even if it’s meant to be the most user-friendly app around. That’s why great customer support is so essential when considering which time-tracking app to use.
Customer support scores are calculated based on:
- Live support channels available (phone, email, chat, etc.).
- Live support hours (business hours only, 24/7, etc.).
- The strength of the product’s online help center and/or FAQs.
- What other users say about support in online reviews.
Company
A great company with a highly customer-friendly approach can often make up for shortcomings in their software products – at least up to a point.
When assessing this score, we’ll examine:
- Transparency (easy-to-find pricing, etc.)
- Trial period (duration, feature availability, credit card requirements, etc.).
- Subscription flexibility (contracts, required durations, etc.).
- Ease of cancellation or pausing subscriptions.
- Customer perceptions (online product reviews).
- Website (a minor consideration, but great companies tend to have great websites).
Any questions about our scoring system? Have any suggestions on how we could make it even better? Click here to send us your feedback – we’d love to hear from you!
