Top / Free / Best Productivity Monitoring Software in 2025: Reviews & Pricing

  • Ola Rybacka
  • August 25, 2025
  • 15 min read
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Employee productivity is one of the most important, yet sometimes overlooked, factors that have direct effect on your business processes and performance. According to a recent McKinsey research, employee disengagement and attrition could cost a median-size S&P 500 company between $228 million and $355 million a year in lost productivity. Over five years, that’s at least $1.1 billion in lost value per company!

Smarter productivity tracking

Get TimeCamp and gain insights into employee performance and improve overall efficiency with automated monitoring.

What about your company? Do you know whether your employees are productive and engaged in their work? Do you measure employee productivity in any way? If you don’t, you’re probably losing both work time and money. However, implementing monitoring software requires thorough planning and communication to ensure smooth adoption.

And this is where employee productivity tracking software becomes a vital business tool that can help you take your business to a whole new level of workplace productivity. With such a tool implemented in your company, you can expect to:

  1. Enhance productivity and increase workforce efficiency

  2. Increase employee engagement (which is especially important if you work with remote teams)

  3. And even avoid potential security risks and detect insider threats ahead of time

  4. Save money

  5. Improve data security in your company (many tools offer data loss prevention features)

Of course, you cannot go overboard when measuring employee performance. You want this tool to be effective, not overwhelming for your team. Burnout risks can arise from constant employee monitoring, which may lead to increased turnover.

Transparent approach to productivity monitoring

That’s why we recommend a transparent and trust-based approach to employee monitoring and user behavior analytics. If possible, let your teams know what will be monitored, why, and how. You should also tell them how the collected data will be used and how your employees’ privacy will be protected (additionally, regularly reviewing collected data helps assess the effectiveness of monitoring software).

Moreover, establishing an Internet usage policy helps set clear boundaries and expectations with employees. Employee feedback on monitoring processes can help refine policies and improve overall acceptance.

If you do it right, you will win your team’s trust and be able to turn tracking employee productivity into an essential tool for your business and its growth.

So, what’s the next step? Find the best employee monitoring software that will help you keep tabs on the most important productivity-related metrics and KPIs. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve made a list of ten such tools. However, before we get to this list, let’s have a look at some of the features you should be looking for in an employee productivity tracking tool.

Why is productivity monitoring so vital for your business?

  • Productivity monitoring helps managers support employees by identifying inefficient workflows and signs of burnout.

  • Continually tracking employee productivity is one of the best ways to create a culture of continuous improvement.

  • Using productivity monitoring can improve onboarding success by analyzing the activity of top performers and promoting best practices.

  • Management can use data from productivity monitoring software to coach underperforming employees.

  • Employee monitoring software can help prevent security breaches by monitoring communications.

Key Features of the Best Productivity Monitoring Software in 2025

  • Workflow integration: The best employee monitoring software adjusts to your business profile and workflows. A good tool will enable you to measure productivity, record labor costs, and analyze project profitability, regardless of your business type or project complexity.

  • Detailed reports and analytics: The majority of employee monitoring tools come with analytics modules. Look for a tool that analyzes all the relevant information on auto-pilot, and provides you with actionable insights.

  • Key productivity drivers: Your monitoring software should help you understand where the focus lies, allowing for more strategic allocation of time and resources to maximize productivity (using performance metrics from monitoring software can inform more effective training and development programs).

  • Customizable goals: Every company is different; look for a tool that allows you to set custom goals and generate custom reports that are in line with the way you work.

  • Mobile access: If you work in a remote environment, you will likely want to use your employee monitoring software on the go. Pick the tool that offers a functional mobile application.

  • Automated employee monitoring: Most computer monitoring software works in an automated manner, and that’s what we recommend as the best option. Manual time tracking is time-consuming and prone to errors.

  • Employee engagement monitoring: The best employee monitoring software tracks when employees are most active and what tasks they’re working on, thus allowing managers to identify patterns that affect your team’s productivity and engagement.

  • Employee access: Pick the tool that allows your employees to have access to their own metrics. Providing employees access to their own activity reports fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment.

  • Compliance: Always check whether the tool you want to use is compliant with the local privacy regulations. Employee productivity monitoring software must comply with legal regulations regarding privacy and data protection.

Best Employee Monitoring Apps in 2025, Compared

Productivity monitoring tool

Best for

User rating (Capterra reviews)

Pricing (cheapest paid plan)

TimeCamp

Automated time and productivity monitoring

4.7 (589)

$2.99 per user/month

CurrentWare

Ensuring safe and productive use of the devices in your network

4.6 (129)

$5 per user/month

DeskTrack

Workforce productivity analytics

4.2 (19)

$5.99 per user/month

WorkStatus

Workforce management solution

n/a 

$7 per user/month

WorkMeter

Automatic measurement of working times

n/a

n/a

ManicTime

Keeping track of your time

4.3 (22)

$9 per user/month

Chrometa

Time tracking for remote employees

3.9 (57)

$19 per user/month

Tick

Straightforward time tracking

4.5 (125)

$19 per month

TimeTiger

Time tracking and project costing

4.8 (6(

$15 per user/month

Xpert-Timer

Boosting productivity

5.0 (3)

€12 per user/month

Pricing for employee monitoring software generally ranges from $2.99 to $25 per user or employee each month.

TimeCamp

TimeCamp is an all-in-one productivity tracking software that offers everything you need to boost productivity and improve workforce management in your business.

a  promotional collage of timecamp features for productivity monitoring

How TimeCamp Works

Our goal was to create a comprehensive time tracking tool that helps both small and large businesses improve productivity and profitability. By allowing users to track time spent on various tasks and projects, TimeCamp makes it easy to monitor work hours and calculate labor costs. With features such as easy timesheet approvals, budgeting, and billing rate customization, TimeCamp ensures that every minute is accounted for and aligned with your financial goals. Our platform integrates smoothly with existing workflows, supporting teams in maintaining accountability and maximizing efficiency.

We’ve also made sure you have access to advanced reporting tools that provide detailed insights into productivity, project costs, and the company’s revenue. Managers can generate custom reports to evaluate margins, ROI, and overall financial performance, which allows your managers to make informed decisions and adjust strategies as needed. Productivity reports can be exported in multiple formats, making it easy to share them with stakeholders. And tracking productivity is just one of many features and functions available in TimeCamp! Start a free trial today to discover the full potential of our tool.

TimeCamp Pros

  • Easy timesheets’ reviews and approvals

  • Insightful productivity and profitability reports

  • Time and productivity tracking across different projects and tasks

  • User-friendly interface

TimeCamp Cons

  • This tool can feel a little overwhelming at first

  • An advanced interface that requires experience

TimeCamp Pricing

TimeCamp offers four pricing plans:

  1. Starter: $2.99 per user/month

  2. Premium: $4.99 per user/month

  3. Ultimate: $7.99 per user/month

  4. Enterprise: $11.99 per user/month

There is also a free plan that comprises:

  • Timesheets

  • Unlimited users

  • Unlimited projects

  • Web, desktop & mobile apps

  • Time Clock Kiosk

  • Geofencing

Top TimeCamp Integrations

TimeCamp can be integrated with over 100 different tools, including project management tools, helpdesk software, collaboration tools, CRMs, and more. Go here to find out more about available integrations.

👉 See the full list of TimeCamp integrations

timecamp integrations list - icons

Available For

Measure what matters

Use TimeCamp to identify bottlenecks, optimize in-office and remote workflows, and skyrocket the results.

CurrentWare

CurrentWare has many features; one of them is a real-time employee productivity monitoring tool that helps you track computer activity, active vs idle time, and login/logout patterns.

a screenshot of currentware software

How CurrentWare Works

CurrentWare is a productivity monitoring tool that gives you detailed insights into how employees use their computers during work hours. It tracks active and idle time based on mouse activity and keystroke logging, monitors Internet usage and tracks apps usage, and logs system events such as startup, shutdown, login, and logout. If needed, you can also capture high-resolution screenshots tied to specific websites or applications.

This employee monitoring software provides productivity dashboards that break down time spent on different tasks, allowing you to identify distractions or unproductive behavior. You can compare data across individuals, teams, or work environments—whether remote, hybrid, or in-office. A location insights feature shows how different setups impact productivity over time.

CurrentWare Pros

  • Four different suites in one employee performance tool

  • Easy to use and set up

  • Quick and helpful customer support (user feedback highlights the importance of usability and customer support in monitoring software)

CurrentWare Cons

  • No easy file export

  • Some users complain about too large reports

  • Occasional tech glitches

CurrentWare Pricing

As we’ve mentioned, there are four suites within one productivity monitoring software; each suite costs $5 per user/month. Available suites are:

  1. AccessPatrol (USB control and DLP)

  2. BrowseControl (web content filter)

  3. BrowseReporter (user monitoring software)

  4. enPowerManager (PC power manager)

Top CurrentWare Integrations

CurrentWare doesn’t share information on available integrations on their website.

Available For

Likely, CurrentWare is available only as a desktop app.

DeskTrack

DeskTrack is an employee productivity monitoring software that lets you track how time is spent during the workday. Managers can monitor application and website usage, categorize activities as productive or unproductive, capture screenshots, and calculate active vs. idle time.

a screenshot of currentware software

How DeskTrack Works

DeskTrack offers tools to help you monitor employee productivity by tracking how time is spent on computers throughout the workday. You can view which applications and websites are being used, how long they’re used for, and whether they’re categorized as productive or not. The software records idle time, active time, and login/logout data to give a full overview of work behavior.

You can use DeskTrack to manage tasks, set deadlines, and break down projects into smaller tasks. The system includes automated reminders and goal-setting tools to help employees stay on track. DeskTrack is one of the best remote productivity monitoring tools. It supports monitoring in-office, remote, and hybrid environments, and includes tools to analyze work habits, detect early signs of burnout, and optimize time management.

DeskTrack Pros

  • Offers the ability to categorize activities and track website usage

  • Comes with a project time tracking feature

  • Helpful reports

DeskTrack Cons

  • Sometimes, the reports are too detailed, which can make them hard to read

  • Dashboards could be improved

  • Limited customization options

DeskTrack Pricing

DeskTrack has three pricing plans:

  1. DeskLite ($5.99 per user/month)

  2. Stealth ($8.99 per user/month)

  3. Tagger (custom pricing)

Top DeskTrack Integrations

All pricing plans offer API integration, but there’s no list of available ready-made integrations on DeskTrack’s website.

Available For

DeskTrack is available as a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

WorkStatus

WorkStatus is one of the most comprehensive employee productivity tracking platforms; it allows you to track time, manage projects, allocate resources, monitor productivity, and attendance in one dashboard.

a screenshot of workstatus software

How WorkStatus Works

Workstatus is a monitoring software that allows you to track how your employees spend time during the workday. It provides real-time data on application and network monitoring, idle time, task progress, and time allocation across different projects. You can use it to view productivity trends, set performance goals, and receive automated reports.

WorkStatus’s employee productivity monitoring tools include features such as activity tracking, time logging, productivity scoring, and automated habit tracking. It works across desktop and mobile platforms and is suitable for in-office, remote, hybrid, and field teams. You can also monitor attendance, analyze workload distribution, and view performance analytics to improve task focus, reduce distractions, and improve your workforce planning.

WorkStatus Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Many different features are available

  • Tailored to 20+ industries

WorkStatus Cons

  • Occasional tech glitches (e.g., during generating reports)

  • Strict time tracking policies

  • Sometimes causes your device to work slower

WorkStatus Pricing

While there are several pricing options, there is one called Everything that gives you access to the entire functionality of the system for $7 per user/month ($5.50 when billed annually). If you just need productivity management, you can go with the $5/$4 pricing plan.

Top WorkStatus Integrations

WorkStatus doesn’t share the details of available integrations. They do confirm that they offer HRIS integrations, though.

Available For

WorkStatus is available as a desktop app (for Windows, Mac, and Linux) and a mobile app (for Android and iOS).

WorkMeter

Just like WorkStatus, WorkMeter is actually six different tools in one:

  1. Time control

  2. Overtime control

  3. Attendance control

  4. Vacation and absence management

  5. Well-being at work

  6. Team management

How WorkMeter Works

WorkMeter is an automated productivity tracking software that tracks time spent on tasks and the use of corporate applications without requiring manual input. It provides objective performance data that you can use to analyze how your team allocates work hours, compare results across departments, and evaluate differences between remote and in-office productivity.

The platform gives both managers and employees access to time-use data and performance indicators. Employees can view their metrics to better organize their day, manage workloads, and reduce task overload. Managers can monitor application usage, detect imbalances in workload distribution, and conduct performance reviews based on real-time metrics.

WorkMeter Pros

  • Employee well-being features

  • Project cost management

  • Easy to use and set up

WorkMeter Cons

  • Intended mostly for the Spanish audience

  • Outdated dashboard

  • No pricing information available

WorkMeter Pricing

WorkMeter doesn’t provide pricing information on their website; users can only apply for a free trial.

Top WorkMeter Integrations

WorkMeter doesn’t provide information on available integrations. The platform claims, though, that it can be integrated with third-party tools.

Available For

WorkMeter is only available as a desktop app for Windows and Mac.

ManicTime

ManicTime is actually a time-management software that can also be used to measure employee performance.

a screenshot of manictime software

How ManicTime Works

ManicTime records your team members’ computer usage without requiring manual input. It logs which applications they use, which websites they visit, and which documents they work on. All that is available along with precise time logs. This data is presented in a clear timeline format, making it easy for you to identify task switches, breaks, and overall time allocation throughout the day.

You can use the collected data to accurately assign time to specific projects, clients, or tasks, which allows you to improve your billing accuracy and internal reporting. ManicTime also offers detailed reports covering application and Internet usage, attendance, start/end times, and leave tracking. These reports can be exported to Excel or CSV.

ManicTime Pros

  • Clear and detailed reports

  • Works great for individuals and small teams

  • Highly customizable tracking

ManicTime Cons

  • Some users say the UI lacks aesthetics and functionality

  • Sometimes the tool gets stuck on tracking

  • The search function doesn’t work over multiple days

ManicTime Pricing

There are just two plans (Standard and Ultimate). For individuals, these plans cost $9 and $11, and for teams, $12 and $15. You can also buy a local license; it starts at $87 per user.

ManicTime Integrations

For integration with other systems, ManicTime provides a REST API and database access (in the on-premise version), allowing you to incorporate time tracking data into your existing tools and workflows. You can integrate ManicTime with FreshBooks, Harvest, Jira, Scoro, Zapier, Azure, Asana, GitHub, and Basecamp.

Available For

ManicTime is available as a web app for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and as a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Chrometa

Chrometa is a work time tracking tool intended mostly for remote employees.

a screenshot of chrometa software

Screenshot

How Chrometa Works

Chrometa automatically records your activity on a computer by logging which document, email, or website is actively in use. What’s important is that Chrometa does not access or store any content from the documents themselves. If you use multiple monitors or switch between windows, Chrometa still tracks only the focused activity.

When you’re away from your computer (no mouse or keyboard input for more than five minutes, by default), Chrometa logs this period as idle or “Away Time.” You can choose to include or exclude this time, or be reminded to categorize it manually. Activity is synced to your online account periodically, and you can force a sync or adjust entries directly from the timeline view.

Chrometa also tracks emails, logging subject lines, sender, and recipient information while you’re reading or composing messages. If needed, you can connect your Office 365 account or use an Outlook plugin to enhance email tracking (even from mobile devices). Additionally, Chrometa can log phone calls and texts from Android devices or VoIP systems.

Chrometa Pros

  • Automated time tracking

  • Accurate allocation of activities

  • Time entries are automatically put under the project and client

Chrometa Cons

  • Some users struggle with adding more devices to the account

  • Call support is not available

  • The interface is difficult to customize

Chrometa Pricing

Chromera comes in three pricing plans:

  • Standard: $19 per user/month

  • Plus: $29 per user/month

  • Premium: $49 per user/month

Chrometa Integrations

Chrometa can be integrated with many different tools, including accounting software, project management tools, marketing tools, online payment processors, and more. Top integrations include:

  • Salesforce

  • Freshbooks

  • RingCentral

  • Zendesk

  • Asana

  • Trello

Available For

Chrometa is available as a web app and a mobile app (only for Android).

Tick

Tick is one of the most straightforward time-tracking tools that helps you log hours for specific tasks and project budgets. Its simple timecard interface lets you select a project, choose a task, and enter your time (manually or with a built-in timer).

a screenshot of tick software

How Tick Works

Tick is a time tracking and budget management software designed to help you monitor project progress and control costs in your business. With a simple timecard interface, you can select a project, choose a task, and enter your time, either manually or using built-in timers that can be paused or toggled between tasks. Timers are available across desktop, mobile, tablet, and browser platforms for maximum convenience.

Once time is entered, Tick gives you instant feedback on how much budget remains for both the task and the overall project. This real-time visibility helps you and your team stay on track without the need to generate separate reports. You can set up recurring projects, assign individual budgets to tasks, and control access to sensitive data using user permissions.

Tick Pros

  • Strong emphasis on budget management

  • A high-level view provides the big picture about where time has gone

  • Easy exports to QuickBooks

Tick Cons

  • Some users report that this platform is only useful for time-tracking purposes

  • Limited integration options

  • Some users report issues with time attribution

Tick Pricing

Tick offers a free plan if you’re working on just one project. The paid plans depend on the number of projects you want to track:

  1. 10 projects: $19 per month

  2. 30 projects: $49 per month

  3. 60 projects: $79 per month

  4. Unlimited projects: $149 per month

All plans come with unlimited users.

Tick Integrations

Tick can be integrated with 750+ other web apps, including:

  • Asana

  • Basecamp

  • QuickBooks

  • Trello

  • Zapier and more

Available For

Tick is available as a web app, a mobile app for iOS (including Apple Watch), and Android. There is also a Chrome extension and a desktop app for Mac.

TimeTiger

TimeTiger is a web-based time tracking and project costing tool that has been designed to simplify time logging and project management. You can track time by clicking on the activity you’re working on, with automatic updates and easy submission of timesheets.

a screenshot of timetiger software

How TimeTiger Works

TimeTiger is a web-based time tracking and project costing solution that streamlines how you log time, monitor progress, and manage project costs. The software’s snapshot view gives you a real-time overview of your projects, estimating completion dates and final costs. TimeTiger includes detailed breakdowns, visual charts, and comparisons between planned and actual time using a Gantt chart, helping you detect issues early and take corrective actions. Custom reports can be built using TimeTiger’s reporting engine, with the ability to export your reports directly to Excel.

TimeTiger supports cost justification, resource allocation, and activity-based costing with flexible reporting options. It also integrates with Microsoft Project, allowing synchronized tracking and status reporting across both platforms. User access is managed with a role-based security model.

TimeTiger Pros

TimeTiger Cons

  • Outdated design

  • Some users mention a lack of reminders

  • Limited reporting (despite many options)

TimeTiger Pricing

TimeTiger doesn’t offer different pricing plans. You simply adjust your pricing to the number of users and months you want to use this software for. The price for one user for one month is $15.

TimeTiger Integrations

TimeTiger offers a Software Development Kit that contains a complete web-service API based on the industry standard SOAP protocol. The company doesn’t provide information about available third-party integrations.

Available For

TimeTiger is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It also supports the biggest Internet browsers: Internet Explorer, MS Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome.

Xpert-Timer

Xpert-Timer is a German time-tracking solution for individuals and teams. It helps you log time across tasks and projects, generate reports, and avoid losing billable hours.

a screenshot of xperttimer software

How Xpert-Timer Works

With Xpert-Timer Pro, you can track time spent on tasks in real time, structure and plan your projects, and generate detailed reports for billing and performance evaluation. For single users, the Basic version offers a streamlined interface with essential features for tracking and reporting project hours.

The software also includes a web-based variant, Xpert-Timer Web, which enables time tracking through browsers and mobile devices using a private on-premises cloud. For mobile users, Xpert-Timer Mobile (Android) allows offline time tracking with optional synchronization to the desktop version via the XTSyncServer interface. However, it’s vital to note that Xpert Timer was first developed in 1999, and the tool’s website (and likely the tool itself, too) is not fully adjusted to the English audience.

Xpert-Timer Pros

  • 30-day free trial

  • Integrated analysis module

  • Invoicing is available as an add-on

Xpert-Timer Cons

  • Some users complain about the fact that the timebar cannot be placed over the Window’s task bar, because it then falls behind and remains hidden.

  • Outdated design

  • Not fully translated to English

Xpert-Timer Pricing

Xpert-Timer offers two types of pricing: Rental license and purchase license. Rental starts at €5 for 12 months, but it only comprises basic time tracking. Full access costs €12 per employee per month for 12 months.

Xpert-Timer Integrations

Xpert-Timer doesn’t share information about available integrations.

Available For

Xpert-Timer is available as a desktop app for Mac and Windows and a mobile app (for Android).

How To Choose The Best Employee Productivity Monitoring Software

When choosing the best user productivity monitoring software, it’s important to consider your specific business needs. There are many tools out there, and sometimes, they offer similar functionality. You need to analyze whether you want detailed time tracking, employee behavior monitoring, or project-based insights, depending on your business profile and goals.

TimeCamp can offer automated time and productivity monitoring at a very affordable rate (starting at $2.99/user/month with a free plan available as well). Our tool is great for both small and larger teams. You can also consider CurrentWare, which is also a good option if you’re after network safety and responsible device usage. On the other hand, tools like DeskTrack focus more on analytics to help managers understand employee productivity patterns.

If your focus is broader workforce management, WorkStatus offers features that combine productivity tracking with team oversight. And tools like ManicTime and Chrometa are potentially more suited for individuals or remote workers who need personal time tracking.

Of course, there are other tools that we haven’t mentioned in this guide. For instance, ActivTrak is cloud-based employee monitoring software that tracks employee behavior, productivity, efficiency, workload balance, and goals. And Veriato is noted for its insider threat detection capabilities.

Wrapping Up: Make The Most Of Employee Monitoring Software With TimeCamp

TimeCamp provides you with everything you need to monitor employees and draw insights from user behavior analytics. Our platform enables you to effectively manage overtime hours and extra work. It helps you ensure accurate tracking, simplify project overtime calculations, and maintain compliance with your company’s policies. And there are many additional features, just to name attendance management, location monitoring, and billing and budgeting. Try TimeCamp for free today!

Get to know where your time goes with TimeCamp!

Track time in projects and tasks, create reports, and bill your clients in just one tool.

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