10 Best QuickBooks Time Alternatives for Tracking Field Employees in 2026

Why look for a QuickBooks Time alternative?

QuickBooks Time is a capable time tracking solution with strong QuickBooks integration and reliable core functionality. For many businesses, especially those already invested in the QuickBooks ecosystem, it works well.

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But field-based businesses often explore alternatives for a few key reasons:

• Cost adds up quickly. You need both a QuickBooks Online subscription (~$30/month) and QuickBooks Time subscription ($20-40 base fee + $8-10/user). For a 20-person team, that's around $270/month. As one reviewer put it: "Decent and expensive."
• Support has declined. After Intuit’s acquisition, the dedicated TSheets support team was dissolved. Users now report spending hours with chatbots and chat support trying to resolve issues, with one customer noting support is "horrendous."
• GPS and mileage accuracy need improvement. In our most recent testing, QuickBooks Time’s GPS froze on an incorrect location for over three hours. Mileage was overreported by 40% (4.28 miles vs. 3.04 actual miles) because it counted all GPS movement, including walking around job sites, as driving. For a 20-person team, that could mean $4,300 in excess reimbursements per year. It also lacks route optimization, commuter mileage deduction, and segmented tracking for multi-stop trips.
• Interface complexity. Features are hidden in "add-ons" requiring manual installation, and users note that customization can be difficult with limited workflow options.

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QuickBooks Time can be a good fit for office-based teams or those with predictable schedules who value tight QuickBooks integration. But if field accuracy, specialized features, and cost are priorities for your mobile workforce, the alternatives below might be a better fit.

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This article will discuss the top 10 best QuickBooks Time alternatives regarding key features, functionality, and benefits.

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Quick comparison of top alternatives

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We looked at what actually matters when you're managing people in the field: Does GPS tracking work when you need it? Can you trust the mileage numbers for reimbursement? Will your crew actually use it without constant IT support?

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We tested some of the tools ourselves and dug into hundreds of user reviews to see where QuickBooks Time falls short and which alternatives solve those specific problems. 

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Cost was a big factor. Many businesses don’t realize they're paying for both QuickBooks Online and Time subscriptions until the bill arrives.

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We also prioritized tools that integrate smoothly with common payroll systems like QuickBooks, ADP, and Gusto, since the whole point is to make payroll easier, not harder.

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Some of the alternatives below are built specifically for construction crews, others for freelancers or small businesses. To quickly find the solutions that match the needs of your workforce, the “Best For” column lists the teams and industries the product is most suited for.

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The best QuickBooks Time alternatives

1. Timeero: Best for field teams needing accurate GPS & mileage tracking

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If your employees spend most of their day in the field or visiting multiple locations, it makes more sense to use Timeero than QuickBooks Time. The app is designed specifically for mobile workforces, think construction crews, home service companies, healthcare workers, and delivery teams.

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Timeero’s GPS tracking works reliably. Employees clock in once, and Timeero logs their location throughout the entirety of their shift with detailed breadcrumb trails. Even when there’s no cell signal, the app continues tracking time and mileage and syncs data to the cloud once internet connection is restored. That's crucial when you’re working in rural areas or inside buildings where coverage is spotty.

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Mileage tracking is where Timeero really stands out. Unlike QuickBooks Time (which sometimes counts all GPS movement as miles), Timeero uses motion detection to distinguish actual driving from walking around a job site. In head-to-head testing, QuickBooks Time logged 40% more "mileage" than what was actually driven, while Timeero automatically filtered walking-related travel out. 

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Key features that make a difference:

• Segmented Tracking: Automatically captures each stop made on a multi-location shift. If your team visits three job sites in a day, you'll see time and mileage broken down by location without anyone having to clock in and out manually at each stop. 
• Facial recognition on Kiosk: The Timeero Terminal app works on iOS tablets and uses biometric facial recognition to prevent buddy punching. Employees enter their unique PIN and take a photo—if the face doesn't match their profile, managers get notified immediately of potential time theft.
• Geofencing: Set up virtual boundaries around job sites and get alerts when employees clock in outside designated areas.
• Job Costing: Track time by specific jobs and tasks, generating detailed reports that show exactly how labor costs break down per project.
• Who’s Working Map: Shows real-time locations of all clocked-in employees, making dispatching and schedule changes much easier.‍
• Custom fields: Capture any extra data you need on each time entry, from job codes to client notes, so your records stay complete and tailored to your workflow.

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Scheduling is straightforward. You can easily assign jobs, set up geofenced sites, and remind employees via push notification when it's time to clock in.

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Pricing:

• Basic: $4/user/month (up to 10 users)
• Pro: $8/user/month
• Premium: $11/user/month 

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No base fees. All plans include GPS time and mileage tracking, while integrations with QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP, Paychex, and other accounting and payroll software are available in the Pro and Premium plans.

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Worth knowing: While the interface is clean, some advanced features require a Premium subscription. Facial recognition only works on iOS tablets.

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Best for: companies with 5-100+ field employees who need reliable GPS tracking, accurate mileage logs, and job costing without the QuickBooks Time price tag.

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To learn how QuickBooks Time and Timeero apps compare, we put them to test. Read more in our article Timeero vs QuickBooks Time: Side-by-Side Comparison.

2. Harvest: Best for freelancers and agencies who need simple time tracking & invoicing

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Harvest has been around forever, and for a good reason—its time and expense tracking is simple. Freelancers and small agencies love it because you can track hours, turn them into invoices, and get paid, all within the same app.

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Harvest’s interface is clean. Start a timer, or enter time manually if you forgot. Everything syncs between the web app, desktop, and mobile, so you're not locked to one device. Timesheets can be approved and locked to prevent unauthorized changes, expenses can be logged with receipt photos, and reporting shows you where your time actually goes.

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The invoicing feature is what sets Harvest apart from apps with only time tracking capabilities. You can bill from tracked hours directly, send invoices, and even accept credit card or PayPal payments. For agencies billing clients hourly, this eliminates the whole "export to invoice software" step.

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The app integrates with everything: Asana, Trello, Basecamp, Slack, QuickBooks, and Xero. If you're already using project management tools, Harvest plugs right in.

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Pricing:

• Free for 1 user and 2 projects
• Pro: $13.75/user/month (or $11 annual billing)
• Premium: $17.50 monthly (or $14 annual billing)

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Worth knowing: Harvest does not include GPS tracking. It’s built for desk work or remote teams that do not need to track location. While the free plan is nice for testing, you'll need to upgrade to a Pro account once you have more than two active projects.

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Best for: freelancers, consultants, and creative agencies that need clean time tracking and client billing without field management features.

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3. Hubstaff: Best for teams wanting both GPS tracking and productivity monitoring

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Hubstaff tries to do everything: time tracking, screenshots, activity monitoring, GPS, scheduling, and payroll. Whether that’s a pro or con depends on what you need.

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For office and remote teams, Hubstaff’s activity monitoring shows app and URL usage, keyboard/mouse activity levels, and optional screenshots. Managers can see how employees actually spend their working hours, which can improve productivity and provide accountability for distributed teams.

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For field teams, Hubstaff Grow adds on basic GPS tracking and geofencing. You can set job site boundaries and automatically clock in employees when they arrive, with location trails showing where they’ve been during their shift.

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The app’s reporting is detailed so you can see time by project, budget tracking, and utilization metrics. Hubstaff also handles invoicing and can pay employees directly through integrations with PayPal and other services.

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Pricing:

• Free for 1 user with basic features
• Starter: $7/user/month (2-user minimum)
• Grow: $9/user (includes GPS)
• Team: $12/user for full features
• Enterprise: $25/user with advanced security

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Worth knowing: The screenshot and activity tracking can feel a bit invasive if not implemented thoughtfully. And with so many features, there’s a learning curve. Some users also report that the desktop app occasionally freezes or that GPS tracking stops when the phone sleeps.

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Best for: companies with both remote and field workers who want one system for time tracking, location verification, and productivity insights.

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4. Wrike: Best for project-based teams needing integrated task & time management

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Wrike is a first a full project management platform and a time tracker, second. If your main problem is keeping projects organized and teams on the same page, Wrike makes sense. If you just need timesheets, it's probably overkill.

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With Wrike, you get Gantt charts, Kanban boards, dashboards, task dependencies—all the project management tools that creative teams and service delivery teams use to stay on track. The app’s time tracking is built in, so team members can start timers on tasks or log hours manually. Managers can see time by project or employee and generate reports on progress and workloads.

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The collaboration features are solid, too. You can share files, proof creative assets, leave feedback, and keep all project communication in one place instead of scattered across email.

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Pricing:

• Free for up to 5 users
• Teams: $9.80/user/month (annual billing)
• Business: $24.80/user/month (includes full-time tracking)

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Worth knowing: The app includes no GPS tracking or mobile clock-in features. Wrike assumes you're tracking time against tasks, not clocking shifts. And with all the features, new users need some training time to get comfortable.

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Best for: agencies, consulting firms, and teams managing multiple projects who want time tracking integrated with project workflows—not for field teams needing location verification.

5. Toggl Track: Best for small teams wanting a generous free plan and easy time tracking

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Toggl Track might be the easiest time tracker to actually start using. One-click timers, a clean interface, and it works everywhere. It's what you use when you just want to know where your time goes without dealing with a complicated setup.

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The app’s free plan is unusually generous—up to 5 users, unlimited time tracking, and unlimited projects. That makes it perfect for startups, small teams, or anyone testing out time tracking without commitment.

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You can organize time by projects, clients, and tags. Forgot to start a timer? No problem, add entries manually. The reporting is straightforward—see time by project, and easily export to CSV or PDF.

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The app offers paid plan add-on features like billable rates, project estimates vs. actuals, and scheduling. The browser extension is handy too, as it adds a Toggl button to tools like Asana, Trello, and Gmail, so you can start timers without switching apps.

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Pricing:

• Free for up to 5 users
• Starter: $9/user/month
• Premium: $18/user/month
• 30-day trial on all paid plans

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Worth knowing: The app only handles time tracking. No GPS tracking technology is included. You can't create invoices or run payroll from Toggl, so you will need to export the data to a separate tool.

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Best for: freelancers, consultants, and small teams who need simple, trustworthy time tracking without field management or employee monitoring features.

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6. Time Doctor:  Best for remote teams focused on productivity and accountability

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Time Doctor is all about measuring what employees actually do during work hours. If you’re concerned about remote workers staying focused, or if you need concrete data on how time is spent, Time Doctor provides that visibility.

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It tracks which applications and websites employees use, how long they’re active versus idle, and can also take screenshots of work activity (with privacy options). If someone spends an hour on social media, you’ll know. The system can also send gentle nudges when it detects potentially distracting activity.

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For remote teams or customer support centers, this level of monitoring can help identify issues and improve productivity. The app’s payroll feature calculates hours worked and can integrate with payroll software, simplifying admin work.

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Pricing:

• Basic: $7/user/month
• Standard: $10/user/month
• Premium: $20/user/month
• 14-day trial (no free tier)

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Worth knowing: Some employees find monitoring uncomfortable, so it’s important to be transparent about what you're tracking and why. 

Best for: office-based or remote teams where productivity monitoring makes sense—not ideal for field service companies or cultures that prioritize autonomy.

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7. ClockShark: Best for construction teams needing job costing with GPS verification

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ClockShark was built specifically for the construction, trades, and field services industries. If your team works on job sites, ClockShark might be a good alternative to QuickBooks.

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Employees clock in via the mobile app, select the job they’re working on, and their GPS location is recorded. You can set geofences around job sites so workers get reminders to clock in when they arrive. There's also a Kiosk mode for shared tablets at each location, or a Crew Clock for supervisors to clock in multiple workers at once.

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The app’s job tracking is detailed. You can create job codes and task codes (like "Framing" or "Travel"), and all time gets tagged accordingly. This feeds into job costing reports that show exactly how many hours employees worked on each project.

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Employees can also attach photos to time entries, which helps document completed work.

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Pricing:

• Standard: $40 base fee + $8/user/month
• Pro: $60 base + $10/user/month (advanced features like dynamic scheduling and API access)

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Worth knowing: The base fees make ClockShark expensive for very small teams. And while the app is designed to be simple for crews to use, some users report occasional GPS glitches or sync delays when service is poor.

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Best for: construction companies, contractors, and trades businesses that need GPS verification and job costing.

8. Paymo: Best for agencies wanting all-in-one project management and time tracking

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Paymo combines project management, time tracking, and invoicing into a single platform. You get Kanban boards, Gantt charts, task management, and time tracking all working together.

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For agencies and professional services teams, this integration is valuable. You’re not tracking time in one tool and managing tasks in another. Everything lives in Paymo, from project kickoff to final invoice.

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The Team Scheduler shows who’s working on what and helps prevent overloading anyone. The collaboration features include file sharing, comments, and design proofing. And like Harvest, you can generate invoices from tracked hours and accept payments.

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Pricing:

• Free for 1 user (limited projects)
• Starter: $5.90/month for 1 user
• Small Office: $10.90/user/month
• Business: $16.90/user/month (includes Gantt charts and resource scheduling)

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Worth knowing: There's no GPS tracking or mobile clock-in—it's designed for project work, not shift tracking. And while the free plan exists, most teams will need at least the Small Office plan to use it effectively.

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Best for: agencies, creative teams, and consultancies that need to manage projects and track billable hours in one place—not for field teams needing location verification.

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9. VeriClock: Best for simple, accessible time tracking—even without smartphones

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VeriClock keeps it straightforward. Employees can clock in via mobile app, web browser, text message, or phone call. That flexibility means it works for everyone, including workers who don't have smartphones or work in areas with poor data coverage.

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GPS location is captured with each clock-in/out, providing basic verification. You can add job codes and notes, and there's an option to add digital signatures to timesheets. The reporting is simple—see who worked when, export to CSV, or integrate with QuickBooks for payroll.

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Although the app is not fancy, it's reliable and affordable. 

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Pricing: $10 base/ month + $ 5/user/ month. All features included.

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Worth knowing: VeriClock does not include advanced scheduling, project tracking, or detailed analytics. The app simply tracks time with location stamps.

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Best for: small businesses, trades, and companies that want simple time tracking with phone/text options. Great for less tech-savvy teams or teams that work in areas lacking internet connection.

10. BigTime: Best for professional services firms requiring advanced project billing

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BigTime is enterprise-grade software for professional services—think accounting firms, consultancies, or engineering companies. It handles time tracking, but also includes project budgeting, expense tracking, invoicing, and resource management.

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You can track time against projects with different billing rates, set up multi-level approval workflows, and generate sophisticated reports to analyze utilization, realization, and project profitability. The QuickBooks integration allows you to sync time data for payroll and invoice data for accounts receivable.

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For larger firms managing dozens of projects and hundreds of employees, BigTime provides the structure and visibility that simpler tools can't match.

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Pricing:

• Essentials: $20/user/month
• Advanced: $35/user/month
• Premier: $45/user/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

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Worth knowing: BigTime requires setup and training to use it effectively. It's also expensive if you're only using it for basic time tracking—you’ll need to take advantage of the project management and billing features to justify the cost.

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Best for: mid-to-large professional services firms (20+ employees) that need integrated time tracking, project management, and billing—not for small field service companies or teams that just need timesheets.

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Find the right fit for your team

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If QuickBooks Time isn't cutting it, there are solid alternatives out there that might be a better fit.

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For field teams: If your employees work across multiple job sites, accurate GPS and mileage tracking are essential. Timeero was built specifically for this. The app’s drive-detection technology helps you filter out travel like walking or when vehicles sit idle. Timeero’s Segmented Tracking captures each stop made on a multi-stop route without needing to clock in and out every time. It costs significantly less than QuickBooks Time (no QuickBooks Online subscription required) and integrates seamlessly with your existing payroll systems.

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Freelancers and agencies should consider Harvest or Toggl Track for simple time-to-invoice workflows. Project-heavy teams will benefit from Wrike or Paymo's integrated task management. And if you need detailed productivity monitoring for remote workers, Hubstaff or Time Doctor provide that visibility.

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The fastest way to know what works? Test each software out with your team using the free trials that are offered. Have your crew clock in for a week, run a few reports, and see if it actually saves you time instead of creating more admin work.

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Managing a mobile workforce? Timeero gives you accurate time, location, and mileage tracking without the QuickBooks Time price tag. See how it works for your team—start a free 14-day trial today, no credit card required.

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FAQs

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Is there a free version of QuickBooks Time?

No. QuickBooks Time offers a 30-day free trial, but after that, you'll need a paid subscription. The Premium plan starts at a base fee of $20/month, plus $8/user. You will also need a QuickBooks Online subscription (starting around $30/month). If free plans matter to you, Toggl Track offers a generous free tier for up to 5 users, and Harvest has a free plan for 1 user with 2 projects.

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What’s the best QuickBooks Time alternative for construction and field service companies?

For construction and trades looking for an alternative to QuickBooks Time, Timeero is your best option. Timeero costs less and offers GPS time and mileage tracking, along with route optimization, and facial recognition to prevent buddy punching.

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Can these tools integrate with QuickBooks Online or other payroll systems?

Yes. Most of these alternatives integrate with QuickBooks Online, including Timeero, Harvest, Hubstaff, ClockShark, VeriClock, and BigTime. Many also connect with other payroll systems, such as ADP, Gusto, and Paychex. Check the specific tool’s integration list to confirm it works with your payroll provider.

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Which alternative works best for teams of over 100 employees?

For larger organizations, Timeero, BigTime, and Hubstaff Enterprise all scale effectively. Timeero is SOC 2 compliant and offers an Enterprise plan for 1,000+ users with dedicated account management and simpler implementation than traditional enterprise software. BigTime provides advanced admin controls and single sign-on for professional services firms managing complex billing. Hubstaff Enterprise includes SOC 2 compliance and dedicated account management for distributed workforces needing both productivity and field tracking.

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