Struggling to keep track of your field teams? GPS tracking apps give you a bird’s-eye view of your team’s whereabouts, making it easier to manage and distribute your workforce.
There are several benefits associated with tracking your crew’s location, namely, increased accountability, improved workplace safety, and enhanced workflow efficiency. The best GPS tracking apps allow you to assign jobs to workers based on their proximity to a work site, which saves you time and reduces travel costs. Additionally, location tracking improves timesheet accuracy, ensuring employees are compensated promptly and fairly.
Need help choosing the right app? We've compiled a list of the top 13 options, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you find the perfect fit for your business.
Know where your team is and what they’re doing throughout the workday.
We have compiled a list of 13 of the best GPS tracking apps for on-the-go teams. Keep in mind that each app will differ in terms of operation and design.
To choose a GPS tracking app that is right for your business, explore the details of each app found below.
1. Timeero
Timeero is a user-friendly GPS tracking app designed to streamline workforce management. It offers a seamless experience for both managers and employees, automating location tracking without requiring complex setup.
GPS location tracking
Timeero pings the employee’s device for location data every 5-10 minutes or when they travel more than 150 feet. The data is uploaded to the cloud and displayed on the "Who's Working” dashboard instantly, allowing you to monitor employees’ locations in near real-time. This gives you the information you need to schedule jobs on the fly and stop unauthorized activities as soon as they begin.
Timeero's offline tracking capabilities make it ideal for employees working in remote or low-signal areas. Even without an internet connection, the app captures and stores location data, ensuring uninterrupted tracking. Once the device reconnects, the data is instantly synced to the cloud. This helps managers monitor employee locations, promoting workplace safety and accountability.
GPS tracking safeguards
If employees turn off their device's location services or force close the app to prevent you from tracking their location, Timeero automatically clocks employees out and sends alerts to both the employee and manager. This helps safeguard against fraudulent activities and ensures compliance with company policies.
Route replay with breadcrumbs
The route replay feature recreates employee trips, allowing you to confirm where the worker has been during the workday. The route displays breadcrumbs (GPS points) which are captured every few minutes. You can click on a breadcrumb to zoom in on important details such as time, location accuracy, and speed.
Replay employee routes and view driving details with Timeero’s “route replay” feature.
Employee privacy
Timeero only tracks employees’ locations when they are clocked in to enhance privacy. This must-have capability enables businesses to comply with GPS tracking laws while preventing potential employee pushback.
Other helpful features of Timeero
Timeero offers a range of features that streamline mobile team management, including:
Segmented tracking: View employee trips and segment travel based on individual stops. Monitor driving details such as speed, timestamps, and how much time was spent at each location. This feature is ideal for field sales reps, service technicians, delivery drivers, and other employees who make multi-stop journeys.
Geofencing: Create virtual boundaries to prevent unauthorized clock-ins/outs, reducing timecard fraud and ensuring accurate payroll.
Time tracking: Timeero’s easy-to-use time tracking app records employee hours, overtime, and breaks with precision. It helps businesses comply with relevant labor laws and aids managers in remunerating employees fairly.
Mileage tracking: Tracks employee mileage for accurate reimbursement and tax deductions.
California break and overtime trackers: Ensures compliance with California labor regulations regarding breaks and overtime.
Message blast: Timeero’s messaging module helps team members collaborate, brainstorm ideas, and share important details.
2. QuickBooks Workforce
QuickBooks Workforce (formerly QuickBooks Time) is an intuitive GPS tracking system ideal for mobile workforces in low-signal areas. It tracks the location of team members with precision and displays their location pins on the “Who’s Working” dashboard. Although the QuickBooks Workforce timesheet map lets you track employee movement, the route isn’t accurate because it connects GPS points with straight lines.
QuickBooks Workforce is an appealing employee management tool for current QuickBooks users.
When it comes to the app’s offline tracking capabilities, QuickBooks Workforce continues to track employee location and stores the data locally. When the employee’s device regains internet connection, the app syncs location details automatically. Additionally, QuickBooks Time only tracks employee location when workers are clocked in to safeguard their privacy.
3. ClockShark
ClockShark pings an employee location every 15-20 minutes without causing significant battery drain. Like Timeero, ClockShark allows you to view buildings and landmarks from street or satellite map view to better pinpoint employee location. You can also generate a breadcrumb trail to show the individual addresses employees visited during the day.
ClockShark is a reliable location and time tracking software.
ClockShark’s mobile app features a location tampering detection system that prevents employees from creating fake GPS pings. Additionally, the app tracks employee location while offline and queues the pings in the sync queue. However, the data is not synced automatically, employees must tap the “sync” button to upload offline data.
4. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a reliable location tracking app that would have claimed a higher spot if it had been easier to set up. The GPS tracking feature doesn’t work out of the box, so you have to activate and set it up manually. Not to mention, location tracking is a paid add-on in Hubstaff, which means you will have to pay an additional fee on top of the regular subscription.
Besides tracking time and location, Hubstaff can be configured to track desktop activity and record screenshots.
Other than minor issues associated with setup, Hubstaff monitors the location of field employees with precision. The app also allows you to view employees' previous routes, encouraging employee accountability.
5. VeriClock
VeriClock works a bit differently than the other apps listed here. While it tracks employee location accurately, it doesn't offer a dashboard where you can view the real-time location of clocked-in employees. To view an employee's current location, you must click the “request current location” button on the web app.
VeriClock provides a GPS trail of employee movement.
You can open VeriClock’s GPS location map to view important travel details, such as timestamps along with clock-in/out locations. The map also displays an employee’s route with breadcrumbs, which are shown on the map as yellow pins that can be opened to view trip details.
6. Jibble
Jibble’s free plan is a popular option among those looking to track time and use geofencing technology. However, location tracking is only available in one of Jibble’s paid plans. The app’s live location tracking tab shows employees' real-time locations, allowing you to verify if workers are where they should be. To view clock-in/out locations, click on time entries to view specific time tracking details.
Besides live location tracking tools, Jibble features an easy-to-use GPS time clock.
Jibble also lets you see the routes each employee traveled during the day. However, the app connects GPS points with straight lines rather than tracing an employee's turn-by-turn route.
7. Buddy Punch
Buddy Punch’s standout feature is its time tracking tool, which leverages geofencing and facial recognition to eliminate timesheet fraud. It also offers GPS location tracking functionalities for small businesses. Managers can open the “map view” under the “punched in” section to see the real-time location of employees.
Buddy Punch’s location tracking module is easy to use.
Buddy Punch allows you to track employees’ daily driving routes. While the app does use breadcrumb technology, the routes aren’t precise because there are only a few GPS points connected by straight lines. Unfortunately, Buddy Punch doesn’t work without an internet connection and isn’t ideal for teams in low-signal regions.
8. eBillity
Time Tracker by eBillity uses IP addresses and GPS technology to track employee location, making it ideal for field- and office-based teams. The app updates employee location data every 10 minutes or when an employee travels more than 150 feet. When tracking desk employees or those working from home, the app maps location based on the IP address of the employee’s device.
eBillity doesn’t create employee routes.
eBillity tracks the location of remote employees using a combination of IP detection and mobile device location services. However, eBillity’s Time Tracker doesn’t provide route tracking capabilities and isn’t ideal for mobile teams like field sales, service technicians, and delivery drivers.
9. Clockify
The Clockify app pings and syncs employee location details when there is significant movement — usually more than 500 meters — or when the employee’s timer starts or stops. For this reason, when you open the activity tab, you’ll see employees’ last known locations, which don’t necessarily represent their real-time addresses.
Aside from tracking employee location, Clockify can also record screenshots.
Clockify also lets you see the routes employees traveled during the day. However, the route map doesn’t provide breadcrumbs or display the employee’s turn-by-turn route. But it does show GPS points or pins representing locations an employee visited during the day.
10. OnTheClock
OnTheClock updates employees’ locations every few seconds, making it ideal for real-time location tracking. When you open the “who’s in” tab, you see pins representing the real-time locations of clocked-in employees. Sadly, OnTheClock doesn’t work without an internet connection and is only ideal for employees in areas with stable cellular coverage.
Besides simplifying location tracking, OnTheClock automates time management.
OnTheClock is a good app for businesses needing to monitor activities of field employees. The app tracks and records employee movement and displays the data using arrows showing the transit direction. You can click the arrows to view details such as speed and driving direction.
11. Timesheet Mobile
Timesheet Mobile’s notable feature is time tracking, which uses geofencing capability to automatically clock employees in or out when they enter or leave their work sites. This automatic, hands-free approach simplifies time tracking and helps improve the accuracy of employee time cards.
Timesheet Mobile location tracking module is easy to use.
The app verifies the exact locations where employees clocked in or out through GPS technology. Timesheet Mobile records employee location relative to their job site which allows managers to determine how far the employee was from the worksite when they clocked in or out.
12. Hellotracks
Thanks to its powerful territory management capabilities, Hellotracks is an excellent GPS tracking tool for managing distributed teams, such as sales representatives and field service technicians. Within the app, managers can create and assign zones (territories) to field employees. The app notifies the manager when an employee enters or exits their assigned zone.
Hellotracks is a user-friendly field project management and employee location tracking app.
In addition, Hellotracks uses same-second GPS tracking, which pings employees’ devices every 20 seconds. This allows you to monitor your employees' whereabouts accurately and efficiently. Employees can also use Hellotracks to generate optimal driving routes to their next job site, saving time and fuel costs.
13. Connecteam
Connecteam pings an employee’s device for location details every few minutes as the employee moves around. However, when the employee remains in the same place, it can take a few hours for Connecteam to ping the device. The app updates managers on the location of each employee, enhancing accountability while ensuring everyone is where they need to be.
Connecteam’s location tracking features help you monitor field employees’ activities.
Managers can also leverage the app’s breadcrumb functionality to discover an employee’s daily whereabouts. The only minor issue is that Connecteam doesn’t have an offline mode and is not ideal for teams in remote areas.
Key features to consider when choosing a GPS tracking app
Some of the features to look for in your ideal GPS tracking app include:
Real-time location tracking
The best GPS tracking app provides frequent location updates without draining the battery of employee devices. Real-time location tracking increases employee productivity and quickens project completion.
Time tracking and attendance
Choose an app that combines GPS tracking with time tracking functionalities to accurately record employee clock-in/out locations, identify on-site employees, and prevent time theft.
Mobile app availability
Some GPS tracking apps may be available to Android and iOS users in specific regions. Make sure the app of your choice is accessible in regions where your remote teams are based. If you have employees in low-signal areas, choose an app with a reliable offline mode to track employees when they lose cellular service.
Integrations with other business tools
Choose an app that seamlessly integrates with your existing business tools, such as payroll and invoicing systems, to streamline processes and reduce errors.
Free trials
Take advantage of free trials to test the app's features and ensure it meets your specific business needs before making a commitment.
How to choose the right GPS tracking software for your business
Follow this procedure to find a solution that meets your needs and preferences:
1. Define your needs: Clearly identify your business goals and the specific requirements you are looking for in a GPS tracking solution. Consider factors such as employee safety, location tracking frequency, route replay, and integration with existing systems.
2. Select a few solutions that tick the right boxes: Consider various solutions and evaluate them based on your business needs. Narrow down your list to five apps that tick the right boxes. In addition to looking at the GPS app's features, consider its flexibility, scalability, and efficiency.
3. Give the solutions a spin: Leverage the free trial to test the features firsthand and determine if the app solves your problems. During the trial run, focus on the app's accuracy, offline capability, and ease of use. Ideally, the app should be easy for all employees to use, including those that are less tech-savvy. Narrow your list down to three apps.
4. Evaluate pricing: Evaluate your budget and determine how much you’re willing to invest. Consider pricing plans of each app, cost per employee, and any add-on fees you may incur for using the essential features. Out of the three apps, pick the one that provides all the tools you need at the most affordable price.
Pick the best GPS app for your team
Our guide sheds light on the location tracking capabilities of the top 13 GPS apps on the market. As you pick the right solution, look beyond real-time location tracking tools. The best app should also facilitate time tracking, route replay, offline tracking, scheduling, and attendance monitoring to enhance employee productivity and accountability.
Timeero is one of the few apps that ticks the right boxes, and it suits the varying tracking needs of businesses with field and mobile workforces. Whether you’re in construction, logistics, field service, field sales, or general contracting, Timeero can significantly streamline your business operations.
Samson is a mathematician turned content marketer specializing in SaaS and Tech content. He focuses on the practical aspects of software systems while keeping abreast of the industry’s cutting-edge principles to create informative and engaging content. When he’s not writing, Samson spends time playing or watching soccer.
%202.svg)
