Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API
“The future we envision for work allows for infinite virtual workspaces that will unlock social and economic opportunities for people regardless of barriers like physical location. It will take time to get there, and we continue to build toward this” – Andrew Bosworth, Facebook

But how to make sure employees are working from home and achieving (at least) as much as they would in the office? For businesses operating under a fully remote or hybrid model, this is a vital question and we have the answer.

Effective Methods to Assess Remote Work Productivity

Remote work offers significant benefits, such as attracting and retaining top talent, reducing office expenses, and enhancing work-life balance.

Yet, WFH also brings potential challenges like decreased productivity, communication hurdles, and collaboration difficulties.

Read more about the top tools for monitoring and managing the productivity of your remote employees:

1. Task Management Systems

Utilizing task management systems can provide insights into the workflow and the necessary time to complete different tasks. It also highlights potential issues that prevent a task from being completed in the expected timeframe.

Thanks to the data these systems collect, managers can easily organize project timelines and ensure timely delivery of work.

Recommended tools:

Monday.com: Monday enhances project management efficiency with customizable dashboards and automation. Downsides include limited integrations and the potential for cluttered displays.

Smartsheet: Smartsheet combines a visual spreadsheet-based approach with automated workflows and a rich set of integrations to effectively manage complex projects for large organizations.

2. Time Tracking Apps 

Monitoring your team’s hours alongside their output can highlight any productivity issues. Implementing time-tracking software or requesting daily summary emails from employees can help. These emails should detail what they achieved, what they plan to tackle next, and any obstacles they faced.

Recommended tools:

Insightful: Insightful offers both automated and manual time-tracking solutions, allowing accurate payroll and productivity assessments. The software also monitors employee attendance, productive versus idle times, and break and overtime periods.

Clockify: Clockify offers time-tracking services that allow managers to prioritize urgent tasks and facilitate client relations and payroll, though its productivity monitoring capabilities are limited.

3. Employee Monitoring Tools 

Many companies opt for remote monitoring tools, which simplify the process of overseeing remote workers. These tools can track screen time, keystrokes, email activity, and usage of different websites and applications. Still, the efficiency of monitoring software depends on its customization options and the way it analyzes the collected data.

Recommended tools:

Insightful: Insightful allows custom monitoring settings for each employee. Managers can choose different apps, websites, and permissions depending on each employee’s tasks and clearance. Productivity is calculated in real time and can be viewed via an easy-to-use dashboard.

Monitask: Monitask provides various monitoring options including screenshot captures to maintain focus. Nevertheless, its intensive monitoring capabilities might not scale well with larger teams, potentially complicating management rather than simplifying it.

Addressing Common Remote Work Issues 

Your organization is unique, and probably needs to battle a set of remote work issues that are tied to its specific processes.

On the other hand, there are problems that at some point arise in the majority of companies that embrace remote work. Here they are along with the strategies to manage them:

❗ Problem: Poor Collaboration

💡 Solution: Facilitate Better Communication

Ensure that remote workers have access to the necessary technology to participate in online meetings. Regular one-on-one chats, virtual town halls, and team-building activities can also foster a stronger sense of teamwork.

❗ Problem: Low Quality of Work

💡 Solution: Be Clear about the Goals & Expectations

Clarify your expectations and KPIs to your remote team. Organize initial project meetings and periodic performance evaluations to keep the team aligned with the goals.

❗ Problem: Accumulated Stress

💡 Solution: Set up Burnout Detection & Treating System

Remote work can be rather challenging, so observing signs of stress or changes in behavior is important. Consider adding mental health days to your PTO policy and encourage employees to reach out to HR or management if they are facing difficulties. Insightful is a good ally in these efforts since it offers a tool for spotting early signs of burnout.

Conclusion: Continuing to Build Your Team’s Resilience

Many business gurus believe that the future of work stretches far beyond small cubicles and open-space offices. Remote work is laden with opportunities for growth for both employers and employees.

Still, to utilize the full potential of remote work, companies must first identify and address the challenges this work system sets for their employees. They can do this only if they create a culture of open communication and rely on comprehensive monitoring tools such as Insightful.

Only once they have built trustworthy relationships with their employees will their remote teams be strong enough to defy challenges and thrive remotely.

We’ve reserved a 7-day free trial for you….

Want your hybrid or remote team to be more productive?

Claim your free 7-Day full feature trial of Insightful today. Insightful’s actionable work insights make your team more productive, efficient and accountable.

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Employee Monitoring

How to Make Sure Employees Are Working from Home Committedly

Written by
Vanja Savic Petrovic
Published on
April 15, 2024
“The future we envision for work allows for infinite virtual workspaces that will unlock social and economic opportunities for people regardless of barriers like physical location. It will take time to get there, and we continue to build toward this” – Andrew Bosworth, Facebook

But how to make sure employees are working from home and achieving (at least) as much as they would in the office? For businesses operating under a fully remote or hybrid model, this is a vital question and we have the answer.

Effective Methods to Assess Remote Work Productivity

Remote work offers significant benefits, such as attracting and retaining top talent, reducing office expenses, and enhancing work-life balance.

Yet, WFH also brings potential challenges like decreased productivity, communication hurdles, and collaboration difficulties.

Read more about the top tools for monitoring and managing the productivity of your remote employees:

1. Task Management Systems

Utilizing task management systems can provide insights into the workflow and the necessary time to complete different tasks. It also highlights potential issues that prevent a task from being completed in the expected timeframe.

Thanks to the data these systems collect, managers can easily organize project timelines and ensure timely delivery of work.

Recommended tools:

Monday.com: Monday enhances project management efficiency with customizable dashboards and automation. Downsides include limited integrations and the potential for cluttered displays.

Smartsheet: Smartsheet combines a visual spreadsheet-based approach with automated workflows and a rich set of integrations to effectively manage complex projects for large organizations.

2. Time Tracking Apps 

Monitoring your team’s hours alongside their output can highlight any productivity issues. Implementing time-tracking software or requesting daily summary emails from employees can help. These emails should detail what they achieved, what they plan to tackle next, and any obstacles they faced.

Recommended tools:

Insightful: Insightful offers both automated and manual time-tracking solutions, allowing accurate payroll and productivity assessments. The software also monitors employee attendance, productive versus idle times, and break and overtime periods.

Clockify: Clockify offers time-tracking services that allow managers to prioritize urgent tasks and facilitate client relations and payroll, though its productivity monitoring capabilities are limited.

3. Employee Monitoring Tools 

Many companies opt for remote monitoring tools, which simplify the process of overseeing remote workers. These tools can track screen time, keystrokes, email activity, and usage of different websites and applications. Still, the efficiency of monitoring software depends on its customization options and the way it analyzes the collected data.

Recommended tools:

Insightful: Insightful allows custom monitoring settings for each employee. Managers can choose different apps, websites, and permissions depending on each employee’s tasks and clearance. Productivity is calculated in real time and can be viewed via an easy-to-use dashboard.

Monitask: Monitask provides various monitoring options including screenshot captures to maintain focus. Nevertheless, its intensive monitoring capabilities might not scale well with larger teams, potentially complicating management rather than simplifying it.

Addressing Common Remote Work Issues 

Your organization is unique, and probably needs to battle a set of remote work issues that are tied to its specific processes.

On the other hand, there are problems that at some point arise in the majority of companies that embrace remote work. Here they are along with the strategies to manage them:

❗ Problem: Poor Collaboration

💡 Solution: Facilitate Better Communication

Ensure that remote workers have access to the necessary technology to participate in online meetings. Regular one-on-one chats, virtual town halls, and team-building activities can also foster a stronger sense of teamwork.

❗ Problem: Low Quality of Work

💡 Solution: Be Clear about the Goals & Expectations

Clarify your expectations and KPIs to your remote team. Organize initial project meetings and periodic performance evaluations to keep the team aligned with the goals.

❗ Problem: Accumulated Stress

💡 Solution: Set up Burnout Detection & Treating System

Remote work can be rather challenging, so observing signs of stress or changes in behavior is important. Consider adding mental health days to your PTO policy and encourage employees to reach out to HR or management if they are facing difficulties. Insightful is a good ally in these efforts since it offers a tool for spotting early signs of burnout.

Conclusion: Continuing to Build Your Team’s Resilience

Many business gurus believe that the future of work stretches far beyond small cubicles and open-space offices. Remote work is laden with opportunities for growth for both employers and employees.

Still, to utilize the full potential of remote work, companies must first identify and address the challenges this work system sets for their employees. They can do this only if they create a culture of open communication and rely on comprehensive monitoring tools such as Insightful.

Only once they have built trustworthy relationships with their employees will their remote teams be strong enough to defy challenges and thrive remotely.