Top 6 Time Tracking Apps for Contractors

Top 6 Time Tracking Apps for Contractors
Time Tracking

Why Time Tracking Matters More Than Ever

In construction, time isn’t just money—it’s everything. Whether you’re tracking hours on a single remodel or juggling subs across multiple job sites, labor is one of your biggest costs—and the easiest to lose track of.

Still using paper timesheets or relying on memory? That’s when things slip. Hours get missed. Job costs go sideways. Payroll turns into a guessing game.

That’s why choosing the right time tracking app for contractors is extremely important.

It’s not just about saving time. It’s about running tighter jobs, staying on budgets, and protecting your profits. 

The Importance of Time Tracking in Construction

Effective time tracking for construction isn’t just about knowing who showed up. It’s about:

  • Accurate payroll: Prevent overpaying or underpaying employees and subs.
  • Job costing clarity: See labor costs per job to know what’s profitable.
  • Compliance & documentation: Especially for prevailing wage jobs or labor audits.
  • Productivity tracking: Spot where hours are lost or misallocated.
  • Project management: Know how much time is left on the clock—and the budget.

For example, one residential remodeler using mobile time tracking reduced payroll errors by 25% and cut down jobsite time theft by using GPS-verified clock-ins. Another concrete crew saved hours every week by automating timesheets and syncing directly with payroll.

Bottom line: better time tracking leads to better profits.

What Makes the Best Time Tracking Software?

Not all apps are created equal. When looking for construction time tracking software, here are the must-haves:

✅ Easy for Crews to Use

Your crew’s not sitting at desks. They’re moving between sites, working in the sun, sometimes wearing gloves or dealing with spotty cell service. That means your time tracking app needs to be dead simple—open it, tap in, done.

✅ GPS + Geofencing

Know that your team is where they say they are. Geofencing automatically clocks people in/out when they enter or leave a jobsite.

✅ Job & Task Tracking

Track time by job, phase, or task to see where labor dollars go. Essential for real-time job costing.

✅ Payroll & QuickBooks Integration

No more re-entering data. The best time tracking software for contractors integrates directly with your payroll provider or accounting tools.

✅ Offline Functionality

Let crews log time even without service—crucial for rural or remote job sites.

✅ Scalable for Your Team

Whether you have 3 employees or 30, good construction timekeeping software grows with you.

Top Construction Time Tracking Apps for Contractors

Here are 6 of the best time tracking solutions for contractors in 2025—rated for features, ease of use, and construction focus.

1. OnTraq AI

Best for: Idea for small contractors who want an easy to use solution, with job costing and time tracking integrated with QuickBooks.

Key Features:

  • GPS time tracking tied to jobs
  • Automatically syncs with QuickBooks
  • Tracks time and assigns labor costs to specific projects
  • Combining with AI-powered bookkeeping and receipt tracking

Pros:

  • Built specifically for contractors
  • Real-time job profitability insights
  • Eliminates manual time and cost entry

Cons:

  • Requires QuickBooks integration

🛠 Pro Tip: If you’re already using QuickBooks and want to track time and labor costs automatically, OnTraq gives you the full picture, without spreadsheets.

2. ClockShark

Best for: Large contractors with mobile crews and multiple job locations.

Key Features:

  • Mobile clock-in/out with GPS
  • Scheduling and timesheet approvals
  • Job and task tracking

Pros:

  • Easy for crews to use
  • Offline mode available
  • Geofencing and reminders

Cons:

  • Limited accounting integrations compared to others


3. QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets)

Best for: Small to mid-sized contractors working with QuickBooks

Key Features:

  • Employee time tracking with mobile and web acces
  • Job costing and task tracking
  • Real-time syncing with QuickBooks

Pros:

  • Seamless for QuickBooks users
  • Great reporting features

Cons:

  • Pricing can get expensive per user
  • Fewer construction-specific features


4. Workyard

Best for: Contractors who want hyper-accurate GPS tracking.

Key Features:

  • Precise GPS time tracking with route history
  • Labor cost tracking by job
  • Integration with payroll tools

Pros:

  • Best-in-class location tracking
  • Designed for construction crews

Cons:

  • May be overkill for smaller teams


5. ExakTime

Best for: Large field crews or mixed-device environments.

Key Features:

  • Rugged hardware time clocks + mobile app
  • Face ID/photo verification
  • GPS tracking and compliance tools

Pros:

  • Good for bigger companies
  • Hardware + software option

Cons:

  • Hardware setup adds cost and complexity
  • Overkill for small shops


6. Buddy Punch

Best for: Simplicity and basic time tracking needs.

Key Features:

  • Mobile and desktop punch-in
  • Webcam and GPS options
  • PTO tracking and scheduling

Pros:

  • Simple, no-fuss interface
  • Great for office managers or small teams

Cons:

  • Less job costing or construction-specific tools


Quick Comparison Table

App GPS Tracking QuickBooks Sync Job Costing Cost Best For
Ontraq AI Free Full financial visibility
ClockShark Limited ~$40/user/mo Mobile crews
QuickBooks Time ~$20–30/user/mo QuickBooks users
Workyard ~$50/user/mo Accuracy-focused teams
ExakTime Custom pricing + hardware Large field crews
Buddy Punch ~$3–6/user/mo Simple setup

Conclusion

Choosing the right time tracking app for contractors can save you hours every week—and thousands every year. Whether you’re a solo contractor or managing multiple crews, these apps help you:

  • Cut down on time theft and errors
  • See job costs in real time
  • Pay crews faster and more accurately
  • Run a leaner, smarter operation

If you want to go one step further and link your time tracking directly to job costing and bookkeeping, Ontraq AI is built just for you. Automate 80% of your admin work, get real-time job insights, and keep your QuickBooks up to date—without lifting a finger.

🔗 Check out Ontraq’s time tracking solution for contractors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most accurate GPS time tracking app for construction?

Workyard is known for its precision GPS tracking, down to specific site zones. It’s great if location accuracy is key.

How do contractors keep track of hours?

Most use mobile time tracking apps like Ontraq AI, ClockShark, or QuickBooks Time to log hours by job or task, with GPS verification and timesheet approvals.

What is the best time tracker for contractors?

If you want full financial visibility and QuickBooks integration, Ontraq AI is best. For GPS-heavy crews, Workyard is a strong option.

How does time tracking software enhance employee productivity?

It sets clear expectations, improves accountability, and reduces lost hours. Teams stay on task when they know time is being tracked.

Which app provides the best integration with QuickBooks?

Ontraq AI and QuickBooks Time both offer seamless QuickBooks integration—perfect if you're already using it for accounting