Hubstaff

What is Hubstaff?

Hubstaff provides comprehensive time tracking and workforce management for teams working remotely, in the field, or across multiple locations. Beyond basic time tracking, the platform offers GPS location tracking, productivity monitoring, automated screenshots, and project budgeting—giving managers visibility into distributed work.

For businesses managing remote employees, field workers, or offshore teams, Hubstaff bridges the trust gap that distance creates. The platform documents work happening anywhere while providing employees clear expectations and fair accountability.

Key Features

Time Tracking

Track time automatically with desktop and mobile apps. Simple start/stop timers, manual time entries for offline work, and idle detection ensure accurate records. Time allocates to specific projects, tasks, and clients for detailed reporting.

Activity Monitoring

Optional screenshot capture and activity level monitoring provide evidence of work performed. Keyboard and mouse activity rates indicate engagement without micromanaging. Managers see productivity patterns; employees prove their work.

GPS & Location Tracking

Track field worker locations via mobile GPS. See where employees clock in, verify job site attendance, and optimize routes. Geofencing automatically starts/stops time tracking at designated locations.

Project Budgeting

Set time and cost budgets for projects. Track burn rate against budget in real-time. Alerts notify when projects approach limits. Bill clients accurately based on tracked hours.

Scheduling

Create work schedules, manage shift coverage, and track attendance against schedules. Employees see their schedules on mobile. Managers identify scheduling conflicts and coverage gaps.

Payroll

Calculate pay based on tracked hours and pay rates. Handle overtime, different rates for different projects, and contractor payments. Integrate with payroll processors for seamless payment workflows.

Pricing

Desk Starter — $5.83/user/month. Time tracking basics for office and remote teams.

Desk Premium — $8.33/user/month. Screenshots, activity levels, and integrations.

Field Starter — $7/user/month. GPS tracking and job site management for field workers.

Enterprise — Custom pricing. Advanced security, support, and custom features.

All plans offer 14-day free trials. Per-user pricing scales with team size.

Who Uses Hubstaff?

Remote-First Companies

Distributed teams use Hubstaff for fair accountability without constant check-ins. Time tracking and activity monitoring create transparency. Employees document their work; managers see productivity patterns without micromanaging.

Field Service Businesses

Companies with technicians, installers, and service workers track job site attendance, verify locations, and optimize routes. GPS tracking ensures employees are where they should be while providing evidence for billing disputes.

Agencies and Consultancies

Track billable hours by project and client. Accurate time data supports profitable pricing and client billing without manual timesheets prone to error.

Companies with Offshore Teams

Bridge time zone gaps with activity monitoring that provides confidence in work quality when direct supervision isn't possible. Track productivity across distributed teams.

Growing Startups

Scale workforce management as teams expand. Hubstaff grows from small teams to hundreds of users with consistent processes.

Integrations

Hubstaff integrates with project management tools (ClickUp, Asana, Trello, Jira), communication platforms (Slack), and accounting software (QuickBooks, FreshBooks). Zapier connects to 1,000+ additional apps. API access enables custom integrations.

Hubstaff vs Competitors

Hubstaff vs Time Doctor

Time Doctor offers similar monitoring features with strong distraction management. Hubstaff provides better field service capabilities with GPS tracking. Both serve remote teams well; specific needs guide the choice.

Hubstaff vs Toggl Track

Toggl Track offers lightweight time tracking without monitoring features. Hubstaff adds productivity monitoring and workforce management. Toggl for trust-based tracking; Hubstaff for verified accountability.

Hubstaff vs Clockify

Clockify provides free basic time tracking. Hubstaff charges but delivers monitoring, GPS, and workforce management features Clockify lacks. Clockify for cost-sensitive basics; Hubstaff for comprehensive visibility.

Pros and Cons

What We Like

Comprehensive feature set for workforce management

GPS tracking for field workers with geofencing

Project budgeting and client billing tools

Affordable per-user pricing at all tiers

Strong integration ecosystem

Responsive customer support

What Could Be Better

Monitoring features can feel invasive to some employees

Activity tracking requires employee buy-in for effectiveness

Desktop app required for screenshot capture

Some features require higher tier plans

Tips for Success

Communicate Transparently

Explain monitoring policies clearly before implementation. Employees accept accountability when they understand the purpose. Surprises damage trust.

Focus on Outcomes

Use activity data as one input, not the only measure. High activity doesn't always mean productivity; low activity may indicate focused work.

Start Simple

Begin with time tracking before adding monitoring features. Let teams adjust to tracking before introducing screenshots.

Integrate with Project Tools

Connect Hubstaff to your project management platform. Time allocated to specific tasks provides better insights than raw hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do employees know when screenshots are taken?

Yes, screenshot frequency is disclosed and can be adjusted. Some companies disable screenshots entirely, using only time tracking. Transparency about monitoring policies matters for employee relations.

Can employees delete screenshots?

Configurable policies determine whether employees can view and delete screenshots. Many companies allow deletion to address privacy concerns while still maintaining accountability.

Is GPS tracking always on?

GPS tracking activates during work hours when the mobile app runs. Employees control when tracking starts/stops. Off-hours location isn't tracked unless employees clock in.

How accurate is activity level monitoring?

Activity levels measure keyboard and mouse input—a proxy for engagement, not necessarily productivity. High activity may indicate busy work; low activity may indicate focused thinking. Use as one data point among many.

Can I use Hubstaff for contractors?

Yes, Hubstaff works well for contractor management. Track hours, manage payments, and verify work without traditional employment overhead.

Getting Started

Sign up for a free trial to test with your team. Start with time tracking before enabling monitoring features. Establish clear policies about how data will be used.

Roll out to a pilot group first. Gather feedback and adjust settings based on team experience. Expand once you've refined your approach.

Final Verdict

Hubstaff provides the visibility distributed teams need to work effectively across distance. Time tracking, activity monitoring, GPS location, and project budgeting create comprehensive workforce management from one platform.

Success with Hubstaff depends on implementation approach. Used to build accountability and trust with transparency, it enables distributed work. Used punitively, it damages culture. The tool serves teams who approach workforce visibility as enablement rather than surveillance.

Rating: 4.3/5