Best GPS Tracking Apps to Track Employee Location

As a business owner or manager, keeping track of your employees’ locations is an important part of overseeing day-to-day operations. Whether your employees work in the field, make deliveries, or have flexible remote work schedules, using GPS tracking technology can help you optimize workflows, monitor attendance, and enhance accountability. There are many GPS tracking apps on the market designed specifically for tracking employee whereabouts.

How Do GPS Tracking Apps Work?

All GPS tracking apps for employees utilize the GPS capabilities on employees’ smartphones to pinpoint their real-time location. Here is a brief overview of how they function:

GPS chip: Smartphones contain a built-in GPS chip that can detect its location using satellites. GPS tracking apps activate this chip to obtain location data.

Background tracking: Even when the app is closed, it continues tracking location updates in the background without disrupting the phone’s normal usage. This preserves battery life.

Pinpoint accuracy: Using satellite signals, apps can pinpoint a device’s location within a range of 10-30 meters for high accuracy. Some use WiFi/mobile data for improved precision in buildings.

Real-time maps: Location data is transmitted to an online portal/map in real-time, allowing managers to view all employees on a single map.

Geofencing: Apps allow creating virtual geographic boundaries and automate actions like clock-ins based on entry/exit from these zones.

Time tracking: GPS data is often integrated with time clocks to ensure accurate timesheets reflecting work done onsite.

Reports: Detailed reports, graphs and analytics help analyze productivity, attendance, job site visits, mileage and more.

With this context in mind, let us dive deeper into reviewing the top best GPS tracking apps for employees currently available.

Top GPS Tracking Apps for Employees

Connecteam

Connecteam is one of the most full-featured all-in-one team communication and management platforms that also offers robust GPS tracking capabilities.

Key Features:

• Real-time GPS tracking: Pinpoint employees on an interactive map in real-time while clocked in.
• Geofencing: Create virtual boundaries and use for automated clock-ins, attendance tracking.
• Location history: View each employee’s movement history with breadcrumb trails.
• Communication: In-app chat, updates and document sharing for remote collaboration.
• Time tracking: Track time spent on jobsites with geofence-based timecards.
• Scheduling: Create and distribute work schedules, assign tasks.
• Reports: Detailed reports on time usage, jobsite visits, productivity analysis.
• Integrations: Sync with 200+ apps including Xero, QuickBooks, Gusto for payroll.

Connecteam is highly customizable and offers excellent value, making it ideal for most small businesses. The all-in-one platform eases remote management.

Timeero

Timeero is a simple, affordable time tracking and GPS monitoring solution.

Key Features:

• Real-time tracking: View all employees on a map in real time while clocked in.
• Location history: See breadcrumb trails showing each employee’s movements.
• Geofencing: Set boundaries and automate clock-ins/outs, track time on jobsites.
• Time tracking: Track time spent on tasks, projects, clients and generate timesheets.
• Reports: Detailed reports on time usage, location visits, productivity analysis.
• Integrations: Sync with QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto and other 50+ apps.

Timeero offers basic yet sufficient GPS tracking capabilities for its affordable pricing. Best for small businesses on a budget.

Homebase

Homebase is primarily a time tracking app that also includes GPS functionality focused on time theft prevention.

Key Features:

• Geofencing: Create boundaries and receive alerts for clock-ins/outs outside zones.
• Timesheets: Automatically generate timesheets from geofence-based clock-ins.
• Scheduling: Create work schedules and manage PTO requests.
• Communication: In-app messaging, updates and file sharing.
• Integrations: Sync with Gusto, QuickBooks, Paychex for payroll and billing.

Homebase works best for businesses with a small number of set jobsite locations due to its geofence-based billing model. Simple and affordable solution.

QuickBooks Time

QuickBooks Time is ideal for companies already using Intuit’s accounting software.

Key Features:

• Real-time tracking: View employee locations on a map while clocked in.
• Geofencing: Set up boundaries and track time spent on jobsites.
• Mileage tracking: Track business miles driven in personal vehicles.
• Timesheets: Automatically generate timesheets from GPS data.
• Billing: Track billable hours and sync with QuickBooks for invoices.
• Integrations: Tightly integrates with QuickBooks desktop and online.

If you use QuickBooks for accounting, QuickBooks Time offers seamless GPS tracking and timesheet integration.

Jibble

Jibble is a free, no-frills GPS tracking solution focused on location monitoring alone.

Key Features:

• Real-time tracking: View all employees on a map in real time while clocked in.
• Geofencing: Create boundaries and receive alerts for late/missing employees.
• Reports: Basic reports on time spent at job sites and location history.
• Communication: In-app messaging for quick coordination.

Jibble is best suited for very small businesses on a tight budget, as it lacks robust time tracking capabilities.

GPS Tracker by eBility

eBility offers a versatile time tracking platform with GPS monitoring capabilities.

Key Features:

• Real-time tracking: View employee locations on a map while clocked in.
• Geofencing: Set boundaries and track time spent within geo-fenced areas.
• Time tracking: Track time spent on tasks, projects, clients and generate timesheets.
• Billing: Track billable hours, sync with 50+ accounting apps like QuickBooks.
• Reports: Detailed reports on time usage, location visits, and productivity analysis.
• Integrations: Tightly integrates with 50+ accounting and payroll apps.

Buddy Punch

Buddy Punch is a versatile time tracking platform with GPS monitoring capabilities and a focus on employee privacy controls.

Key Features:

• Location history: View a list and map of all clock-in locations.
• Privacy controls: Toggle GPS tracking on/off for each individual employee.
• Geofencing: Set boundaries and receive alerts for clock-ins outside zones.
• Time tracking: Track time, generate timesheets and manage PTO requests.
• Scheduling: Create work schedules and assign shifts.

Buddy Punch allows managers to respect employee privacy needs while still monitoring attendance. Good fit for some industries.

allGeo

allGeo is a simple, affordable GPS tracking solution focused solely on location monitoring.

Key Features:

• Real-time tracking: View all employees on an interactive map in real time.
• Geofencing: Create boundaries and receive alerts for late/missing employees.
• Reports: Basic reports on time spent at job sites and location history.
• Communication: In-app messaging for coordination between employees.

allGeo offers basic yet sufficient GPS tracking for its low monthly rates and is best suited for very small teams.

Choosing the Right GPS Tracking App

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your specific business needs and budget:

Team size: Small teams can opt for free or low-cost solutions, larger ones need robust platforms.

Industry: Delivery, field service and transportation industries benefit most from real-time tracking.

Remote work: Apps with geofencing help track attendance of remote and flexible workers.

Budget: Consider features, pricing models and available free trials or plans.

Integration needs: Apps that sync with accounting, payroll and CRM are most seamless.

Compliance: Ensure the app you choose is compliant with employee privacy and data laws.

Support: Check app reviews, compare support availability, and test demo versions thoroughly.

With this comprehensive overview of the top GPS tracking apps, you should now be well-equipped to identify the best solution tailored to your unique requirements. Proper due diligence will ensure maximum returns on your investment.

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Take Away

Used judiciously and transparently as a management tool rather than control mechanism, GPS tracking apps can benefit both employers and employees by streamlining processes while respecting individual privacy needs. With the right solution, the pros far outweigh any cons.