Field time tracking replaces paper timecards with GPS-verified clock-ins tied to a job and cost code. We compared five options ranging from simple mobile time clocks to full field-reporting platforms.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!busybusy
Free plan available · Pro $9.99/user/mo + $40/mo admin · Premium $14.99/user/mo + $40/mo admin
Pros
- Free tier available for very small crews
- Strong offline GPS tracking, reviewers cite reliability in poor-signal job sites
- Reduces payroll processing time significantly, per user reports
Cons
- Reporting options are more limited than dedicated field-reporting apps like Raken
- Some reviewers note occasional syncing glitches in low-connectivity areas
- $40/mo admin fee applies on top of per-user pricing
Recommendation: Best starting point for most contractors — simple, affordable, and construction-focused without unnecessary extras.
Raken
Lite ~$15/user/mo · Pro ~$25/user/mo (pricing varies by source, confirm with a current quote)
Pros
- Cuts daily report time from roughly 30 minutes to 5, per user accounts
- Combines time tracking with safety checklists and photo documentation
- High usability ratings across independent review sites
Cons
- More expensive than pure time-tracking tools like busybusy
- Some customization and integrations limited to higher-tier plans
- No public list pricing — quotes vary, confirm before budgeting
Recommendation: Worth the premium if your superintendents are still filing paper daily reports alongside timecards — this replaces both at once.
WorkMax
Custom quote — not publicly published
Pros
- Tightest integration available if you already run Foundation Software
- Biometric verification (photo/facial recognition) reduces buddy punching
- Bundles time tracking, forms, and asset tracking in one modular platform
Cons
- Documented sync failures reported by some users since 2023
- No public pricing, requires a sales conversation
- Some reviewers switched away from ExakTime specifically for better Foundation integration, suggesting it's a niche fit
Recommendation: Makes the most sense specifically if Foundation Software is already your accounting backbone — the integration is the main draw.
ExakTime
Field Basic ~$30/user/mo · Field Premium ~$45/user/mo · Enterprise custom quote
Pros
- Rugged hardware terminal option, not just mobile-only
- Long track record — over 8,500 customers, in the market since 1999
- Handles offline data capture reliably
Cons
- Priced higher per user than busybusy or Raken at entry tier
- Some users reference evaluating app stability risk before committing
- Recently reorganized under Arcoro's app umbrella, worth confirming current app stability
Recommendation: Consider it specifically if you need a physical hardware clock-in terminal for job sites where phones aren't practical.
Contractor Foreman
From $49/mo (flat, not per-user on base plans)
Pros
- Flat pricing rather than per-user, cost-effective for larger crews
- Time tracking is one of many included modules, not a separate purchase
- Lighter platform than a full construction ERP for small teams that want certified payroll support
Cons
- Time tracking is less specialized than dedicated apps like busybusy or ExakTime
- Broader feature set can feel like overkill if you only need time tracking
- Certified payroll capability is more limited than specialist tools like Payroll4Construction
Recommendation: Good fit if you'd rather have time tracking as part of an all-in-one platform than manage a separate app.