The Ultimate Payroll Timesheet App Comparison (2025): Find the Perfect Fit for Your Business
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It happens at some stage in the development of any business that at some point you find yourself at a crossroads struggling to keep track of who worked when, and it has become more difficult than it should be.
A couple of easy spreadsheets or manual logs can easily turn into a maze of entries that do not match, lost hours, and incomprehensible overtime calculations.
Managing time and payroll is now vital for every modern business. As teams work across locations and schedules, accuracy in tracking hours is essential. Based on trusted G2 reviews, we’ve analyzed and listed the best payroll timesheet apps of 2025 tools that make tracking simple, payments accurate, and management effortless.
There is the accumulation of timesheets, delays on approvals and HR teams spend most of their time on rectifying errors instead of concentrating on what counts, the face behind the figures.
That is where the payroll timesheet app comes in not as another flashy software solution, but as one that truly is a problem-solver.
Why Businesses Rely on Payroll Timesheet Apps Today
However, not that long ago, attendance and payroll management was a relatively easy task with a couple of signatures in a book, some figures in a spreadsheet, and everything somehow worked out by the end of the pay period. However, business is not what it was before. There is an increased size of teams, flexibility of work, and the former model of a 9-to-5 work under one roof has gradually disappeared.
Nowadays, workers can work at homes, coworking centers, offices and even in airport lounges. Projects spanning countries and time zones are managed by managers. And in all this flow, there is one more important thing that counts the most and that is to ensure that each employee is compensated correctly according to the time he or she has invested.
A payroll timesheet application transforms all that there.
It is not about hours of tracking anymore. It is all about developing a reliable system, one that records real-time attendance, computes payroll-ready information, and provides both HR and employees with a full picture. As opposed to having to run after spreadsheets to fill out or cross-check massive email approvals, a payroll timesheet application silently works in the background.
It also tracks the time at which one clocks in, the length of the working time, when the person took breaks and even accommodates leaves or overtime. Then on payday those figures become accurate salary calculations without the back-and-forth commotion.
How We Evaluated These Apps
We should know what is actually needed to make a great payroll timesheet app before we start making comparisons. There is a great variety of options, and the most useful ones are not necessarily related to fancy features, but the way they appeal to everyday business life.
To create such a list that would be just and effective, we paid attention to five simple yet significant factors:
- Ease of Use: The most useful things are those that do not seem difficult. The time should be logged in a natural way without confusion and frustration in the employees.
- Payroll Integration: An effective application will integrate timekeeping with salary computations, transforming crude information into prepared payroll data.
- Accuracy and Reliability: Payroll is run on credit. We sought applications which record all working hours properly and maintain records.
- Reporting and Analytics: Knowledge is power. Effective reporting assists companies to monitor attendance patterns, expenditure, and efficiency.
- Value for Money: Lastly, it is not necessarily the lowest price, but it is truly worth what people pay.
It is based on these criteria that we reviewed and compared the best payroll time sheet applications of 2025.
Here are the 7 Application which have been reviewed by G2
1. Timesheet 365
Timesheet 365 It is constructed based on Microsoft Teams; thus, it is most suitable to be used in those organizations that already operate within Microsoft ecosystem. It does not involve any additional logins or training at all, as the employees log their time at the same place they chat and work every day.
Key Features
- Integrates directly with Microsoft Teams.
- Payroll processing with automatic timesheets.
- Multi-level approvals as well as team reports.
- Ensure departmental and project-based tracking.
Ease of Use
The time entries or corrections can be made by the employees without leaving Teams. It integrates well into the workflow that already exists, and thus adoption comes quickly.
Payroll Integration
The app is connected to timesheets and salary structures so that they can be easily exported to payroll software such as QuickBooks or Excel templates to calculate payments.
Pricing
The prices are average, and they are based on the size of the organization – the price usually starts at $5 per user per month.
Pros
- Easy for Microsoft users.
- Easy to customize even for non-technical staff.
- Excellent when the company has large, structured departments.
Cons
- Lack of customization for non-Microsoft users is a problem.
G2 Review: 4.8
Conclusion: Timesheet 365 is a great payroll timesheet application, and it is one that Microsoft Teams users will agree was made just with them in mind.
4. Faster Integration and Productivity
By automating routine onboarding tasks, new hires spend less time on paperwork and more time learning their roles and connecting with teams. Quicker ramp-up times lead to earlier contributions, boosting overall team morale.
5. Data-Driven Insights for Continuous Culture Improvement
Onboarding software tracks engagement metrics and feedback, giving HR and leadership insights into how employees experience onboarding and culture. These data points allow companies to identify gaps, improve processes, and nurture a positive workplace.
2. DeskTrack:
DeskTrack It has already become one of the most trustworthy payroll time tracking applications in 2020. It integrates time, productivity, and payroll ready reporting into a single platform.
The uniqueness is in the fact that it tracks all the activities during the working hours effortlessly and does not distract the user. It will automatically record the time of login/logout, idle time, and application usage and transform all this data into clean payroll-compliant reports.
Key Features
- Screenshots and idle detection of time tracking.
- Attendance logs in real-time for remote and office workers.
- Payroll-compatible customizable timesheets.
- Accounting and HR export ready reports.
- Ease of Use
The interface is simple; workers do not need to recall the need to manually record the hours. DeskTrack is a low-profile application that silently gathers the correct working data.
Payroll Integration
DeskTrack supports the export of attendance and total hours of work to the payroll sheets or can be used with popular payroll software.
Pricing
It is also affordable as plans begin at approximately $4-5 per user monthly depending on the size of the team and the startup.
Pros
- All fully automated insignificant human intervention required.
- Accurate data collection is a measure of payroll accuracy.
- Outstanding managerial reporting instruments.
Cons
There is no need to be very detailed, even though it can be a bit too elaborate in teams that just want an easy system of punch-in and punch-out.
G2 review: 4.8
Verdict: DeskTrack fits well in an organization where full visibility is desired, that is; companies that are interested in time logs, but also businesses that would like to know about how work hours are utilized.
3. Clockify
Clockify is a household name among time tracking tools and for good reasons. It’s lightweight, intuitive, and flexible enough to fit almost any work style. While it started as a basic timer app, Clockify now supports detailed timesheets, overtime calculation, and payroll-ready exports.
Key Features
- Manual and automatic time entry options.
- Weekly timesheet approvals.
- Overtime and leave tracking.
- Payroll report generation in multiple formats.
Ease of Use
Anyone can start using Clockify within minutes. Its layout is minimal and self-explanatory, making it ideal for small teams or freelancers.
Payroll Integration
While Clockify doesn’t have built-in payroll, it integrates smoothly with systems like Gusto or QuickBooks for salary calculations.
Pricing
Clockify offers a free version, with paid plans starting at around $4.99 per user per month.
Pros
- Extremely beginner friendly.
- Great free tier for startups.
- Clear time sheets and payroll reports.
Cons
- Limited automation for payroll requires external integration.
G2 Rating: 4.2
Verdict: A solid choice if you want a flexible, easy-to-learn payroll timesheet app without overwhelming features.
4. Buddy Punch
Buddy Punch This is all about attendance precision. Employees can punch in and out from the web or mobile, while managers verify hours and approve payroll reports in one dashboard. It also supports GPS and facial recognition, making it trustworthy for distributed teams.
Key Features
- Clock in/out with GPS and webcam verification.
- Automatic overtime calculations.
- Payroll report exports.
- Paid time off (PTO) tracking and approvals.
Ease of Use
Everything is designed for speed. Employees simply tap to punch in, and managers get real-time visibility of attendance patterns.
Payroll Integration
Buddy Punch connects directly to popular payroll systems like ADP, Paychex, and QuickBooks, reducing data transfer hassles.
Pricing
Starting from $3.99 per user per month, it’s budget-friendly and scales well for growing teams.
Pros
- Accurate attendance tracking with location validation.
- Payroll-ready data.
- User-friendly mobile experience.
Cons
- Limited reporting customization.
G2 Review: 4.8
Verdict: Perfect payroll timesheet app for organizations that value attendance integrity and accurate wage calculation.
5. Hubstaff
Hubstaff has built its reputation as a reliable solution for remote teams. It automatically tracks time, captures screenshots, and monitors productivity while also managing payroll calculations through integrations
Key Features
- Automatic time tracking.
- Optional screenshots for verification.
- Payroll management through integration.
- Productivity analytics.
Ease of Use
Hubstaff runs quietly, recording time while employees focus on work. Managers can view summarized reports for both time and payroll metrics.
Payroll Integration
Direct integration with PayPal and Wise for automatic payments makes Hubstaff a step ahead in payroll automation.
Pricing
Plans start at $5.83 per user per month with payroll features in higher tiers.
Pros
- Strong payroll automation capabilities.
- Ideal for remote or hybrid teams.
- Flexible payment options for global teams.
Cons
- May feel too detailed for simple payroll use.
G2 Review: 4.5
Verdict: Hubstaff is the go-to payroll timesheet app for companies that pay international or remote staff regularly.
6. When I Work
When I Work Shipping in industries where shift work is the norm of retail, hospitality, and customer support. It merges employee scheduling, attendance, and payroll-ready timesheets into one straightforward system.
Key Features
- Shift scheduling with time tracking.
- Payroll export and attendance analytics.
- Built-in team messaging.
- Overtime alerts and approval flows.
Ease of Use
Managers can set shifts, track attendance, and approve payroll data in one place. Employees can view their shifts and check-in through mobile phones.
Payroll Integration
Integrates with Gusto, ADP, and QuickBooks, making payroll processing quick and smooth.
Pricing
Pricing starts at around $4 per user per month, depending on plan size.
Pros
- Excellent for shift-based organizations.
- Combines scheduling and payroll in one.
- Intuitive mobile app.
Cons
- Less suitable for non-shift or project-based companies.
G2 Review: 4.4
Verdict: The perfect payroll timesheet app for shift-driven businesses looking for an all-in-one tool.
7. Paymo
Paymo brings together time tracking, project management, and payroll readiness. It’s a favorite among teams that bill clients by the hour and need accurate payroll data at the same time.
Key Features
- Task-based time tracking.
- Payroll-ready timesheets.
- Invoicing and expense management.
- Team productivity insights.
Ease of Use
Paymo interface is modern and organized, letting teams track both billable and non-billable hours effortlessly.
Payroll Integration
Timesheet data can be exported to payroll tools or directly used for invoicing.
Pricing
Plans start at $5.9 per user per month with full access to payroll and project features.
Pros
- Ideal for agencies and service-based teams.
- Combines billing and payroll tracking.
- Highly organized dashboard.
Cons
- Not suitable for businesses that only need attendance tracking.
G2 Review: 4.6
Verdict: Paymo is a comprehensive payroll timesheet app for project-based businesses that value both time tracking and billing accuracy.
Quick Comparison Table
| App | Best For | Key Payroll Feature |
| DeskTrack | Complete automation | Exports time data directly to payroll |
| Timesheet 365 | Microsoft Teams users | Works within Teams, no separate login |
| Clockify | Simplicity & startups | Integrates with Gusto, QuickBooks |
| Buddy Punch | Attendance accuracy | GPS + payroll export |
| Hubstaff | Remote teams | Auto payroll via PayPal/Wise |
| When I Work | Shift-based jobs | Schedules + payroll reports |
| Paymo | Project billing | Combines invoicing & payroll |
Final Suggestion: 2025 Payroll Timesheet App of the Month.
Each of these apps is well-performing, but with the need to have one of the apps crowned with the best all-around payroll timesheet app in 2025.
Here’s why:
- It is the most balance between automation and accuracy and reporting.
- It suits all types of companies regardless of their size, whether startups or established companies.
- It removes the burden of being manually and adjusting payrolls.
With that said, each business has its pace. Timesheet 365 can never be defeated should you happen to live within Microsoft Teams. Hubstaff is the best choice when managing remote workers. Clockify is still difficult to compete with, though.
Conclusion
Choosing the right payroll timesheet app goes far beyond picking software. It’s about building trust within your organization. Every company runs on time, effort, and accountability. The right tool ensures that every hour worked is recorded with honesty, and every paycheck reflects that effort with precision. It’s not just about automating a process; it’s about creating a workplace where fairness and clarity guide every payment cycle.
In 2025, time tracking is no longer about control or surveillance, it’s about confidence. Businesses want systems they can depend on, and employees want transparency they can believe in. A well-chosen payroll timesheet app delivers both. It bridges the gap between work and reward, replacing confusion with confidence and helping teams focus on what really matters doing their best work.
So, if your organization is still juggling manual entries or outdated systems, now’s the time to make the change. Explore the best payroll timesheet apps, and see how effortless accurate payroll can be. The right app won’t just manage time, it’ll strengthen trust, improve efficiency, and give your business the peace of mind it deserves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run payroll from my phone?
Yes, absolutely. Many modern payroll timesheet apps now offer mobile-friendly versions or dedicated mobile apps that let you manage payroll directly from your phone. You can review employee hours, approve timesheets, and even process salary payments while on the go. This flexibility is especially useful for managers or business owners who travel often or manage remote teams.
Is Excel payroll safe?
While Excel can handle basic payroll calculations, it’s not the safest or most reliable option for long-term use. Spreadsheets are prone to human error, lack built-in security, and don’t automatically update tax or compliance rules. A payroll timesheet app, on the other hand, securely stores data in the cloud, protects sensitive information, and ensures every entry is accurate and traceable.
How do I create a simple payroll?
To create a simple payroll system, start by collecting key details such as employee information, working hours, and pay rates. Then calculate gross pay, apply deductions, and record net pay. While this can be done manually or using Excel, using a payroll timesheet app makes it much easier. The app automatically tracks work hours, applies rules for overtime or leave, and calculates pay accurately, saving time and avoiding costly mistakes.
Does Microsoft Office have payroll software?
Microsoft Office itself doesn’t include dedicated payroll software, but it integrates well with third-party payroll systems. For example, Timesheet 365, which runs within Microsoft Teams, acts as a built-in payroll timesheet app for organizations using Microsoft tools. It allows time tracking, approvals, and payroll calculations without leaving the Microsoft environment.
What are the three types of payrolls?
Payroll is generally categorized into three main types:
- Manual Payroll – Calculated by hand or using basic tools like Excel. It’s inexpensive but error prone.
- In-House Payroll Software – Managed by internal HR or finance teams using software to automate calculations.
- Outsourced Payroll Services – Handled by third-party providers or accounting firms.
For small and mid-sized businesses, a payroll timesheet app often strikes the best balance between accuracy, cost, and control, providing automation without losing visibility.
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