6 Great Time Clock Solutions for 2025

When it comes to tracking employee time in 2025, businesses face a key decision: should they rely solely on app-based clock-ins, or invest in physical clock-in terminals that connect to powerful cloud software?

With the rise of mobile-first solutions, it’s easy to assume that physical Time Clocks are a thing of the past. But for many industries — particularly manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare — accurate on-site tracking, security, and compliance 5still demand hardware. And with cloud functionality now baked into many modern systems, today’s best Time Clock solutions offer far more than a simple punch in/out.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global time and attendance software market is projected to grow to $8.3 billion (£6.6bn) by 2032^[1] — a strong indicator that modern time tracking systems are becoming essential for workforce compliance and productivity.

In this guide, we break down six standout Time Clock options that suit different business needs, from hybrid solutions with biometric security to lightweight mobile apps for dispersed teams. Whether you're looking to improve payroll accuracy, cut down on time theft, or simplify workforce management, one of these options will fit the bill.

1. TimeMoto – best for hybrid clock + cloud time tracking

TimeMoto stands out as a comprehensive solution for businesses that need both physical Time Clocks and cloud-based attendance software in one seamless system.

Unlike app-only providers, TimeMoto combines RFID and biometric-enabled hardware with real-time cloud management, giving operations and HR teams a powerful way to track staff across multiple locations. It's ideal for on-site, shift-based industries where clock-in accuracy, compliance, and fraud prevention are business-critical.

TimeMoto’s cloud dashboard allows managers to approve hours, monitor attendance in real-time, generate payroll-ready reports, and configure schedules — all while employees clock in via secure on-site devices. This eliminates the need for manual timesheets, cuts down on time theft, and ensures that only authorised staff are logging hours.

Key features:

• Cloud-based dashboard with real-time attendance visibility

• Secure access for on-site staff

• RFID and fingerprint-enabled Time Clock options

• Works across multiple locations

• Helps streamline payroll processing

• Shift planning and reporting tools
  

Who it’s for:
Manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, retail, and healthcare teams with on-site staff and strict compliance needs.

Pricing:
Hardware devices start at £349. Cloud software starts from £7.9/month.

2. Kelio – best for advanced biometric Time Clocks

Kelio offers a robust time and attendance platform with a particular focus on biometric clocking and secure workforce tracking. Designed with compliance-heavy industries in mind, Kelio’s physical clocking systems include options for fingerprint, RFID, and facial recognition — ideal for companies looking to prevent time fraud or buddy punching.

Their cloud platform integrates with these physical devices to provide a centralised view of employee attendance, shift scheduling, absence management, and more.

Key features:

• Advanced biometric clocking hardware

• Leave and absence tracking

• Shift planning tools

• Real-time dashboards and reports

• GDPR-compliant data handling
  

Who it’s for:
Organisations needing secure, on-site clocking with strict labour law compliance — especially in logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Pricing:
Kelio provides custom pricing based on company size and requirements.

3. Citadel – best for simple cloud-based time tracking

Citadel is a UK-based time and attendance solution known for its ease of use and affordability. It doesn’t offer physical clocking hardware, but its cloud platform turns any device into a virtual clock-in terminal. Employees can use smartphones, tablets, or desktops to track hours, request time off, and manage breaks.

Citadel’s clean interface and streamlined features make it an excellent option for businesses that don’t require biometric security or complex integrations, but still want reliable, cloud-based attendance records.

Key features:

• Web-based clock-in/out for mobile and desktop

• Leave and break tracking

• Manager approvals and alerts

• Real-time timesheets

Who it’s for:
SMBs with remote or flexible teams that don’t need physical clocks.

Pricing:
Plans start at around £2.20 per employee/month with no hardware required.

4. uAttend – best for plug-and-play clocking

uAttend blends Time Clocks with cloud-based software, offering a straightforward system that’s ready to go out of the box. With fingerprint and facial recognition clocking, it’s especially suited for environments where preventing time fraud is a top priority.

The hardware connects directly to uAttend’s cloud system, where managers can review hours, run reports, and export timesheets. The whole platform is designed to be accessible for non-technical users, making it a smart choice for small to mid-sized businesses.

Key features:

• Plug-and-play clocks

• Cloud-based employee management

• Real-time alerts for missed punches

• Payroll-ready timesheet exports

Who it’s for:
Businesses that want fast setup with physical clocks, especially in hospitality, retail, and industrial settings.

Pricing:
Device prices start around £150–£200; software plans from approx. £17/month.

5. Buddy Punch – best mobile app for small teams

Buddy Punch is a cloud-only time-tracking app that focuses on flexibility and mobile access. Employees clock in and out using their phone or desktop, and features like GPS tracking, geofencing, facial recognition, and custom break rules help keep things accurate.

While it doesn’t offer hardware clocks, its wide range of features (including PTO tracking, scheduling, and job costing) makes it ideal for small businesses managing staff across different locations or client sites.

Key features:

• Mobile and web-based time tracking

• GPS and geofencing

• PTO requests and approvals

• Job costing and scheduling tools

Who it’s for:
SMBs with remote or mobile workers — e.g., home services, field teams, or distributed retail staff.

Pricing:
Plans start at $4.49/user/month + $19 base fee. Free 14-day trial available.

6. Connecteam – best for managing deskless teams

Connecteam goes beyond simple time tracking and offers a full workforce management platform for mobile-first businesses. It’s not focused on physical clocking but does provide highly customisable mobile time tracking alongside shift scheduling, internal messaging, and task management.

This makes it particularly useful for industries like cleaning services, construction, or field sales — where staff rarely report to a fixed site. Clocking in happens via the app, and managers can see GPS-tagged attendance and issue announcements to teams on the go.

Key features:

• App-based clock in/out with GPS

• Shift scheduling and task management

• Internal communication tools

• Training modules and digital forms

Who it’s for:
Mobile or remote-first teams in industries like field services, construction, or hospitality.

Pricing:
Free plan available for small teams. Paid plans start at around £20/month for up to 30 users.

Choosing the right Time Clock solution

Not every business needs physical Time Clocks, but for those that do — especially in compliance-heavy industries — a hybrid system like TimeMoto offers the best of both worlds. You get the security and accuracy of biometric hardware, plus the flexibility and visibility of cloud-based tracking.

On the other hand, if your workforce is primarily mobile or remote, cloud-only tools like Buddy Punch or Connecteam may be more suitable.

Ultimately, the best solution is the one that aligns with your team’s working environment, compliance needs, and growth plans. And with the time and attendance software market continuing to grow, now is a good time to upgrade your systems and future-proof your operations.

^[1] https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/time-and-attendance-software-market