Best Employee Monitoring Software of 2025

Written by
Best Employee Monitoring Software of 2025 Shanel Pouatcha
Updated

October 7, 2025

Employee monitoring software helps businesses track, manage, and optimize workforce productivity across remote, hybrid, and in-office teams. These automated tools enable companies to monitor time usage, application activity, and work patterns in real-time, providing data-driven insights to improve performance without the manual effort of constantly checking in with individual employees.

Selecting the right employee monitoring platform can mean the difference between boosting team efficiency or damaging employee trust and morale. Given that 85 percent of major companies now use employee monitoring solutions with teams seeing up to 28 percent efficiency improvements, your decisions regarding this software can show high affect on your company’s productivity, compliance, and business growth.

Best for Small Business ActivTrak

Cobanker review
4.4
CoBanker choice
Overview

ActivTrak takes an ethical approach to data collection and emphasis on transparency in monitoring policies, fostering trust and respect while still offering valuable productivity insights. The user-friendly nature of the dashboard and the depth of reporting available allow for straightforward setup, with many emphasizing that the software’s ability to categorize most actions as productive or unproductive allows for rapid implementation and simplicity of use.

The standout feature noted by several users is the advanced analytics that extend beyond monitoring to offer strategic workforce insights, including burnout detection, productivity benchmarking, and workflow optimization suggestions. While some of the more advanced features are locked behind premium subscriptions, overall reliability remains strongly positive. This platform’s focus on insights over surveillance align more with modern management philosophies.

Best for Small Business
Price Middle
Pros
Strong focus on employee privacy and transparency
Excellent workforce analytics and productivity insights
Easy setup and user-friendly interface
Comprehensive reporting with custom dashboards
Good integration capabilities with business tools
Cons
Advanced features require premium subscription
Limited mobile monitoring capabilities
Some users report categorization accuracy issues
  • AI-powered productivity insights
  • Automatic activity classification
  • Privacy-focused monitoring
  • Team productivity benchmarking
  • Workflow optimization
  • Burnout detection

Free trial is available for new users alongside a free plan which offers up to 3 users, 30-day data history and basic activity tracking. Paid plans start at Essentials, priced at $10 per user per month with annual billing, and include 6 months of data history, with all paid plans providing real-time activity monitoring. Essentials Plus offers detailed activity breakdowns and productivity goal setting, for $15 per user per month. The Professional plan adds 12 months of data history, AI-powered coaching, team productivity dashboards and workforce planning, for $19 per user per month.

Best for Security Teramind

Cobanker review
4.2
CoBanker choice
Overview

Teramind is a feature-rich and intuitive employee monitoring platform that has been consistently rated by users as the most comprehensive employee monitoring solution on the market. Teramind provides outstanding value for businesses that require advanced insider threat detection, DLP, and 360-degree visibility into all workforce activities to drive large gains in productivity. Its mature features and functionality are designed for a wide range of use cases, from tracking basic productivity to providing powerful enterprise forensic tools.

Teramind provides granular controls over policies to allow companies to strike a balance between security needs and employee privacy. The platform has a learning curve because of its wide breadth of features, but the interface is intuitive and customer support is very responsive. While some users find the pricing difficult for scaling teams, the advanced capabilities and overall cost savings of productivity and risk mitigation lead most to feel it is a good investment.

Best for Comprehensive Security
Price High
Pros
Most comprehensive monitoring capabilities in the market
Enterprise-grade security features with audit trails
Strong compliance support for GDPR, HIPAA, and PII regulations
Advanced user behavior analytics for insider threat detection
Flexible deployment options (cloud and on-premise)
Cons
Higher learning curve compared to simpler solutions
Premium pricing may be costly for smaller businesses
Can feel overly intrusive if not implemented transparently
  • Advanced threat detection
  • Data loss prevention
  • Real-time screen recording
  • Keystroke logging
  • Behavioral analytics
  • Compliance reporting

Teramind offers four plans starting with the Starter plan at $14 per user per month (minimum 5 users, billed annually) for basic productivity monitoring and screen recording. This is followed by the UAM plan, priced at $28 per user per month with comprehensive user activity monitoring, keystroke logging, and behavior rules. The DLP plan at $32 per user per month adds enterprise-grade data loss prevention with 200 pre-packaged DLP rules and content-based blocking. The Enterprise plan offers custom pricing with premium support, professional services, and government cloud availability for large organizations.

Best for Project Management Hubstaff

Cobanker review
4.3
CoBanker choice
Overview

Hubstaff’s accuracy and automated payroll are often highlighted as its key strengths. The time tracking software’s attention to detail and automatic calculations prevent manual timesheet errors, ensuring accurate payroll and simplifying client work billing. Hubstaff’s GPS tracking and mobile app features provide wonderful utility in managing remote and field teams, often resulting in increased project visibility.

Its integrations with project management platforms like Asana, Trello, and Jira create a streamlined workflow that users find extremely helpful for productivity. Although some mention that the screenshot monitoring feature can be intrusive if not used transparently, most appreciate the proof-of-work for client billing. A few users report occasional syncing issues with offline tracking, but Hubstaff’s responsive customer support and regular updates continue to resolve these issues, making it a trusted time tracking and team management tool.

Best for Project Management
Price Middle
Pros
Excellent for managing remote and field teams
Strong project management integration
Automated payroll processing capabilities
User-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Cons
Screenshot monitoring can feel intrusive to employees
Some advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
Occasional syncing issues with offline tracking reported by users
  • Automatic time tracking
  • GPS location tracking
  • Project budgeting
  • Team scheduling
  • Invoice generation
  • Mobile apps

The Starter plan costs $4.99 per user per month (minimum 2 users) and includes basic time tracking, limited reports, and client invoicing. The Grow plan is $7.50 per user per month and includes project management tasks, advanced reports, and 1 integration. The Team plan is $10 per user per month, the most popular and includes unlimited screenshots, unlimited integrations, payments & payroll, and a 3-month Insights trial. The Enterprise plan is $25 per user per month (billed annually) and includes HIPAA compliance, SOC-2 compliance, and dedicated support with optional add-ons available for an additional $1.67-$3.33 per user per month.

Best for Budget Time Doctor

Cobanker review
4.3
CoBanker choice
Overview

Time Doctor is widely commended for its rapid 10-minute setup and user-friendly design. Often highlighted is the software’s screenshot and screen recording functionality as essential for providing transparent work verification, especially useful for billing clients and ensuring remote employee accountability.

The platform has a particularly comprehensive productivity tracking and customizable report tools, adding to significant boosts in productivity. Time Doctor’s integration with popular project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira streamlines workflows. Although some feedback indicates that per-user pricing can become costly for larger teams and the software may occasionally freeze, overall user sentiment suggests that Time Doctor offers good value for the features provided.

Best for Budget
Price Low
Pros
Affordable pricing with flexible plans
Strong client billing and invoicing features
Detailed productivity breakdowns and insights
Good integration with popular business tools
Transparent reporting for client relationships
Cons
Software can occasionally freeze or crash
Screenshot monitoring may feel intrusive to some employees
Customer support response times can be slow
  • Detailed time tracking
  • Productivity analysis
  • Client billing integration
  • Distraction alerts
  • Project reporting
  • Multi-platform support

Time Doctor has three plans beginning with the Basic plan which is $6.70 per user per month (yearly billing) and includes automatic tracking, screenshots, and basic reporting. The Standard plan is $11.70 per user per month and includes productivity ratings, attendance tracking, 60+ integrations, and work-life balance tracking. The Premium plan is $16.70 per user per month and includes AI benchmarks, unusual activity detection, video screen recording, and dedicated success manager support. There are also Enterprise plans with custom pricing that include private cloud deployment and professional services. There are optional add-ons from $2-200 per user/account per month.

Best for New Business Insightful

Cobanker review
4.7
CoBanker choice
Overview

Insightful’s intuitive onboarding and low learning curve make it a preferred choice for organizations that require immediate deployment of monitoring solutions with minimal training. The software’s automatic time mapping and behavioral analytics allow for enhanced visibility into productivity and resource utilization within weeks of implementation. Stealth monitoring and productivity labeling features also deliver valuable insights without disrupting employee workflows.

These real-time tracking frameworks show high effectiveness in helping managers proactively address bottlenecks before they affect project timelines. However, some users suggest that customization options could be more robust and integration with Microsoft 365 could be smoother. Overall Insightful’s shows a strong value proposition, with many organizations citing a transformative impact on their workforce management practices, especially for remote and hybrid teams.

Best for New Business
Price Low
Pros
Excellent value for money with competitive pricing
User-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
Strong productivity analytics and behavioral insights
Automatic activity-based time tracking
Good customer support with live chat
Cons
Limited customization options for diverse team needs
Some advanced features locked behind paid plans
Could use more integrations with Microsoft 365 and Slack
  • Automatic time mapping
  • Stealth monitoring mode
  • Productivity labeling
  • Real-time activity tracking
  • Advanced reporting
  • API integrations

Insightful offers four plans starting with Productivity Management at $6.40 per user per month (billed annually) including apps & web activity analysis, attendance tracking, and productivity reports. The Time Tracking plan at $8.00 per user per month adds project management, budgeting, and invoicing capabilities. The Process Improvement plan at $12.00 per user per month (for teams over 50 users) includes automated project tracking and workflow analysis. The Enterprise solution offers custom pricing for teams over 100 users with SSO, on-premise deployment, and dedicated support, plus optional add-ons ranging from $1-3 per user per month.

Best for Time Tracking DeskTime

Cobanker review
4.5
CoBanker choice
Overview

DeskTime has built a strong reputation for its exceptional automatic time tracking DeskTime offers exceptional automatic time tracking capabilities through a clean, intuitive interface that requires minimal manual intervention from employees. The platform delivers high accuracy in tracking productive versus idle time, featuring automatic detection capabilities that eliminate the need for constant manual time entry.

DeskTime’s straightforward approach to productivity calculation and project time allocation provides clear insights into work patterns without excessive intrusiveness. The software generates comprehensive productivity reports and integrates with payment systems, making it particularly valuable for businesses focused on accurate billing and project cost management. However, some users note that DeskTime requires manual launching rather than starting automatically, and a few mention that the reporting interface could be more intuitive for complex analysis.

Best for Time Tracking
Price Low
Pros
Excellent automatic time tracking with high accuracy
Strong project management and billing features
Clean, intuitive user interface
Good integration with payment systems
Comprehensive productivity reporting
Cons
Must be launched manually by users (doesn't start by default)
Reporting features can be confusing and need improvement
Some users find it can feel overly invasive
  • Automatic time tracking
  • Project time allocation
  • Productivity calculations
  • URL and app monitoring
  • Screenshot capture
  • Billing integration

DeskTime offers three plans starting with the Pro plan at $6.42 per user per month (billed annually) for small teams, including automatic time tracking, productivity calculations, and calendar integrations. The most popular Premium plan at $9.17 per user per month adds screenshots, API integrations, and shift scheduling features. The Enterprise plan offers custom pricing for organizations with 200+ users and includes everything in Premium plus custom API development, dedicated account manager, and personalized employee training. All annual plans include one month free, and the platform is backed by ISO 27001 & 27701 certification.

Best for AI-Powered Insights We360.ai

Cobanker review
4.1
CoBanker choice
Overview

Users consistently praise the platform’s quick setup process that can be configured within minutes, providing immediate visibility into team productivity patterns and work habits. The software’s Health360 feature receives particular acclaim from HR managers for its ability to identify overworked, under-utilized, or unproductive employees, enabling better task allocation and workload management.

Many users highlight the platform’s real-time analytics capabilities and domain blocking features, which help organizations maintain focus by restricting access to unproductive websites during work hours. The automated attendance management system has proven invaluable for businesses transitioning to remote or hybrid work models, with users reporting significant improvements in workforce coordination and accountability. While some users mention that the idle time calculation settings can be rigid and may not suit all work types, most find the comprehensive reporting and screenshot monitoring features provide excellent value.

Best for AI-Powered Insights
Price Low
Pros
Easy implementation with quick setup
Comprehensive productivity insights with AI analysis
Good value pricing starting at $7/user/month
Effective for managing remote and hybrid teams
Strong reporting and analytics capabilities
Cons
Rigid idle time calculation settings
Limited customization for different work types
Could benefit from push notification features
Screenshot monitoring may feel intrusive
  • AI-powered analytics
  • Real-time productivity tracking
  • Automated attendance management
  • Screenshot monitoring
  • Health360 workload analysis
  • Domain blocking

We360.ai offers four plans starting with a Free plan for up to 3 users including basic monitoring and 3 weeks of data retention. The Starter plan at $5 per user per month adds scheduling, project management, and 6 months data retention. The popular Pro plan at $7 per user per month includes workload analysis, productivity goal setting, automated reports, and website utilization tracking. The Enterprise plan offers custom pricing with 2-year data retention, single sign-on, ActiveDirectory integration, and up to 60 screenshots per hour, plus optional add-ons ranging from $1-2 per user per month for API access and extended data retention.

Best for Privacy-Focused Monitoring Monitask

Cobanker review
4.2
CoBanker choice
Overview

Monitask has earned a loyal user base by prioritizing employee privacy and transparency while delivering effective productivity monitoring capabilities across Mac, Linux, and Windows platforms. The platform’s commitment to ethical monitoring practices resonates strongly with users, as it only tracks activity when employees are actively clocked in and automatically pauses during scheduled breaks and outside work hours.

The platform’s multi-platform compatibility makes it particularly valuable for businesses with diverse technology environments, and the simple clock-in/out functionality eliminates confusion about when monitoring is active. Monitask’s transparent approach allows for comprehensive activity screenshots and website tracking features without compromising employee privacy through excessive surveillance. While Monitask lacks some of the advanced security features found in enterprise-level solutions, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive about its balanced approach to monitoring.

Best for Privacy-Focused Monitoring
Price Low
Pros
Strong focus on employee privacy and transparency
Only monitors during work hours with employee consent
Easy to use with straightforward interface
Good for improving team communication about productivity
Affordable pricing with free trial available
Cons
Limited advanced monitoring features compared to competitors
Basic reporting capabilities
Fewer integration options
May not suit businesses needing comprehensive security features
  • Transparent monitoring
  • Multi-platform support
  • Activity screenshots
  • Website and app tracking
  • Clock-in/out functionality
  • Productivity reporting

Monitask offers four plans with an 18% discount for annual billing, starting with the Pro plan at $6.49 per user per month including time tracking, screenshots, and 1 integration with 1-month data storage. The Business plan at $8.99 per user per month adds unlimited integrations, team management, and client login with 2-month data storage. The new Business Premium plan at $12.99 per user per month includes employee scorecards, advanced tracking features, and priority access to new features. The Enterprise plan at $15.99 per user per month (100+ employees only) offers VIP support, audit logs, and custom data storage, plus optional screenshot add-ons ranging from $2.40-$7.20 per user per month.

Best for Multi-Feature Integration Time Champ

Cobanker review
4.3
CoBanker choice
Overview

This software’s strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend time tracking, task management, attendance monitoring, and screen recording capabilities, making it particularly valuable for organizations seeking an all-in-one productivity solution. Time Champ’s automated time tracking and reminder systems help maintain consistent productivity levels while reducing the administrative burden on managers.

The platform’s integration capabilities with over 50 tools including Jira, Trello, and QuickBooks receive particular acclaim for creating unified workflows that enhance overall business efficiency. Users appreciate that Time Champ scales effectively from startups to Fortune 500 companies, adapting to diverse organizational needs and compliance requirements. While some users mention that the extensive menu system can be overwhelming for first-time users and requires a learning curve to fully utilize all capabilities, most find that the comprehensive training resources and responsive support team help overcome these initial challenges.

Best for Multi-Feature Integration
Price Low
Pros
Comprehensive feature set with extensive reporting
Good integration with project management tools
Suitable for businesses of all sizes
Real-time monitoring with automated reminders
Strong attendance and task management capabilities
Cons
Can be overwhelming for first-time users
Extensive menus require learning curve
Mobile app limitations for tracking
Some network inconsistencies reported
  • Automated time tracking
  • Screen recording and screenshots
  • Task and project management
  • 200+ detailed reports
  • Attendance management
  • API integrations

Time Champ offers three main plans with annual billing starting with the Starter plan at $3.90 per user per month including interactive mode, automatic attendance, and basic reporting features. The popular Professional plan at $6.90 per user per month adds silent tracking, configurable settings, productivity reports, and screenshot functionality. The Enterprise plan at $13.90 per user per month includes live videos, real-time alerts, dedicated account manager, and advanced analytics with Azure SSO. The platform offers extensive add-ons ranging from $1-17 per user per month for features like screen recording ($3), project management ($2), keylogger ($2), and behavior alerts ($17 per 10 reports), plus a one-time implementation cost of $4 per user with a $62.50 minimum.

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What is Employee Monitoring Software?

Employee monitoring software are workforce productivity tools that track, manage, and optimize team performance for reporting managers via movement tracking, time tracking, browser activity tracking, calendar updates, leaves, and attendance to ensure they are hitting their monthly, quarterly, or yearly targets. These comprehensive platforms serve as digital oversight systems that provide managers with real-time visibility into how their teams spend work hours and utilize company resources. Employee monitoring software is an essential tool for businesses that want to verify that employees are using their time at work to accomplish assigned responsibilities and tasks, not spending hours watching videos and browsing social media, or engaging in reckless behavior that jeopardizes the company.

What Makes the Best Employee Monitoring Software?

There is a variety of purposes that a small business may want to use monitoring software, which include:

  • Comprehensive activity tracking across applications, websites, and time usage
  • Automated time tracking systems with accurate billing and payroll integration
  • AI-powered productivity analytics to identify patterns and optimization opportunities
  • Real-time monitoring capabilities from centralized dashboards
  • Privacy-focused features that maintain employee trust and transparency
  • Compliance management tools for GDPR, HIPAA, and industry regulations
  • Custom reporting and insights to measure ROI and track team improvements
  • Integration capabilities with existing project management, HR, and business tools

What are the benefits of employee monitoring software?

Some of the benefits of employee monitoring software are the following:

  • Productivity optimization enables managers to identify peak performance periods and workflow bottlenecks, allowing for strategic resource allocation and process improvements that can increase team efficiency by 10-80% according to user reports.
  • Remote work management provides essential visibility for distributed teams, ensuring accountability and performance standards are maintained regardless of work location while supporting flexible work arrangements.
  • Time tracking accuracy eliminates manual timekeeping errors and buddy punching issues, providing precise billing records for client projects and accurate payroll processing that saves significant administrative time.
  • Security compliance helps organizations meet regulatory requirements through detailed activity logs, data loss prevention capabilities, and audit trails that protect sensitive information and support compliance documentation.
  • Employee development identifies coaching opportunities and skill gaps through performance analytics, enabling managers to provide targeted support and professional development that improves both individual and team outcomes.
  • Cost management reduces operational expenses by identifying inefficient processes, preventing time theft, optimizing staffing levels, and providing data-driven insights for budget planning and resource allocation decisions.

FAQs

Employee monitoring software is generally legal when implemented properly with appropriate transparency and employee consent. The key is clearly communicating monitoring practices, obtaining consent when needed, and focusing on monitoring company devices during work hours. However, regulations vary by location and industry, so businesses should consult legal counsel and clearly document their monitoring policies to ensure compliance with local privacy laws and employment regulations.

Most modern employee monitoring software operates transparently, with employees aware of the monitoring through dashboard access, notifications, or visible system tray icons. Transparent monitoring solutions only track activity when employees are clocked in and working, ensuring monitoring stops when employees finish their workday. This approach builds trust while maintaining accountability, as employees can often view their own productivity data and understand how monitoring insights are used to optimize workflows and support their professional development.

Employee monitoring focuses on productivity optimization, time tracking, and workflow improvement through data analytics and insights that benefit both employers and employees. Employee monitoring will not allow managers to gain remote access to employee computers or monitor off-the-clock activity, as this would be intrusive and counterproductive. Surveillance, by contrast, implies covert observation and control with punitive intent, which most modern solutions actively avoid in favor of transparency, trust-building, and performance enhancement.

Successful implementation requires transparent communication about the purpose and benefits of monitoring, focusing on productivity improvement and employee support rather than punishment or micromanagement. Involve employees in the selection process, provide comprehensive training on the software’s benefits, clearly explain how data will be used to optimize workflows and support career development, and establish clear policies about privacy boundaries. Emphasize that monitoring insights will be used for process improvement, resource allocation, and identifying training opportunities rather than for punitive measures, and regularly gather employee feedback to ensure the system continues to serve everyone’s interests.