Best GPS time clock apps for US construction crews (2026 buyer’s guide)
Construction crews don’t stay in one place. They move between jobsites, stop for materials, travel across town, and often work in areas with poor cell service. For contractors, this creates a constant challenge: confirming where work actually happened—not just when someone clocked in.
Mobile GPS time clocks solve this by pairing time tracking with location data. But not all GPS tools work the same way. Some only capture location at punch-in, while others track movement continuously. Some support job costing and payroll cleanly, while others create more admin work.
This guide reviews eight mobile GPS time clock apps commonly used by US contractors, focusing on real-world construction workflows. Pricing ranges from $4–$20 per user per month, depending on GPS depth, integrations, and job costing features.
Mobile GPS time clocks: Quick comparison
| App | GPS style | Route history | Job costing | Best for | Starting price |
| Workyard | Real-time | Full breadcrumb trails | Advanced | Crews moving across multiple jobsites daily | $6/user + $50 base |
| Buddy Punch | Punch-based | Limited | Basic | Small teams preventing time theft | $5.49/user + $19 base |
| QuickBooks Time | Interval snapshots | No | Basic | Contractors already using QuickBooks | $10/user + $8 base |
| ClockShark | Snapshot | No | Limited | Trade crews with photo verification | $9/user + $40 base |
| busybusy | Snapshot | No | Limited | Construction teams needing reports | $11.99/user + $40 admin |
| Hubstaff | Interval | Partial | Limited | Route-based service teams | $4.99/user |
| Timeero | Interval | Partial | Basic | Mileage-heavy teams | $4/user |
| Clockify | Optional snapshots | No | None | Budget-focused teams | Free–$6.99/user |
How we evaluated these tools
Each platform was tested over a 90-day period using real construction scenarios: clocking in on-site, switching jobs mid-day, working offline, reviewing GPS logs, and exporting payroll data. Tools were scored on:
- Location accuracy and tracking method
- Ability to handle multiple jobsites per day
- Job and cost code depth
- Offline reliability
- Payroll and accounting integrations
- Mobile usability for field crews
1. Workyard — best for multi-jobsite construction crews
Workyard is purpose-built for construction companies whose crews move between multiple jobsites every day. Unlike apps that only record location at clock-in, Workyard tracks continuous, real-time GPS, creating a full record of where work occurred throughout the day.
Best fit: Mid-size to large contractors needing verified location data for payroll, job costing, and compliance.
What stands out
- Continuous GPS tracking with exact entry and exit times
- Full breadcrumb trails showing routes, stops, and travel time
- Automatic job switching based on location
- Offline tracking that syncs later without data loss
- Clear separation of drive time vs. on-site hours
- Supervisor approvals backed by GPS proof
- Direct integrations with QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, Sage, and Foundation
Pricing
- Starter: $6/user/month + $50 base
- Pro: $13/user/month + $50 base
- Enterprise: Custom
A 14-day free trial includes all GPS and job costing features.
Pros
- Designed specifically for construction workflows
- Accurately captures multi-site days
- Strong offline reliability
- Detailed labor and cost reporting
Cons
- Requires initial job code setup
- Not a full project management platform
Bottom line: If your crews visit three or more jobsites per day and job costing accuracy matters, Workyard provides the most complete location record available.
2. Buddy Punch — simple GPS with strong punch controls
Buddy Punch focuses on preventing time theft through punch-based GPS, geofencing, and photo verification. It’s commonly used by small construction and field service teams that want basic location confirmation without complexity.
Best fit: Small contractors prioritizing punch accuracy over route detail.
Key capabilities
- GPS captured at clock-in and clock-out
- Geofences tied to job locations
- Photo verification on punches
- Job codes linked to locations
- Integrations with QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, and Paychex
Pricing
- Standard: $5.49/user/month + $19 base
- Pro: $6.99/user/month + $19 base
14-day free trial available.
Trade-offs
- No offline mode
- No travel or mileage tracking
- Limited visibility between punches
Bottom line: A cost-effective option for small teams that mainly work at one site at a time.
3. QuickBooks Time — best for QuickBooks-native payroll
QuickBooks Time is built for companies already running accounting and payroll inside QuickBooks. Its GPS tracking relies on periodic location points rather than continuous monitoring.
Best fit: Contractors who want basic GPS confirmation and seamless QuickBooks payroll sync.
Core features
- Geofence-based clock-in reminders
- Location snapshots at set intervals
- Simple job selection
- Direct sync to QuickBooks Desktop and Online
Pricing
- Premium: $10/user/month + $8 base
- Elite: $20/user/month + $10 base
30-day free trial included.
Limitations
- No real-time GPS trails
- Limited offline reliability
- Less effective for multi-site days
Bottom line: Excellent payroll integration, but limited location detail.
4. ClockShark — photo verification for trade crews
ClockShark emphasizes punch verification and scheduling rather than deep GPS tracking. It’s often used by trade contractors working on one or two sites per day.
Highlights
- Photo-required clock-ins
- Geofence reminders
- Basic GPS points
- Simple job tracking
Pricing
- $9–$11/user/month + base fee
Drawback: No route history or travel-time visibility.
5. busybusy — reporting-focused construction tracking
busybusy combines basic GPS verification with labor and equipment reporting tools. It supports offline work and daily sign-offs.
Strengths
- Equipment hour tracking
- Labor productivity reports
- Offline support
Weaknesses
- No real-time GPS
- No true breadcrumb trails
6. Hubstaff — route tracking for service teams
Hubstaff is better suited to service and delivery teams than construction. It tracks routes and activity but lacks construction-specific job costing depth.
Best use
- Service companies needing route logs and productivity metrics
7. Timeero — mileage-first tracking
Timeero is designed for teams where mileage reimbursement matters more than job costing. It automatically logs distance traveled between stops.
Ideal for
- HVAC and service teams with many daily stops
8. Clockify — budget-friendly basic tracking
Clockify offers a free plan with unlimited users and optional GPS snapshots. It’s widely used but not construction-specific.
Best fit: Small teams needing basic time records without detailed location proof.
How to choose the right GPS time clock
Real-time GPS vs. geofencing
- Real-time GPS shows the full workday and travel
- Geofencing only confirms presence at punch points
Multi-jobsite support
- Look for automatic logging of each stop
- Daily summaries should break down hours by location
Offline capability
- Essential for rural, indoor, or underground work
- Best tools store several days of data locally
Payroll integrations
- Native integrations reduce payroll errors
- Job and cost code syncing matters more than hours alone
Pricing expectations
- $4–$7/user: Basic GPS snapshots
- $6–$12/user: Construction-focused real-time GPS
- $15–$20/user: Advanced reporting and enterprise support
Base fees impact small teams more than large ones.
Best tools by use case
- Best overall: Workyard
- Best value for small teams: Buddy Punch
- Best for QuickBooks users: QuickBooks Time
- Best free option: Clockify
- Best for mileage tracking: Timeero
Final recommendation
For contractors who need reliable proof of where work happened—especially across multiple jobsites—Workyard delivers the most accurate and complete GPS record. Its real-time tracking, offline reliability, and automatic job switching solve the problems that snapshot-based tools miss.
If your needs are simpler or budget-driven, Buddy Punch, QuickBooks Time, or Clockify may still be sufficient. The key is matching the depth of GPS tracking to how your crews actually move during the day.