Searching for the ultimate guide to timekeeping software? You just landed on the right page. Whether you’re a small startup juggling schedules or a large organization managing dozens of remote workers, accurate time tracking is essential. That’s why so many teams rely on Buddy Punch to simplify scheduling, automate payroll, and keep everyone accountable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing and using the best timekeeping software in 2024.

Let’s face it: manually tracking employee hours with spreadsheets or punch cards is a recipe for errors, missed overtime, and frustrated staff. I’ve been there, sifting through paper timesheets and trying to calculate accrued vacation time by hand. After years of trial and error, I discovered Buddy Punch—a reliable, award-winning platform trusted by thousands of businesses worldwide. Ready to save time, money, and headaches? Try Buddy Punch Free for 14 days Today.

What is Buddy Punch Timekeeping Software?

Buddy Punch is a cloud-based timekeeping software designed to streamline employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll processing. At its core, it allows employees to punch in and out from any device—be it a desktop computer, smartphone, kiosk or via QR code—and delivers real-time attendance data to managers. With built-in geofencing, IP address locking, and image verification, Buddy Punch ensures that every punch is accurate and accountable, whether your team is onsite, remote, or working in the field.

By automatically calculating overtime, accrued vacation and sick time, and integrating directly with leading payroll platforms like QuickBooks and Paychex, Buddy Punch removes the manual grunt work from workforce management. The result? Fewer errors, faster payroll runs, and happier employees who know their hours and time off are always up to date.

Buddy Punch Overview

Founded with the mission to eliminate time-tracking headaches, Buddy Punch launched in response to small business owners frustrated by outdated punch clocks and labor-intensive spreadsheets. Early adopters praised its intuitive interface and ability to adapt to diverse industries—from construction sites to virtual teams. Over the past several years, the platform has scaled rapidly, adding advanced features like geofencing, QR code punch options, and robust API access for enterprise customers.

Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Buddy Punch serves customers across North America and beyond. Its continuous investment in user experience, security, and support has earned accolades in major HR and software review publications. Whether you need a simple solution for a handful of remote workers or an enterprise-level system with single sign-on (SSO), Buddy Punch’s flexible architecture can grow with your organization.

Pros and Cons

Pro: Easy Implementation – Getting up and running with Buddy Punch takes minutes. Users can invite team members, assign roles, and configure geofencing with just a few clicks.

Pro: Accurate Timekeeping – Geofencing and IP address locking ensure employees can only clock in from approved locations, reducing buddy punching and time theft.

Pro: Automated Calculations – The system automatically computes overtime, paid time off accruals, and custom pay rules, so you never have to wrestle with spreadsheet formulas again.

Pro: Mobile and Desktop Access – With native iOS and Android apps, as well as a web interface, employees can punch in from anywhere, on any device.

Pro: Robust Reporting – Generate detailed reports on hours worked, overtime, job costing, and more. Reports can be customized by date range, location, or employee group.

Pro: Seamless Integrations – Buddy Punch connects with QuickBooks, Paychex, Workday, and many other payroll systems, eliminating data re-entry and speeding up payroll runs.

Pro: Excellent Customer Support – Real humans are available via chat, email, or text Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm CT, with after-hours messaging to keep you covered.

Con: Internet Connection Required – Since Buddy Punch is cloud-based, a stable internet connection is necessary for real-time tracking and reporting. Offline punching is not currently supported.

Con: Advanced Features Only on Higher Plans – Features like advanced GPS, API access, and SSO are reserved for the Enterprise plan, which may be overkill for very small teams on tight budgets.

Features of Buddy Punch Timekeeping Software

Time Tracking

Track every worked minute with precision. Employees can punch in and out via computer, mobile app, QR code, kiosk, or PIN entry.

• Web and mobile apps for iOS and Android
• QR code scanning and PIN/Kiosk punch options
• Webcam capture for photo verification

Scheduling

Create, publish, and adjust employee schedules in a visual calendar. Shift swapping and open shift alerts keep staffing flexible and transparent.

• Drag-and-drop calendar interface
• Automated shift reminders and alerts
• Color-coded schedules by location or department

Time Off Management

Manage paid and unpaid time off without spreadsheets. Automatically accrue vacation, sick, and owed time based on custom policies.

• Custom accrual rates and carry-over rules
• Employee self-service requests and approvals
• Real-time PTO balances displayed in dashboards

Reporting & Analytics

Run comprehensive reports to simplify payroll and gain insights into labor costs, attendance trends, and project time allocation.

• Exportable CSV and PDF formats
• Custom date ranges and filters
• Job costing and project tracking reports

Geofencing & IP Address Locking

Ensure employees punch in only from authorized locations or devices.

• Define geofence per job site or office
• Lock punching to specified IP addresses

Payroll Integrations

Seamlessly sync hours and earnings data with popular payroll software.

• QuickBooks, Paychex, Workday, Gusto, and more
• Automatic export of approved hours
• Customizable pay codes and earnings categories

GPS & Image Tracking

Capture GPS coordinates and optional photo evidence for field workers to ensure transparency and compliance.

• GPS stamping on each punch
• Optional image upload or webcam snapshot

Alerts & Reminders

Keep everyone on track with customizable push notifications and email reminders for upcoming shifts, forgotten punches, and time off approvals.

• Missed punch reminders
• Schedule change notifications
• PTO request alerts

Buddy Punch Pricing for Timekeeping Software

From basic time tracking essentials to enterprise-grade solutions, Buddy Punch offers flexible plans to fit different team sizes and budgets.

Starter

Price: $5.49/user/month + $19 base fee per month

Best for: Small teams and businesses that need core time tracking features.

• Free administrator users
• GPS on punches, mobile apps, and time tracking
• Time off tracking, alerts & reminders, job tracking
• Payroll integrations and reporting
• Real human chat support Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm CT

Pro (Most Popular)

Price: $6.99/user/month + $19 base fee per month

Best for: Growing teams looking to optimize operations and workforce management.

• Everything in Starter
• Scheduling add-on included
• Basic geofencing, QR code scanning, PIN/Kiosk punch
• Webcam on punches
• Text support Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm CT

Enterprise

Price: $11.99/user/month + $19 base fee per month

Best for: Large organizations requiring custom solutions and dedicated support.

• Everything in Pro
• Advanced GPS add-on included
• Dedicated enterprise support, API access, single sign-on (SSO)

Ready to experience streamlined scheduling and payroll? Discover how Buddy Punch can transform your workforce management today.

Buddy Punch Is Best For

Small Teams and Businesses

If you’re a startup or small operation with fewer than 20 employees, the Starter plan gives you all the essentials: time tracking, mobile access, PTO management, and integrations—all at an affordable rate.

Growing Teams

For companies scaling up and juggling more complex schedules or multiple locations, the Pro plan’s scheduling add-on, geofencing, and QR code scanning provide the visibility you need to keep operations running smoothly.

Large Organizations

Enterprise customers benefit from advanced GPS controls, API access to connect Buddy Punch data with internal systems, and single sign-on for seamless user management. Dedicated support ensures quick responses to any questions.

Benefits of Using Buddy Punch Timekeeping Software

• Reduced Payroll Costs
  By eliminating manual timesheet errors and buddy punching, Buddy Punch can save businesses thousands of dollars each year.
• Compliance Assurance
  Automated overtime calculations, geofencing, and IP locking help you stay compliant with labor laws and internal policies.
• Improved Productivity
  With real-time attendance data and schedule reminders, employees know exactly when and where they’re needed.
• Enhanced Transparency
  Managers gain clear visibility into hours worked, time off balances, and location stamps, fostering trust and accountability.
• Seamless Integrations
  Sync hours and wages with your favorite payroll provider in just a few clicks, cutting down on data entry and payroll processing time.
• Scalable Solution
  Whether you have 5 or 5,000 employees, Buddy Punch can scale with you, adding advanced features as your needs evolve.

Customer Support for Timekeeping Software

One of the standout aspects of Buddy Punch is its commitment to real human support. During business hours (Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm CT), you can chat with a live representative who understands your questions and can guide you through setup, troubleshooting, or advanced configurations. Outside of those hours, simply leave a chat message or send an email, and you’ll receive a prompt follow-up the next business day.

For Pro and Enterprise subscribers, Buddy Punch extends support with text messaging options and dedicated enterprise support, ensuring that any urgent issues are addressed quickly. The comprehensive online knowledge base—complete with tutorials, webinars, and FAQs—also lets you find instant answers at any time.

External Reviews and Ratings

On leading review sites, Buddy Punch consistently ranks 4.5 stars or higher out of 5. Users praise its intuitive interface, powerful reporting capabilities, and reliable geofencing technology. Construction companies love the GPS stamping, healthcare providers rely on the time off accrual automation, and nonprofits appreciate the affordability.

Some users have noted a learning curve with advanced features like API integrations or custom pay rules, but the Buddy Punch support team and documentation help bridge that gap quickly. A few administrators have requested offline punch capabilities, which the development team is actively exploring for future updates.

Educational Resources and Community

Beyond the software itself, Buddy Punch offers a wealth of educational materials to help you get the most out of your investment. The official blog covers best practices in workforce management, compliance tips, and industry trends. Regular webinars dive deep into topics like setting up geofences, crafting pay rules, and generating custom reports.

Additionally, a growing community of Buddy Punch users shares insights and advice in forums and social media groups. You’ll find step-by-step tutorials, video walkthroughs, and peer support for troubleshooting unique use cases. Whether you prefer self-paced learning or interactive sessions, there’s a resource to match your style.

Conclusion

Managing employee hours, schedules, and payroll doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. With Buddy Punch, you gain a comprehensive timekeeping software solution that automates manual tasks, ensures accuracy, and scales as your organization grows. From intuitive time tracking and geofencing to seamless payroll integrations and stellar support, Buddy Punch has everything you need to optimize your workforce management.

Ready to transform the way you track time and run payroll? Try Buddy Punch Free for 14 days Today by clicking here: Try Buddy Punch Free for 14 days Today.