Hubstaff vs ActivTrak

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Our analysts compared Hubstaff vs ActivTrak based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Employee Monitoring Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Hubstaff is a time-tracking SaaS with a focus on remote work. Beyond simple punch-in and punch-out, it includes a robust accountability framework, including activity logging, screenshot taking and geofencing. Managers can build employee schedules and organize tasks while monitoring the productivity of each employee and project. It seamlessly turns logged hours into timesheets and reports, enabling payroll fulfillment and business insights.

It helps home healthcare agencies by tracking bills, time spent and manages payments while setting payment rates for each employee. It offers mobile support for iOS and Android for off-site or variable-site labor. It is deployable on Mac, Windows or Linux, and has a browser version. It has a variant pricing scale, from free to premium, with more functionality added at higher prices.
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ActivTrak is a performance monitoring and analytics tool that provides historical and real-time activity metrics through easy-to-understand dashboards and reports. It pulls from external business data sources such as Salesforce, Jira and Zendesk to display data insights that drive productivity-focused decisions. In addition to ensuring strong security and data governance, it also can set usage limits on unproductive websites and alarms to prevent data breaches and time theft.

Its Freemium plan allows monitoring of up to three workstations with 3 GB of storage, while the Advanced plan offers unlimited monitoring and storage with real-time screenshots and data redaction for information privacy.
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$4.99/User, Monthly
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$9/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Track Employee Productivity: Managers can evaluate and check that their employees are being efficient and productive on the clock. Activity logging, screenshots and geofencing increase employee accountability and allow managers to take action when standards aren’t being met.  
  • Gain Operations Insight: Managers can evaluate projects, tasks, employees and overall operations through metrics. Visibility into the time spent on projects allows for more accurate time and funds budgeting, and employee productivity metrics ensure the validity of data or give insight on how efficiency can be optimized. 
  • Optimize Employee Organization: Employee scheduling and task assigning allow managers to build employee schedules and handle projects. A visual employee schedule lets managers fill in gaps and account for time off.  
  • Save Time: Managers spend less time organizing employees and evaluating their operations. Customizable reports give them easy access to essential metrics, while intuitive, centralized scheduling and tasking makes tweaking and adjusting a straightforward process. 
  • Save Money: Scaled pricing lets businesses decide what level of time tracking they need and what they can afford. A free version is passable for some businesses, while some need more robust accountability features. Businesses also benefit from automating payroll, time off and project costing to accurately handle finances. 
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  • Boost Employee Efficiency: Set goals and monitor employee productivity data for specific projects and clients. Set limits to reduce frequent usage of unproductive apps to boost work efficiency. Improve employee performance by identifying bottlenecks in workflows. 
  • Productivity Reports: Get a targeted view of employee activity, filtered by individuals or duration, with the option to drill-down for in-depth analysis. Identify top performing employees and flag productive and unproductive apps for different teams for quick reference. View active employees’ screens in real time with the option to automate screenshot capture at regular intervals.  
  • Security: Encrypts all data, including screenshots, videos and activity logs through its multiple layers of protection. Supports single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). All data is stored securely in a data warehouse managed by the Google Cloud Platform. 
  • Proactive Alarms: Set alarms to track activities of interest and track unauthorized USB device activity to secure sensitive data, with the option to shut down the culprit application. Prevents unauthorized file sharing and access to blocked websites with screenshot capture and triggerable Slack and email notifications. Configure audit trails to track account deletion or removal of tracking software from computers. 
  • Track Employee Activity: Capture all employee activity, or specific activities for individuals and teams to track compliance risks. Audit employee screenshots to track what they did before the issue happened, with details on all tabs or windows open at that time, which background applications were running and if any error messages were displayed. Redacts sensitive data from screenshots to ensure data integrity through artificial intelligence. 
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  • Timesheets: Timesheets are automatically built from employee punch-ins and punch-outs from applications or browsers. Timesheets can be edited by employees and approved or rejected by employers.  
  • Project Tracking: Time tracking can be broken down by project and task so employers can see exactly how much time is spent on each task. Individual tasks can be created by workers in-app while on the clock. 
  • Activity Tracking: Managers can track employee activity through keystrokes and mouse motion. Activity is displayed as a percentage, tracking activity for each second over a 10-minute period.  
  • Mobile Support: Mobile apps for iOS and Android allow employee tracking on the go. It can run in the background and relies on geofencing features to ensure employee productivity rather than activity levels. 
  • Scheduling: Managers can set team schedules and set employee shifts. Shifts can include hour limits, to-dos and specific task assignments. 
  • Payroll Management: It can utilize an employee’s timesheet and set pay rates to calculate paychecks. Reports of payments are automatically generated. Integrations allow pay issues to be handled completely automatically. 
  • Screenshots: The software allows for up to three screenshots to be taken within a 10-minute interval. Users and managers alike can see what screenshots were taken, and the feature is optional. 
  • Geofencing: Location services on mobile devices allow the app to track employee location and ensure they aren’t clocking in off-site. 
  • Reporting: Customizable reports give managers overarching views of their business and operations. Attendance, time off, locations and productivity trends can all be provided.  
  • Time Off Management: The software can implement time off policies, including holidays. Workers can have unique time off policies, and time off can be set by annual rates, accrual and negative balances. It also accounts for holidays. These can be implemented directly into the employee schedule.  
  • Notes: Managers and employees can leave notes on timesheet modifications, to-dos and others. Notes can be used to explain why a timesheet was altered, update progress on a project or leave a paper trail of any issues encountered. 
  • Integrations: More than 30 integrations allow in-depth and robust functionality. Integrations with platforms like Quickbooks enable payroll automation, and connections with Trello and others increase project tracking. 
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  • Dashboards: Gain an at-a-glance view of teams’ engagement metrics in real time through dashboards, bar charts and pie charts. Identify the top websites and applications used through usage data analysis. Improve employee coaching practices with insights on productive and unproductive activity patterns. 
  • Team Productivity Pulse: View daily cards for employees summarizing their real-time availability, number of hours worked and productivity status by percentage. Filter the cards to view by employees or teams; drill down for deeper insights into application usage and productivity metrics. 
  • Reporting: Track all websites and applications accessed, employee login and logout times and idle times through the Activity report. Compare work time and idle time by employees and teams to identify gaps in productivity. Identify spikes and dips in employee workload for optimal workforce management. 
  • Activity Logs: Track audit trails of employee activity to investigate what happened and why. Compare engagement patterns of top performers with low-performing employees to gauge areas of improvement. Pinpoint inefficiencies and redundancies in work processes to fine-tune employee onboarding going ahead. 
  • Productivity Tracking: Automatically add the most used applications and websites to the Productivity Library through crowd-sourced data. Gain insights on the top websites visited and top employees active on these sites. Save on licensing costs for applications by identifying which applications are paying off in terms of productivity, and which ones aren’t. 
  • ActivConnect: Integrates with data sources such as Jira, ZenDesk, Salesforce and Microsoft Teams to provide usage metrics for analytics. Easily create and navigate targeted reports through simple querying and slicing-and-dicing. Identify productivity patterns and activity trends via pre-built dashboard templates that can be exported to Power BI and Tableau for high-end data visualization. 
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Create custom tracking and reporting schedules for separate users — shifts, full time employees, contractors — in disparate time zones, based on their work availability. Track by specific time periods daily, or monitor throughout the day. Analyze productivity patterns to identify employee burnout. 
  • Website Blocking: Create a list of blocked domains for specific teams, groups or the whole organization to block employee access to unproductive and inappropriate websites. Easily add to or remove websites from the blocked list to ensure productivity. 
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Product Ranking

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Productivity Analysis
Time Tracking
Platform Security and Compliance
Performance and Scalability
Productivity Analysis
Reporting and Analytics
System Requirements
Time Tracking
Performance and Scalability

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Hubstaff
ActivTrak
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Employee Engagement Integration And Compatibility Mobile Capabilities Monitoring And Tracking Platform Security And Compliance Productivity Analysis Reporting And Analytics Time Tracking 38 76 70 71 98 100 83 100 46 87 70 66 95 100 100 100 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 2832 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 1084 reviews
91%
of users recommend this product

Hubstaff has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 2832 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

ActivTrak has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 1084 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

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4.4 (16)
4.5 (1260)
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4.7 (3)
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Awards

Hubstaff stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated ActivTrak and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Reporting and Analytics and System Requirements. ActivTrak stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Reporting and Analytics Award
System Requirements Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Timesheet Automation: Hubstaff can automatically track time spent on tasks and projects, eliminating the need for manual timesheets. Hubstaff can also take randomized screenshots to help verify work hours.
Payroll and Invoicing: Hubstaff simplifies payroll and invoicing processes by automatically calculating employee hours and generating invoices based on tracked time. Hubstaff also offers integrations with popular payroll and accounting software.
Project Budgeting: Hubstaff helps businesses stay within budget by providing real-time insights into project costs. Hubstaff can also send alerts when projects are nearing their budget limits.
GPS Tracking: Hubstaff offers GPS tracking features for mobile teams, allowing businesses to monitor employee locations and ensure they are where they need to be. Hubstaff can also track mileage for expense reimbursement purposes.
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Improved Efficiency: ActivTrak helps pinpoint unproductive application usage, allowing managers to identify areas for streamlining workflows. Imagine an analyst realizing their team spends more time on social media than project management tools. This data can spark discussions about optimizing the tech stack and prioritizing tasks.
Data-Driven Decisions: ActivTrak goes beyond basic time tracking by providing insights into project activity. For instance, a marketing team can see which team members are actively working on campaign materials and identify any roadblocks that might delay the launch.
Enhanced Transparency: ActivTrak fosters a culture of transparency by giving employees a clearer picture of their own work patterns. Just like a fitness tracker helps users understand their activity levels, ActivTrak can help employees identify periods of focus and potential distractions.
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Limited Customization: Hubstaff's reporting features may not be customizable enough for some users' needs, especially when it comes to exporting data in specific formats or generating custom reports.
Potential Privacy Concerns: Features like activity monitoring and screenshots can raise privacy concerns among employees, potentially leading to a sense of micromanagement and distrust.
Mobile App Limitations: The mobile app may lack some of the functionality available on the desktop version, which can be inconvenient for users who rely on their mobile devices for time tracking and task management.
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Privacy Concerns: Some users express discomfort with the level of monitoring ActivTrak offers. Imagine employees feeling like their every keystroke is being watched, potentially leading to a drop in morale and trust.
Limited Project Insights: While ActivTrak tracks application usage, it might not capture the nuances of complex projects. For instance, an engineering team working on intricate code might see their activity levels dip during brainstorming sessions, which wouldn't necessarily reflect a lack of productivity.
Learning Curve for Complex Features: Some reviewers mention a bit of a learning curve when it comes to utilizing ActivTrak's advanced functionalities. Think of a manager struggling to decipher detailed reports on employee activity patterns, potentially hindering their ability to glean actionable insights.
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Hubstaff, a time-tracking and productivity management software, has attracted a range of feedback from users. While many appreciate its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, some have expressed concerns about its integration capabilities and customer support. Let's delve into the specifics. Hubstaff's strengths lie in its detailed time tracking, insightful productivity analytics, and robust reporting tools. Users find these features particularly helpful for understanding where time is spent, identifying areas for improvement, and making informed decisions. The software's ability to track employee activity, including apps used and URLs visited, provides valuable insights into work patterns and potential distractions. Additionally, Hubstaff's project management capabilities, such as Kanban boards and agile project management tools, enable teams to streamline workflows and enhance collaboration. However, some users have noted that Hubstaff's integration with other systems could be improved, limiting its compatibility with existing workflows. Additionally, there have been some reports of inconsistent customer support experiences. Hubstaff is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those with remote teams or a need for precise project budget management. Its features cater to the specific challenges of managing a distributed workforce, providing transparency and accountability. However, larger enterprises with more complex requirements may find Hubstaff's functionality somewhat limited and may need to explore more robust solutions that offer greater customization and integration options. As the software landscape evolves rapidly, it's always recommended to check for the latest updates and reviews to make informed decisions.

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Reviews for ActivTrak, a workforce analytics software solution, paint a picture of a user-friendly tool with valuable insights, but some privacy concerns and limitations. A common praise centers on ActivTrak's ability to identify unproductive application use. For instance, a marketing manager might discover excessive social media browsing, prompting discussions about optimizing software and refocusing efforts. This actionable data is seen as a strength compared to similar products. However, some reviewers highlight a potential weakness – the inability to capture the full picture for complex projects. An engineering team's deep thinking during a brainstorming session might be misconstrued as inactivity by ActivTrak. This lack of nuance can be a drawback compared to competitors that offer more sophisticated project tracking features. Another point of differentiation lies in ActivTrak's transparency. Employees appreciate the ability to see their work patterns, similar to how a fitness tracker sheds light on activity levels. This fosters a sense of accountability and self-awareness. However, some users express discomfort with the level of monitoring, fearing a Big Brother effect that could erode trust. Finding the right balance between transparency and privacy is an ongoing challenge for ActivTrak and its competitors. In conclusion, ActivTrak seems best suited for businesses seeking a user-friendly tool to gain basic insights into workflow efficiency and employee productivity. The ability to identify unproductive application usage and foster transparency are its strong points. However, businesses with complex project needs or concerns about employee privacy might want to explore alternative workforce analytics solutions that offer more nuanced tracking and a more customizable approach.

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