The Best Employee Management System of 2025
At Compare-bazaar, we understand the importance of effective workforce management for your business. That's why we recommend the best employee management platforms that provide powerful HR tools and workforce insights. The best employee management solutions offer automated workflows, intelligent performance tracking, and comprehensive analytics to help you manage your team more effectively. Whether you're running a small business or a large enterprise, the right employee management system can transform how you hire, engage, and retain your talent.
As your company grows, ensuring you have the right HR tools is critical. Small operations can often manage with basic spreadsheets, but as your workforce expands, it's essential that your management systems scale accordingly. Implementing the best business employee management platform can significantly enhance your ability to improve productivity, boost employee satisfaction, and streamline HR operations. At Compare-bazaar, we help you find the perfect HR solution that aligns with your business needs, offering features like automated onboarding, performance reviews, shift scheduling, and detailed workforce analytics.
- Starts at $19.95 per user/month
- Video capacity: 100
- 24/7 customer support
- Starts at $19.95 per user/month
- Video capacity: 100
- 24/7 customer support
- Starts at $10 per user/month
- Video capacity: 1000
- 24/7 customer support
- Starts at $36 per user/month
- Video capacity: 250
- 24/7 customer support
- Starts at $36 per user/month
- Video capacity: 250
- 24/7 customer support
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What is Employee Monitoring Software? And What Does it Do?
Employee monitoring software is a digital solution that provides a way for businesses to monitor, record and manage employees' online behavior while they are on company time. Whether you have a few employees or several hundred, the software can be useful, because there are so many distractions in the modern workplace for both onsite and remote employees, especially for those who use internet-connected devices to complete their daily tasks.
While employees can be trusted to do the right thing most of the time, there is always an opportunity for them to engage in unproductive behavior on company time. Worse yet, employees could be insider threats – exhibiting reckless or malicious behavior that jeopardizes your business.
Nearly every employer can benefit from employee monitoring software, whether to accurately track work hours, manage and improve productivity, or secure their organization from cyber threats. That being said, some industries tend to use employee monitoring more than others. For example, it is a very common tool used among freelancers. Other businesses that often use it include IT companies, staffing agencies, financial organizations, consultants, law firms, accountants and architects. Most of these industries are highly regulated, and employee monitoring software can help them comply.
The Best Employee Monitoring Software
Teramind: Best for Security Threat Detection
Intelogos: Best for Ease of Use
ActivTrak: Best for Workforce Analytics
Controlio: Best for Video Monitoring
Hubstaff: Best for Remote Teams
BambooHR EMS: Best for Performance Management
Veriato: Best for Larger Organizations
SentryPC: Best for Affordability
Featured partners
Employee Monitoring
Workforce Analytics
Time Tracking
HR Management
AI People Analytics
Our top 5 Employee Monitoring Software recommendations
| Software Platform | Expert Score | Best for | Key Features | Free Trial | Free Plan | User Minimum | Pricing | Software Plans | Contract Length | Hosting Options | Compatible | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teramind | 4.5 | Best for comprehensive employee monitoring |
| 14-day free trial | No free plan | 5 users minimum | Starting at $10/user/month | Starter, UAM, DLP, Enterprise | Monthly or annual contracts | Cloud-based and on-premise | Windows, Mac, Linux | |
ActivTrak | 4.3 | Best for workforce analytics |
| 14-day free trial | Free plan available | No minimum users | Starting at $10/user/month | Free, Essentials, Professional, Enterprise | Monthly or annual billing | Cloud-based solution | Windows, Mac, Chrome OS | |
Hubstaff | 4.2 | Best for remote team management |
| 14-day free trial | Free plan for 1 user | 1 user minimum | Starting at $7/user/month | Free, Starter, Grow, Team, Enterprise | Monthly or annual subscriptions | Cloud-based platform | Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile apps | |
BambooHR | 4.4 | Best for HR management |
| 7-day free trial | No free plan | No minimum users | Starting at $6.19/employee/month | Core, Pro, Premium | Annual contracts required | Cloud-based only | Web-based, Mobile apps | |
Intelogos | 4.1 | Best for AI-powered workforce analytics |
| 30-day free trial | No free plan | 10 users minimum | Starting at $8/user/month | Essential, Professional, Enterprise | Monthly or annual billing | Cloud-based solution | Windows, Mac, Web-based |
* Scores and recommendations are based on expert analysis and user reviews for employee monitoring software
Our Reviews
Teramind – Best for comprehensive employee monitoring
Pros
- Advanced behavioral analytics and user activity monitoring
- Comprehensive data loss prevention capabilities
- Real-time alerts and automated response systems
- Detailed productivity analytics and reporting
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for small businesses
- Higher learning curve for administrators
- Premium features come at a higher cost
Why I chose Teramind – Best for comprehensive employee monitoring
Teramind is best for comprehensive employee monitoring because it delivers an unmatched combination of behavioral analytics, productivity tracking, and security features. Its advanced monitoring capabilities go beyond simple time tracking to provide deep insights into employee behavior and potential security threats.
- Teramind scores an impressive 94/100 in advanced monitoring features, with perfect scores in behavioral analytics, data loss prevention, and insider threat detection. Its ability to monitor user behavior patterns and detect anomalies makes it essential for organizations prioritizing security.
- The platform's AI-powered analytics provide actionable insights into productivity patterns, helping managers identify areas for improvement while maintaining employee privacy balance.
Teramind's comprehensive approach to employee monitoring, including keystroke logging, screen recording, and application usage tracking, makes it ideal for organizations that need detailed visibility into workforce activities. Its advanced security features and behavioral analytics set it apart from basic time tracking solutions.
ActivTrak – Best for workforce analytics and insights
Pros
- Excellent workforce analytics and productivity insights
- User-friendly interface with intuitive dashboards
- Strong focus on employee privacy and transparency
- Comprehensive free plan available
- Advanced reporting and customization options
Cons
- Limited advanced security features compared to enterprise solutions
- Fewer data loss prevention capabilities
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
Why I chose ActivTrak – Best for workforce analytics and insights
ActivTrak is best for workforce analytics and insights because it provides comprehensive productivity tracking with a focus on actionable data and employee transparency. The platform excels at turning employee activity data into meaningful insights that help organizations optimize productivity and workflow efficiency.
- ActivTrak scores 91/100 in workforce analytics capabilities, with exceptional strength in productivity reporting, team performance insights, and customizable dashboards that help managers make data-driven decisions about workforce optimization.
- The platform's transparent approach to monitoring helps maintain employee trust while providing valuable insights, making it ideal for organizations that want to balance productivity tracking with employee privacy concerns.
- Unlike heavy-handed monitoring solutions, ActivTrak focuses on providing actionable insights rather than invasive surveillance, making it more suitable for modern workplace cultures that value transparency and employee engagement.
ActivTrak's strength lies in its ability to transform raw activity data into meaningful productivity insights while maintaining a balance between monitoring and employee privacy. This makes it particularly valuable for organizations looking to optimize productivity without creating a surveillance-heavy work environment.
Hubstaff – Best for remote team time tracking
Pros
- Excellent time tracking with automatic screenshots
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go tracking
- Integrated payroll and invoicing features
- GPS tracking for field teams
- Competitive pricing with good value
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise solutions
- Screenshot frequency may feel invasive to some employees
- Basic project management capabilities
Why I chose Hubstaff – Best for remote team time tracking
Hubstaff is the best solution for remote team time tracking because it combines accurate time tracking with location monitoring, making it ideal for distributed teams and field workers. Its comprehensive approach to time management includes automated screenshot capture, GPS tracking, and integrated payroll processing.
- Hubstaff scores 89/100 in time tracking accuracy and remote team management, with excellent capabilities in GPS tracking, mobile time tracking, and automatic activity monitoring that make it perfect for managing distributed workforces.
- The platform's integrated approach to time tracking, project management, and payroll processing eliminates the need for multiple tools, providing a streamlined solution for remote team management and billing.
- Unlike basic time tracking tools, Hubstaff offers location-based tracking and mobile functionality that makes it particularly valuable for field service teams, construction crews, and other location-dependent work scenarios.
Hubstaff's strength in remote team management comes from its comprehensive approach to time tracking that includes location awareness, automated monitoring, and integrated business processes. This makes it particularly effective for organizations with distributed teams or field workers who need accurate time tracking and location verification.
BambooHR – Best for HR-integrated employee monitoring
Pros
- Seamless integration with HR management systems
- Comprehensive employee performance tracking
- Excellent user interface and employee experience
- Strong compliance and privacy features
- Robust reporting and analytics capabilities
Cons
- Higher cost for smaller organizations
- Limited advanced security monitoring features
- Some features require additional modules
Why I chose BambooHR – Best for HR-integrated employee monitoring
BambooHR is best for HR-integrated employee monitoring because it seamlessly combines traditional HR management with workforce monitoring capabilities. This integration provides a holistic view of employee performance while maintaining strong privacy and compliance standards.
- BambooHR scores 92/100 in HR integration capabilities, offering seamless connection between performance management, time tracking, and employee development programs that create a comprehensive workforce management solution.
- The platform's focus on employee experience and privacy compliance makes it ideal for organizations that want to implement monitoring while maintaining positive employee relations and meeting regulatory requirements.
- Unlike standalone monitoring tools, BambooHR's integrated approach allows HR teams to correlate monitoring data with performance reviews, career development, and compensation decisions for more strategic workforce management.
BambooHR's strength lies in its ability to integrate employee monitoring with comprehensive HR functions, creating a unified platform that supports both operational oversight and strategic human resource management while maintaining employee trust and compliance.
Intelogos – Best for AI-powered workforce intelligence
Pros
- Advanced AI-powered workforce intelligence
- Predictive analytics for employee performance
- Automated insights and recommendations
- Strong focus on employee wellness and burnout prevention
- Innovative approach to workforce optimization
Cons
- Newer platform with limited market presence
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited integration options compared to established platforms
Why I chose Intelogos – Best for AI-powered workforce intelligence
Intelogos is best for AI-powered workforce intelligence because it leverages advanced artificial intelligence to provide predictive insights and automated recommendations for workforce optimization. The platform goes beyond traditional monitoring to offer intelligent analysis of employee behavior and performance patterns.
- Intelogos scores 93/100 in AI-powered analytics capabilities, with cutting-edge machine learning algorithms that can predict employee burnout, identify performance trends, and provide automated recommendations for workforce optimization.
- The platform's focus on employee wellness and burnout prevention sets it apart from traditional monitoring tools, using AI to identify early warning signs and suggest interventions to maintain employee health and productivity.
- Unlike conventional monitoring solutions, Intelogos uses artificial intelligence to continuously learn from workforce data, providing increasingly accurate insights and predictions that help organizations make proactive workforce management decisions.
Intelogos represents the future of workforce monitoring with its AI-first approach that provides intelligent insights rather than just data collection. This makes it ideal for forward-thinking organizations that want to leverage artificial intelligence for strategic workforce management and employee wellness.
What Are the Benefits of Employee Monitoring Software?
Employee monitoring software can benefit your company in multiple ways, primarily regarding productivity, security, accuracy, and compliance.
Managing employee productivity
Monitoring your employees' device usage can motivate them to use their time wisely. The best monitoring software allows you to designate specific apps and activities as productive or unproductive, giving you a clear look at what type of activities your employees engage in each day.
You can also compare employees' behavior analytics with their total output to see where they excel and where they might need guidance to improve their productivity.
Improving employees' well-being
While it may not sound like the most obvious result, employee monitoring software can actually help you manage employee wellness. For example, the time-tracking data can show you how many hours each employee works in a day.
If you notice an employee is consistently working overtime, you can take preemptive measures against burnout. If an employee is consistently tardy or absent, this may mean they're already reaching burnout. Consider discussing these insights with your team and redistributing workloads to optimize your team's well-being.
Ensuring pay accuracy
With tools to track employee activity (such as keystroke logging and webcam recording), you can make sure your team is actively working at their computers when they say they are. This helps you comply with labor laws and pay your employees accurately for the time they work. Many monitoring solutions also allow for project tracking, which improves accuracy in billing or paying out for specific projects.
Maintaining company security
Employee monitoring software can help protect your business and your network. Features like website tracking, content filters and screen capture help you ensure your team is working on the proper websites and applications, instead of viewing malicious websites or performing risky activities. The software can monitor emails, USB insertions and print jobs for leaks of confidential data. You can also use network monitoring to track the functionality of all your network components and reduce downtime.
Securing legal protection
You may be glad you tracked and archived employee activity if you need proof of a disgruntled former employee's poor behavior. Instead of basing your claims on "he said, she said," you can use this data as evidence in the unfortunate event of litigation.
How to Choose Employee Monitoring Software
The right employee monitoring software can help you increase company security and employee productivity, but that doesn't mean it's easy to find. If you aren't sure where to start, we've got you covered. We spoke with business leaders to hear firsthand on what to consider when choosing employee monitoring software – in addition to general monitoring features, of course.
Assess platform security.
Employee monitoring software can capture a wealth of information, which is why one of the most important features to look out for is platform security. When we spoke with David Weisselberger, founding partner at Erase The Case, he confirmed this to be true for his business.
"Adherence to legal business norms and data encryption were the two most important variables [for us]," Weisselberger told us. "It was vital to make sure that our clients' private information was safe and secure. These worries were allayed by Hubstaff's SOC 2 accreditation and HIPAA compliance."
When you speak with an employee monitoring provider about their software, inquire about what security measures will be taken to keep your employee, client and company data secure.
Choose software with employee buy-in.
No one likes the idea of being monitored, so it's important to have a transparent conversation with employees about what you will monitor and why. Employees are more likely to be receptive to the software if they understand how and why it's being used.
Jen Seran, director of business operations at Stallion Express, has also purchased employee monitoring software. Based on her experience, she suggests building on this employee buy-in by balancing functionality and employee comfort since monitoring should enhance productivity, not hinder trust.
"Choose a tool that your team can adapt to without feeling micromanaged," said Seran. "The right software will ultimately help your business thrive while keeping your team engaged and empowered. After all, a motivated team is the backbone of any successful operation."
Test the platform's usability.
You can purchase the best software in the world, but it will be a waste of money if your team doesn't know how to use it effectively. Look for software that matches your monitoring needs and your employees' tech capabilities.
For Seran, usability was one of the most important factors, including intuitiveness and cross-platform functionality.
"Our workforce uses a variety of platforms; thus, Hubstaff's intuitive UI and cross-platform functionality were crucial," said Seran.
Misty Spittler, founder of Insurance Claim Academy, agreed that choosing a user-friendly platform is vital.
"Choose software with an interface you understand," said Spittler. "Complicated tools create more work, not less. And test extensively during the free trial to ensure the data and reports are actually helpful before committing long-term."
Make time for careful implementation.
The implementation process can make a big difference in how effective your software is. Because of this, initial setup and configuration are two things you should spend extra time on.
If you are debating between a couple of top vendors, ask about their implementation processes to see which solution may offer a better onboarding process. Having someone walk you through how to use all of the features can help ensure you chose the right software and get your money's worth.
What Are Features To Look for With the Software?
The best employee monitoring software for small businesses helps you manage and enforce your acceptable use policy without requiring a lot of your time to install and maintain it. You need a solution that alerts you when your employees attempt to leak vital business information, access inappropriate content, or simply waste time while they are on the clock.
Here are the main features to pay attention to in your search.
Content Filtering and Blocking Features
Consider the different types of monitoring features the software offers. For example, how much do you want to control your employees' internet time? Is it all right for them to surf the internet during breaks and lunches, or not at all? What websites do your employees need to access to do their jobs?
With some software, you can select times when the internet or certain sites are blocked or accessible. Most applications also let you create user groups, each with its own rules and permissions. Blocking disruptive sites and creating custom permissions for specific groups is one way you can use this type of business internet software to increase your employees' efficiency and productivity.
Time Tracking and Activity Monitoring
Many businesses use employee monitoring software to track employees' working hours. The software may include login/logout features so employees can record the time they spend working. Activity tracking is a popular feature that shows how active or idle an employee's keyboard and mouse are during their work hours.
Idle time isn't always a negative thing, though. For example, if an employee spends a lot of time reading or in meetings, they might have low keyboard and mouse activity. The best software records whether the employee's activity (or inactivity) is productive or unproductive. This gives you insight into where your employees excel and where they are distracted. This is a great feature for tracking and improving employee productivity.
Application, Website and Email Monitoring
Consider the specific areas of computer activity you want to track. The most comprehensive programs keep detailed logs of the websites your employees visit and the apps they use, along with their emails, online chats, created and downloaded files, print jobs, inserted devices, and even physical locations when they're on company devices.
You may not want to keep such detailed tabs on your employees. If you choose software with a full suite of features, you can usually customize exactly what it records (and in how much detail) as well as the exceptions.
Screenshots and Keystroke Logging
Depending on your reason for using employee monitoring software, you may want it to record employees' online searches and takes screenshots of their monitors. These can come in handy if you are sued by a disgruntled employee and need to back up your claims.
You may also want to consider software that records keystrokes; however, this feature could feel particularly invasive to employees, so not all monitoring software vendors offer it.
Reports and Notifications
Pay attention to the software's reports and notification features. It should provide regular reports (at intervals you choose) with easy-to-read statistics and visual breakdowns of employee habits. For more detailed information, though, you'll need extensive notification options, and the best software has both real-time monitoring and real-time alerts. For instance, you may choose to be alerted if an employee downloads a document online or tries to access a forbidden website. Since notifications alert you to specific occurrences and reports give you a staff-wide overview, you'll get the most out of your software when you use both options together.
Archive Storage
Make sure your office web monitoring software automatically archives the data it captures. You never know when you may need to review an employee's internet history. [Related article: 10 Ways Employee Monitoring Software Can Benefit Your Remote and In-Office Teams]
Mobile Apps
In addition to dashboards you can access from any browser, the best employee monitoring software offers mobile apps that let you monitor your staff when you're away from the office. Some have both Android and iPhone apps, and others are platform-specific, so if this feature is important to you, verify that the app is compatible with the operating system you use.
Ease of Use and Support
Good monitoring software should be intuitive to use, with a visually appealing interface that displays all the options without being cluttered and overwhelming. You and the other admins should feel confident using the software, getting a good grasp of the monitoring options after a few minutes of clicking around.
In case you do run into issues, though, you want to work with a company that's easy to reach. You should be able to reach tech support by phone, email, live chat, or online ticket, though even some of the best companies only offer one or two of these support avenues. Live chat is typically the fastest way to connect with a representative. Most companies also have extensive self-help resources on their websites for your reference, such as how-to guides, video tutorials, and FAQs pages.
Some companies charge extra for ongoing upgrades and support after the first year. You can forgo this option, but you run the risk of operating outdated and possibly insecure software without help from the manufacturer.
Methodology
To determine the best employee monitoring software on the market, our team of HR experts and software analysts evaluated an initial list of 29 platforms. We examined each to compare pricing plans and available features, as well as the usability of associated software and the responsiveness and quality of customer support.
After whittling our list down to 14, we chose six monitoring solutions as our top recommendations. Our experts and analysts studied each solution's functionality and evaluated the products on nearly 100 factors.
These factors were broken down into categories and weighted differently in our overall conclusion. The weights were determined based on how much business owners prioritize these criteria when shopping for business software and services and making purchasing decisions.
- Pricing (30%): Our experts and analysts compared and contrasted each vendor's plans, judging which packages offered the best bang for your buck. They took into account monthly subscription fees, costs per user, on-premises vs. cloud-based pricing, contract requirements, free trials, available discounts, and the costs of optional add-on features.
- Features (25%): We looked for standard employee monitoring software functions like activity tracking, website and application monitoring, keystroke logging, content filtering, website blocking, and reporting and analytics. We also assessed the available integrations and awarded extra points for advanced features, like AI-powered tools and high-end security settings.
- Ease of Use (20%): We tried the software solutions firsthand, gauging each platform's learning curve, user-friendliness and customization options. We also considered what selection of platforms could be monitored, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome, iOS and Android.
- Customer Service (15%): We evaluated the range of customer service options, including whether phone, email and web chat assistance was provided with all package tiers. We also examined each vendor's online resources for businesses interested in self-guided help.
- Scalability (10%): You may have a small team now, but it's important that you find software that can grow with your business. We considered what maximum capacity each software had when it came to monitoring users and devices. We also factored in the easeability in which someone could upgrade or downgrade their plan.
Based on these criteria, we not only determined which employee monitoring software our readers could trust but also the ways in which each solution could best serve different business needs. Some platforms were better at certain tasks than others or more suited to a particular type of company. These takeaways informed the "Best for" use cases you see on this page.
To learn more about our methodology, see our full editorial process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Automates routine HR tasks like attendance tracking and leave managementCentralizes employee data for easy access and managementSimplifies onboarding with digital paperwork and task checklistsProvides self-service portals for employees to update their informationIntegrates with payroll systems to reduce manual data entry
360-degree feedback and performance reviewsGoal setting and tracking with OKRs/KPIsReal-time performance analytics and reportingSkill gap analysis and development planningRecognition and reward system integration
Our onboarding module automates the entire process from offer acceptance to first-day readiness. It includes digital document signing, task assignments for multiple departments, equipment provisioning workflows, training scheduling, and automated reminders to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Yes, our compliance features include:Automatic updates for changing labor regulationsRequired documentation tracking and alertsCustomizable policy acknowledgmentsAudit trails for all HR actionsBuilt-in templates for compliance documents
Our system offers multiple tracking options including biometric devices, mobile check-in/check-out, GPS verification for remote workers, and integration with existing time clocks. It automatically calculates overtime, manages shift schedules, and flags attendance patterns that may need attention.
We provide over 50 standard reports covering turnover, headcount, compensation analysis, diversity metrics, and more. All reports can be customized, scheduled for automatic delivery, and exported in multiple formats. Our analytics dashboard offers real-time visualization of key HR metrics.
We employ enterprise-grade security including:SOC 2 Type II and GDPR complianceRole-based access controls with multi-factor authenticationEnd-to-end encryption for all sensitive dataRegular third-party security auditsGeographically redundant data centers
Yes, our platform offers pre-built integrations with most major payroll providers, benefits administrators, ATS systems, and accounting software. We also provide a robust API for custom integrations with your unique tech stack.
We provide 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat. Every customer gets a dedicated account manager, quarterly business reviews, and access to our online knowledge base with video tutorials. Implementation includes hands-on training for your team.
Engagement features include:Pulse surveys and sentiment analysisPeer recognition and reward toolsCareer pathing and development planningInternal mobility and job posting featuresSocial features for team connection
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