Interested in Virtual Team Building Events?
26 mins 
1. What is Remote Employee Monitoring?
Remote employee monitoring is a set of activities that an employer takes to ensure that productivity and
performance are optimal
in a work-from-anywhere arrangement. It helps to improve transparency by giving context to interactions.According to Buffer's 2020
State of Remote Work
report, 80% of remote employees work from home, which means increased distractions that risk going unchecked. This naturally affects motivation no matter how self-disciplined you are. The objective of monitoring remote employees is to prevent mismanagement of work time while helping workers balance accountability and breaks. When employees are informed of how they are being tracked, they are more likely to remain self-aware of priorities and would not need constant reminding. More importantly, work is easier to track and reconcile against what is fed back to you verbally. With the right remote work monitoring software, you can detect idle time and enhance billable work based on productivity hours.2. Overview of The Employee Monitoring Software List
3. Comparison Criteria Of Employee Monitoring Software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Customization
- Scalability
4. Key Features of An Employee Monitoring Software
- Activity Monitoring
- Time Tracking
- Productivity Analytics
- Remote Access
5. Top 12 Remote Employee Monitoring Software
Time Doctor - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Time Tracking
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Clients include Thrive Market and Boost Media
Time Doctor was founded in 2012 by Rob Rawson and Liam Martin and is a remote employee software. Both of them developed Time Doctor’s features around the belief that the future of work is remote, enabling their customers to set up distributed teams. A few such customers include SEOZEO, Ericsson, and Verizon.
Time doctor
lets employers track virtual logins and logouts, client billable hours, and the sites their remote staff visit during work hours.What makes Time Doctor unique?Core
Time Doctor features
are attendance,
project management
and budgeting, payroll, timesheets, website monitoring, and time tracking. But what we really like are the distraction alerts. It detects excess social media time and reminds the user to get back on track through pop-ups. This way, you’re getting a breather but are also reminded of when it's time to refocus, which is great!Key Features:- Time tracking
- Project management
- Productivity monitoring
- Payroll management
Pros
- Time Doctor is easy to use and intuitive, with a simple interface and user-friendly design.
- It offers a range of features beyond basic time tracking, such as project management, productivity monitoring, and payroll management.
- The software provides detailed insights into employee activity, allowing managers to identify areas where productivity can be improved.
- It offers integration with a wide range of other tools and platforms, such as Trello, Asana, and Slack.
Cons
- The software can have glitches, especially when trying to track time accurately
- It is expensive software, and small businesses or those with a large number of employees might not find the pricing feasible
- The mobile app can be slow
ActivTrak - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Activity Monitoring
Ideal for small to large-sized businesses. Clients include Mancosa, Hive360 and Nobu
ActivTrak has been in the market for eight years and was founded in Texas by Birch Grove Software. It is a user activity tracking application that picks up the most productive workflows to analyze employee engagement.
ActivTrak
is a productivity-tracking cloud-based app. It gives businesses visibility into user activity and lets employers configure and enforce remote work monitoring software policies.:What Makes ActivTrak Unique?We liked that ActivTrak has use cases for insider threat detection features, data compliance and privacy, which aren’t commonplace in many
remote employee monitoring
tools. Also, the key insights are accessible on one dashboard and are bite-sized, making them easier to understand.Key Features:- Employee monitoring
- Productivity analysis
- Real-time activity tracking
- Remote workforce management
Pros
- ActivTrak provides a comprehensive view of employee activity, allowing managers to monitor productivity, track time spent on tasks, and identify areas where improvements can be made.
- ActivTrak provides real-time activity tracking, allowing managers to respond quickly to any issues that arise.
- The platform is easy to use and user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that doesn't require extensive technical knowledge.
Cons
- The platform does not offer advanced data visualization or analytics features, which may be limiting for some businesses.
- The software can slow down when tracking activity on certain applications or websites.
Hubstaff - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Project Management
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Clients include Kurve, Groupon, and Instacart.
Hubstaff is an
employee time tracking software
that was launched in 2012. Like Time Doctor, Hubstaff is powered by a 100% remote team. Other platforms in addition to time tracking, include
agile project management
and talent management for job finding and remote hiring..Hubstaff brings up shifts, time off requests, and team availability so that employers can plan and assign to-dos to remote teams.What Makes Hubstaff Unique?The first thing we noticed about Hubstaff was how user-experience oriented its remote employee monitoring tools are. Our personal favorite was the
geofencing
feature that automatically starts and stops time tracking according to when members log in and log out. We also liked the option to add budget limits to new projects. It alerts you of clock-bound activities and lets you know how and where time is being spent.Key Features:- Time tracking
- Project management
- Employee scheduling
- Payroll management
Pros
- Provides detailed time tracking and productivity monitoring, allowing managers to identify areas for improvement.
- Offers a range of features beyond basic time tracking, such as project management and payroll management.
- Can be customized to suit the specific needs of different businesses.
Cons
- Some employees may find the monitoring intrusive or feel like they're being micromanaged.
- Some users have reported that the platform can be slow or buggy
- The screenshot feature can be seen as a potential invasion of privacy, particularly if employees are not informed of its use.
Kickidler - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Improving Productivity
Ideal for all types of companies.
Kickidler has been one of the top employee monitoring software for almost a decade. This software helps to improve the productivity of employees, raise their discipline and impact the increase of business outcomes by around 15%. Business owners, CEOs, department heads or any decision maker can receive the user activity results for any period of time and make relevant decisions. Live monitoring is very easy to use and can be turned off at any time.What makes Kickidler unique?Its most unique feature is the real-time monitoring which records every second and can be downloaded at any time. Kickidler also offers detailed reports on employee productivity based on the time used to work with websites and apps. Other user activity monitoring features include violation reports, URL reports, working time reports, and employee ratings. The latter is effective in boosting employee competition.Key Features:- Detailed reports on employee productivity
- Real-time monitoring
- Violation reports
- URL reports
- Working time reports
- Employee rating
Pros
- Kickidler offers advanced visual monitoring tools, including real-time online monitoring of employees, video playback, and history.
- Kickidler suggests a wide range of employee productivity reports that can be considered one of the most sophisticated functionalities among its competitors. Moreover, it shows employee ratings according to their productive activity.
- By granting access to its functionalities for information security professionals, it prevents private information from being leaked or accessed by unauthorized personnel: sending automated reports, notifying the most hazardous websites and programs, and creating email notifications on certain activities defined by the employer.
Cons
- Kickidler is still optimizing its mobile version of the following employees and soon will be available.
- The Cloud version of this monitoring system is currently available only for Time Tracking Version of the software but soon will also be available for Employee Monitoring (EM) variant.
Toggl - Best Employee Monitoring Software for Time Tracking and Project Management
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Clients include PerceptionEngineering, Mediacurrent, and Mooveit.
Toggl is an Estonian-based time tracking app that has been in business since 2006. Like Hubstaff and TimeDoctor, Toggl transitioned to a
fully remote team
in 2014 and has registered over 1 million users since 2016. Toggl helps managers keep remote teams productive with its inbuilt idle-time detection and time-tracking facility. It breaks down hours by projects, tasks, and clients to help you ascertain which projects make you money, and which are holding teams back.What Makes Toggl Unique?We liked the Toggl button that sends out tracking reminders. It also has time-sensitive idle detection that activates if you forget to stop the timer manually making it a great employee productivity monitoring software. You can then return and review time reports. We also like team members in a remote network who can assign billable rates to their work to ensure they’re paid fairly for the time they spend on tasks.Key Features:- Time tracking
- Project management
- Time analysis
- Team management
Pros
- Provides simple and intuitive time tracking functionality.
- Offers integrations with a wide range of other tools and platforms.
- Can be used across multiple devices, including mobile devices.
Cons
- Offers limited employee monitoring capabilities beyond basic time tracking.
- May not be suitable for larger organizations with complex payroll management needs.
- Some users may find the software too simplistic for their needs.
Teramind - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Insider Threat Detection
Ideal for medium to large-sized businesses. Clients include companies like Globonics.
Launched in 2014,Teramind is based in the US and is a robust user behavior analytics tracking platform. It keeps track of expense and time entries. Teramind features Data Loss Protection(DLP) and User Activity Monitoring(UAM).However, the reports caught our attention with comparative metrics like active vs. idle time and productive and unproductive time.What Makes Teramind Unique?We particularly liked Teramind policy and rules engine, which focuses on protecting businesses from data theft.
Teramind
is intended for businesses that want to monitor user actions when online. It maintains access logs across all devices to help track and control activity.Key Features:- Employee monitoring
- User behavior analytics
- Productivity analysis
- Insider threat detection
Pros
- Provides advanced employee monitoring and insider threat detection capabilities.
- Offers real-time activity tracking and alerts for potential security threats.
- Can be customized to suit the specific needs of different businesses.
Cons
- Teramind can be expensive for smaller organizations or those with a limited budget.
- The software requires a certain level of technical expertise to set up and manage effectively.
SentryPC - Best Employee Monitoring Software for Remote Monitoring
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses
SentryPC
started as Access Control Software in 2001, which makes it one of the oldest monitoring tools in the space. The product offerings are for businesses, families, and schools.SentryPC monitors, filters, and controls user activities remotely. It lets managers specify hours for which attempts to access non-work-related sites should be blocked, thereby preventing virtual distractions.What Makes SentryPC Unique?We like the real-time viewing and time management capabilities within SentryPC. It lets you view keystrokes, conversations, and even websites that are frequented. This can seem a tad too invasive, but this is because the product caters to schools and homes and is intended to secure your system against cybercrime targeting the vulnerable.Key Features:- Employee monitoring
- Website filtering
- Application monitoring
- Time tracking
Pros
- Provides a simple and cost-effective employee monitoring and website filtering solution.
- Provides a simple and cost-effective employee monitoring and website filtering solution.
Cons
- SentryPC may not be suitable for businesses that value employee autonomy and trust.
- The software can be expensive, particularly for larger organizations.
Controlio - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Real-Time Monitoring
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
Controlio
is a remote monitoring tool launched in 2017 by EfficientLabs. Unlike Work examiner which is an on-premise solution, Controlio is web-based. It operates in the background under stealth mode and is free for up to 3 computers. Signing up for the Controlio dashboard is hassle-free. After you install the client program, you’ll get to monitor screens live, and record user activities. Since it's hosted on the cloud, there’s no limit to screenshots and time-stamped video recordings that can be uploaded.What Makes Controlio Unique?We liked the fact that the tool is intuitive and easy to use. We aren’t big proponents of blocking certain websites for employees to use but if you are a company that deals with sensitive information, this is the tool for you. This platform also helps avoid micromanaging since the reports allow you to see all the statistics that truly matter. If you are looking for a work from home monitoring software, this is the perfect fit.Key Features:- Employee monitoring
- Screen recording
- Keylogging
- Activity tracking
Pros
- Users and departments can receive productivity scores.
- The software captures video snapshots from multiple displays.
- Keylogging is synced with video recordings.
Cons
- The video capture feature does not have AI or OCR functionality.
- Universal search functionality is not available.
ClickTime - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Time and Expense Tracking
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Clients include Vodafone,BlackRock, and American Express.
ClickTime
is the oldest find in this post, going back all the way to 1997. A division of Mann consulting, Clicktime was initially a web-based timesheet that gradually expanded its capabilities to include reporting, expense and time-tracking, and employee hour and performance tracking.What Makes ClickTime Unique?Three things we liked about ClickTime are their multi-device time-tracking, workforce planning and in-depth productivity report filtering based on employee, team or project. Also, there are templates for you to start on, such as resource planning,project cost estimation and capacity utilization, which we have not come across in the other remote employee tracking software discussed so far.Key Features:- Time tracking
- Resource planning
- Project management
- Expense tracking
Pros
- Provides comprehensive time tracking and resource planning capabilities.
- Offers integrations with a range of other tools and platforms.
Cons
- Users may find the software too complex for their needs.
- Fairly expensive software in comparison to others
Veriato - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Data Loss Prevention
Ideal for large businesses.
Veriato started out in 1998 and was one of the earliest-known entrants into internet monitoring. The different products are cerebral, investigator,vision, and ransom safe
Veriato’s
work-from-home friendly platform lets
remote managers
create daily activity logs and weekly vision reports (like a vision board). It gives visibility into what a remote resource is working on at any given time. Veriato is robust and protects your data from threatsWhat Makes Veriato Unique?We liked the
Vision platform,
in particular. It monitors employee productivity and records online activities,keystrokes typed, messages,online searches, website footfall,social media sites, and even the usage of USB sticks. This software works great irrespective of what your set up is, hybrid or remote.Key Features:- Employee monitoring
- Insider threat detection
- User behavior analytics
- Web filtering
Pros
- Veriato provides AI and psycholinguistic analysis.
- Business owners have complete control over the system's functions.
Cons
- The lower-tier plans do not include the most useful features.
- The software requires a certain level of technical expertise to use.
RescueTime - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Distraction Management
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Clients includeWired, the Guardian, and Lifehacker.
Developed in 2008,
Rescuetime
has been in business as a remote work tracking software for 12 years and automates time tracking.
Rescuetime
is a time management platform for remote teams that lets them stay focused on their priorities while on the clock.What Makes RescueTime Unique?We have mentioned RescueTime in a
previous read
but felt that it deserves to go into this compilation as well. We like how you can get a 360 degree picture on work meetings, calls, projects, and everything else to know where you need to scale back or hit the pause button on busywork.Key Features:- Time tracking
- Productivity analysis
- Employee Self Service Management
- Goal setting
Pros
- Provides time tracking and productivity monitoring capabilities, allowing employees to optimize their workday.
- It provides a productivity pulse feature that can be used for self-gamification.
Cons
- Some users may find the interface difficult to understand,
- While the free version may not offer enough functionality, the paid version can be expensive.
Insightful - Best Remote Employee Monitoring Software for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Clients include Noon Dalton, Loge, and Armut.
Insightful was founded in 2015 by Serbian entrepreneur Ivan Petrovic. It has been reported to have helped businesses save $10 million in time annually and boost clock-in time by 15%. Insightful is a productivity monitoring tool that analyzes web interactions, and labels work as productive or not for employers.What Makes Workpuls Unique?We like that Insightful lets you categorize websites by their relevance to your work. This way, you know where to spend your time on. Also, it records attendance by breaking up the day into logins, break-times, and work hours.Key Features:- Time tracking
- Employee monitoring
- Productivity analysis
- Project management
Pros
- Workpuls offers a range of monitoring features, including web and app activity tracking, keystroke logging, and screenshot capture.
- Workpuls offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and requires little training.
- The software includes productivity tracking and reporting, allowing managers to identify areas where employees may need additional support or training.
Cons
- Workpuls can be expensive, particularly for larger organizations or those with a high number of employees.
- The risk of data mishandling or misuse could lead to legal or ethical issues.
6. Benefits of remote team tracking software
The most noticeable improvement of using a remote team tracking software is in the time you save. Rather than waste it speculating on what remote and distributed workers are up to, especially if you have just transitioned to a WFH model, you can instantly analyze productivity metrics and understand how everyone is getting on with their work.It reconciles information on timesheets as well as the cost and time of work, thereby minimizing the possibility of getting a wrong account of the work completed so far.After all, at the end of the day, managers are answerable to upper management, and businesses, in turn, are answerable to their clients. If time and effort go into unproductive pursuits, the end results are delays and inflated costs. And no client is going to be happy about that!So long as you are upfront and level with your teams as to what is being tracked and logged, there are many benefits to using remote team tracking software, which include;- Accountability: team members take ownership of the work they’re assigned and are motivated to maintain their productivity levels.
- Billing worth you can retrieve time reports for proof of the hours spent on billable work, busywork and administrative tasks.
- Virtual organizational setup: you can track work no matter where everyone is, eradicating the need for a physical workspace, and its associated running costs.
- Prioritizing work: Decisions on scheduling and allocating work are backed by powerful data- such as work that is more time and labour-intensive.
- Time management and attendance: employees can manage their time better and avoid having to stay late or log in early to remain on top of their workload.
7. FAQs
How do you keep employees accountable when working from home?
Keeping work-from-home teams accountable is on every manager’s list. It's a fact that stress, exhaustion, and distractions can get to everyone, including the high-performers. The tips below can help keep you police work-from-home teams in order to keep employees accountable :1. Create a WFH policy document:
A
work-from-home handbook
lays down the ground rules and puts expectations in writing. It lists the reporting lines (i.e. who to get approvals from for work hour flexibility and time off), equipment to be used,
remote access to workstations, and meeting standards to be met when working
remotely.2. Regularize communication:
Remote workers should feel connected to their teammates without getting distracted from what they should be doing. To do this effectively, work and non-work discussions should be balanced. Set aside a fixed hour for formal stand-ups but also find time for informal check-ins. You could also organize a virtual potluck meal where teams can socialize and share what they have been up to.3. Leverage remote-centric technology:
An employee monitoring software alone can't keep your teams accountable. You should also use tools that integrate with productivity and time-tracking apps such that remote teams can self-manage and stay on top of their schedule
How do you know if your employees are working from home?
The truth? You won’t, unless you use a drone to follow them around. Not only is it overstepping boundaries, but it's also an unnecessary expense that will get you nowhere.However, with a remote employee monitoring software, you’ll be able to set housekeeping rules for when your team opts to work remotely. It lets you
manage remote teams
without sneaking up on them. And team members can proactively trace outcomes back to the time and effort that went into their work.By keeping work visible and accounted for, you know how to make the most of your day. It also optimizes your schedule by factoring in idle-time and lets remote teams review and account for the time they were inactive for. Most monitoring tools discussed here contain inbuilt time reports, activity dashboards, keyboard loggers and attendance management. But, it is important to select a tool that tells
remote teams
how they’re being tracked so that they cease to think of monitoring as a virtual watchtower.
Which of these remote employee monitoring tools caught your interest enough to pick it out from the crowd?
Monitoring work-from-home teams start by picking remote-centric employee monitoring software. That being said, the words ‘employee monitoring’ have negative connotations around them, which is why most companies toy with the idea of using a
remote work
monitoring system.1. It implies that you don’t trust your staff enough to do their job without you in there along with them.2. Employees would feel that they are being spied upon. They would either be uncomfortable or ambivalent about a monitoring tool running in the background.Trust works both ways, which is why you should first inform your staff of your intention to onboard them onto work-from-home monitoring tools. The message to be conveyed here is that work-related activities are being watched.So this way, they know what they will be held accountable for, and you get to maximize work visibility. Without further ado, here are the top 11 employee monitoring software (plus a bonus tool) that will nudge
remote employees
in the right direction!
How can I monitor my employees remotely?
To monitor employees remotely, you can use employee monitoring software that offers remote monitoring capabilities. Such software allows you to track employees' computer activities, internet usage, application usage, and more, even when they are working outside the office. Additionally, video conferencing tools, project management software, and collaboration platforms can also help monitor remote employees' participation and progress in virtual meetings and tasks.
How do bosses track remote workers?
Bosses can track remote workers using various methods and tools. One common approach is through the use of employee monitoring software, which allows bosses to monitor employees' computer activities, track time spent on tasks, and generate productivity reports. Additionally, bosses may utilize project management tools to track progress, set deadlines, and assess work completed by remote workers. Regular check-ins, virtual meetings, and communication platforms also enable bosses to stay connected and track remote workers' performance and engagement.
Do employees know they are being monitored?
In most cases, employees should be aware that they are being monitored. Transparent communication about the use of employee monitoring software and the purpose behind it is crucial to maintain trust and uphold employee privacy. Employers should establish clear monitoring policies, provide written notice to employees, and ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations. It is essential to strike a balance between monitoring for productivity purposes and respecting employee privacy rights.
