Our Full Review
Hubstaff is built for one thing: verifiable accountability. If you manage remote teams or field workers where trust-but-verify is essential, Hubstaff gives you the tools to do it right.
Who Should Use Hubstaff?
Hubstaff is ideal for:
- Field service teams (HVAC, plumbing, landscaping) who need GPS tracking and proof of site visits
- Construction companies tracking crews across multiple job sites
- Agencies with freelancers who bill hourly and need detailed activity records
- Delivery and logistics companies tracking driver routes and hours
- Distributed teams where managers need visibility into remote work patterns
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- High-trust cultures — If screenshots feel dystopian to you, use TimeCamp or Toggl
- Budget-conscious teams — Hubstaff is pricey if you don't need GPS/screenshots
- Knowledge workers doing deep work — Activity tracking penalizes thinking/planning time
- Teams with privacy concerns — Some jurisdictions have strict monitoring laws; check local regulations
GPS & Location Tracking
This is Hubstaff's standout feature:
- Real-time location on map view (see where everyone is right now)
- Route history with breadcrumb trails showing movement throughout the day
- Geofencing with auto-start timers when entering job sites
- Location verification for clock-ins (prevent buddy punching)
- Distance traveled for mileage reimbursement
For field teams, this is a game-changer. You can see proof of site visits, optimize routes, and verify hours worked on-location.
Privacy note: Location tracking only works when the timer is running (not 24/7 surveillance). Employees can see what's being tracked.
Screenshots & Activity Monitoring
Hubstaff's monitoring features are comprehensive but configurable:
- Screenshots: Capture at random intervals (e.g., 3 per 10 minutes) or on-demand
- Activity levels: Measures keyboard/mouse activity as a % of time worked
- App & URL tracking: See which applications and websites employees use
- Idle time detection: Auto-pause timer after X minutes of inactivity
Our take: Screenshots are powerful for verifying contractor work, but they create a "Big Brother" vibe. Use them for onboarding/training, then turn them off once trust is established. Activity tracking is less invasive and still provides accountability.
Time Tracking & Timesheets
Core time tracking is solid:
- Desktop, mobile, and web-based timers
- Manual time entry for missed punches
- Project/task assignment with budget tracking
- Approval workflows before hours get billed/paid
- Automatic reminders if timers are left running
Timesheets can be exported to CSV or pushed directly to payroll/accounting systems.
Payroll & Invoicing
Hubstaff offers integrated payroll (U.S. only):
- Convert tracked hours to paychecks automatically
- Direct deposit and contractor payments
- Tax calculations and filings included
- Multi-currency support for international contractors
For client billing:
- Set hourly rates per project/employee
- Generate invoices directly from timesheets
- Accept payments via PayPal, Stripe, Wise, Payoneer
Not as feature-rich as dedicated payroll software (Gusto, ADP), but sufficient for small teams.
Integrations
Hubstaff connects with 30+ tools:
- Project Management: Asana, Trello, Jira, ClickUp, Basecamp
- Accounting: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Sage
- Payroll: Gusto, ADP, Paychex
- Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams
- Development: GitHub, GitLab
The integrations are functional but not as seamless as TimeCamp's. Expect some manual syncing.
Pricing Breakdown
Hubstaff has four tiers:
- Free: $0 for 1 user (very limited—basically a trial)
- Starter: $7/user/month — Basic time tracking, activity monitoring, limited reports
- Grow: $9/user/month — Adds screenshots, geofencing, invoicing, integrations
- Team: $12/user/month — Adds payroll, budgets, custom reports
- Enterprise: $25/user/month — Managed onboarding, VIP support, advanced controls
For a 20-person team on Grow plan: $180/month.
That's 2-3x what you'd pay for TimeCamp, but you're getting GPS tracking and more robust monitoring features.
The Bottom Line
Hubstaff isn't for everyone. It's for teams where accountability through verification is non-negotiable—field crews, remote contractors, distributed teams handling sensitive client work.
If that's you, Hubstaff is excellent. The GPS tracking alone justifies the cost for construction, service, or delivery businesses. Screenshots give agencies confidence when billing clients for contractor hours.
But if you're managing salaried employees doing knowledge work in a high-trust culture, the monitoring features will backfire. Use TimeCamp or Toggl instead.
Bottom line: Hubstaff is a specialized tool for teams that need proof of work. If that's your reality, it's worth every penny.