Agencies and remote teams work differently, so they need tools made for those realities.
They handle many clients and projects at the same time. A basic time tracker cannot clearly separate work by client or task, which makes billing and reporting messy. Besides, apart from entry logging, remote teams need clarity, accountability, and flexibility from a monitoring software.
If you have been using Hubstaff for a long time, here are other Hubstaff alternatives that can give you the same experience with better opportunities.
So, let’s look for some tools based on what your team needs the most–
6 Best Hubstaff Alternatives You Should Not Miss Out!
Before we begin, let’s have a look at what real challenges an Agency or remote team faces and which Hubstaff alternatives solves it the best—
| Real Problem | What Usually Goes Wrong | Tool That Solves It |
| Agencies need proof of work | Clients’ question hours worked | Apploye |
| Missed billable hours | Time is tracked late or forgotten | Clockify |
| No visibility in remote work | Managers rely on guesswork | Insightful |
| Teams feel over-monitored | Morale drops and trust breaks | Toggl Track |
| Client invoices feel confusing | Billing disputes with clients | Harvest |
| Hybrid teams feel unfairly tracked | Office staff feel favored | Time Doctor |
Ready to learn more about all these best Hubstaff alternatives? Let’s start with the top one—
1. Simple & Affordable Employee Monitoring: Apploye
Apploye employee monitoring software is a budget-friendly “all-in-one” productivity tool with time-tracking features. This intuitive platform is designed specifically for remote and field teams. It balances time tracking with essential monitoring tools like screenshots and URL tracking. It also tracks user activity when someone’s offline, and syncs it whenever connected to the internet. These exceptional functionalities with flexible packages make Apploye a great middle-ground for agencies that want accountability without a high price tag.
Key Features:
- Automatic time tracking with optional screenshots (up to 60/hr).
- Allows agencies start their own employee mentoring tool service business using white-label functionalities.
- App and URL usage monitoring.
- Project budgeting and task-based tracking.
- Invoicing and integrated payroll management.
- Employee scheduling and shift management.
Pricing:
Starts at $4.50/user (Standard) up to $10.00/user (Enterprise). Stealth mode is available as a $2.00/user add-on.
Pros:
- Very easy to set up.
- Budget-friendly.
- Combines time tracking with project-related updates.
Cons:
- Limited advanced integrations compared to Hubstaff.
- The mobile app is less powerful than the desktop version.
2. For Detailed Monitoring: Time Doctor
Time Doctor is designed for agencies that need to provide clients with absolute proof that every billable hour is being used effectively. It offers deep visibility into the remote workday. Time Doctor also uses automated screenshots and screen recordings to give you a clear look at project progress. These details data into projects make it perfect for building trust with remote clients and enhances invoicing experience.
Key Features:
- “Silent” background monitoring or manual interactive mode.
- Pop-up alerts to nudge users when they visit non-work sites.
- Video screen recording (on Premium plans).
- Detailed “Work-Life Balance” metrics to spot burnout.
Pricing:
Starts at $6.70/user (Basic) to $16.70/user (Premium), billed annually.
Pros:
Incredible behavioral data; excellent for remote teams with strict security needs.
Cons:
- No free plan
- Some monitoring features can feel very invasive to employees.
3. For Agencies & Billing: Harvest
Harvest is a professional, trust-based tool that prioritizes project management and invoicing over surveillance. This tool is especially designed for creative people and agencies. It helps them to track budgets and share highly visual invoices with their clients. The best part is that Harvest does not monitor a user’s screens or keystrokes to do so!
Key Features:
- One-click timers on desktop, mobile, and browser.
- Powerful budget tracking and “burn rate” alerts.
- Direct professional invoicing with PayPal/Stripe integrations.
- Expense and receipt tracking.
Pricing:
Free (1 user, 2 projects); $10.80/user (Pro), billed annually.
Pros:
- Zero surveillance (no screenshots/keystrokes)
- best-in-class invoicing.
Cons:
- No employee monitoring features
- interface can feel a bit dated to some
4. For Productivity Analytics: Insightful
Formerly known as Workpuls, Insightful is built for “workforce analytics.” It goes beyond simple timers to show you the big picture of your team’s productivity. Insightful uses AI and data mapping to help managers spot burnout, optimize workflows, and understand how their team actually gets things done.
Key Features:
- Real-time activity monitoring.
- Industry-specific productivity benchmarking.
- Automatic time mapping using AI.
- Built-in stealth mode for company devices.
Pricing:
Starts around $6.40/user for basic tracking; $12.00+/user for Enterprise features, including stealth mode.
Pros:
- Very modern, clean UI.
- highly focused on team efficiency trends.
Cons:
- Pricing can get expensive quickly.
- Lacks the invoicing depth of Harvest.
5. For Budget-Conscious Teams: Clockify
Apart from all the other best Hubstaff alternatives, Clockify stands out for its massive free plans. It is considered one of the safest tools for scaling teams for it’s budget friendly packages. It also provides all the core timekeeping features like timers and timesheets in a simple package. So, small teams and startups can kickstart their employee monitoring with this budget-friendly tool.
Key Features:
- Time clock kiosks for on-site staff.
- GPS tracking for mobile field teams.
- Labor cost and profit forecasting.
- Optional screenshots (on Pro plan).
Pricing:
Free (Unlimited users/projects); Paid tiers start at $3.99/user (Basic) up to $11.99/user (Enterprise).
Pros:
Most affordable way to scale a large team; simple and intuitive.
Cons:
Many advanced features (like GPS or screenshots) are locked behind the higher-priced tiers.
6. For Trust-Based Teams: Toggl Track
If your team has a high-trust concern with any employee monitoring tools, Toggl Track is the “anti-surveillance” choice for you. It focuses on an uninterrupted user experience with zero creepy monitoring features. It also comes with a standard interface, supports easy time tracking, so creative teams can feel trusted while knowing their timing is recorded.
Key Features:
- One-click timer with 100+ integrations.
- Pomodoro timer and “Remind Me” notifications.
- Timeline view to see your day’s work visually.
- Project forecasts and team capacity planning.
Pricing:
Free (up to 5 users); $9.00/user (Starter) to $18.00/user (Premium).
Pros:
- Employees love it because it’s not “creepy.”
- extremely easy to use.
Cons:
- The most expensive “timer-only” tool
- No screenshots or activity monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I look for when choosing a Hubstaff alternative?
You should look for easy time tracking, clear reports, fair monitoring, and tools that fit how your team actually works.
2. Are there free or affordable alternatives to Hubstaff for small teams?
Yes, many tools offer free plans or low-cost options that work well for small teams and startups. For instance, Apploye and Clockify start under $5 per month, along with free packages.
3. Which Hubstaff alternatives offer the best time tracking and productivity reporting?
Tools like Apploye, Time Doctor, Toggl Track, and Clockify are known for accurate time tracking and their easy-to-understand reports.
4. Can I switch from Hubstaff without losing my data?
Yes. Most employee monitoring tools allow you to export your data from Hubstaff and import or store it safely in the new system.
5. What tools work best for fully remote teams vs. hybrid teams?
Remote teams often prefer tools with strong activity reports, while hybrid teams benefit from flexible tools that focus on time and task tracking. Tools like Apploye and Clockify offer a variety of features for both remote and hybrid teams.
6. Do any Hubstaff alternatives provide non-intrusive or trust-based tracking options?
Yes, tools like Toggl Track and Clockify focus on manual time tracking and reports without heavy monitoring.
Get the Best Hubstaff Alternative for Your Team!
Now that you have a detailed comparison of the best Hubstaff alternatives, it’s time to choose the one that your team truly needs.
There are many types of remote employee monitoring tools, and each one serves a different purpose. Some focus on simple time tracking, others on client billing, productivity insights, or trust based work cultures.
The right choice depends on how your team works, how much visibility you need, and how you want employees to feel while being monitored.
Start with your biggest problem, match it with the right tool, and you will see better productivity, stronger trust, and healthier growth.