Hubstaff vs Time Doctor: Time Tracking Titans

The Monitoring Dilemma

Both Hubstaff and Time Doctor are powerful employee monitoring tools designed for remote and distributed teams. They track time, take screenshots, monitor activity levels, and generate productivity reports.

⚠️ Important note: Employee monitoring is a sensitive topic. These tools can improve accountability, but they can also damage trust if implemented poorly. Use them transparently and focus on outcomes, not surveillance.

Hubstaff is the more balanced option—lighter monitoring, GPS for field teams, project management built-in. Popular with agencies, contractors, and field service businesses.

Time Doctor is the more intensive option—detailed activity tracking, deep analytics, stronger payroll features. Popular with BPO firms, call centers, and companies managing large remote teams.

Core Features Both Share

Let's get the similarities out of the way:

• Automatic time tracking (desktop apps for Mac/Windows/Linux)
• Manual time entry option
• Random screenshot capture (configurable frequency)
• App & URL tracking (see what employees are using)
• Activity level monitoring (keyboard/mouse usage)
• Idle time detection
• Timesheet reports
• Team dashboard for managers
• Integrations (Asana, Jira, Trello, QuickBooks, etc.)

Both do the basics well. The differences are in depth and specialization.

When Hubstaff Wins

GPS Location Tracking

Hubstaff's mobile app tracks GPS location in real-time:

• Geofencing (auto-start tracking at work sites)
• Route visualization (see where field teams traveled)
• Breadcrumb trails on maps
• Location-based timesheets

Perfect for construction, delivery, HVAC, landscaping, sales reps, or any team that works in the field. Time Doctor doesn't have GPS tracking at all.

Built-In Project Management

Hubstaff includes lightweight project management:

• Create projects and tasks
• Assign team members
• Track time against specific tasks
• Budgets and project cost tracking
• Invoicing based on tracked time

You can manage client projects without needing Asana or ClickUp. Time Doctor requires integrating with external PM tools.

Simpler, Cleaner Interface

Hubstaff's UI is more modern and easier to navigate. Employees find it less intrusive. The dashboard is straightforward—perfect if you don't need heavy analytics.

Better Mobile App

Hubstaff's mobile app (iOS/Android) is excellent for field teams. Start/stop timer, log tasks, track GPS, view timesheets—all smooth. Time Doctor's mobile app is clunkier.

Lower Cost at Scale

Hubstaff's highest tier ($20/user) includes everything. Time Doctor's highest tier is $25/user. At 20+ employees, Hubstaff saves you money.

When Time Doctor Wins

More Detailed Activity Monitoring

Time Doctor tracks productivity more aggressively:

• Website/app categorization: Label sites as productive, unproductive, or neutral
• Distraction alerts: Pop-up if employee spends too long on Facebook/YouTube
• Work/break ratio: Analyze focus patterns
• Detailed timeline: Minute-by-minute view of what employee worked on

Hubstaff tracks this data but doesn't surface it as prominently. Time Doctor is for managers who want granular insight.

Better Screenshots

Time Doctor's screenshot feature is more robust:

• Higher screenshot frequency (1-3 per 10 minutes)
• Blur screenshots to preserve privacy
• Delete screenshots feature for employees
• More detailed screenshot review dashboard

If screenshots are a priority (e.g., for client billing proof), Time Doctor is stronger.

Advanced Productivity Analytics

Time Doctor's reporting is deeper:

• Web & app usage reports (which sites/apps consume most time?)
• Productive vs. unproductive time breakdowns
• Compare team members' productivity patterns
• Identify bottlenecks and time wasters

Hubstaff gives you time logs. Time Doctor gives you insights into how time is spent.

Better Payroll Integrations

Time Doctor integrates better with payroll systems:

• Direct integrations with Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks Payroll
• Automatic calculation of billable hours
• Overtime tracking and approvals
• Pay rate management by employee

Hubstaff has payroll exports, but Time Doctor's connections are tighter.

Stronger for Large Remote Teams

Time Doctor handles 100+ employees better with features like:

• Department/team hierarchies
• Manager-level access controls
• Shift scheduling and time zones
• Compliance reporting (SOC 2, GDPR)

Pricing Deep Dive

Hubstaff Costs

• Free: 1 user, limited features
• Starter: $7/user/month (time tracking, screenshots, basic reports)
• Grow: $10/user/month (adds invoicing, payments, 30+ integrations)
• Team: $20/user/month (project management, custom fields, URL tracking)

20 employees on Grow plan: $200/month

Time Doctor Costs

• Basic: $7/user/month (time tracking, basic screenshots, reports)
• Standard: $10/user/month (adds app/URL tracking, activity %, payroll)
• Premium: $20/user/month (video screen recording, VIP support, 24/7 help)

20 employees on Standard plan: $200/month

Cost Comparison

At comparable tiers, pricing is identical. The difference is features:

• Hubstaff includes GPS and project management at $10/user
• Time Doctor includes deeper monitoring at $10/user

The Trust Factor

Let's address the elephant in the room: Employee monitoring can backfire.

Done poorly:

• Employees feel micromanaged and distrusted
• Top performers leave because of surveillance culture
• Productivity drops (people game the system, move mouse to fake activity)
• Legal risks (some jurisdictions require consent, especially for screenshots)

Done well:

• Transparency (tell employees what's tracked and why)
• Focus on projects/deliverables, not minutes worked
• Use data for coaching, not punishment
• Give employees control (ability to delete screenshots, pause tracking)

Hubstaff's approach: Less invasive by default. Better for teams who need accountability without feeling watched.

Time Doctor's approach: More comprehensive monitoring. Better for high-trust issues (remote BPO, agencies billing by hour).

Real Customer Feedback

Hubstaff

Pros: Easy to use, great GPS, good mobile app, fair pricing, less creepy
Cons: Screenshots can be low-res, limited advanced analytics, occasional sync issues

G2 Rating: 4.3/5 | Capterra: 4.6/5

Time Doctor

Pros: Detailed tracking, excellent reports, strong payroll integration, scales well
Cons: Feels intrusive, clunky UI, employees hate it sometimes, expensive at scale

G2 Rating: 4.4/5 | Capterra: 4.5/5

Alternatives to Consider

If you want time tracking without heavy monitoring:

• Toggl Track: Simple time tracking, no screenshots, employee-friendly
• Clockify: Free time tracking, basic reports, good for small teams
• Harvest: Time + invoicing, less surveillance, more trust-based

Hubstaff and Time Doctor are for when you need proof of work (contractors, remote teams, client billing).

The Bottom Line

Our honest take: Hubstaff is the better choice for most small businesses—it's less invasive and more versatile (GPS, projects). Time Doctor is for when you genuinely need deep monitoring and can handle the trust tradeoffs.