Labor costs already consume 33.6% of expenses for small construction businesses and up to 52.9% for larger firms. When hours are tracked manually—or inconsistently across multiple jobsites—those costs rise even further due to missed switches, payroll disputes, and inaccurate job costing.
That’s why GPS time tracking is no longer optional for US construction crews. The right app keeps payroll clean, labor costs visible, and compliance airtight—especially when teams are spread across multiple locations.
This guide compares the top GPS time tracking apps for construction crews based on features, pricing, pros and cons, and ideal use cases.
GPS Time Tracking Apps for Construction Crews at a Glance
| App | GPS Accuracy | Geofencing | Job Costing | Scheduling | Payroll Sync | Offline | Compliance | Pricing Starts At |
| Workyard | ✅ High | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $6/user + $50 base |
| busybusy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $11.99/user + $40 admin |
| ClockShark | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $9/user + $40 base |
| Buddy Punch | ✅ Moderate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | $5.49/user + $19 base |
| ExakTime | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $9/user |
| Timeero | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | $4/user |
| Jibble | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Free–$6.99/user |
How We Evaluated These GPS Time Tracking Apps
Each tool was assessed using criteria that matter most to construction crews operating in the US:
- GPS accuracy & background tracking – Ensures time entries are tied to real jobsite activity
- Real-time job costing & reporting – Keeps labor budgets under control
- Scheduling & field supervision – Reduces idle time and improves crew oversight
- Payroll & accounting integrations – Minimizes manual errors and speeds up payroll
- Offline reliability – Essential for low-connectivity jobsites
- Compliance & audit readiness – Supports federal and state labor regulations
- Scalability – Works for growing crews and subcontractors
#1 Workyard
The Most Accurate GPS Time Clock for Construction Crews
Workyard ranks first as it was built by construction professionals specifically for construction workflows. It addresses the most common labor problems crews face: missed job switches, guessed hours, payroll disputes, and unclear labor costs.
Workyard captures exact entry and exit times using real-time GPS, supports task-level job costing, and automatically applies construction pay rules, giving field crews a simple mobile app and office teams payroll data they can trust.
Key features
- Real-time GPS timestamps for precise jobsite entry/exit
- Job- and task-level cost coding with automatic switch prompts
- Crew scheduling with job locations
- Timesheet issue flags for missed switches
- Automatic overtime and state-based pay rules
- Offline GPS tracking
- Payroll integrations (QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, Sage)
- Photo ID verification and kiosk mode
Pricing
- Free trial: 14 days
- Starter: $6/user/month + $50 base
- Pro: $13/user/month + $50 base
Best for: Multi-site contractors, subcontractors, prevailing wage, and T&M projects.
#2 busybusy
GPS Tracking Plus Equipment Management
busybusy stands out by combining crew GPS tracking with equipment management, making it ideal for contractors managing heavy machinery across multiple sites.
Key features
- Geofenced onsite-only clock-ins
- GPS breadcrumb tracking for workers and equipment
- Offline mode with automatic sync
- Photo and note logs
- Custom project and cost codes
Pricing
- Pro: $11.99/user/month + $40 admin license
- Premium: $17.99/user/month + $40 admin license
Best for: Excavation, demolition, and heavy equipment contractors.
#3 ClockShark
Strong Fit for Franchises and Field Services
ClockShark is a well-established GPS time clock with built-in CRM, invoicing, and payments, making it popular among contractors who bill customers directly.
Key features
- GPS time clock with geofencing
- Mobile, web, and kiosk tracking
- Facial recognition kiosk mode
- Job and customer management
- Built-in invoicing and payments
Pricing
- Standard: $9/user/month + $40 base
- Pro: $11/user/month + $60 base
Best for: Small contractors, franchises, and service-based construction firms.
#4 Buddy Punch
Flexible and Compliance-Focused Time Tracking
Buddy Punch focuses on attendance accuracy and wage compliance, offering multiple clock-in methods and detailed overtime controls.
Key features
- PIN, QR, password, or facial recognition clock-ins
- Custom overtime and break rules
- PTO and leave tracking
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Payroll integrations
Pricing
- Starter: $5.49/user/month + $19 base
- Pro: $6.99/user/month + $19 base
Best for: Small construction firms prioritizing compliance and scheduling.
#5 ExakTime
Built for Large Construction Crews
ExakTime is optimized for large, centralized construction teams and integrates tightly with Arcoro’s HR ecosystem.
Key features
- GPS mobile tracking and portable time clocks
- FaceFront photo ID verification
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Arcoro HR integration
Pricing
- Essential: $9/user/month + base fee
- Higher tiers: Custom quotes
Best for: Large construction companies using Arcoro’s HR suite.
#6 Timeero
Simple GPS Tracking with EVV Compliance
Timeero offers basic GPS tracking and mileage logging, with strong EVV compliance features.
Best for: Small field teams or mixed industries needing straightforward GPS tracking.
#7 Jibble
Free GPS Time Tracking for Contractors
Jibble provides a free GPS time clock with facial recognition and offline tracking, ideal for very small crews.
Best for: Contractors needing no-cost GPS tracking with basic controls.
Why GPS Time Tracking Is Critical for Construction Crews
GPS time tracking ties work hours directly to real jobsite locations, eliminating offsite clock-ins, rounded hours, and missed job switches. This leads to cleaner payroll, stronger job costing, and audit-ready compliance records—especially important when labor is the largest project expense.
