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Time tracking software: how to choose the right one

How to choose a time and attendance tracking software in 2026: key features, payroll integrations, legal compliance, pricing.

Stylized clock illustration on blue background, symbol of time tracking

In short:

  1. A modern time tracking software covers scheduling, clock-in and payroll export in one tool.
  2. Average pricing runs between 6 and 8 euros per employee per month for a mid-sized company.
  3. The main challenge is integration with payroll and compliance with collective agreements.
  4. Industry-specific solutions (retail, healthcare, hospitality) are gaining ground over generalist suites.

Why invest in time tracking software

Time and attendance management remains a sensitive topic for HR departments. Between collective agreements, company-specific deals and regulatory requirements, manual tracking on Excel is no longer viable past a few dozen employees. Dedicated software secures working time calculations, makes payroll reliable and saves managers several hours per week.

Essential features

A complete solution covers scheduling, clock-in (badge, mobile, geolocation), absence and leave management, overtime tracking and payroll export. The best software also includes workforce forecasting and schedule optimization based on business needs.

  • Multi-team and multi-site scheduling
  • Mobile clock-in and physical time clocks
  • Automated absence and leave management
  • Overtime calculation and counters
  • Automated payroll export

Integration with HRIS and payroll

The choice of time tracking software must align with the existing HR ecosystem. Native integration with payroll avoids double entry and reduces errors. Vendors typically offer connectors to major payroll solutions.

How much does time tracking software cost

Standard pricing for a mid-sized company runs between 4 and 12 euros per employee per month. Advanced modules like workforce forecasting or schedule optimization are often billed as add-ons. For a 100-employee deployment, expect 500 to 1,200 euros per month in subscription, plus initial setup fees.