6 Best Employee Monitoring Apps (2026 Unbiased List)

XNSPY is a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for businesses seeking to monitor employee activity on company-owned phones effectively. The platform offers a clean and perfectly organized interface, allowing you to navigate through the features seamlessly.

In terms of reliability, XNSPY performs consistently, which facilitates uninterrupted and real-time oversight of employee activities during work hours.

Furthermore, XNSPY offers a wide range of useful features such as call logs access, screen recording, keylogging, email monitoring, and activity tracking on apps. Not only that, but the customer support is also responsive and available through live chat 24/7, offering guidance for setup and troubleshooting when needed.

Now with the basics well covered, let’s explore the specific features that make XNSPY a practical tool for tracking workplace activities on company-owned phones.

XNSPY Features

Calls and Message Monitoring

XNSPY offers detailed call and message monitoring features that are well-suited for employee oversight. It not only logs incoming and outgoing calls with timestamps and durations but also provides contact details such as names and phone numbers.

Additionally, its call recording feature was particularly helpful in evaluating how employees handled company calls or interacted with customers and applicants.

During the testing, we also had access to text messages and over 13 chat apps, which helped ensure that company-owned devices were used for professional communication during work hours.

Emails and Web Browsing

XNSPY’s email and web browsing tracking was surprisingly detailed for an employee monitoring app. We noticed that it logs sent and received emails, along with timestamps and content, which could be incredibly useful for spotting potential data leaks or unapproved communication.

Additionally, the browsing history feature allowed us to see which sites have been visited, along with the search history, through the keylogger.

Screen Activity and Time

Notably, the built-in screen recorder captured periodic screenshots of the active screen every 5-10 seconds, offering a clear visual timeline of how the device was used.

Moreover, the screen time tracking provides a comprehensive view of how long is being spent on specific apps or tasks throughout the day.

Alerts and Remote Commands

We found XNSPY’s alerts and remote commands to be incredibly useful features for employee monitoring. The alert system instantly notified us when flagged keywords or contacts were detected, ensuring real-time updates.

Additionally, the remote commands, such as locking the device or wiping data, offer control in urgent situations.

XNSPY Compatibility

XNSPY supports a wide range of Android and iOS devices, including smartphones, tablets, iPhones, and iPads. For added convenience, the website features a compatibility checker that lets users verify whether a specific device works with the platform before installation.

XNSPY Pricing

Basic: $59.99/year

Premium: $89.99/year

XNSPY Pros and Cons

Should I Buy XNSPY?

If you’re looking for one of the best employee tracking apps, XNSPY is worth considering. By offering a robust set of features and a user-friendly design, it grants you with ideal solutions for monitoring company-owned phones.

Clockify offers an intuitive interface, making it easy for both individuals and teams to track time. The dashboard is well-organized, allowing users to start timers, log time manually, and categorize entries by project or client.

Additionally, Clockify performs consistently across desktop platforms, with reliable performance and minimal glitches.

However, customer support for Clockify tends to be unreliable, with delayed responses and limited solutions. There are also frequent dashboard downtimes, which affect overall usability.

Moreover, it lacks advanced monitoring tools like usage tracking of applications, screenshots, or real-time employee activity logs. Furthermore, some useful features, like invoicing, are locked behind paid plans.

Despite these drawbacks, Clockify remains one of the top employee activity monitoring software. Let’s dive into its key features to further understand its efficiency.

Clockify Features

Workhour Tracking and Timesheet

I found Clockify’s work hour tracking and timesheet features to be efficient for monitoring employees' work activity. The tool gives a clear breakdown of hours worked on specific tasks or projects.

Overall, it’s great for ensuring accountability. However, it lacked real-time activity tracking or proof of active work, which can act as a limitation to deeper oversight.

Activity Insights

One aspect we found particularly useful in Clockify was its activity insights feature, which offers a general overview of employee productivity by tracking active versus idle time.

Such options make it easier to identify workflow patterns and potential distractions. Furthermore, it aids in improving time management across teams. However, its lack of advanced monitoring tools, like screenshots or detailed user actions, limits visibility.

Project Management and Scheduling

What stood out to us about Clockify was the project management and scheduling functionality, which made it simple to assign tasks and distribute hours across the team.

However, due to the lack of real-time task progress tracking, there remains a strong reliance on manual time entries to gauge overall productivity accurately.

Attendance and Break Tracker

Another feature we found particularly practical in Clockify was the attendance and break tracker, which records when employees start, stop, and pause their work.

By offering a structured view of daily routines, it helps identify attendance issues or excessive break times.

However, since all entries are manually logged, the accuracy may vary depending on how regularly and honestly it is used.

Clockify Compatibility

Clockify is compatible with all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and web browsers.

Clockify Pricing

Basic: $47.99/ Year

Standard: $65.99/ Year

Pro: $95.99/ Year

Clockify Pros and Cons

Should I Buy Clockify?

Clockify is ideal for simple time tracking and team management. However, it lacks advanced monitoring features such as screenshots or real-time activity. But it could be a solid pick if basic oversight meets your needs.

TimeBee stands out for its easy setup and navigation, even for first-time users. The interface is structured logically, allowing smooth transitions between task tracking, reports, and timesheet management.

In terms of ease of use, the platform requires little to no training, which can be especially helpful for small teams or freelancers looking to get started quickly. TimeBee also delivers consistent performance across desktops, maintaining reliable data syncing without noticeable lags or errors.

Additionally, the platform offers responsive customer support through email, and most inquiries are addressed on time.

However, its major drawback is that the desktop application needs to be installed manually on each employee’s computer, which can be time-consuming for larger teams.

Also, because Timebee emphasizes ethical monitoring, it does not offer silent tracking, something that may deter some employers seeking discreet oversight.

Keeping this in mind, it’s worth taking a closer look at the key features that shape this hybrid and remote employee monitoring software's overall performance.

TimeBee Features

Project and Task Insights

While exploring TimeBee, we found the project and task progress particularly effective for monitoring employees. By clearly showing how much time employees spend completing tasks, the feature helps identify both high-performing users and potential slowdowns.

Screenshots and Activity Levels

Another aspect we found valuable in TimeBee was the combination of screenshots and activity level tracking. Not only did it offer detailed insights into work progress, but it also helped gauge how effectively employees were spending their time.

By pairing visual records with measurable activity data, it creates a well-rounded view of individual productivity. As a result of this, monitoring becomes more accurate and less reliant on assumptions, making it a top computer monitoring software for employers.

Offline and Online Time Tracking and Timesheets

Another appreciable thing about TimeBee was its ability to track both online and offline work hours effortlessly. The tool ensures that all work hours are synced and logged into timesheets, regardless of internet connectivity.

Such a feature is particularly important for monitoring remote teams or field employees, as it maintains accurate records even when they are offline.

Email Notifications

After using TimeBee’s email notifications, we deduced that it was a valuable tool for employee monitoring.

With daily or weekly reports on time and productivity, you can place greater focus on what's important and take action when necessary.

TimeBee Compatibility

TimeBee supports major platforms, including Windows, macOS, and web browsers, enabling smooth access across a wide range of devices. It also offers a mobile app compatible with both Android and iOS, but with limited functionality.

TimeBee Pricing

Custom Pricing

TimeBee Pros and Cons

Should I Buy TimeBee?

TimeBee is a decent choice if you’re looking for a user-friendly solution with robust features for tracking employees. The real-time syncing further makes it ideal for businesses with advanced oversight needs.

Insightful delivers a polished experience as a top employee activity monitoring software, combining functionality with a clean and intuitive layout. The dashboard is well-organized, making it easy to navigate through features such as productivity analysis, app usage, time tracking, etc.

Additionally, setup is straightforward, allowing teams to get started with minimal effort. Its consistency in performance also stands apart from others, with data syncing smoothly across devices without noticeable delays.

Moreover, the tool supports both remote and office-based teams, making it flexible for hybrid environments. Customer support is also responsive, offering assistance through email. However, it is not of much help if you come across any major issues.

While Insightful excels at tracking digital activity and generating productivity reports, the absence of features like keystroke logging or detailed task-level breakdowns may be a drawback for users needing more thorough oversight.

Now, let’s explore one of the best employee monitoring apps’ core features.

Insightful Features

Screen Monitoring

While exploring Insightful, we were impressed by how well the screen monitoring feature supported consistent observation of employee activity.

Not only did it provide clear visuals of each workstation, but it also allowed for better assessment of focus and productivity throughout the day. As a result, it became easier to identify workflow gaps and address distractions early.

Activity Monitoring

We, however, had a very mixed reaction to Insightful’s activity monitoring. On one hand, the feature was helpful for seeing how employees spent time on different websites and apps, which made it easier to notice work habits.

On the other hand, the productivity percentage didn’t always match the type of work being done, leaving doubts about the feature’s complete accuracy.

Insights AI

The Insights AI feature offers automated analysis of employee behavior and productivity patterns. We discovered that it could save time by highlighting trends that may have otherwise been missed. However, some of the AI-generated insights felt too generalized, especially for roles with unconventional workflows or varied daily tasks.

Insightful Compatability

Insightful is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for diverse workplace setups. Additionally, browser access ensures easy use across both remote and in-office teams.

Insightful Pricing

Productivity Management: $76.8/ year

Time Tracking: $96/ year

Process Improvement: $144/ year

Insightful Pros and Cons

Should I Buy Insightful?

Insightful is a solid option for tracking overall employee productivity because of its useful monitoring tools. However, the absence of some core features limits the depth of monitoring. Still, if you need a straightforward way to oversee team activity, it remains a practical choice.

Jibble’s modern interface makes time tracking and attendance management seamless for teams new to such a tool.

Due to this, navigation flows as key functions like clocking in and viewing timesheets are accessible with minimal effort.

Moreover, customer support is generally helpful, with live chat available, although response times vary depending on the time of day.

In terms of features, more advanced employee monitoring features, such as screen activity logging or productivity insights, are notably absent. Therefore, in the discussion of the best employee cell phone tracking app, Jibble still has a long way to go.

Overall, Jibble serves well as a lightweight tracking solution, but to better understand its utility, it's worth exploring how core features support daily monitoring.

Jibble Features

Time Clock

Jibble’s time clock felt simple and easy to use, which makes clocking in and out relatively smooth for teams. Additionally, biometric options like face recognition add a layer of verification that can help reduce time theft.

However, we noticed that the system occasionally struggled with real-time syncing, especially when used across multiple devices.

Chrome Time Tracker

Moving on, the application’s Chrome time tracker feels convenient for quick access when managing work through browser-related tools.

Being an easy-to-use platform, it integrates well with daily workflows, making it easy to clock in without disrupting tasks. That said, we did happen to notice that it struggles with tracking accuracy if multiple tabs or windows are involved.

Smart Alerts and Notifications

We found Jibble’s smart alerts and notifications helpful for staying updated on employee check-ins and break patterns. They provide a solid layer of oversight without needing constant manual checks.

On the downside, the alerts can sometimes feel excessive, particularly when employees have varying schedules. Still, the customization options do offer some control over how and when notifications appear, which helps balance things out.

Jibble Compatibility

Jibble is compatible with most major platforms, including macOS and Windows. While browser support adds flexibility, occasional syncing issues can occur across devices.

Jibble Pricing

Premium: $35.99/ year

Ultimate: $71.99/ year

Enterprise: $95.99/ year

Jibble Pros and Cons

Should I Buy Jibble?

Jibble is a straightforward option on the best employee monitoring software list, ideal for teams needing basic time tracking and attendance features. While it offers real-time tracking and facial recognition, its limited reporting and occasional syncing issues might not meet the needs of those requiring more detailed insights.

From the first interaction, Toggl stood out in terms of the responsiveness of its dashboard and the lack of glitches. Our overall experience remained smooth, though some essential tools were hidden behind layers that reduced efficiency during complex workflows.

Furthermore, Toggl doesn’t offer key functionalities such as screen activity logging or detailed productivity analyses.

Nonetheless, consistency in performance is generally solid, but occasional syncing delays can disrupt coordination. While reports are visually clean, they lack customizable depth.

Additionally, integrations are available but sometimes require extra configuration to work effectively. Therefore, Toggl succeeds in light time tracking scenarios, yet falls short for companies searching for the top employee computer monitoring software.

Let’s take a look at its key features.

Toggl Features

Shared Time Entries

Using Toggl’s shared time entries felt convenient for basic team visibility, but from an employee monitoring perspective, we found the feature somewhat limited. While it’s helpful to see what team members are logging time on, there is little context around how that time was actually spent.

Team Member Audits

When using the team member audit feature, we noticed that it offers a basic overview of time entries but lacks the depth needed for thorough employee monitoring.

Project Alerts

We found the project alerts to help keep track of budget limits, but not particularly useful for detailed employee monitoring. The alerts notify when a project nears its threshold, but we couldn't find anything for individual contributions or time misuse.

Toggl Compatibility

Toggl struggles with cross-platform support and has occasional issues on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Toggl Pricing

Starter: $120/ year

Premium: $240/ year

Toggl Pros and Cons

Should I Buy Toggl?

Figuring out whether Toggl is the right choice depends on where it sits in the hierarchy of the best employee monitoring software. For teams needing a simple time-tracker that’s easy to set up and works across multiple platforms, Toggl excels.

However, organizations requiring comprehensive monitoring, flawless syncing, hassle-free integrations, and cost-effective plans may find it insufficient.

1. Should employee monitoring apps be used?

Yes, employee monitoring apps are legal to use on company-owned devices. Employers are under no circumstances allowed to install monitoring apps on anyone’s personal devices. That said, it is also worth noting that when using these applications, the prime focus should be on enhancing productivity and streamlining operations within an organization and not invading employees’ privacy. If not done properly, employees can be deterred and their satisfaction can plummet.

2. How can I choose the right employee monitoring software?

To choose the correct employee monitoring app, it is essential to evaluate what your specific requirements are in terms of tracking and insights. The main priority should always be to use tools that offer comprehensive features without being intrusive. For example, XNSPY is a suitable option in this regard. Capabilities such as email monitoring and screen recording make it perfect for maintaining oversight across both remote and in-office teams through company-owned phones.

3. How can employee monitoring apps help companies?

Employee monitoring apps help companies gain visibility into daily operations, ensuring efficient use of time and resources. Monitoring tools support accountability by tracking web activity, communication, and task progress. Clear oversight often results in improved productivity, informed decision-making, and early detection of workflow inefficiencies or potential security risks.