Top GPS Time Tracking Apps for Construction Crews in the US

Labor costs already take up a huge share of construction budgets in the US—and when crews move between multiple jobsites every day, even small time-tracking mistakes can add up to thousands in lost profit. Relying on handwritten timesheets or basic punch clocks makes it almost impossible to know whether hours were logged at the right place, for the right project, and at the right time.

That’s why GPS time tracking has become essential for US construction crews. Modern apps give contractors real-time insight into where teams are working, eliminate offsite clock-ins, and tie every labor hour to the correct cost code. The result: accurate payroll, cleaner job costing, and fewer disputes.

gps time tracking for construction crews US

Below, we compare the top GPS time tracking tools for construction, focusing on accuracy, scheduling, payroll integrations, offline reliability, and real-world fit for contractors.

GPS Time Tracking Apps at a Glance

App

GPS Accuracy

Geofencing

Job Costing

Scheduling

Payroll Sync

Offline

Compliance

Starting Price

Workyard

High

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

$6/user + $50 base

Buddy Punch

Moderate

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

$5.49/user + $19 base

busybusy

High

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

$11.99/user + $40 admin

ClockShark

High

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

$9/user + $40 base

ExakTime

High

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

$9/user

Jibble

Moderate

✅

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

Free–$6.99/user

How We Chose These Apps?

We evaluated each tool based on:

  • GPS accuracy & background tracking

  • Real-time job costing and cost code reporting

  • Scheduling tools for multi-site crews

  • Payroll integrations (QuickBooks, ADP, Sage, etc.)

  • Offline reliability for low-signal sites

  • Compliance features for audit-ready reporting

  • Scalability for growing teams and subcontractors

1. Workyard — Most Accurate GPS Time Clock for US Construction

Workyard was built specifically for construction and consistently delivers the most accurate GPS tracking on the market. It reduces guessed hours, missed job switches, and payroll disputes through precise, continuous location tracking.

Key Features

  • Real-time GPS timestamps for every site entry/exit
  • Job & task-level cost codes with auto-switch prompts
  • Crew scheduling with jobsite locations
  • Timesheet flags for incomplete entries
  • Automatic state-based overtime rules
  • Reliable offline GPS tracking
  • Photo ID verification + kiosk mode

Pricing

  • Free Trial: 14 days
  • Starter: $6/user/month + $50 base
  • Pro: $13/user/month + $50 base

Pros

  • Highly accurate GPS tracking
  • Easy-to-use app for field crews
  • Automatic overtime calculations
  • English + Spanish support
  • Strong payroll integrations

Cons

  • Requires onboarding to address GPS privacy concerns
  • Slightly higher price than generic time clocks

Best For: Multi-site contractors, T&M billing, prevailing wage projects.

2. Buddy Punch — Flexible & Compliance-Focused

Buddy Punch works well for small construction teams that need flexible scheduling and compliant wage rules.

Key Features

  • Clock-in via PIN, QR code, password, or facial recognition

  • Customizable overtime & break rules

  • PTO and sick leave tracking

  • Drag-and-drop scheduling

  • Payroll integrations (QuickBooks, Paychex, etc.)

Pricing

  • Starter: $5.49/user + $19 base

  • Pro: $6.99/user + $19 base

Pros

  • Great for wage compliance

  • Multiple secure clock-in methods

  • Solid scheduling tools

Cons

  • No offline mode

  • Better suited for smaller crews

Best For: Smaller construction firms needing simple GPS and strong compliance controls.

3. busybusy — Best for Contractors With Heavy Equipment

busybusy offers both crew tracking and machinery tracking—ideal for companies managing heavy equipment.

Key Features

  • Geofenced clock-in

  • GPS breadcrumb tracking

  • Offline mode

  • Timestamped photo & note logs

  • Custom project & cost code fields

Pricing

  • Pro: $11.99/user + $40 admin

  • Premium: $17.99/user + $40 admin

Pros

  • Excellent support

  • Equipment management built in

  • Safety reporting features

Cons

  • Required admin fee

  • Occasional mobile sync delays

Best For: Excavation, demolition, and contractors with machinery.

4. ClockShark — Great for Franchises & Field Service Companies

ClockShark blends GPS time tracking with customer management and built-in invoicing.

Key Features

  • GPS time clock + geofencing

  • Mobile, web, and kiosk modes

  • Facial recognition on kiosk

  • Job & customer management

  • Invoicing and payments

Pricing

  • Standard: $9/user + $40 base

  • Pro: $11/user + $60 base

Pros

  • Built-in quoting & payments

  • Strong kiosk features

  • Good for distributed crews

Cons

  • Some reports of GPS inaccuracy

  • Limited rule customization

Best For: Contractors that invoice customers directly (HVAC, roofing, field services).

5. ExakTime — Best for Large Construction Crews

ExakTime works well for larger companies that need centralized workforce management.

Key Features

  • GPS + portable hardware time clocks

  • Photo ID verification

  • Advanced reporting

  • Integrates with Arcoro HR suite

Pricing

  • Essential: $9/user + base

  • Professional & Elite: Custom quotes

Pros

  • Strong biometric verification

  • Good for large, centralized crews

  • Part of a broader HR ecosystem

Cons

  • Lacks mileage tracking

  • No free trial

  • Not as construction-specific as Workyard

Best For: Large contractors using Arcoro or managing centralized sites.

6. Jibble — Best Free GPS Time Tracking

Jibble offers a surprisingly strong free plan suited for small crews and mixed job types.

Key Features

  • GPS geofencing

  • Facial recognition

  • Offline time tracking

  • Automated timesheets

  • Overtime & PTO tracking

Pricing

  • Free plan

  • Premium: $3.49/user

  • Ultimate: $6.99/user

Pros

  • Free unlimited users

  • Easy onboarding

  • Facial recognition on mobile & kiosk

Cons

  • Limited exports on free plan

  • Not construction-specific

Best For: Small crews needing free or low-cost GPS time tracking.

Why GPS Time Tracking Matters for Construction?

GPS time tracking ties hours directly to jobsites, eliminating:

  • Offsite clock-ins

  • Rounded or estimated hours

  • Missed job switches

  • Payroll disputes

It also ensures labor is accurately assigned to the correct project or cost code—crucial when labor is the largest project expense. GPS-backed records also support compliance during audits and give managers real-time visibility across multiple sites.

Buying Guide: How to Choose a GPS Time Tracking App

Look for the following essential features:

  • Accurate background GPS tracking

  • Geofenced clock-ins/outs

  • Scheduling + approval workflows

  • Payroll integrations

  • Offline tracking

Deployment Tips

  1. Pilot on one jobsite first.

  2. Train foremen and set accurate geofence radiuses.

  3. Use photo verification to stop buddy punching.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • GPS that logs only at clock-in

  • No offline mode

  • Hidden onboarding or admin fees

The Bottom Line

All apps listed offer GPS-based tracking, but Workyard remains the strongest choice for US construction teams. Its unmatched GPS accuracy, construction-specific costing tools, and offline reliability make it ideal for contractors managing multiple active jobsites.

Question Answer

Frequently Asked Question

Yes—most construction apps store data offline and sync later.

It links hours directly to projects or cost codes, giving real-time cost visibility.

Yes, as long as workers are informed and tracking occurs only during work hours.

Most apps provide accuracy within a few meters—enough to verify jobsite presence.

Start with a small pilot, train supervisors well, and communicate benefits clearly.