HiveDesk
Affordable time tracking and employee monitoring for remote teams
About HiveDesk
HiveDesk is a cloud-based time tracking and workforce management platform designed for businesses managing remote and hybrid teams. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, HiveDesk provides automatic time tracking with optional screenshot capture, activity monitoring, shift scheduling, attendance tracking, and built-in invoicing — all in a single plan at $5 per user per month. The platform is popular among BPOs, call centers, digital agencies, and software development teams that need to monitor remote employee productivity across multiple time zones. HiveDesk works on Windows, Mac, and Linux desktops, with mobile apps for iOS and Android that include GPS location tracking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely affordable at just $5 per user per month with all features included
- Single plan with no tiers means no feature gating or surprise upgrades needed
- Intuitive interface that runs quietly in the background without affecting system performance
- Cross-platform desktop support for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Built-in invoicing eliminates need for separate billing software
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
Cons
- Screenshot monitoring can create resistance from employees who feel micromanaged
- Report generation can be slow and admin reporting could be more robust
- Requires Java updates during installation which adds friction
- Limited native integrations compared to larger competitors like Hubstaff or Time Doctor
- Web dashboard has short inactivity timeout that logs users out frequently
- No task-level or subtask-level time reporting — only project-level hours visible
Key Features
Automatic Time Tracking
Records work sessions upon login with keyboard and mouse activity monitoring across Windows, Mac, and Linux
Screenshot Monitoring
Takes periodic screenshots during work sessions so managers can verify remote employee activity and productivity
Shift Scheduling
Create and assign employee shifts with support for multiple time zones, ideal for distributed teams and call centers
Attendance & Leave Management
Track attendance, overtime, and breaks with built-in leave policies, time-off requests, and holiday management
Project & Task Tracking
Create projects and tasks with Kanban boards, timeline views, and cost tracking by task for accurate project budgeting
Built-in Invoicing
Generate invoices directly from timesheet data with custom tax rates and invoice layouts, eliminating need for separate billing tools
Reporting & Dashboards
Timesheet reports, daily and weekly work summaries, screenshot reports, and activity dashboards for team oversight
Mobile Apps with GPS
iOS and Android apps with GPS location tracking for field teams and mobile workforce management
Pricing
- Automatic time tracking
- Screenshot capture
- Activity monitoring
- Shift scheduling
- Attendance tracking
- Leave management
- Project & task management
- Invoicing
- Reporting & dashboards
- GPS location tracking (mobile)
- Asana & Trello integration
- API access
Best For
Remote Team Monitoring
Track remote employee hours, activity levels, and screenshots to ensure productivity across distributed teams in multiple time zones
BPO & Call Center Management
Schedule shifts, monitor agent activity, and generate timesheets for outsourced teams with real-time attendance tracking
Agency Client Billing
Track billable hours by project and client, then generate invoices directly from timesheet data for accurate billing
Freelancer Time Accountability
Provide clients with verifiable proof of work through automatic time logs, activity rates, and periodic screenshots
Small Business Payroll Prep
Use automated timesheets with overtime and break tracking to streamline payroll processing for hourly employees
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