Looking for the top time tracking apps for your gym or fitness studio? Here's a quick rundown of the 6 best options for 2024:
- Buddy Punch: Full payroll solution with GPS tracking
- When I Work: Easy scheduling with in-app chat
- QuickBooks Time: Integrates with QuickBooks accounting
- Hubstaff: Detailed work logs and activity tracking
- Toggl Track: User-friendly with idle detection
- Clockify: Free for unlimited users, basic features
Quick Comparison:
| App | Best For | Standout Feature | Pricing Starts At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buddy Punch | Payroll | Geofencing | $3.99/user/month |
| When I Work | Scheduling | Shift swapping | $2.50/user/month |
| QuickBooks Time | Accounting integration | GPS tracking | $8/user/month |
| Hubstaff | Detailed tracking | Screenshots | $7/user/month |
| Toggl Track | Ease of use | One-click timer | Free (5 users) |
| Clockify | Budget-conscious | Unlimited free users | Free |
Choose based on your gym's size, budget, and must-have features. Most offer free trials, so test before you commit.
Related video from YouTube
Buddy Punch
Buddy Punch is a top pick for fitness centers in 2024. It's a cloud-based time tracking app that packs a punch for small to mid-sized gyms and studios.
What's cool about it?
- Tracks time with GPS
- Schedules employees
- Uses geofencing
- Scans faces
- Plays nice with payroll systems
Gym owners love the geolocation and geofencing. Why? It's perfect for keeping tabs on staff across multiple locations or remote trainers.
How much does it cost?
Buddy Punch has four plans:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $4.99/user + $19 base | $3.99/user + $19 base |
| Pro | $5.99/user + $19 base | $4.99/user + $19 base |
| Premium | $7.99/user + $19 base | $6.99/user + $19 base |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Not sure? Try it free for 14 days.
What's it like to use?
It's a breeze. Managers and employees find it easy to navigate. Personal trainers can clock in and out on their phones - super handy when they're bouncing between locations.
"Their customer service is top-notch. We've asked for changes over the years, and they've pretty much implemented all of them." - A happy user
Any downsides?
- No offline mode (could be tricky in spots with bad internet)
- Not HIPAA compliant (might matter for some health-related services)
Even with these hiccups, Buddy Punch is a solid choice for fitness centers looking to get their time tracking and scheduling in shape for 2024.
2. When I Work
When I Work is a cloud-based app that's perfect for fitness centers. It's all about making scheduling and time tracking a breeze.
Key Features:
- Employee scheduling
- Time tracking
- Team messaging
- Payroll processing
The app's biggest selling point? It's super easy to use. Gym managers can whip up schedules in no time, and staff can swap shifts right in the app.
Pricing:
| Plan | Cost (per user/month) |
|---|---|
| Essentials | $2.50 |
| Pro | $5.00 |
| Premium | $8.00 |
Want time tracking? Add $1.50 per user/month to any plan.
Here's what one gym owner had to say:
"It saves me 8 hours a week. Instead of texting back and forth all day, our employees can use the app to switch shifts up, and all I have to do is approve the swap." - Dangerous Man, Customer Since 2015
That's a LOT of time saved for busy gym owners.
When I Work plays nice with popular payroll systems, so you can run payroll with just one click. Less time on admin, more time on your business.
Got multiple gym locations? When I Work has you covered:
- Multi-week scheduling
- Custom reporting (Pro plan and up)
- API access (Premium plan)
No offline mode, but the mobile app keeps everyone connected.
Is When I Work right for your gym?
It's a great fit if you:
- Need flexible scheduling for multiple locations
- Want to cut down on admin time
- Are looking for an affordable solution that can grow with you
Plus, with no long-term contracts, you're not locked in. It's as flexible as your fitness business needs to be.
3. QuickBooks Time
QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) is a powerhouse for fitness centers with mobile staff or multiple locations.
Why it's a game-changer:
- GPS tracking tells you where your trainers are - perfect for off-site sessions
- Scheduling, PTO management, and project tracking in one place
- Slick mobile app (QuickBooks Workforce) for on-the-go management
What's it cost?
| Plan | Price Tag |
|---|---|
| Premium | $20/month + $8/user/month |
| Elite | $40/month + $10/user/month |
Both come with a 30-day free trial. Elite adds mileage tracking and geofencing - great for trainers hopping between locations.
The good stuff:
QuickBooks Time plays nice with QuickBooks accounting. One gym owner cut payroll processing time by 75% after switching.
The not-so-good:
No shift-swapping feature. You'll have to handle schedule changes the old-fashioned way.
Is it right for you?
Go for it if you:
- Use QuickBooks for accounting
- Have trainers on the move or multiple gym locations
- Need to track client sessions in detail
Think twice if shift-swapping is a must-have for your team.
sbb-itb-276a3c8
4. Hubstaff
Hubstaff takes time tracking to the next level for fitness centers.
Key Features:
- Automatic time tracking
- Employee monitoring with screenshots
- GPS tracking for mobile staff
- Productivity reports
- Payroll and invoicing integration
Pricing:
| Plan | Monthly Cost (per user) | Annual Cost (per user) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $7 | $5.83 |
| Premium | $10 | $8.33 |
| Enterprise | $20 | $16.67 |
Hubstaff offers a 14-day free trial.
Why Fitness Centers Use It:
1. Mobile-Friendly
Great for trainers on the go. Track time and location for off-site sessions or multi-location gyms.
2. Productivity Insights
See how your team spends their time. One gym owner said:
"After using Hubstaff, our productivity has nearly tripled."
3. Easy Payroll
Automate payroll based on tracked hours. Less admin time, fewer errors.
4. Project Management
Assign tasks, set budgets, and track progress in one place.
Potential Downsides:
- Employee monitoring might feel intrusive to some staff
- Steeper learning curve than simpler apps
Is Hubstaff Right for You?
It's a good fit if you:
- Manage a big team or multiple locations
- Need detailed productivity data
- Want to simplify payroll and invoicing
Maybe not if you:
- Run a small studio with basic tracking needs
- Think staff might dislike screenshot monitoring
Hubstaff is powerful, but make sure it aligns with your team's comfort level.
5. Toggl Track
Toggl Track is a time tracking tool that fitness centers love. Here's why:
Key Features:
- One-click timers
- Offline tracking
- Detailed reports
- 100+ app integrations
- Works on desktop, web, and mobile
Pricing:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (5 users) | $0 (5 users) |
| Starter | $10/user | $9/user |
| Premium | $20/user | $18/user |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
They offer a 30-day Premium trial.
Why Fitness Centers Use It:
1. Easy Tracking
Trainers can switch between clients or tasks with one click.
2. Project Management
See where time goes across projects, clients, and tasks.
3. Reporting
Analyze productivity and billable hours with detailed reports.
4. Integrations
Works with Asana, Trello, Salesforce, and more.
Downsides:
- No built-in payroll
- No scheduling tools
- Free plan caps at 5 users
Is It Right for You?
Good if you want:
- Simple time tracking
- Insights on time use
- Lots of app integrations
Not ideal if you need:
- Built-in payroll
- Advanced scheduling
- Free plan for large teams
"It's a great timekeeping tool for the work performed for my clients, since I don't use timesheets." - Independent Consultant
Toggl Track keeps it simple while giving you the insights you need. It's perfect for fitness centers that want to boost productivity without a headache.
6. Clockify
Clockify is a budget-friendly time tracking app for fitness centers. Here's the scoop:
Key Features:
- One-click time tracking
- Project/task management
- Detailed reports
- Team management
- Mobile and desktop apps
Pricing:
| Plan | Cost per User/Month |
|---|---|
| Free | $0 (unlimited users) |
| Basic | $3.99 |
| Standard | $5.49 |
| Pro | $7.99 |
| Enterprise | $11.99 |
Paid plans are billed annually. Monthly billing costs a bit more.
Why Fitness Centers Love It:
1. It's cheap. The free plan has unlimited users and projects. Perfect for small gyms.
2. Easy tracking. Trainers can start/stop timers for different clients or tasks in a snap.
3. Keeps things organized. Sort time by clients, classes, or admin work.
4. Shows you the numbers. Get reports on staff productivity and billable hours.
Not So Great:
- Free plan is basic
- Looks a bit old-school
- No fancy scheduling tools
Is Clockify Your Match?
It's great if you want:
- Free, basic time tracking for lots of users
- Cheap paid plans with extra features
- Simple project management
Not ideal if you need:
- Advanced scheduling
- A slick, modern look
- Built-in payroll
"Clockify's free plan is a lifesaver for our small yoga studio. We track instructor hours without spending a dime." - Fitness Studio Owner
Bottom line: Clockify gives you solid time tracking on a budget. It might not have all the bells and whistles, but it gets the job done for many gyms and studios.
Good and Bad Points
Let's break down the pros and cons of each time tracking app for fitness centers:
| App | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Buddy Punch | • Full payroll solution • Remote work tracking • 4.8/5 on G2 |
• Only 6 customers • $19/month base fee |
| When I Work | • Easy scheduling • In-app chat • 872 customers |
• Time clock is an add-on • 4.4/5 on G2 |
| QuickBooks Time | • QuickBooks integration • GPS tracking |
• Some features in top tier only • Can be expensive |
| Hubstaff | • Detailed work logs • Activity tracking • GPS tracking |
• Might feel intrusive |
| Toggl Track | • Easy to use • Idle detection • Pomodoro timer |
• Limited team features |
| Clockify | • Free for unlimited users • Cheap paid plans • Basic project management |
• Basic free plan • Old-school interface • No scheduling |
Here's the deal:
Buddy Punch is great for payroll but has few users. When I Work nails scheduling but charges extra for time tracking. QuickBooks Time plays nice with accounting but might break the bank for small gyms.
Hubstaff tracks everything but might creep out your staff. Toggl Track is user-friendly but lacks team tools. Clockify is cheap (even free) but basic.
So, what's a gym owner to do? Think about your size, budget, and must-haves. A tiny yoga studio might love Clockify's free plan, while a big gym chain could crush it with When I Work's scheduling.
"Pick the right time tracker and you could save thousands by cutting out wasted hours." - Time Tracking Industry Report
Choose wisely, and your gym (and wallet) will thank you.
Wrap-up
Choosing the right time tracking app for your fitness center can streamline operations. Here's a quick breakdown by gym size:
Small studios:
- Clockify: Free, unlimited users, basic features
- Toggl Track: User-friendly, ideal for freelancers
Medium-sized gyms:
- When I Work: Strong scheduling, time clock costs extra
- QuickBooks Time: Integrates with accounting, higher price point
Large fitness chains:
- Buddy Punch: Complete payroll solution, newer option
- Hubstaff: Detailed tracking, potential privacy concerns
Most apps offer free trials, so test before committing. Focus on your primary needs: scheduling, payroll, or basic time tracking. Consider compatibility with your existing gym software.
A solid time tracking app helps:
- Reduce wasted hours
- Prevent overpayment
- Monitor staff schedules effectively
