ClockShark vs. OnTheClock: Which Time Tracking Software Is Right for Your Business?

Choosing a time tracking solution directly impacts payroll accuracy, workforce visibility, and the efficiency of your day-to-day operations. For businesses managing mobile crews or distributed teams, two platforms that often come up are ClockShark and OnTheClock.

Key Takeaways: ClockShark vs. OnTheClock

• ✔Choose ClockShark for field teams: ClockShark works best for construction and service businesses that need GPS tracking, job costing, and project-based labor visibility.
• ✔Choose OnTheClock for all-in-one management: OnTheClock combines time tracking, scheduling, PTO, reporting, and payroll tools in one system suited for many industries.
• ✔Compare pricing as teams grow: ClockShark’s base fee plus per-user cost scales higher, while OnTheClock keeps pricing lower with a flat per-employee model.
• ✔Match features to business needs: ClockShark focuses on job-site tracking, while OnTheClock offers broader workforce tools that support daily operations and growth.

Both systems allow employees to clock in through mobile apps or web browsers, while managers can review timecards, track attendance, and prepare hours for payroll processing.

Where they begin to differ is in how they approach GPS tracking, job and project management features, reporting depth, integrations, and their ability to support businesses as they grow.

Companies exploring alternatives to ClockShark are often searching for a platform that balances mobile functionality with broader workforce management needs, without being overly focused on job-site tracking. Solutions like OnTheClock deliver core features such as GPS-enabled time tracking, mobile clock-ins, and payroll integrations, while also including tools for scheduling, PTO tracking, and comprehensive reporting across multiple industries.

In this comparison, we’ll break down the strengths and limitations of both ClockShark and OnTheClock so you can determine which option best fits your business.

Quick Comparison: ClockShark vs. OnTheClock

* Pricing and feature availability based on current publicly available data.

What Is ClockShark?

ClockShark is a cloud-based time tracking platform designed primarily for construction, field service, and mobile workforce businesses. The software helps companies track employee hours across job sites while improving visibility into labor costs and project progress.

Employees typically clock in using the mobile app while managers track time by job, task, or project. The system includes GPS tracking, geofencing tools, job-costing reports, and scheduling features to support field-based teams.

ClockShark integrates with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and offers job-tracking capabilities that help construction or service businesses monitor labor costs more closely.

The platform generally includes two pricing tiers:

• Standard (~$40 base fee + ~$8/user/month)

• Pro (~$60 base fee + ~$10/user/month)

While ClockShark offers strong tools for managing field crews, businesses outside the construction or service industries may find that some features are more specialized than necessary.

Best for: Construction companies, contractors, and field service businesses that need job-based time tracking.

What Is OnTheClock?

OnTheClock is a workforce management platform that combines time tracking, scheduling, PTO management, reporting, and payroll functionality in a single system.

Employees clock in from web browsers, mobile devices, or shared kiosks while managers monitor attendance, approve timecards, and manage schedules in real time.

More than 160,000 individuals rely on OnTheClock to track employee time and manage workforce operations.

Unlike platforms that distribute capabilities across multiple pricing tiers, OnTheClock includes features like GPS tracking, PTO management, reporting, and payroll integrations at the base plan level.

Businesses can process payroll directly through OnTheClock or sync approved time data with systems such as QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex, and Gusto.

Another distinguishing factor is support: OnTheClock offers live, U.S.-based phone, chat, and email support to all customers.

Best for: Small and mid-sized businesses that want a workforce management platform for time tracking, scheduling, and payroll preparation..

Setup and Ease of Use

Both platforms are designed to help businesses begin tracking employee time quickly with minimal setup.

ClockShark

ClockShark is designed with field teams in mind. Businesses can add employees, assign job sites, and begin tracking time relatively quickly.

Employees typically clock in using the mobile app, which records their locations and associates time entries with specific jobs or tasks. Managers can then review labor reports and job costing data from the dashboard.

For companies with crews working across multiple job sites, these tools help keep project labor organized.

However, organizations that do not require job costing or field management tools may find parts of the interface more specialized than necessary.

OnTheClock

OnTheClock follows a similarly streamlined setup process but provides more operational flexibility as businesses scale.

Administrators can configure overtime rules, PTO policies, and employee roles during setup. The dashboard highlights active employees, upcoming schedules, and timecards requiring approval.

Employees can clock in from desktops, mobile devices, or kiosk systems while viewing schedules, timecards, and PTO balances directly from the mobile app.

Both platforms are relatively easy to learn, but OnTheClock offers a broader set of workforce management tools as business needs expand.

What Are Users Saying?

Customer reviews provide insight into how each platform performs in real-world business environments.

ClockShark

ClockShark generally receives positive feedback for its strong GPS tracking and job costing tools for field teams.

OnTheClock

OnTheClock consistently receives strong ratings for reliability, ease of use, and responsive customer support.

Feature-By-Feature Comparison

Both platforms provide strong time tracking capabilities. The key difference is focus: ClockShark centers on field service and job-based labor tracking, while OnTheClock offers broader workforce management tools across industries.

ClockShark: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong GPS tracking and job-site verification. ClockShark allows businesses to track employee locations and associate time entries with specific jobs or tasks.
• Built for field service and construction teams. The platform’s interface and reporting tools are designed specifically for businesses managing crews across job sites.
• Job costing and project tracking tools. Managers can analyze labor hours by project, helping improve cost visibility.
• Mobile-first design. The mobile app allows field employees to clock in, view schedules, and log job activity from the field.
• Integration with accounting tools. ClockShark integrates with platforms such as QuickBooks to help simplify payroll and accounting workflows.

Cons

• Pricing increases as teams grow. The combination of a base monthly fee plus per-user pricing can become expensive for larger teams.
• Limited workforce management tools beyond job tracking. Businesses that need PTO management, deeper scheduling tools, or payroll processing may require additional systems.
• Less flexible for non-field industries. Companies outside of construction or service sectors may find some features overly specialized.
• Some reporting customization limitations. While job costing reports are strong, deeper analytics may require exporting data.
  
  

OnTheClock: Pros and Cons

Pros

• All-in-one workforce management platform. OnTheClock combines time tracking, employee scheduling, PTO management, reporting, and payroll integrations into a single system that streamlines workforce operations.
• Transparent pricing with core features included. Most key tools — including GPS tracking, reporting, and PTO management — are available within the base plan, helping businesses avoid feature-based upgrades as their needs evolve.
• Easy to learn for employees and managers. The platform emphasizes a clean, straightforward interface that allows employees to quickly clock in and review hours, while managers efficiently manage timecards and schedules.
• Multiple clock-in methods, including mobile and kiosks. Employees can clock in using desktop computers, mobile devices, shared kiosks, or biometric tools, giving businesses flexibility depending on their workplace setup.
• Live U.S.-based support available for all users. OnTheClock provides phone, chat, and email support to every customer, ensuring businesses can get help quickly during setup and ongoing operations.

Cons

• Advanced enterprise analytics are limited. While OnTheClock provides strong reporting for most small and mid-sized businesses, organizations requiring highly customized forecasting or enterprise-level analytics may need additional tools.
• In-house payroll is an optional upgrade. Payroll processing is available on the platform, but it is offered as an add-on feature separate from the core time-tracking system.
• Some automation features require manual configuration. Depending on the organization’s workflow, certain alerts, approval rules, or time policies may require additional setup to fully automate workforce processes.

Final Verdict

ClockShark is a strong option for construction companies and field service businesses that want job-based time tracking and GPS verification for mobile crews.

OnTheClock is the stronger option for businesses looking for a broader workforce management system. The platform combines time tracking, scheduling, PTO management, reporting, and payroll integrations in a single system with transparent pricing.

If your business primarily manages crews across job sites, ClockShark may be a good fit. If you want a flexible workforce management platform that supports multiple industries and simplifies payroll preparation, OnTheClock offers a more comprehensive solution.

Try OnTheClock free for 30 days. Explore the full platform — time tracking, scheduling, PTO, and payroll tools included. No credit card required. Start your free trial at www.ontheclock.com.

Frequently Asked Questions