Employee monitoring software is an important tool for business owners who want to verify employees are using their time at work to accomplish the responsibilities and tasks assigned to them, not spending hours watching cat videos and trolling social media, or, worse, engaging in reckless or malicious behavior that jeopardizes the security of one's business.
\r\nWe considered 29 employee monitoring solutions, looking for affordable, easy-to-use software that comes with the features business owners need for productivity tracking and security, such as app and website tracking, content filtering and screen captures.
\r\nTeramind is the best employee monitoring software for enterprises because, in addition to its powerful employee monitoring applications, it offers a data loss prevention package designed to secure your company's network and data. It also offers audit and forensics tools to investigate any incidents.
\r\nTeramind is more expensive than many of its competitors, but it's also more comprehensive. Despite this, it's straightforward to use, and the company offers installation assistance for cloud, private cloud and on-premises deployments.
\r\nAll plans include two months free if you select annual billing instead of month to month. You can use Teramind's pricing tool to determine the exact cost for your company based on the number of devices you wish to monitor and any terminal servers you want to add.
\r\nOctober 2020: Although Teramind is more expensive than many of its competitors, it is especially great for enterprises, as it now offers discounts for companies with a large number of users and endpoints. For example, businesses with more than 50 users get discounts on cloud plans, and those with more than 250 endpoints receive discounts for on-premises plans.
\r\nTeramind Starter
\r\nThis plan includes screen recording, live view, website monitoring, application tracking and remote access. It also offers limited access to user behavior analytics and policy management tools.
\r\nTeramind UAM
\r\nThe user activity monitoring plan builds on the starter plan with additional features like email and file transfer monitoring, keystroke logging, printer monitoring and optical character recognition to automatically analyze on-screen content. It also adds dynamic risk scoring and anomaly detection, which could tip off admins to malicious or problematic activity.
\r\nTeramind DLP
\r\nThis plan adds a suite of data loss prevention tools that can help secure your network and the sensitive information stored on any connected devices. The Teramind DLP package is compliant with regulations, including those related to HIPAA and GDPR.
\r\nTeramind has all the features we looked for in employee computer monitoring software and then some. It monitors employee activities in real time and archive the data for later review. The data is easily filtered and searchable so you can find specific users or alert types. Every action is time stamped and dated.
\r\nHere's more about what you can monitor using Teramind.
\r\nDecember 2020: Teramind recently released its enterprise-grade business intelligence (BI) dashboard. The new dashboard lets enterprises conveniently access and control advanced features like multilevel reporting, which comes with summary views and screens for a more thorough analysis of employee productivity; prebuilt report templates, including templates for employee activity, productivity, and work time; a report builder, which allows managers to analyze data points like employees vs. departments, tasks vs. app categories; custom key performance indicator widgets, such as app/web activity, emails, printing file events; and the ability to clone and share reports.
\r\nDespite its comprehensive slate of features, Teramind is relatively straightforward to install and use. To start, admins must first download the Teramind agent on each computer they wish to monitor. Agents can be run in stealth or freelance mode, depending on whether you want employees to know they are being monitored.
\r\nOnce agents are installed, the software begins monitoring and sending data to the administrator's central dashboard. The dashboard is customizable and displays data collected from monitored devices. A sidebar to the left of the screen displays categories of features.
\r\nTeramind's plans include 24/7 tech support, and you can reach the support team by phone, email and live chat. Installation assistance and software updates are also included in the subscription price. If you prefer to troubleshoot issues yourself, you can find FAQs, a knowledgebase and other resources on Teramind's website.
","fullReview":"Often geographically dispersed and managing hundreds of employees, large companies rely on software to ensure that their teams productive and that sensitive data is secure. Enterprise-level companies are particularly at risk of data breaches that compromise proprietary information or malicious attacks on their networks. Often these attacks are the result of internal misuse. Teramind is a comprehensive employee monitoring software platform that covers all the core features we looked for and then some. In addition to its powerful employee monitoring applications, Teramind offers a data loss prevention package designed to secure a company's network and data. It also offers audit and forensics tools to investigate any incidents that do occur. Best of all, Teramind offers enterprise implementation assistance for on-premises or private cloud deployments.
\r\nSee all of our reviews and recommendations for employee monitoring software on our best picks page.
\r\nTeramind offers three different pricing plans, and each is available in either a cloud-based or on-premises deployment. These range from plans suitable to small and midsize companies to comprehensive enterprise solutions. The largest plan, Teramind DLP, includes useful data loss prevention tools that protect sensitive information, as well as compliance with some of the strictest privacy regulations.
\r\nTo determine the exact cost of Teramind for your company based on the number of devices you wish to monitor and any terminal servers you want to add, use the pricing tool available on Teramind's website.
\r\nTeramind has all the critical features we looked for in employee monitoring software and then some. Each tool is easily accessible from a central dashboard, and the dashboard displays which users are currently active, their current activity, the total time they've worked and their active/inactive time. A sidebar to the left of the screen displays categories of features.
\r\nThe activity monitoring suite includes tools that allow you to monitor specific employee activities in real time and archive your observations for later review. Teramind displays all the devices and users on the system. Both are easily filtered and searchable so you can find specific users or alert types. Every action is timestamped and dated.
\r\nHere's more about what you can monitor using Teramind.
\r\nTeramind allows you to set certain behavioral rules for the software and will automatically flag or block prohibited behavior. The behavior rules engine comes with dozens of templates to help admins create policies that govern user activity. If none of the templates meet your needs, you can create your own policies.
\r\nRules can also be put in place to block certain activities. For example, if you don't want users sending emails outside of your workplace's dedicated email application, you can tailor a rule that blocks multiple personal email addresses, such as Gmail, Yahoo or other email clients. In addition, you can block websites and social media platforms or prohibit employees from transferring files to removable devices like a USB drive.
\r\nAs part of its software, Teramind offers in-depth reporting that gives you a clear understanding of your employees' work habits. Teramind's color-coded graphs report on all violations during a specific time period. Teramind's charts also break down the violations by department so you can see the most egregious offenders at a glance.
\r\nIf you set a risk level when establishing behavioral rules and policies, one report notifies you just how much risk your users are creating for your organization. This tool is especially useful for businesses in sensitive industries, like a medical practice operating under HIPAA privacy constraints, for example.
\r\nDespite its comprehensive slate of features and uses, Teramind is relatively straightforward to install and use. To start, admins must first download the Teramind agent on each computer they wish to monitor. Agents can be run in stealth or freelance mode, depending on whether you want employees to know they are being monitored. Once agents are installed, the software will begin monitoring usage and sending data back to the administrator's central dashboard.
\r\nThe user interface is built around this dashboard, which can be customized to suit your preferences. The default dashboard displays data collected from monitored devices, including security metrics, productivity metrics and users that are currently online.
\r\nOn the left side of the dashboard are a series of tabs, which you use to navigate the major categories of Teramind. From top to bottom these read: dashboards, monitoring, risk, productivity, behavior, employees, computers, configure and system. Here's a quick look at what each major tab governs:
\r\nTeramind's software-as-a-service (SaaS) pricing model includes tech support and software updates in the subscription price. When you purchase any Teramind plan, the support team is available to offer implementation assistance. In addition to accessing FAQs and other resources on Teramind's website, you can reach the support team via phone, email and live chat. The company does not list the hours that the support team is available, but when we reached out to the company, they informed us that support is available 24/7/365.
\r\nTeramind is an impressive employee monitoring software solution, but the software doesn't allow you to monitor company-owned mobile devices. It is designed solely for desktops and servers. While you won't be able to monitor employee mobile devices, Teramind allows admins to use their mobile device to monitor any PCs that have the monitoring software installed on them.
\r\nEmployee monitoring software can log keystrokes and capture screenshots, record video or audio, read emails and chat logs, or even prohibit certain web content or applications. It can monitor and archive productivity data for later review, and it can help you prevent unauthorized file transfers or downloads, protecting sensitive company data from loss or theft. InterGuard is a comprehensive employee monitoring application that includes virtually every feature we looked for in our review. However, InterGuard's immense list of features makes it somewhat unwieldy, sacrificing usability in exchange for comprehensiveness. Overall, it is a reliable solution for midsize and large companies, but it will likely take some significant time and training for your admins and managers to master.
\r\nSee all our reviews and recommendations for employee monitoring software on our best picks page.
\r\nInterGuard offers a one-week free trial that allows you to try out the software before buying. However, InterGuard is a complex software with a difficult user interface, so becoming familiar with the program in seven days could prove difficult. Once your free trial is up, you have two pricing plans to choose from: Business Cloud or Enterprise On-Premises.
\r\nInterGuard's Business Cloud plan is very competitively priced compared to other employee monitoring software in our review, especially considering the long list of features that come with the program.
\r\nInterGuard shines in the number of features available. It is a wide-ranging program designed to meet the employee monitoring needs of most businesses. In addition to standard features (web monitoring, email monitoring, etc.), InterGuard has advanced features like geolocation tracking and program blocking, as well as admin alerts.
\r\nHere's more about InterGuard's most important features:
\r\nInterGuard employs a relatively modern user interface with a series of dropdown menus for navigation. The dashboard features pie charts and bar graphs to make reviewing data such as \"unproductive activity by user\" or \"most productive users\" simple. Additional dashboard tools include an alert log, a view of individual user activity, an overview of all the data captured by the software, access to reports and notifications, and a search tool. More advanced tools allow admins to drill down into individual user activity further by monitoring all active devices. A robust settings tool allows you to govern your overarching computer usage policies. For example, in Settings you can restrict user access to certain websites or set \"alert words\" that tip you off when a user might be breaching company policy. Finally, InterGuard's Endpoint Lockdown tool allows you to geolocate a device, remotely retrieve or delete files, and recover any monitored device.
\r\nWhile InterGuard is a powerful employee monitoring software program with useful features, the learning curve makes it much more difficult to implement and train staff on than other employee monitoring software applications we reviewed. Both the Business Cloud and Enterprise On-Premise pricing plans come with 24/7 support; expect to use it, especially in the early days.
\r\nInterGuard's biggest limitation is its lack of usability. While the application is perfectly suitable once you have learned the software, finding the right tools when you're unfamiliar with the system can take a while. Once you become accustomed to navigating the system, you'll have a great deal of data in your hands.
\r\nEditor's Note: Looking for an employee monitoring solution that will help you ensure your employees are on task and productive? Fill out the questionnaire below and our vendor partners will contact you with more information.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10805","widget":{"id":"10805","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=574&aff_id=1000&source=employee-monitoring-software&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&aff_sub3=deal|Awareness-Technologies&url_id=1","name":"QT Program"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5f9079bc5a215ee16e8b4567/interguard.png"}}},{"bullets":["Free for up to three users","Blocks websites, monitors activity","Track user productivity "],"description":"ActivTrak offers a well-rounded free version for up to three users. The free edition of ActivTrak includes 3GB of storage, an analytics dashboard for reviewing data insights, web content filtering and real-time device monitoring. It is compatible with Windows and Mac devices, as well as on iOS and Android mobile devices.\r\n\r\nActivTrak also offers a cost-effective paid version that builds on the features available with its free edition. The paid version starts at $7.20 per user, per month, which is one of the most affordable prices we found. In addition to all the features included in the free version, the paid edition offers unlimited storage space, automatic detection of USB drives or other detachable devices, monitoring of file transfers, user risk scoring, real-time screenshots and a remote agent installer. ","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Free Employee Monitoring Software","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best Free Employee Monitoring Software","review":{"displayName":"ActivTrak","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/activtrak/","id":"f6cd685384818a3d007b69492e4eeec5","url":"https://activtrak.com/","review":{"pros":["Effective, easy-to-use solution that is free for up to three users.","Competitively priced plans for companies that require more advanced features or want to monitor more devices."],"cons":["The software lacks keystroke logging."],"fullReviewTest":"ActivTrak is the best free employee monitoring software for small businesses. It has the essential features we looked for in a software solution, including content filtering, website and app monitoring, activity tracking, and alerts. It supports up to three users at no cost, and it's easy to install, setup and use.
\r\nBusinesses with additional users or that need advanced features or support will find its paid plans affordably priced.
\r\nActivTrak's free plan is a great option for very small businesses, but if your business grows or you need advanced features, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
\r\nHere are the key differences between each plan and what they cost:
\r\nActivTrak blends activity monitoring features with productivity tools. While the free version lacks advanced features like file transfer monitoring and unlimited, real-time screenshots, it has the core features you need to effectively keep tabs on employees.
\r\nNovember 2020: To help small business owners measure employee performance and productivity against industry standards, ActivTrak recently launched its Productivity Lab. This resource includes global trends and advice on topics such as optimal work hours, burnout risks, collaboration habits, common roadblocks, distractions and interruptions, culture and innovation, and strategy shifts. With this information, businesses can make educated decisions on how to manage their workforce and technology for optimal productivity.
\r\nYou can get up and running with ActivTrak in no time. The remote installer makes downloading a monitoring agent onto a new computer a simple, one-step process. Once installed, the agent runs stealthily in the background and begins delivering data to the administrator's dashboard.
\r\nAdmins can tailor the settings that define how ActivTrak captures data, and set alerts related to prohibited activity, both to notify employees and capture evidence. For example, you can set the software to take a screenshot anytime a certain keyword is entered, or you can set an alert to warn employees that their activity is prohibited, such as scrolling endlessly on social media while on the clock.
\r\nActivTrak has a robust customer support department, maintaining phone and email support, as well as a dedicated billing team. With the advanced plan, you also have access to a dedicated account manager who acts as your liaison with the company. Self-guided materials like FAQs, case studies, how-to videos and more are also available.
","fullReview":"Generally, the most comprehensive employee monitoring software is expensive, and the free software is extremely limited (or worse, computer viruses.) ActivTrak offers reliable employee monitoring that is free of charge for up to three users and includes all the core features we looked for in our review. It can be used at no cost forever, but if your business scales up or you decide you want access to the more advanced features, ActivTrak also has an inexpensive paid version as well. Not only is ActivTrak free, but it is easy to install, set up and learn. From installing agents on monitored devices to navigating the user interface, you can get up and running with ActivTrak in no time.
\r\nSee all of our reviews and recommendations for employee monitoring software on our best picks page.
\r\nWe reviewed ActivTrak's free version, but there is also an advanced plan for growing companies, as well as several add-ons to choose from. Here's a look at the key differences between each plan and the pricing of the advanced plan.
\r\nActivTrak will also tailor a custom plan to suit your needs if neither the free version nor the advanced version is suitable. To find out more about custom plans, contact a company representative to discuss the scope of services and pricing.
\r\nActivTrak blends activity monitoring features with productivity tools and combines the data into easily digestible reports. While the free version lacks advanced features like file transfer monitoring or keystroke logging, it maintains the core features necessary to effectively keep tabs on employees.
\r\nActivTrak offers several detailed reports that allow you to drill down into the data captured by the agents. These reports include data like \"top websites accessed\" or \"top applications accessed.\" Each report can be used to track productivity metrics for specific users, and they can also help you understand productivity across the entire organization. Productivity can be tracked by day, week, month or year, allowing you to build a composite picture of just how much time is being wasted. The user activity log offers a look into every action by a single user over a period of time and allows you to view any screenshots captured during their sessions. All data in reports is available for export.
\r\nOne of ActivTrak's standout aspects is its ease of use and intuitive user interface. The remote installer makes downloading a monitoring agent onto a new computer a simple, one-step process. Once installed, the agent runs stealthily in the background, so the user won't even know they are being monitored. As soon as the agent is active, it begins delivering data to the administrator's dashboard.
\r\nThe main screen is a central dashboard that displays real-time thumbnails of monitored screens. To look closer at a specific user, an admin needs merely click the thumbnail of the user's screen. Admins can also take real-time screenshots of a user's screen by clicking the camera icon. On the left side of the screen are tabs that provide access to the activity monitoring tools, the productivity suite and admin settings. These tabs are easy to navigate, and the label of each tab is displayed when you mouse over it.
\r\nActivTrak's customization tools are limited; admins cannot alter the widgets on the dashboard. This was a common customization feature of other employee monitoring software solutions in our review. However, admins can tailor the settings that define how ActivTrak captures data. Further, admins can mark certain websites and applications as productive and unproductive, and ActivTrak will create a queue of unlabeled websites and applications based on user activity that admins can review and categorize as needed. Admins can group content by different categories like \"social media\" or \"shopping,\" and they can create or delete custom categories on the fly.
\r\nAdmins can also set alerts and notifications related to prohibited activity, both to notify employees and capture evidence. For example, you can set the software to take a screenshot anytime a certain keyword is entered, helping you to gather evidence of inappropriate usage. Or, you can set an alert to warn employees that their activity is prohibited, such as scrolling endlessly on social media while on the clock.
\r\nActivTrak has one of the most robust customer support departments we encountered, maintaining phone and email support, as well as a dedicated billing team. With the advanced plan, you'll also have access to a dedicated account manager who can act as your liaison with the company. In addition to the customer and tech support teams, you also have access to self-guided materials like FAQs, case studies, how-to videos and more.
\r\nActivTrak's biggest limitation is that the free version is only available for up to three users. If you want to monitor more devices, you'll have to upgrade to the paid version. That makes ActivTrak's free edition less than scalable; however, the paid version is competitively priced at $7.20 per user per month, so it shouldn't represent too steep a cost.
\r\nThe other major drawback we noted with ActivTrak is that keystroke logging is completely absent from both the free and paid versions of the software. Keystroke logging tracks what your users are typing across all web browsers and applications, along with a date and timestamp, and it can be an incredibly useful window into user activity. However, ActivTrak does track mouse movements and keyboard activity.
\r\nEditor's Note: Looking for an employee monitoring solution that will help you ensure your employees are on task and productive? Fill out the questionnaire below and our vendor partners will contact you with more information.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10805","widget":{"id":"10805","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=570&aff_id=1000&source=employee-monitoring-software&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&aff_sub3=deal|activtrak&random_url=1","name":"QT Program"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5dded37e7b4374ed4e8b4568/activ-trak.png"}}},{"bullets":["Real-time monitoring","Tracks keystrokes","Detects portable drives"],"description":"In addition to its capable feature set and simple cloud deployment, SentryPC is one of the few companies we reviewed that has no minimum number of licenses you must purchase, making it the best employee monitoring software for very small businesses. It has tools for controlling employee access to online content, and you can block specific websites or filter out entire categories, such as gambling, shopping or adult websites. You can also set times when employees can access otherwise blocked content. For example, you can set it to allow access to shopping and social media sites during the lunch hour.\r\n\r\nFebruary 2020: SentryPC users are also not limited in the amount of screenshot storage they have access to – you can purchase additional screenshot storage packages for $19.95 per 500 screenshots. This means that even the smallest businesses can store virtually unlimited screenshots without upgrading to a more expensive employee monitoring plan. \r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Very Small Businesses","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best for Very Small Businesses","review":{"displayName":"SentryPC","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/sentrypc/","id":"45cd2c242c0d864763d241a28c982797","url":"https://www.sentrypc.com","review":{"pros":["Features include content filtering, activity monitoring, keylogging and screenshots.","Offers a choice of silent or confirmation mode."],"cons":["Customer support isn't available by phone or live chat."],"fullReviewTest":"SentryPC is the best employee monitoring software for very small businesses, particularly those on a budget, because it's affordable, easy-to-use and doesn't skimp on the core monitoring features we looked for in a software application.
\r\nIt can be used with both Windows and Mac computers, and as a cloud-based solution; it's easy to implement and maintain.
\r\nEvery plan includes full access to all of SentryPC's features and tools, although higher tiers offer more screenshot storage. If you need additional screenshot storage, 500 additional screenshots have a one-time cost of $19.95.
\r\nSentryPC has all the features that an employer needs to monitor employee activity and productivity. Here's a sampling of its features.
\r\nSentryPC is a cloud-based employee monitoring solution, so you can access your account anytime from anyplace. It displays all employee activity in one central location, and its simple search features prevent an overwhelming flood of unstructured data.
\r\nFor in-house employees (including your remote employees who use company computers), you can run the program on silent mode. Or, if you have a contractor or freelancer who will only be tracked or monitored while they work on your projects, you can set it to confirmation mode, which shows the user when they are being monitored. The software also has a time management feature that you can use to keep your freelancer budget in check.
\r\nSentryPC offers customer support for technical issues through a ticket system, but there is no phone line or live chat channel. Resources include an integrated support section with documentation to help you install the program, troubleshoot any issues and learn about the finer points of the software.
","fullReview":"For the small business on a budget, SentryPC offers a user-friendly solution without the bells, whistles and learning curve that accompany many platforms. It is an affordable option that doesn't skimp on the core employee monitoring features we looked for in our review. It is cloud-based, making it easy to implement and maintain. It displays all employee activity in one central location, and its simple search features prevent an overwhelming flood of unstructured data.
\r\nSee all of our reviews and recommendations for employee monitoring software on our best picks page.
\r\nSentryPC is somewhat limited in scope compared to the more comprehensive platforms in our review, but it includes all the features a small business needs to ensure its employees are on-task and productive. It also includes some tools to prevent data loss or theft. Best of all, it is an inexpensive and easily implemented solution. For these reasons, SentryPC is our best pick for employee monitoring software for small businesses.
\r\nSentryPC uses a per-device licensing system that is billed annually. Each device you need to monitor requires a license for installing a SentryPC agent. Each license provides access to the full functionality of the software for that specific device. Each plan offers access to all SentryPC's features and tools, although higher tiers offer more screenshots. Still, even businesses that subscribe to the basic plan will have access to the full employee monitoring software.
\r\nOne of the most crucial parts of SentryPC's activity monitoring is the real-time activity alerts. If a user attempts to access a blocked activity or violates policies outlined in the administrative settings, the software flags the action, logs it in the central admin dashboard and alerts admins by email. Alert logs can be downloaded, viewed and sorted by user, device, type, activity or timestamp.
\r\nThe activity monitoring screen resembles a typical email inbox and lists all relevant activity by all users, clearly displaying the username and computer, as well as the type of activity and a timestamp. The details displayed vary by tool. These tools include the following:
\r\nContent-filtering tools allow administrators to limit which applications and websites employees can access and when. With SentryPC, content filtering takes just a few clicks and can be set by hours and days. So, if employees are free to use their devices for non-work purposes outside of work, but you want to ensure they don't do so during work hours, you can easily tailor the users’ parameters accordingly.
\r\nYou can also monitor keywords or phrases and tailor the system to alert the user when a blocked keyword or phrase has been entered. Or you can merely instruct SentryPC to log it in the activity monitoring module. Website filtering works in much the same way and allows administrators to filter websites by broad categories as well as by specific URLs.
\r\nThe reporting tools are a strong suit for SentryPC, offering admins several ways to view all the data captured by the activity monitoring tools. Reports include the most frequent alerts triggered by users, so you can see which violations are most common amongst your employees. Other reports include the top used applications or chat tools. Admins also have the option to review device status reports, which show the current status of every monitored device so you can quickly identify any significant changes or threats. Finally, the chart creator allows you to create visualizations of the data each tool logged.
\r\nManagement features include a time-management tool that allows admins to set maximum work hours on a daily and weekly basis, alerting users when they're approaching their maximum time. You can also set an alert period: For example, you can create an automatic alert for 15 minutes before an employee hits their time cap. You can configure each user differently, which is especially useful for managing freelancer budgets.
\r\nWhen you install SentryPC, you can keep it in confirmation mode, which shows users they're being monitored. This transparent mode is a good choice if you have contractors or freelancers who will only be tracked or monitored while they work on your projects. For in-house employees, you can run the program on silent mode.
\r\nSentryPC offers customer support for technical issues through a ticket system. Unfortunately, there is no phone line or live chat channel for technical support. Luckily, SentryPC has an integrated support section built into the software. This support tool includes documentation that helps you install the program, troubleshoot any issues and engage in self-guided learning about the finer points of the software. Overall, customer support is limited with SentryPC, but it is available in the event you encounter serious problems.
\r\nSentryPC's major limitation is its tech support. While the company provides a great deal of documentation and plenty of how-to guides, your company is mostly on its own to figure out the finer points. If tech support is urgently needed, it can be difficult to contact the company and get an immediate response.
\r\nEditor's Note: Looking for an employee monitoring solution that will help you ensure your employees are on task and productive? Fill out the questionnaire below and our vendor partners will contact you with more information.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10805","widget":{"id":"10805","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=577&aff_id=1001&source=employee-monitoring-software&aff_sub3=deal|Impact-Radius&aff_sub4=revenue|Affiliate&url_id=1","name":"ImpactRadius"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5edfa2f87b4374ea128b457c/sentrypc.png"}}},{"bullets":["Discount for annual plan","Screenshots for multiple screens","Tracks mouse and keyboard activity"],"description":".","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Productivity Management and Employee Monitoring","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best for Productivity Management and Employee Monitoring","review":{"displayName":"Hubstaff","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/hubstaff/","id":"01f25dc969e615883a3500cc77dc8e48","url":"https://hubstaff.com","review":{"pros":["Monitors staff activity and productivity.","Features include GPS tracking and geofencing."],"cons":["The software lacks content filtering, file and print tracking, and keystroke logging."],"fullReviewTest":"Hubstaff is the best productivity management and employee monitoring software because of its unique combination of features, including activity monitoring and time tracking, that focus on helping your employees get their work done. It's affordable, with a choice of plans and a low minimum user requirement of just two users, and it's easy for both employers and employees to use.
\r\nHubstaff is a good option for business owners who want to make sure they're paying employees for an honest day's work and feel like most employee management software is overly invasive.
\r\nMonthly and annual subscriptions are available, and Hubstaff offers two months free with annual subscriptions. Even though the basic plan is free, Hubstaff has a 14-day free trial so you can test the software before you buy it. The software is also backed a 60-day, money-back guarantee, so you can get a refund if the software doesn't work out for your business.
\r\nHubstaff focuses on measuring your team's productivity rather than strictly monitoring employee behavior and communications, and it lacks some of the features commonly included on other employee monitoring software such as content filtering, keystroke logging, and print and file tracking.
\r\nIt has ancillary features, though, that small business owners – particularly those who employ freelancers or independent contractors – may find useful such as project-based time tracking, project budgeting and payroll.
\r\nHere's more about the employee monitoring features it includes.
\r\nHubstaff's user interface is aesthetically pleasing and well organized, making navigation relatively simple. While Hubstaff can sometimes require more hunting to find specific tools and features versus other employee monitoring applications we reviewed (mainly due to its incorporation of dropdown menus), it is still intuitive and easy to use.
\r\nHubstaff has an extensive knowledgebase, FAQs, video tutorials, case studies and a blog on its website, and provides 24/7 support by help ticket and email. VIP support and concierge setup is available with its Enterprise plan.
","fullReview":"Employee monitoring software is primarily used to ensure employees stay on task and don't engage in prohibited or potentially threatening behaviors. But these tools also help improve productivity and project management, and that naturally blends with other software tasks like tracking employee schedules. Hubstaff offers a series of useful employee monitoring tools as well as a suite of other programs that can bolster company organization and productivity. With Hubstaff's employee monitoring software, your admins and managers will have access to time-keeping tools and project management functionality alongside the insights provided into employee activity.
\r\nSee all of our reviews and recommendations for employee monitoring software on our best picks page.
\r\nHubstaff's pricing includes four different tiers, each of which offers a different level of service and more available features as you go up. All prices listed here are billed monthly, but Hubstaff offers two months free when you select an annual subscription plan. A 14-day free trial is available to test out the software before you make a purchasing decision.
\r\nFor our review, we evaluated the Premium plan. The cost of this plan – $10 per user per month – is more expensive than some of the other applications we evaluated, but it is still far from the priciest. If you pay annually, Hubstaff will give you two months for free, which brings the total cost of the Premium plan down to $100 per user per year.
\r\nHubstaff offers the core employee monitoring features you would expect as well as some additional tools that monitor employee productivity and help business owners and managers oversee projects more efficiently. While it lacks some of the advanced activity monitoring tools that other employee monitoring software solutions offer, its set of productivity features is one of the best we saw among the applications we evaluated.
\r\nHubstaff's user interface is aesthetically pleasing and well organized, making navigation relatively simple. While Hubstaff can sometimes require more hunting to find specific tools and features versus other employee monitoring applications we reviewed (mainly due to its incorporation of dropdown menus), it is still intuitive and easy to use.
\r\nHubstaff does a good job bringing together all the data points it captures, making it simple for managers and admins to review employee activity and assess productivity levels. Reporting can be filtered by user, dates or the type of activity, and all are affixed with a percentage that identifies how active an employee was during their work hours.
\r\nBecause Hubstaff is more focused on measuring employee productivity rather than on monitoring behavior and communications, it lacks some of the features other employee monitoring software includes. For example, Hubstaff does not store the keystrokes of a user or their mouse clicks, both of which are relatively common features with other employee monitoring solutions. Hubstaff does a lot, but if you're looking for a surveillance program strictly to monitor employees' behaviors and the content of their communications, Hubstaff does both more and less than you likely need.
\r\nEditor's Note: Looking for an employee monitoring solution that will help you ensure your employees are on task and productive? Fill out the questionnaire below and our vendor partners will contact you with more information.
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| Free Plan | \r\nYes | \r\nNo | \r\nYes | \r\nNo | \r\n
| Free trial | \r\n14 days | \r\nDemo only | \r\n14 days | \r\n7-14 days | \r\n
| User minimum | \r\n5 | \r\n1 | \r\n1 | \r\n5 | \r\n
| Cloud-based or installation | \r\nCloud | \r\nCloud | \r\nCloud | \r\nBoth | \r\n
| Compatible Operating Systems | \r\nWindows, Mac, Chrome, Android, iOS | \r\nWindows, Mac | \r\nMac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, Chrome browser | \r\nWindows, Windows Server, Mac | \r\n
The cost of employee monitoring software can vary widely. Factors like the scope of the solution and the number of licenses you require affect the price. Applications generally cost anywhere from $20 to $150 per user, per year, though most are in the $40 to $60 range annually.
\r\nEmployee monitoring software often relies on a per-user licensing system charged at a monthly or annual rate. Other software vendors charge a one-time licensure fee that allows the software to be used forever, along with an annual subscription for tech support and software updates.
\r\nHere are three things to watch for when you're evaluating pricing:
\r\nMost employee monitoring software can be deployed as an on-premises solution, which means the software is installed and operated on your company's own servers. This type of monitoring implementation carries a higher upfront cost and requires an IT team that can maintain your servers, but it grants you greater control over your own data.
\r\nThe other common deployment option is a cloud-based service (or SaaS), which eases the maintenance burden and represents a lower upfront cost, but there's a monthly or annual subscription required – typically from $5 to $25 per user, per month.
\r\nMost employee monitoring software companies are transparent with their pricing and post rates on their websites. However, if you have a lot of employees, most companies encourage you to speak with a sales representative for custom pricing.
\r\nLook for the following discounts as you compare costs:
\r\nEmployee monitoring software is a digital solution that provides a way for businesses to monitor, record and manage employees' online behavior at work. Whether you have just a few employees or several hundred, the software is useful to have because there are a lot of distractions in the modern workplace for both onsite and remote employees, especially for those who use internet-connected devices to complete their daily tasks.
\r\nAnd, while employees can be trusted to do the right thing most of the time, there is always an opportunity for them to engage in unproductive behavior on company time. Worse yet, employees could be insider threats – exhibiting reckless or malicious behavior that jeopardizes your business.
\n"},{"title":"What Can You Track With Employee Monitoring Software?","html":"\nWith employee monitoring software, you can track employee activity and productivity. The most basic features include web browsing, which allows you to monitor websites visited by employees; application monitoring, which shows you specific applications employees use; and activity tracking, which monitors keyboard and mouse activity so you can detect whether employees are actually working during their work hours.
\r\nMany solutions include keystroke logging, which tracks what your users are typing across all web browsers and applications – including chat messages and emails – along with a date and time stamp, and it can be an incredibly useful window into user activity. Some applications even look through the devices' cameras.
\r\nEmployee monitoring software includes a wide range of features to keep tabs on how employees spend their time at work. The best monitoring software lets administrators set specific rules and policies for different members of the organization, and to receive notifications when the rules have been broken.
\r\nWhether you run a big company with hundreds of employees or a small business with just a handful of workers, there is software that can fit both your needs and budget.
\n"},{"title":"Types of Employee Monitoring","html":"\nThere are different types of monitoring that businesses can use to optimize their operations. Here are three of the most common methods.
\r\nThe best small business employee monitoring software helps you manage and enforce your acceptable use policy without requiring a lot of your time to install and maintain it. You need a solution that alerts you when employees attempt to leak vital business information, access inappropriate content or simply waste time goofing off while they are on the clock.
\r\nHere are the main aspects to pay attention to in your search.
\r\nConsider the different types of monitoring features the software offers. For example, how much do you want to control your employees' internet time? It is all right for them to surf the internet during breaks and lunches, or not at all? Are there websites your employees need to access to do their jobs?
\r\nWith some software applications, you can select times when the internet or sites are blocked and times they're not blocked. Most applications also let you create user groups, each with their own rules and permissions. Blocking disruptive sites and creating customized permissions for specific groups is one way that business internet software can help increase employee efficiency and productivity.
\r\nMany businesses use employee monitoring software to track employee working hours. The software can include login/logout features that allow employees to record the time they spend working. A popular employee monitoring feature is activity tracking. This feature tracks how active or idle an employee's keyboard and mouse are during their work hours.
\r\nIdle time isn't always a negative thing, though. For example, if an employee spends a lot of time reading or in meetings, they might have \"low activity\" in terms of keyboard and mouse activity. The best software records whether the employee's activity (or inactivity) is productive or unproductive. This gives you insight into where your employees are excelling and where they are distracted. This is a great feature for tracking and improving employee productivity.
\r\nConsider the specific areas of computer activity you want to track. The most comprehensive programs keep detailed logs of the websites your employees visit and the applications they use, along with emails, online chats, created and downloaded files, print jobs, inserted devices, and even their physical locations when they're on company devices.
\r\nYou may not want to keep such detailed tabs on your employees. If you choose software with a full suite of features, many are customizable, so you can decide what exactly you want to record (and in how much detail), as well as what the exceptions are.
\r\nDepending on your reason for using employee monitoring software, you may want software that records employees' online searches and takes screenshots of their monitors. These can come in handy if you are sued by a disgruntled employee and need to back up your claims.
\r\nYou may also want to consider keystroke logging; although, keep in mind, this feature can be considered invasive and is not offered by all software providers.
\r\nPay attention to the software's reports and notifications features. It should provide regular reports (at intervals you choose) with easy-to-read statistics and visual breakdowns of employee habits. For more detailed information, though, you'll need extensive notification options, and the best software has both real-time monitoring and real-time alerts. For instance, you may choose to be alerted if an employee downloads a document online or tries to access a forbidden website. Since notifications alert you to specific occurrences, and reports give you a staffwide overview, you'll get the most out of your software when you use both options together.
\r\nMake sure your office web monitoring software includes automatic archiving. You never know when you may need to review an employee's internet history.
\r\nIn addition to dashboards you can access from any browser, the best employee monitoring software come with mobile apps that managers can use when they're away from the office. Although some have both Android and iPhone apps, some are platform-specific, so if this is a feature that's important to you, verify that the app is compatible with the operating system you use.
\r\nGood internet filter software should be intuitive to use, with visually appealing interfaces that clearly and neatly display all the options without being cluttered and overwhelming. Administrative users should feel confident using the software; one should have a good grasp of the application's monitoring options after just a few minutes of clicking around.
\r\nIf you run into issues, though, you want to work with a company that is easy to reach. You should be able to reach tech support by phone, email, live chat, or online ticketing, though even some of the best companies only offer one or two of these support avenues. Live chat is typically the fastest way to connect with a representative. Most companies also have extensive self-help resources on their websites that you can always refer to, such as how-to guides, video tutorials and FAQs pages.
\r\nSome companies charge extra for ongoing upgrades and support after the first year. You can forgo this option, but you run the risk of operating outdated and possibly insecure software without help from the manufacturer.
\n"},{"title":"Employee Monitoring FAQs","html":"\nEmployee monitoring software can benefit your company in multiple ways, primarily regarding productivity and security. With features that allow you to track employee activity (e.g., mouse activity and keystroke logging, webcam recording), you can ensure your team is actively working at their computers when they say they are. Features like website tracking, content filtering and screen captures can help ensure your team is working on the proper websites and applications, instead of viewing content that is inappropriate or unrelated to work.
\r\nMonitoring your employees' device usage can be a good way to motivate them to use their time wisely. Some companies recommend holding performance meetings to evaluate how everyone is doing and note areas of improvement. Tracking and archiving employee activity can also be helpful if you need proof of a disgruntled former employee's poor behavior.
\r\nEmployee monitoring software can also help protect your business and your network. For example, by using software monitoring features, you can be sure your team isn't viewing malicious websites or performing harmful activity. Features like email, USB and print monitoring are great for making sure confidential data isn't leaked. You can also use network monitoring to track the functionality of all your network components and reduce network downtime.
\r\nAlthough there are many benefits to using employee monitoring software, there are a few potential disadvantages – the biggest one being a reduction in employee trust and morale. Employees may employee monitoring software as a lack of employer trust in them, which can eventually breed resentment and lower company morale. No one likes feeling like they are being watched, and employee monitoring software could be seen as a loss of privacy.
\r\nEmployers must walk a fine line when implementing the software for the first time. To get employees on board with monitoring software and reduce the risk of employee turnover or resentment, explain your reasons for using the software and emphasize how it will benefit the company.
\r\nAnother potential drawback is the amount of time it can take to condense and comprehend the data that is compiled from the software. This software offers a plethora of information that can help businesses improve security and streamline their processes, but it may take a little extra work to decipher the most important data points.
\r\nIf you are implementing employee monitoring software for the first time, you should also be aware of the potential privacy and security risks. It may seem counterintuitive, since this software is meant to protect your network, but it is likely that you'll eventually stumble across private employee data, like health records or bank account information. To reduce this risk, make it clear to employees what they should and should not access on company devices.
\r\nYou can run employee monitoring software in either stealth mode or transparent mode. Stealth mode, also known as silent mode, means employees aren't aware they are being monitored. Transparent monitoring is when your employees can see the surveillance program on their computers.
\r\nThe best type of deployment depends on your business's preferences, and most of the top software applications offer both options. With an on-premises solution, you'll host the software and the data it collects on your own server – which means that you can keep your data as long as you want. But an on-premises solution requires more IT knowledge and can take longer to set up.
\r\nWith cloud-based software, it's easier to manage and quicker to set up than on-premises deployment, and you don't have to have a server to store all your data. But you must trust the vendor to maintain and protect your data.
\r\nFor the most part, yes. Employee tracking software is designed to be installed on multiple computers, including an administrative station. For this type of program to work, you must first turn off your firewall. The firewall is turned back on once the installation is complete. This punctures a hole in your security system for a short period of time, making your network vulnerable to viruses, Trojans, spyware and other threats.
\r\nA word of caution: Some employee surveillance programs look legitimate but are really viruses in disguise. While it may give you keylogging and password-capturing capabilities, it collects this information behind the scenes to sell or use to breach your company's security measures. We did extensive research to ensure the legitimacy of each of the programs we reviewed. However, since most of these programs work around your firewall, it is still possible for other threats to pass through undetected.
\r\nYes, if your business owns the computers that your employees use, you can install computer monitoring software on them. You can even run monitoring on silent mode. But if your remote worker is using their personal computer for work, they're not likely to consent to having tracking software installed on it. One solution might be to use a transparent monitoring app like Hubstaff that only tracks usage when the employee is clocked in to work.
\r\nThis depends on the software you use and the mode you deploy. For example, you can use employee monitoring software in stealth mode, which does not let your employees know they are being monitored.
\r\nConversely, you can use employee monitoring software in transparent mode, which allows employees to see the surveillance software on their device.
\r\nIt is up to you whether you inform your employees whether they are being surveilled or not. There are no current federal laws that require you to notify staff they are being monitored.
\r\nIf an employee is using a company device to perform their work responsibilities, there is practically no expectation of privacy on said device. It is within your legal rights to install monitoring software to track their performance and productivity. However, just because it is legal doesn't always mean they will be excited about it.
\r\nTo get your team on board with employee monitoring software, start with open communication. For example, workers are more likely to be receptive if they understand the reasoning behind it. Instead of secretly installing tracking software or letting your employees think you don't trust them, have a transparent discussion with your team to explain how the software can benefit your company. Focus on areas such as increased business security, employee development and overall productivity.
\n"},{"title":"Community Expert Insight","html":"\nWe asked small business owners and leaders to share what employee monitoring software they use and what features they rely on.
\r\nMost of our respondents said they wanted to make sure their team members were staying productive while on the clock. They also mentioned affordability, ease of use, and several expressed discomfort at monitoring their employees. For these reasons, it wasn't a surprise that the majority of our respondents use Hubstaff, which focuses on monitoring employee productivity and is a transparent application that users interact with, so employees know they are being tracked when they're on the clock.
\r\n\"I felt I needed more transparency as far as what my team members were doing with their time,\" said Ian Kelly, vice president of operations for NuLeaf Naturals. \"I've been using Hubstaff to monitor the clock and screenshots from employees working from home. This reassures me that we're getting billed for the right hours, and I think it helps the team focus on their work when they're working, knowing that they're being held accountable.\"
\r\nJeremy Lessaris, founder and CEO of The Designed Company, also cites productivity as his reason for using employee monitoring software, and to do this, he uses ActivTrak. He said, \"After having tossed out 10 different tools over the years, we landed on tracking internal productivity down to the mouse movement with ActivTrak. It's important to note that we don't really focus on it unless we have a production problem, but it's a robust tool that lets us see what's really going on during the day.\"
\r\nMany small business leaders said that reporting and notification features were important to them.
\r\nBradley Steven, founder and CEO of LLC Formations told us that his leadership team meets monthly to discuss employee performance, and they review the reports generated by their employee monitoring software, Teramind.
\r\n\"We consult these reports for giving bonuses to the employees, promoting them, or even terminating them because of their performance,\" he said. \"Detailed report generation is a must-have feature for the monitoring software. After all, monitoring is of no use if we do not get valuable insights from the data.\"
\r\n\n"},{"title":"Our Methodology","html":"\n
Our first step in reviewing employee monitoring software was to examine an extensive list of vendors to see which companies were still in business, how they stacked up in terms of user reviews, and whether they had any glaring complaints or issues filed with the Better Business Bureau. We also examined their websites to get a sense of what their solutions entailed. From there, we selected a pool of finalists from which we would determine our best picks.
\r\nWe then studied each program's list of features more closely, ensuring that it offered all the most important features as well as more advanced features that would give administrators more insight or control over employee activity. We downloaded free trials, when available, and watched video demos and tutorials so we could determine usability. We also compared pricing from the lens of a small business on a budget.
\r\nThese are the primary features we considered in our review:
\r\nWe also looked for any additional features that might be useful or effective.
\n"}]},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"legal-and-technical-considerations","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Legal and Technical Considerations","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\nWhile monitoring employees' computer and internet usage seems like an infringement of employee privacy, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that it is legal for companies to monitor employees' actions while they are on the clock or using company equipment, including laptops, pagers, USB drives and mobile devices. However, there have never been any regulations on the type of programs companies can use to monitor employees. This means you can use programs that monitor keystrokes and capture passwords; however, there is some ethical controversy surrounding whether these features should be used.
\r\nWhile the federal government doesn't place restrictions on employee internet monitoring, some individual states have protections in place. An increasing number of states require employers to notify their workers if they monitor online activity, including emails and keystrokes. You can disclose this within your use policy, the employee handbook, as part of the new worker orientation, or simply send out an email reminder to employees.
\r\nAlso, employee monitoring software (and how employers use it) could be impacted by the passage of new data privacy laws in the U.S. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), for example, includes provisions that give individual employees the right to request certain businesses disclose the personal information that has been collected about them. Businesses could also be required to notify individual employees when personal information has been collected and how that information is being used. These provisions could extend to employee monitoring and require a revisiting of company policy.
\r\nIf your business is subject to the CCPA or similar data privacy regulation, consider whether the employee data you are collecting serves a clear business purpose. Consider as well how long you need to store that data in addition to ensuring it is properly protected from data breaches. Failure to prepare in accordance with data privacy laws could result in fines and lawsuits.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"what-to-expect-in-2021","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"What to Expect in 2021","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\nWhen small businesses abruptly transitioned to remote work in 2020, they implemented operational changes and technology tools. One such tool was employee monitoring software. Many employers used employee monitoring software to remotely track employee productivity. As businesses continue to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all that it brings with it, we anticipate the number of businesses using employee monitoring software to increase.
\r\nCompanies using the software for the first time need to stay informed about the labor and employment laws protecting employee information. For example, explicit, written consent is an increasingly common legal requirement for data collection and storage, as seen with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act.
\r\nEmployers considering implementing employee monitoring software should research the laws in their state and assess how using employee monitoring software, but not informing employees that their activities are being watched, can affect company morale.
\r\nBusinesses should look for software that allows them to track the specific employee information they need, and business owners should inform employees about how (and why) they are using the software.
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