Hubstaff vs EmpMonitor

Hubstaff9.1Visit EmpMonitor8.6Visit

Higher score Hubstaff #3 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software 9.1/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Hubstaff

vs

EmpMonitor #8 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software 8.6/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit EmpMonitor

• Hubstaff fits best

  Distributed teams needing monitoring plus operations tools

• EmpMonitor fits best

  Budget-conscious teams needing broad monitoring

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Hubstaff 9.1/10 Visit ↗	EmpMonitor 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software	#8 in Employee Desktop Monitoring Software
Best for	Distributed teams needing monitoring plus operations tools	Budget-conscious teams needing broad monitoring
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$4.99/user/mo	$3/user/mo (best)
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	14 days	15 days
Free trial length	14 days · no card needed	15 days · no card needed
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA	GDPR
Integrations	35+ integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hubstaff 0/2 · EmpMonitor 2/2
Idle detection	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Screen recording	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Screenshots	Not checked yet	Automatic
Activity tracking	Not checked yet	Apps_and_websites
Data retention	Not checked yet	180 days
Desktop platforms	Not checked yet	Windows, macOS, Linux/Ubuntu
Our review
Pros	Tracks app, URL and idle time, with optional screenshots Combines scheduling, attendance, payroll integrations and GPS tracking Supports offline tracking across desktop and mobile, plus later sync	Tracks apps, websites, activity, attendance and keystrokes Includes screenshots, screen recording, live viewing and USB controls Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
Cons	No perpetual free plan; ongoing use requires a paid plan Screenshot tracking is optional, so monitoring scope needs configuration Starter includes only one integration; unlimited integrations start at Team	No permanent free plan; access is through a 15-day trial Keystroke monitoring and screenshots may be excessive for some teams Diamond pricing requires a personalized quote
Our verdict	Hubstaff combines project and task time tracking with workforce management for freelancers, agencies, distributed teams, field workers and larger organizations. For employee desktop monitoring, its productivity features track app, URL and… Read the review →	EmpMonitor combines employee activity monitoring and workforce management for organizations overseeing office, remote, hybrid or on-premise teams. It records application and website use, active and idle time, attendance, screenshots and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Hubstaff — where it wins

  • Tracks app, URL and idle time, with optional screenshots
  • Combines scheduling, attendance, payroll integrations and GPS tracking
  • Supports offline tracking across desktop and mobile, plus later sync

  Where it doesn't

  • No perpetual free plan; ongoing use requires a paid plan
  • Screenshot tracking is optional, so monitoring scope needs configuration
  • Starter includes only one integration; unlimited integrations start at Team

• EmpMonitor — where it wins

  • Tracks apps, websites, activity, attendance and keystrokes
  • Includes screenshots, screen recording, live viewing and USB controls
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • No permanent free plan; access is through a 15-day trial
  • Keystroke monitoring and screenshots may be excessive for some teams
  • Diamond pricing requires a personalized quote

• Hubstaff9.1/10 · 14-day trial

  Combines desktop monitoring with timesheets, scheduling, attendance and payroll tools.

  Visit HubstaffFull verdict →
• EmpMonitor8.6/10 · 15-day trial

  Broad workforce surveillance with annual plans starting at $3 per user monthly.

  Visit EmpMonitorFull verdict →