The popularity of employee monitoring software is at its peak - 96% of remote companies use it, and 85% of in-person workers are subject to some form of monitoring. 81% of businesses that implemented tracking software saw an increase in employee performance. Monitoring software can record and analyze employee activity and help identify and address productivity issues. As a result, employers can manage these issues early and reduce costs associated with lost productivity, employee turnover, and legal liabilities.
Collected productivity data can reveal knowledge gaps, allowing the creation of targeted training and development programs.
Finally, monitoring employee computer activity can help detect and prevent security threats, such as unauthorized access or data breaches.
The advantages of monitoring employee computers are hard to underestimate: addressing productivity and security issues is vital for companies of all sizes. While larger companies have more resources to choose a suitable solution, small businesses often cannot afford employee monitoring software due to high license and operational costs and complex implementation.
This article reviews five free or affordable tools for monitoring employee activity on computers suitable for small businesses.
CleverControl
CleverControl then analyses the collected data and presents productivity statistics: work time, application, web and social media usage dynamics, top-used sites and apps, and more. The recently added AI Scoring feature will estimate each employee's performance and highlight unproductive patterns with the help of artificial intelligence.
You can receive data reports on your online dashboard, which you can download for offline viewing. Additionally, you can schedule daily, weekly, or monthly reports by email.
CleverControl is perfect for small businesses as its one solution combines comprehensive employee monitoring, time tracking, and basic data protection functionality. Thanks to this, companies can get an all-in-one tracking solution, cut costs on software, and forward precious resources to growth and development.
The solution offers a free 14-day full trial, affordable prices, starting from $4.70 per PC/month, and discounts.
Advantages
Offline time-tracking
Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
Multiple administrator subaccounts with different permission levels
Disadvantages
Does not monitor employee computer activity in detail
No integrations with project management and budgeting software
ActivTrak
ActivTrak has flexible settings, allowing you to manually categorize activities as productive/unproductive, and set productivity goals and schedules to avoid monitoring outside work hours.
ActivTrak is free for up to three users; however, its features are limited to time, apps, and website activity monitoring. If you want to track employee productivity and receive full insights, you can choose from several plans starting from $10 per user/month.
Advantages
In-depth AI-based productivity analysis
Integrations with third-party business and calendar apps
Delivers measurable ROI in a few weeks
Focus on employee privacy and gathered data security
Disadvantages
The interface and statistics are complicated and confusing for many users
Does not provide detailed reports of user actions, leaving room for employees to fake activity
WorkTime
WorkTime is an employee computer monitoring software with time and productivity tracking features. It can record login and logout times, monitor attendance with a breakdown into remote and in-office work, track active/idle time and overtime hours, and even has an attendance leaderboard! These features help reveal habitual latecomers and early leavers, detect and prevent overtime fraud, and maintain office discipline.
WorkTime has basic employee productivity monitoring functionality. It records all used applications and visited websites, categorizing them as productive or unproductive, and provides a productivity report that updates in real time. Other reports list the most used social networks, URLs, and employees who spend the most time online with the duration of use. Internet usage reports can show statistics by employee, department, or the entire company.
Monitoring time spent on online meetings is an interesting feature that provides insights into how much work time they take and how they affect productivity. As a result, you may optimize meeting practices, removing the unnecessary calls and making the necessary ones more effective.
The free version of WorkTime is available for up to three employees. This version offers limited reports on apps and web usage, logs, and activity summaries. The data is stored for two weeks, and only one admin can access it. More features are available in Basic, Premium, and Enterprise plans, starting from $6.99 per employee/month.
Advantages
Time, productivity, and attendance statistics with leaderboards
Site blocker
Detects employees who browse job sites
Distraction score
Disadvantages
Interface design could be improved
Interface design could be improved
Final Thoughts
Monitoring employee computer activity can not only boost productivity but also see where work time goes. Analyzing how the staff allocates their work time, revealing distractions and ineffective resource usage helps small businesses build efficient processes, experiment with workflows, and choose the best patterns.
Employee monitoring brings the most value when it is implemented openly and transparently. The team should know what information is collected and why. The productivity reports should be used to support employees, reveal their weak spots, and advise how to improve, not to punish them. These simple practices will help avoid unnecessary stress, trust, and privacy issues.
