Best Employee Monitoring Software Tools in 2023 (Ranked & Reviewed)

Employee monitoring software allows businesses to record employee productivity, attendance, and performance during work hours to ensure employees are using their time productively.

These solutions can track time active, track location, screen activity, browser history, cursor movement, and business calls to ensure compliance with business policies and employee quality.

However, choosing the right option for your needs can be difficult. To help, we analyzed dozens of the leading providers and selected the best employee monitoring software in 2023 based on pricing, ease of use, features, customer support and more.

Best & Most Used Employee Monitoring Software

Here are my top picks for the best Employee Monitoring Software for Businesses, comparing each & uncovering the unique features each has to offer.

Let’s get started.

Learn More About Employee Monitoring Software

What is Employee Monitoring Software?

Employee monitoring software is a type of technology solution designed to track and record various activities and behaviors of employees in the workplace.

It can capture data such as computer usage, internet browsing history, keystrokes, and screen captures, allowing employers to monitor productivity, enforce company policies, and ensure data security.

While it can provide valuable insights into employee performance and help mitigate security risks, the use of such software raises important ethical and privacy concerns, necessitating a careful balance between monitoring for legitimate reasons and respecting employee rights and privacy.

How does Employee Monitoring Software work ?

Employee monitoring software typically works by collecting data from various sources within the workplace. This may include tracking computer activity, internet usage, email communication, and even physical location through GPS if used on company-owned devices.

The software records and analyzes this data, generating reports and alerts for employers to review. Some systems use keylogging to record keystrokes, while others capture screenshots or video recordings of employees’ screens.

The collected data is then accessible to employers or administrators through a secure dashboard, allowing them to assess employee productivity, compliance with company policies, and potential security breaches.

Key Features of Employee Monitoring Software

• Activity Tracking: Monitoring software records computer usage, application usage, and internet browsing history to track how employees spend their time on work-related tasks.

• Keystroke Logging: Some software can log keystrokes to provide insights into what employees are typing, including emails, messages, or reports.

• Screen Capture: It can capture screenshots or video recordings of employees’ computer screens at specified intervals, allowing employers to visually monitor activities.

• Application and Website Usage Monitoring: Employers can see which applications and websites employees use, helping identify potential distractions or misuse of company resources.

• Email and Communication Monitoring: This feature can log email communications and instant messaging conversations, promoting effective communication and ensuring adherence to company policies.

• File and Document Tracking: It tracks file access, transfers, and changes, helping to prevent data leaks and unauthorized sharing of sensitive information.

Benefits of using Employee Monitoring Software

• Increased Productivity: Monitoring software helps identify and reduce time-wasting activities, leading to improved overall productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

• Task Management: Employers can gain insights into employee workloads, making it easier to distribute tasks evenly and allocate resources effectively.

• Compliance with Policies: It helps enforce company policies related to internet usage, data security, and appropriate workplace behavior, reducing the risk of policy violations.

• Data Security: Monitoring software helps protect sensitive company data by detecting and preventing unauthorized access or data breaches.

• Improved Accountability: Employees are more likely to stay on track and meet deadlines when they know their activities are being monitored, fostering a culture of accountability.

• Identifying Training Needs: By analyzing employee performance and behavior, employers can identify areas where additional training or support may be needed.

Who Uses Employee Monitoring Software?

• Employers and Business Owners: Employers in small, medium, and large businesses use monitoring software to oversee their workforce and ensure productivity, compliance with company policies, and data security.

• Human Resources (HR) Departments: HR professionals may utilize employee monitoring software for performance evaluations, policy enforcement, and addressing workplace issues, such as harassment or inappropriate behavior.

• Managers and Supervisors: Managers and team leaders often use monitoring software to track team progress, allocate tasks, and ensure their team meets project deadlines and performance goals.

• IT Departments: IT personnel implement and manage monitoring software to protect the organization’s data and network infrastructure, detect security threats, and troubleshoot technical issues.

• Remote Work Environments: Organizations with remote or distributed teams use monitoring software to maintain visibility into remote employees’ activities and ensure they remain productive and connected.

• Compliance and Regulatory Officers: Industries with strict compliance requirements, such as healthcare or finance, use monitoring software to ensure adherence to industry-specific regulations and data security standards.

Trends of Employee Monitoring Software

• Remote Work Monitoring: With the rise of remote work, employee monitoring software saw increased demand for features tailored to tracking remote employees’ productivity, time management, and collaboration.

• Focus on Privacy and Compliance: Companies were becoming more mindful of privacy concerns and legal compliance related to employee monitoring. Software providers were focusing on transparent data collection and compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

• AI and Machine Learning Integration: Some monitoring tools were incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide more advanced insights into employee behavior, such as detecting patterns of productivity or identifying potential security threats.

• Productivity Analytics: Employee monitoring software started offering more advanced analytics and reporting capabilities to help organizations make data-driven decisions about workforce productivity and resource allocation.

• Endpoint Security: The software was increasingly integrated with endpoint security solutions to provide a holistic approach to cybersecurity, safeguarding against insider threats and external attacks.

• User-Friendly Interfaces: Improved user interfaces and dashboards made the software more accessible and easier to use for both employers and employees, promoting better transparency and communication.