{"id":6188,"date":"2025-06-21T12:47:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everhour.com\/blog\/?p=6188"},"modified":"2025-06-25T10:31:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T07:31:55","slug":"automatic-time-tracking-pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everhour.com\/blog\/automatic-time-tracking-pros-and-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"Everhour: Employee-Friendly Alternative to Automatic Time Tracking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the dynamic environment of our ever-changing world, time tracking doesn\u2019t look unusual anymore<\/a>. Due to the increasing need for efficient time management, special software is being enhanced on a daily basis. For many specialists, it\u2019s not a question of using it or not, but a question of how and when. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main approaches to time tracking that can be successfully used by different audiences from large companies to mid-sized agencies to single freelancers. They are automatic time tracking and tracking time by tasks<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at which one might be more suitable for different wants and needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automatic Time Tracking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"everhour<\/a>
My monthly summary in RescueTime app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is pretty much the tracking at its broadest. You turn a special desktop app on, work a certain amount of time, and receive a detailed log of your activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, it shows what apps you were using and for how long, what websites you were browsing, as well as all your keystrokes and other activity. Some automatic time tracking apps even take random screenshots as visual proof. Whether you need it for personal development or it is requested by your employer, the result might be handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The downside is that it\u2019s usually not segmented in any way<\/strong>. You might open that Powerpoint and spend 8 hrs there, but what the client or employer might want to know is whether you were actually working on a task.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can export your logs to Excel and categorize the time manually, but it is neither convenient nor accurate. And you definitely need some credit of trust there as, again, where are the proofs? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it doesn\u2019t mean that automatic time tracking is useless, it just works for different purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some managers, the main idea is to obtain proof of work to pay accurately. Nobody wants to bill hours that were spent on checking the messenger or scrolling Pinterest. An automatic time tracker is there to recognize this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For agencies hiring remote workers, it\u2019s also quite convenient. The number of hours is usually discussed prior to the beginning of the project, at least approximately. What\u2019s needed now is to make sure there was no open slacking on account of the worker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine the situation where the remote designer is supposed to create a template for the agreed 40 hrs. Though in the end, he claims that it took him longer and requests payment for 80 hrs. In this case, unless he builds his case with solid explanations, the client might suspect that something is wrong. To avoid such a situation, especially at the beginning of cooperation, using automatic time tracking is beneficial for all parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in some cases, it might also be hard to explain how and why the tracked time was spent even if the project is supposed to be full time. For instance, if your project is to promote a Facebook page, are you working or just scrolling your feed? Automatic time tracking might not have solid support for your point.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To sum up, automatic time tracking is great for controlling personal productivity. For instance, to measure how much time you spend on social networking. Some of you might be genuinely surprised.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also suitable for companies that hire external employees, and do not trust them. But if you deal with your in-house team, forcing them into automatic time tracking might not be the best idea. Employees will think that you are spying on them, and nobody likes that. It is quite possible that they will leave you in search of a more trusting environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Everhour is the top choice for small businesses and small to mid-size teams of 5 to 50 members, including professionals like software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seamlessly integrating with popular project management tools<\/a> like Asana, Trello, and Jira, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution for small and mid-size teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With dedicated support ensuring you receive timely assistance, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n