Time tracking is a critical task for any business, but especially important in construction where crews work across multiple sites. Choosing the right time-tracking solution, such as BusyBusy or ExakTime®, can help construction companies boost productivity, ensure payroll accuracy and make data-driven decisions.
But not all time tracking solutions are the same. In this BusyBusy review, we’ll compare it with ExakTime by Arcoro, two popular time clock tools, to help you determine the best fit for your construction or field service teams. We’ll examine BusyBusy’s features and how they stack up against ExakTime’s offerings in the context of industry needs.
How Does Time Tracking Software Work?
Time-tracking software like BusyBusy and ExakTime provides automated tools to record and analyze employee work hours. Instead of manual timecards or spreadsheets, workers can clock in and out through a mobile app, computer program or physical time clock.
When considering a BusyBusy review for construction industry use, it’s important to note key benefits of time-tracking software, including:
- Accurate records of hours worked, projects and locations
- Seamless integration with payroll systems
- Easy compliance with labor regulations
- GPS tracking of employee locations
For construction managers, time-tracking solutions like BusyBusy or ExakTime bring transparency and oversight to field service teamwork while reducing administrative hassles.
Why Time Tracking Software for Construction is Important
Managing employee location and attendance is a major pain point in the construction industry for small businesses and large firms alike. The dispersed nature of work across changing job sites makes it difficult to monitor construction crew hours and productivity. Paper time cards are inefficient and prone to errors that lead to inaccurate payroll.
Time tracking software like BusyBusy and ExakTime addresses these construction-specific challenges. These solutions provide mobile time clock tools so workers can clock in/out from any device, with GPS location stamping to confirm presence at the job site.
Both BusyBusy and ExakTime offer payroll integration, ensuring data flows automatically to payroll systems so workers get paid precisely for the time they work. When comparing BusyBusy to ExakTime, consider their reporting capabilities. Powerful reporting gives managers real-time insights into workforce productivity with reports on employee hours, cost codes, overtime rules, prevailing wage compliance and more.
ExakTime Review
Arcoro’s ExakTime is a full-featured time-tracking solution designed specifically to meet the needs of contractors, electricians, plumbers and other construction crew professionals. As we compare ExakTime to BusyBusy in this review, we’ll examine how each addresses industry-specific requirements.
Both ExakTime and BusyBusy offer mobile apps for time tracking, but ExakTime’s software centers around an easy-to-use mobile app that allows field employees to clock in and out via GPS location-enabled mobile devices. The integrated GPS location capabilities provide validation that workers are at the expected job site when clocking in and out. While BusyBusy also offers GPS tracking, ExakTime’s FaceFront feature allows employees to capture photo verification of their identity on each clock in/out, a critical tool for preventing buddy punching and ensuring accountability on the job site.
A key advantage of ExakTime’s time-tracking app, in contrast to BusyBusy, is the ability to clock in and out in offline mode when internet connectivity is down. The app caches data offline until it can sync once back online. This ensures construction crews can log time reliably from any remote job site without connectivity issues getting in the way. While BusyBusy offers some offline capability, users report that check-ins and check-outs are not supported offline, and occasional sync delays can interrupt workflows.
Unlike BusyBusy, ExakTime offers supplemental web-based time clock tools and physical time clocks for added flexibility, allowing easy clocking in centrally from the field. ExakTime’s kiosk mode is particularly robust—a critical feature for field workers that BusyBusy users have reported does not work as reliably. The time-tracking data flows seamlessly into ExakTime’s robust back-office platform. Here, supervisors have access to a wealth of real-time reporting and analytics on employee hours worked, labor costs, progress tracking, overtime hours, prevailing wage compliance and more.
ExakTime really shines when it comes to integrations. It syncs bi-directionally with over 100 different payroll platforms to move approved timesheets directly into payroll. This ensures fast and accurate paycheck calculation. ExakTime also connects with existing construction management solutions like Foundation and Sage, eliminating the manual data entry and CSV exports that BusyBusy customers often rely on. This end-to-end construction workflow, from hiring and onboarding to time tracking and payroll, means construction firms can manage their entire workforce through a single, integrated platform.
While BusyBusy offers its own support services, ExakTime provides award-winning support and implementation services, getting construction firms up and running quickly with its purpose-built software. Unlike BusyBusy’s self-service model, ExakTime assigns dedicated implementation teams, customer success managers and ongoing live U.S.-based support to ensure smooth adoption and faster ROI. Ongoing training and consultation ensures clients maximize the value of the data and tools ExakTime provides.
Busybusy App Review
BusyBusy offers automated time-tracking and scheduling software designed for all types of businesses. It provides easy tools for workers to clock in/out via digital time cards accessed through mobile or desktop apps. Managers can use Busybusy to schedule employees and track time across locations.
The BusyBusy platform, like ExakTime, enables users to build customized reports on employee locations, time, attendance, schedules, project assignments and more. Similar to ExakTime, the BusyBusy app also includes GPS location apps for clocking in/out. BusyBusy is known for its clean, intuitive interface that field crews and office staff can learn quickly—often within a day. The platform offers strong cost code and job costing accuracy, equipment tracking capabilities and supervisor tools for managing crew timecards.
However, BusyBusy has several limitations that construction firms should consider. The platform lacks built-in PTO accrual and absence tracking tools, requiring manual workarounds with custom pay types that create additional administrative work. Project budgeting and cost management can be unintuitive and time-consuming to configure. While BusyBusy offers a large number of integrations, the depth is often limited, users cannot sync job costing and schedules with all project management systems, and most customers manually export hours to third-party payroll or accounting systems. Additionally, users report recurring app glitches, sync delays and mobile-side bugs that can affect workflow consistency.
Key Differences
Now, let’s delve into some of the significant distinctions between ExakTime and Busybusy, providing a detailed BusyBusy review and comparison.
Industry Specialization
While our BusyBusy review reveals it caters to a broad spectrum of industries, ExakTime’s primary focus is the construction sector. ExakTime has finely tuned its features to address the unique challenges encountered in construction, such as managing dispersed job sites, handling complex payroll processes, tracking equipment and meeting stringent regulatory requirements. Both the time-tracking app and the suite of back-office tools are purpose-built to serve the specific needs of contractors.
In contrast to BusyBusy’s more generalized approach, ExakTime places a strong emphasis on field-facing capabilities that enhance job site oversight. This includes features like GPS clock in/out for precise location tracking, photo ID capture for identification verification and equipment maintenance logs to ensure equipment remains in optimal condition. On the other hand, Busybusy offers a more generalized approach to workforce management, providing tools for schedule optimization and project assignments.
Compliance and Certified Payroll
One of the most significant differences between the two platforms is compliance automation. BusyBusy has no native certified payroll, prevailing wage or union rules automation, customers must rely on spreadsheets or third-party processing to handle these construction-specific compliance requirements. ExakTime automates construction-specific compliance requirements, including certified payroll reporting, reducing errors and payroll administration time. For contractors dealing with prevailing wage requirements, union rules or government projects, this automation eliminates hours of manual work each pay period.
Integration Depth and Workflow Automation
While BusyBusy offers integration options, most customers manually export hours to third-party payroll or accounting systems with limited depth. There’s no native HR, onboarding or compliance tie-in. ExakTime provides a true end-to-end construction workflow, hire, onboard, time and payroll, all synced with Foundation, Sage and other ERPs without double entry or manual data transfer. If you’re tired of manually pushing hours into payroll, ExakTime connects everything automatically, from time in the field to pay in the office.
PTO and Absence Management
BusyBusy lacks built-in PTO accruals or absence tracking. Non-productive time must be entered manually as custom pay types, creating errors and extra administrative work. ExakTime includes in-app PTO requests, approvals and automatic balance management. Supervisors and payroll teams stay in sync without spreadsheets, handling requests, approvals and balances all within the same mobile app where time is tracked.
Reporting and Analytics
While both platforms offer reporting capabilities, ExakTime’s advanced reports, exception alerts and payroll-ready exports simplify payroll and provide real-time visibility into labor, equipment and cost codes. BusyBusy users note that dashboards and reports are strong but not deeply customizable for analysis, and advanced reporting functions require extra training. With ExakTime, payroll reports are one click away, ready, clean and already matched to your cost codes.
Customer Service and Implementation
In terms of customer service, ExakTime offers a white-glove onboarding experience and continuous support from industry veterans who bring their construction expertise to help clients maximize the value they derive from the software. You get a real team behind you with ExakTime, not a self-help portal. The ExakTime team walks your crews and admins through the setup step by step with dedicated implementation, customer success managers and ongoing live U.S.-based support ensuring smooth adoption and faster ROI.
In contrast, our BusyBusy review reveals it adopts a more self-service model with minimal onboarding and limited live support, though users do report that BusyBusy’s support is responsive when accessed. Users typically self-implement, relying on online support resources for customer assistance.
Especially for companies operating in the construction sector, this BusyBusy review concludes that ExakTime’s specialization sets it apart as the most robust and easily implementable solution available. Its tailored features and dedicated customer service make it a standout choice for those looking to streamline their construction operations and enhance efficiency.
Choosing the Right Time Tracking Solution
When choosing a time-tracking system for your construction firm, there are several crucial factors to consider. These factors will play a pivotal role in determining the most suitable solution for your specific needs.
First and foremost, evaluate whether the system can deliver versatility by offering construction-specific features that address key requirements, including verified clock in/out, job costing, maintenance tracking and compliance automation. Consider whether you need union, prevailing wage and certified payroll requirements automated or if manual processes are acceptable.
Next, assess the system’s user-friendliness. Can your workers, whether they’re part of a large or small crew, easily clock in and out from various devices with minimal training? This ease of use is essential for seamless integration into your daily operations.
Consider the onboarding and ongoing support provided by the system. Is it tailored to the unique demands of the construction industry? Do you prefer a platform with dedicated implementation teams and customer success managers, or is a self-serve setup sufficient?
Integration with your existing payroll and ERP systems is another vital consideration. Should approved time flow directly into your payroll system (like Sage or Foundation) without manual re-entry? The ability to synchronize time-tracking data with payroll processes can save time and reduce errors.
Think about PTO and absence management. Do you want time, PTO requests, approvals and balances handled in the same mobile app, or are you okay managing PTO elsewhere with custom pay types and manual tracking?
Additionally, think about scalability. Will the system adapt to your evolving needs as your construction business grows? Do you prefer a platform that also covers hiring, onboarding, training and certifications as you scale—versus a time-only app? Limited reporting features are a major pitfall for construction time-tracking software. Robust analytics on employee hours, costs, overtime and productivity are essential for construction firms to optimize labor, ensure payroll accuracy and make data-driven decisions.
Security is paramount. When evaluating time-tracking solutions, it’s critical to assess their security protections. With sensitive payroll data and personal employee information, the software must provide robust encryption, access controls and data security safeguards. Prioritizing security protects the confidentiality and integrity of your company’s time-tracking data.
Finally, weigh the long-term benefits against the costs. Will the productivity gains and administrative time savings justify the investment over time? When a project manager needs job-cost visibility midweek, do you want them to be able to pull labor data instantly, or is it okay to wait until payroll closes?
By prioritizing these aspects, you can make an informed choice when selecting the ideal time-tracking software for your construction business.
Why ExakTime Is the Right Time Tracking Solution
While our BusyBusy review reveals its strengths for general time tracking, for construction firms seeking an automated time-tracking system tailored to their industry, ExakTime by Arcoro is the premier solution.
Unlike BusyBusy, ExakTime goes beyond basic time clocks to provide robust oversight of dispersed crews with GPS-verified clock in/out, equipment and materials tracking, compliance alerts and data-driven insights, all designed specifically for the job site and office. ExakTime connects field to finance, hire, onboard, manage, time and payroll, with proven Sage and Foundation integrations, so you’re not exporting spreadsheets or retyping hours like with point apps.
ExakTime doesn’t stop at hours. It automates construction compliance and PTO workflows so payroll runs clean and fast. The platform is field-proof: truly offline with GPS, geofencing and photo ID, plus real onboarding, training and support to scale beyond simple time clocks.
In contrast to BusyBusy’s self-service model, ExakTime is supported by award-winning customer service focused on construction. ExakTime delivers rapid ROI through accurate visibility into field service teamwork, seamless payroll integration, optimized workforce productivity and significant time and cost savings from automating manual processes.
With deep specialization in construction workflows, ExakTime gives contractors an all-in-one platform to simplify time tracking and unlock the power of data to drive their business forward. Learn more and view a demo at ExakTime’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ExakTime offer GPS mobile clock in/out?
Yes, ExakTime provides GPS location-enabled mobile apps for clocking in and out from any job site using geolocation to verify the employee’s presence at the expected location.
How long does ExakTime implementation take?
With ExakTime’s award-winning customer support, clients are typically up and running within 2 weeks. The ExakTime team handles setup, configuration and training and ensures smooth payroll integration.
Does ExakTime integrate with payroll systems?
A key benefit of ExakTime is the deep payroll integrations offered. ExakTime provides bi-directional sync with over 100 payroll platforms including ADP, Paychex, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks and more to automatically transfer approved timesheets. This seamless data flow ensures fast, accurate paycheck calculation without manual data entry.
Can ExakTime handle prevailing wage and certified payroll requirements?
Yes, ExakTime automates construction-specific compliance requirements, including certified payroll reporting, prevailing wage tracking and union rules. This automation reduces errors and saves hours of administrative work each pay period compared to manual spreadsheet-based processes.
Does ExakTime work offline in areas with poor connectivity?
Absolutely. ExakTime’s mobile app allows crews to clock in and out even when internet connectivity is unavailable. The app caches data offline and automatically syncs once connectivity is restored, ensuring no lost time entries from remote job sites.
