Hubstaff review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Time tracking with screenshots, GPS, project budgets, invoicing and global payroll payments, priced per seat with a 14-day trial.
Our take for buyers
Hubstaff is a time tracking tool with screenshots, activity levels, GPS, project budgets, invoicing and global payments. It is a fit for remote and distributed teams that pay contractors across countries, with Gusto, Deel, Wise and PayPal listed. G2 shows 4.4 from 2,288 reviews. The product also lists invoicing and project cost budgets, which makes it more than a timer for teams that bill clients or pay contractors.
Reviewers praise easy tracking, a friendly interface and quick setup. Complaints include time tracking inaccuracies and weak reporting. Because Hubstaff does not publish the plan mapping for several features, ask which tier includes the monitoring, budgeting and invoicing you need. Employee monitoring with screenshots also needs a policy conversation with your staff, so decide that before the pilot starts.
Pros
- Easy time and productivity tracking.
- User-friendly interface.
- Quick setup.
Cons
- Time tracking inaccuracies.
- Limited features with costly add-ons.
- Weak reporting options.
- Best for
- Remote and distributed teams that pay contractors across countries (Gusto, Deel, Wise, PayPal listed)
- Starting price
- $4.99/seat/mo (Starter, per G2 listing; not confirmed by the vendor)
- G2 rating
- 4.4 (2,288 reviews)
What is Hubstaff?
Time tracking with screenshots, GPS, project budgets, invoicing and global payroll payments, priced per seat with a 14-day trial. Distributed companies that pay contractors in several countries should look here first, since payouts run through Gusto, Deel, Wise or PayPal. Screenshots, GPS and budgets come with it. Every seat is billed, so assign view-only staff the free Project Viewer role. Confirm which plan holds each feature.
Category: Time Tracking Software
Hubstaff key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Timers and timesheets | Timer with screenshots and activity levels (plan mapping not confirmed by the vendor) |
| Billable rates and invoicing | Invoicing and billing feature listed; plan not confirmed by the vendor. |
| Project budgets and reporting | Project cost budgeting listed; plan not confirmed by the vendor. |
| Payroll and accounting integrations | Global payments; integrations with Gusto, Deel, Wise, PayPal. |
| Pricing model | Per seat; every seat billed including non-tracking members; free Project Viewer role. |
Hubstaff plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $4.99 | per seat/mo | G2 listing; 2-user minimum per G2 |
| Team | $10 | per seat/mo | Only price example shown in vendor FAQ |
The vendor's public pricing page does not show a full tier-by-tier table. Starter price and 2-user minimum come from the G2 listing (third-party, not confirmed by the vendor). Annual billing marked 2 months free. 30-day money-back guarantee (not on trial).
Who should shortlist Hubstaff
A strong fit for
- Remote and distributed teams that pay contractors across countries (Gusto, Deel, Wise, PayPal listed)
- Teams needing activity monitoring plus budgets and invoicing.
A weak fit for
- Buyers wanting a free plan (none offered)
- Teams where many staff only view reports and would be charged per seat anyway unless set as free Project Viewers.
- Buyers needing SSO on a published plan (not confirmed)
Hubstaff alternatives
Time DoctorRemote or hybrid teams and BPO/outsourcing firms that want activity and productivity visibility.
TimeCampSmall teams that want a free plan with unlimited users and projects.
DeskTimeSmall and hybrid teams wanting automatic time and app tracking cheaply.
Toggl TrackSmall teams and freelancers that want quick timers and clean reports.
ClockifyBudget-conscious teams that want unlimited free tracking.
actiTIMESmall teams (1-3 users free) and SMBs wanting simple timesheets and approvals.
Security, admin and compliance
Hubstaff lists SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and LGPD, and links a DPA from its security page. The security page mentions detailed audit and system logs, but the plan is not stated. SSO is not confirmed on a published plan, and SCIM and data residency are not published. Employee monitoring with screenshots and GPS raises works council and privacy questions, so review local rules. The trial is 14 days with no card, and monthly plans are available.
- Audit logs
- Security page mentions detailed audit and system logs; plan not stated.
- Public DPA
- Yes, DPA page linked from security page.
- Certifications
- SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, LGPD.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- 14-day trial no card; 30-day money-back guarantee; monthly plans available.
- Starting price
- $4.99/seat/mo (Starter, per G2 listing; not confirmed by the vendor)
- Pricing model
- Per user.
- Free plan or trial
- Free trial.
What to test in a Hubstaff demo or trial
Use the 14-day trial, which needs no card, with a real pilot group. Compare tracked time against what people report to test the inaccuracy complaint. Check the reporting against what your managers need, since reviewers call it weak. Test one payroll path, such as Gusto, Deel, Wise or PayPal. Confirm which plan includes screenshots, activity levels, project budgets and invoicing, because Hubstaff does not publish that mapping. Also check whether report-only staff can be Project Viewers.
Questions to ask Hubstaff before you sign
These are the points Hubstaff's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Which plan includes SAML SSO, and what does it cost for our seat count?
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Where is our data stored, and can we choose the region?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- Every seat is billed, including members who do not track time, unless set as free Project Viewer.
- Add-ons are sold on lower tiers and bundled into higher tiers.
- Proration for added seats applies only on quarterly and annual plans; monthly charges full rate.
- Annual billing is marketed as 2 months free (about 17%)
- SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA listed on its security page.
Hubstaff FAQ
What is Hubstaff used for?
Distributed companies that pay contractors in several countries should look here first, since payouts run through Gusto, Deel, Wise or PayPal. Screenshots, GPS and budgets come with it. Every seat is billed, so assign view-only staff the free Project Viewer role. Confirm which plan holds each feature. It suits remote and distributed teams that pay contractors across countries (Gusto, Deel, Wise, PayPal listed).
Does Hubstaff support SSO?
SSO is not confirmed on a published plan. Ask the vendor which tier includes it before you commit.
Which compliance standards does Hubstaff list?
SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and LGPD, with a DPA linked from its security page.
Who is Hubstaff best for?
Remote and distributed teams that pay contractors across countries, and teams needing activity monitoring plus budgets and invoicing.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Hubstaff's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.