Free and open first
Best Employee Monitoring Software in 2026
Organizations use employee monitoring software to examine work activity alongside productivity analytics and tracked time. This list is for people comparing those functions and the platforms they need.
- 17 apps
- Research read 7 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
ActivTrak
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+3ActivTrak combines workforce activity analysis with schedule, productivity, and AI insights. Its free plan is narrow in scope, while paid-plan prices are not listed.
- 2
Kickidler
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Choose Kickidler if you need employee time tracking or monitoring, with higher plans adding visual monitoring and data-loss controls.
- 3
scrin.io
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1 - 4
DeskTime
Free trial AndroidiPhoneLinux+3DeskTime combines automatic tracking, team scheduling, attendance features, and activity visibility across major desktop, mobile, and web platforms.
- 5
Insightful
Free trial APILinuxMac+3Insightful brings activity monitoring, attendance, productivity tools, and integrations together, with multiple deployment options.
- 6
WorkMonitor
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1 - 7
Monitask
Free trial AndroidExtensioniPhone+4Monitask combines manual time tracking, screenshots, activity levels, and reporting across many platforms.
- 8
Teramind Data Loss Prevention
Free trial APILinuxMac+3Teramind DLP combines monitoring, classification, and blocking controls for organizational data protection.
- 9
Time Doctor
Free trial AndroidAPIExtension+5Time Doctor combines time capture, workforce administration, analytics, and integrations for distributed teams.
- 10
WorkTime
Free plan MacWebWindows - 11
SentryPC
Paid AndroidMacWeb+1SentryPC combines activity records, content controls, schedules, and geofencing in one cloud account. Check the one-device Basic Plan and log-retention rules before choosing it.
- 12
EmpMonitor
Paid AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 13
DeskGate RMM
Paid AndroidWebWindowsDeskGate RMM combines script automation and multi-tenant management with coverage for Windows and Android.
- 14
CleverControl
Paid MacWebWindows4.9 Visit site - 15
InterGuard
Paid AndroidiPhoneMac+2 - 16
wAnywhere
Paid LinuxMacWeb+1 - 17
Veriato UAM
Paid AndroidMacWindows
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
The comparison covers free plans, trial periods, paid starting prices, screenshots, activity tracking, productivity analytics, time tracking, supported platforms, and data retention. If reading or changing code matters, check the licence terms; also confirm what a free plan or trial includes.
Questions
Which tools list a free plan?
ActivTrak, Kickidler, and scrin.io list free plans. Check the individual terms to see what the free option includes.
What trial periods are listed?
Listed trials include 7 days for Insightful, 10 days for Monitask, 14 days for ActivTrak, scrin.io, and DeskTime, and 15 days for EmpMonitor.
Which platforms are covered?
Tools in this category run on Windows, macOS, web, Linux, Android, or offer API access, with support varying by product.
What paid starting prices are shown?
The annual entries begin at $2.75 per user per month for Kickidler; other listed starting rates are $3 for EmpMonitor, $6.42 for DeskTime, $6.49 for Monitask, and $8 for Insightful.
How can I check if a tool is open source?
Review the tool's licence terms. A free plan does not by itself mean that the source code is available to read or change.
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