Comparison
TrackBadges vs TimeDock
Choose TrackBadges if supervisors scanning QR badges is how your crew clocks in: it's free for 3 people, about half TimeDock's price after that, and nothing gets installed on any phone. Choose TimeDock if you want NFC cards or fobs, a wall-mounted clock at a fixed site, job and activity codes, or direct exports into one of its many payroll integrations.
The short answer
TrackBadges is a QR badge time clock: a supervisor scans each employee's printed badge with any phone, so the crew needs no app or smartphone. TimeDock is a New Zealand-based cloud time clock, sold in the US, UK and Australia too, where staff clock in with QR codes or NFC badges — scanned by a team leader's phone running the TimeDock app, or at a wall-mounted TimeDock clock.
TrackBadges vs TimeDock at a glance
| TrackBadges | TimeDock | |
|---|---|---|
| How employees clock in | A supervisor (or a shared tablet) scans each employee's printed QR badge. Scan once to clock in, again to clock out. | A team leader scans staff QR codes or NFC badges with the TimeDock app on an iPhone or Android phone, switching the app between IN and OUT; employees can also clock themselves in with the app, and a wall-mounted TimeDock clock reads cards and fobs at a fixed spot. |
| Does each employee need a smartphone? | No. Employees carry a printed badge. | No. Staff carry a QR badge, card or fob. |
| QR codes | Every employee gets a printed QR badge. | Yes — QR code time tracking is included on every plan, alongside NFC badges. |
| One supervisor clocks in a crew | Yes — it's how it works. One phone clocks in the whole crew. | Yes — team leaders scan staff badges on arrival and departure with the mobile app. |
| Hardware | None. Any phone or tablet; badges print on paper. | Optional: a wall-mounted time clock is $850 one-off; plastic cards and NFC fobs are $1 each. Mobile scanning uses TimeDock's iPhone or Android app. |
| Free plan | Free for up to 3 people, with every feature. | No free plan listed on its pricing page. |
| Pricing | Free for up to 3 people. Pro is $9 a month for your first 3 people, plus $1.50 a month for each person after that. | Flexible plan: $5 per active employee a month plus a $16 base fee. Bundled plans start at $23 a month for up to 5 active employees ($45 for 10, $90 for 25, $157 for 50), billed monthly in USD. |
| Monthly cost, 10 people | $19.50/mo | $45/mo |
| Monthly cost, 25 people | $42/mo | $90/mo |
| Monthly cost, 50 people | $79.50/mo | $157/mo |
TimeDock costs use TimeDock's bundled plan for that many active employees ($45 for 10, $90 for 25, $157 for 50), billed monthly — cheaper than its Flexible plan ($5 each plus $16) at these sizes. TrackBadges is billed monthly. Prices were checked in October 2026 and change, so check TimeDock's site before you buy.
What it costs a month
10 people / month
25 people / month
50 people / month
The same idea, built two ways
TimeDock and TrackBadges agree on the big thing: the team leader should scan the crew, not the other way round. Both give every worker a badge, and both let a supervisor's phone clock people in and out on arrival and departure. The differences are in what the scanner needs, what you pay, and what's around the edges.
| TrackBadges | TimeDock | |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor scans badges | Yes, in any phone's browser | Yes, in the TimeDock app |
| Login on the scanning phone | None — a one-time setup link | An app login for each device |
| In or out | Worked out from the scan | Switch the app between IN and OUT modes |
| Overtime | Daily and weekly rules, applied automatically | Not split into regular and overtime by default, per its help docs |
| Works offline | No — needs a connection to scan | Yes, syncs later |
| Badges | Printed QR badges, any printer | QR codes; NFC cards and fobs at $1 each |
| Wall-mounted clock | Not needed — any tablet works | Optional, $850 |
| Free plan | Up to 3 people | None |
| Job and activity codes | No (locations only) | Yes |
| Payroll | CSV export | Exports to many payroll apps |
| Emergency roll call | Yes | Fire drill roll call (beta) |
Price
TimeDock's bundled plans are $45 a month for up to 10 active employees, $90 for 25 and $157 for 50 (its Flexible plan is $5 per active employee plus $16). TrackBadges is free for 3 people, then $9 a month plus $1.50 per person: $19.50 for 10, $42 for 25 and $79.50 for 50. Both bill monthly with no long contract.
When TimeDock is the better fit
If you want NFC fobs on keyrings (on Android), a hardened wall clock at a plant entrance, hours split by job or activity, offline scanning, or a direct push into your payroll system, TimeDock does those and TrackBadges doesn't. If your crews clock in at a gate, a truck or a door and you need accurate hours with overtime for less, TrackBadges is the simpler, cheaper tool.
TimeDock: what it does well, and where it falls short
Strengths
- The same core idea as TrackBadges: team leaders scan staff badges with a phone.
- NFC cards and fobs, and an optional wall-mounted clock for fixed sites.
- Job timesheets, activity codes and exports to many payroll systems.
- Optional GPS stamp on time entries, offline sync, and a fire drill roll call (in beta).
Drawbacks
- No free plan; the smallest bundle is $23 a month for up to 5 people.
- Mobile scanning runs in TimeDock's app, installed and signed in on each team leader's phone, with a separate login per device.
- Per its help docs, hours aren't split into regular and overtime by default.
- NFC fobs and cards work with Android phones only; iPhones scan QR codes.
- Wall-mounted hardware is $850 per clock.
Choose TrackBadges if…
Choose TrackBadges if supervisors scanning QR badges is how your crew clocks in: it's free for 3 people, about half TimeDock's price after that, and nothing gets installed on any phone.
Choose TimeDock if…
Choose TimeDock if you want NFC cards or fobs, a wall-mounted clock at a fixed site, job and activity codes, or direct exports into one of its many payroll integrations.
Frequently asked questions
How much do TrackBadges and TimeDock cost?
For 10 people, TrackBadges costs $19.50/mo and TimeDock costs $45/mo; for 25 people it's $42/mo against $90/mo. TimeDock's figures use TimeDock's bundled plan for that many active employees ($45 for 10, $90 for 25, $157 for 50), billed monthly — cheaper than its Flexible plan ($5 each plus $16) at these sizes, checked in October 2026. TrackBadges is free for up to 3 people; Pro is $9 a month plus $1.50 per person after 3.
Do employees need a smartphone for TimeDock?
No. Staff carry a QR badge, card or fob.
What's the main difference between TrackBadges and TimeDock?
TimeDock is a New Zealand-based cloud time clock, sold in the US, UK and Australia too, where staff clock in with QR codes or NFC badges — scanned by a team leader's phone running the TimeDock app, or at a wall-mounted TimeDock clock. TrackBadges is a QR badge time clock: employees carry a printed badge and a supervisor's phone scans the whole crew in and out, so nobody on the crew needs an app, login or phone.
Does TimeDock have a mobile time clock?
Yes. TimeDock's mobile time clock lets team leaders scan staff QR codes or NFC badges with the TimeDock app on an iPhone or Android phone. TrackBadges works the same way but runs in the phone's browser, so nothing needs installing.
How much does TimeDock cost?
TimeDock's Flexible plan is $5 per active employee a month plus a $16 base fee, and its bundled plans start at $23 a month for up to 5 active employees ($45 for 10, $90 for 25). A wall-mounted clock is $850. TrackBadges is free for 3 people and $19.50 a month for 10.
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Switching from TimeDock? Your crew could be scanning in today.
Print a QR badge for everyone and scan them in and out with any phone or tablet. Free for up to 3 people — try it with your real crew before you sign up.