Top Picks: 10 Remote Employee Monitoring Software with Tracking & Screenshots

Photo by Azwedo L.LC on Unsplash

When team members are in different time zones, juggling multiple projects, or logging billable hours, managing a remote team can be challenging. You need to know what’s going on at work without making every day of work a surveillance day.

The ideal remote employee monitoring software enables companies to monitor working hours, application usage, activity levels, and screenshots. Some tools also provide screen recordings, productivity reports, and alerts for suspicious activity.

But not all businesses require the same features. Agencies might focus on screenshots and billable hours, and larger companies might require workforce analytics or security monitoring. This guide will compare 10 of the most popular tools by their tracking features, screen capture options, costs, advantages and disadvantages, and real-world restrictions.

What Is Employee Monitoring Software?

When employees work remotely, monitoring software can help businesses monitor work activity, progress, and time spent on tasks. It can track working hours, app and website usage, take screenshots and provide work reports. Some platforms also include features like activity tracking, attendance management, and alerts for unusual behavior. 

These software are used by businesses to gain insights into team time, workflow issues, and managing remote workers more effectively. But features differ from provider to provider. Some tools are designed to track time and offer productivity insights, while others include more in-depth surveillance capabilities like screen recording and user activity logs. 

The selection of the right one will depend on the monitoring requirements, budget, and privacy needs of a company.

How We Compared the Tools for Monitoring Remote Employees

Each tool was examined with the same six questions:

• What does it track? Screenshots, keystrokes, app and website usage, or working hours.
• What is the price? We reviewed the pricing structure and if there are any charges based on users, devices or licences.
• Is pricing public? We also looked at which plans have screenshots.
• Where does it run? On the cloud, on company servers or both.
• How visible is monitoring? We examined the visibility of monitoring and the presence of hidden monitoring by the tool.
• Would you like to try it before you buy it? We checked for free plans and trial periods.

These tools are used for various purposes. Some are used to monitor work hours and productivity; others are used to identify insider threats in security teams. These differences have been taken into account when reviewing each option, so that readers can select a tool that is suitable for their team and requirements.

Our Top Picks Among Employee Monitoring Software 

Here is the list of best employee tracking software with screenshots features:

Teramind

Teramind is a combination of employee activity monitoring, screen recording, application tracking, and data loss prevention. It’s more security-focused than a simple time tracker, as managers can view screen activity and investigate suspicious activity.

How tracking works: Depending on the plan and configuration, Teramind records screen activity, websites, applications, and other user actions. The monitoring features can assist security teams in data leakage and policy violations investigations.

Pricing: Starter starts at $14 per user per month, and requires at least 5 seats. In the vendor’s published pricing comparison, UAM begins at $28/user/month and DLP begins at $32/user/month. One month is free with an annual subscription. See Teramind’s pricing information.

Pros

• Detailed screen recording and activity tracking.
• Data loss prevention and security investigation tools.
• Monitoring policies and alerts that can be configured.

Cons

• The minimum of 5 seats adds to the initial cost.
• Higher-priced plans are needed for advanced monitoring features.
• When gathering a large amount of data, privacy and access controls must be carefully 
• Managed.

ActivTrak

ActivTrak is not about blindly watching screens. Its dashboards enable managers to analyse application usage, productivity trends, working hours and workload distribution.

How tracking works: The platform captures activity data and creates workforce analytics. The Screen Details add-on is required for eligible plans to capture screenshots, view screens in real-time, and provide detailed URL information.

Pricing: ActivTrak has a free plan for up to 3 workers, and includes 30 days of data history. There are paid plans available for $10, $15 and $17 per worker/month. Subscription is paid, and screenshots are an additional feature. See ActivTrak’s official pricing.

Pros

• Free plan for teams of up to 3 workers.
• Helpful productivity and workload analytics.
• Assists in identifying work patterns without using screenshots.

Cons

• An add-on is needed for screenshot monitoring.
• The free plan has limited data history and functionality.
• Paid plans are billed annually.

Hubstaff

Hubstaff integrates time tracking, timesheets, activity levels, and productivity tracking. Its project and payroll capabilities make it useful for agencies, contractors and distributed teams that charge clients by the hour.

How tracking works: Workers use a timer during their work. Hubstaff takes screenshots at regular intervals and logs application and website usage based on the plan. The more expensive the plan, the more allowances for screenshots.

Pricing: Starter costs $4.99/seat/month, billed annually, with a two-seat minimum. It comes with up to 500 screenshots per seat per month. Grow costs $7.50/seat/month with up to 1,500 screenshots, while Team costs $10/seat/month with unlimited screenshots. Check out Hubstaff’s pricing page.

Pros

• Integrates time tracking, screenshots and timesheets.
• Supports project tracking and billable hours.
• The higher plans provide more screenshots.

Cons

• The Starter plan is for a minimum 2 seats.
• Allowances for screenshots differ depending on the subscription.
• Additional options may add to the price.

Time Doctor

Time Doctor integrates automatic time tracking, screenshots, attendance tracking, productivity reports, and project management. It assists managers in comparing recorded working hours against project activity.

How tracking works: Time entries are accompanied by screenshots and activity records, providing managers with more context than timesheets. The higher tiers include scheduling, web and app reporting, payroll and screen recording.

Pricing: Basic is $6.67/user/month (annual billing) or $8/month. The standard price is $11.67/user/month per year, and the Premium price is $16.70. There is a 14-day free trial. The official pricing page has details.

Pros

• Combines screenshots with time and attendance tracking.
• Gives productivity and project reports.
• Gives a 14-day free trial.

Cons

• Screen recording is only available in Premium or as an additional purchase.
• Advanced reporting options are more expensive.
• Detailed monitoring can be overbearing if there are no clear policies.

You might also like: Top 10 Business Intelligence Software Compared – Data Analytics, Use Case

Insightful

Insightful enables businesses to gain insight into how employees spend their working time on applications, projects, and tasks. It can show workflow issues, workload imbalance, and inter-team differences in its reports.

How tracking works: Workforce Analytics has screenshots and application usage reports. When businesses require more detailed visual records, they can buy more screen frequency or screen recording.

Pricing: Workforce Analytics starts at $8/seat/month, billed annually. The higher the number of screenshots, the more it will cost, with an extra $3 per seat per month for increased screenshots, $4 for on-demand screenshots, and $4 per seat per month for screen recording. See Insightful’s official pricing.

Pros

• Provides workforce and application usage analytics.
• Adds screenshots to Workforce Analytics.
• Assists in the detection of workload imbalances and workflow problems.

Cons

• The higher the screenshot frequency, the more it will cost.
• Additional purchases are needed for screenshots and screen recording.
• The total costs will vary depending on the features chosen.

Veriato

Veriato combines employee activity monitoring with security investigations and insider-risk management. It captures detailed activity logs that can assist security teams in detecting policy breaches or suspicious data usage.

How tracking works: It has a User Activity Monitoring (UAM) product that enables screenshots, application and website monitoring, file activity, keystroke logging, and alerts that can be set. It also introduces an Insider Risk Management product, which includes behavioral analysis and risk scoring.

Pricing: UAM is $18/user/month, billed annually, and requires a minimum of 5 users. Insider Risk Management is a custom quote and minimum 20 users. Check out Veriato’s official pricing.

Pros

• Enables detailed activity, application, website and file monitoring.
• Provides security alerts and insider-risk analysis.
• Assists in the investigation of suspicious activity and/or possible policy violations.

Cons

• UAM needs to be a minimum of 5 users.
• Insider Risk Management is a custom quote and a minimum of 20 users.
• Detailed monitoring might not be necessary for teams that only need basic time tracking.

DeskTime

DeskTime automatically tracks working time, application usage, and website activity. It also provides productivity reports and tools to manage shifts and absences.

How tracking works: The software runs in the background and tracks work activity. Shift scheduling and integrations are included in the Premium plan, as are automatic screenshots.

Pricing: Pro is $6.42/user/month, billed annually, and does not offer screenshots. Premium is $9.17/user/month per year and includes screenshots and shift scheduling. Enterprise pricing is custom. Check out DeskTime’s official pricing page.

Pros

• Automatically tracks working hours and application usage.
• Generates productivity reports and scheduling tools.
• Premium plan includes screen shot monitoring.

Cons

• The Pro plan does not include screenshots.
• The Premium plan is necessary for the ability to take screenshots.
• For enterprise pricing, please request a custom quote.

Controlio

Controlio offers employee activity tracking, productivity reports, live screen viewing, and video recording. It can be deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or private cloud, providing businesses with greater deployment options than a cloud-based tool.

How tracking works: Managers can watch screens in real-time and playback screens based on the tracking policies set up. Other features include application and website tracking, behavior rules, and activity reports.

Pricing: Basic is $6.67/user/month, billed annually. Advanced is $9.99/user/month per year, and Enterprise pricing is available upon request. There is a 14-day free trial. Check out Controlio’s official pricing.

Pros

• Allows live screen viewing and video recording.
• Provides cloud, on-premises and private-cloud deployment choices.
• Contains application tracking and activity reports.

Cons

• Higher tier plans may be necessary for advanced capabilities.
• Enterprise pricing is available on request.
• Careful policy configuration is needed for extensive monitoring.

Monitask

Monitask integrates time tracking, timesheets, activity tracking, and screenshots. It’s intended for remote teams who require easy access to working hours and project activity records.

How tracking works: Screenshots are automatically taken during time tracking of time by employees. It has the ability to handle multiple monitors and activity reports, and paid add-ons offer increased screenshot frequencies.

Pricing: Pro is $6.49/user/month (billed annually) or $7.99/month. It has a default screenshot limit of 30 screenshots per hour. The higher frequency options are $2.40, $4.80, or $7.20 per user per month for 60, 90, or 120 screenshots per hour, respectively. There is a 10-day free trial. Check out Monitask’s pricing page.

Pros

• Combines screenshots, timesheets, and activity tracking.
• Supports multiple monitors.
• Offers a 10-day free trial.

Cons

• The default rate of screenshots is 30 screenshots per hour.
• The higher the capture frequency, the more expensive the add-ons will be.
• Taking screenshots often can drive up subscription fees.

You may also like: 10 Best Laptops for Digital Nomads​ 2026

Kickidler

Kickidler features time tracking, application monitoring, screenshots, productivity reports, and real-time screen visibility. It also has a screen video recording and event review feature for its employee monitoring package.

How tracking works: Managers can view screenshots, live screens, and recordings to see what’s happening while the employee is working. Additional data loss prevention options are for more security-related needs.

Pricing: The official pricing calculator shows that the annual employee monitoring license is $99 per licensed employee computer per year, or $8.25 per month. There are also monthly, multi-month and perpetual licensing options available. A trial is available, and it’s free of charge. Check out Kickidler’s official pricing.

Pros

• Provides live screen monitoring and video recording.
• Includes screenshots and time and activity tracking.
• Provides annual, short-term and perpetual licenses.

Cons

• For simple time tracking, detailed monitoring might be too much.
• Annual pricing is based on licensed employee computers.
• Other security needs can be extra features or costs.

What to Check Before Deploying Employee Monitoring Software

Monitoring software should address a specific business need, not just gather data for the sake of data. Here are some things to think about before deploying a tool.

• Set transparent rules. Describe what the software is recording during monitoring runs, who has access to the data, and how long records are kept. Requirements are state dependent in the US. For instance, New York law mandates that prior written notice be given for covered forms of electronic employee monitoring.
• Limit unnecessary collection. Set a suitable screen shot interval, limit access to screen shots, and set privacy settings (if applicable). Keystroke logging or continuous recording is not usually required for regular time tracking.
• Test before rolling it out. Test with a small group, verify the reports, and ensure that the software gathers valuable data without interfering with regular work.
• Compare the total expense. Add minimum seats, screen shot limits, add-ons, storage, and annual billing requirements. If the entry price is low but additional captures or advanced reports are required, then it may not be as appealing.

Privacy, Notice, and Legal Compliance in Employee Monitoring

While employee monitoring software can be a valuable tool for businesses to manage remote teams, it is important for employers to use it responsibly. Inform workers about the software being used, when it will be monitored, and how the company will utilize the data collected. 

Restrict access to screenshots and activity logs, establish data retention guidelines, and refrain from gathering data unrelated to work.

Monitoring requirements differ from state to state in the United States. For instance, New York law specifies that covered employers give notice of some types of electronic monitoring. 

Employers may also be subject to federal and state privacy laws that impact their monitoring and handling of employee communications. Some of these legal and workplace concerns are explained in the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s report on digital surveillance.

Prior to selecting monitoring software, check the laws that govern your employees, create a written policy, and seek legal advice if necessary.

Conclusion 

The key to selecting the best remote employee monitoring software is knowing what your employees need, how much you can afford, and how they work. Don’t just consider the number of features, but what will help you to manage work more effectively. 

Think about how well the software integrates with your current processes, how transparent it is in reporting activity, and whether it respects employee privacy through monitoring. Take advantage of free trials or demos before making a decision. 

The right tool should improve visibility, support productivity, and allow your team to work more efficiently without unnecessary pressure or loss of trust.

Frequently Asked Questions