Employee Attendance Tracking: Methods and a Free Tool
Pick a method based on team size, budget, and how much identity assurance you need.
Quick answer
Employee attendance tracking means recording when each employee starts and finishes work, plus absences and leave. Common methods are paper registers, spreadsheets, biometric terminals, GPS mobile apps and QR codes. Free QR Attendance tracks attendance for free with QR check-in/check-out, late flags, leave requests and Excel export.
- No employee limits, no caps, no paid tier
- Attendance data stays on your device
- Individual QR code per person
- Check-in & check-out timestamps
- Late arrivals shown
- Leave requests & approvals
Attendance tracking methods compared
| Method | Cost to start | Identity assurance | Effort to report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper register | Low | Low | High |
| Spreadsheet | Low | Low | High |
| Biometric terminal | Hardware | High | Low |
| GPS mobile app | Often subscription | Medium | Low |
| QR (Free QR Attendance) | 100% free | Medium (supervised scan) | Low |
Choosing a method
Paper is free but slow to total. Spreadsheets are flexible but typed by hand. Biometric is strong on identity but costs hardware. GPS apps suit remote staff. QR suits on-site teams wanting a free, quick method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to track employee attendance?
For on-site teams, scanning an employee QR code with a phone is quick and produces exportable records automatically.
Can I track attendance for free?
Yes — Free QR Attendance has a free version.
Where is my attendance data stored?
Your attendance data stays on your device — we don't collect or store it on our servers. Your employee directory, attendance history, leave records and reports are kept on your own device. If you use companion stations or the employee portal, scans, leave requests and a recent-attendance snapshot travel through our server encrypted and expire automatically; they are never used to build a cloud attendance database.
Are there any limits on the free version?
No. Free means free: no employee limits, no scan or usage caps, no trial and no paid tier.