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The Remote Stack

Review · Field, & teams

Hubstaff Review (2026): GPS, Geofencing & Payroll for Field Teams

4.1/5 Excellent
From $4.99/user/mo
D

By Danny · Editor & Founder

Independently tested · Updated June 18, 2026

Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. This never affects our ratings or which tools we recommend. Read our full policy .

Hubstaff is the time tracker to reach for when where work happens matters as much as whether it happened. Its GPS and geofencing features make it a natural fit for field service, construction, delivery and any team with people clocking in away from a desk — while still offering the screenshots and activity tracking desk-based teams expect.

What you get

  • GPS time tracking & geofencing — automatic clock-in/out when a worker enters or leaves a job site.
  • Screenshots & activity levels — proof-of-work signals for remote staff.
  • Native payroll — pay by tracked hours with configurable rates.
  • Strong mobile apps — the location features are genuinely usable in the field, not an afterthought.

Pricing breakdown

Hubstaff is billed per user with a two-seat minimum, cheapest on annual billing (verified June 2026):

PlanAnnual (per user/mo)MonthlyHighlights
Starter$4.99$7Time tracking, limited screenshots, 1 integration
Grow$7.50$9+ Projects, budgets, more integrations
Team$10$12+ Insights, idle/activity, scheduling
Enterprise$25$25+ Higher limits, locations, premium support

There’s a free plan for a single solo user; teams need a paid plan. Watch the two-seat minimum and add-ons — they can push the real bill above the headline rate. Prices are USD and may vary by region.

The honest trade-off

Location tracking is Hubstaff’s edge and its liability. Geofenced clock-in is fantastic for managing crews, but it’s also among the most sensitive data you can collect on a worker. The add-on model can also make the “$5” headline misleading once you’ve added the pieces you actually need.

Who it’s for

  • A strong fit for: field service, construction, logistics and any mobile workforce; remote teams that also want payroll baked in.
  • A poor fit for: privacy-first knowledge teams and solo freelancers who don’t need location at all.

Verdict

At 4.1/5, Hubstaff is the location-tracking specialist. If GPS and geofencing solve a real problem for you, nothing here is wasted. If they don’t, you’re paying for capabilities you’ll never switch on — and Toggl or Clockify will serve you better.

What we like

  • Best-in-class location features: GPS tracking and geofenced auto clock-in/out
  • Native payroll tied to tracked hours
  • Screenshots and activity tracking for proof of work
  • Solid mobile apps suited to field and on-site crews

Where it falls short

  • Free tier is solo-only — teams need a paid plan
  • Two-seat minimum and add-ons can inflate the real cost
  • Location tracking raises clear privacy considerations
  • Two-seat minimum and add-ons can push the real bill well above the headline rate

Ready to try Hubstaff?

Field, mobile and remote teams that need GPS, geofencing and native payroll.

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. This never affects our ratings or which tools we recommend. Full disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hubstaff free?
There's a free plan for a single solo user. Paid team plans start at $4.99/user/mo (Starter, billed annually) with a two-seat minimum, rising to Grow $7.50, Team $10 and Enterprise $25 per user per month on annual billing.
What makes Hubstaff different from Time Doctor?
Hubstaff leans harder into location: GPS tracking and geofencing for clock-in/out make it the stronger pick for field and mobile crews. Time Doctor leans more into desk-based proof of work and analytics. See our Time Doctor vs Hubstaff comparison.
Does Hubstaff do payroll?
Yes — it offers native payroll that pays team members based on approved tracked hours, with support for multiple pay rates.
Does Hubstaff track location?
Yes. GPS tracking and geofencing are core features, which is why it suits field teams. Because location is sensitive data, disclose it to staff and confirm local legal requirements.
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