Top 5 Employee Monitoring Software for Small Businesses in 2025
Today, it is a rather complicated task to run a small business. Owners should predict how to overcome many issues beforehand like limited resources, management of a growing team, and keeping high productivity. At the same time, remote and hybrid work make oversight more difficult.
The tech market offers a reliable solution for small business owners. Employee monitoring software helps solve many challenges including the described above. It gives managers the records into what employees are doing at the workplace. With the right tool, businesses can improve efficiency, prevent distractions, and build accountability.
To save you time, we reviewed the best tools for 2025. The following five employee monitoring software combine ease of use, affordability, and powerful features.
Top 5 Employee Monitoring Software
The right software choice can be troublesome for small businesses. The tools below stand out for their balance of price, features, and ease to use. Each one helps business owners track productivity, manage remote teams, and keep workflows transparent. Let’s look at the top 5 employee monitoring solutions for 2025.
CleverControl – Rich Set of Features for Small Businesses
CleverControl is a cloud-based employee monitoring software granting its users a rich set of features. The software for small business owners can track websites, apps, and social media activity. The tools also record screens, chats, and even video or audio from a computer’s camera and microphone.
It’s easy to install, requiring several steps before starting to monitor employees’ activities through a user-friendly dashboard. Managers see live screens or review history when needed. This makes it easy to spot unproductive habits and improve efficiency.
CleverControl offers strong features without the complexity of enterprise systems. For small businesses, it delivers transparency, accountability, and better control at an affordable cost.
Price plans:
| Plan duration | Price per PC per month | Notes |
| 3 months | $11.00 | Short-term option |
| 6 months | $6.60 | Better value for mid-term use |
| 12 months | $4.70 | Most cost-effective subscription |
CleverControl is a cloud-based employee monitoring software designed for small businesses. It tracks websites, applications, chats, and social media use, while also offering live screen viewing and activity recording. With quick setup, affordable pricing, and an easy-to-use dashboard, it helps managers improve productivity and maintain transparency without complex IT resources.
Kickidler – Real-Time Monitoring and Productivity Insights
Kickidler is a tool to monitor workplace activities in real time. It shows live screens, records actions, and highlights productivity trends. The software also automatically alerts when employees break the rules, helping prevent issues early. A self-monitoring mode lets employees track their own performance, which builds responsibility and trust.
The set of features depends on the chosen plan: time tracking, employee monitoring, or DLP. Each plan offers an exclusive set of features and the price.
Price plans:
| Plan | Price per device per month | Key features |
| Time tracking | $4.20 | Time tracking, productivity analysis, web pages & apps monitoring, project & task tracking, self-monitoring tools, activity history |
| Employee monitoring | $8.50 | Live screen monitoring, video & audio recording, remote access, histogram of violations, keylogger |
| DLP (Data Loss Prevention) | $15.00 | Data misconduct detection, insider threat prevention, continuous data monitoring, geolocation, full employee monitoring |
Kickidler is a more expensive monitoring software that uses a combined approach: time tracking + employee monitoring + DLP. If your business is going to grow up to mid-sized soon, you may choose these tools to strengthen your positions in the business sector.
DeskTime – Simple Time Tracking for Small Teams
DeskTime focuses on easy and automatic time tracking. It logs the apps and websites employees use and marks them as productive or unproductive. The software also generates clear reports and tracks project time, helping small teams stay organized. Its simple design makes it a great fit for freelancers and small businesses that want to boost productivity without complex monitoring tools.
Price plans: (сделать таблицу)
| Plan | Price | Best For | Key features |
| Pro | $7 per user / month | Small teams and startups | Document title tracking, productivity calculations, calendar integrations |
| Premium | $10 per user / month | Hybrid and growing teams | Screenshots, integrations & API, shift scheduling |
| Enterprise | custom (200+ users) | Large organizations | Custom API on request, dedicated account manager, employee training |
DeskTime is a tool predominantly used as a time tracker. It’s effective for companies of different sizes – small, mid-sized, and big enterprises.
Controlio – Cloud-Based Monitoring for Remote Teams
Controlio is a lightweight, cloud-based monitoring tool designed for small businesses and remote teams. It allows managers to view live screens, record user sessions, and track website or app usage in real time. The dashboard is intuitive and doesn’t require complex setup, making it easy for small companies.
Controlio also provides detailed reports on productivity and behavior trends. Managers can see which tasks take the most time, spot unproductive habits, and improve workflows. Its cloud deployment and affordable pricing make it an excellent choice for businesses that want effective oversight without heavy IT resources.
Price Plans:
| Plan | Price | Best for |
| Cloud | $7.99 per user / month or $79.90 per user / year | Small and medium businesses |
| On-premise | On request | Medium businesses and enterprises |
| Private cloud | On request | Large enterprises |
Controlio offers a wide range of monitoring tools like screen recording, web and apps tracking, sessions, timeline, snapshots, keystrokes, emails, printing, etc.
Hubstaff – Time Tracking and GPS for Remote and Field Teams
Hubstaff combines employee monitoring with time tracking and GPS location features. It helps small businesses track work hours, monitor tasks, and look at activities of remote or field staff in real time. With automated timesheets and productivity reports, Hubstaff makes managing distributed teams simple and efficient.
Price plans:
| Plan | Price | Term | Best for |
| Starter | $7 per seat / month | 2 seat minimum | Small teams needing basic time tracking and productivity tools |
| Grow | $9 per seat / month | 2 seat minimum | Growing teams that require advanced tools, reporting, and one integration |
| Team | $12 per seat / month | 2 seat minimum | Larger teams needing payments, scheduling, and unlimited integrations |
| Enterprise | $25 per seat / month | Billed annually | Complex needs with custom setup, account provisioning, and dedicated support |
Pay attention to the row “Term” and compare prices with competitors offering employee monitoring software for small businesses.
Final Words
Employee monitoring is a worthwhile investment into business with the aim to expand it. Its set of features allows owners to keep an eye on what is going on in the office or with remote employees (if you have such). So far, we’ve collected the top 5 employee monitoring software for small business owners and provide price plans. Read and compare to choose the most efficient option.
