7 Best Absence Management Software: Top Remote Work Tools! ⚠️

Our recommended overall best absence management software tools are BambooHR, Calamari and Timetastic. We reviewed the top absence management tools, taking into account depth of features, collaboration, ease of use, value and, of course, customer reviews.

The history of absence management can be traced back to early workforce organization systems, where rudimentary methods were used to monitor employee attendance and leaves.

Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Greeks, devised their own ways to keep track of workers’ attendance and time-off, relying on simple tally marks or inscriptions on clay tablets.

Today, absence management has evolved into a sophisticated and essential aspect of Human Resource Management, encompassing a variety of software solutions designed to help organizations efficiently manage employee absences, leave entitlements, and overall workforce productivity.

These advanced tools are now widely adopted by companies of all sizes, streamlining HR processes and ensuring a balanced, healthy work environment.

But which is the best tool for you? 

What Is The Best Absence Management Software?

Just to recap, our top three options are:

1. BambooHR
2. Calamari
3. Timetastic

In this review, we’ll give you a breakdown of each product.

• Including an overview of the platform and its best features.
• As well as its biggest pros and cons.
• We’ll also cover its support and pricing.
• Plus, we’ll take a look at how it performs on independent review sites.
• Finally, we’ll give you our all-important verdict on each product.

Let’s get started.

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1. BambooHR

What Is BambooHR?

BambooHR is a cloud based HR software tool that streamlines a range of HR tasks and processes. The platform offers a range of time management features, such as time tracking, vacation and sick leave tracking, and overtime tracking.

So, what Are The Pros and Cons of BambooHR?

Let’s start with an overview of the product itself.

• BambooHR offers a range of tools for tracking employees time, including digital punch cards, timesheets, project tracking, overtime tracking and manager approvals.
• It also offers simple
• The reporting features make it easy to generate reports for each employee to show their overtime, paid time off and even the projects they worked on.
• it also comes with a mobile app that allows employees to manage their time with Androird or iOS devices.
• BambooHR is used by over 30000 companies including some big names like Soundcloud and Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Users really like the user friendly interface and the feel the tool is easy to use.
• They also really praise the award winning customer support that is offered by BambooHR.
• However, some have complained that the price is high in comparison to competitors.

What About It’s Customer Support?

BambooHR has a massive knowledge base that includes a wide range of tutorials, webinars, e-books and courses. The support team can also be contacted through live chat or phone. However, the phone support is only available on the more expensive plans.

Bamboo HR really excels when it comes to customer service, with numerous third party customer reviews showing it to perform well in this area. They have also won severals awards for the customer service that they provide.

Is BambooHR Free?

No. However, BambooHR does offer a free trial.

How Much Does BambooHR Cost?

Contact BambooHR directly to arrange a quote.

So, What Do Other Customer Reviews Say?

• “We have been using BambooHR for several years now, and it has helped us to streamline our HR processes and save time. The time tracking and vacation/sick leave tracking features have been particularly useful, allowing us to manage employee time off requests and approvals with ease. The software’s user-friendly interface has also made it easy for our employees to use.”
• “BambooHR has made it easy for us to manage our HR tasks and stay on top of employee time off requests and approvals. The software’s customization options have allowed us to tailor it to our specific needs, and the support team has been great about providing assistance whenever we need it.”
• “The product is very easy to use. The customer support is incredible. The system is aesthetically pleasing. Bamboo listens to feedback and is always updating and releasing new features based on customer feedback.”
• “I find that the pricing for BambooHR may be higher than other HR software solutions, especially for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets. Nevertheless, the benefits of using BambooHR outweigh any potential drawbacks.”

Finally, Is BambooHR Worth It?

2. Calamari

What Is Calamari?

Calamari is a cloud-based HR management platform that simplifies employee time and attendance tracking, leave management, and scheduling. It features real-time monitoring, automated notifications, and customizable reports, making it an ideal software tool for businesses of all sizes.

So, what Are The Pros and Cons of Calamari?

Let’s start with an overview of the product itself.

• Calamari is a dedicated people management tool that is primarily designed for employee time tracking.
• The time tracking modules features an automated clock in and out function that makes it easy to track employees attendance and time.
• The flexible leave management module allows employees to request time off and view their balances. It also makes it easy for HR professionals to approve or reject requests and keep track of all employee leave balances.
• The reporting features allows users to quickly understand employee attendances and the projects they have worked on.
• It also comes with a mobile app that is compatible with Anroid and iOS devices.
• It offers simple integrations with a number of popular tools including Jira, Slack and Microsoft Teams. It also comes with an API.
• Users really appreciate the range of integrations available and the reporting tools.
• They also love how responsive the customer support team are.
• However, users do complains that it is lacking in features compared to other tools.

What About It’s Customer Support?

Calamari has a good knowledge base which includes a range of articles on many different aspects of their tools. The customer support team can be contacted by email, chat or through a live online meetings. They also encourage feature requests from users to help improve the platform.

User reviews of the customer service are almost universally positive. They especially praise how responsive the support team is.

Is Calamari Free?

No.

How Much Does Calamari Cost?

The basic time management tools start from $2 per user per month. Advanced features are also available for an additional fee of $1.70 per user per month. Calamari also offers a 14 day free trial for all new users.

So, What Do Other Customer Reviews Say?

• “The software’s time and attendance tracking features have helped us to streamline our payroll processes, and the leave management module has made it easy for our employees to request time off and view their leave balances. The support team has also been responsive and helpful whenever we’ve had questions or issues.”
• “Especially for a smaller business, the level of visibility it gives us over everyone’s leave / absences and the benefit we gain from being able to plan around this. Not to mention integration into Slack and Outlook Calendar which really just helps to elevate Calamari as a great cloud solution for our needs.”
• “Employees are able to request and track their own PTO, which saves tons of Admin time. It was easy to set up and customize. Customer service went above and beyond.”
• “I would love to have more features. Currently there is a new module – Core HR but it still has the very basics. It is amazing software, if you only need the basic information to be stored and managed.”

Finally, Is Calamari Worth It?

3. Timetastic

What Is Timetastic?

Timetastic is a simple, cloud-based employee leave management tool that provides businesses with an online booking system, automatic approval workflows and a customizable dashboard.

So, what Are The Pros and Cons of Timetastic?

Let’s start with an overview of the product itself.

• Timetastic’s intuitive user interface makes it easy for employees to submit leave requests and view their leave balances. Managers and HR professionals can quickly approve or reject requests and manage schedules.
• It features automatic approval workflows that reduce the administrative burden associated with manual leave management processes.
• It provides customizable workflows that allow businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs by configuring absence types, leave entitlements, and approval workflows.
• Timetastic’s reporting features provides valuable insights into employee leave patterns and absences, allowing businesses to track and analyze leave data.
• It comes with a mobile app that works on both iOS and Android.
• It also comes with an API.
• Users love the simple, easy to use interface.
• They also think that Timetastic offers great value for money.
• However, users also complain that it is lacking integrations with other tools.

What About It’s Customer Support?

Timetastic has a good knowledge base with several helpful articles on a range of topics. They also offers a copy User Manual on their help center. The support team can be contacted by a web form and they aim to respond to all queries within 2 hours.

Is Timetastic Free?

No.

How Much Does Timetastic Cost?

Timetastic costs $1.30 per user per month. It also offers a 30 day free trial to all new customers.

So, What Do Other Customer Reviews Say?

• “We’ve been using Timetastic for a few years now, and it has made a huge difference in our leave management processes. The software is user-friendly, and the automatic approval workflows have saved us a lot of time.”
• “We’ve been impressed with Timetastic’s ease of use and robust reporting features. The software has enabled us to manage employee leave requests and absences more efficiently, and the online booking system has made it easy for our employees to request time off.”
• “Timetastic is one of the cleanest and simplest tools I have ever used. It serves one purpose and it does it incredibly well.”
• “While I believe Timetastic could provide some more integrations out of the box, the fact that they provide an API more than makes up for this fact.”

Finally, Is Timetastic Worth It?

Those are our top three, what are the best of the rest?

4. Connecteam

What is Connecteam?

Connecteam is a mobile-first workforce management platform that aims to boost productivity. Its features include employee scheduling and time tracking.

Who is Connecteam for?

From small businesses to enterprises, Connecteam is perfect for streamlining operations and enhancing employee communication.

Connecteam main Features and Functionality

Connecteam brings it all together with features like team chat, task management, time tracking, and employee training.

What are Connecteam Pros and Cons?

Pros:

1. All-in-one platform: Connecteam review praises its comprehensive toolset!
2. Customization: tailor the app to fit your business requirements.
3. Easy to use: a user-friendly interface that requires minimal training.
4. Scalable: grow with your business, from startups to enterprises.
5. Mobile-first design: manage your team from anywhere, anytime.
6. Cost-effective: affordable pricing for businesses of all sizes.
7. Excellent support: responsive and knowledgeable customer service.

Cons:

1. Limited integrations: might not support all your favorite tools.
2. Occasional glitches: some users report minor technical issues.
3. Steeper learning curve: advanced features may take time to master.

What is Connecteam’s Customer Support Like?

User reviews of Connecteam highlights the top-tier customer support through live chat, email, and an extensive knowledge base.

Connecteam Pricing

Connecteam offers four pricing plans ranging from free to $99 per month.

5. e-days

What is E-days?

E-days is a cloud-based, self-service workforce management and employee scheduling solution. It helps businesses to streamline absence management and automate HR processes for a better experience.

Who is e-days for?

Ideal for businesses big and small, e-days streamlines HR processes and simplifies absence tracking. Perfect for busy teams!

E-days Main Features and Functionality

Get ready for a seamless experience, thanks to e-days’ easy-to-use interface, customizable rules, and powerful reporting.

What are e-days Pros and Cons?

Pros:

1. User-friendly: e-days review raves about its intuitive design!
2. Time-saving: automated processes, bye-bye manual work!
3. Customizable: create rules that suit your company’s needs.
4. Compliance: stay up-to-date with local and global regulations.
5. Real-time reporting: data-driven decisions, all day every day!
6. Mobile app: manage absences on-the-go, anytime, anywhere.
7. Integrations: plays well with your favorite HR tools.

Cons:

1. Initial setup: may require some time and effort.
2. Pricing: might be costly for smaller businesses.
3. Limited customization: some features might not be fully adaptable.

What is e-days’ Customer Support Like?

Reviews of e-days mention top-notch customer support, offering help through chat, phone, and email. Get your questions answered swiftly!

E-days Pricing

With flexible plans, e-days accommodates various budgets. But beware, smaller businesses might find it a bit pricey. Contact e-days directly to arrange a quote.

6. Soon

What is Soon?

Soon is a workforce planning and scheduling solution that streamlines operations for businesses of all sizes. It features an intuitive interface, real-time scheduling, and smart insights.

Who is Soon for?

From startups to established businesses, Soon simplifies workforce planning, making it ideal for companies seeking efficiency.

Soon main Features and Functionality

Soon offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, real-time scheduling, and smart insights to optimize workforce management.

What are Soon Pros and Cons?

Pros:

1. User-centric design: Soon review raves about its ease of use!
2. Time-saving: automate scheduling and streamline workforce planning.
3. Flexibility: adapts to your company’s unique scheduling needs.
4. Smart insights: make informed decisions with valuable data.
5. Integration: connects with popular HR and payroll tools.
6. Transparent pricing: affordable options for different business sizes.
7. Stellar support: dedicated and responsive customer service.

Cons:

1. Limited features: might not have all the functionalities you need.
2. Occasional bugs: some users report minor technical issues.
3. Initial setup: getting started may require time and effort.

What is Soon’s Customer Support Like?

User reviews praise the excellent customer support offerd by soon. It has a comprehensive knowledge base and the support team can be contacted via chat or email.

Soon Pricing

Soon has 2 paid options depending on the features required – €8 per user per month or €16 per month. They also offer

7. Time Doctor

What is Time Doctor?

Time Doctor is a powerful time tracking and performance monitoring tool that offers precise tracking and a range of integrations.

Who is Time Doctor for?

Time Doctor suits freelancers, remote teams, and businesses of all sizes, aiming to optimize efficiency and work management.

Main Features and Functionality of Time Doctor

Time Doctor delivers precise time tracking, powerful analytics, and insightful productivity reports for optimal team performance.

What are Time Doctor Pros and Cons?

Pros:

1. Accurate tracking: Time Doctor review praises its precision!
2. User-friendly: intuitive design for seamless user experience.
3. Integrations: works with popular project management tools.
4. Customizable reports: analyze data tailored to your needs.
5. Enhanced productivity: identify bottlenecks and optimize workflow.
6. Employee monitoring: ensure team focus and performance.
7. Strong support: responsive and knowledgeable customer service.

Cons:

1. Limited features: might lack some functionalities for specific industries.
2. Intrusive monitoring: some users may find it invasive.
3. Pricing: could be costly for smaller businesses or freelancers.

What is Time Doctor’s Customer Support Like?

Reviews of Time Doctor highlight the excellent customer support via live chat, email, and a comprehensive knowledge base.

Time Doctor Pricing

Time Doctor has three paid pricing plans ranging from $6 per user per month to $17 per user per month. In addition, they offer a custom pricing plan for larger organizations.

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Why is absence management important?

Effective absence management is crucial as it cuts costs by minimizing financial losses due to overtime, temporary staff, or lost productivity, and boosts overall productivity through proper tracking and planning.

Supporting employee well-being, it identifies underlying health or personal issues and provides assistance, while fostering a fair and transparent work environment with clear absence policies.

Absence management helps to ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations. This mitigates legal risks related to leave entitlements, medical leaves, and paid time off.

It can also help to analyzing absence data. This offers valuable insights, informing strategies to reduce absenteeism and enhance workforce engagement

What is absence management in HR?

In HR, absence management involves actively monitoring, tracking, and addressing employee absences to maintain productivity and ensure a fair, supportive work environment.

Good absence management includes:

• Creating clear policies for leaves, sick days, and vacations.
• Approving leave requests and updating records accordingly.
• Ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations.
• Identifying trends and addressing underlying issues affecting employee well-being.
• Analyzing absence data to inform strategies for reducing absenteeism.
• Streamlining HR processes to handle absences efficiently.

What is the purpose of absence management software?

Absence management software streamlines tracking and planning of employee absences, simplifies leave request approvals and record updates, and enhances compliance with labor laws and regulations.

It identifies absence trends to improve employee well-being and offers valuable insights for reducing absenteeism.

Absence management software also boosts productivity by minimizing disruptions and automating HR processes for efficient absence handling.

Final summary: Which is the best Absence Software to Use?

Overall we rated the best absence management software as BambooHR, Calamari and Timetastic.

However, there were some very worthy runners up, including Time Doctor, Soon and Connecteam.

If we were pressed for a number one option to go with it’s BambooHR. A comprehensive set of features, very user friendly – and it has great customer support.

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We hope you found this article useful – let us know which software you think is the best, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on social @thesoftwarepig.