In 2025, remote work is more common than ever, and businesses face a tricky challenge: how do you keep track of employee productivity without overstepping on privacy? This is where computer monitoring software comes into play.
The right monitoring software for computers can help ensure your team stays productive and engaged, even when working from home, while also protecting company data. But with so many options on the market, choosing the best software to monitor computer activity isn’t easy. You need to balance powerful computer screen monitoring software features with transparency and respect for your employees’ privacy.
In this article, we’ll break down the 10 best computer monitoring software solutions for 2025, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and what makes each one stand out. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which computer monitoring software might be the perfect fit for your business needs.
10 Best Computer Monitoring Software Solutions
Below are 10 of the top computer monitoring software solutions available in 2025. We’ll cover what each software offers, its strengths and weaknesses and pricing so you can make an informed decision:
1. Intense Team – The Best Computer Monitoring Software
Intense Team is an all-in-one workforce analytics and computer monitor software built for the modern workplace.
It offers an impressive range of features that help managers track work hours and productivity in real time. What sets Intense Team apart is its focus on AI-powered insights and customization – it not only tracks activity, but also analyzes patterns to give you actionable tips for improving efficiency.
Despite its powerful tracking capabilities, Intense Team is designed with employee privacy in mind, offering flexible settings so you can monitor work with balance. It’s an ideal choice for companies of all sizes that want to boost productivity, streamline remote computer monitoring software, and maintain trust with their employees.
If you need a well-rounded tool to manage a remote workforce, Intense Team is definitely one of the best computer monitoring software solutions to check out.
Key Features of Intense Team
Time Tracking & Productivity Monitoring
Automatically records work hours and active time, generating detailed reports on how time is spent. This helps businesses track efficiency and optimize work schedules.
Distraction Alerts
Detects when users stray to unproductive websites or applications and nudges them back on track, ensuring focus and minimizing wasted time.
AI-Powered Productivity Insights
Leverages artificial intelligence to analyze work patterns and provide actionable suggestions for improving efficiency and workflow management.
Customizable Screenshots
Captures screenshots at employer-defined intervals to monitor work progress. Privacy-focused options include blurring sensitive data or limiting capture frequency.
Payroll & Billing Automation
Seamlessly converts tracked hours into timesheets and invoices, making payroll processing easier for remote teams, agencies, and freelancers.
Data Security & Privacy Controls
Offers granular control over what is monitored, ensuring transparency and compliance. All data is secured with advanced encryption, supporting remote work expectations for employees by maintaining a fair and structured monitoring system.
Website and App Usage Monitoring
Intense team, known as the best computer monitoring software tracks the time spent on specific websites and applications, providing insights into digital work habits and ensuring accountability.
Idle Time Detection
Identifies inactive periods and logs them separately, preventing inaccurate time tracking and ensuring productivity reports reflect actual work done.
Detailed Time Tracking & Workday Analytics
Breaks down work hours into comprehensive analytics, offering visibility into daily productivity trends and enabling better resource allocation.
App, URL & Activity Monitoring
Records application usage, visited URLs, and overall activity patterns to help managers assess productivity and prevent time wastage.
Pros
- All-in-one workforce analytics solution covering software to monitor employee computer activity and payroll in one platform.
- AI-driven insights for better productivity tracking and smarter management decisions.
- Advanced customization and privacy settings to ensure employees feel comfortable.
Pricing
Flexible pricing plans with a free trial available.
2. Veriato
Veriato is a veteran in the employee monitoring space, known for its strong focus on security. This software acts like a vigilant guardian of your company’s digital assets, recording nearly everything employees do on their computers.
Key Features
- Employee activity monitoring – Tracks keystrokes, emails, file access, and website visits, giving you a comprehensive log of an employee’s computer usage.
- User behavior analytics – Utilizes AI to analyze patterns in activity for insider threat detection, alerting you to unusual behavior that might indicate security risks.
- Screen recording and screenshot capture – Records video of the user’s screen and periodic screenshots, so you can playback and see exactly what happened if an incident occurs.
Drawbacks
- Complex setup – Requires technical expertise for full implementation. Small businesses without a dedicated IT team might struggle with the initial configuration and fine-tuning.
- Expensive – Geared toward large enterprises with high budgets. Veriato’s robust features come at a premium price, which might be overkill for small teams.
Pricing
- 15$ per user/month and Quote-based pricing for premium.
3. DeskTime
DeskTime is a real-time computer monitoring software solution that’s especially useful for small businesses, startups, and freelancers. It automatically starts tracking time when your computer boots up, making it a hassle-free way to log work hours.
Key Features
- Automatic Time Tracking – Starts tracking as soon as the computer boots up, ensuring that all work hours are recorded accurately.
- Website and App Usage Monitoring – Logs apps and websites being used, helping identify distractions and increase productivity.
- Break Reminders & Pomodoro Timer – Encourages healthy work habits by reminding employees to take short breaks after set intervals, improving focus in the long run.
- Idle Time Detection – Detects when employees are inactive and automatically categorizes it, allowing for better analysis of work patterns.
Drawbacks
- Basic Monitoring Only – Lacks advanced security tracking such as keystroke logging and insider threat detection.
- Limited Integrations – Doesn’t connect with many third-party project management tools, requiring additional manual adjustments.
Pricing
Starts from $6.42 per user/month for the Pro plan and $9.17 per user/month for the premium plan.
4. Time Doctor
Time Doctor is a popular software to monitor computer performance and improve team focus. It’s widely used by remote and distributed teams to ensure everyone is productive throughout the workday.
Key Features
- Distraction Alerts – If an employee spends too long on non-work-related websites, Time Doctor will display a friendly reminder to refocus.
- Detailed Time Tracking & Workday Analytics – Tracks time spent on projects, clients, or tasks, providing visual reports (graphs, charts) of productive vs. unproductive time.
- Screenshot Monitoring (Optional) – Takes screenshots at set intervals to ensure accountability. Screenshots can be blurred or disabled for privacy.
- Payroll Integration – Automatically calculates employee payroll based on tracked hours and integrates with payment systems.
Drawbacks
- Requires Constant Internet – Works best when connected to the internet, though offline tracking is available with some limitations.
- Micromanagement Concerns – Some employees may find the level of detail intrusive if not implemented transparently.
Pricing
Starts at $7 per user/month with a 14-day free trial. Premium plans offer additional features like client access and video screen captures, ranging from $10-$20 per user/month.
5. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a versatile home computer monitoring software for remote teams, field teams, and freelancers. It combines easy time tracking with activity monitoring and adds useful extras like GPS location tracking for mobile employees.
Key Features
- Time Tracking with Screenshots – Tracks time spent on tasks and projects, with periodic screenshots to verify work progress.
- App, URL & Activity Monitoring – Records applications and websites used, measuring activity rates to ensure employees stay engaged.
- GPS and Location Tracking – Monitors mobile and field workers, verifying attendance at job sites or delivery routes.
- Online Timesheets & Automated Payroll – Converts tracked hours into timesheets and integrates with payroll systems for seamless processing.
- Project Budgeting & Invoicing – Allows setting time budgets for projects and provides alerts when limits are near.
Drawbacks
- Limited Advanced Monitoring – Focuses on productivity tracking rather than deep surveillance.
- No Offline Tracking in Basic Plan – Requires an upgraded plan for offline tracking features.
Pricing
Free plan for 1 user with basic features. Paid plans start at $7 per user/month for the Time Starter plan, and around $10/user for premium plans.
6. ActivTrak
ActivTrak is a computer performance monitoring software designed to offer deep insights into productivity trends without excessive surveillance.
Key Features
- Automated Time & Activity Tracking – Tracks app and website usage, helping managers understand workflow efficiency.
- Team Productivity Coaching – Sends weekly email reports with productivity insights and coaching suggestions.
- USB Device Tracking – Monitors when external USB devices are plugged in to prevent unauthorized file transfers.
- Real-Time Employee Monitoring – Provides real-time dashboards to view employee activity trends.
Drawbacks
- Initial Setup Required – Businesses may need to categorize productive vs. unproductive activities manually for optimal reporting.
- Limited Dashboard Customization – While functional, users may find some reporting interfaces rigid.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 users (limited data storage). Paid plans start at $9 per user/month (billed annually). Premium plans cost around $15/user/month with expanded features.
7. Teramind
Teramind is one of the most powerful remote computer monitoring software options available, offering comprehensive tracking for security-conscious enterprises.
Key Features
- Comprehensive User Activity Tracking – Monitors keystrokes, clipboard actions, emails, chat messages, file transfers, and web activity.
- Live Screen Viewing & Session Recording – Allows administrators to view screens in real-time or review recorded sessions.
- Policy-Based Alerts and Blocking – Enables setting rules to block unauthorized activities, such as USB access or social media usage.
- Insider Threat Detection – Uses behavior analytics to flag unusual activities, such as late-night access to sensitive files.
Drawbacks
- Expensive – Pricing is on the higher side, making it suitable for enterprises rather than small businesses.
- Complex Configuration – Requires setup and fine-tuning to prevent excessive data collection.
Pricing
Plans start at around $10 per user/month for basic monitoring, with enterprise-level Data Loss Prevention (DLP) options available at higher costs.
8. Kickidler
Kickidler is a modern computer monitoring software for employers that provides advanced live monitoring features for managers.
Key Features
- Real-Time Screen Video Recording – Displays live employee screens and records sessions for later review.
- Keystroke Logging – Records all typed keystrokes, useful for compliance and security audits.
- Productivity Analysis & Reporting – Tracks work time and generates in-depth productivity reports.
- Employee Self-Monitoring Interface – Allows employees to review their own work stats, promoting transparency.
Drawbacks
- Steep Learning Curve – Due to its extensive features, it may take time to configure properly.
- Fewer Integrations – Works mainly as a standalone system without deep third-party integrations.
Pricing
Freemium plan available. Paid plans start at $9.99 per user/month.
9. Insightful (formerly Workpuls)
Insightful is a software to monitor employee computer activity that balances monitoring with privacy.
Key Features
- Real-Time Activity Monitoring – Tracks application usage and categorizes productivity levels.
- Project & Task Tracking – Assigns time spent on tasks to different projects.
- Website & App Categorization – Allows companies to classify work-related and non-work-related apps.
- Secure Data Encryption – Ensures monitoring data is safely stored and protected.
Drawbacks
- Not as specialized in security – Insightful is superb for productivity and time tracking, but it doesn’t have advanced security monitoring features like keystroke logging or detailed insider threat analytics.
- Limited integrations – While it covers the essentials, Insightful has fewer direct integrations with third-party tools compared to some competitors.
Pricing
- Starts at about $6.40 per user/month (billed annually) for the basic plan.
10. Monitask
Monitask is an easy-to-use personal computer monitoring software tailored for small businesses.
It covers the fundamentals: time tracking, screenshot capture, application tracking, and basic reporting. Monitask’s strength lies in its simplicity – it’s easy to set up, and within minutes you can start tracking your team’s work hours and get screenshots of their work activity.
Key Features
- Time Tracking with Screenshots – Employees can log work hours, and managers can set up automatic screenshots to monitor progress.
- Website and Application Tracking – Logs visited websites and used applications, helping businesses identify productivity trends.
- Cloud-Based Dashboard – Access employee activity reports from anywhere, ensuring flexibility for remote teams.
- Task and Project Monitoring – Assign and track employee tasks to measure efficiency on specific projects.
- Automated Reports – Generates daily or weekly productivity reports with insights into employee work patterns.
Drawbacks
- Limited Advanced Features – Lacks deep security monitoring, such as keystroke logging or insider threat detection.
- Basic UI Design – The user interface is functional but lacks the sleekness of some premium alternatives.
- Fewer Integrations – Doesn’t offer extensive third-party app integrations compared to competitors.
Pricing
- Free version available for up to 3 users. Paid plans start at $5.99 per user/month (Pro plan) and $8.99 per user/month.
Pros and Cons of Computer Monitoring Software
Implementing computer and employee monitoring software in your organization can yield significant benefits, but it also comes with potential downsides. It’s important to weigh these pros and cons and manage your monitoring program thoughtfully to ensure it’s a help, not a hindrance.
Key Pros
- Improves productivity – Helps businesses track and optimize performance. By seeing how time is spent, managers can identify inefficiencies and high performers. Employees often stay more focused knowing that their work activity is visible, which can boost overall output.
- Enhances security – Prevents insider threats and data leaks. Monitoring software can catch suspicious behaviors (like unauthorized file transfers or the use of risky applications) early, protecting the company from fraud or compliance violations.
- Enables remote team management – Makes remote work more transparent. When you can’t physically see your team, these tools provide insights into work patterns and progress. This transparency helps build accountability and trust in a remote or hybrid work environment, as everyone’s contributions are visible.
2 Key Cons
- May cause stress among employees – If implemented poorly, employees may feel micromanaged or spied upon. Knowing every click is tracked can be stressful and might even reduce morale or loyalty.
- Privacy concerns – Some tools can be overly intrusive if not configured properly. Features like webcam access, audio recording, or keystroke logging can cross privacy lines. Companies must be careful to respect boundaries (for example, pausing monitoring during breaks or outside work hours) and comply with legal requirements.
FAQs on Best Computer Monitoring Software
What Is the Best Computer Monitoring Software for Businesses?
The best computer monitoring software for a business really depends on that business’s needs. For a well-rounded solution suitable for most companies, Intense Team is often a top recommendation – it offers a balance of productivity tracking, privacy controls, and even payroll features, making it adaptable for small startups up to large enterprises.
What Is the Best Use of Computer Activity Monitoring Software?
The best use of computer activity monitoring software is to boost productivity and security while maintaining trust. In practice, this means using the software to identify trends and help employees improve rather than to stalk their every move. Essentially, the software should act like a coach and a security guard: coaching the team towards better performance and guarding against risks.
What Is Computer Monitoring Software?
Computer monitoring software or employee monitoring software is a type of application that tracks and records what a user does on a computer, especially in a work context. This can include simple data like which programs are running or which websites are visited, as well as more detailed data like keystrokes typed, mouse movements, screenshots of the screen, and active/idle time.
Is Employee Monitoring Software Legal?
Yes, in most places it is legal for a company to use employee monitoring software on company-owned devices, as long as it’s for legitimate business purposes. Employee monitoring is broadly legal, but you should always do it transparently and check local laws to ensure you’re in compliance.
Can Computer Monitoring Software Help Productivity?
Computer monitoring software can be a powerful tool to help improve productivity. Computer monitoring software can significantly boost productivity by making work patterns visible and adjustable.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best computer monitoring software for your needs is an important decision in 2025’s remote-friendly workplace. The right tool can track employees’ work time, help you understand productivity blockers, and protect your business from potential security threats – all while enabling your team to work more efficiently. All the tools we discussed have their own strengths: some are geared toward strict security, others towards easy productivity tracking or budget-friendly simplicity.
While Intense Team truly stands out as the best computer monitoring software favourable choice for businesses of all sizes. Its comprehensive feature set and smart balance between deep insights and privacy make it a leader in this space.
