Fingerprint Time Clock for Employees: How It Works and What It Costs

Short answer: A fingerprint time clock identifies each employee by their fingerprint, so a coworker cannot clock in for them. EZTime turns a wall-mounted tablet into a fingerprint time clock with an optional fingerprint sensor, and the same tablet also supports face recognition, RFID badges and PIN as backup methods. Every punch goes to the cloud for timesheets, overtime alerts and payroll exports. Software starts at $2 per employee per month with a 14-day trial.

EZTime tablet time clock with an optional fingerprint sensor, face recognition and RFID badge reader — Fingerprint, face, badge or PIN on one tablet time clock.

How a fingerprint time clock works

Enroll: each employee registers a fingerprint at a company tablet. A credential registered on one company tablet is available on the company’s other tablets.
Clock in: the employee places a finger on the sensor at the start and end of the shift.
Record: the punch is saved in the cloud with the employee, time and station.
Pay: hours, breaks and overtime flow into payroll-ready timesheets.

Fingerprint vs face recognition vs badge

Method	Stops buddy punching?	Best for	Watch out for
Fingerprint	Yes	Offices, retail, clean environments	Dirty, wet or gloved hands can slow reads
Face recognition	Yes	Plants, construction, food service, gloves	Needs the employee to face the camera
RFID badge or smart card	Only if badges are not shared	Sites that already issue badges	Lost or shared cards
ID and PIN	Only if PINs are not shared	Backup and opt-outs	Shared codes

Because EZTime supports all four on the same tablet, you can use fingerprints where they work best and face recognition where hands are busy or gloved. Read the full biometric time clock guide.

Fingerprint data and state law

Fingerprints are biometric data. Illinois (BIPA), Texas and Washington have biometric privacy rules, and other states are adding them. Common requirements include written notice, employee consent and a retention and destruction policy. Offer a badge or PIN option for employees who do not consent. This is general information, not legal advice.

One identity for the time clock and the cafeteria

The same fingerprint, face, badge or PIN also works at the EZTime cafeteria meal station, where a Bluetooth printer prints meal vouchers in about a second.

Pricing

EZTime software costs $2, $4 or $6 per employee per month, with a minimum of $20 per month and a 14-day trial. See pricing. For tablets and fingerprint sensors, book a demo for a quote, or read how much a biometric time clock costs.

Frequently asked questions

What is a fingerprint time clock?

A time clock that identifies employees by their fingerprint, so one employee cannot clock in for another.

Does EZTime support fingerprint clock-in?

Yes, with an optional fingerprint sensor connected to the tablet time clock.

What if an employee does not want to use a fingerprint?

They can clock in with face recognition, an RFID badge, a smart card or ID with PIN.

Do fingerprints work with gloves?

Gloves and dirty hands can make fingerprint reads harder. Face recognition is usually a better fit on those sites.

Is fingerprint data regulated?

Some states, including Illinois, Texas and Washington, regulate biometric data. Check the rules in each state where you operate.

Stop buddy punching with fingerprint and face clock-in. Start your 14-day trial or book a demo.

Updated November 2026. General information only; not legal advice.