GPS clock-in is best for teams that start work in changing places, such as field service and construction. NFC tags are best for fixed sites where you want proof the employee was physically there, especially indoors where GPS is weak. Biometric terminals are best when you must verify identity at a single busy door and can manage biometric privacy laws. Most multi-site businesses combine at least two of these in one account.
The employee clocks in on a phone app. The app records location at the punch and checks it against a geofence around the job site. See how geofencing works.
A small NFC tag is placed at the entrance or work point. The employee taps an NFC-enabled phone on the tag in the app, and the punch is tied to that tag’s location. EZTime provides the tags, and punches made without signal sync later. See NFC time clock.
A terminal at a fixed spot scans a fingerprint or face to identify the employee. It needs power, a network connection and enrolment of each employee.
| GPS app | NFC tag | Biometric terminal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirms place | Geofence around the site | Physical tap at a specific spot | Fixed device location |
| Confirms person | The employee’s own login and phone | The employee’s own login and phone | Fingerprint or face |
| Works indoors | Not always reliable | Yes | Yes |
| Works without signal | Depends on the app | Yes, punch syncs later (EZTime) | Depends on device |
| Hardware cost | None | Small tags | About $160 to $1,300+ per device |
| Privacy rules | Location notice | Location notice | Biometric laws (IL, TX, WA, CO) |
| Best for | Field crews, job sites | Fixed sites, cleaning, security, retail chains | High-traffic doors, phone-free floors |
| Business | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Construction, landscaping, field service | GPS app with geofences |
| Cleaning, security, facility services | NFC tags at client sites |
| Retail chain, restaurants | Kiosk or NFC at each location; app for managers |
| Warehouse, manufacturing | Kiosk or NFC; biometric only if identity checks are required |
| Home care, mobile healthcare | GPS app; NFC tags at fixed clinics |
Mixing methods is normal: one account can have NFC at stores, GPS for drivers and a kiosk at headquarters. Try the time clock quiz for a recommendation.
For fixed sites, yes: the employee must physically tap the tag, while GPS can drift indoors. For changing job sites, GPS is more practical.
Yes. NFC clock-in works on modern iPhones and Android phones that have NFC, using the EZTime app.
Yes, if you comply with BIPA: written notice, a signed release, a public retention policy and timely destruction of data. Violations can lead to private lawsuits.
Yes. EZTime lets you mix methods in one account and set them per location or team.
GPS clock-in on employees’ own phones needs no hardware. NFC adds small tags, and biometric adds the most hardware cost per entrance.
The two most common choices compared.
How NFC tags fit into employee attendance.
How geofencing works for mobile teams.
Hardware, subscriptions and compliance.
Choosing the right setup for every team.
State biometric law summaries are general information and not legal advice. Laws change; check current requirements before deploying biometric devices.