ClockShark vs Square Payroll Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

ClockShark

0.0 (0 reviews)

ClockShark is a mobile time tracking and scheduling software designed specifically for construction and field service companies to manage remote crews, track job costs, and simplify payroll processing.

Starting at $8/mo
Free Trial 14 days
VS

Square Payroll

0.0 (0 reviews)

Square Payroll is a full-service payroll software that automates tax filings, employee payments, and benefits management for small businesses using integrated time tracking and point-of-sale data.

Starting at Free
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature ClockShark Square Payroll
Website clockshark.com squareup.com
Pricing Model Subscription Subscription
Starting Price $8/month Free
FREE Trial ✓ 14 days free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas mobile
Integrations QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Desktop Sage 100 Contractor Xero ADP Gusto Paychex Zapier FreshBooks Foundation Software Square POS QuickBooks Online Xero Homebase Deputy TSheets 7shifts Guideline SimplyInsured AP Intego
Target Users small-business mid-market solopreneur small-business
Target Industries construction field-service landscaping retail restaurant professional-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2014 2009
Headquarters Chico, USA San Francisco, USA

Overview

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ClockShark

ClockShark is a specialized time tracking and scheduling platform built for the unique needs of construction and field service businesses. You can replace paper timesheets with a mobile app that tracks employee hours, GPS locations, and job costs in real-time. This allows you to see exactly where your crews are and which projects they are working on throughout the day.

The platform helps you bridge the gap between the field and the office by syncing time data directly with your accounting software. You can manage complex schedules with a drag-and-drop interface, track equipment usage, and capture site photos or notes from any mobile device. It is designed to eliminate manual data entry and ensure your job costing is accurate for every project.

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Square Payroll

Square Payroll simplifies how you pay your team by automating the most complex parts of business ownership. You can pay employees and contractors in just a few clicks, whether they are hourly or salaried. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays your federal and state payroll taxes, ensuring you stay compliant without manual paperwork. Because it integrates directly with Square POS, your team's hours sync automatically, eliminating the need for manual data entry or messy spreadsheets.

You can manage everything from a single dashboard, including workers' compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. The system supports flexible payment options like Instant Payments, allowing you to send funds to employees the same day they work. Whether you are running a single coffee shop or managing multiple retail locations, you get a straightforward tool that handles the back-office heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.

Overview

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ClockShark Features

  • GPS Time Tracking Track employee locations and movement throughout the workday so you can verify they are at the right job site.
  • Drag-and-Drop Scheduling Create and update crew schedules in seconds and send instant notifications to your team's mobile devices.
  • Geofencing Alerts Set up virtual boundaries around job sites to remind your crew to clock in or out when they arrive.
  • Job Costing Tools Assign labor hours to specific jobs and task codes to see exactly how your labor budget is being spent.
  • Mobile Kiosk Mode Turn any tablet into a central time tracking station with facial recognition to prevent buddy punching.
  • Photo and File Attachments Capture project progress by uploading photos and documents directly to specific jobs from the field app.
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Square Payroll Features

  • Automated Tax Filings. Let the software calculate, file, and pay your state and federal payroll taxes automatically to ensure total compliance.
  • Time Card Sync. Import employee hours directly from Square POS or the Team App to eliminate manual data entry errors.
  • Instant Payments. Access your funds immediately and pay your team the same day they work using your Square Balance.
  • Benefits Integration. Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp directly through your payroll dashboard.
  • Contractor Payments. Pay your independent contractors via direct deposit and let the system generate and file 1099-NEC forms.
  • Employee Mobile App. Give your team a dedicated app to track their hours, view pay stubs, and manage their tax forms.

Pricing Comparison

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ClockShark Pricing

Standard
$8
  • Mobile time tracking app
  • GPS tracking and geofencing
  • Job and task tracking
  • Basic scheduling
  • Third-party integrations
  • Manager role permissions
S

Square Payroll Pricing

Contractors Only
$0
  • $5 per person paid monthly
  • No monthly base fee
  • Direct deposit included
  • 1099-NEC generation and filing
  • Self-service contractor account

Pros & Cons

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ClockShark

Pros

  • Extremely easy for field crews to learn and use
  • Reliable GPS tracking improves accountability for remote teams
  • Seamless integration with QuickBooks and Sage accounting
  • Excellent customer support with fast response times

Cons

  • Base monthly fee makes it expensive for very small teams
  • Mobile app requires significant battery and data usage
  • Limited reporting customization for complex enterprise needs
A

Square Payroll

Pros

  • Seamless integration with Square Point of Sale
  • Automatic tax filing saves hours of manual work
  • Simple and transparent per-employee pricing model
  • Easy setup process for new business owners

Cons

  • Customer support can be difficult to reach
  • Limited advanced HR features for large corporations
  • Account freezes can occasionally delay payroll processing
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