Xero is a brilliant accounting platform — but its built-in time tracking is basic. TimeTally is dedicated timesheet software that gives you proper clock in/out, GPS verification, approvals, and compliance tracking — then exports payroll-ready data straight to Xero.
Xero's time tracking is an add-on to accounting software. TimeTally is purpose-built for employee timesheet management with mobile clock in/out, GPS, and full approval workflows.
Mobile clock in/out
From any device, anywhere
GPS verification
Confirm on-site presence
Approval workflows
One-click manager approval
Xero export
Send to payroll in one click
| Feature | TimeTally | Xero |
|---|---|---|
Dedicated timesheet interface Purpose-built timesheet forms vs basic time entry add-on | ||
Mobile clock in/out iOS and Android apps for shift clock-ins vs time logged against projects | ||
GPS location verification Optional add-on (£1/employee): check staff are on site when clocking in | ||
Timesheet approval workflow Full manager approval process vs limited approval options | ||
Missing timesheet view See who has not submitted for the week before payroll | ||
Rota with hours alerts Plan shifts and get flagged before publishing when hours or cost pass the limits you set | ||
Holiday tracking with timesheets Leave next to timesheets and the rota; Xero Payroll records leave for pay runs | ||
Wages posted to Xero TimeTally posts approved wages to Xero as a manual journal; Xero runs payroll | ||
Invoicing Xero is a full invoicing platform; TimeTally focuses on timesheets | ||
Accounting Xero is a complete accounting suite; TimeTally is not | ||
Starting price TimeTally: £3/employee/month vs Xero: from £18/month (Ignite, regular price, checked October 2026) |
TimeTally and Xero are not competitors — they complement each other. Use TimeTally for proper timesheet management and Xero for accounting and payroll. Together, they give you the complete picture.
Your field workers, cleaners, and construction teams clock in from their phones with GPS verification. Xero has no equivalent for mobile workforces.
Managers approve timesheets one at a time or with Approve All, and see at a glance who hasn't submitted. Changes to timesheets are logged.
Stop guessing who still owes a timesheet. TimeTally shows who hasn't submitted for the week and emails managers as each one comes in — no more Friday afternoon panic.
UK statutory leave and bank holidays, overtime and TOIL rules, and HMRC-ready records — none of which Xero's time tracking provides.
Know your team is where they say they are. Essential for construction, cleaning, and multi-site businesses.
Once timesheets are approved, post the wages to Xero as a journal with the Xero timesheet integration. No re-keying totals into your books.
TimeTally handles the hard part — collecting, verifying, and approving employee hours. Then one click sends everything to Xero for payroll processing. No double-entry. No spreadsheet middleman.
Approved wages post to Xero as a journal
Overtime and totals are pre-calculated before export
Also export to QuickBooks, or CSV for Sage and any other system
Export timesheets directly to your payroll software
We believe in honesty. Xero's time tracking may be sufficient if your needs are simple. Here's when you might not need TimeTally:
TimeTally adds dedicated timesheet management to your existing Xero setup for just £3/employee/month. Use our ROI calculator to see how much time you'll save.
£3
per employee/month
£15
per month (base plan)
No. TimeTally is dedicated timesheet software that works alongside Xero. You keep using Xero for accounting, invoicing, and payroll — TimeTally handles clocking in, timesheets, approvals, the rota and holiday tracking. Once timesheets are approved, the wages post to Xero as a journal and you run payroll as usual.
An admin connects Xero once, then exports each pay period. TimeTally prices the approved timesheets and paid leave at each person's rates, overtime included, and posts one manual journal to Xero: gross wages to your wages expense account, balanced against net wages payable. It doesn't create Xero Payroll timesheets or calculate PAYE, NI or pension. The Xero timesheet integration page has the full details.
Xero is excellent at accounting but its time tracking is minimal. If you have mobile workers, want GPS clock-in, need manager sign-off of shift hours, or plan a staff rota, Xero's time tracking isn't built for that. TimeTally costs just £3/employee/month and saves hours of admin time chasing timesheets and manually processing payroll data.
Yes. TimeTally has iOS and Android apps where employees clock in and out, submit timesheets and see their hours and rota. With the GPS add-on, location is checked at clock-in so managers can see staff were on site. This is particularly valuable for construction, cleaning, and other field-based teams.
Xero Projects tracks time against projects primarily for invoicing purposes. TimeTally is built for employee timesheet management — clock in/out, approvals, the rota, holiday tracking and the wages journal to Xero. If you need to track employee hours for payroll and compliance (not just project billing), TimeTally is the better tool.
Most businesses are fully set up within an hour. Create your TimeTally account, add your employees, configure your approval workflows, and connect to Xero for exports. Your team can start submitting timesheets the same day.
Yes. TimeTally includes integrated holiday management — set allowances, track usage, and manage requests. This means all time data (worked hours and time off) lives in one place, giving you a complete picture before exporting to Xero for payroll.
TimeTally doesn't monitor the Working Time Regulations for you. It records every hour worked from clock-ins, lets you set hours limits on the rota that are flagged before you publish, and keeps approved timesheets you can show if asked. Checking the 48-hour average and rest rules is still your job; our guide to rest between shifts sets out the rules.
Still have a question? See all FAQs
