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 Native iOS app for field workers vs no mobile clock-in | ||
GPS location verification Verify employees are on-site when clocking in | ||
Timesheet approval workflow Full manager approval process vs limited approval options | ||
Automated reminders Chase missing timesheets automatically vs manual follow-up | ||
Working Time Regulations tracking Built-in UK compliance monitoring vs no compliance features | ||
Holiday management Integrated time off tracking and allowances | ||
Xero payroll export TimeTally exports directly to Xero; Xero handles payroll natively | ||
Invoicing Xero is a full invoicing platform; TimeTally focuses on timesheets | ||
Accounting Xero is a complete accounting suite; TimeTally is not | ||
Starting price TimeTally: £2/user/month vs Xero: from £15/month (starter plan) |
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 review and approve timesheets with one click. Get notified of missing submissions. Full audit trail for every approval decision.
Stop chasing employees for timesheets. TimeTally sends automatic reminders when submissions are overdue — no more Friday afternoon panic.
Working Time Regulations 1998 monitoring, holiday allowance tracking, 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, export payroll-ready data directly to Xero payroll. No re-keying, no errors, no wasted time.
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 hours flow directly to Xero payroll
Overtime and totals are pre-calculated before export
Also export to QuickBooks, Sage, or CSV for any 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 £2/employee/month. Use our ROI calculator to see how much time you'll save.
£2
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 the timesheet collection, approval, and compliance tracking that Xero's basic time features don't cover. Once timesheets are approved, you export them to Xero for payroll processing.
Once your manager approves timesheets in TimeTally, you can export payroll-ready data directly to Xero. The export includes employee hours, overtime calculations, and any deductions — formatted exactly how Xero needs it. No re-keying or copy-pasting required.
Xero is excellent at accounting but its time tracking is minimal. If you have mobile workers, need GPS verification, require proper approval workflows, or must track Working Time Regulations compliance, Xero simply doesn't do that. TimeTally costs just £2/employee/month and saves hours of admin time chasing timesheets and manually processing payroll data.
Yes. TimeTally has a native iOS app where employees can clock in and out, submit timesheets, and view their hours. GPS location is captured at clock-in so managers can verify employees are 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, compliance, holiday tracking, and payroll export. 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 monitors working hours against Working Time Regulations 1998 requirements automatically. You'll be alerted if employees are approaching maximum weekly hours or not taking required rest breaks. Xero's time tracking has no compliance monitoring features.
