The Best Windows Monitoring Software for Employees in 2024

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More businesses are turning to the best Windows monitoring software to protect their data, maintain compliance, and boost productivity. Time is money, and as an employer, you may be interested to know that 64% of employees admit to browsing non-work-related websites daily*.

This seemingly harmless habit results in significant productivity loss and costs U.S. companies about $1.7 million for every 100 employees. This is a serious problem. That’s why I’ve personally tested some of the top Windows monitoring tools for 2024 to help your company save both time and money. Here’s a review of my top picks.

The Best Windows Monitoring Software Tested By Our Experts

Hoverwatch - Best Windows Monitoring Software For Its Advanced Features

3-Day Free Trial
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ActivTrak - Best Windows Monitoring App For Employee Productivity Insights

14-Day Free Trial
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FlexiSPY - Best Windows Monitoring Software For Remote Screen Recording

24-Hour Free Trial
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iKeyMonitor - Best Self-Hosted Windows Monitoring Solution

Free Demo
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Spyera - Best Windows Monitoring Software For Remote Or Field Workers

10-Day Refund Policy
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Hubstaff - Best Windows Monitoring Tool For Time Tracking & Project Management

14-Day Free Trial
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The 8 Best Windows Monitoring Software Ranked

  1. Hoverwatch – Best for advanced monitoring features, including laptop & PC location tracking
  2. ActivTrak – Best for detailed employee productivity insights in large teams
  3. FlexiSPY – Best for remote screen recording & capture of Windows PCs
  4. iKeyMonitor – Best self-hosted Windows monitoring solution
  5. Spyera – Top choice for monitoring remote or field workers
  6. Hubstaff – Best for seamless time tracking and project management
  7. Controlio – Best Windows PC tracker for user session recording
  8. Teramind – Best Windows monitoring tool for security and data protection

How Does Windows Monitoring Software Work?

Given that Windows accounts for nearly 75% of the desktop OS market share, Windows monitoring tools are crucial to workforce management for most companies in 2024. These tools typically work by tracking key digital activities, such as app usage, emails, messages, keystrokes, task progress, and time spent on specific applications, to give employers the full picture of how employees use company devices during work hours.

Once you’ve chosen the right Windows monitoring software for your specific needs, the process begins with downloading and installing it on all the workplace computers you want to keep tabs on. The good news is most employee monitoring software offers installation support and runs discreetly in the background, so your employees will never be aware and it won’t be distracting. Finally, the collected data is stored in a secure cloud, which you can access easily from the app’s dashboard.

The Best Windows Monitoring Tools Reviewed

To determine the best Microsoft Windows monitoring software for employees, I tested these eight monitoring tools, and here’s what I found.

1. Hoverwatch – Best for Advanced Monitoring Features, Including Laptop & PC Location Tracking

Starting Price $29.95/month
No. of Devices Up to 25
Free Trial/Demo Free version
Compatibility Android, Windows PC, and MacOS
Money-back Guarantee

Why We Picked It?

Hoverwatch earns a top spot on my list for its unbeatable set of advanced monitoring features. I particularly loved its multifunctional keylogger, which lets you track every keyboard action and take screenshots as well as its pinpoint location tracking function for Windows PCs and laptops.

Features

While testing out Hoverwatch, I was pleasantly surprised by its number of advanced features. However, the star of the show is its keylogger for Windows. Hoverwatch’s keylogger not only records everything typed on the monitored device but also tracks all websites visited and regularly takes screenshots of the active screen.

Although Hoverwatch’s free trial version doesn’t have as many features as ActivTrak’s, the fact that the keylogger feature was available for free was definitely a huge game-changer for me.

Its location tracking feature for Windows PCs gives you pinpoint location information on the target devices. This feature is particularly useful for verifying whether employees are actually at their desks during work hours, especially for remote employees. Also, the Webcam Shots feature allows you to take images from the device’s webcam, which provides an extra layer of accountability.

Social media monitoring is another area in which Hoverwatch excels, as it tracks activity across platforms like Facebook and Skype. While there are other Facebook spy apps, this is an essential feature, seeing as 86% of workers describe Facebook as the top workplace distractor. Even better, Hoverwatch operates completely anonymously, meaning it’s completely undetectable by employees.

Hoverwatch Pricing

Duration Personal (1 Device) Professional (5 Devices) Business (25 Devices)
1 Month $29.95 $49.95 $149.95
3 Month $59.95/month $99.95/month $299.95/month
12 Month $99.95/month $199.95/month $499.95/month

Hoverwatch provides a free trial version that lets users test out the keylogger feature. If you want more comprehensive monitoring, the paid plans offer excellent value with high-end features at your disposal. The only difference here between plans is the number of devices you can monitor. You’ll get all the features no matter how long your subscription is.

Although Hoverwatch doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, the responsive customer support team makes up for it by ensuring the installation process is smooth and hitch-free.

Who It’s Best For?

Hoverwatch is ideal if you own a small business that needs powerful monitoring tools for Windows or macOS devices. It’s particularly well-suited if you require advanced features like keylogging, screenshot monitoring, location tracking, and live screen viewing without breaking the bank.

Pros

  • Free advanced keylogger for Windows
  • Stealth mode for complete anonymity
  • Extensive social media monitoring capabilities
  • Free trial
  • Accurate location tracking

Cons

  • Only monitors up to 25 devices
  • No money-back guarantee
  • No location tracking for macOS
  • Doesn’t support iOS
Hoverwatch

2. ActivTrak – Best for Detailed Employee Productivity Insights in Large Teams

Starting Price $10.00/month
No. of Devices Unlimited
Free Trial/Demo Free plan & 14-day trial
Compatibility Windows PC
Money-back Guarantee 3 days

Why We Picked It?

ActivTrak is a top-tier monitoring solution designed for businesses that need to monitor employee productivity closely with detailed, live insights. It excels at monitoring a large number of teams and workers simultaneously.

Features

Large companies can find it challenging to ensure that every employee is performing efficiently. ActivTrak provides the ideal solution to this problem. The dashboard conveniently displays all the information you need about your employees’ productivity, progress, and overall well-being, all in one place.

While testing out ActivTrak, I was amazed to find I could easily access even the most minute details, like time spent online and the pages employees were working on at that moment.

ActivTrak’s intuitive dashboard provides real-time analytic information on how your employees spend their time. In the Team Management hub, I monitored each team member’s productive hours and the percentage of time they spent on each app. You can easily compare these numbers to previous data to determine each team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Another standout feature is ActivTrak’s time-tracking data, which gave me a detailed look at how many hours employees work daily. This data makes it simple to identify patterns of unproductive behavior and address them early.

The ActivTrak keylogger feature doesn’t have a keystroke feature like iKeyMonitor, but it does a great job of alerting you when the user begins typing. And with the unbeatable level of detailed tracking on display, there’s more than enough to satisfy your tracking needs.

ActivTrak Pricing

Duration Essentials Essentials Plus Professional
12 months $10/month $15/month $19/month

ActivTrak offers a free 14-day trial of its professional plan and a free plan that gives up to three users access to live time tracking.

While there is a 3-day refund policy, the paid plans offer great value. They have detailed monitoring features and give you access to an unlimited number of users, unlike Hoverwatch, which caps out at 25.

Who It’s Best For?

ActivTrak is the best choice if you want detailed insight into your employees’ productivity. It’s especially great for large organizations with large teams. 

Pros

  • Highly detailed data on user productivity
  • Daily analytics on time tracking and management
  • Team Management Hub gives information on team efficiency
  • Time-tracking features in free version

Cons

  • Strict refund policy terms
  • Data storage only six months on the first two paid tiers

3. FlexiSPY –  Best App for Remote Screen Record & Capture of Windows PCs

Starting Price $79/month
No. of Devices 1
Free Trial/Demo Free trial
Compatibility Windows PC, macOS
Money-back Guarantee 30 days

Why We Picked It?

FlexiSPY is a well-rounded monitoring tool that excels at remote and on-demand screen capturing. As soon as you ask for it, you get a live view of the target device’s screen.

Features

During my testing, FlexiSPY’s remote screen capture feature truly impressed me. I could request screenshots of the target device screen at any moment, and the app provides a screenshot every 15 seconds for five minutes.

For added convenience, it’s also possible to schedule the screenshots ahead of time. All screenshots are saved to your dashboard and ready to be viewed anytime, anywhere. This feature is incredibly useful if you need to monitor employees during key work hours or for compliance purposes.

I found the data particularly easy to navigate, and accessing saved screenshots was seamless. All I needed to do was log into the FlexiSPY online portal, and I could view saved screenshots immediately. In addition to the great screen recording features, FlexiSPY offers strong social media monitoring, with access to 11 social media and messaging apps.

FlexiSPY Pricing

Duration FlexiSPY Pricing
1 Month $79
3 Months $119/month
12 Months $179/month

FlexiSPY’s price is slightly higher than that of competitors like ActivTrak, which allows more users per subscription. However, it offers a free 24-hour trial to test the features before committing to a long-term purchase. The price plans also include a free installation service and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the service.

Who It’s Best For?

FlexiSpy is the top pick if you have a small business with remote employees who need close supervision. The remote screenshot feature ensures you stay informed on employee activities, even when working offsite.

Pros

  • Remote screenshot capturing on request
  • Screenshot scheduling feature
  • Online portal to view screenshots remotely
  • Advanced social media monitoring

Cons

  • Only one device can be monitored at a time
  • Physical access to the target device is needed for installation

4. iKeyMonitor – Best Self-Hosted App for Employee Tracking

Starting Price $10/month/device
No. of Devices Unlimited
Free Trial/Demo Free Plan
Compatibility Windows PC, macOS
Money-back Guarantee 30 days

Why We Picked It?

iKeyMonitor stands out due to its self-hosting functionality, which drastically enhances data security by allowing businesses to store data on private servers. Combined with its advanced keylogger software, which records every keystroke on Windows or Mac PCs, iKeyMonitor is perfect if your company needs comprehensive monitoring without relying on third-party cloud storage.

Features

iKeyMonitor’s unique self-hosted setup is its biggest asset, especially if you’re concerned about data privacy. By allowing all data to be stored locally on a private server, it minimizes the risk of external breaches. This feature is a major advantage over cloud-reliant solutions like Teramind or Hubstaff, where data could be more vulnerable to hacking.

It also takes keylogging to the next level with its Windows keylogger feature, which tracks every button typed on the target device. While testing iKeyMonitor, I found that I could view even passwords, messages, and emails that were composed but never sent.

The feature also supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a wider variety of businesses. I also got immediately notified when certain keywords or phrases were imputed.

Finally, rooting is not required to access essential features on Windows devices, and the keylogger feature is available for free.

iKeyMonitor Pricing

Duration iKeyMonitor Cloud Pricing iKeyMonitor Self-Hosted Pricing
12 Months Free+Add-ons ($16.66/month) $10/month/device

iKeyMonitor provides great value for Windows PC users, especially as no rooting is required to access the full set of monitoring features, which are available at a lower price than competitors such as ActivTrak. There’s also a free plan available for Android devices, making it one of the best Android spy apps, and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you choose to opt out.

Who It’s Best For?

iKeyMonitor is best if you run a medium to large-scale business that requires a high-end keystroke monitor primarily for Windows PCs. Although the full set of features is not available for iOS and macOS devices, some key features, such as the keylogger, can still be used after jailbreaking the device.

Pros

  • Self-hosted Windows monitoring for added security
  • Keylogger supports multiple languages
  • Advanced keystrokes feature logs every imputed key
  • Immediate keyword alerts

Cons

  • Limited functionality on Apple devices, even after jailbreaking
  • Added features cost extra with free version
  • No free plan for Windows

5. Spyera – Top Choice for Monitoring Remote or Field Workers

Starting Price $49.00/month
No. of Devices 1
Free Trial/Demo No
Compatibility Windows PC, macOS
Money-back Guarantee 10 days

Why We Picked It?

Spyera earns a spot on my list for its ability to easily monitor employees working remotely, hybrid, or in the field. Its standout keylogger and screenshot features work hand-in-hand, giving you complete visibility into employee activity, no matter where they are.

Features

Spyera has a catalog of unique features that make it great for long-distance monitoring. One of its most powerful tools is its keylogger feature which records every keystroke from specified applications on the target device.

This means you can manually select which apps you would like to be monitored. The screenshot function is another key asset. It allowed me to take remote screenshots of both individual apps and the entire device screen. The responsiveness was impressive, and screenshots were taken almost instantly, ensuring no activity was missed.

The network connections feature is particularly useful for tracking employees working in various locations. It logs the networks the device has connected to, offering insights into where your employees are working from.

Spyera Pricing

Duration Smartphone Pricing Tablet Pricing Computer Pricing All-In-One Pricing
Monthly $89 $69 $49
Annually $32.42/month $23.25/month $16.58/month $39.92/month

Spyera doesn’t offer a free trial, unlike some of its competitors like FlexiSPY. Still, it makes up for this by letting you use the same subscription on multiple devices and offering a 10-day money-back guarantee. The inclusion of the keylogger feature makes the Spyera price a great deal to consider.

Who It’s Best For?

If you have a small business with employees who often work remotely or out in the field, Spyera is the best choice. Its remote monitoring features allow you to keep a keen eye on their work progress from a distance.

Pros

  • Remote control over target device
  • Advanced keylogger
  • Takes remote screenshots of the target device

Cons

  • No free trial
  • Can only monitor one device at a time
  • No social media monitoring

6. Hubstaff – Best for Seamless Time Tracking and Project Management

Starting Price $4.99/month
No. of Devices Unlimited
Free Trial/Demo 14-day Free Trial
Compatibility Windows PC and macOS
Money-back Guarantee 30 days

Why We Picked It?

Hubstaff is a workforce monitoring tool that stands out for its exceptional automated time-tracking capabilities. It is the go-to solution for companies focused on maximizing employee productivity. Its ability to log hours worked, down to the minute, ensures that all your employees are working as they should be.

Features

Hubstaff has an impressive, user-friendly interface that gives you full power to monitor and manage your employees’ time to maximize efficiency. During my testing, I found the real-time dashboards particularly helpful in breaking down each employee’s workday.

You can see how long employees spend on specific tasks and projects, which helps identify bottlenecks or productivity gaps. These detailed reports are automatically generated daily, giving you an actionable overview of your team’s performance without having to sift through data manually.

The automated timesheet feature is also great for managing remote or distributed teams. It logs when employees clock in and out, records task completion times, and flags missed work, allowing you to easily spot top performers and underachievers.

Although Hubstaff does not offer advanced social media tracking features like FlexiSpy, its time-tracking functionality remains unmatched. 

Hubstaff Pricing

Duration Starter Pricing Grow Pricing Team Pricing Enterprise Pricing
1 Month $7.00 $9 $12 $25
12 Months $4.99/month $7.50/month $10.00/month $25.00/month

Despite not having advanced social media tracking features, Hubstaff’s pricing falls well below competitors like Spyera and Hoverwatch while providing time-tracking and project management features that are not available to their competitors.

It also offers a 14-day free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you won’t be stuck with a product that doesn’t meet your expectations—but trust me, that’s unlikely.

Who It’s Best For?

If you’re running a growing team and need detailed insights into employee performance without micromanaging, Hubstaff is an excellent choice. It is perfect for medium to large-scale organizations with many employees who need a solution for efficient time and project management.

Pros

  • Daily time management reports with timesheet
  • Automated time-tracking
  • Screenshot recording feature
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Informative and intuitive dashboard

Cons

  • No keylogging
  • No social media monitoring
  • Monthly screenshot capability somewhat limited

7. Controlio – Best Windows PC Tracker for User Session Recording

Starting Price $7.99/month
No. of Devices Max of 100,000
Free Trial/Demo 14-day trial
Compatibility Windows PC, macOS
Money-back Guarantee

Why We Picked It?

Controlio made my list because of its unmatched live user recording features, making it the ideal choice for employers who need to monitor employee activities in real-time. Its live streaming functionality gives you a direct view of what’s happening on employee screens at any moment, setting it apart from competitors.

Features

While testing, I found that Controlio provided the most in-depth live look at employees’ online sessions I’ve encountered. The live screen monitoring feature provided a live stream of the device’s screen in real-time, so I could watch what they were doing as they were doing it.

The full-time screen recording feature allows you to view and export past screen recordings with unlimited data storage space on the higher-priced plans. This is a step up from competitors such as Hoverwatch, which only supports screenshot recordings.

When I wasn’t viewing live, I also received live session info detailing the employee’s status, activity, current window, and last activity information in real time. Start and end times were also shown for each employee’s daily sessions, which provided useful information about how long each user worked.

Although Controlio’s interface isn’t as user-friendly as Hubstaff’s, the level of detailed real-time session monitoring capability more than compensates for the slightly steeper learning curve.

Controlio Pricing

Duration Cloud Pricing On-Premises Pricing Private Cloud Pricing
Monthly $7.99/month/user On request On request
Annually $79.00/year/user On request On request

Controlio has a flexible pricing plan that allows custom pricing for large businesses. Similarly to Hoverwatch, there’s no money-back guarantee, but the app provides both a trial and demo that give you a great look at the features on offer before paying for a subscription.

Who It’s Best For?

If you’re looking for great monitoring software for your large employee base, then Controlio is the right pick for you. Although the range of devices isn’t unlimited, the 100,000 max capacity is more than enough to service most businesses.

Pros

  • Live screen monitoring
  • Screen recording to saves past screen recordings
  • Unlimited data storage
  • Detailed live session information
  • Custom pricing for large businesses

Cons

  • No money-back guarantee if you cancel your subscription
  • User interface can be somewhat complex to understand
  • Extra cost to store data for longer than 6 months

8. Teramind – Best Windows Monitoring Tool for Security and Data Protection

Starting Price $14.00/month/device
No. of Devices Over 200,000
Free Trial/Demo Free Trial Plus Custom & Live Demos
Compatibility Windows PC and macOS
Money-back Guarantee

Why We Picked It?

Teramind is the leading choice on the market for ensuring data security and preventing accidental or malicious data leaks by employees. Its advanced security features make it easy for businesses to manage potential risks and ensure sensitive company data remains secure.

Features

Teramind gives you the power to be proactive with your data security by predicting and preventing potential losses. Aided by Termind’s AI-powered OMNI feature, you will be alerted to high-priority data threats in real-time, allowing you to react within seconds and avert any potential breaches.

With the time-stamped screen recording feature, you will also be able to see exactly how any incidents may have occurred and what to do to prevent them in the future.

While testing automated responses, I could predefine security steps to be taken when any employee performs actions that may lead to data leaks or security breaches.

You can also pre-determine which websites are safe for your employees to use and get alerted when any user accesses a website that may be deemed a security threat, putting it a class above iKeyMonitor regarding data security. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is another unique security function that detects unusual behavior by users while viewing sensitive data.

Teramind also has a keystroke logging feature that logs every key typed on the target devices. Although it isn’t as robust as the one offered by iKeyMonitor, it’s yet another security measure added to your defenses.

Teramind Pricing

Duration Starter Pricing UAM Pricing DLP Pricing Enterprise Pricing
1 Month $15.00/month/device $30.00/month/device $35/month/device On request
12 Months $14.00/month/device $28.00/month/device $32.00/month/device On request

Teramind offers competitive and flexible pricing with options for a wide range of businesses and models. The DLP plan (Data Loss Prevention) unlocks the full suite of security features, making it ideal for companies with higher security demands.

The first three plans all include a free trial to test out the features before paying, while the Enterprise plan has custom pricing for large businesses and additional features. There is no money-back guarantee, but all annual plans include one extra month of free subscription.

Who It’s Best For?

Teramind is ideal if you own a highly security-conscious business and can’t afford to have any data or information leaks due to internal errors. It is best used with Windows PCs as features are limited on macOS.

Pros

  • High-end security features like OMNI
  • Supports automated responses to security threats
  • OCR detects unusual responses when users view sensitive content
  • Keylogger

Cons

  • Limited functionality for macOS
  • Only higher-tier plans offer full security features
  • No money-back guarantee

The Best Windows Monitoring Software Compared

Below is a detailed comparison of the eight best Windows monitoring software for employees in 2024. Let’s take a look at how they stack up against each other and decide which one is ideal for you:

Provider Hoverwatch ActivTrak FlexiSPY iKeyMonitor Spyera Hubstaff Controlio Teramind
Starting Price $8.33/month $10/month $79/month $10/month/device $49/month $4.99/month $7.99/month $14.00/month/device
Free trial/demo 3-day free trial Free plan & 14-day trial
Top Features Monitor multiple devices, including laptops, precise location tracking with GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell towers Comprehensive analytics, robust employee privacy, user-friendly dashboard and reporting Comprehensive monitoring, real time alerts, robust stealth mode Self-hosting flexibility, user-friendly, comprehensive tracking features Remote control, advanced keylogger features, remote screenshot feature Daily time management reports, time tracking, project management capability, screenshot recording feature Live screen monitoring in real-time, unlimited data storage capability, detailed live session information OMNI security features, automated responses to security threats, OCR detects unusual user responses
No. of devices Up to 25 Unlimited 1 Unlimited 1 Unlimited Up to 100,000 Over 200,000
Compatibility Android and Windows devices Windows PC Windows PC, macOS Windows PC, macOS, Android, and iOS Windows PC, macOS, Android, and iOS Windows PC and macOS Windows PC and macOS Windows PC and macOS
Money-back Guarantee 3 days 30 days 30 days 10 days 30 days

Methodology

How We Review And Test Spyware Apps

Important Note: Spy software is not legal to use without the device owner’s permission in many countries and states. When we test spy software, we do so only with the explicit consent of the device owner and in compliance with local laws and regulations.

To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular spy applications on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

  • General Features: We evaluate the comprehensive feature set of each spy app, including but not limited to features such as App Management, Time Management, Call Monitoring, Device Control and GPS Tracking.
  • Ease of Use: We gauge the user-friendliness of each app, considering factors such as installation process complexity, the necessity of jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) the target device, and more.
  • Device Support and Compatibility: We thoroughly examine the compatibility of each spyware app with different devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android. We also assess whether the app offers a unified dashboard accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
  • Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support provided by each app developer. We evaluate the availability of support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, as well as the satisfaction ratings of customer assistance.
  • Price and Value for Money: We assess each spyware app’s pricing structure in relation to its features and functionalities, aiming to determine its overall value proposition. We analyze whether the app offers different subscription tiers, flexible payment options, and discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, we check whether the app provides free trials or demos for users to test its capabilities before making a purchase.
  • Privacy and Security: We prioritize the privacy and security of user data in our evaluation. We scrutinize the app’s data encryption measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and commitment to regular security updates to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or breaches.

Free Vs Paid Windows Tracking Apps: Are Free Windows Monitoring Solutions Worth It?

If you’re unsure about committing to a paid solution or if you’re working with a tight budget, it’s natural to want to explore free monitoring app options first. But the hard truth is that free monitoring software just doesn’t provide effective employee surveillance. 

These providers usually lack essential features like continuous monitoring and discreet operation, making it easy for tech-savvy employees to notice and bypass them. Even the free versions of reputable paid monitoring apps, like the ones I recommended, are equally as limited.

Besides, third-party free apps can ironically pose the same privacy and data security threats you hope monitoring your employees will save you from. The last thing you want is to compromise your company’s sensitive information.

Paid Windows tracking apps give you access to literally every feature that matters. They typically offer free demos or trials, meaning you can try them out without any risk. And if at all you decide to pay, you can start with a month’s subscription to be on the safe side. When you’re finally convinced, you can then switch to the much cheaper annual subscription, which provides better value for your money.

The bottom line is that while free applications may be appealing, buying a paid solution gives you reliable, secure, and efficient employee monitoring.

Things To Consider Before Buying Windows Monitoring Software

Before plunging into the numerous employee monitoring software for Windows, you should consider the exact features and tools that are essential for your business. Here are the most important factors to keep in mind:

BudgetEase of UseFeaturesNumber of DevicesSecurityAnalytics and ReportingCustomer Support

Before selecting a particular tool, evaluate your budget to get the best value without sacrificing essential functionality. I also recommend using available free trials or demos to determine if the product is a good fit for your organization.

The software should be easy to install, maintain, and operate for both the IT teams and managers, who may not be so technically inclined. Complicated dashboards can often lead to inefficiency and confusion.

Do you require keystroke logging? How about real-time monitoring and screenshots? Or maybe website blocking? You should consider your organization’s specific needs and then select software with components that align with your goals.

You should consider the number of PCs you need to monitor. Some software limits the number of devices you can track or charges per number of licenses. In the end, your solution should be scalable so it can expand as your company grows.

It’s crucial that any monitoring software you choose has strong encryption and solid security protocols. Look for tools that comply with standards like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or other relevant data protection certifications to ensure your employees’ privacy is respected and safeguarded.

Your monitoring software should offer advanced analytics and reporting capabilities in addition to collecting raw data. Seek tools that allow you to easily track productivity trends, security concerns, and overall performance. Make sure to prioritize those that provide customizable reports for more tailored insights on employee activity.

Customer Support – When it comes to tech solutions, anything could go wrong. And when it does, you’ll want a very responsive customer support. Before investing in any monitoring tool, check if the provider offers accessible support options like live chat, email, or phone assistance to quickly resolve technical issues.

How To Use Windows Monitoring Software - Step-By-Step

Most of the Windows monitoring software in this guide is incredibly easy to set up and use—Hoverwatch inclusive. To show you the ropes, I’ll walk you through a quick step-by-step demo of how I installed and configured Hoverwatch on my Windows PC.

  1. Step 1: Sign Up for Hoverwatch

    Start by visiting Hoverwatch’s official website. Click the ‘Sign up free’ button located at the top right of the homepage.

    Next, enter your email address and create a password to set up your account. Be sure to review their Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before checking the box to agree and finalize the sign-up process.

    <strong>Step 1: Sign Up for Hoverwatch</strong>
  2. Step 2: Pick a Plan

    Next, choose a plan that best fits your company’s monitoring needs. Consider how many employee PCs you want to track, evaluate your budget, and then select the plan that works best.

    <strong>Step 2: Pick a Plan</strong>
  3. Step 3: Download and Install Hoverwatch on the Target Windows PC

    After you’ve selected and purchased your preferred subscription plan, you’ll gain access to your Hoverwatch dashboard. If you’re logged in on the target device, simply download the Hoverwatch installation file for Windows directly on that device. If not, you’ll receive a link to open on the target device. Either way, once the download is complete, wrap up the installation process by following the straightforward on-screen instructions.

    <strong>Step 3: Download and Install Hoverwatch on the Target Windows PC</strong>
  4. Step 4: Start Monitoring!

    Now, you have full, discreet, and continuous access to your employees’ activities on work devices during work hours. The best part is that you can remotely monitor all your employees’ Windows PCs from one intuitive dashboard.

    <strong>Step 4: Start Monitoring!</strong>
Hoverwatch

Conclusion – What Is The Best Windows Monitoring Software in 2024?

If you’re looking for the best Windows monitoring software, my top recommendation has to be Hoverwatch. Their advanced Keylogger features are the ultimate tools for monitoring user activity in real time. Paired with the screenshot feature and precise location tracking, you’re guaranteed never to miss a thing.

The keylogger is also available in the free version, so if you’re running a small business on a tight budget, this is the pick for you.

However, a one-size-fits-all approach will not work when it comes to choosing the most appropriate Windows employee monitoring software for your organization. Larger businesses that prioritize enterprise-grade data security over social media monitoring may find Teramind more suitable. If you need to monitor numerous teams to boost overall efficiency, ActivTrak may be the ideal solution for you.

FAQs

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Ademilade Shodipe-Dosunmu
Technology Expert
Ademilade Shodipe-Dosunmu
Technology Expert

Ademilade has spent the last five years creating optimized content for SaaS, tech, and entertainment publications like MakeUseOf and GameRant. With a solid background in Mechanical Engineering, he strives to devise content that informs and helps people leverage the technology around them. Furthermore, as a Top Writing Voice on LinkedIn, he regularly contributes to the growing body of content knowledge, helping budding writers find their footing.