Sheets that go missing
The paper sheet gets wet, misplaced or filled in all at once on Friday. When you need it, it's missing or unreliable.
A time clock for restaurants and bars, one tap away
Staff clock in on their own phone or a shared tablet. You see the hours and export them.
Hostelella's time clock is staff time tracking built for bars, restaurants and hotels. Each person clocks in and out on their phone or on a shared tablet at the venue, and whoever manages the team sees the hours for each working day and exports them. It replaces the paper sign-in sheet and the spreadsheet.
It works with the rest of the app. Each session is compared with the planned shift on the rota, Ella privately reminds people of a missing clock-in or clock-out, and the team chat shows who is working right now. Managers can also ask Ella how many hours someone has worked this week.
Working-time rules vary from country to country: Hostelella helps you keep the record, but it does not give legal advice. The time clock is included in all three plans, from €9.99 + VAT per venue/month, and you can try it for 7 days on Ella Pro with no card. If you would rather hand over team organisation, Ella Director is a separate professional service.
How the time clock works
Start the shift
On arrival, each person taps “Start shift” on Home or in “Attendance”. If the business turns on location-based clock-in, they need to be within the venue's radius.
End the shift
When they finish, they tap “End shift”. If someone forgets, Ella reminds them privately and, if it stays unresolved, lets their manager know.
Review and export
In “Attendance” you choose the period and export the hours as a CSV for payroll or your accountant.
Where the paper sign-in sheet falls short
“I'll clock in on WhatsApp”
A message in the group is not a record: no clock-out, no total hours, and the whole team sees everyone's business.
Hours added up by hand
Adding up start and end times in a spreadsheet for payroll is slow, and mistakes slip in.
What the time clock includes
Clocking in takes one tap. So does reviewing.
Clocking in without friction
On each person's phone or on a device that stays at the venue.
- Clock in and out with “Start shift” and “End shift”
- Optional location check: only within the venue's radius
- Kiosk mode: a shared tablet and a personal 4 to 8 digit code
- People can clock in even without an assigned shift
Clear hours, private alerts
You see what is happening without chasing anyone or exposing anyone.
- Reminders from Ella when a clock-in or clock-out is missing
- Automatic clock-outs flagged for review: they don't count until confirmed
- Issues arrive as private messages, never in the team chat
- Hours exported as a CSV for any period
Questions about the time clock
Do I have to keep a record of my staff's working hours?
That depends on the labour rules where your business operates. Hostelella helps you keep a daily record of each person's start and end times and export it, but it is not legal advice: check your obligations with your accountant or employment adviser.
Can staff clock in from their phone?
Yes. Each person taps “Start shift” and “End shift” in the app on iPhone, Android or a web browser. If the business turns on location-based clock-in, the app checks at the moment of clocking in that they are within the venue's radius.
What happens if someone forgets to clock in or out?
Ella reminds them privately: 5 and 15 minutes after a missed clock-in, and 15 and 60 minutes after an open clock-out. If the session stays open, she alerts their manager and, after a safety margin, closes it with an estimated time flagged as “Automatic clock-out”. Those hours don't count until the person or a manager confirms or corrects them.
Does everyone on the team need the app installed?
No. In kiosk mode you leave a tablet or phone that belongs to the business at the venue and each person clocks in with a personal 4 to 8 digit code. Each person creates their own code and needs a verified email address.
Can I export hours for payroll?
Yes. In “Attendance” you choose the period and export a CSV of hours worked, which you can open in a spreadsheet or send to your accountant. Hostelella does not run payroll or replace your accountant.
Who can see each person's clock-ins?
Each person sees their own; those who manage the team see and review the records of the people they are responsible for. Everyone else only sees in the chat who is working right now, with no hours or issues.
Keep exploring
Try the time clock with your team
Create your account, invite your team and try the time clock for 7 days on Ella Pro, free and with no card. Then choose a plan, from €9.99 + VAT per venue/month.
No card · One trial sign-up per user and payer
Already a client? Your business is waiting
Sign in from your browser or download the app for iPhone and Android.