Cloud Time Clock TC1 vs. TC3: Which Is Right for Your Business?

Keeping track of your team’s attendance as a small business owner can take up a lot of time. You don’t want to deal with manual data entry, lost time cards, or fixing mistakes. Luckily, a cloud time clock can solve all of that, but it’s tough to find the right one.

At NGTeco, we believe it should be easy.

With a cloud time clock, all you need is Wi-Fi. Every time someone clocks in or out, their data goes directly to a secure online account. You can access the records anytime, from anywhere, whether on your phone or computer.

The TC1 and TC3 are two of our most popular models. Both are great, but they’re designed for different-sized businesses. Let’s compare them and find out which one’s best for your business.

Meet the NGTeco TC1: The Flexible All-in-One

The NGTeco TC1 is our "hot seller" because it’s a powerhouse of flexibility. It’s designed for the business that needs to be ready for anything.

The main benefit of the TC1 is choice. You can give your employees four different ways to clock in:

1. Face Recognition
2. Fingerprint
3. RFID Card
4. Password

Why Does This Versatility Matter?

This level of adaptability is very important for "hands-on" workplaces. When people work in a busy restaurant or car repair shop, they may have food, grease, or dust on their hands. A machine that only works with fingerprints could be annoying. It's not a problem with the TC1 because they can use the touchless face recognition to clock in right away.

It also has a clear 2.8-inch LCD screen, so your workers can see right away if their punch went through, which cuts down on uncertainty. It's the perfect fit for most small businesses with up to 200 employees.

Who is the TC1 For?

• You run a restaurant, workshop, construction site, or any "hands-on" business.
• You want to give your team multiple clock-in options for convenience.
• You have a diverse workforce and need to manage up to 200 users.
• You prefer a reliable machine with a clear screen for user feedback.

Meet the NGTeco TC3: The High-Capacity Powerhouse

The NGTeco TC3 is a major step up. It's the right choice for a growing business that needs to handle more employees and wants a smoother, faster experience for everyone.

It also offers the same four clock-in methods (Face, Fingerprint, Card, Password), but it's built to handle a lot more.

What Makes the TC3 a Powerhouse?

The biggest thing you'll notice is the large 4.3-inch touch screen. It works just like your smartphone, making it super easy and fast for employees to use. No confusing buttons, just a simple tap.

It's also built to grow with you. You can manage up to 500 employees on this one machine, so you won't have to worry about upgrading again anytime soon.

Plus, it has better Wi-Fi. It can connect to both 2.4 and 5GHz networks. This just means you'll get a stronger, more stable connection, especially if your office has a lot of other Wi-Fi signals.

Who is the TC3 For?

• You are a growing business or have between 200 and 500 employees.
• You want a premium, modern experience for your staff with a large touch screen.
• Your office Wi-Fi is crowded, and you need a more stable 5GHz connection.
• You need a machine with a large record capacity (50,000) for a bigger team.

What if My Wi-Fi Goes Down?

This is a great question. What happens if your internet stops working?

Don't worry, no data is lost. When an employee clocks in, the punch is saved right on the machine itself. The TC1 can hold 30,000 punches and the TC3 holds 50,000, so you're safe even if the Wi-Fi is down for a while.

As soon as your Wi-Fi comes back on, the time clock automatically sends all the saved punches to the cloud. You don't have to do anything. It just works. This means you get the convenience of the cloud without the worry. Our system ensures your employee time tracking data is always secure, even during network interruptions.

The Power Behind Both: The NGTeco Office Cloud

Here’s the most important part: no matter which machine you choose, you get the full power of the NGTeco Office Cloud. The time clock is just the gateway; the cloud is the command center that saves you time and money.

With both the TC1 and TC3, you can:

• Manage Everything Remotely: Use the NGTeco Office App or web portal to see who's in, add new employees, and create schedules from your phone or computer.
• Trust in Top-Level Security: Your data is protected. All information is hosted on AWS (Amazon Web Services) U.S. servers and secured with end-to-end encryption.
• Get Core Features for Free, Forever: You get lifetime free access to all the essential features, including automatic hour calculations and secure AWS cloud storage.
• Get an Affordable Upgrade: For a small, one-time fee of $9.90, you can unlock the Employee App forever, allowing for GPS-restricted mobile clock-ins and real-time reports for unlimited employees.

Side-by-Side: TC1 vs. TC3 at a Glance

This quick table breaks down the key differences to help you decide.

How to Choose Your Perfect Fit: A Simple Checklist

Still not sure? Ask yourself these four questions.

1. How many employees do I have (or plan to have)?

• Choose the TC1 if: You have 200 or fewer employees.
• Choose the TC3 if: You have more than 200 employees, or if you have 150+ and plan to grow soon.

2. How important is a premium user experience?

• Choose the TC1 if: You just need a functional, reliable machine with a clear screen. It gets the job done perfectly.
• Choose the TC3 if: You want your staff to have a modern, smooth experience. The large touch screen is faster and easier for anyone used to a smartphone.

3. What is my office Wi-Fi like?

• Choose the TC1 if: You have a standard 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. This is fine for most small shops and offices.
• Choose the TC3 if: You are in a crowded office building with many competing signals. The ability to use the 5GHz band ensures a more stable, faster connection.

4. What is my budget?

• Choose the TC1 if: You want the best all-around value and flexibility for a small business.
• Choose the TC3 if: You are investing in a machine for a larger team and need the premium connectivity and capacity to match.

Your Next Step: A Smarter, Simpler Workday

Choosing the right time clock doesn't have to be complicated. It's about matching the machine to your daily needs.

The NGTeco TC1 is your flexible all-rounder, perfect for most small businesses. The NGTeco TC3 is the high-capacity powerhouse for growing businesses that need more users, a premium touch screen, and upgraded Wi-Fi.

Both will help you stop wasting time on manual attendance and start focusing on what really matters—growing your business.