ServerLife
ServerLife is a tip tracker designed for the restaurant and hospitality industries. However, its tracking functions will work for any tipped employee whose income varies from week to week.
Along with tip tracking abilities, it offers options for tracking sales and tip-outs. Users can select the free version or pay extra in exchange for more advanced functions. Let’s take a closer look at the standout features of ServerLife.
Detailed reports and backing
ServerLife generates summary reports that let users see how much they made on a particular day, week, month or even year. The reports are represented by comprehensive, easy-to-read charts. As an added bonus, the application automatically backs up information in the cloud — users can access stored data from any device.
Impeccable tracking
Through ServerLife, workers can track tips through different shifts and even jobs. For instance, if an employee is working as a server for two separate restaurants, the app will let them track earnings from each. It also helps users keep tabs on the following:
- Tip-outs
- Food expenses
- Gas usage
- Any other paycheck deductions (like taxes)
The ultimate goal is to help ensure your employees are receiving the right compensation for their work.
Schedules and reminders
Your business relies heavily on the commitment of employees — if just one person is late, your services can get stalled, which negatively impacts customers. That’s why the best tip apps include scheduling functions. ServerLife gives users the option to incorporate their changing work schedules — it even comes with built-in reminders that are sent out before and after shifts.
TipSee
TipSee is an all-inclusive tip tracking app that’s been used by servers and tipped employees for over a decade. It comes with a monthly calendar that separates tips by day, making it easier than ever for your employees to track earnings. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with its high functionality, makes it one of the best apps for waiters out there. Here are some of its top features.
Reminder functions
A busy schedule can make employees forget to record their tips. That’s why TipSee tip tracker comes with reminder settings. Users can select the precise days and times they want to receive tip reminders — the app even lets them add notes for each tip.
Easy-to-read summary reports
TipSee has a simple summary view that lets users quickly review their daily, weekly, monthly or yearly tips. It even shows which days of the week resulted in the best tips. If your employees need to share this data, the app lets them export it to Excel or print it directly.
Local data storage
The app stores data directly on the user’s phone or tablet, which helps prevent breaches of privacy. If an employee gets a new phone, they can transfer the data by exporting it to a computer.
Ability to enjoy premium version
Many apps for waiters, including TipSee, come with a premium version that requires payment. If employees want to try the paid version, it will cost $4.99 monthly. On the bright side, TipSee lets users enjoy premium functions by watching ads instead of paying.
Tip Tracker
Tip Tracker is a free tip tracking app available for both Androids and iPhones. As a multi-purpose app, it lets users track several things, including:
- Cash and credit tips
- Number of hours worked
- Sales and tip-outs
Here are a few of its key features.
Ability to track different jobs
If an employee holds multiple tipped positions, it can be difficult to manage which tips came from which job. Tip Tracker can help workers stay organized by closely monitoring how much money they earn from their various positions, reducing confusion over income.
User-friendly reports
Tip Tracker generates comprehensive income reports, including the following:
- Summaries for wages
- Cash tips
- Credit tips
Summaries are available in daily, weekly, monthly and yearly timeframes — they’re also accompanied by easy-to-read graphs that showcase income trajectory.
Built-in calendar for quick data entry
After they’ve earned all their tips for the day, employees can easily enter the amount in the app using the built-in calendar. All they have to do is scroll to the right day, click on it and insert the earnings. For privacy protection, Tip Tracker stores data directly on the user’s phone.
Tip tracker FAQs
Why is tip tracking important for employers?
Managing tips is just as essential for employers as it is for employees. Your workers can make sure they’re being paid the right amount, while your business can comply with tip reporting obligations. You can read more about these requirements from the International Revenue Service’s site.
Should tip trackers be mandatory?
Tip tracking benefits both workers and employers — ideally, employees will voluntarily download a tip app. However, if you do want to make tip trackers mandatory, ensure that the application is free and compatible with everyone’s device.
Do non-cash tips need to be tracked?
If an employee receives anything of value as a tip, such as a gift or object, the value should be reported. You can read more about tip reporting guidelines here. To learn about reporting tactics, check out Indeed’s breakdown of top accounting methods.
