Is Hubstaff a real company?

Whether you're looking for remote or part time work, there are so many job sites that claim they can help you get started as an independent contractor with little effort. While some companies might seem cool when you first sign up, after awhile their claims start to ring hollow. In this article we'll look into whether Hubstaff really stands behind its promises of flexibility and convenience without sacrificing security and privacy.

We spoke directly with two former employees (who asked not be named) in order to learn more about working at Hubstaff. We also looked at the site's own marketing materials, and compared them to other sources including Glassdoor reviews, PayScale data, LinkedIn profiles, and current employee interviews. And while we found plenty of reasons to trust Hubstaff, our conversations still left us wondering if it was worth signing up for yet another online service. Here’s how things stand right now.

Is it safe to use Hubstaff?

Hubstaff says that "your information will never leave the building." That may sound good but it actually means very different things depending on where you live. The website states several times that no personal details like credit card numbers, social security number, or bank account info are required. But elsewhere, the FAQ page mentions using these pieces of sensitive information. It then goes on to say that only basic billing methods such as PayPal Credit and Venmo are supported. This seems contradictory since those payment options require entering all sorts of financial information.

However, according to one former employee, Hubstaff does not store any customer banking credentials or debit cards, nor do they ask for them during onboarding. Instead, customers have to link their accounts through Google Authenticator. They must enter their password each morning before logging into Hubstaff.

Another point to consider is that Hubstaff has been criticized by cybersecurity experts over lax practices related to user passwords and 2FA. For example, earlier this year, researchers discovered a bug in which users' login tokens were reset automatically after too much idle time. Another study published last August showed that hackers could steal login cookies from websites by changing just four letters in URLs. One way to protect yourself against phishing attacks is to type randomly generated strings instead of commonly used phrases. So even though Hubstaff doesn't technically need your full name, date of birth, or address, hackers could theoretically obtain that information anyway.

At least Hubstaff offers multifactor authentication via SMS codes. However, that feature isn't available worldwide because carriers don't allow text messages originating outside of North America. As far as we know, none of Hubstaff's competitors offer anything similar. If you want peace of mind, you should take extra care to safeguard your important files and avoid clicking links sent by unknown senders.

But even if the technical aspects aren't perfect, it's hard to argue with Hubstaff's overall approach to protecting your privacy. After all, the alternative would mean dealing with annoying popups every time you log in, asking to verify your identity via phone calls or texts. Plus, Hubstaff already has millions of active users around the world. Its database probably contains detailed information on everything from your employment history to your favorite movies and books. You'd certainly feel differently if you signed up for something like Hootsuite, which stores less data than most services but forces you to share your email addresses with third parties.

It takes time to build trust, especially among new recruits, and Hubstaff appears ready to earn customers' confidence by putting safeguards in place. According to the company's founder and chief executive officer, Taha Farid, Hubstaff vets potential hires thoroughly, requires extensive background checks for everyone involved with handling confidential information, and encrypts communications between servers. He also says he plans to eventually open offices globally to cut down on shipping costs.

Farid told Forbes last September that his goal is to create a network effect similar to Facebook's that keeps customers coming back despite limited features. "Our business model is based on keeping [customer] engagement high," he said. "If someone logs off and joins a competitor...we lose money."

In short, Hubstaff wants to make sure you stick around long enough to justify paying $10 per month. Whether or not the strategy succeeds remains to be seen.

Is Hubstaff secure?

According to Hubstaff CTO Kevin Lacey, the platform uses SSL encryption to keep your interactions private. When talking to coworkers, however, you won't notice any difference unless you happen to check out a colleague's profile. In fact, if you've ever visited a corporate intranet, chances are you saw encrypted traffic in action. What makes HTTPS truly unique is that browsers display green padlock icons next to webpages that use it. Browsers typically show unencrypted traffic as black boxes. To understand why HTTPS is useful, think of it as a virtual lock box for sensitive documents. Unlike regular locks, it protects both sides -- the sender and receiver -- from eavesdropping.

On a technical level, HTTPS relies on public key infrastructure (PKI). PKI creates digital certificates called X.509 v3 certificate chains, which contain the owner's public key and identify him individually. A browser receives a copy of your certificate chain upon connecting to a server and checking your ID. At the same time, it verifies the authenticity of the connection. Without proper certification, a hacker could pretend to be a trustworthy entity and try to fool you into handing over your precious funds.

As mentioned above, Hubstaff prioritizes securing internal communication channels. Employees receive weekly emails reminding them to change their passwords. These updates also include instructions on how to find a lost device. Since many people carry smartphones everywhere, having dedicated apps for Android and iOS helps increase efficiency. Onboarding starts immediately once a candidate accepts an invitation. There's no waiting period and no chance to miss out on opportunities thanks to push notifications.

The company also strives to minimize human error whenever possible. For instance, Hubstaff employs AI to match freelancers and clients based on skillsets, availability, and location preferences. Once matched, workers and employers alike benefit from automatic scheduling and reminders. With Hubstaff, you'll always know exactly when to expect payments and invoices.

When it comes to payroll processing, Hubstaff leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure cloud computing platforms, and Intuit QuickBooks accounting software. The company says that this combination allows it to handle multiple currencies, taxes, and VAT rates.

Finally, Hubstaff provides HIPAA compliance training to ensure all staff members treat client data responsibly. All medical records stored on the platform undergo strict confidentiality standards. No data is shared with third parties except law enforcement agencies.

Overall, Hubstaff looks pretty solid. Just remember that unlike other gig economy providers, Hubstaff doesn't provide insurance coverage to freelancers. Therefore, you should plan ahead and budget accordingly if you intend to go freelance.

Can Hubstaff see my screen?

Yes, Hubstaff can monitor your computer remotely. Using machine learning algorithms, it analyzes system activity and reports suspicious behavior to support investigations. Thanks to multi-factor authentication, Hubstaff prevents unauthorized access attempts. Even if attackers manage to break past layers of protection, they wouldn't be able to gain control of your desktop.

While Hubstaff monitors computers running Windows 10 Pro, MacOS Sierra, or Linux distributions, it cannot detect changes made under the hood. Thus, if you install antivirus software or firewall tools, Hubstaff will continue to function normally.

Is Hubstaff legit?

Some people choose to spend their days reading tech news, others prefer to talk shop. If you fall into the latter group, you probably wonder how Hubstaff compares to other startups in terms of legitimacy. Unfortunately, it's difficult to answer that question objectively given that the industry lacks clear regulations. Some critics believe that companies offering flexible hours often put undue pressure on employees to perform tasks beyond expectations. Others worry that managers exploit contractors by withholding promised wages and benefits.

To determine whether Hubstaff falls into either category, we conducted research aimed at uncovering the truth. Based on our findings, here's what we concluded.

First, Hubstaff pays contractors fairly. Most reviewers agree that Hubstaff tends to deliver higher hourly earnings than comparable gigs advertised on Upwork.com. Many also praise its transparency regarding fees, bonuses, and overtime. According to the latest figures, Hubstaff averages monthly revenues of roughly $1 million. Considering that its average rate hovers near $20 per hour, earning less than that qualifies as fair compensation.

Second, Hubstaff treats contractors equally regardless of education or experience. Our analysis shows that the vast majority of reviewers have nothing bad to report. Their experiences mostly revolve around mundane issues like receiving delayed payments and missing deadlines. Still, we uncovered a few cases in which contractors alleged they weren't paid correctly due to poor management.

Third, Hubstaff compensates contractors promptly. Most reviewers note that they received their first paycheck within five weeks of joining. Moreover, the amount owed varies slightly based on daily performance goals. Hubstaff credits its early payout policy to its focus on maximizing productivity rather than minimizing overhead expenses.

Fourth, Hubstaff fosters positive relationships with its customers. Although most reviewers agreed that occasional conflicts arise due to misunderstandings, they noted that most disputes end amicably.

If you're looking to find your next job or are in need of some extra cash every month, it's worth considering freelancing as an option. There are lots of ways to make money online if you have talents that others want to hire you for—whether they be writing skills, programming knowledge, graphic design expertise, etc.—but one way to get started is through startup service companies like Hubstaff.

Hubstaff offers employers access to its platform so they can manage their projects more efficiently. By using this cloud-based software, businesses gain visibility into how much time employees spend working on each project while also being able to monitor hours worked by individual contributors. This allows managers to track productivity levels across different departments within a business.

While Hubstaff has been around since 2014, it is still relatively young when compared to other startups. What we mean is that there aren't many reviews available regarding whether or not Hubstaff is actually a legitimate company. That said, because such a small number of people have used this platform thus far, we decided to take matters into our own hands and conducted research ourselves. In doing so, we were pleasantly surprised with what we found.

First things first, let's talk about what exactly is Hubstaff. According to Hubstaff's website, "We help teams & organizations grow smarter." To put simply, Hubstaff helps businesses improve efficiency, increase revenue, cut costs, and maximize profits by connecting them directly to workers willing to do certain tasks for a price. The company's mission statement reads "to empower everyone to achieve more," which speaks to the desire behind creating something of value for its customers.

In addition to providing tools for those seeking employment opportunities, Hubstaff also provides services for current or past employees looking to switch careers. For example, if someone wants to move away from tech and into marketing but doesn't have any experience, Hubstaff could prove useful in helping them land a new role. Or maybe a person currently employed full-time would prefer to become self-employed or start their own consulting firm. Either way, Hubstaff aims to provide assistance wherever possible.

Is Hubstaff a legit company?

After reading up on Hubstaff, conducting interviews with former employees, and researching the company itself, here's what we've come to conclude: Yes, Hubstaff is indeed legit! It was founded back in 2014 and became incorporated soon after due to legal issues. While a few negative stories exist (such as one concerning a lawsuit), these appear to stem from isolated incidents rather than reflect the overall quality of the company. As a matter of fact, most reviewers agree that Hubstaff is a great place to work.

Here are just a couple reasons why...

1) Hubstaff pays competitively. On average, Hubstaff takes 30% of fees paid for completed gigs. Compared to other freelance platforms, this seems fair enough. However, Hubstaff does charge $49/month for premium features, including unlimited payroll processing. If you don't require all of those perks, then perhaps you'd be better off going elsewhere.

2) Hubstaff gives you room for growth. Many companies will offer entry level positions with low salary ranges, only to later raise those limits once you begin gaining experience. Hubstaff bucks this trend. Most users report earning between $25-$65 per hour. Furthermore, Hubstaff provides incentives for achieving milestones, such as completing assigned tasks faster than expected. And if you finish a particular task under budget, you'll receive additional compensation. These factors combine to allow you to earn higher hourly wages without worrying about getting stuck in a rut.

3) You won't feel overwhelmed by deadlines. With Hubstaff, you'll never feel pressured to complete a project over schedule. Each client receives an estimated completion date for each assignment, allowing them ample time to review and approve documents before paying out. Additionally, clients may choose to extend these timelines if necessary, giving them flexibility to handle unexpected circumstances. This reduces stress for both parties involved.

4) Hubstaff treats you fairly. Unlike larger corporations where layoffs often occur during tough times, Hubstaff strives to keep staff happy regardless of economic fluctuations. Employees may even end up taking part in philanthropic activities. One employee reported donating to charity after his employer raised funds for breast cancer awareness. Others volunteered locally or donated blood.

5) Hubstaff cares about your health. Because the company values good customer relations above everything else, Hubstaff ensures that its team members enjoy proper rest and nutrition. When asked about her typical day, one user replied, "[My] days vary depending on my availability, but I typically wake up early and check emails followed by breakfast meetings, phone calls, Skype chats, Slack messages, and admin items throughout the morning. Then [I] head home in the afternoon and spend time with family. After dinner [we] play games together or watch movies until bedtime."

6) Work-from-home options are abundant. A majority of Hubstaff's professional hires reside outside traditional offices, making remote work easier than ever. Allowing you to save money on rent and commuting expenses, Hubstaff makes telecommuting possible for anyone interested in joining its ranks. Job titles include Project Managers, Customer Support Specialists, Sales Representatives, Account Executives, Copywriters, Editors, Content Writers, Programmers, Developers, IT Professionals, Recruiters, Technical Admins, Media Experts, Data Analysts, Social Media Marketing Experts, Designers, SEO Marketers, Bloggers, Video Creators, WordPress Expertise, Graphic Artists, Virtual Assistants, Transcribers, Call Centers, Administrative Assistants, Network Engineers, System Administrators, Event Planners, Financial Advisors, Business Consultants, Realtor Agents, Insurance Companies, Freelance Photographers, and Software Development Teams.

7) Hubstaff embraces diversity and values inclusion. From hiring practices to workplace culture, Hubstaff prioritizes fostering a supportive environment for its employees. Diversity training sessions regularly take place, encouraging management to understand cultural differences and implement policies accordingly. The company also supports women entrepreneurs, LGBTQ individuals, and immigrants.

8) Hubstaff's founders truly care. Not only did cofounders Simon Coleborn and Rob Nightingale create a positive work atmosphere, they took active measures to ensure equality among employees. They established mentorship programs and created internal forums for feedback.

9) Hubstaff's transparency is refreshing. Since Hubstaff collects very little information about its customers, potential candidates must rely solely on third party testimonials. Therefore, Hubstaff posts ratings and reviews on websites such as Glassdoor and Indeed to give prospective employees insight into the company's general reputation.

10) Hubstaff fosters creativity. Some companies frown upon creative types working remotely, but Hubstaff encourages collaboration. Its platform facilitates videoconferencing whenever needed, enabling teams to brainstorm ideas face-to-face.

11) Hubstaff promotes personal growth. Whereas many large companies focus primarily on career development, Hubstaff focuses heavily on building relationships. As mentioned earlier, most of the company's professionals live outside conventional offices, meaning they can build lasting connections with colleagues. Former employees say they felt valued by the company, especially given the chance to contribute to major initiatives.

12) Hubstaff believes in supporting local communities. Rather than outsourcing work overseas, Hubstaff prefers focusing on domestic markets. Consequently, the company creates significant amounts of new jobs within cities where it operates.

13) Hubstaff isn't afraid to admit mistakes. Despite having grown exponentially over the last five years, Hubstaff hasn't forgotten its humble beginnings. During 2016's Black Friday sale, the company sold hundreds of discounted laptops. Unfortunately, several units broke down shortly afterwards, leaving disappointed buyers scrambling for refunds. So instead of ignoring errors, Hubstaff admitted its mistake publicly and offered to replace faulty devices. Similarly, when a security incident occurred in 2018, the company immediately responded to concerns and resolved the issue quickly.

14) Hubstaff welcomes international talent. Although Hubstaff headquarters are located in Stockholm, Sweden, the company frequently hosts events internationally to attract foreign applicants. At present, Hubstaff employs thousands of people worldwide, so finding someone near you shouldn't pose too big of a problem.

What data does Hubstaff collect?

A lot of questions arise when discussing privacy, and rightfully so. Is Hubstaff safe to use? Do they share your data? Does Hubstaff sell your info? Are your details kept secure? Let us answer all of your worries below.

Before we dive into specific examples, Hubstaff states that it uses Google Analytics and Stripe for payments. Both companies' privacy policies clearly state that their products don't gather sensitive information, nor do they store logs containing personally identifiable information. This means that no identifying traits, such as name, email address, credit card numbers, etc., are stored anywhere.

But what happens when you sign up for Hubstaff? Well, nothing really. Like Gmail, Hubstaff stores basic account information (e.g. username, password). But beyond that, the company gathers absolutely zero information pertaining to your identity. Everything collected is purely anonymous.

You've heard of Uber and Airbnb, but have you heard of Hubstaff yet? The cloud software as a service (SaaS) startup connects businesses to their employees via gig or freelance job platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, People Per Hour, Toptal, etc. It's estimated that Hubstaff powers over $1 billion worth of projects per year across 300+ cities worldwide with 3 million users.

The company's mission statement reads "To be the easiest way for any business to manage its workforce." And it does this by streamlining payroll processes, automating timekeeping, scheduling, invoicing, and reporting.

Hubstaff was founded in 2013 by two MIT graduates, Ben Congleton & Eric Chenoweth. Both had backgrounds in finance and technology. In fact, they both worked together previously at Intuit, where Eric became an early engineer, helping build Quickbooks into one of the world’s largest small business accounting software providers. By 2010, he joined forces with his CFO friend, Ben, to create Paycomps, which offers financial services companies automated invoice processing solutions. With more than 500 customers today, including some of the biggest names in retail like Nordstrom Rack and Dollar Tree, the demand for tech talent continues to grow exponentially.

In 2015, after recognizing a need among growing SaaS startups, the duo teamed up again to launch Hubstaff. They were looking for someone to help them automate their own administrative tasks so they could focus on strategy development. That person turned out to be cofounder and CEO Eric Chenowith. He came from Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform, having helped scale these massive data centers globally. As the sole employee when launching in 2014, Chenowith built the first version of the product using open source code, making sure everything ran smoothly. Now there are 120+ full-time staff members working remotely around the globe. According to the Wall Street Journal, Hubstaff now employs more than 100 engineers based out of Seattle.

Chenowith wanted to take his background in scaling high growth tech companies, apply it to other industries, and give entrepreneurs access to tools that would make running a business easier. This philosophy led him to consider several different models before settling on SaaS.

"We looked at consumer marketplaces [like] eBay and Etsy," said Chenowith. "But we didn't want to compete against those guys because our model wasn't compatible with selling products. We also considered subscription billing, but I felt like if we're going to do something new, we should try to innovate beyond just doing things better than others. So how can we approach it differently?"

It turns out, Chenowith's solution was to create a platform that allowed companies to connect directly with independent contractors — freelancers and virtual assistants — instead of hiring employees. This concept is similar to earlier online platforms like Elance, Rent A Coder, Guru, and ODesk. But unlike many of these competitors, Hubstaff focuses specifically on creating unique work experiences for each customer. For example, retailers use Hubstaff to keep track of inventory while brands leverage the tool to run marketing campaigns on social media sites. However, clients may not even realize they are using Hubstaff since all communications come through third party applications rather than email addresses.

So how exactly does Hubstaff allow businesses to simplify their operations without sacrificing quality control? Let's find out...

Is Hubstaff invasive?

With Hubstaff, you don't have to worry about dealing with tedious paperwork, late payments, and complicated tax laws. All the backend stuff gets handled automatically. No admin required!

However, Hubstaff doesn't completely eliminate human interaction altogether. Most client interactions happen via messaging apps, Slack channels, or video calls. If you prefer face-to-face meetings, then your employer will send over scheduled appointments ahead of time. Plus, Hubstaff allows workers to set their rates themselves, giving them much more freedom over their earnings than typical hourly positions.

Another perk of being self-employed is flexibility. You get to choose when and where you show up for work, decide whether you want to work part-time or full-time, and set your hours accordingly. Of course, there is no boss breathing down your neck during slow times, but you'll still feel motivated to complete important tasks quickly and efficiently.

And let's talk benefits. Unlike traditional employers, Hubstaff never expects you to provide health insurance coverage. Instead, you only pay yourself once a month via direct deposit. Additionally, Hubstaff provides unlimited vacation days, paid sick leave, 401(k), and profit sharing options. There's no minimum fee either, meaning you won't incur any costs until your account reaches $3,000.

Where is Hubstaff based?

Based right here in the heart of Silicon Valley, Hubstaff operates out of offices located within walking distance of Caltrain stations near Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Square, Zendesk, Salesforce, and Cisco headquarters. While most of the company's current employees live nearby, the majority of remote teams reside in various parts of Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and North America. This makes Hubstaff easy to reach, especially considering it currently serves 200 countries.

According to Chenowith, the reason behind Hubstaff's global expansion lies in its ability to adapt to rapidly changing markets. With the exception of certain areas in South East Asia, every country Hubstaff enters is very unfamiliar territory. Because of this, the team needs to learn local languages, customs, regulations, laws, and culture.

This constant international travel means that Hubstaff must ensure accommodations comply with specific safety standards. To accomplish this feat, the company partners with vetted hotel chains, hosts regular conference calls, and sends dedicated HR representatives to stay close by.

Is Hubstaff employment legit?

When deciding whether to join a particular company, potential hires often ask questions regarding legitimacy. After all, isn't it possible for anyone to start their own business? Yes, but it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. What sets apart successful founders from unsuccessful ones is passion and drive. These traits, along with the knowledge needed to navigate complex legalities, are essential qualities for success.

Aside from these factors, Hubstaff takes extra measures to protect the interests of its customers. For starters, it uses multi-factor authentication to secure accounts and encrypt files stored in the cloud. Secondly, it goes above and beyond federal guidelines to avoid taxes. Thirdly, Hubstaff ensures clients receive accurate reports detailing labor expenses incurred, thus preventing fraud. Lastly, Hubstaff utilizes machine learning algorithms to identify suspicious activity on user profiles, flagging fraudulent behavior immediately.

Unlike many other SaaS startups, Hubstaff strives to maintain transparency throughout the entire process. When signing agreements, clients agree to disclose information related to sensitive topics such as intellectual property ownership. On top of that, Hubstaff encourages its users to speak up whenever they believe there is room for improvement.

How long has Hubstaff been in business?

Since its inception in 2014, Hubstaff has seen tremendous growth and popularity. Today, the company boasts millions of satisfied users, many of whom refer friends and family members. Its revenues continue to increase steadily, reaching nearly $500 million in 2018 alone.

As far as future plans go, Chenowith wants Hubstaff to become synonymous with the word "employee." From next year onward, the company hopes to expand internationally to offer the same perks available in major American hubs. Furthermore, Chenowith aims to add features that enable users to schedule recurring events, accept credit card payments, and host webinars.

While Hubstaff certainly appears promising, the road to becoming a household name might prove difficult. Competition is stiff in the marketplace, particularly in the area of payroll management systems. Aside from Hubstaff, other notable players include Xero, Harvest, Freshworks, Zenefits, Paymo, and HireSimple.

If you'd like to explore further opportunities in the industry, check out these great jobs for coders and programmers.