Quick answer: Yes — ZKTeco BioTime offers a genuine free license, but it’s limited (commonly 2 devices and a capped employee count, varying by region) and covers the software only, not the server, database, or maintenance it needs to run.
This guide breaks down exactly what’s free, how BioTime has evolved through its version history, and how it compares to BioCloud and eTOP’s TimeTOP Cloud — so you can pick the right time and attendance software for your business size and budget.
ZKTeco BioTime Free License: What's Actually Included
ZKTeco bundles a free base-tier software license with the purchase of authorized biometric terminals that support ADMS (Automatic Data Master Server) push communication.
Free tier allocation:
- 2 connected devices
- Up to 2,000 personnel (some regional distributors cap this lower — as few as 120 users — so confirm your exact allocation with your local ZKTeco partner)
- 1 mobile app license
- 10-year license validity from activation
What triggers an upgrade: Adding a 3rd device, opening a new branch, or exceeding your personnel cap deactivates the free tier — at that point, a paid commercial license block is required to keep scaling.
What “free” does not include:
- A Windows Server machine to host the software (BioTime supports Windows Server 2008–2022 and Windows 8–11, 64-bit)
- A database engine — BioTime requires PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server, MySQL, or Oracle
- Static IP and SSL setup for remote/mobile access
- Ongoing power, cooling, backup, and IT maintenance
the “free of cost” label refers to the software license only. It’s a genuine cost saving on small deployments, but it is not a zero-infrastructure, zero-maintenance solution.
ZKTeco BioTime Version History
Factual software logs reveal a clear evolutionary path: ZKTeco is steadily moving away from free, self-hosted architectures toward cloud-hosted, subscription models.
| Version | What It Introduced |
|---|---|
| BioTime 8.0 Initial Web Platform | Introduced the core web-based architecture, replacing legacy desktop attendance software with a centralized browser-based platform. Added ADMS device synchronization over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, GPRS, and 3G networks. |
| BioTime 8.5 Health & Safety Update | Expanded functionality with temperature screening, face mask detection, and workplace health compliance features to support safer attendance management. |
| BioTime 9.0 Private Cloud Platform | Enhanced the private cloud architecture with browser and mobile self-service, improved scalability for hundreds of biometric devices and thousands of employees, and streamlined centralized workforce management. |
| ⭐ BioTime 9.5 / ZKBio Time Current Enterprise Version | The latest generation (Build 9.0.6 in the current ZKTeco release cycle) introduces large-scale PUSH protocol communication, automated roster, shift, and overtime management, geofenced mobile attendance, visitor management, built-in API integration with HR and ERP systems, and certifications including ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, and ISO 9001. ZKTeco's after-sales support is also ISO 20000 certified. |
| BioTime Cloud AWS-Hosted SaaS Edition | A fully managed cloud-based platform hosted on AWS that eliminates the need for an on-premise server. Includes time attendance, access control, mobile application support, automatic software updates, and subscription-based licensing. The free on-premise BioTime license does not apply to BioTime Cloud. |
ZKTeco BioTime Free Download & License Activation
- ZK BioTime is a powerful web-based time and attendance management software that provides a stable connection to ZKTeco’s standalone push communication devices with Ethernet / Wi-Fi / GPRS / 3G / 4G and working as a private cloud to offer employee self-service by mobile application and web browser.
- Multiple administrators can access ZKBio Time anywhere with a web browser. As a result, ZKBio Time can easily handle hundreds of devices, thousands of employees and their transactions. ZKBio Time comes with an intuitive user interface that can manage timetable, shift and schedule and quickly generate attendance reports.
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Web-Based Centralized Time and Attendance Software
BioCloud for ZK Free Download & License Activation
- Biocloud for ZK is a cloud-based HR and time attendance software for the ZKTeco ecosystem, designed for companies across the UAE, MENA, and Africa and managed from Dubai.
- The platform synchronizes multi-location employees in real time, while the mobile app enables attendance via GPS geofencing, Secure Wi-Fi, and AutoPunch, plus an employee leave request system. With Microsoft Entra ID SSO, fingerprint security, automated payroll reports, and OSHA-compliant reporting, BioCloud helps organizations manage workforce operations securely and efficiently.
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Cloud-Based HR and time attendance software
TimeTOP Cloud Advanced Cloud-Based Time Attendance Software
- TimeTOP Cloud is an enterprise-grade cloud attendance solution tailored for multi-location businesses looking to avoid the hidden server costs of “free” software and the unpredictable per-user fees of traditional SaaS. Operating securely from the cloud, it connects directly to remote hardware terminals via live push technology to centralize employee shifts, schedules, and attendance logs onto a single platform.
- It simplifies regional compliance and payroll preparation for growing organizations while providing upfront, predictable cost control.
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Cloud-Based Time Attendance Software
ZKTeco BioTime vs. BioCloud vs. TimeTOP Cloud: Full Comparison Table
Note: BioTime, BioCloud, and TimeTOP Cloud are designed for different deployment models. BioTime is an on-premise time and attendance platform, BioCloud extends the ZKTeco ecosystem with cloud and mobile capabilities, while TimeTOP Cloud is a cloud-based workforce management solution. The comparison below highlights their key differences to help you choose the right platform.
| Comparison Feature | ZKTeco BioTime (On-Premise) | BioCloud | TimeTOP Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes Free license supports up to 2 devices with limited personnel for up to 10 years. Larger deployments require a paid license. | No Subscription or quotation-based licensing. | No Quotation-based cloud subscription. |
| Hosting / Deployment | On-premise Windows Server Supports Windows Server 2008–2022 and Windows 8–11. | Windows Server deployment Supports Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 or Windows 8.1–11 with self-hosted or distributor-hosted installation. | Cloud-hosted centralized platform Designed for multi-location workforce management without maintaining a local server. |
| Database Requirement | PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL or Oracle | Microsoft SQL Server 2017 / 2019 | Managed cloud database Database technology is not publicly specified. |
| Device Capacity | Supports hundreds to thousands of PUSH-protocol biometric devices per server. | Supports up to 500 ZKTeco standalone devices per server. | Supports multi-location and multi-device deployments. No public maximum device limit has been published. |
| Hardware Compatibility | Compatible with ZKTeco ADMS / PUSH-protocol biometric terminals only. | Supports ZKTeco PUSH-protocol and Green Label Series devices including F18, UA300, iFace, uFace, ProFace and SpeedFace. | Supports fingerprint, facial recognition, RFID card, QR code and iris recognition devices. |
| Offline Capability | Depends on local server and network availability. | Not publicly specified. | Offline attendance recording with automatic synchronization after internet connectivity is restored. |
| Security & Authentication | ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701 and ISO 9001 certified. | Supports Microsoft Entra ID Single Sign-On (SSO) and fingerprint login. | Role-based access management. Additional security features should be confirmed with eTOP. |
| Compliance Reporting | Attendance, overtime and workforce reporting. | OSHA and ISO 45001-oriented workforce reporting. | Daily, monthly, absentee and overtime reports with Excel and PDF export. |
| Pricing Model | Free for up to 2 devices. Paid license required for additional devices and enterprise deployments. | Quotation-based pricing. | Quotation-based pricing. |
Which One Should You Choose?
Both device lines have shifted toward unified server architectures, abandoning isolated local data storage:
- Choose ZKTeco BioTime (free tier) if you run a single small office with 2 or fewer devices and a limited headcount, already have ZKTeco terminals, and have IT staff able to manage a Windows Server + database deployment.
- Choose a ZKTeco-ecosystem cloud/mobile add-on like BioCloud if you’re already invested in ZKTeco hardware and want mobile geofencing, AutoPunch, and HR self-service layered on top — while understanding you’ll still need to host and maintain the underlying server and database.
- Choose TimeTOP Cloud if you want a centralized, cloud-hosted platform built for multi-location businesses, multi-modal biometric support (not limited to one hardware brand), and offline-to-online sync for field or remote teams — with 24/7 support from a single regional provider.