If you frequently drive for work, keeping track of your mileage is crucial for accurately claiming deductions and reimbursements. Luckily, there are numerous mileage tracking apps available to cater to the needs of both individuals and businesses. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the top six mileage tracking apps for personal and business use, enabling you to identify the one that best suits your requirements.
Our guide includes a comparison table of the best mileage tracker apps, along with a detailed analysis of their key features. We also offer guidance on how to choose the most suitable mileage tracker app for your business needs. Furthermore, we will provide you with an overview of our review methodology to ensure that you can make an informed decision when selecting a mileage tracking app.
Top Mileage Tracker Apps: Comparison Table
Compare the features and pricing of the top mileage tracker apps in the table below:
| App Name | Starting Price for Paid Plan | Automatic Mileage Tracking | Trip Categorization | Customization | Forever Free Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | $30 per month | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Zoho Expense | $3 per month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hurdlr | $8.34 per month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Everlance | $10 per month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FreshBooks | $17 per month | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| MileIQ | $5.99 per month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Choose the app that suits your needs and budget. All of these apps offer automatic mileage tracking, trip categorization, and customization features. Some of them also offer a forever free plan, while others have a starting price for their paid plans. Try them out and find the one that works best for you.
QuickBooks Online: Best overall mileage tracking app
Plans and pricing
QuickBooks Online offers three different pricing plans for their mileage tracking app: Simple Start, Essentials, and Plus. The Simple Start plan costs $25 per month and includes mileage tracking, invoicing, and expense tracking. The Essentials plan costs $40 per month and includes all of the features of the Simple Start plan, plus bill management and time tracking. The Plus plan costs $70 per month and includes all of the features of the Essentials plan, plus inventory tracking and project profitability tracking.
Features
QuickBooks Online’s mileage tracking app offers a variety of features to help you keep track of your business mileage. The app allows you to track your mileage automatically using GPS, or manually by entering your starting and ending odometer readings. You can also categorize your trips as business or personal, and add notes to each trip for easy reference later on. The app also allows you to generate mileage reports for tax purposes, and export your data to Excel or other accounting software.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of QuickBooks Online’s mileage tracking app is its integration with the rest of the QuickBooks Online platform. This makes it easy to keep all of your business finances and records in one place. The app is also very user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to track your mileage and generate reports. Additionally, the app offers a variety of customization options, so you can tailor it to your specific business needs.
Cons
One potential downside of QuickBooks Online’s mileage tracking app is its cost. While the app offers a variety of useful features, the pricing plans may be too expensive for some small businesses or independent contractors. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the app’s GPS tracking, which can result in inaccurate mileage readings. Finally, the app may not be suitable for businesses that require more advanced features, such as project management or inventory tracking.
Zoho Expense: Most User-Friendly App
Plans and Pricing
Zoho Expense offers a variety of plans to fit any budget. The Basic plan is free and includes features such as expense tracking, receipt scanning, and mileage tracking. The Standard plan costs $15 per month and includes additional features such as project tracking and custom branding. The Professional plan costs $30 per month and includes advanced features such as multi-currency support and approval workflows.
Features
Zoho Expense is known for its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use features. The app allows you to track expenses, scan receipts, and track mileage all in one place. You can also create custom expense categories and tags, as well as set up approval workflows for expense reports. Zoho Expense also integrates with other Zoho apps, such as Zoho CRM and Zoho Books, to streamline your business processes.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of Zoho Expense is its user-friendly interface. The app is easy to navigate and the features are intuitive, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, the app offers a variety of plans to fit any budget, and the Basic plan is free. The app also integrates with other Zoho apps, making it a great choice for businesses that already use Zoho products.
Cons
While Zoho Expense is a great app overall, there are a few drawbacks to consider. One potential issue is that some of the more advanced features are only available on the higher-priced plans. Additionally, while the app integrates with other Zoho apps, it may not be the best choice for businesses that use other software providers. Finally, some users have reported issues with customer support, which may be a concern for businesses that need reliable support.
Hurdlr: Best for affordable plans
Plans and pricing
Hurdlr offers affordable plans for individuals and small businesses. The app offers a free plan with basic features and a paid plan for more advanced features. The paid plan costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year, making it one of the more affordable options on the market.
Features
Hurdlr offers a variety of features to help you track your mileage and expenses. The app uses GPS to automatically track your mileage and allows you to categorize your trips as personal or business. Hurdlr also allows you to track your expenses, including receipts, and categorize them for tax purposes. In addition, the app offers real-time financial insights and reports to help you stay on top of your finances.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of Hurdlr is its affordability. The app offers a range of features at a lower cost than many of its competitors. In addition, Hurdlr is easy to use and offers real-time financial insights to help you stay on top of your finances. The app also offers a free plan for those who only need basic features.
Cons
While Hurdlr offers a range of features, it may not be the best option for larger businesses or those with more complex financial needs. In addition, some users have reported issues with the app’s accuracy when tracking mileage. However, overall, Hurdlr is a solid option for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use mileage tracker app.
Everlance: Best Travel Expense Tracker
Plans and Pricing
Everlance offers three different plans for users to choose from. The Basic plan is free and includes automatic mileage tracking, IRS compliant reports, and unlimited trips. The Plus plan costs $5.99/month and includes additional features such as real-time tracking, bank integration, and custom PDF reports. The Premium plan costs $9.99/month and includes all the features of the Plus plan plus advanced reporting, team management, and priority support.
Features
Everlance offers a variety of features to help users track their travel expenses. The app automatically tracks mileage and categorizes trips as personal or business. Users can also manually add expenses such as tolls, parking, and meals. Everlance integrates with popular accounting software such as QuickBooks and Xero, making it easy to export data for tax purposes. The app also allows users to create custom reports and track multiple vehicles.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of Everlance is its ease of use. The app is user-friendly and requires minimal setup. The automatic mileage tracking feature saves users time and eliminates the need for manual record-keeping. Everlance also offers a free plan, making it accessible to users on a budget. The app’s integration with popular accounting software is another advantage, as it streamlines the process of exporting data for tax purposes.
Cons
One potential downside of Everlance is its pricing. While the Basic plan is free, users who require more advanced features will need to upgrade to the Plus or Premium plans, which can be costly. Some users have also reported issues with the app’s GPS accuracy, which can result in incorrect mileage tracking. Additionally, Everlance may not be suitable for users who require detailed expense tracking beyond mileage and basic expenses.
Overall, Everlance is a solid choice for users in need of a travel expense tracker. Its automatic mileage tracking and integration with popular accounting software make it a convenient option for those looking to streamline their expense tracking process. However, users should carefully consider the app’s pricing and potential limitations before committing to a plan.
FreshBooks: Best for service-based contractors
Plans and pricing
FreshBooks offers three pricing plans: Lite, Plus, and Premium. The Lite plan is $15 per month and allows for up to 5 clients. The Plus plan is $25 per month and allows for up to 50 clients. The Premium plan is $50 per month and allows for up to 500 clients. FreshBooks also offers a 30-day free trial for all plans.
Features
FreshBooks offers a range of features for service-based contractors, including time tracking, invoicing, expense tracking, project management, and more. The time tracking feature allows contractors to track their billable hours and easily add them to an invoice. The invoicing feature allows contractors to create and send professional-looking invoices to their clients. The expense tracking feature allows contractors to keep track of their expenses and easily add them to an invoice. The project management feature allows contractors to keep track of their projects and collaborate with their team.
Pros
FreshBooks is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. The time tracking and invoicing features are particularly useful for service-based contractors. The customer support is also excellent, with a range of support options available, including phone, email, and live chat.
Cons
FreshBooks can be expensive for contractors with a large number of clients. The project management feature is not as robust as other project management tools on the market. FreshBooks also does not offer a mobile app, which can be inconvenient for contractors who need to access their account on the go.
MileIQ: Best personal and business tracking
Plans and pricing
MileIQ offers two plans for its users: a free plan and a paid plan. The free plan allows users to track up to 40 drives per month, while the paid plan has unlimited drive tracking. The paid plan costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year, and it offers additional features such as customizing drive purposes, adding multiple vehicles, and generating reports.
Features
MileIQ is a popular mileage tracker app that helps users track their personal and business drives. It offers a range of features that make it easy to use and efficient. Some of the key features of MileIQ include:
- Automatic drive tracking: MileIQ automatically detects when you start driving and stops tracking when you stop.
- Drive classification: MileIQ classifies drives as personal or business based on the purpose of the drive.
- GPS tracking: MileIQ uses GPS to accurately track your drives and calculate the distance traveled.
- Customizable drive purposes: Users can customize drive purposes to match their specific needs.
- Multiple vehicle tracking: Users can add multiple vehicles and track their drives separately.
- Reports: MileIQ generates reports that can be used for tax purposes or reimbursement.
Pros
MileIQ is a user-friendly app that offers a range of features for personal and business use. Some of the pros of using MileIQ include:
- Automatic drive tracking saves time and effort.
- GPS tracking ensures accurate distance calculation.
- Customizable drive purposes make it easy to track different types of drives.
- Reports can be generated for tax purposes or reimbursement.
Cons
While MileIQ is a great app for tracking personal and business drives, it does have some limitations. Some of the cons of using MileIQ include:
- The free plan only allows for 40 drives per month.
- The paid plan can be expensive for some users.
- The app may drain your phone’s battery due to GPS tracking.
Key Features of Mileage Tracking Apps
Automatic and Manual Tracking
Mileage tracking apps offer both automatic and manual tracking options. Automatic tracking starts tracking your trip automatically once your vehicle is in motion, while manual tracking allows you to input a trip after the fact if you forget to turn on GPS tracking. However, the accuracy of automatic tracking varies depending on the app you choose. Some apps take up to a quarter mile to engage, which can affect your deductions if you take lots of short trips.
Trip Categorization
The best mileage tracking apps allow you to assign your trips to multiple companies, which is especially helpful if you work for or own more than one business. Advanced apps learn your driving behavior over time and categorize your trips automatically based on time of day and frequent locations, saving you manual work.
Customization
Mileage tracking apps come preloaded with default deduction rates that apply in your country. However, many apps allow you to customize your deductions, add company reimbursement information, multiple vehicles, favorite locations, and more. These customizations save you time and ensure accurate tracking of your trips.
Mileage Reports
Generating mileage reports is crucial for tax compliance, which is why the best mileage tracking apps make it easy to generate reports, download them in Excel or another format, and share them with your accounting team or the IRS. Many apps also generate visual reports, so you can monitor the status of your deductions and reimbursements throughout the year.
Approvals
If you own a business with multiple employees who track their miles, you might want their mileage logs to be approved by an administrator or supervisor before reimbursement. However, not all mileage tracking apps offer this feature. If it’s important to your business, prioritize it in your search for a mileage tracking app.
How to Choose the Best Mileage Tracking Apps for Your Business
When it comes to selecting a mileage tracking app for your business, there are a few key factors to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to think about your budget and your specific needs. Depending on whether you’re a freelancer or a larger company with a fleet of employees, your requirements will differ.
While there are free mileage tracking apps available, they typically come with limitations, such as a cap on the number of drives you can log each month. However, these free plans can be useful for testing an app before committing to a paid plan.
When choosing a mileage tracking app, you’ll also want to consider whether you need other features, such as expense tracking or accounting capabilities. For some businesses, an all-in-one software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks may be a more cost-effective and less complicated option.
To ensure you make the best decision for your business, take the time to compare plans and carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of each option. By doing so, you’ll be able to choose a mileage tracking app that meets your needs and fits within your budget.
Review methodology
To identify the top mileage tracking apps, you evaluated user feedback and product information. You analyzed features like automated mileage tracking, trip classification, customization, mileage reports, and approvals. Additionally, you considered pricing, user interface, and customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-rated mileage tracker apps for iOS devices?
There are several top-rated mileage tracker apps for iOS devices, including:
- MileIQ
- Everlance
- TripLog
- SherpaShare
These apps are known for their accuracy, reliability, and user-friendly interface. They offer various features, such as automatic trip detection, GPS tracking, and detailed reports.
Which mileage tracker apps for Android are known for accuracy and reliability?
Some of the best mileage tracker apps for Android that are known for their accuracy and reliability are:
- MileIQ
- Everlance
- TripLog
- SherpaShare
- QuickBooks Self-Employed
These apps offer similar features as their iOS counterparts, including automatic trip detection, GPS tracking, and detailed reports.
Can you recommend a mileage tracker app that is free and suitable for business use?
There are several free mileage tracker apps that are suitable for business use, including:
- Stride Drive
- Hurdlr
- TripLog
- Everlance
These apps offer basic mileage tracking features, such as trip detection and mileage logs, and are ideal for freelancers or small business owners who need to track their mileage for tax purposes.
What is the most user-friendly mileage tracking app available?
The most user-friendly mileage tracking app available is subjective and can vary based on personal preference. However, some apps that are known for their user-friendly interface and ease of use are:
- MileIQ
- Everlance
- TripLog
- SherpaShare
These apps offer simple and intuitive navigation, automatic trip detection, and detailed reports.
How can I track mileage for tax purposes using an app?
To track mileage for tax purposes using an app, you need to ensure that the app has features that allow you to log and categorize your trips. Most mileage tracker apps offer this feature, and you can easily export your mileage reports to use for tax purposes. Some apps, such as QuickBooks Self-Employed, even offer additional tax-related features, such as tracking expenses and estimating quarterly taxes.
Are there comprehensive apps for tracking both fuel mileage and vehicle maintenance?
Yes, there are several comprehensive apps for tracking both fuel mileage and vehicle maintenance, including:
- Fuelly
- Car Maintenance Reminder
- aCar
- Drivvo
These apps allow you to track your fuel mileage, maintenance schedules, and expenses all in one place. They offer features such as reminders for oil changes and tire rotations, fuel cost tracking, and detailed maintenance logs.