But it does offer robust exporting options and integration with tools like Concur and Freshbooks. Alas, automatic drive-detection (which does affect battery life) can't be scheduled accordingly. You can also specify work hours so that MileIQ isn't automatically trying to classify drives outside those hours. And the app keeps a running tally of how much your business-related drives are worth (based on 2016 IRS deduction rates), which is neat. (It's like Tinder for trips!) From there you can get more granular about drive organization (like classifying different purposes), but ultimately it's the lightning-quick categorization that makes life really easy. The ease-of-use part goes like this: For every drive MileIQ records - and it does this with effortless automation - you swipe left if it's personal or right if it's business. MileIQ (Android, iOS) is by far the most expensive option in this little roundup, but it's also one of the most polished and easy-to-use apps I've tried. If you prize a slick, intuitive interface and don't mind paying a premium, MileIQ is the best mileage tracker. Just take note that its export options are limited to HTML and CSV. It can sync your data to iCloud or Dropbox, and it's even Apple Watch-compatible. Once you figure out the interface, however, MEL works well enough. But the former includes Start and Stop buttons, which would seem to challenge the idea of automatic tracking. Tap the "+", however, and you'll see fields for recording your first trip: vehicle, destination, purpose, etc.įrom here you can choose Auto Track or Odometer, the latter if you prefer to manually log your mileage. So is the interface, which starts off with a blank summary (blank because you haven't recorded any drives yet) and no clear indication of what you're supposed to do. Just as important, it enables automatic trip tracking, though the implementation here is a bit confusing. That's a one-time price that buys you freedom from some seriously intrusive advertising.
Although there's a free version, trust me when I say you should buy the Pro version - which costs all of $3.99.
Mileage Expense Log requires a bit more manual intervention than other apps, and its interface is pretty spartan.Īvailable exclusively for iOS, Mileage Expense Log is one of the most affordable trackers you can get. These are by no means the only options, but they're representative of what's available. Fortunately, even the priciest services can pay for themselves pretty easily if you log a lot of miles, as you'll be recording (and getting credit for) trips you might otherwise have missed.Īs for the battery issue, these apps work their automatic drive-detection magic by keeping your GPS active at all times, which can definitely affect battery life.īelow I've rounded up three popular mileage trackers, all focused on the same goal, all very different in terms of pricing, features, interface, etc. Not bad, right? There are just two things to consider when deploying a mileage tracker: How much it's going to cost you, and how big an impact it's going to have on your battery.įor example, some trackers charge a monthly or annual fee, while others have an up-front cost. TripLog offers a ton of features, including the option of syncing with your OBD-II scanner. At the end of the year (or sooner, as needed), the app will crank out an IRS-friendly report, thus ensuring you receive all the mileage credit you're entitled to.
Plus, will that log be properly formatted for IRS and/or reimbursement purposes?Īpps to the rescue! Thanks to your phone's built-in GPS, mileage-tracking apps can automatically detect when you go for a drive, then save and classify that drive. Assuming you actually remember to manually log the details of each and every drive, it takes time to record the date, destination, miles traveled and all that. Indeed, business owners and the self-employed alike have long known the value of keeping track of their mileage. Going for a drive? If it has something to do with business, you might be able to get a deduction come tax-time, or a reimbursement from your employer.