Published: June 2026 | IRS rate: 72.5¢/mile for business use | Last verified: June 3, 2026
At 72.5 cents per mile, every 1,000 business miles you fail to log is $725 walking out of your pocket. Drive 15,000 business miles in a year and you’re looking at $10,875 in legitimate deductions — gone if you didn’t track them.
The problem isn’t that people don’t want to track mileage. It’s that most mileage apps are either inaccurate, drain the phone battery so fast people disable them, or cost more per year than the deductions they help smaller drivers capture.
We compared seven of the most-used mileage tracker apps in 2026 across four criteria: GPS tracking accuracy, battery consumption, pricing, and IRS report quality. Here’s what we found.
At a Glance: 2026 Mileage Tracker Comparison
| App | Platform | Auto-tracking | Monthly price | Free tier | Battery impact | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mileafy | iOS only | Yes | Free / $4.99mo / $35.99yr | Free tracking | Low | iOS users, self-employed |
| MileIQ | iOS + Android | Yes | $8.99 | 40 trips/month | Medium | Microsoft 365 users |
| Everlance | iOS + Android | Yes | $8/month | 30 trips (first use) | Medium | Self-employed + expenses |
| TripLog | iOS + Android | Yes | $5.99 | 40 trips/15 days | Medium | Small business teams |
| Stride | iOS + Android | Yes | Free | Unlimited | Medium | Gig workers on a budget |
| Hurdlr | iOS only + web | Yes | $10 | Unlimited (manual) | Low | Income + mileage combo |
| Driversnote | iOS + Android | Yes | $11 | 20 trips/month | Medium | UK/EU users, fleet |
Note: Pricing reflects individual plans as of June 2026. Verify current pricing in each app’s store listing before subscribing — MileIQ in particular has raised prices twice this year.
How We Ranked These Apps
The criteria matter more than the ranking. Here is what we weighted:
GPS accuracy — Does the app record the actual route or estimate based on start/end points? Apps that use continuous GPS log more accurately but hit the battery harder. Apps that use motion detection to decide when to activate GPS save battery but can miss the first or last portion of a trip.
Battery consumption — Continuous background GPS is the main culprit. On an iPhone 14 Pro running a full day of driving (4–6 hours of active tracking), the difference between a low-impact and high-impact tracker can be 15–25% of total battery life.
IRS compliance — A mileage log must include date, starting location, destination, business purpose, and miles driven for every trip. The IRS has rejected logs that were missing any one of these elements. We looked at whether each app exports all five fields in its standard report without requiring manual additions.
Price-to-value ratio — The average self-employed driver logs 8,000–15,000 business miles per year. At 72.5¢/mile, that is $5,800–$10,875 in deductions. An app costing $100/year that helps you capture those deductions reliably pays for itself in the first few days of proper use.
1. Mileafy — Best for iOS Users and Battery-Conscious Drivers
Platform: iOS only Price: Free for core tracking | $4.99/month for vehicle setup, rate presets, and multi-vehicle Auto-tracking: Yes — motion detection + GPS Battery impact: Low
Mileafy was built from the ground up for iPhone. Where most mileage apps treat iOS as a port of their Android codebase, Mileafy uses Apple’s native motion co-processor and CoreLocation framework to minimize the GPS footprint while maintaining tracking accuracy.
The practical result: Mileafy activates full GPS only after the motion co-processor detects car-speed movement, rather than running continuous location services all day. On drives under 30 minutes this architecture meaningfully reduces battery drain compared to always-on GPS trackers.
What it does well
Background tracking without manual start/stop. The app detects the start and end of a drive automatically. You open the log after driving, not during it.
AI-powered purpose classification. An on-device model learns your regular routes and suggests the trip purpose (business, personal, medical) based on where you went. For drivers who make the same client visits repeatedly, this eliminates almost all manual categorization.
IRS-ready PDF and CSV reports. The exported report includes all five IRS-required fields plus odometer entries. You can share it directly with your accountant or attach it to your return.
iCloud sync across devices. If you use both an iPhone and iPad, your mileage log stays current on both.
Multiple vehicles. You can track mileage across a car, truck, or other vehicle separately and generate per-vehicle reports.
Custom mileage rates. Beyond the IRS standard rate (72.5¢ in 2026), you can set custom rates for employer reimbursements that differ from the federal rate.
Where it falls short
Mileafy is iOS only. If you use Android, or if you need a single app across an iOS phone and Android work device, you’ll need to look at TripLog or Everlance instead.
Who it’s for
Self-employed iPhone users who want automatic tracking without the battery hit. Particularly well-suited to freelancers, real estate agents, and gig workers who drive an iPhone as their primary device and want to minimize the overhead of tracking.
2. MileIQ — Best for Microsoft 365 Users (But Expensive in 2026)
Platform: iOS + Android Price: $8.99/month | $89.99/year | Free: 40 trips/month Auto-tracking: Yes Battery impact:Medium
MileIQ is the oldest and best-known mileage app, with Microsoft acquiring it in 2015. The core product works well: automatic tracking, swipe-to-classify trips, clean reports.
The problem in 2026 is pricing. MileIQ raised its individual subscription from $5.99/month to $8.99/month — a 50% increase — with many users reporting the price change hit their annual renewal without adequate notice. At $8.99/month ($107.88/year) for a single user, MileIQ is now the most expensive individual plan among the major trackers.
The one scenario where MileIQ still makes clear sense: if you or your company already pays for Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium, MileIQ Unlimited is included at no extra cost.
What it does well
Auto-classifies frequent routes so that recurring business trips get categorized without manual input. The swipe interface (right for business, left for personal) is the most intuitive classification method in the category. Report quality is reliable and IRS-compliant.
Where it falls short
The 50% price increase in 2026 has driven significant user churn. At $8.99/month, cheaper alternatives with equivalent tracking accuracy — including Mileafy, TripLog, and Stride — are harder to justify avoiding. Battery consumption is also middle-of-the-pack; you will notice it on long driving days.
Who it’s for
Microsoft 365 Business subscribers who get MileIQ included in their plan. For everyone paying out of pocket, the price increase makes it difficult to recommend over alternatives at half the cost.
3. Everlance — Best for Self-Employed with Expense Tracking Needs
Platform: iOS + Android Price: $8/month (Premium) | $12/month (Premium Plus) | Free: 30 trips first use Auto-tracking: Yes Battery impact: Medium
Everlance goes beyond mileage to include bank account linking, expense tracking, and a tax prep support tool. If you need mileage tracking and expense management in one app — common for freelancers who also want to log business purchases — Everlance combines both without needing two subscriptions.
What it does well
The route planner helps frequent-route drivers set up automatic tracking for their common drives. The clock-in/clock-out system lets you set work hours so that any trip within those hours is automatically flagged as business without manual classification. Bank and credit card linking lets the expense tracker capture deductible purchases passively.
At the Premium Plus tier ($12/month), annual tax filing support and accountant dashboard access are included — useful for self-employed filers who want professional review built into the same platform.
Where it falls short
The free tier is limited to 30 trips total, not per month — so you burn through it quickly and the paywall kicks in early. The difference between the $8 and $12 plans is thin: most users report the Premium plan covers everything they actually need.
Who it’s for
Self-employed individuals who want mileage tracking and expense management in one place, and who drive on both iOS and Android devices. Not the right fit for pure mileage tracking — you’re paying for features you won’t use if expenses aren’t a concern.
4. TripLog — Best for Small Business Teams
Platform: iOS + Android Price: $5.99/month (Premium) | $9.99/month (+ time tracking) | Free: 40 trips/15 days Auto-tracking: Yes (MagicTrip, Bluetooth, Plug-N-Go) Battery impact: Medium
TripLog is the most feature-dense option in the individual category and the only one with a robust team/fleet dashboard at non-enterprise pricing. The admin console lets a business owner see all driver logs, approve mileage claims, and generate consolidated reports — capabilities that MileIQ and Everlance require enterprise pricing to access.
What it does well
Multiple auto-tracking methods: you can use GPS-only (MagicTrip), pair with a vehicle’s Bluetooth, or plug in a hardware dongle (Plug-N-Go) for the most reliable trip detection. QuickBooks, Concur, and Xero integrations are built in at the Premium level — no extra cost. The ability to control battery consumption by adjusting tracking sensitivity is a useful option for drivers who prioritize battery life over absolute GPS precision.
Where it falls short
The interface is the most complex of the apps in this list. First-time users typically need 20–30 minutes to configure it properly. Some of the most useful features (hardware beacon, detailed admin dashboard) require the enterprise plan.
Who it’s for
Small business owners managing two to ten drivers who need a consolidated view of team mileage without enterprise-level pricing. Also works well for individual power users who want QuickBooks integration and are comfortable with a more technical setup.
5. Stride — Best Free Option for Gig Workers
Platform: iOS + Android Price: Free Auto-tracking: Yes Battery impact: Medium
Stride is completely free and is specifically designed for gig economy workers — DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft, Uber, and similar platforms. It tracks mileage automatically, identifies tax deductions beyond mileage (phone bill, health insurance, equipment), and generates IRS-ready reports at no cost.
What it does well
Free unlimited tracking with no trip cap. The tax deduction finder surfaces deductions that go beyond mileage — useful for gig workers who may not realize their phone plan or health insurance premiums are partially deductible. Simple, low-friction interface that doesn’t require configuration.
Where it falls short
No expense tracking with bank/card linking. No route optimization. Reports are functional but basic — missing some formatting options that are useful for CPA review. Battery impact is in line with other auto-tracking apps. Stride is funded through insurance and financial product offers surfaced in the app, so the free model comes with upsell touchpoints.
Who it’s for
Gig economy workers (delivery drivers, rideshare drivers) who drive a mix of iOS and Android and need free, reliable mileage tracking with basic tax support. Not the right fit if you need expense tracking or professional-grade reporting.
6. Hurdlr — Best for Combining Income and Mileage Tracking
Platform: iOS + web (limited Android) Price: $10/month (Premium) | $16.67/month (Pro) | Free: unlimited manual tracking Auto-tracking: Yes (Premium+) Battery impact: Low
Hurdlr started as a business finance and tax tracking tool and added mileage later — which means the mileage feature sits inside a broader income, expense, and tax dashboard. If you need to track revenue streams alongside deductible miles, Hurdlr presents both in one place.
What it does well
Real-time tax calculations that show you estimated federal and state taxes owed as you log income and expenses throughout the year — not just at tax time. The Pro tier includes annual tax filing and accountant dashboard access. Personalized dashboard experiences by profession: a real estate agent gets a different default view than a freelance consultant.
Where it falls short
Mileage tracking is not Hurdlr’s primary strength — it’s a feature within a finance platform. The free tier covers unlimited manual mileage entry but requires paid plans for automatic tracking. At $10/month for auto-tracking, it’s at the high end of the individual price range. Primarily iOS, with limited Android support.
Who it’s for
Self-employed professionals who want one app for income, expenses, tax projections, and mileage — not just a mileage tracker with some expense add-ons.
7. Driversnote — Best for UK and European Drivers
Platform: iOS + Android Price: $11/month (individual) | Free: 20 trips/month Auto-tracking: Yes (iBeacon or phone GPS) Battery impact: Low–Medium (iBeacon mode)
Driversnote is the strongest mileage tracker for drivers outside the US. It supports HMRC mileage rates (UK), CRA rates (Canada), ATO rates (Australia), and most EU country-specific rates alongside the IRS rate. For US-based drivers, it’s a capable tracker but priced higher than comparable options.
The iBeacon auto-tracking method — which uses a small Bluetooth dongle placed in the car — triggers tracking as soon as you enter the vehicle without relying on phone GPS at all, significantly extending battery life on driving days.
Who it’s for
UK, Canadian, Australian, or European drivers who need country-specific mileage rates and HMRC/CRA-compliant reports. US drivers are better served by lower-cost alternatives unless the iBeacon tracking model is important to them.
How to Choose the Right Mileage Tracker
If you have an iPhone and want the best battery performance: Mileafy or Hurdlr. Both use motion detection to minimize continuous GPS drain and are optimized for iOS rather than ported from Android.
If you’re on Android or need cross-platform: TripLog, Everlance, or Stride. All three have full-featured Android apps with automatic tracking.
If you currently use MileIQ and are reconsidering after the price hike: Mileafy (iOS) or TripLog (iOS + Android) offer equivalent auto-tracking and IRS reporting at lower cost. Stride is free if budget is the primary concern.
If you need expense tracking alongside mileage: Everlance or Hurdlr. Both link to bank accounts and credit cards to capture deductible purchases automatically.
If you manage a small team: TripLog is the only option in this price range with a proper admin dashboard and QuickBooks integration without enterprise pricing.
If you’re a gig worker on a tight budget: Stride. Free, reliable, and purpose-built for DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, and similar platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mileage tracker app is most accurate for GPS tracking? Apps that use continuous GPS (running location services throughout the entire trip) are technically the most precise route-loggers. TripLog with the Plug-N-Go hardware dongle and Driversnote with the iBeacon device offer the highest accuracy because trip detection is hardware-triggered rather than dependent on the phone detecting driving speed. For purely software-based trackers, accuracy differences between MileIQ, Everlance, and Mileafy are minimal for typical driving — the more significant variable is whether the app correctly detects the start and end of the trip, not the route path itself.
Which mileage tracking app uses the least battery? Mileafy and Hurdlr use the lowest battery among auto-tracking apps because both rely on the phone’s motion co-processor (rather than continuous GPS) to detect when driving begins, activating GPS only after the trip starts. Driversnote with an iBeacon device achieves a similar result by offloading trip detection to the Bluetooth beacon entirely. Apps running continuous background GPS — including some modes in MileIQ and Everlance — consume more battery on long driving days.
What is the IRS mileage rate in 2026? The IRS standard business mileage rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile, up from 70 cents in 2025. The medical and moving rate is 20.5 cents per mile. The charitable rate remains 14 cents per mile. These rates apply to all vehicle types including electric and hybrid vehicles.
Can I use a free mileage tracker for IRS purposes? Yes. The IRS does not require a paid app. Stride is free and generates IRS-compliant logs. Mileafy tracks mileage for free with no trip limit. MileIQ’s free tier covers 40 trips per month. Any format — paper log, spreadsheet, or app export — is acceptable as long as it records the date, starting location, destination, business purpose, and miles driven for every trip.
Do mileage tracking apps work if I forget to open them? All seven apps in this list track automatically in the background — you do not need to open the app before driving. The key variable is how reliably each app detects that a drive has started (motion-based vs. geofence-based vs. Bluetooth-based). If your phone is in low-power mode or background app refresh is disabled, some apps may miss trip starts. Check your iOS settings (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services) to ensure the app has “Always” location access.
What is the cheapest mileage tracker app that is IRS compliant? Stride is completely free with unlimited tracking and IRS-compliant exports. Among paid apps, Mileafy and TripLog both start around $5–$6/month. MileIQ raised its individual price to $8.99/month in 2026, making it no longer the budget option it once was. Annual plans typically save 15–30% over monthly billing for any of these apps.
Which mileage tracker is best for Uber and DoorDash drivers? Stride is purpose-built for gig economy drivers and is free. For drivers who want automatic tracking without any cost, Stride is the default recommendation. Mileafy is a strong option for iPhone-only gig workers who want better-than-average battery performance alongside automatic tracking. Note that Uber and DoorDash only log miles during active trips — a dedicated mileage tracker captures the miles you drive to pick up passengers or deliveries, which the gig platform’s own system does not record.
Is Mileafy available on Android? No. Mileafy is currently iOS only. Android users should look at Everlance, TripLog, or Stride, all of which have full-featured Android apps.
Bottom Line
The right app depends almost entirely on your platform and what you need beyond mileage tracking.
For iPhone users who want reliable automatic tracking, low battery impact, and clean IRS reports without overpaying: Mileafy delivers on all three — free for core tracking, $4.99/month or $35.99/year for the full feature set.
For cross-platform users who need Android support, TripLog or Everlance are the most complete options. Stride covers the basics for free.
For anyone currently paying for MileIQ at the new $8.99/month price, the 2026 rate makes it worth a 10-minute comparison against Mileafy (iOS) or TripLog (both platforms) — the core tracking functionality is equivalent at roughly half the price.
At 72.5 cents per mile in 2026, the app that tracks your miles consistently — whatever it is — is worth far more than its subscription cost on the first week of use.
Related articles:
- IRS Mileage Rate 2026: 72.5 Cents Per Mile Explained
- IRS Mileage Log Requirements 2026: What Your Records Must Include
- How to Export a Mileage Report for Taxes (2026)
Download Mileafy — IRS-compliant mileage tracking, free to start →
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. IRS requirements are governed by Publication 463 and may change. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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