SheetMiles versus the competition
There are three common ways to keep a mileage log: a GPS tracking app on your phone, a spreadsheet you fill in by hand, or a tool that reads your calendar. Here's an honest look at where SheetMiles fits, so you can pick what works for you.
| What matters | SheetMiles | Typical GPS tracking app | Manual spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| How trips get logged | From the street addresses on your Google Calendar events | Phone tracks every drive in the background | You type each trip |
| Battery and phone permissions | None: nothing runs on your phone | Always-on location access | None |
| Where your data lives | Your own Google account and spreadsheet; our server only sees your email and subscription | Usually the app maker's servers, including your location history | Wherever you keep it |
| Driving distances | Google Maps driving routes between stops | Measured from GPS | Your own estimate or odometer |
| IRS rate by trip date (incl. the July 1, 2026 change) | Yes, applied automatically | Varies | You look it up |
| Business / personal / commuting / charity / medical | Yes, by keywords and #tags; unmatched trips go to "review" | Usually a swipe per drive | You decide each row |
| Multiple vehicles | Yes, by keyword | Varies | Extra columns |
| Export for your accountant | PDF and CSV, plus a monthly emailed log | Usually, often on paid tiers | It's already a sheet |
| Price | 14-day free trial, then $49/year or $7.99/month | Often a monthly subscription; free tiers are limited | Free (your time isn't) |
"Typical" columns describe common categories of tools in general, not any particular product. Check any product's own site for its current features and prices.
Which should you choose?
Choose SheetMiles if your work drives are appointments that are already on your Google Calendar and you want a ready-to-file log in Google Sheets without tracking your location.
A GPS app may suit you better if most of your driving is unplanned (deliveries, ride-share, spontaneous stops) and never makes it onto a calendar.
A manual sheet is fine if you only make a handful of trips a year. Our free mileage log template is a good start.
Coming soon