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Expense & Mileage Tracking

Log your business expenses and journeys for your tax return.

Tracking your business expenses and mileage is one of the most straightforward ways to reduce your tax bill - but it requires consistent record-keeping throughout the year, not a scramble in January. Expense and mileage tracking tools help you capture costs as they happen, log business journeys automatically, and produce records that hold up if HMRC ever asks questions. This category focuses on tools specifically built for tracking rather than full accounting packages.

What to look for

• Mileage logging method - MileIQ and Dext both use GPS-based automatic tracking; TripCatcher also uses GPS and produces HMRC-compliant mileage logs. If you drive regularly for work, automatic GPS logging is far more reliable than trying to remember journeys at the end of the month.

• HMRC-compliant records - mileage logs need to record the date, purpose, start and end point, and distance. TripCatcher is specifically designed around HMRC requirements for sole traders.

• Receipt capture integration - Dext does both expense capture and mileage tracking in one tool, which reduces the number of apps you need. If you want to keep things simple, it’s worth considering.

• Integration with accounting software - if you’re using Xero, QuickBooks or Sage, check whether the expense tool pushes data directly into your accounting package. Dext integrates with all three.

• Cost vs volume - MileIQ has a free tier up to 40 trips per month, which may be enough for occasional business driving. TripCatcher starts from £1.49/month. Dext is at the pricier end but covers more ground.

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TripCatcher

UK mileage tracking app that automatically logs journeys via GPS. Produces HMRC-compliant mileage logs.

Best for: Sole traders who use their car for business and need to track mileage

Pricing: Paid from £1.49 +VAT per month

Free trial: Yes

MTD compatible: No

Mobile app: Yes

UK specific: Yes

Visit TripCatcher

MileIQ

Automatic mileage tracking app that runs in the background and classifies journeys as business or personal.

Best for: Sole traders wanting hands-free automatic mileage logging

Pricing: Free up to 40 trips per month or £7.91 per month unlimited

Free trial: Yes

MTD compatible: No

Mobile app: Yes

UK specific: No

Visit MileIQ

Dext

Automated expense management tool that captures receipts via mobile app, tracks mileage via GPS, and pushes data directly into your accounting software.

Best for: Sole traders who want to automate expense capture and mileage logging and sync everything with Xero, QuickBooks or Sage

Pricing: Paid from £24.17 +VAT per month

Free trial: Yes

MTD compatible: Yes

Mobile app: Yes

UK specific: No

Visit Dext

If mileage is your main concern, TripCatcher or MileIQ are purpose-built and HMRC-aware. If you want to handle both expenses and mileage in one place and sync with accounting software, Dext is the most comprehensive option. If cost is the priority, MileIQ’s free tier or TripCatcher’s entry price are both reasonable starting points.

Last reviewed: June 2026