What is SimplyExpensed?

SimplyExpensed is an AI-powered expense tracker and GPS mileage logger built for freelancers, contractors, gig workers, and small businesses. It features receipt scanning with OCR, GAAP-compliant auto-categorization, IRS Schedule C export, and real-time GPS mileage tracking with route visualization.

How does GPS mileage tracking work in SimplyExpensed?

Tap "Start Trip" before you drive. SimplyExpensed records GPS waypoints every 15 seconds as you drive, creating a breadcrumb trail of your actual route. When you tap "End Trip," it calculates the exact driving distance, reverse-geocodes your start and end addresses, and auto-calculates your IRS deduction at the 2026 rate of 72.5¢ per business mile. You can view the route on an interactive map after the trip.

What is the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate?

The 2026 IRS standard mileage rates are: 72.5 cents per mile for business use, 20.5 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile for charitable purposes. SimplyExpensed automatically applies the correct rate based on your trip purpose.

Is SimplyExpensed free?

Yes. SimplyExpensed offers a free tier that includes unlimited manual expense entries, GPS mileage tracking, 5 AI receipt scans per month, basic reports, and CSV export. No credit card required. The Pro tier ($8/month) adds unlimited AI scans, Excel/PDF exports, IRS Schedule C export, and team features.

Can SimplyExpensed generate IRS Schedule C reports?

Yes. SimplyExpensed categorizes your expenses using GAAP-compliant categories that map directly to IRS Schedule C line items. You can export a Schedule C-ready report with one click, organized by category, with totals matching each Schedule C line. This makes tax filing significantly easier for self-employed individuals.

How does AI receipt scanning work?

Simply snap a photo of your receipt or upload an image. SimplyExpensed uses AI-powered OCR to automatically extract the merchant name, date, total amount, tax, subtotal, and individual line items. It then auto-categorizes the expense into the correct GAAP category. The process takes about 2 seconds.

Who is SimplyExpensed designed for?

SimplyExpensed is designed for self-employed individuals, freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart), lawn care and landscaping businesses, real estate agents, sales professionals, delivery drivers, consultants, and any small business owner who needs to track expenses and mileage for tax purposes.

Does SimplyExpensed work for lawn care and landscaping businesses?

Absolutely. Lawn care operators drive between multiple job sites daily, and the GPS mileage tracker captures every mile — even on loop routes where you start and end at the same place. At 72.5¢/mile (2026 rate), driving 30 miles a day for 20 weeks of summer = $2,175 in deductions from driving alone. Add equipment, fuel, and supply receipts and the savings multiply.

What makes SimplyExpensed different from MileIQ or Everlance?

SimplyExpensed combines expense tracking AND mileage tracking in one app with a generous free tier. Unlike MileIQ (mileage only, $5.99/mo) or Everlance ($8/mo for basic), SimplyExpensed includes AI receipt scanning, GAAP categorization, Schedule C export, and GPS mileage tracking — all starting at $0. The GPS tracker uses waypoint breadcrumbs for accuracy on any route shape, including loops.

Is my financial data secure with SimplyExpensed?

Yes. SimplyExpensed uses bank-level encryption (TLS 1.3), secure cloud storage for receipts, role-based access controls, IP-based security monitoring, brute force detection, and a comprehensive audit trail system. All data is backed up and protected with enterprise-grade security infrastructure.

Best Expense Tracker for Freelancers in 2026: What to Look For

If you're a freelancer, contractor, or self-employed professional, tracking expenses isn't optional — it's the difference between overpaying taxes by hundreds (or thousands) of dollars and keeping that money in your pocket.

But not all expense trackers are created equal. Many are designed for enterprise teams, not solo operators. Here's what actually matters when choosing an expense tracker in 2026.

The 5 Features That Matter Most

1. Receipt Scanning with AI

You need to be able to snap a photo and have the app extract the merchant, amount, date, and category automatically. Manual entry is a time sink that guarantees you'll stop using the app within 2 weeks.

2. GPS Mileage Tracking

At 72.5¢/mile (2026 IRS rate), mileage is often your biggest deduction. Any expense tracker that doesn't include mileage tracking is giving you half a solution. Look for GPS-based tracking that captures your actual route — not just start and end points.

3. IRS Schedule C Categories

Your expenses need to map to Schedule C line items come tax time. An app that uses random or custom-only categories means your CPA has to re-categorize everything — which costs you time and money.

4. Export Capabilities

CSV is the minimum. PDF reports and Schedule C-formatted exports save your CPA hours and save you hundreds in accounting fees.

5. A Free Tier That's Actually Usable

If you're just starting out, you shouldn't need to pay $10/month to track basic expenses. The free tier should include the core features — not just a 14-day trial.

How the Top Apps Compare

Feature	SimplyExpensed	Expensify	MileIQ	Everlance
AI Receipt Scanning	✅ Free (5/mo)	✅ Paid	❌	✅ Paid
GPS Mileage Tracking	✅ Free	❌	✅ Paid ($5.99/mo)	✅ Paid ($8/mo)
Schedule C Export	✅ Pro ($8/mo)	❌	❌	✅ Paid
GAAP Categories	✅	✅	N/A	Partial
Free Tier	✅ Generous	Limited	40 trips/mo	30 trips/mo
Route Map Visualization	✅	❌	❌	❌
Waypoint GPS (loop routes)	✅	❌	❌	❌
Starting Price	$0	$4.99/mo	$5.99/mo	$8/mo

Why Mileage Tracking is Non-Negotiable in 2026

The 2026 business mileage rate of 72.5¢/mile means every 10-mile business trip is worth $7.25 in deductions. A freelancer driving 30 miles a day for business leaves $5,000+ on the table annually without mileage tracking.

Yet most expense trackers either:

Don't offer mileage tracking at all (Expensify)
Charge $6–$10/month for it (MileIQ, Everlance)
Only track start-to-end distance (misses loop routes)

SimplyExpensed includes GPS mileage tracking in the free tier — with waypoint breadcrumb tracking that captures the actual route driven, even on complex multi-stop days.

The Bottom Line

For freelancers and self-employed professionals, the ideal expense tracker in 2026 combines receipt scanning + mileage tracking + tax-ready exports in a single app. Don't pay for two separate apps when one does both.

Try SimplyExpensed free — no credit card required →