The Hidden Costs of Free Mileage Tracking Apps (And How Timeero Saves You Money)
Emily Maina
Last update on:
March 10, 2025 5:32 AM
Published on:
Companies often seek affordable options to manage expenses, and mileage tracking is no exception. A free mileage tracking app is tempting—after all, why should someone pay for something they can get for free?
What many business owners fail to realize is that these so-called cost-effective solutions come with hidden expenses. They can contribute to hidden inefficiencies, lost revenue due to unexpected expenses, and operational and security issues.
On the other hand, using a premium mileage tracking solution like Timeero provides accurate reports, seamless integrations, and long-term savings.
In this article, we will discuss the hidden disadvantages associated with free mileage tracking apps and why choosing Timeero is the wisest choice.
Track Mileage with Confidence
Save money with accurate, IRS-compliant mileage tracking.
The illusion of free – What you’re really paying for
At first glance, free mileage-tracking applications appear to be the perfect solution for your business.
However, free apps tend to have the following drawbacks:
1. Inaccuracy in mileage tracking
One of the biggest drawbacks of most free mileage tracking applications is precision. Many businesses rely on them to calculate employee mileage for reimbursement. However, most free applications use outdated GPS tracking methods, which result in errors in mileage calculations.
Inaccuracies may result in an employee or business erroneously underreporting or overreporting miles. Employees may miss out on deserved reimbursements and businesses suffer from inflated expenses due to over-reported mileage.
2. Limited functionality
More often than not, free applications have limited features. Companies that need advanced tracking capabilities like live location tracking, automated reports, or the integration of payroll software are left to either upgrade to a paid version or deal with slow manual processes.
3. Privacy and security concerns
Most free mileage applications gather information about users that can be sold to third-party vendors. Without the proper encryption and data protection, personal company and employee information can be exposed to cyber threats.
4. Lack of customer support
No matter how good free apps are, most of them do not provide comprehensive customer support.
It’s only a matter of time before software glitches or a lack of understanding become serious impediments to operations.
The true costs – When free isn’t really free
It may seem like free mileage tracking applications are a cost-effective option, yet running into hidden pitfalls can mean spending a lot more further down the line.
Let's take a look at some ways in which these apps are not really free in the long run.
Lost tax deductions and reimbursements
Accurate mileage tracking plays a significant role as far as tax deductions and reimbursements are concerned. If a business underreports miles because a free tracking app miscalculated mileage, the business stands to miss out on vital deductions.
In the case of over-reported mileage, the IRS may consider auditing business records. Keep in mind, the savings proclaimed to be offered by free software may be very little compared with the consequences that could arise from incorrect records.
Using a reliable mileage tracking app will help your company better manage mileage records for precise reimbursements. Check out our guide on how to keep track of mileage for reimbursement for more information.
Additional administrative work
Most free mileage recording applications have very little automated reporting features. Additionally, there are very few integration options with accounting software.
With automation, businesses are left to depend entirely on manual entry of mileage data, increasing the risk of mistakes during calculation.
Additionally, the extra hours spent reconciling mileage records results in additional labor costs and lost productivity.
Security risks and compliance issues
An overall breach of mileage record data can have serious licensing and monetary penalties against both the end user and the company or organization. Free apps are usually not designed to comply with stringent data protection regulations which exposes businesses to breaches of privacy.
Security breaches are costly in terms of legal, financial and reputational damage. These costs can be avoided when businesses opt to use a premium mileage tracking solution.
Employee frustration
Discrepancies with mileage tracking, inadequate customer support, and unreliable app performance affect employee productivity and morale. When employees are required to spend excessive amounts of time correcting and inputting manual records, business efficiency is significantly reduced.
Timeero: Your ideal solution for mileage tracking
The hazards that come with free mileage tracking apps can be avoided by investing in a high-quality tracking solution like Timeero.
Timeero is one of the best mileage tracking apps available in the market for the most accurate and efficient mileage tracking.
Timeero is the preferred choice among businesses for the following reasons:
1. Unmatched accuracy
With advanced GPS technology, Timeero guarantees accurate mileage tracking. Once an employee clocks in and starts driving, the app automatically detects when the vehicle reaches the predefined speed threshold and will begin recording mileage.
Automatic trip recording is a plus for mobile businesses that need effortless mileage tracking.
Mileage tracking on Timeero.
Timeero also captures the starting point of each trip, automatically classifies mileage, and calculates total mileage. This ensures records are IRS compliant for accurate mileage reimbursement and tax deduction purposes.
2. Seamless integrations
Timeero integrates seamlessly with payroll and accounting solutions to reduce administrative burden, speed up the mileage reimbursement process, and eliminate potential human errors.
Timeero integrates with accounting software to simplify payroll.
3. Top-tier security and compliance
Timeero maintains its commitment to making the most out of data encryption. Businesses do not need to worry about the possibility of encountering privacy violations or legal complications when tracking mileage through Timeero.
Admins can turn on mileage tracking for relevant employees in their company settings. Once enabled, the app will only track mileage when an employee is clocked in – a valuable security measure that keeps businesses from infringing on the privacy of their workers outside of work hours.
4. Superior customer support
Timeero has an impeccable customer care service team. Whether you need help setting up the app, or troubleshooting errors, our team is readily accessible to provide you with a pleasant user experience.
Timeero’s positive customer reviews.
Choose Timeero for accurate and reliable mileage tracking
Free mileage tracking apps are budget-friendly alternatives that bear hidden costs. Inaccuracies, administrative hassle, security issues, and little-to-no customer support make free apps a less reliable option for businesses that need efficient mileage tracking.
Timeero is a comprehensive tracking solution that helps businesses reduce costs by eliminating inaccuracies, reducing administrative burden, and preventing unforseen security risks.
Emily Maina is a tech-savvy writer with a passion for creating content. With years of experience in the industry, she is well-versed in the latest trends and developments in the tech industry. When she’s not working, Emily enjoys exploring the great outdoors or watching her favorite shows.
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