MileIQ vs QuickBooks: The Right Tool for How You Actually Work

Most gig workers and independent contractors don’t think about mileage tracking until it’s too late — usually around tax time, when they realize just how much money they left on the table or maybe they haven’t realized that at all.

So when people finally decide to track their miles, they start searching for tools — and that’s where things get confusing. You’ve got apps like QuickBooks Self-Employed that include mileage tracking, and others like MileIQ that are built for it.

At that point, it’s not about which one is better — it’s about which one actually fits the way you work, and the direction you’re headed. Whether you’re using gig work as a transitionary income while looking for a W-2 job, expanding into multiple gig platforms, or even building your own delivery or logistics business — the right tracking tool should support both where you are now and where you’re going next.

So in this video, We are talking about:

• The differences between MileIQ and Quickbooks

• Which one would ACTUALLY fit your business and goals

• Everything in between!

Disclaimer: The content of this video does not contain and is never intended to be legal, business, financial, tax, or health advice of any kind, This video is for entertainment purposes only. It is advised that you conduct your own research and consult with qualified professionals before applying anything you find online. 

I also want to be clear that everything we are going to go over is very market dependent, and what applies to me and my market may not apply to you.

DrivenWyld/YouTube

Ease of Setup and Automation

Let’s start with the basics.

QuickBooks Self-Employed does have a built-in mileage tracker, but it’s primarily designed for freelancers who already use QuickBooks for invoicing or bookkeeping. That means you’ve got to set up your account, link your bank, and navigate a bunch of menus just to get to the mileage portion.

MileIQ, on the other hand, is a dedicated mileage tracker. The moment you install it, it starts working automatically in the background — no setup headaches, no financial linking, no “learning curve.”

If your goal is to just log miles accurately and get on with your day, MileIQ fits that job perfectly.

And when you’re still figuring out your rhythm — whether you’re just getting started or building consistency before expanding into something bigger — having an app that doesn’t slow you down matters. MileIQ grows with your workflow, not against it.

Reliability of Trip Detection

This is where most apps fail.

QuickBooks’ tracker has improved over the years, but it can still miss shorter trips, especially those under a mile or two — like quick post-office runs or supply pickups. It also tends to pause detection if your phone’s battery optimization kicks in.

MileIQ doesn’t have that problem. It’s built solely for consistent, real-time detection. Whether you’re driving five minutes to grab supplies or two hours across town, it catches everything automatically.

And in my experience, the fewer times you have to double-check if your app caught a trip, the more you actually trust your reports.

Classification Workflow

Both apps let you classify drives as business or personal, but the experience couldn’t be more different.

QuickBooks buries trip classification under menus and screens that are meant for financial data. It’s workable, but not fast — and that’s a problem when you’re trying to stay consistent. There’s a reason there are entire classes teaching people how to use QuickBooks more effectively — some of which run over $300!

Now don’t get me wrong — for full-scale business operations, those features and trainings are absolutely worth it. But most gig workers won’t need that level of complexity until they’re ready to take the plunge into business ownership.

MileIQ’s classification system, on the other hand, is refreshingly simple. You literally swipe left for personal, right for business. Done.

And as your work changes — maybe you start multi-apping, adding delivery clients, or mixing business miles with errands — that same quick-swipe system keeps your records clean no matter how many directions your income takes you.

That may sound small, but when you’re reviewing 100+ trips a week, those seconds add up — and that ease of use keeps you consistent month after month.

Report Formats and Export Usefulness

Now, let’s talk about reports — because this is what your tax professional actually cares about.

QuickBooks generates reports that are great if you already manage your entire business through it — expenses, invoices, income, and all. If your goal is to simply hand everything over to your CPA and let them do their job, QuickBooks can be a solid option.

But here’s the thing: if your accountant only receives mileage data and not your other business expenses from QuickBooks, that setup becomes a waste. You’re paying for an entire bookkeeping system but only using it to send one piece of the puzzle.

MileIQ, on the other hand, is focused. It gives you clean, audit-ready mileage reports that pair perfectly with whatever bookkeeping system — or accountant — you already use.

Over time, how you handle your taxes might evolve too — maybe you move from filing as an individual to forming an LLC or S-Corp. Having mileage reports that stay consistent, clean, and exportable means your data follows you wherever your business goes.

No clutter, no confusion. Just straightforward, verified mileage your CPA can actually use.

And remember — it’s also important that you find a tax professional who won’t charge you an arm and a leg for sorting through all the 1099s you’ll inevitably accumulate throughout the year, and that is where GigTax is here to help!

Whether you’re a rideshare driver, do food delivery, or any other self employed work, your time is too valuable to waste on tax prep. So while you keep hustling, GigTax can help you save big! 

GigTax was founded by Joseph Mayo, a seasoned Gig Worker with over 7000 deliveries across 7 platforms since 2020, and they understand the challenges of freelancers, rideshare drivers, couriers, online sellers and gig workers of all kinds! 

Their #1 Online Tax Preparation service is designed to maximize your tax savings and save you time, energy and money!

Enjoy exclusive discounts on tax prep services as well as a range of additional benefits such as:

• Electronic Filing

• State Filing

• Year-Round Direct Access to Tax Pros and Financial Partners

• Client App and Portal

• Audit Support

All Absolutely Free and Incredibly Valued Benefits when filing with GigTax!

If you are ready to keep more of what you earn, check out drivenwyld.com/gigtax to book your strategy session and learn more about how GigTax can help you simplify and save on your taxes today!

Scope, Pricing, and Choosing the Right Tool

One of the biggest challenges with QuickBooks isn’t just price — it’s figuring out which version you actually need.

There’s Self-Employed, Solopreneur, Simple Start, Essentials, and more. Each tier unlocks different tools for things like invoices, payroll, or tax prep — and that can get confusing fast if all you want is to track your miles.

If you’re not sure which version fits your business type, it’s easy to overpay for features you’ll never use.

For example, if you’re a gig worker or courier who only tracks mileage and occasional supplies, you don’t need full-scale bookkeeping or invoicing tools. That’s like buying a moving truck to carry one small box.

MileIQ, on the other hand, keeps things simple. You choose between:

• Personal Plans — perfect for gig workers, contractors, and small-business owners who just need reliable mileage tracking.

• MileIQ for Teams — ideal for managing company vehicles or W-2 employee fleets that require centralized oversight and accountability.

No guessing, no stacked subscriptions, and no wondering which version includes the feature you thought was standard.

That’s why it helps to pick a system that matches both your current workload and your future direction. If you’re scaling up from side hustle to business owner, or transitioning from gig work to managing a fleet, clarity matters more than fancy features.

The bottom line: QuickBooks gives you a wide toolbox — but you pay for every drawer you open.

MileIQ gives you one reliable wrench that always fits.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t really about which one is “better.” It’s about which one fits the job — and the direction you’re headed.

QuickBooks Self-Employed is a powerhouse — built for people who need to manage invoices, expenses, and full-scale bookkeeping in one place. If that’s your operation, QuickBooks makes perfect sense.

But for most gig workers, couriers, or independent contractors, that level of infrastructure is like using a rocket ship to go to the corner store. You don’t need to spend time or money learning a massive bookkeeping system when all you really need is to track your miles accurately and move on with your day.

The same way you wouldn’t use an excavator to dig a small hole in your garden, you don’t need to pay for a full bookkeeping suite when your expenses are limited to fuel, maintenance, and other “ordinary and necessary” business costs.

That’s where MileIQ fits the job. It’s simple, automatic, and purpose-built for people whose vehicles are their business.

Sign up for MileIQ here and check out GigTax for professional driver-focused tax support! Simplify and save on your taxes today!

If you would like to add some other perspective to MileIQ or Quickbooks, feel free to email me: drivenwyld@gmail.com and who knows? Maybe your email or perspective and be featured in a post as well!