TaxBird vs Days Monitor: Which Residency Tracker Is Right for You?

Quick Comparison

What TaxBird Does Well

TaxBird has been around for a while and has built a solid reputation for US state tracking. Here's where it shines:

Battery Efficiency

TaxBird users consistently report minimal battery impact, with some noting less than 1% daily drain. For an app that tracks your location continuously, that's impressive engineering.

Threshold Notifications

The app automatically notifies you when you're approaching residency thresholds in a state. If you're trying to stay under 183 days somewhere, you'll get a heads-up before you cross the line.

Established Track Record

With over 230 App Store ratings and a 4.0 star average, TaxBird has proven itself over time. The app has been through multiple iOS updates and continues to work reliably for most users.

Canada Coverage

TaxBird tracks Canadian provinces alongside US states, which is useful for snowbirds and cross-border workers.

Where Days Monitor Differs

Days Monitor takes a different approach to location tracking and residency management:

Custom Rules for Any Jurisdiction

TaxBird uses preset thresholds for the jurisdictions it supports. Days Monitor lets you create custom tracking rules for any country in the world, with whatever day threshold you need. If you need to track a 90-day visa limit in Thailand, a 183-day rule in Portugal, and a 270-day threshold in Idaho, you can set all of them up yourself.

Schengen Zone Tracking

If you travel to Europe, the 90/180 Schengen rule is notoriously confusing. We built Schengen tracking directly into Days Monitor, with projections for how many days you have left and when you can return. TaxBird tracks countries but doesn't calculate your rolling Schengen allowance.

Privacy-First Architecture

Your location history is sensitive data. TaxBird stores your data on their cloud servers. We made a deliberate choice to keep your data on your device, with optional iCloud sync if you want it. There's no account to create, no data uploaded to our servers, and no central database that could be breached.

Free Web Calculators

Even if you don't use our app, we offer free Schengen and Substantial Presence Test calculators on our website. No signup, no email required. TaxBird doesn't offer web-based tools.

Combined Domestic and International

Many people need to track both US state residency and international travel. With Days Monitor, you can monitor your days in New York, your Schengen allowance, and a visa limit in another country, all in one app. TaxBird focuses primarily on North American state/province tracking.

TaxBird Limitations

To be fair, here are some limitations users have reported with TaxBird:

• iOS only: No Android app or web access, so you're locked into Apple devices
• Preset jurisdictions: You can't create custom tracking rules for countries or thresholds they don't support
• Post-update issues: Some users report location tracking problems after major iOS updates, though these typically get fixed
• No Schengen calculator: If you travel to Europe regularly, you'll need a separate tool

Days Monitor Limitations

Days Monitor focuses on different priorities. Here's where TaxBird may be a better fit:

• No Android app yet: Like TaxBird, we're iOS-only for the mobile app (though our web calculators work everywhere)
• Newer to market: TaxBird has more user reviews and a longer track record
• Self-service approach: Our custom rules give you flexibility but require you to set up your own thresholds rather than having them preset

Who Should Choose TaxBird

TaxBird is built for users who:

• Only need to track US states and Canadian provinces
• Prefer preset thresholds over custom configuration
• Want an app with a longer track record and more reviews
• Don't travel internationally or don't need Schengen tracking

Who Should Choose Days Monitor

Days Monitor is built for users who:

• Need to track international destinations beyond just country-level
• Travel to Europe and need Schengen 90/180 tracking
• Want custom day thresholds for specific tax rules (like Idaho's 270-day rule)
• Prioritize privacy and prefer your data stays on your device
• Want free web tools you can use without installing an app
• Need US states, Canadian provinces, and international tracking in one place

The Bottom Line

Both apps solve the same core problem: automatically tracking where you spend your time so you have documentation for tax purposes. TaxBird is a proven solution for North American state tracking with a loyal user base.

Days Monitor is designed for travelers who need custom jurisdiction rules, Schengen tracking, and on-device privacy. TaxBird is designed for users who prefer preset thresholds and an established track record. Your choice depends on which priorities matter more for your situation.

Download Days Monitor

Either way, the important thing is that you're tracking your days at all. State tax auditors have access to your cell phone records, credit card statements, and flight data. Having your own contemporaneous records puts you in a much stronger position if questions arise.

Tax residency rules vary by state and change frequently. This comparison is for informational purposes and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Consult with a qualified tax professional for guidance on your specific situation.