Comparing TaxDay and Days Monitor for state residency tracking. TaxDay offers built-in tax rules and receipt management. Days Monitor focuses on flexibility and privacy.
TaxDay and Days Monitor both track your location for state residency purposes. Both offer work-day categorization and automatic GPS tracking. The main differences are in coverage flexibility, data storage approach, and additional features like receipt management.
This comparison is written by the Days Monitor team. We've verified competitor features against current App Store listings and aimed for accuracy throughout.
Note: App features and pricing were accurate at the time of writing but may have changed. Check each app's listing for current information.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TaxDay | Days Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Web |
| US State Tracking | Yes (all 50 states) | All 50 states |
| Canada Province Tracking | Not specified | All 13 provinces/territories |
| Location Verification | Background GPS | GPS-verified coordinates |
| State Tax Rules Database | Yes, built-in | No (you set custom rules) |
| International Coverage | 150+ countries | Any country with custom rules |
| Schengen Tracking | No built-in calculator | Yes, with 90/180 rule |
| Work Day Categorization | Yes | Yes |
| Receipt Management | Yes | No |
| NYC-Specific Tracking | Yes | Via custom rules |
| Data Storage | Cloud servers | On-device + optional iCloud |
| Free Web Tools | No | Yes (no signup required) |
| Free Trial | 45 days | Yes |
What TaxDay Does Well
TaxDay has some features that set it apart, particularly for workers who travel between states frequently:
Built-in State Tax Rules
TaxDay includes a database of tax residency rules for all 50 states. Instead of researching thresholds yourself, the app knows the rules and can alert you when you're approaching them. For someone who doesn't want to dig into state tax codes, this is convenient.
Work Day vs. Personal Day Tracking
Some state tax calculations distinguish between days you worked in a state versus days you were just present. TaxDay lets you categorize your days, which can matter for certain state income apportionment rules.
Receipt Management
You can attach receipts to travel records in TaxDay, keeping your documentation in one place. If you're audited, having receipts linked to specific trips can help corroborate your location claims.
Multi-Platform Support
TaxDay offers iOS, Android, and web access. If you switch between devices or want to review your data on a computer, you have options. Days Monitor currently offers iOS and web calculators but no Android app.
NYC Tracking
New York City has its own tax considerations separate from New York State. TaxDay includes specific NYC tracking, which matters for high earners who spend time in the city.
Where Days Monitor Differs
Days Monitor takes a different approach to location tracking and residency management:
Custom Rules for Any Jurisdiction
TaxDay's built-in rules are convenient, but they're limited to what TaxDay supports. Days Monitor lets you create tracking rules for any country, any threshold, any time period. Need to track a 90-day visa limit in Costa Rica, a 183-day rule in Portugal, and a 270-day threshold in Idaho? Set them all up yourself. You're not waiting for us to add support for a jurisdiction.
Schengen Zone Tracking
If you travel to Europe, the 90/180 Schengen rule requires tracking your days across 29 countries as a single zone. We built this directly into Days Monitor with projections for remaining days and earliest return dates. TaxDay tracks countries but doesn't calculate your rolling Schengen allowance.
Privacy-First Architecture
TaxDay stores your location 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. Your travel history stays under your control. There's no account to create, no data uploaded to our servers, and no central database that could be breached or subpoenaed.
Free Web Calculators
We offer free Schengen and Substantial Presence Test calculators on our website. No signup, no email, no app download required. TaxDay doesn't offer equivalent free tools.
Simpler, Focused Design
TaxDay has more features, but more features means more complexity. Days Monitor focuses on doing one thing well: tracking your days with flexibility and privacy. If you don't need receipt management, you don't have to navigate around it.
TaxDay Concerns to Consider
Recent App Store reviews have raised some concerns about TaxDay:
- Reliability issues: Multiple recent reviews report the app "no longer works" or has "inconsistent" GPS tracking after a 2025 update
- Support response times: Users have mentioned slow customer support when issues arise
- App Store rating: Currently at 3.8 stars, which is lower than most competitors in this space
- Cloud dependency: Your data lives on their servers, which may be a concern for privacy-conscious users
To be fair, app issues often get resolved in subsequent updates, and your experience may differ. But it's worth checking recent reviews before committing.
Days Monitor Limitations
Days Monitor focuses on different priorities:
- No Android app: If you're on Android, TaxDay has you covered and we don't (yet)
- No built-in tax rules database: TaxDay knows state thresholds automatically; you set them up yourself in Days Monitor
- No receipt management: TaxDay lets you attach receipts to trips; we focus purely on day counting
Who Should Choose TaxDay
TaxDay is built for users who:
- Need Android support
- Want built-in state tax rules without researching thresholds
- Want receipt management integrated with travel tracking
- Specifically need NYC tax tracking
- Don't mind cloud-based data storage
Who Should Choose Days Monitor
Days Monitor is built for users who:
- Need flexibility to track any jurisdiction with custom rules
- Travel to Europe and need Schengen 90/180 tracking
- Prioritize privacy and want your data to stay on your device
- Want free web tools without installing an app
- Prefer a simpler app focused on day counting
- Need US states, Canadian provinces, and international tracking in one place
The Bottom Line
TaxDay and Days Monitor serve overlapping but different needs. TaxDay is feature-rich with built-in tax rules and receipt management. It's built for multi-state workers who want the app to know the rules for them.
Days Monitor is designed for travelers who need custom jurisdiction rules, Schengen tracking, and on-device privacy. TaxDay is designed for users who want built-in tax rules and receipt management. Your choice depends on which priorities matter more for your situation.
Try both if you're unsure. TaxDay offers a 45-day trial, and you can test Days Monitor as well. The right app is the one you'll actually use consistently.
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.
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