Expensify vs. Shoeboxed: Which One Is for You?

Whether you’re self-employed or a business owner, choosing the perfect accounting software for your business is crucial.

There are countless receipt management software and business receipt apps on the market with different features, pricing, details, and much more to consider. And not everyone has time to test dozens of solutions.

That’s why we came up with a complete comparison between the top choices for receipt tracking and expense management software: Shoeboxed vs. Expensify. 

Shoeboxed vs. Expensify: An overview

1. Cross-platform compatibility

Different people have different needs. Some love iOS, while others are loyal to Android. There are Windows users, and there are people who prefer to access programs through a browser. This is especially complicated when working as part of a team.

Both Shoeboxed and Expensify are available on Android, iOS, and browser platforms. This seamless sync will help you keep your receipts’ data up-to-date anytime, anywhere.

2. Interface

Since most of us use smartphones to scan receipts, the app’s interface is important to consider when choosing the right accounting app. Both apps are easy-to-use, with the basic functions displayed right on the portal. Their interfaces are clean and intuitive with a focus on simplicity and speed.

Expensify — Expense report page.

Shoeboxed — Expense report page.

Shoeboxed receipt scanning interface on a mobile device.

Expensify receipt scanning interface on a mobile device. 

3. Main features

The basic functionality remains the same across both apps. You scan an expense receipt, and the app will extract the key data such as items, quantity, and price. They will also categorize them by vendor, the total amount, date, and payment type. Various categories to further classify your expenses include Mileage, Groceries, Entertainment, Office Supplies, etc. Then, the apps create a digitized receipt version synced with your cloud account. 

Both apps allow you to arrange trip receipts, create a report, and submit it for approval. Users can also track mileage for business trips with both apps. Additionally, Expensify offers a per diem functionality where an individual is given a daily allowance, and you can use the app to track it daily.

One feature Shoeboxed has that Expensify lacks—if you have a large number of receipts and no time to scan them, you can mail them straight to Shoeboxed’s processing facility for free with the postage-paid Magic Envelope™. Shoeboxed will scan the receipts, turn them into organized and actionable digital data and upload them to your account. 

Outsource receipt scanning to Shoeboxed’s Magic Envelope service!

This mail-in feature that Shoeboxed offers helps you clear your desk and drawers and bring you up to speed. This unique service is extremely useful for small business owners or freelancers who have to handle a lot of work independently, including virtual bookkeeping jobs. By doing this, you can free yourself from paperwork and focus on improving your business’s core values. 

Moreover, Shoeboxed ensures that all your digital receipts are human-verified and audit-ready. You can rest assured that your receipts are legibly-scanned, clearly categorized, and accepted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in case of an audit. Shoeboxed is the best choice for freelancers and business owners during tax season. 

If you have a large number of receipts and no time to scan them, you can mail them straight to Shoeboxed’s processing facility for free with the postage-paid Magic Envelope™.

4. Third-party integration

Both Shoeboxed and Expensify integrate with various third-party apps and software such as Quickbooks, Intuit, and Xero. Expensify also connects with Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Bill.com, Uber, and other popular services. 

5. Pricing

Pricing is an important factor to consider, especially if you’re looking for a scalable solution.

Shoeboxed offers three primary plans. The Startup plan (for individuals and freelancers) begins at $18/month, allowing you to scan and store up to 900 documents (both physical and digital) per year. If you are a professional or small business owner, we recommend the Professional plan. With $36 for two users, this plan offers you 3600 documents/month. If you own a business with high volume, the Business plan, at $54/month with 7200 documents/month, is the most suitable option.

On the other hand, Expensify has a limited number of plans available. The individual plan begins at $5/month with no limit on receipt scanning. If you’re working in a team, Expensify offers a $9/user/month plan and a corporate plan that begins at $18/user/month. They also have an enterprise solution customized based on your business’s demands. 

Shoeboxed vs. Expensify: A comparison chart

To help you better visualize the differences between Shoeboxed and Expensify, we’ve made this handy chart for you: 

Shoeboxed vs. Expensify – A comparison.

See also: 4 Easy Ways To Upload Your Receipt Images To Shoeboxed

Shoeboxed vs. Wave: A Comprehensive Guide to the Differences

Concur Alternatives: Top 4 for Efficient Expense Management

How does Shoeboxed compare to other receipt scanner apps?

Frequently asked questions

Does Shoeboxed have a free plan?

Shoeboxed’s 100% free plan is called the DIY plan. With the DIY plan, users manually extract and input data into Shoeboxed’s receipt management software. (Automatic data extraction with human verification is not included in the free plan.)

Does Expensify have a free plan?

Expensify has a free plan where businesses set up Expensify Cards for their staff and then managers can use their platform to refund cash costs, submit invoices, and handle bills.

What’s a good Expensify alternative for receipt and expense tracking? 

Expensify does a great job of streamlining the expense reporting process. It allows users to easily submit, approve, and track expenses, as well as store receipts and other important documents. It’s great for enterprise businesses that must handle a great deal of reimbursement requests.

There are many Expensify alternatives, such as Concur, but Shoeboxed is ideal for bookkeepers, accountants, contractors, and small business owners who are looking for a receipt scanner organizer that also provides receipt scanning services.

Try Shoeboxed for free!

About Shoeboxed!

Shoeboxed is a receipt scanning service with receipt management software that supports multiple methods for receipt capture: send, scan, upload, forward, and more!

You can stuff your receipts into one of our Magic Envelopes (prepaid postage within the US). Use our receipt tracker + receipt scanner app (iPhone, iPad and Android) to snap a picture while on the go. Auto-import receipts from Gmail. Or forward a receipt to your designated Shoeboxed email address.

Turn your receipts into data and deductibles with our expense reports that include IRS-accepted receipt images.

Join over 1 million businesses scanning & organizing receipts, creating expense reports and more—with Shoeboxed.

Try Shoeboxed today!