With most of their time spent on the move, outside sales reps must maximize every hour of their workday.
Sales reps out on the field require tools that streamline their daily tasks and enable a higher level of service and performance. This need has given rise to a wide array of applications designed to simplify the work of sales professionals.
The best apps for sales reps help them be as productive while out and about as when sitting behind a desk.
We’ve gathered our favorites that do just that. Here's our pick of the best sales apps for reps in 2024.
1. Spotio—best field sales software
Spotio is a field sales software designed for sales reps and sales managers. It focuses on territory management, lead tracking, and sales process optimization.
Spotio claims to enhance productivity by providing tools for route planning, performance tracking, and communicating with prospects. Its mobile-first approach makes it accessible for reps on the go.
Pros
Enhanced productivity—Spotio users have access to route planning and tracking features. These features help users organize their schedules and ensure sales reps maximize their time in the field.
Increased sales—The software promotes a potential increase in sales through features that help identify and focus on high-impact activities.
Integration capabilities—Spotio allows for CRM integration, which smoothens the sales process by syncing data across platforms and reducing duplication of work.
Automated follow-up—Automated sequences in Spotio help maintain engagement with prospects, aiming to increase the quality of interactions.
Cons
Learning curve—Some users find the software complex at first, which may result in a period of adjustment as they become familiar with the various features.
Cost concerns—For small businesses or individual sales reps, the cost of Spotio might be a consideration, as the investment needs to reflect the value received.
Pricing: Spotio offers various plans that cater to different sizes of sales teams and organizations. Pricing is not disclosed on their website, but interested parties can request a quote or a demo to understand the costs involved in implementing Spotio within their sales processes.
2. Shoeboxed—best expense tracking for field reps
Shoeboxed is the only expense management app that allows users to send in their physical receipts for scanning!
For that reason, the Shoeboxed mobile app and receipt scanning service is a top choice for any outside sales rep who wants the simplest way to manage receipts, track mileage, and generate expense reports while on the move.
Mileage tracking—The app's mileage tracking helps log every mile driven for work purposes, serving as an accurate record for reimbursement reports.
Report generation—Create expense reports that can be shared with managers or accounting departments for reimbursement requests.
Gmail receipt sync—Importing e-receipts to your Shoeboxed account is as easy as syncing your Gmail with Shoeboxed, using Shoeboxed's special Gmail Receipt Sync feature.
Integration capabilities—The application supports integration with major accounting software, aiding in seamless data synchronization for more efficient bookkeeping.
Shoeboxed is the only receipt scanner app that will handle both your paper receipts and your digital receipts—saving customers up to 9.2 hours per week from manual data entry!
Hit the road with Shoeboxed 🚗
Stuff receipts into the Magic Envelope while on the road. Then send them in once a month to get scanned. Expense reports don’t get easier than this! 💪🏼 Try free for 30 days!
Get Started TodayWhat else can Shoeboxed do?
Shoeboxed has been voted as the best receipt scanner app for tax season by Hubspot and given the Trusted Vendor and Quality Choice awards by Crozdesk.
A quick overview of Shoeboxed's award-winning features:
a. Mobile app and web dashboard
Shoeboxed’s mobile app lets you snap photos of paper receipts and upload them to your account right from your phone.
Shoeboxed also has a user-friendly web dashboard to upload receipts, warranties, contracts, invoices, and other documents from your desktop.
b. Gmail receipt sync feature for capturing e-receipts
Importing e-receipts to your Shoeboxed account is as easy as syncing your Gmail with Shoeboxed, using Shoeboxed's special Gmail Receipt Sync feature.
Shoeboxed’s Gmail Receipt Sync grabs all receipt emails and sends them to your account for automatic processing! These receipts are then labeled as Sent to Shoeboxed in your Gmail inbox.
In short, Shoeboxed pulls the receipt data from your email, including the vendor, purchase date, currency, total, and payment type, and organizes it in your account.
Your purchases will even come with images of the receipts attached!
b. Expense reports
Expense reports let you view all of your expenses in one cohesive document. They also make it simple to share your purchases with your accountant or send to your accounting department for reimbursement.
You can also choose certain types of receipts to include in your expense report. Just select the receipts you want to export and click “export selected.”
c. Search and filter
Call up any receipt in seconds with advanced search features.
Filter receipts based on vendors, date, price, currency, categories, payment type, etc.
d. Accounting software integrations
Export expenses to your accounting software in just a click.
Shoeboxed integrates with 12+ apps, including QuickBooks, Xero, and Wave Accounting, to automate tedious life tasks.
e. Unlimited number of free sub-users
You can add an unlimited number of free sub-users to your account, such as family members, employees, accountants, and tax professionals.
f. Mileage tracker for logging business miles
After you sign up for Shoeboxed, you can start tracking miles in seconds:
Open the Shoeboxed app.
Tap the “Mileage” icon.
Click the “Start Mileage Tracking” button.
And drive!
Whenever you start a trip, Shoeboxed tracks your location and miles and saves your route as you drive.
As you make stops at stores and customer locations, you can drop pins to make tracking more precise.
At the end of a drive, you’ll click the “End Mileage Tracking” button to create a summary of your trip. Each summary will include the date, editable mileage and trip name, and your tax deductible and rate info.
Click “Done” to generate a receipt for your drive and get a photo of your route on the map. Shoeboxed will automatically categorize your trip under the mileage category in your account.
g. The Magic Envelope
Outsource your receipt scanning with the Magic Envelope!
The Magic Envelope service is one of Shoeboxed's most popular features, particularly for businesses, as it lets users outsource receipt management.
When you sign up for a plan that includes the Magic Envelope, Shoeboxed will mail you a pre-paid envelope for you to send your receipts in.
Pricing: Magic Envelope plans start from $18 per month.
Stop doing manual data entry 🛑
Outsource receipt scanning to Shoeboxed’s scanning service and free up your time for good. Try free for 30 days! ✨
Get Started Today3. Timeero—best on-the-go time tracking
Timeero is an application designed to assist outside sales representatives in managing their day-to-day tasks effectively.
The app is marketed as an all-encompassing tool for tracking work hours, mileage, and locations using GPS technology.
Additionally, it boasts of features such as geofence-enabled time clocks and insightful analytics for route optimization.
Pros
Automated mileage tracking—Reviews from users generally report that the automated system accurately logs mileage, saving time and reducing the need for manual entries.
Enhanced GPS functionality—The GPS tracking with route planning is instrumental in managing travel, allowing sales reps to navigate and optimize their sales routes efficiently.
Geofencing technology—Timeero utilizes geofencing to enable automatic time clocking, which helps delineate work zones and accurately record time spent in different locations.
User-friendly interface—The ease of use is frequently highlighted, with users finding the app's interface intuitive, facilitating quick adoption and integration into daily operations.
Cons
Limited free features—Some users point out that the free navigation is quite basic, meaning businesses might need to invest in the paid version for full functionality.
Learning curve—A few users mention a learning curve when first implementing the app, citing the range of features as initially overwhelming.
Pricing: Timeero offers a tiered pricing strategy to accommodate businesses' varying needs, including a free trial option. Subsequently, the pricing aligns with the number of users and the level of features required, with detailed cost information available upon request or through the sign-up process. Pricing starts from $8 per month per user.
4. B2Field—best all-around mobile workforce management
B2Field is a mobile workforce management tool for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) that enhances sales representatives' productivity, including GPS tracking, route planning, mobile forms, and performance analytics.
The app aims to streamline the management of outside sales teams, providing both Android and iOS versions to ensure broad accessibility.
Pros
Real-time tracking—B2Field allows managers to monitor sales reps' locations with live updates, enhancing transparency and encouraging accountability.
Route optimization—The app includes smart route planning to help sales reps visit more customers in less time, reducing travel costs and improving efficiency.
Comprehensive reporting—Users can generate detailed reports about sales visits, which help analyze performance and planning strategies.
User-friendly interface—Reviewers often praise the app's interface, which makes it simple for new users to adapt and maximize the app's features.
Cons
Learning curve—Some users report that while the platform is powerful, it can be a little complex to master all the features quickly.
Limited offline functionality—There are occasional mentions of limited app use when offline, which can be a drawback for reps working in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Pricing: B2Field adopts a subscription-based model, often preferred for its flexibility and scalability. The Basic plan allows for 5 to 14 employees and is billed at $20 per employee per month. The Business plan allows for 5 to 50 employees and is annually billed at $35 per employee per month.
5. Badger Maps—Best for route optimization
Badger Maps is a specialized app designed to support the dynamic needs of outside sales professionals.
It functions as a tool for sales optimization, integrating features for route planning, customer relationship management, and sales strategy development.
By automating tasks that typically consume sales reps’ time, the app aims to enhance their efficiency on the road.
Pros
Route optimization—The app helps to optimize routes, potentially reducing time spent driving and conserving fuel.
Customer data integration—Sales personnel can manage their customer data seamlessly, with all the necessary details conveniently accessible.
User-friendly interface—Feedback often highlights the app's intuitive design, which makes navigation and usage straightforward for users.
Cons
Learning curve—Some users may experience difficulty acclimatizing to many features and functionalities.
Dependence on connectivity—Its performance partly relies on internet connectivity, which might be problematic in areas with poor network coverage.
Pricing: Badger Maps offers various subscription plans. Pricing is structured per user and varies depending on the features included. The Business plan is $58 per user per month when billed annually. The Enterprise plan is $95 per user per month when billed annually.
6. Outfield—best for gamifying sales
Outfield is a CRM and sales gamification software designed to enhance the effectiveness of external sales teams.
The app blends gamification elements into the sales process to improve engagement and performance.
Pros
Improved team performance—Outfield's gamification approach motivates sales teams, driving performance improvement by making work more rewarding and engaging.
Comprehensive feature set—The app includes features such as account and territory management, allowing sales reps and management to collaborate efficiently, as users on various platforms have noticed.
Flexibility across industries—Outfield supports field marketing, outside sales, merchandising, and inspections, indicating its versatility for various business needs and sectors.
Large brand adoption—It is trusted by a wide range of companies, including Fortune 500 companies, indicating its reliability and the capability to cater to diverse organizational sizes and requirements.
Cons
Learning curve—Due to the extensive features offered by the software, new users may face a steep learning curve.
Cost concern for small teams—While Outfield is widely adopted, smaller teams with limited budgets might find the cost a consideration, especially when scaling up.
Pricing: Outfield's pricing models are based on features and the scale of the team. The company provides a performance-based CRM powerhouse that caters to varying business sizes and needs, which implies that flexible pricing options are available to suit different budgets. Contact them for a price quote.
Track mileage with Shoeboxed 🚗
Track mileage using your phone’s built-in GPS for unmatched ease and accuracy. Expense reports don’t get easier than this! 💪🏼 Try free for 30 days!
Get Started Today7. Google Maps—best for general navigation
Google Maps is a widely recognized navigation app that offers map services. It has various features like real-time GPS tracking, traffic conditions, and route planning.
This app is especially notable for its user-friendly interface and reliable updates on road information.
Pros
User-friendly interface—Users often praise Google Maps for its intuitive design, making navigation and location searches straightforward for individuals of all tech levels.
Reliable real-time information—It regularly updates to display accurate traffic delays, road works, and incidents, helping sales reps avoid unexpected delays.
Extensive coverage—Google Maps has a vast database of locations globally, which is invaluable for outside sales reps who travel to various regions.
Route optimization—It allows the planning of multiple stops on a route, ensuring the most efficient travel between sales appointments.
Cons
Limited to 10 destinations—When planning a route, one can add up to only 10 stops, which may be restrictive for some outside sales reps with numerous daily visits.
Data-dependent—Since it requires an internet connection for real-time updates and map data, users without a stable data connection could face challenges.
Pricing: Google Maps is a free app with no subscription fees, making it accessible to individual sales professionals and small business owners. However, those needing more advanced features like territory management might require additional paid apps or software integrating with Google Maps.
See also: Top 8 Field Sales Management Apps for 2024
8. OIS Pro App—best for sales order management
OIS Pro is an innovative sales order management tool designed for wholesale distributors and manufacturing businesses with sales teams working in the field. The app facilitates direct store delivery (DSD) and pre-sales processes.
Compatible with iOS devices, the app offers a seamless experience for field sales representatives to create and send orders efficiently.
Pros
Ease of use—Users find OIS Pro’s digital product catalog and intuitive design allow quick order creation. The app simplifies the order process, enabling sales reps to select customers and products rapidly.
Real-time inventory access—Providing inventory visibility directly from the app helps reps check product availability on the spot, an essential factor in ensuring successful deliveries and inventory management.
Payment and signature capture—The app can accept payments and capture customer signatures during the order process, streamlining the transaction for greater efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Barcode scanning—The integration of barcode scanning facilitates easy product identification, cuts down on time needed for order entry, and reduces the potential for human error.
Cons
Platform limitation—Currently, OIS Pro is tailored for iOS users, which means businesses using other operating systems could be excluded from leveraging this tool.
Learning curve—Some users have reported a learning curve when first adopting the software, suggesting user training is needed to maximize the app’s benefits.
Pricing: Regarding pricing, OIS Pro offers a tiered subscription model. Prices are not listed directly on the website, but interested businesses can request a personalized quote by contacting the app’s sales team. This model allows flexibility and scalability suited to various business sizes and needs.
9. Calendly—best for sales scheduling
Calendly is an appointment scheduling application designed to streamline the process of arranging meetings for individuals and businesses.
Various scheduling options makes coordinating appointments across different time zones and schedules less cumbersome.
The app also integrates with popular calendar services, enhancing its functionality within business ecosystems.
Pros
Integration capabilities—Compatible with digital tools such as Google Calendar, providing a cohesive scheduling experience.
Customization options—Calendly allows users to personalize meeting types and scheduling rules, catering to diverse business requirements.
Efficient group scheduling—They facilitate the coordination of group meetings by showing all invitees’ availability simultaneously, easing the process of finding suitable times.
Cons
Limited free plan—The free version offers basic features that may not meet the needs of larger businesses or those requiring advanced functionalities.
Complexity for large teams—Some users report difficulties in managing the application for large teams due to its intricate array of features.
Calendly offers several pricing tiers, including a basic free option with limited features. Paid subscriptions start from $10 per seat per month and cater to small businesses and larger corporations. The pricing structure accommodates various business needs and sizes, ensuring scalability.
10. Keynote—best for sales presentations
Keynote is a presentation app for iOS devices that enables users to create polished, professional presentations. The app includes intuitive design tools, rich animations, and the ability to collaborate in real-time.
With its robust functionality, Keynote is tailored for sales representatives who frequently deliver presentations to clients or colleagues.
Pros
Quality templates and graphics—Keynote boasts a wide selection of high-quality templates and graphics, enabling users to produce visually appealing presentations easily.
Seamless Apple ecosystem integration—The app works seamlessly across all Apple devices, facilitating smooth transitions from one device to another and aiding in maintaining workflow.
Real-time collaboration—Keynote supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same presentation and enhancing team productivity simultaneously.
Cons
Platform limitation—It is limited to iOS and macOS, which can be restrictive if you share it with users on other platforms.
Fewer customization options—Keynote offers fewer customization options than other presentation software, which may limit creative freedom for more advanced users.
Pricing: Keynote is free for iOS and macOS users, making it accessible to individuals within the Apple ecosystem. This lack of cost ensures sales representatives can leverage the app’s functionalities without worrying about upfront expenses or subscription fees.
See also: Top 7 Sales Rep Apps for Peak Performance in 2024
11. Salesforce—best all around CRM platform
Salesforce offers a dynamic platform for outside sales teams, emphasizing the importance of customer relationship management (CRM). The platform is designed to improve sales efficiency and effectiveness by providing a wide range of tools and features optimized for sales processes.
Pros
CRM capabilities—Salesforce enables users to manage customer information, track sales activities, and access rich analytics, streamlining the overall sales strategy.
Customization options—It caters to business needs through customizable dashboards and app ecosystems, allowing the field sales team to build a CRM that fits their unique workflow.
Integration ecosystem—Many third-party apps, such as Scratchpad, are available on the Salesforce AppExchange, simplifying the consolidation of various sales tools into one unified workspace.
Mobility and accessibility—Salesforce offers mobile solutions that ensure sales reps access the necessary data and tools while in the field, enhancing productivity and customer engagement.
Cons
Complexity and learning curve—Some users may find the wide array of features overwhelming, which can lead to a steep learning curve for new adopters or smaller teams.
Cost considerations—The pricing might deter smaller businesses or startups since the platform can be on the higher end of the spectrum, especially when premium features are considered.
Pricing: Salesforce pricing is tiered, starting with a basic package for small sales teams and scaling up to more advanced editions that include additional features like deeper customization, reporting, and support. Each edition is priced per user, per month.
For their Sales product, the Starter Suite is $25 per user per month. The Professional plan is $80 per user per month when billed annually. The Enterprise Plan is $165 per user per month when billed annually.
Frequently asked questions
How does outside sales software improve productivity?
Software designed for outside sales typically increases productivity by providing reps with efficient route planning and scheduling tools. It assists in managing contacts and automating administrative tasks, allowing sales reps to focus on winning sales.
Is it important for outside sales apps to have mobile compatibility?
Since outside sales reps are often on the move, mobile-friendly apps ensure they have real-time access to data and tools directly from their smartphones or tablets.
Can outside sales apps be integrated with other business tools?
Many outside sales apps offer integration with various business tools.
Do outside sales apps offer customization?
Many apps allow customization to cater to any outside sales team's specific needs and workflows. Custom fields, sales pipeline stages, and reporting features are typical examples of such flexibility.
In closing
When selecting the best apps for outside sales, sales professionals should consider apps that excel at boosting sales and reducing inefficiencies.
Efficiency and integration are key in supporting sales teams in reaching their targets.
Sales reps benefit from apps that are accessible from their mobile devices, and that not only ease the administrative load but also strengthen customer relationships through timely follow-ups and personalized communication.
The integration of these apps within the sales workflow can markedly increase sales efficiency, improve time management, and drive higher closing rates.
Tomoko Matsuoka is the managing editor for Shoeboxed, MailMate, and other online resource libraries. She covers small business tips, organization hacks, and productivity tools and software.
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.
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