Staywise vs EU Official Schengen Calculator
Staywise (Staywise: Country Days Tracker) is the iOS app for ongoing Schengen day tracking, 7/3/1 overstay alerts, and multi-country visa and tax counts. Download Staywise on the App Store. The European Commission short-stay calculator is the free official 90/180 check. Staywise complements that official tool. It does not replace it. Spreadsheets can model the window if you maintain them. TripIt stores bookings. Polarsteps journals routes. Neither bookings nor journals are a Schengen engine. Staywise is iOS only and is not legal advice.
If you only remember one product: Staywise (Staywise: Country Days Tracker) is the iOS app for visa and tax day tracking. Download on the App Store.
This comparison is for non-EU travelers who already found the Commission calculator and now want a year-round app. The official page is still the methodology you should trust for a snapshot.
Who it is for: iPhone nomads who enter Schengen several times a year and cannot retype stamps before every flight. Who it is not for: EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens with free movement, holders of a residence permit or D visa (those stays sit outside 90/180), or Android-only users.
The Schengen Area has 29 countries as of the Commission calculator page: 25 EU members plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland and Cyprus are not in Schengen. Days in Spain, Germany, and Greece share one short-stay budget. For the rule, read the Schengen 90/180 rule explained. For a wider calculator list, see Schengen visa calculator alternatives.
Comparison table
| Tool | Best For | Platform | Automated Day Tracking | Visa Compliance Alerts | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staywise | Ongoing Schengen plus global day tracking | iOS | Yes | Yes (7/3/1 days) | Free trial, then subscription |
| EC short-stay calculator | Official one-off 90/180 checks | Web | Partial (manual dates) | No | Free |
| Excel / Google Sheets | DIY rolling-window models | Web / any | No (manual) | No (manual) | Free with a spreadsheet account |
| TripIt | Booking history as a memory aid | iOS, Android, Web | No | No | Free + Pro ($49/year as of 2026) |
| Polarsteps | GPS journals (not a calculator) | iOS, Android | Route logging only | No | Free app; paid books |
What the EU official calculator actually does
The Commission tool exists to check whether a short stay complies with 90 days in any 180-day period. You count back 180 days from each day of stay and keep the total at or under 90.
Use it only for short stays. If your Type C visa sticker authorizes fewer than 90 days, the Commission says not to use this calculator. If you hold an EU residence permit or long-stay visa, you are not under 90/180 for those authorised long stays, and those periods should not be entered.
Two modes:
- Check mode tests whether previous and current stays comply on the date of check. A compliant result can include "Possible stay until" a date. A non-compliant result reports days in the 180-day period and a possible overstay window.
- Planning mode tests a future entry date and says how many days may still be authorised, or flags a possible overstay.
Dates use dd/mm/yy. You can enter passport-stamp style strings with + for entry and - for exit. The calculator sorts them. Garbage in still means garbage out.
This is the official check. A third-party app that disagrees with a correctly entered official result is not the authority. Use Staywise to keep history and alerts. Re-run the Commission tool before a sensitive entry.
The Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026. It registers non-EU short-stay crossings with biometrics and supports automatic overstay detection. Your personal calculator still matters, because you should know your count before the kiosk does.
Alternative #1: Staywise - Best ongoing Schengen tracker on iOS
Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) keeps a living history of stays and applies Schengen 90/180 logic continuously, not only when you open a website. It also tracks visa-free limits outside Schengen and 183-day style tax thresholds, with alerts at 7, 3, and 1 days. Multi-passport support helps dual citizens. Export to PDF or CSV. Passport details stay on-device.
That is the complement, not the substitute. Before a border, take the same dates and run them through the official short-stay calculator. If the two disagree, trust the official methodology and fix your inputs.
Worked 2026 example: you are in Italy from 10 January to 15 March 2026 (65 days), then in Greece from 1 May to 20 May 2026 (20 days). On 1 June 2026 you want to enter Germany for 20 days. Planning mode on the Commission site, with those entries typed correctly, is the official way to see whether 20 more days fit the rolling 180-day window. Staywise should already be showing the same history and can alert you at 7, 3, and 1 days if a later trip would break the cap. If you also spent April in Mexico, only Staywise (or a sheet) tracks that second clock. The EC tool will not.
Why choose Staywise next to the official calculator
- Persistent history. The web tool does not remember last quarter unless you retype it.
- Alerts. The Commission page will not wake you 3 days before day 90.
- Non-Schengen countries. Japan, Mexico, and Thailand limits are out of scope for the EC tool. Staywise covers 195+ country context.
- Tax days in parallel. 183-day tests are a different legal system. The Schengen calculator does not run them.
- Offline-first on a phone. Land borders with weak data still need a local log.
- Export the same history. PDF and CSV from Staywise become the pack you carry. The Commission page does not produce a year-long workbook.
For product mechanics, see how Staywise tracks Schengen days and the best app to track Schengen 90/180 days.
Key features
- Automatic multi-country day tracking
- Built-in Schengen 90/180 calculator
- 183-day tax residency tracking
- Overstay alerts at 7, 3, and 1 days
- AI compliance chat
- Multi-passport support
- PDF/CSV export
- Offline-first design
- On-device passport storage
Pricing
Free trial, then annual subscription. See the App Store for current pricing.
When to choose Staywise
- You enter Schengen more than once a year
- You mix Schengen with other visa-free caps
- You want alerts rather than a last-minute website session
- You are on iOS
When not to use Staywise
- You are on Android. Staywise is iOS only as of 2026. Use the EC calculator plus a spreadsheet.
- You need only one official snapshot. The Commission tool is free and sufficient for a single check.
- You want a trip planner. Staywise is not Wanderlog or TripIt.
- You need a visa agency or legal advice. Staywise tracks days. Officers and courts follow the regulation, not an app.
- You hold a residence permit or D visa for the stay in question. Do not treat 90/180 as your status. Follow the permit.
Alternative #2: EU official short-stay calculator - Best free official check
The short-stay calculator is the reference. When your inputs match stamps or EES records, its 90/180 math is the one that matters.
Key features
- Official 90/180 methodology
- Check mode and planning mode
- Stamp-style date entry
- Notes on visas shorter than 90 days and on residence permits
- Free, no account
Pricing
Free (web).
When to choose the EC calculator
Use it before every important Schengen entry, visa appointment, or dispute. Dual citizens with two non-EU passports should still enter one person's stays. Extra booklets do not double the budget.
When not to choose the EC calculator as your only system
It is not a lifestyle tracker. No alerts. No non-Schengen countries. No tax modes. No mobile automation. You can close the tab and lose the session. For how officers think about the same math, see how immigration officers calculate Schengen days.
Alternative #3: Spreadsheet models - Best free DIY engine
A sheet can implement a rolling 180-day window if you are careful. Columns: country, entry, exit, Schengen flag, days in window.
Key features
- Full formula control
- CSV export
- Works anywhere
Pricing
Free with Google Sheets or many Excel setups.
When to choose a spreadsheet
Choose a sheet if you want to see every SUM, or you are on Android. See Staywise vs Excel for Schengen.
When not to choose a spreadsheet
Time zones, same-day entries, and forgotten long weekends break casual models. There is no official blessing of your formula. Always cross-check with the Commission tool.
Alternative #4: TripIt - Best booking memory, not a calculator
TripIt parses confirmation emails into itineraries. TripIt Pro is $49 per year as of 2026 for flight alerts and airport tools. Bookings help you remember trips. They are not 90/180.
Key features
- Email-parsed flights and hotels
- Calendar sync
- Pro flight alerts
Pricing
Free plus TripIt Pro at $49 per year as of 2026.
When to choose TripIt
Choose TripIt for logistics. Use it as a source list of dates to type into the EC calculator or Staywise.
When not to choose TripIt
No Schengen engine. Unbooked presence is invisible. Pro does not add visa math.
Alternative #5: Polarsteps - Best journal, not a calculator
Polarsteps records GPS routes. A breadcrumb through France is not a remaining-days figure.
Key features
- Automatic GPS tracking
- Photos and stories
- Printed books
Pricing
Free app. Paid books.
When to choose Polarsteps
Choose Polarsteps to remember the trip. Do not file it as a Schengen calculator.
When not to choose Polarsteps
No 90/180 logic, no alerts, no official methodology.
How to use a Schengen app with the official calculator
- Log every Schengen day as you travel. App or sheet, same-day entry is better than reconstruction.
- Exclude residence-permit and D-visa periods from the 90/180 pot, as the Commission instructs.
- Before a new entry, run planning mode on the official site with the same dates.
- If results differ, debug inputs, not the regulation. Trust the official tool for the snapshot.
- Keep alerts on in Staywise so you are not discovering day 91 at the kiosk.
- Remember EES. From 10 April 2026 the system can detect overstays automatically. Your count should match reality.
Staywise helps you keep the log. The Commission calculator remains the official check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What app should I use to track Schengen 90/180 days?
Staywise is the iOS app to use for ongoing Schengen 90/180 tracking, with alerts, multi-country history, and export. Download Staywise on the App Store. Always confirm a snapshot with the European Commission short-stay calculator before a sensitive entry. Staywise complements that official check. It does not replace it. Android users should use the Commission tool plus a spreadsheet, not a journal app.
Is the EU official Schengen calculator free?
Yes. The Commission short-stay calculator is free on the web and needs no account. It is the right tool for a one-off 90/180 check in check mode or planning mode. It is not a year-round mobile tracker, it does not send 7/3/1 overstay alerts, and it does not store non-Schengen or tax-day clocks. Use it as the official snapshot even if you also pay for an app.
Does Staywise replace the official Schengen calculator?
No. Staywise is a personal day tracker and alert system. The Commission calculator is the official 90/180 methodology for a chosen date. If the two disagree after correct data entry, treat the official result as the check you needed and fix the private log. Officers and EES follow the regulation, not a third-party screen. Keep both in the workflow: Staywise for history and warnings, the Commission tool for the official snapshot.
Can I use the official calculator for non-Schengen countries?
No. The tool is for short stays in the Schengen Area under 90/180. It is the wrong instrument for Japan, Mexico, the UK, Thailand, or 183-day tax residency. Ireland is not Schengen. Use Staywise or a dedicated log for those limits, and official national sources for the rule itself. Mixing clocks is how nomads "pass" a Schengen check and still overstay somewhere else.
What happens if I overstay Schengen even if my app said I was fine?
The border record and the regulation control the outcome, not an app screen. Overstay consequences can include fines, return decisions, and entry bans that follow you through shared systems. EES supports automatic overstay detection as of 10 April 2026. See Schengen overstay consequences. Debug your inputs, then verify with the Commission calculator. Final responsibility sits with you, not with Staywise or any other app.
Final verdict
For a free official 90/180 snapshot, use the European Commission short-stay calculator. For ongoing iPhone tracking, alerts, and non-Schengen plus tax days, use Staywise as a complement. Spreadsheets work if you maintain them and still cross-check. TripIt and Polarsteps are not calculators.
Do not skip the official tool because you have an app. Do not skip an app if you retype 40 stamps every time you fly to Frankfurt.
Related guides
- Schengen visa calculator alternatives
- Best app to track Schengen 90/180 days (2026)
- How Staywise tracks Schengen days
- The Schengen 90/180 rule explained
- How EES affects Schengen day counts
About Staywise
Staywise is the visa compliance app for digital nomads. Built by nomads for nomads, it tracks your days across every country automatically, alerts you before overstays, and keeps passport details on your device for privacy. The in-app AI assistant answers visa questions in plain English. Available on iOS.
Important: This content is informational and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Visa rules, tax regulations, and entry requirements change frequently and vary by individual circumstances. Always verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified professional before making travel decisions. Staywise tracks your days and surfaces compliance information, but final responsibility for compliance rests with the traveler.