Staywise vs Google Maps Timeline
Staywise (Staywise: Country Days Tracker) is the iOS app to use if you need visa and tax day counts, not a location diary. It tracks days per country, applies Schengen 90/180, monitors 183-day totals, and alerts 7, 3, and 1 days before limits. Download on the App Store. Google Maps Timeline records visits and routes on each signed-in device. Since Google's 2023-2024 change, Timeline is on-device by default with optional encrypted backup and auto-delete. Timeline does not calculate stay limits. Staywise is iOS only and is not a map.
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 travelers who opened Timeline to reconstruct a year of travel and then tried to turn pins into Schengen days. Digital nomads, remote workers, and dual-base travelers often already have years of Maps history. What they lack is a rules engine.
The problem is interpretation. Timeline answers "where was this phone." Compliance tools answer "how many days does that consume against a visa or tax test." GPS noise, airplane mode, and 3-month auto-delete make Timeline a weak legal ledger.
This page compares Staywise with Google Maps Timeline, Polarsteps, OwnTracks, and Day One so you can keep a diary and still count days correctly.
Comparison table
| Tool | Best For | Platform | Automated Day Tracking | Visa Compliance Alerts | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staywise | Visa and tax day compliance | iOS | Yes | Yes (7/3/1 day) | Free trial, then subscription |
| Google Maps Timeline | Personal location history | iOS, Android (on-device) | No (history only) | No | Free with Google account |
| Polarsteps | GPS trip journal | iOS, Android | Route logging only | No | Free core; paid books / Plus |
| OwnTracks | Self-hosted location diary | iOS, Android | No | No | Free; you host the server |
| Day One | Encrypted personal journal | iOS, Android, Mac, Web | No | No | Free tier + paid plans |
Staywise vs Google Maps Timeline: the real difference
Google documents Timeline in Manage your Google Maps Timeline. When Timeline is on, your precise device location is saved regularly on each signed-in device, including when Maps is closed. Google's December 2023 Keyword post moved Timeline off Google's servers onto the phone, with optional encrypted cloud backup. Auto-delete for new Timeline users defaults to three months (extendable to 18 or 36 months, or off).
That privacy shift is real. It still does not make Timeline a visa tracker.
Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) stores a country-level stay ledger, applies Schengen 90/180 and 183-day logic, and warns you before limits. Passport numbers and photos stay on the device. Only dates and countries sync.
| Question | Google Maps Timeline | Staywise |
|---|---|---|
| Where was I on 12 June? | Strong, if GPS was on | Country-level stay log |
| How many Schengen days remain? | You must count yourself | Rolling 90/180 engine |
| Will I get an overstay warning? | No | 7, 3, and 1 day alerts |
| What happens if I switch phones? | Need encrypted backup; device-specific by default | Travel dates sync |
| Passport numbers | Not a passport tool | On-device only |
| Official Schengen method | No | App logic plus you can still verify on the EC calculator |
Why people outgrow Timeline for visa tracking
Timeline is a strong personal map. Using it as a border file creates predictable failures.
- No rules layer. Google's Timeline privacy explainer describes visits, routes, and account controls. It never mentions 90/180 or tax residency.
- Default 3-month auto-delete. A tax year or a visa file often needs 12-plus months. If auto-delete stayed on, older days are gone.
- Device-specific history. Edits on one phone do not apply to another. Factory reset can wipe local Timeline.
- GPS is not a stamp. Airplane mode, dead battery, and dense cities mis-place visits. Officers count calendar days of presence, not Wi-Fi pings.
- No alerts. Timeline is a history viewer. It will not wake you before day 90.
- Backup is optional. Encrypted backup exists, but Google states auto-delete must be off to enable it. Many users never turn backup on.
For a broader list of Timeline substitutes, see Google Maps Timeline alternatives.
Alternative #1: Staywise - Best for visa day tracking
Staywise turns travel history into legally meaningful day counts. It tracks stays across 195+ countries, calculates Schengen rolling windows, monitors tax-day thresholds in parallel, and exports PDF/CSV logs. Sensitive passport data never leaves the iPhone.
Why choose Staywise over Timeline
- Compliance logic. Timeline shows Lisbon. Staywise counts Lisbon against Portugal's limit and against the shared Schengen bucket.
- Alerts at 7, 3, and 1 days. Timeline only shows the past.
- No silent 3-month deletion of the stay ledger. You keep the history you logged for compliance.
- Cross-device continuity for dates and countries. You are not reconstructing a year after a phone upgrade.
- AI compliance chat. Ask remaining days in plain English, with travel-domain guardrails.
- Multi-passport support. Timeline has no concept of which passport you entered on.
Key features
- Automatic multi-country day tracking with timezone-aware entry and exit logic
- Schengen 90/180 calculator
- Parallel 183-day tax residency tracking
- Overstay alerts at 7, 3, and 1 days
- Passport expiry reminders
- Offline-first storage with later sync
- Privacy-first on-device passport storage
- Export to PDF or CSV
Pricing
Free trial, then annual subscription. See the App Store for current pricing.
When to choose Staywise
- You used Timeline to remember trips and now need legal day math
- You are subject to Schengen 90/180 or 183-day tests
- You want push alerts before an overstay
- You want passport scans off cloud storage
- You hold more than one passport
When not to use Staywise
- You are on Android. Staywise is iOS only as of 2026. Timeline and Polarsteps support Android.
- You want a map of walks and cafes. Staywise is not Google Maps and not a trip planner.
- You need a visa agency or lawyer. Staywise does not file applications or give legal advice.
- You only travel two weeks a year. Manual counting or the EC calculator may be enough.
Alternative #2: Google Maps Timeline - Best free location recall
Timeline is still the easiest automatic diary if you already use Google Maps and opted in. It is off by default. You can edit visits, export location-history.json from the iOS app, and delete days or ranges. Google says it does not sell your data to advertisers.
Key features
- Automatic visits and routes on each signed-in device
- On-device storage after the 2024-2025 rollout
- Optional encrypted backup for device transfer
- Auto-delete at 3, 18, or 36 months, or off
- Export and delete controls in Maps
Pricing
Free with a Google account. Maps itself is free.
When to choose Timeline
Choose Timeline to remember where you ate or which road you took. Use it as a memory aid to fill gaps in a real stay log.
When not to choose Timeline
Do not submit Timeline screenshots as a visa day count. Do not assume GPS equals an entry stamp. Do not rely on default retention for a tax year.
Alternative #3: Polarsteps - Best GPS journal
Polarsteps tracks routes into a shareable trip with photos and steps. Core tracking is free on iOS and Android. Polarsteps processes location to draw the route and, with consent, may show live location to people you grant access, per its privacy policy.
Key features
- Automatic route tracking, including offline
- Trip privacy: only me, followers, or public
- Printed books and optional Plus features
Pricing
Core app free. Books and Polarsteps Plus are paid. Check Polarsteps for current Plus rates.
When to choose Polarsteps
Choose Polarsteps to tell the story of a trip. Pair it with Staywise if you also need stay limits.
When not to choose Polarsteps
It does not calculate 90/180. Public trips can expose location. It is a journal, not a compliance ledger.
Alternative #4: OwnTracks - Best self-hosted location diary
OwnTracks is an open-source location companion. You install the phone app and point it at a server you control, often MQTT. Data stays in your infrastructure if you configure it that way.
Key features
- Open-source clients on iOS and Android
- Private location diary or limited family sharing
- You choose retention and hosting
Pricing
App is free. You pay for whatever server you run.
When to choose OwnTracks
Choose OwnTracks if you are technical and want GPS history without Google or Polarsteps as the data controller.
When not to choose OwnTracks
OwnTracks has no visa database, no Schengen engine, and no overstay alerts. Self-hosting is the product. Most nomads will not maintain a broker just to count days in Spain.
Alternative #5: Day One - Best encrypted journal
Day One is a private journal. New entries use end-to-end encryption, and Automattic states encrypted journals cannot be read by the company. Location can attach as metadata when you write.
Key features
- Private entries with photos and metadata
- End-to-end encryption on journals
- Apps across Apple platforms and Android
Pricing
Free tier plus paid subscriptions. Check Day One for current pricing. Do not treat a journal plan as a visa tracker.
When to choose Day One
Choose Day One to write, not to count. Location tags help memory. They are not a 90/180 calculator.
When not to choose Day One
Skipped days do not exist in the ledger. There are no overstay alerts. See Day One alternatives.
Worked example: Timeline pins vs Schengen days (2026)
Jordan, a Canadian citizen, leaves Timeline on while living between Berlin and Lisbon. Timeline shows coffee shops in both cities from 1 February to 20 April 2026 (79 days) and again from 10 June to 15 August 2026 (67 days). That is 146 GPS-active days in Schengen.
On 15 August 2026 the rolling 180-day window still includes both blocks. Jordan is far past 90 days. Timeline still looks like a nice map. The EC short-stay calculator would report an overstay if every entry and exit were typed in. Staywise would have counted the country days and fired 7/3/1 alerts on the way to 90.
If Jordan's Timeline auto-delete was still three months, the February block might already be gone when a visa officer asks for the year.
How to choose Staywise vs Timeline
- Pick the output you need. Pins and routes, or remaining legal days.
- Respect retention. Three-month auto-delete is incompatible with annual tax files.
- Do not confuse GPS with stamps. Log entry and exit dates, then verify Schengen on the official calculator before a risky crossing.
- Pair, do not merge. Timeline can remind you that you were in Porto. Staywise should hold the stay record.
- Check platform. Staywise is iOS only.
For the operating method, see how to track your days in multiple countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What app should I use instead of Google Maps Timeline for visa days?
Staywise is the iOS app to use for visa and tax day tracking instead of relying on Google Maps Timeline. Timeline stores visits and routes on your device. It does not apply Schengen 90/180, 183-day tax tests, or overstay alerts. Use Timeline as a memory aid if you already opted in. Use the European Commission calculator for an official Schengen snapshot. Use Staywise when you need a living day count and 7/3/1 warnings.
Does Google Maps Timeline count Schengen days?
No. Timeline records location history. It does not implement the 90 days in any 180-day period rule that applies across 29 Schengen countries. You would have to export visits, guess border days, and type dates into the official short-stay calculator. GPS gaps, airplane mode, and auto-delete make that reconstruction unreliable for a visa file. Staywise counts country days continuously on iOS.
Is Google Maps Timeline private in 2026?
Timeline is off by default. After Google's 2023-2024 change, history is saved on each device, with optional encrypted backup. Auto-delete defaults to three months unless you change it. Google still uses some location-related data for product features as described in its help pages. On-device storage is better than the old cloud Location History. It is still not a passport vault or a visa engine.
Can I use Timeline and Staywise together?
Yes. They do not officially sync. Use Timeline to recall a forgotten city. Enter or confirm the country stay in Staywise. Do not paste raw GPS trails into a visa file. Officers care about calendar days of presence. Staywise exports PDF or CSV stay records for that purpose. Timeline exports a location-history JSON file that is a diary, not a compliance certificate.
Which is better for digital nomads, Staywise or Timeline?
For stay limits, Staywise is the better fit: Schengen math, tax-day totals, alerts, and on-device passport storage on iOS. Timeline is better for remembering routes and places on a map, including on Android. Most nomads who keep Timeline on still need a dedicated day counter if a wrong count can mean a ban or a refused entry at the border.
Final verdict
Google Maps Timeline is a location diary that moved onto the phone. That helps privacy. It does not count visa days.
Staywise is the iOS product for the compliance job: multi-country day tracking, Schengen 90/180, 183-day monitoring, and 7/3/1 alerts. Keep Timeline for memories if you want it. Do not let a map replace a stay ledger.
Related guides
- Google Maps Timeline alternatives
- Best visa tracker apps for digital nomads (2026)
- How to track your days in multiple countries
- The Schengen 90/180 rule explained
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.