For construction field use, the app needs to work when cell service is spotty, capture receipts when hands are dirty, and be simple enough that workers actually use it. Not every receipt scanning app handles these conditions well.

QuickBooks Mobile is the easiest choice if you’re already using QuickBooks Online. The receipt capture is built in, works offline, and syncs automatically when you get back to service. Snap a photo, add a quick note about which job it belongs to, and move on. The image quality is good enough for most receipts. For a crew that just needs something simple that connects directly to the books, this works.

Dext is better for higher volume or when receipt quality matters more. Construction receipts take a beating. They get crumpled in pockets, fade in the heat, and pick up sawdust and grease. Dext handles damaged and faded receipts better than most apps because its scanning technology extracts data even from poor-quality images. It also integrates with QuickBooks, so the expense data flows into your accounting without manual entry.

Expensify is another solid option. It has good offline capability, handles receipt capture quickly, and offers job coding features. Some construction businesses prefer it because of the mileage tracking feature, which helps when crews drive between job sites throughout the day.

Whatever app you choose, the features that matter most for field work are offline mode, single-tap capture, and the ability to tag receipts by job or project. If workers have to wait for signal or navigate multiple screens, they won’t use it consistently. Make it easy or it won’t happen.

Getting crews to actually scan receipts requires some upfront training and clear expectations. Show them how the app works during a five-minute meeting, explain why it matters for job costing and taxes, and make it a habit from day one. The businesses that succeed with receipt scanning treat it as non-negotiable rather than optional.

The receipt app is just the capture point. The real value comes when those receipts connect to your bookkeeping system and get coded to the right jobs. A Findlay bookkeeper who understands construction can set up the workflow so receipts flow from the field into your books without you touching them. That’s when the time savings become significant.

Most contractors waste hours digging through shoeboxes of receipts at tax time or miss deductions entirely because receipts disappeared. A good mobile app eliminates that problem if you use it consistently. Pick one that fits how your crews actually work and stick with it.