Best Tally Counter for Traffic / Vehicle Counting
Traffic and pedestrian studies need multi-category counting, rapid data entry, offline reliability, and CSV export for analysis software. We compared online tally counters to find the best free tool for field-based traffic counting.
What makes a great traffic counting app?
Traffic studies and pedestrian counts demand fast, reliable data collection in the field:
- Multiple counters — one per lane, direction, or vehicle type (cars, trucks, bikes, pedestrians).
- Labels/renaming — clearly identify each category in your study design.
- Quick-add / rapid tap — keep up with high-volume intersections.
- Offline / PWA mode — cell coverage is unreliable at roadside locations.
- CSV export — feed counts into traffic-engineering software (Synchro, HCS, Excel models).
- Statistics dashboard — review hourly distributions in the field.
- Historical data — compare this week's counts to last month's baseline.
- Auto-save — never lose data mid-count if the browser refreshes.
Traffic counting features — compared
We tested each app for a simulated 4-lane intersection study: 15-minute intervals, 4 vehicle categories, and 200+ vehicles per hour.
| Feature | clickcounter.org | digitaltallycounter.com | migi.me/multi-counter/en | online-tally-counter.web.app | tallycount.app | tally-counter.net | textmechanic.com/text-tools/numeration-tools/online-tally-counter | thetallycounter.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Features for Traffic Counting | ||||||||
| Increment counter | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Multiple counters | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Statistics dashboard | — | ✓ | — | — | Paid | ✓ | — | — |
| Rename / label counters | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| PWA / offline mode | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CSV export | — | Paid | — | — | Paid | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Historical trends | — | Paid | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Quick-add amount buttons | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Research Features | ||||||||
| Behavior tally mode | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Field observation mode | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Data timestamping | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Survey/polling mode | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Scientific notation display | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lab/experiment counter | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
The verdict
DigitalTallyCounter.com
Unlimited named counters for every lane and vehicle type. Offline PWA mode, CSV export for engineering tools, statistics dashboard for field checks. Fast and free.
Open DigitalTallyCounter.com →ClickCounter.org
Reliable offline counting with minimal interface. Lacks multi-counter support for multi-category traffic studies.
Visit ClickCounter.org →Turning-movement counts at intersections
The standard turning-movement count (TMC) requires tracking left turns, through movements, right turns, and U-turns for each approach. That's 12–16 counters at a four-leg intersection. A tally counter with labeled, categorized counters keeps observers organized during 15-minute intervals. CSV export at the end of the day drops directly into Synchro, Vistro, or an Excel pivot table.
Pedestrian and cyclist studies
Active-transportation studies for city planning count pedestrians and cyclists by direction and time interval. Historical data comparison shows whether a new bike lane increased ridership. The statistics dashboard lets field supervisors verify plausibility before leaving the site. Offline reliability ensures the count survives even in areas with poor reception.
Count traffic — for free.
Multi-category counting, offline mode, CSV export. No account required.
Open DigitalTallyCounter.com