Best Splitwise Alternatives 2026: Costs and Tradeoffs

5 min read

Looking for a Splitwise alternative? The right choice depends on what you’re splitting and who you’re splitting with. This guide compares pricing, features, and usability to help you choose the right tool for the job.

What’s wrong with Splitwise?

Splitwise has become a household name. From group trips, sharing bills with roommates, and eating out, it helps to have an app keep track of it all so no one gets shortchanged. However, recent updates to Splitwise have pushed consumers to look for other alternatives.

Why Splitwise doesn’t cut it anymore

Splitwise has been pushing Splitwise Pro, its premium offering locked behind a subscription. Without it, users have been suffering from:

  • Daily limits of 3–5 expenses per day
  • Unskippable ads for Splitwise Pro
  • No receipt scanning without Pro If you’re looking for another option, the comparisons below will give you an idea of what’s the best choice for you.

Comparison Table

App Daily limit? Receipt scanning? Subscription required for all features? Everyone needs to download an app? Everyone needs an account?
Split Check ✅ No ✅ Yes ✅ No ✅ No ✅ No
Splitwise ❌ Yes ❌ Yes* ❌ Yes ✅ No ❌ Yes
Tab ✅ No ✅ Yes ✅ No ❌ Yes ✅ No
Tricount ✅ No ❌ No ✅ No ❌ Yes ✅ No
Splid ✅ No ❌ No ✅ No ❌ Yes ✅ No
Venmo Groups ✅ No ❌ No ✅ No ✅ No ❌ Yes
Manual spreadsheets ✅ No ❌ No ✅ No ✅ No ✅ No

*Splitwise receipt scanning only available with a Pro subscription

Key Insights

Split Check is the best Splitwise alternative for splitting food and drinks

Split Check is optimized for eating and drinking out. With receipt scanning that actually works, instantly share a link with your friends and get your money back before you leave the table. No one needs to create an account, download an app, or pay a subscription. Whenever you need to split an itemized receipt for happy hour, a bachelor/bachelorette party, groceries, or bills, that’s where Split Check shines.

Tab comes close, but it’s sometimes too simple

Tab is another popular app that many have turned to. It too, like Splitwise, has its limitations. Collaborating with others requires everyone to download an app, its Venmo integration no longer works, and you cannot edit expenses after 1 week. On top of that, the app’s design has some rough edges and feels a bit clunky.

Venmo Groups are the best for coordinating large, even purchases during a trip

If everyone already has Venmo and you know exactly how much everyone owes for the bill, there’s no need to use another app. Venmo Groups allows you to group expenses together and figure out how everyone should settle up with the fewest payments possible. This makes it great for trips or other times when your group has a bunch of expenses in a short period of time.

What Venmo Groups lacks is receipt scanning for when things aren’t split evenly, and everyone needs to use Venmo. There’s no other payment options.

Tricount is great when you need an offline tool

Tricount has a more modern interface and is popular especially in Europe. A big selling point about this app is that it can work offline and sync back up when you have internet. Note that when you’re offline, your expense cannot be shared with others until you’re back online.

Similar to Venmo Groups, Tricount does not offer receipt scanning to itemize receipts. You must do the math yourself for what everyone must owe. Beyond offline use, it beats Venmo Groups by supporting multiple payment methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Splitwise alternative without a subscription?

Split Check is the best alternative to Splitwise because you can scan a receipt, share a link, and generate Venmo requests without your friends needing to download an app or create an account. Best of all, no subscription is required.

What is the best expense splitting app?

Split Check is the best app to split the bill because its easy-to-use interface gives you scary accurate receipt scanning, shareable links, and Venmo integration without daily limits or the need for a subscription. Best of all, share a link with your friends to settle up without them needing to download an app or create an account.

In what situations should I use Split Check?

If you have a receipt and want to calculate who owes what, then you should use Split Check. Across all the alternatives, Split Check is optimized for getting the split done quickly and fairly.

Which is better, Splitwise or Split Check?

Split Check is a more modern alternative which doesn’t require others to download an app or create an account. It offers accurate receipt scanning and generates Venmo requests for you.

Is Split Check better than Splitwise?

Yes, Split Check is better than Splitwise when you want to settle up large receipts, bar tabs, and restaurant bills. You can create unlimited expenses without a daily cap, and your friends don’t need to download an app or create an account.

Prefer Splitwise if you have a lot of friends who already have an account and are happy with using the app. If Splitwise does not meet your needs though, consider Split Check.

How is Split Check different from Splitwise?

Unlike Splitwise, Split Check offers:

  1. More functionality. Receipt scanning without a subscription
  2. Better settle experience. Friends don’t need an account
  3. Faster settling. Get your money before you leave the table

Does Split Check require a subscription?

No! Unlike Splitwise, the Split Check app does not require a subscription.

Does Split Check require an account?

No! Unlike Splitwise, you can use Split Check without an account. Your friends can also settle up without an account when you share a link with them.

Does Split Check require everyone to download an app?

No! Split Check is available on the web. You can download the iOS app on the App Store only if you want.

Which Splitwise alternative is best for restaurants and bars?

Split Check is the best alternative for Splitwise with its accurate receipt scanning, shareable links, and Venmo integration.

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