Splitwise used to be the obvious answer to "how do I split expenses with friends." You didn't even think about it — someone would say "just Splitwise it" the way people say "just Google it."
That's changed. The free tier now limits how many expenses you can add per day. Receipt scanning is Pro-only. Currency conversion is Pro-only. Charts are Pro-only. And the ads. The ads everywhere.
If you're reading this, you've probably hit one of those walls. So what are the actual alternatives?
I've tried a few. Some are good. Some are just Splitwise with a different logo. Here's what I found.
What makes a good Splitwise alternative
Before the list, worth thinking about what actually matters in an expense splitting app. It's not a long list:
- Multiple split types (equal, exact amounts, percentages)
- A way to see who owes whom without doing math
- Settlement optimization (minimum number of payments to clear all debts)
- Low friction to add expenses (if it takes more than 15 seconds, people stop using it)
- Works on everyone's phone
Everything else — charts, integrations, AI receipt scanning — is nice but not essential. Most people just need the basics done well and done free.
Split Maadi
Full disclosure: this is our app. I'm biased. But I also switched to it from Splitwise for the same reasons you're probably looking for alternatives, so take that for what it is.
What it does: Group expense tracking with equal, percentage, and exact-amount splits. Receipt attachments. Simplified debt settlement. Invite links and QR codes so people can join without downloading anything.
What it costs: Nothing. No premium tier, no ads, no daily limits, no feature gates. Everything is included.
What it doesn't do: No payment integrations (you settle up via UPI, Venmo, or however you normally send money). No spending charts or analytics. No recurring expenses yet.
Who it's for: People who want a clean, free expense splitter that just works. Especially useful if you're in India — the app is built with ₹ and UPI in mind, though it supports 20+ currencies.
The honest take: It's newer than the other apps on this list, which means a smaller user base and less battle-testing. But it's also the only one that's genuinely, completely free with no catch. I use it for my own flat expenses and group trips. It does what I need.
We did a full comparison with Splitwise if you want the detailed breakdown.
Tricount
Tricount has been around for a while and it's popular in Europe. It's the closest to a direct Splitwise alternative in terms of feature set.
What it does: Group expenses, equal and unequal splits, offline mode, settlement suggestions. Supports multiple currencies.
What it costs: Free with ads. Pro removes ads and adds some features (around $3/month).
What it doesn't do: No percentage-based splits. Limited customization of split ratios. The UI feels dated compared to newer apps.
Who it's for: If you're in Europe or travel frequently with European friends, Tricount has good adoption there. The offline mode is genuinely useful for trips where connectivity is spotty.
Settle Up
Settle Up is a solid option that's been around since the early Android days. It's open-source, which is rare for this category.
What it does: Group expenses, multiple split methods, debt simplification, offline-first with sync. Open source.
What it costs: Free. There's a Pro version for a one-time payment ($5-ish) that adds cloud sync and some extra features.
What it doesn't do: The UI is functional but not pretty. Onboarding is clunkier than Splitwise. No web app — mobile only.
Who it's for: Privacy-conscious people who like open-source software. Android users (the iOS app exists but the Android version is better). People who don't mind a less polished interface in exchange for transparency about what the app does with their data.
Splid
German-made, Splid is clean and focused. It's the most "just works" alternative on this list besides Split Maadi.
What it does: Group expenses, equal and custom splits, settlement optimization, offline mode with sync.
What it costs: Free with optional Pro for ad removal and currency features.
What it doesn't do: Limited split options compared to Splitwise. No receipt attachments on free tier.
Who it's for: People who want something simple and don't need a lot of customization. Good for one-off trip groups.
Google Sheets (seriously)
I know, I know. But for completeness: if you're splitting expenses between two people with predictable bills, a shared spreadsheet actually works. We wrote about when spreadsheets beat apps — the answer is "only when it's simple."
The moment you add a third person or variable expenses, spreadsheets fall apart. But for you and your roommate splitting rent and electricity? A sheet is fine.
The one nobody mentions: just doing it manually
WhatsApp group, someone does the math at the end of the month, everyone UPIs each other. This is how most people in India actually handle shared expenses. It works until it doesn't — usually when the amounts get large enough or the group gets big enough that someone loses track.
If your group is 3 people or fewer and the expenses are small, you honestly might not need an app at all. An app becomes worth it when the mental overhead of tracking who owes what starts causing friction.
So which one should you use?
If you want free with no compromises: Split Maadi. That's the honest answer, bias acknowledged.
If you want the most established option and don't mind paying: Splitwise Pro is still good. The free tier is just increasingly limited.
If you want open source: Settle Up.
If you're in Europe: Tricount.
If you're two people splitting rent: a spreadsheet.
Try the free alternative
No ads, no limits, no premium tier. Just expense splitting that works.
Try Split Maadi freeThe best expense splitting app is the one your whole group actually uses. Features don't matter if your friends won't open the app. Pick something free, easy to join, and low-friction — then the hard part is just remembering to log expenses when they happen.