With the recent changes in Splitwise where you are limited to only 3 expenses per day, or you can upload expenses but have to see ads always, I thought of finding an alternative with similar or more features.
I focused only on the main Platforms / Solutions available and those that are free. I also looked up for OpenSource alternatives that I could host and, in that way, ensure that my data will be handled properly.
Below is a table of the different solutions, some of the main features that I’m looking for and some more detailed information.
Table of comparison of Expenses management platforms
Last update made in 2024-08-24
| Feature | Splitwise | Splid | Tricount | Sesterce | Splitser | Settle Up | Splitpro | Spliit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Able to share expenses, create groups, set categories and set simplification of debt | App developed mainly to split simple expenses between groups | Share expenses, set categories and more features (Acquired by bunq) | App to track group expenses | Divide and settle expenses in the app (also called WieBetaaltWat) | Settle Up keeps track of your gang’s expenses | Split Expenses with your friends for free (self-hosted) | Share Expenses with Friends & Family (self-hosted) |
| Create groups | Yes ✅ | Yes (2 with free version) ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Add expenses | Yes ⚠️ (3 per day) | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Upload images | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Set date of expense | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Categories | Yes ✅ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Recurrent expense | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | No ⛔ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Only premium ⚠️ | No ⛔ | No ⛔ |
| Split by percentages | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Simplification of debt | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Only premium ⚠️ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ |
| Default shares setup | Only premium ⚠️ | No ⛔ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | No ⛔ |
| Notifications | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ |
| Multiple currencies | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Search | Only premium ⚠️ | No ⛔ | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ |
| Charts | Only premium ⚠️ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | No ⛔ |
| Mobile app | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes (PWA) ⚠️ | Yes (PWA) ⚠️ |
| Web App | Yes ✅ | No ⛔ | No ⛔ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Sync | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ (in self-hosted you are responsible for setting this) | Yes ✅ (in self-hosted you are responsible for setting this) |
| Ratings (Apple Store 🍎 / PlayStore 🤖) | 3.5 🍎 | 4.0 🤖 | 4.9 🍎 | 4.9 🤖 | 4.8 🍎 | 4.7 🤖 | 5.0 🍎 | 4.8 🤖 | 4.8 🍎 | 4.8 🤖 | 4.8 🍎 | 4.5 🤖 | N/A | N/A |
| Number of users (PlayStore) | 10 millions | 1 million | 10 millions | 50.000 | 1 million | 1 million | N/A | N/A |
| Business model | Subscription and Ads | Subscription | Ads and subscription | Subscription | Unknown (No ads or subscription, just integration with payment platform Pay.nl) | Ads and Subscription | Unknown but it’s a free Open Source project | Unknown but it’s a free Open Source project |
| Premium Price (Year) | 20.99 EUR | 2.99 EUR (One time) | 9.99 EUR | Only per group, 1.99 EUR for 30 days, 4.99 EUR for life | N/A | 18.99 EUR, 34,99 EUR one time to add premium to group | N/A | N/A |
| Data management | USA company | Germany (GDPR) | Belgium (GDPR) | France (GDPR) | Netherlands (GDPR) | USA | Unknown (if self-hosted the data is only yours) | Unknown (if self-hosted the data is only yours) |
| Other features | Download files, activity log | Offline mode | Custom categories, add credit card for payments | csv export, custom categories, offline mode, import from Splitwise/Tricount, others | Integration for iDEAL or PayPal, import from Splitwise, no account | Shortcuts in Android, import from Splitwise | Import from Splitwise | AI scan |
| Features with paid | Unlimited expenses, no ads, default split settings, search, import transactions, receipt scanning, currency conversion, charts | Unlimited groups, export to Excel, categories | No ads, statistics, split by percentages, pdf/csv export, search on account | Notifications, shared premium with members of group, upload photos, recurring transactions, custom cover photo, change history, advanced search | N/A | No ads, expenses categories, upload photos, future and recurring transactions, charts, extra colors for groups | N/A | N/A |
Short experience on each of the platforms
Splitwise
Website: https://www.splitwise.com/
Ok, this app works as intended, it has almost all the features that I would like to have in an app to handle groups for the short or long term. One of the small missing features of the free version is the default share setup (only available in premium) and the search. But with the recent changes, uploading expenses are much more painful. It’s a shame because it’s a great app.
Splid
Website: https://splid.app/english
I found out about this in a Reddit discussion. To be honest, it’s really simple compared to the other platforms, but what I also like about it’s that. It could be useful for setting expenses for a small trip between a small group.
Tricount
Website: https://www.tricount.com/
This is probably the second-most popular app related to expenses. I really don’t know why it’s that popular, there are some expected features that are not available, and I after being acquired by bunq I expected to have more useful features and evolution, but that’s not the case. The interface feels old and features like recurrent expenses or web applications are not there.
Sesterce
Website: https://sesterce.io/
I never heard about this app, and to be honest, it is one of the best contenders to fulfill all my requirements. What I found a bit odd is that multiple great features are behind a payment, like notifications, but it’s not that expensive and provides an even more complete experience. (If I could complain about something, it would be the serif tipography chosen and the colors, not a fan).
Splitser
Website: https://splitser.com/
Another great contender, the only issue is that the default share setup is not available at all and that the business model is not clear. It’s completely free and when this happens your data is the coin.
Settle Up
Website: https://settleup.app/
It’s a great app, but I don’t understand why basic features are behind the payment plan (a bit expensive, but the good thing is that it is per group and you only need to pay it once), like simplification of debt or recurrent expenses. Also, the management of data is done in the USA, not a big fan.
Splitpro
Website: https://splitpro.app/
This is an Open Source platform, but they provide the implementation for free (a bit tricky, as you need to pay someway for the costs of storing and processing information). I would recommend it if you install it in your own host.
Spliit
Website: https://spliit.app/
Another Open source platform, they have some good features, but the lack of notifications is a big no. Also, they don’t have user accounts and you use just the unique group ID. I feel this is recommended when you are planning something and trust 100% in the members of the group, or you could also host it.
Conclusion
After all this, I think that a good alternative for my current requirements will be Sesterce and then Splitser. Sesterce is a well-maintained app with great features, and the price is fair.
If Splitser implements a default share setup and defines or shares a proper business model, I would recommend it over the others.
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