The best Splitwise alternatives in 2026, compared
The best Splitwise alternatives right now are HippoSplit, Tricount, Settle Up, and Splid. Here is how they compare, honestly.
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A Splitwise alternative built around chat
If you are looking for the best Splitwise alternative for your group, here is an honest comparison.
HippoSplit is a free Splitwise alternative built around a group chat instead of forms. You add expenses by typing a message or snapping a receipt, AI extracts the items, amounts, and currencies, and HippoSplit's backend does the math.
- Unlimited free expense entries, no daily cap, no ads
- All split methods: equal, by items, percentages, shares
- 150+ currencies with live exchange rates
- 7 AI receipt scans per week free, unlimited on Premium
- Friends view your group via a link with no account; a free account lets them add and edit
- Premium is $5.99/mo or $49.99/yr, and only the group creator pays for the whole group
For contrast, Splitwise's free plan caps you at a few expenses per day and shows ads. Splitwise still wins on native mobile apps and its long track record; HippoSplit is a web app you can add to your home screen.
Where the other apps win
Splitwise has polished native apps, payment-app integrations, and over a decade of history. Tricount is completely free now that bunq removed its paywall, and its bunq card can auto-add card purchases. Splid works fully offline with no account at all, great for a one-off trip. Settle Up lets a group share a short Premium just for a vacation.
If those are your priorities, they are good tools. HippoSplit's case is different: the fastest way to log shared expenses (chat plus AI), a free plan without daily caps, and one Premium that covers the whole group.
Chat-first instead of form-first
HippoSplit is built around a shared chat. Add an expense by typing a message, dropping a photo, or pasting a receipt, no separate add-expense form for every entry. Type "lunch 24.50 split with Anna and Ben" and the expense is logged, categorized, and split before anyone opens a form. Or just post a photo of the receipt straight into the chat, the same as sending a picture to friends, and HippoSplit reads it and logs the expense: the easiest way to keep track as you spend.
AI receipt scanning built in
HippoSplit reads receipt photos, screenshots, and batches of photos, and can detect multiple expenses in one batch. It pulls out line items, totals, and currencies, and you can assign items to people for an accurate, itemized split, useful when the bill is more complex than an even share.
Adding receipts is as easy as it gets: drop one photo, or a whole batch at once, into the chat and everything is extracted, categorized, and split automatically. No scan screen, no form.
Everything the AI fills in stays editable, and all balances are computed by HippoSplit's backend, not guessed by the AI.
- 7 AI scans per week on the free plan
- Unlimited scans for the whole group when the creator has Premium
- Manual and chat-typed entries are always unlimited
How do guests join without an account?
Share a group with friends and they can open it without creating an account. Guest access is read-only, they see expenses and balances right away, and only need to sign in (free) if they want to add or edit something.
What does switching from Splitwise involve?
Start a group in HippoSplit, share the link, and begin logging new expenses there. Most groups settle their old Splitwise balance once, then continue fresh in HippoSplit. There is nothing to configure: create the group, invite by link or QR code, and add the first expense by typing it in the chat.
Privacy-first positioning
Your group's financial data is encrypted and not used to serve ads or sold to third parties. You can export or delete your data at any time.
- Encrypted at rest and in transit
- No ads, no tracking, no data sales
- Export or delete on demand
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Splitwise alternative?
It depends on what pushed you away from Splitwise. If it was the daily expense cap and ads, HippoSplit gives you unlimited free entries plus AI receipt scanning. If you want something completely free, Tricount has no paid tier anymore. If you want offline with no accounts, Splid. For most groups switching in 2026, HippoSplit is the closest all-round replacement with a modern chat-based workflow.
How is HippoSplit different from Splitwise?
HippoSplit is chat-first: you log expenses by typing a message or snapping a receipt in a group chat, and AI does the data entry. The free plan has no daily expense cap and no ads. One Premium subscription covers the whole group instead of one per user.
Is HippoSplit free?
Yes, there is a free plan that covers everyday group expense tracking. Premium adds higher AI receipt scanning limits.
Does HippoSplit have a daily expense limit on the free plan?
No. Free users can add unlimited expenses. The free plan includes 7 AI receipt or photo scans per week; manual and chat-typed entries are always unlimited.
Can my friends use HippoSplit without signing up?
Yes. Share a guest link and they can view the group, expenses, and balances without creating an account. Guest access is read-only; adding or editing expenses requires a free account.
Does HippoSplit support multiple currencies?
Yes. You can mix more than 150 currencies in a single group, with live exchange rates handling the conversion.
Does HippoSplit have a mobile app?
HippoSplit is a web app that works great on phones. Open it in your browser and add it to your home screen so it launches like an app. Native iOS and Android apps are on the roadmap.
Can I trust the AI with the math?
AI only reads your receipts and messages. All totals, balances, and settlement calculations are computed and verified by HippoSplit's backend.
Ready to try HippoSplit?
Start a group, add an expense, and share a link. No setup needed.