Splitting the bill: the best apps for sharing the cost

‘Will you be paying together or separately?’ This is a question that you probably do not hear as often as you might wish in restaurants when a group of individuals ask for the bill. It’s a very helpful question and if you are lucky, you will be able to have the waiter or waitress collect the money individually from each patron, with each payee adding his or her own tip. However, what is often more likely is that the group will have to pay the bill, including tips, all in one go.

As a result, this can lead to the need for some surprisingly time-consuming calculations. At the end of the day, sharing costs in a way that is fair has the potential to become very strenuous, even if a notepad or app is at hand. It becomes so much easier if the group uses a bill splitting app (also known as the cost sharing app or expense manager app) to share costs, settle bills faster, or even include already existing debt. The above restaurant setting is just one of many examples where bill splitting apps can prove to be extremely useful for groups.

Another example of when this comes in useful is among flatmates, who can use these apps to split their expenses. This enables them to have a financially fair and transparent living situation. Whenever someone has to buy the next batch of detergent or replace something in the spice cupboard, they can immediately inform you via the app, and simultaneously send the partial bill for the purchase of the new washing machine.

Groups of friends who often go out together can use bill splitting apps to keep an overview of who borrowed money from whom during their night out and whose turn it is now to buy a round or a meal. Split apps like these have also made it so much easier to share the costs on holiday. Below we outline the best bill splitting apps.

However, there are some downsides to the bill splitting app. Not only does it require registration, but some features are also still missing. For example, a currency converter – a very practical feature during a holiday abroad – is only included in the fee-based pro version (prices start at $1). Furthermore, you will not be able to withdraw money from the household budget. A function to pay debts directly via PayPal or other services is also missing. It's not possible to alter the ratios between members of a group, and all members must share the costs equally.

Conclusion: Thanks to its simple interface, Splitwise is a pretty decent bill splitting app for groups. However, it is quite annoying that the currency converter is not available as part of the free version. On the other hand, there are free apps that have integrated it without any extra charge.

The free version of Tricount contains ads, but for a charge of $1.99 these can be deactivated. The 'Friends Package' ($4.99) also includes standard features for sharing costs, which is very convenient for roommates. Both models include annual subscriptions. Overall, you could say that Tricount is a rather expensive app compared to other bill splitting apps.

Conclusion: Tricount is fast, straightforward, and easy to use. However, the lack of a currency converter along with the relatively high price for the ad-free version of the split expenses app are big shortcomings. At the same time, the PayPal integration is a big plus. The app allows you to share costs directly and pay debts all in one go.

Aside from the design, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, full-screen advertising in the free version can be annoying. You can deactivate this advertising by upgrading to the premium version for 80 cents per month, or $8 per year. In addition to being able to attach receipt images, the only other thing this version has to offer is a broader color scheme – a lean “upgrade” for the price.

Conclusion: Settle Up takes a risk with their design – you’ll either love it or hate it! Functionally, the split expenses app has a lot of strengths, but the free version’s full-screen advertising is an unnecessary and annoying.

Conclusion: If the size of the app isn’t a deal breaker for you, Splittr could be the best cost sharing app available for iPhones. Android users can look forward to using Splittr, as long as it’s well implemented and users have the necessary storage space to spare.

However, Splid lacks an extensive range of features and has a very simple user interface. Splid is just as suitable for smaller groups and shared flats as it is for holidays. The split app is basically free of charge and free of advertising, but you can only create one group with this version. A pro version is available with either two ($1) or an unlimited number of groups ($2).

Conclusion: Splid is simple and easy to use. The export files are great for a complete overview and handy to download. Unfortunately, the free version can only accommodate one group, and further groups require a surcharge.