Should you build your own Splitwise?
Group expense tracker that splits bills and nags everyone until debts are settled.
The ledger and the debt math are a solved problem; a link-shared DIY version covers a household or one trip in a single sitting, no accounts needed. The gap is not code, it is adoption: Splitwise works because the whole group already has it installed, and nobody downloads your homebrew app for one weekend away. Build it for the people who share your fridge; for everyone else, the moat is other people's phones.
ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.
Build a self-hosted group expense splitter: a single web app, no user accounts.
Stack: Node 22, Express, better-sqlite3, server-rendered EJS, htmx for interactivity. No build step, no SPA framework.
Features:
- Groups are created with one click and live at an unguessable URL (nanoid, 21 chars). The link is the auth model; say so plainly in the README.
- Members are names typed into the group, nothing more.
- Expenses: payer, amount, currency, date, note, category, and a split that can be equal, exact amounts, percentages, or shares.
- A balances view per group: each member's net position, plus a settle-up plan computed with minimum cash flow debt simplification.
- Reimbursements logged as a special expense type.
- Multi-currency: amounts stored in their own currency; a per-group manual rate table converts to the group's base currency. No external rate API.
- Edit and delete with a simple activity log.
- Export any group as CSV and JSON.
Storage: one SQLite file at ./data/app.db; path via .env. Ship a Dockerfile, a docker-compose.yml, and a README covering backups and reverse-proxy setup.
Out of scope, deliberately: accounts and OAuth, push notifications, receipt scanning, live exchange rates, payment integrations, native mobile apps. A PWA manifest so it installs to a home screen is the only concession.The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running.
What would building your own look like?
Create link-shared groups, log expenses with flexible splits, and settle up via minimum cash flow debt simplification.
Splitwise sits where the friction is lowest: everyone already has an account, the apps are polished, and the balance quietly nags people so you do not have to. Pro mostly sells relief from the free tier's daily expense cap and the ads, plus receipt scanning and automatic currency conversion for trips. The subscription monetizes the fact that the group, not you, picks the tool.
xnative iOS and Android apps, push reminders included
xyour friends' existing accounts and muscle memory
xreceipt scanning and itemized splits
xautomatic currency conversion at live rates
xsettle-up integrations with payment apps
Prefer something ready-made?
SpliitShare a link, split, settle. No accounts, no ads. Use their instance or run your own.Open source↗
IHateMoneyAround since 2011, proudly boring, in declared maintenance mode; use their free instance or one docker run.Open source↗
CospendSplitwise for people who already run Nextcloud; pairs with the MoneyBuster Android app.Open source↗View all 4 alternatives to Splitwise →· Licença, instalação e limitações em cada alternativa.
How much does Splitwise cost?
- Monthly billing
- $5/mo$5/mo
- Per year
- $60/yr$60/yr
- On a Brazilian card, with 3.5% IOF
- R$26.13/moR$314/yr
Saved to My list. You will see a notice on this site when the price changes.
You complete the purchase on Splitwise’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.
pro$5/mo · monthly · $60/yr
Free tierThe free tier still creates groups, splits and simplifies debts, but caps expense adds at roughly three per day, shows ads, and keeps receipt scanning and automatic currency conversion for Pro.
verified 2026-08-11 · source ↗
Is it cheaper to build or buy Splitwise?
Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.
Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.
Starting hours estimated from the analysis (one sitting). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).
Is Splitwise free?
The free tier still creates groups, splits and simplifies debts, but caps expense adds at roughly three per day, shows ads, and keeps receipt scanning and automatic currency conversion for Pro. The paid plan is Pro at $5/mo (checked 08/11/2026).
Can I rebuild Splitwise?
Kinda. The core of Splitwise is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: native iOS and Android apps, push reminders included, your friends' existing accounts and muscle memory. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Splitwise cost?
Splitwise costs about $5/mo (Pro, checked 08/11/2026), which is $60 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Splitwise?
Honestly: native iOS and Android apps, push reminders included; your friends' existing accounts and muscle memory; receipt scanning and itemized splits; automatic currency conversion at live rates; settle-up integrations with payment apps. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Splitwise?
Yes: Spliit (Share a link, split, settle. No accounts, no ads. Use their instance or run your own.) IHateMoney (Around since 2011, proudly boring, in declared maintenance mode; use their free instance or one docker run.) Cospend (Splitwise for people who already run Nextcloud; pairs with the MoneyBuster Android app.) All 4 curated free alternatives are at https://viberadar.si/splitwise/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.