Split Circle vs Splitwise
Splitwise pioneered expense splitting and still has the largest user base. But its free tier is now limited to 3-5 expenses per day, with unskippable 10-second ads between entries. Split Circle gives you the same core features with no daily limits, no ads, and UPI-native settlement built in.
Last updated: 2026-04-04
No account required for group members
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Split Circle | Splitwise |
|---|---|---|
| Daily expense limit | Unlimited | 3-5 per day (free tier) |
| Ads | None | Banner ads + 10-second unskippable cooldowns |
| Receipt photos | Free (attach photos) | Not available on free tier |
| Receipt OCR scanning | Pro | Pro only |
| Currency conversion | Free | Pro only |
| UPI settlement | Native (India) | Not available |
| Offline mode | Full offline-first (WatermelonDB) | Limited |
| Guest mode (no account needed) | Yes (friends join without signing up) | No (every member needs an account) |
| Charts and spending analytics | Free | Pro only |
| Data export (CSV/PDF) | Pro | Pro (JSON only) |
| Income-proportional splitting | Yes | No |
| Price | Free forever. Pro at $2.99/mo (or ₹149/mo) | Free (limited) or ~$40/year Pro |
Where Split Circle Wins
No daily limits on the free tier
Add as many expenses as you need, whenever you need. No throttling, no paywalls on core features.
Zero ads, anywhere, at any time
No banners. No unskippable cooldown screens. No "watch an ad to continue." Just the app.
UPI-native settlement for India
Share a QR code and settle instantly through Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any UPI app. No manual entry required.
Full offline support
Built on WatermelonDB. Add expenses, view balances, and manage groups with no internet connection. Everything syncs when you reconnect.
Friends join without creating an account
Group members join via link or QR code as guests. Only the group creator needs an account.
Receipt photos and multi-currency are free
Splitwise puts these behind a $40/year paywall. On Split Circle, both are included in the free tier.
Where Splitwise Wins (Being Honest)
Far larger user base
33M+ downloads means your friends are more likely already on it. Network effects are real.
More established brand
Splitwise has been around since 2011. More years of development, more edge cases handled.
Polished web interface
Splitwise's web app is more feature-complete. Split Circle's web version is minimal by comparison.
Third-party integrations
Splitwise has a developer API and integrations with other apps. Split Circle does not have this yet.
Pros and Cons
Split Circle Pros and Cons
Pros
- No daily expense limit on free tier
- No ads of any kind
- Full offline mode (WatermelonDB)
- Native UPI settlement in India
- No account required for group members
- Multi-currency included free
Cons
- Newer app, smaller user base than Splitwise
- No Venmo integration (US payment rails)
- Splitwise import is a Pro feature
Splitwise Pros and Cons
Pros
- Largest user base (33M+ downloads)
- Venmo integration for US users
- Well-established, 15 years of development
Cons
- Daily limit of 3-5 expenses on free tier
- 10-second unskippable ads between entries
- Multi-currency locked behind $40/year paywall
- No UPI support for Indian users
- All group members need accounts
Why people switched
“Switched after they added the daily limit. Split Circle has everything I needed for free.”
App Store review, 2025
“The 10-second ads were the last straw. Free should mean free.”
Google Play review, 2025
“My whole roommate group switched. The offline mode alone was worth it for us.”
Reddit r/personalfinance, 2025
See other comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep your circle. Split the bills.
Free on iOS and Android. No daily limits, no ads. Your friends don't need an account.