Comparison

UtilSplit vs Splitwise: which is better for roommates?

Both let you split bills. They’re built for different jobs. Here’s how to pick.

Short answer

Pick Splitwise if you split one-off expenses with rotating friend groups, especially trips. It has the larger network and the better trip-specific UI. Pick UtilSplitif you split the same bills with the same people every month, like rent and utilities with your roommates or partner. Recurring bills auto-create, balances stay clear, and there’s no native app to install.

Feature by feature

Feature	UtilSplit	Splitwise
Free tier	1 group, 10 expenses	Unlimited expenses with ads
Recurring bills auto-create	Set rent + utilities once
Clear running balances
Receipt scanning	Premium	Pro
Itemized splits (per line item)	Premium	Pro
Spending charts and insights	Premium	Pro
Currency conversion	Premium	Pro
Works offline (PWA)		Native app required
No app store install required	Open in any browser
Built for groups that live together		Built for friend groups
Trip and event mode	Use a group	Trip-specific UI
Larger user network	New, growing	Tens of millions
Premium price	$2.99/mo or $29.99/yr	~$3.99/mo or $39.99/yr

Splitwise pricing reflects published Pro tier as of May 2026. Verify on splitwise.com for current rates.

Where Splitwise wins

Bigger network. Most people you’d split with already have an account.
Trip-specific features. Currency presets, multi-leg trips, group archives after settlement.
Dedicated iOS and Android apps with a decade of polish.
Unlimited expenses on the free plan (with ads).

Where UtilSplit wins

Recurring bills auto-create. Set rent and Wi-Fi once, they show up every month.
No app install. Works in any browser, installable as a PWA, fully offline-capable.
Built for one stable household rather than a rolling cast of friends.
Cheaper Premium ($2.99/mo vs ~$3.99/mo) with no ads on any tier.
Modern UI built in the last year, not the last decade.

Who should pick which

Pick Splitwise if: You’re tracking a trip with friends, a fantasy-football group, or any rolling cast of people where the bills are mostly one-off.
Pick UtilSplit if: You live with the same people every month. You’re splitting rent, utilities, groceries, and maybe a shared streaming subscription. You’d rather not open an app to add the same $1,200 rent for the 14th time.
Use both if: You’re a roommate who also goes on group trips. UtilSplit for the household stuff, Splitwise for the Vegas weekend. They don’t conflict.

Try UtilSplit free for one group.

No credit card. One group covers most households.

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See the roommate-focused tour →

Frequently asked

The honest answers we'd want before switching apps.

Is UtilSplit a free Splitwise alternative?

Yes. The free plan covers one group with up to 10 expenses, which is enough for most roommate setups (one household, rent + a handful of bills). Premium is $2.99/month or $29.99/year for unlimited groups, receipt scanning, charts, and exports.

Should I switch from Splitwise to UtilSplit?

Depends on what you split. If your bills are mostly recurring (rent, Wi-Fi, electric, streaming subscriptions) with the same people every month, UtilSplit is faster because it auto-creates them. If you mostly split one-off trips and meals across changing groups of friends, Splitwise's network effects and trip-specific features are worth staying for.

Can I import my Splitwise history into UtilSplit?

Not yet. Splitwise doesn't expose a public API for individual users, so a direct import isn't possible. Most people switch by settling up on Splitwise first, then starting fresh balances in UtilSplit. The current-month rent and bills go in once and recur from there.

Does UtilSplit have a trip mode like Splitwise?

Not as a dedicated mode. You can use a regular group for a trip and delete it when the trip is settled. UtilSplit's focus is recurring household bills, so trip features are basic on purpose. For a multi-week backpacking trip with a dozen people, Splitwise is still the better tool.

Why does UtilSplit have a 10-expense limit on the free plan?

Because rent + utilities + a few groceries fit comfortably under 10 expenses per month for most roommates. The limit keeps the free tier sustainable without ads (Splitwise's free tier is ad-supported). When you need more, Premium is $2.99/month.

Does UtilSplit handle the money transfer between roommates?

No. Neither does Splitwise — both apps track who owes what but the actual payment happens through Venmo, Zelle, cash, or whatever you already use. UtilSplit is not a payment processor or money transmitter.