If you're weighing up Tricount vs Splitwise, or looking for an alternative to both, the reason is usually the same: you split expenses as a couple or a group and want to know which tool actually fits. This guide covers what they are, the differences, which to choose, and why for a couple neither is often enough.
What is Splitwise
Splitwise is an app for splitting shared expenses in a group: everyone logs what they paid and the app keeps track of who owes whom, so you settle up at the end. It's popular for trips, roommates and nights out. It has a free plan with some limits and a paid Pro subscription for the full feature set.
What is Tricount
Tricount was built for the same purpose: group expense counting with a final settle-up. It's free and loved for its simplicity — you create a "tricount", add expenses, and at the end you see who should pay whom back. It remains a counting tool, though, not a budget.
Tricount vs Splitwise: the differences
In everyday use they're very similar. The differences that actually matter:
- Price: Tricount is essentially free; Splitwise pushes more toward its Pro subscription to unlock everything.
- Simplicity: Tricount is more immediate for a one-off trip; Splitwise has more features (categories, history, integrations).
- Ecosystem: both work well across multiple people and currencies.
Tricount vs Splitwise: which to choose?
In short: if you just want to split the bill for a trip or a night out with no fuss, Tricount is the simplest, free choice. If you want more features and integrations for recurring groups, Splitwise is more complete (budget for the subscription). But if the "group" is the two of you as a couple, the right question isn't "which one", it's "do I actually need a debt tracker?".
The limit for a couple
For two people sharing a life, the settle-up model has three limits:
- It keeps a running tab of debts between you. "You owe me 120" is roommate language, not couple language.
- It splits equally, not fairly. If your incomes differ, 50/50 puts more weight on whoever earns less.
- It's not a budget. It tells you who paid, not whether you're saving enough or whether the "wants" are overspending.
Comparison: Splitwise vs Tricount vs TogetherExpenses
| Splitwise | Tricount | TogetherExpenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Groups, trips | Groups, trips | Couples (and solo) |
| How it splits | Equal / manual shares | Equal / manual shares | In proportion to income |
| "Who owes whom" debts | Yes | Yes | No, direct shares |
| Budget by category | No | No | Yes |
| Savings goals | No | No | Yes |
| 50/30/20 rule | No | No | Yes |
| Price | Free + paid Pro | Free | One-time payment |
The alternative built for couples
TogetherExpenses is built for exactly this. Instead of keeping a ledger of who owes what, it works out each person's fair share of shared expenses based on income, keeps personal expenses separate, and adds what trackers miss: savings goals, the 50/30/20 rule, and month-by-month trends. All with a one-time payment, no subscription.
So: if you need to split a group's expenses, Splitwise and Tricount are still great. If you need to manage a couple's money, the right alternative is a tool built for two.
Frequently asked questions
Tricount vs Splitwise: which should I choose?
For simple, free counting (a trip, a night out) Tricount is the most direct. For recurring groups with more features,
Splitwise is more complete but pushes its subscription. For a couple, you usually need a budget, not a debt tracker.
Is Splitwise free?
It has a free plan with some limits; the full feature set requires the paid Splitwise Pro subscription.
What's the alternative to Splitwise and Tricount for a couple?
A tool built for two that splits expenses in proportion to income and includes budgeting and goals: that's the
TogetherExpenses approach.
Comparison based on public information updated in 2026; the features and prices of the other apps may change, please verify on their official sites.