Splitwise

Splitwise is a free smartphone app that allows users to easily split bills with friends and family. Whether sharing a holiday, splitting rent or paying someone for lunch, Splitwise makes sorting out bills hassle-free. The platform is available for both Android and iOS, as well as on the desktop.

Sharing the payment while on holiday can be a stressful business, particularly when so many different scenarios in which it is necessary to split the bill come up, such as renting accommodation, getting a taxi, buying a meal out or simply purchasing a round of drinks. One of my biggest problems is that I tend to forget precisely how much I owe people and therefore I find Splitwise’s email reminders to be a great feature. The platform will send you a notification directly to your inbox if you are overdue on paying someone back, helping you keep on top of all your IOUs while away.

Another great feature I have come across when using Splitwise is their Fairness Calculator. With this, you can calculate everything, from how you should split rent in a new apartment to how much you and your friends should each pay for a holiday away. This helps to give a rough indication of varying costs across a range of different items so that nobody ends up out of pocket. The feedback and helpdesk section also provides useful articles on a whole host of related topics, divided up into categories to help you quickly find what you’re looking for.

One issue I found with the app, however, is that it does not handle currency exchange rates like other similar platforms. This means that if you have paid in a foreign currency, you will have to work out the exchange rate separately to find out exactly how much it would be back home.

David Jones

I am a professional travel writer and travel enthusiast who traveled the world twice, so I am sharing my firsthand knowledge about everything related to travel and spending time abroad.