Software · head to head
PocketGuard vs Splitwise
The short version
- Each has a real cost: PocketGuard every budgeting feature requires a paid subscription, with only a 7 day trial rather than a free tier; Splitwise the free tier limits how many expenses can be added in a day and shows adverts
- They diverge on capability: PocketGuard covers Real-time spending alerts, Splitwise covers Bill splitting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PocketGuard and Splitwise actually diverge.
| Attribute | PocketGuard | Splitwise |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, IOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in PocketGuard
- Real-time spending alerts
- Budget tracking
- Goal setting
- Spending insights
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
Only in Splitwise
- Bill splitting
- Expense tracking
- Group management
- Settlement tracking
- Venmo
- PayPal
Both cover
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
PocketGuard
- Tracking spending and bills against a personal budgetnot Splitwise
- Finding and cancelling recurring subscriptionsnot Splitwise
Splitwise
- Splitting shared household bills between flatmatesnot PocketGuard
- Tracking who owes what on a group tripnot PocketGuard
- Settling up across currencies on the Pro plannot PocketGuard
- Recording IOUs between friends over timenot PocketGuard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
PocketGuard
- Every budgeting feature requires a paid subscription, with only a 7 day trial rather than a free tier
- Paying monthly is $12.99 against an effective $6.25 on the annual plan, so the flexible option costs roughly double
- The lifetime option is not offered to everyone and is described as available only inside the app
Splitwise
- The free tier limits how many expenses can be added in a day and shows adverts
- Transaction import works in the United States only
- Currency conversion, receipt scanning, charts and expense search are all Pro features
- The Pro price is not shown on the product page
Pricing, plan by plan
PocketGuard
Free- FreeFree
- Expense tracking
- Budget creation
- Premium$9.99/month
- Advanced insights
- Goal tracking
- Bill negotiation
Splitwise
Free- FreeFree
- Bill splitting
- Group tracking
- Mobile app
- Splitwise Pro$4.99/month
- Receipt scanning
- Advanced analytics
- No ads
Which should you pick?
Choose PocketGuard if
- You need real-time spending alerts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want budget tracking.
Choose Splitwise if
- You need bill splitting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want expense tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is PocketGuard or Splitwise better?
- Neither clearly leads. PocketGuard starts at Free and Splitwise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PocketGuard or Splitwise?
- PocketGuard starts at Free and Splitwise at Free.
- Does PocketGuard or Splitwise run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use PocketGuard for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is PocketGuard best used for?
- PocketGuard is most often used for tracking spending and bills against a personal budget, finding and cancelling recurring subscriptions. Of those, tracking spending and bills against a personal budget and finding and cancelling recurring subscriptions are not what Splitwise is typically brought in for.
- What can PocketGuard do that Splitwise cannot?
- PocketGuard covers Real-time spending alerts, Budget tracking, Goal setting, Spending insights. Splitwise covers Bill splitting, Expense tracking, Group management, Settlement tracking. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.