Software · head to head
Splitwise vs GnuCash
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Splitwise the free tier limits how many expenses can be added in a day and shows adverts; GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application
- They diverge on capability: Splitwise covers Bill splitting, GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Splitwise and GnuCash actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Splitwise
- Bill splitting
- Expense tracking
- Group management
- Settlement tracking
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Web support
- IOS support
Only in GnuCash
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
- Budget tracking
- Import/Export
- OFX format
- Windows support
- Mac support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Splitwise
- Splitting shared household bills between flatmatesnot GnuCash
- Tracking who owes what on a group tripnot GnuCash
- Settling up across currencies on the Pro plannot GnuCash
- Recording IOUs between friends over timenot GnuCash
GnuCash
- Personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interfacenot Splitwise
- Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Splitwise
- Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Splitwise
- Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Splitwise
- Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Splitwise
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
GnuCash
- Desktop only, with no mobile application
- Version 3.11 is the last release supporting Windows 7 and macOS 10.12 and earlier
- Uses strict double-entry accounting, so every transaction needs two sides
Pricing, plan by plan
Splitwise
Free- FreeFree
- Bill splitting
- Group tracking
- Mobile app
- Splitwise Pro$4.99/month
- Receipt scanning
- Advanced analytics
- No ads
GnuCash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
Which should you pick?
Choose Splitwise if
- You need bill splitting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want expense tracking.
Choose GnuCash if
- You need double-entry bookkeeping.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Mac, Linux.
- You also want multi-currency support.
Questions people ask
- Is Splitwise or GnuCash better?
- Neither clearly leads. Splitwise starts at Free and GnuCash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Splitwise or GnuCash?
- Splitwise starts at Free and GnuCash at Free.
- Does Splitwise or GnuCash run on more platforms?
- Splitwise runs on Web, IOS, Android. GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
- Can I use Splitwise for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Splitwise best used for?
- Splitwise is most often used for splitting shared household bills between flatmates, tracking who owes what on a group trip, settling up across currencies on the pro plan, recording ious between friends over time. Of those, splitting shared household bills between flatmates and tracking who owes what on a group trip are not what GnuCash is typically brought in for.
- What can Splitwise do that GnuCash cannot?
- Splitwise covers Bill splitting, Expense tracking, Group management, Settlement tracking. GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking.