Software · head to head
Splitwise vs Google Pay
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; Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices
- They diverge on capability: Splitwise covers Bill splitting, Google Pay covers Digital wallet.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Splitwise and Google Pay actually diverge.
| Attribute | Splitwise | Google Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Android, Chrome browser |
| Founded | 2011 | 2015 |
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
Only in Google Pay
- Digital wallet
- Contactless payments
- Online shopping
- P2P money transfers
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Bank accounts
Both cover
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Splitwise
- Splitting shared household bills between flatmatesnot Google Pay
- Tracking who owes what on a group tripnot Google Pay
- Settling up across currencies on the Pro plannot Google Pay
- Recording IOUs between friends over timenot Google Pay
Google Pay
- Android users making contactless payments at supported retailersnot Splitwise
- Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot 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
Google Pay
- Limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices
- International money transfer through third-party provider (Wise Inc.) with limited details on coverage
Pricing, plan by plan
Splitwise
Free- FreeFree
- Bill splitting
- Group tracking
- Mobile app
- Splitwise Pro$4.99/month
- Receipt scanning
- Advanced analytics
- No ads
Google Pay
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.
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 Google Pay if
- You need digital wallet.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Android, Chrome browser.
- You also want contactless payments.
Questions people ask
- Is Splitwise or Google Pay better?
- Neither clearly leads. Splitwise starts at Free and Google Pay at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Splitwise or Google Pay?
- Splitwise starts at Free and Google Pay at Free.
- Does Splitwise or Google Pay run on more platforms?
- Splitwise runs on Web, IOS, Android. Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser.
- 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 Google Pay is typically brought in for.
- What can Splitwise do that Google Pay cannot?
- Splitwise covers Bill splitting, Expense tracking, Group management, Settlement tracking. Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Both handle IOS support, Android support.