6 Best Splitwise Alternatives for Managing Group Expenses in Saudi Arabia

Cover Image for 6 Best Splitwise Alternatives for Managing Group Expenses in Saudi Arabia
ezzyapps

Managing group expenses has long been dominated by Splitwise, but recent changes to their free tier—such as limits on daily entries and increased advertisements—have led many users in Saudi Arabia to look for more flexible options. Whether you are splitting a dinner bill at Boulevard Riyadh City, sharing rent in Jeddah, or planning a group trip to AlUla, having a reliable expense-splitting tool is essential for maintaining friendships and financial clarity.

Exploring alternatives allows you to find features that better suit the local market, such as SAR currency support, AI-powered receipt scanning, and seamless integration with local payment habits. Here are the six best alternatives to help you manage your shared costs without the friction.

Spliteroo

Spliteroo is a modern, user-centric personal finance app designed specifically to eliminate the "who owes what" headache. It stands out by offering a clean, ad-free experience that focuses on speed and accuracy. It is perfect for roommates, travelers, and friend groups who want a sophisticated yet simple way to track shared spending.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • Advanced AI Receipt Scanning: Automatically extracts dates, totals, and items to save manual entry time.
    • Flexible Splitting: Supports equal, percentage, and custom amount splits for complex bills.
    • No Entry Limits: Unlike current versions of Splitwise, you can log expenses freely.
    • Intuitive UI: A clutter-free interface that makes settling debts quick and painless.
  • Cons:
    • Newer to the market, so social features are still evolving.
    • Requires all group members to download the app for the best experience.

Key Differentiators: Spliteroo prioritizes automation through AI. While other apps require you to type in every detail, Spliteroo’s receipt scanning is built to handle the heavy lifting, making it the most efficient choice for high-volume users.

Tricount

Tricount is a well-established European favorite that has gained popularity in the Middle East due to its simplicity. It operates on a "group-link" basis, allowing you to share a URL with friends so they can add expenses even without a deep registration process.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • Extremely simple and lightweight.
    • Works offline, which is great for remote desert camping trips.
    • Transparent "who should pay next" feature to keep balances even.
  • Cons:
    • The interface feels a bit dated compared to modern apps.
    • The free version contains ads that can be intrusive.

Key Differentiators: Tricount’s layout is centered around the total balance of a specific trip or event, making it ideal for one-off vacations rather than ongoing household expenses.

Steven

Steven is a "financial assistant" app that focuses heavily on the social aspect of spending. It sends automated reminders to friends who forget to pay you back, taking the awkwardness out of debt collection.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • Automated "nudges" to remind friends to settle up.
    • Clean, colorful design that is easy to navigate.
    • Supports multiple currencies, including SAR.
  • Cons:
    • Some of the best automation features are locked behind a premium subscription.
    • The payment integration features are primarily optimized for European banking systems.

Key Differentiators: Steven’s automated reminder system is its biggest selling point, acting as the "bad guy" so you don't have to personally ask friends for money.

Settle Up

Settle Up is a robust alternative known for its ability to handle complex financial scenarios, such as multi-currency transactions and varying exchange rates. This makes it a top choice for expats living in Saudi Arabia who often travel or send money abroad.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • Excellent synchronization across multiple devices (Android, iOS, and Web).
    • Handles "half-shares" and complex mathematical splits easily.
    • Backs up all data to the cloud automatically.
  • Cons:
    • The free version is quite heavy on ads.
    • The UI can feel overwhelming for users who just want to split a simple coffee bill.

Key Differentiators: Settle Up provides a web version and a Windows app, allowing you to manage your group finances from a laptop, which is a rarity in this app category.

Spendee

Spendee is primarily a personal finance and budgeting app that includes a powerful "Shared Wallets" feature. It is designed for families or couples in Saudi Arabia who want to manage a joint budget rather than just splitting one-off bills.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • Beautiful data visualization and spending charts.
    • Bank account synchronization (offered in select regions).
    • Comprehensive budgeting tools alongside expense splitting.
  • Cons:
    • The shared wallet feature is part of the paid "Plus" or "Premium" plans.
    • Overkill for someone just looking to split a dinner check.

Key Differentiators: Spendee is a full-scale wealth management tool. It doesn't just track what you owe; it tracks your entire financial health and spending patterns.

GroupMe (with Split Feature)

While primarily a messaging app, GroupMe (owned by Microsoft) includes built-in "Calendar" and "Split" features. Many groups in Saudi Arabia already use GroupMe or WhatsApp for communication, making this a convenient "all-in-one" stop.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros:
    • No need to download a separate app if you already use it for chat.
    • Keeps the conversation and the expenses in the same place.
    • Free to use.
  • Cons:
    • The splitting features are very basic compared to dedicated apps.
    • No receipt scanning or advanced categorization.

Key Differentiators: The integration of chat and finance is the main draw here. It eliminates the need to switch between a messaging app and an expense tracker to discuss a specific bill.

Conclusion

Finding the right Splitwise alternative in Saudi Arabia depends on your specific needs. If you want a powerful, AI-driven experience that saves time on manual entry, Spliteroo is the top contender. For those who need complex multi-currency support, Settle Up is a reliable choice, while Spendee is perfect for couples managing a household budget.

By moving away from restricted platforms, you can enjoy a smoother, more transparent way to handle group finances, ensuring that money never gets in the way of your social life.