Settler vs Splitwise vs Tricount: Which Expense App is Best in 2025?

Let's be real: you're here because you're tired of doing mental math every time you split dinner with friends. You've probably heard of Splitwise (the old guard), maybe Tricount (the European favorite), and now Settler (the new kid on the block).

But which one should you actually use? Let's cut through the marketing BS and figure it out.

The Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Don't have time to read 3,000 words? Here's the executive summary:

• Splitwise: The most established, largest user base, but outdated UI and requires a separate app. Good if all your friends already use it.
• Tricount: Simple and clean, great for one-time events, but limited features and no recurring expenses. Best for vacation groups.
• Settler: Modern, works in Telegram (no separate app), AI-powered, multi-currency, instant crypto settlements. Best for 2025 and beyond.

Now let's dive deep.

Feature Comparison: The Big Table

Settler: The Modern Approach

Full disclosure: we built Settler because we were frustrated with the existing options. Here's what makes it different:

What Makes Settler Unique

1. Works in Telegram (No Separate App)

This is the biggest differentiator. You don't need to download another app, create another account, or convince your friends to install something new. If they use Telegram (2 billion people do), they can use Settler.

Just add expenses in your group chat. That's it.

2. AI-Powered Expense Parsing

Say "I paid 50 euros for dinner" or send a voice message "taxi was 5000 tenge" and Settler automatically:

• Detects the amount (50, 5000)
• Detects the currency (EUR, KZT)
• Detects the category (Food, Transportation)
• Creates the expense

No forms. No dropdowns. No typing on tiny phone keyboards.

3. Multi-Currency Done Right

Settler supports 150+ currencies with real-time exchange rates. But more importantly, it's SMART about it:

• Detects currency from your message ("50 euros" vs "$50")
• Uses your preferred currency as default
• Shows everyone balances in their preferred currency
• Handles historical exchange rates (uses the rate from when expense happened)

4. Personal Expense Tracking

Unlike Splitwise and Tricount (which only do group expenses), Settler also tracks your personal expenses. One app for everything.

5. Instant Crypto Settlements

Settle up via TON cryptocurrency for instant, fee-free international payments. No waiting for bank transfers. No PayPal fees. Just instant settlements.

Splitwise: The Established Giant

Splitwise has been around since 2011. It's the most well-known expense splitting app, and for good reason—it works, and lots of people already use it.

What Splitwise Does Well

1. Network Effects

The biggest advantage of Splitwise is that your friends probably already use it. You don't need to convince anyone to try something new.

2. Feature-Complete

Splitwise has been around for 14 years. It has pretty much every feature you could want:

• Recurring expenses
• Multi-currency
• Receipt scanning (Pro)
• Payment integrations (Venmo, PayPal)
• Expense categories
• Groups and friends

3. Proven Track Record

Millions of people have used Splitwise for years. It's stable, reliable, and not going anywhere.

Where Splitwise Falls Short

1. Outdated UI/UX

Let's be honest: Splitwise looks and feels like it was designed in 2011. Because it was. The UI is clunky, the UX is confusing for new users, and it just feels... old.

2. Requires Separate App

You need to download the app, create an account, add friends, create groups... it's a whole thing. In 2025, people don't want another app.

3. Manual Everything

Adding an expense in Splitwise requires:

1. Open the app
2. Click "Add expense"
3. Type the description
4. Enter the amount
5. Select the currency
6. Choose who paid
7. Choose who it's split between
8. Select a category
9. Save

That's 9 steps. With Settler, you just say "Dinner $50" and you're done.

4. Paywall for Basic Features

Receipt scanning, recurring expenses, and other features require Splitwise Pro ($3/month). It's not expensive, but it's annoying to pay for features that should be free.

Tricount: The Simple European Option

Tricount is popular in Europe, especially France. It's designed for simplicity—perfect for one-time events like vacations or weekend trips.

What Tricount Does Well

1. Dead Simple

Tricount's biggest strength is its simplicity. Create a group, add expenses, settle up. That's it. No complicated features, no overwhelming options.

2. No Account Required

You can create a Tricount without signing up. Just share the link with your group and everyone can add expenses. This is great for one-time events with people you don't know well.

3. Clean UI

Tricount has a cleaner, more modern UI than Splitwise. It's not as feature-rich, but it's easier to use.

Where Tricount Falls Short

1. Too Simple

Tricount's simplicity is also its weakness. It's missing features that are essential for long-term use:

• No recurring expenses
• No personal expense tracking
• Limited multi-currency support
• No AI or automation
• No offline mode

2. Designed for One-Time Events

Tricount is great for a weekend trip or a dinner party. But if you're living with roommates or managing ongoing group expenses, it's not the right tool.

3. Limited Integration

No payment integrations, no instant settlements, no way to actually PAY people through the app. It just tracks—you have to settle up manually.

Head-to-Head: Specific Use Cases

Best for International Travel

Winner: Settler

Multi-currency support with smart detection, voice messages (perfect when you're walking around), offline mode, and AI parsing make Settler the clear winner for travel.

Splitwise has multi-currency but requires manual entry. Tricount's multi-currency is limited.

Best for Roommates

Winner: Settler or Splitwise

Both support recurring expenses (essential for rent/utilities). Settler wins on ease of use, Splitwise wins on established user base.

Tricount doesn't support recurring expenses, so it's out.

Best for One-Time Events (Weekend Trip, Dinner Party)

Winner: Tricount

For simple, one-time events, Tricount's simplicity is perfect. No account needed, clean UI, easy to use.

Settler and Splitwise work too, but they're overkill for a weekend trip.

Best for Large Groups

Winner: Settler

AI parsing and voice messages make it way easier to track expenses in large groups where lots of people are adding expenses frequently.

Splitwise and Tricount require manual entry for every expense, which gets tedious fast.

Best for People Who Hate Apps

Winner: Settler

No separate app needed. If you use Telegram, you can use Settler. No downloads, no new accounts, no onboarding.

Best for People Who Want Instant Settlements

Winner: Settler

TON cryptocurrency settlements are instant and fee-free. Splitwise has payment integrations but they're not instant. Tricount has nothing.

Pricing Comparison

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Here's the honest recommendation:

Choose Settler if:

• You use Telegram (or your group does)
• You want the easiest, most modern experience
• You travel internationally and need multi-currency
• You want AI-powered expense tracking
• You want personal expense tracking too
• You want instant crypto settlements
• You're starting fresh (no existing Splitwise history)

Choose Splitwise if:

• All your friends already use it
• You have years of expense history you don't want to lose
• You need payment integrations with Venmo/PayPal
• You don't mind the outdated UI
• You're okay with manual expense entry

Choose Tricount if:

• You're planning a one-time event (weekend trip, dinner party)
• You want the absolute simplest option
• You don't need recurring expenses or advanced features
• You're in Europe and everyone uses it

Final Thoughts

Look, we're biased—we built Settler. But we genuinely believe it's the best option for 2025 and beyond. Splitwise was great in 2011, but it's 2025 now. We should have better tools.

That said, if all your friends use Splitwise and you have years of history there, it might not be worth switching. But if you're starting fresh? Give Settler a try.

And if you just need something simple for a weekend trip? Tricount is perfectly fine.

The best app is the one you'll actually use. Try all three and see which one fits your workflow.