Monkey Split vs Splitwise
Looking for a free Splitwise alternative that doesn't nag, track, or hide multi-currency behind a paywall? Here's how Monkey Split compares.
Monkey Split is free with no ads, no trackers, no paywall. It adds ECB-backed multi-currency, cross-filtering charts, and offline-first PWA sync that Splitwise either charges for or doesn't offer. Splitwise wins on native mobile apps, receipt OCR, and its larger user base.
Feature comparison (free tier)
| Feature | Monkey Split | Splitwise (free) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — no ads, no paywall | Free with ads; Pro required for many features |
| Multi-currency with daily FX | Yes — 30+ currencies, ECB reference rates | Pro only |
| Interactive charts | Yes — three cross-filtering charts (category, member, time) | Pro only |
| CSV export | Yes — filtered or selected set | Pro only |
| Unlimited groups | Yes | Varies by platform & tier |
| Split methods | Equal, shares, percentage, exact amounts | Equal, shares, percentage, exact amounts |
| Recurring expenses | Yes — rent, subscriptions, gym | Pro only |
| Tags & bulk edit | Yes — bulk tag, categorize, delete, export | Limited |
| Offline-first (PWA with sync queue) | Yes — writes queue locally, sync on reconnect | No — online required |
| Optimal settle-up (min transfers) | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal.me deep-link | Yes | Some regions (PayPal, Venmo) |
| Ads & trackers | None | Ads + third-party SDKs on free tier |
| Account required | Yes (email or Google) | Yes |
| Native mobile apps | Installable PWA (iOS, Android, desktop) | Yes — native iOS & Android |
| Receipt OCR / scan | No | Yes |
What actually differs in practice
Privacy and ads
Splitwise's free tier ships interstitial ads and loads third-party SDKs for analytics and attribution. Monkey Split runs no ads, no third-party analytics, no fingerprinting, and no cross-site tracking. The only cookie is a first-party session cookie so you stay signed in.
Multi-currency
If any of your expenses are in a different currency than the group base, Splitwise requires Pro for automatic conversion. Monkey Split uses daily ECB (European Central Bank) reference rates for 30+ currencies on every plan. Each expense keeps its original currency, and per-transaction conversions are pre-calculated server-side — no rate drift between sessions.
Charts and analysis
Splitwise exposes spending charts behind Pro. Monkey Split gives you three interactive charts on the free plan — category breakdown, member activity, and time-period trends — and they cross-filter: click a category slice and the other two charts re-scope to just that category.
Offline
Splitwise needs a connection to save an expense. Monkey Split is an offline-first PWA: writes queue locally with merge semantics (creating then deleting an unsynced expense cancels without ever touching the server), and sync runs automatically when the device comes back online.
Where Splitwise still wins
Splitwise has native iOS and Android apps, receipt OCR, and years of polish and integrations. If you need those, it's the right tool. Monkey Split is a PWA — it installs and runs on your phone, but it's not a native app.
When to choose which
- Pick Monkey Split if you split expenses across currencies, value privacy, want charts and CSV export for free, or travel somewhere with spotty signal.
- Stick with Splitwise if you need receipt OCR, prefer a native mobile app, or your group is already fully onboarded there.
Switching
Splitwise doesn't expose a full export you can ingest automatically. The practical path: settle up your current Splitwise group, then start fresh in Monkey Split with an invite code. Past groups in Splitwise stay viewable for historical reference.
FAQ
Is Monkey Split really free?
Yes. No ads, no tracking, no paywall, no account limits. A paid tier for power features may appear later if infrastructure cost demands it — splitting with a few friends stays free.
Can I import my Splitwise data?
Not currently. Splitwise doesn't expose a full structured export and we haven't built an importer. Most users settle their Splitwise balance and start fresh in Monkey Split.
Does Monkey Split work offline like Splitwise Pro?
Monkey Split has a stronger offline story than any Splitwise tier: it's a PWA with a local write queue and merge semantics, not just cached reads.
Which currencies are supported?
30+ currencies using daily ECB (European Central Bank) reference rates, cached in Cloudflare KV and refreshed by a daily cron. Each expense keeps its original currency; the group has a chosen base currency.