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Which Bill-Splitting App to Choose in 2026

A decision framework and an honest comparison of the apps people actually search for.

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"Which one is still current?" is the real question behind app searches. Small splitting apps appear and get abandoned, big ones add paywalls, and some stop taking Russian cards. Instead of ranking a frozen list, here's how to choose — and where the well-known options land in 2026.

Short answer: choose by the barrier to entry for the whole group, not by the feature list. If a single dinner requires everyone to install an app and register, nobody will use it. A web service that opens from a link wins precisely here.

Four questions that decide it

  1. Is it actively maintained? Check the last update date in the store. An app untouched for a year is a risk, however nice it looks.
  2. Does everyone have to install and register? In a mixed group that's friction. Web services skip it entirely.
  3. Are core features free? Splitting itself should never be behind a paywall — only nice-to-haves like receipt scanning.
  4. Does it work from Russia? Payment for premium and stable access are the usual sticking points for foreign apps.

The options in 2026

AppPlatformPriceNote
DeliBabkiWebFreeNo install/registration, works from Russia
TricountiOS, AndroidFreeShareable link, offline mode
Settle UpiOS, Android, webFree + ~349₽/moReceipt scan & export are paid
SplidiOS, AndroidFree (1 list) + 249–349₽150 currencies, Excel/PDF export
SplittriOS, AndroidFree + 99₽/mo or 999₽ onceNo-registration participation
PorovnuAndroidFreeOffline single-phone calculator; brand new (v1.0)
SplitwiseiOS, Android, webFree + ~288₽/mo ProExpense limits; Russian card payment issues

Prices are indicative and change; check the store before subscribing.

What is the “Porovnu” app?

Porovnu is a Russian Android app (on RuStore) that splits a cafe or restaurant bill: one person enters who ordered what and who paid, and the app computes who owes whom with the minimal number of transfers. It splits equally or by items, handles tips, service charge and discounts, is precise to the kopeck, and stores past bills. It works fully offline with no registration — all data stays on the phone. It's free, with no ads or subscription.

The catch: it's an offline calculator on a single phone — whoever entered everything does the splitting. Participants don't join from their own devices or see the result live, it's Android-only, and it's still new (version 1.0). If your group has iPhones or you want everyone to add expenses via a link, a web service is handier. For a one-off cafe split on your own phone, Porovnu does the job.

What about “Holder” and other name searches?

Apps people search by name aren't always the safe bet — a nice screenshot doesn't mean it's still updated or that payment works. Run the four questions above; if it hasn't been updated in a while or is hard to find in a current store, that's your answer on "which is current."

The simplest answer

If you don't want to gamble on maintenance or ask friends to install anything, DeliBabki is a free web service: create a group, share a link, and it computes who owes whom with the minimal transfers. See also our free Splitwise alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Which app is free and works in Russia?

Tricount and DeliBabki are free; the latter needs no install, VPN, or foreign card.

Do I need to install anything?

No — web services split a bill from the browser via a shared link.

Skip the app-store gamble

No install, no registration, works from Russia. Create a group and share the link.

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