TakeControl vs. Splitwise: the best option for splitting expenses in 2026

If you landed here, you are probably frustrated with Splitwise. The free plan limits got tighter, ads show up at the wrong time, and the push toward Pro is much more aggressive than in TakeControl — though both apps have paid plans, of course.

This page compares TakeControl and Splitwise head-on: what each one does well, where one beats the other, and who should use which. Without leaving out the areas where Splitwise still has the advantage.

Why people are leaving Splitwise

For years, Splitwise was the market standard for splitting expenses. But recent changes to the free plan created friction that did not exist before:

• A limit of 5 expenses per day on the free plan, with a 10-second cooldown between each entry
• Ads appearing during use
• Expense history search locked behind the paid plan
• Custom default splits (e.g., always 60/40) restricted to Pro

Anyone using the app on a weekend trip or in a shared house with lots of activity hits the limit quickly. For that profile, free Splitwise has become almost unusable.

The direct comparison

Comparison based on publicly available information as of June 18, 2026. Check each app's official website for the most up-to-date details.

What TakeControl offers that Splitwise does not

Voice expense entry

You just paid for the Uber, you are in the back seat, and you want to log the expense. In TakeControl, you say: “Uber, R$ 32, split between me, João, and Maria.” The AI interprets it, fills in the form, and you confirm with one tap.

Splitwise does not have this feature on any plan.

Built-in keyboard calculator

In TakeControl, the amount field already has an integrated calculator. You type “142.50 + 38” right there and the app resolves it before saving. Very useful when you are splitting a restaurant bill with different items and need to add things up on the spot.

In Splitwise, the amount field is plain. Any calculation has to be done beforehand on your phone’s calculator.

Group budget

In TakeControl, you set a spending limit for the group (daily, monthly, or for the trip period) and track progress in real time. When the group is approaching the limit, the app alerts you.

Splitwise does not have this feature.

Home screen widget

TakeControl has a native widget for iOS and Android. You see the group balance and budget progress without opening the app.

Biometrics and app lock

For those who want more privacy, TakeControl has optional biometric lock. The app requires Face ID or fingerprint when you reopen it.

Where Splitwise still has the advantage

An honest comparison requires this.

Web app. Splitwise has a full browser version. TakeControl is mobile-only (iOS and Android). If you need to log expenses from a computer, Splitwise is the better choice for that use case.

Expenses without a group. In Splitwise, you can log a one-off expense between two friends without creating a group. TakeControl organizes everything inside groups, which is cleaner long term, but requires creating a group even for one-off situations.

Languages. Splitwise supports more than 12 languages; TakeControl has 6. The gap is real, but it is rarely the deciding factor.

How each app feels in practice

Splitwise has a functional, established interface. Many users know every screen well because they have used it for years. The downside is that the app has accumulated layers of features added over time, and in some flows it shows: menus with many options, visual hierarchy that demands attention.

TakeControl was built from scratch with a focus on simplicity. The flow to add an expense is fast: the keyboard with calculator appears in the first field, the currency is pre-selected based on the group’s history, and the split is calculated automatically. People who try both usually feel the difference within the first few days.

Summary: who should use which

Choose TakeControl if you:

• Want to add expenses by voice or scan receipts (with 4 free uses, then PRO)
• Have a group with many expenses per day and the free Splitwise limit bothers you
• Want group budget control, a home screen widget, and biometrics
• Prefer a leaner app that is faster to use day to day

Stay on Splitwise if you:

• Need browser access to log expenses from a computer
• Want to log one-off expenses between two friends without creating a group
• Your friends are all already on Splitwise and migration is not worth it right now

Migrating from Splitwise to TakeControl

If you already have groups and history in Splitwise, you do not lose anything by migrating. TakeControl has direct group import from Splitwise via CSV:

1. In Splitwise, export the group as a CSV file
2. In TakeControl, create a new group and use the “Import from Splitwise” option
3. All expenses, dates, who paid, and how it was split are imported automatically

Import is free and works for groups of any size.

TakeControl is available free for iOS and Android.