Software Alternatives & Startups

Microsoft Publisher VS Splitwise

Compare Microsoft Publisher VS Splitwise and see what are their differences

Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft Publisher is an entry-level desktop publishing solution.

Rating
0 reviews
Splitwise

Splitwise is a free tool for friends and roommates to track bills and other shared expenses, so that everyone gets paid back. On the web, iPhone, and Android!

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0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Design Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
137 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

MP
Microsoft Publisher
Splitwise
Website microsoft.com splitwise.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

MP
Microsoft Publisher 5 features
Splitwise 7 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Microsoft Publisher offers a straightforward, user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for beginners who need to create professional-looking publications without in-depth design skills.
  • Integration with Microsoft Office Suite
    Publisher integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel, allowing for easy import and export of data and consistency across different types of documents.
  • Variety of Templates
    The software comes with a wide range of pre-designed templates which can be customized according to user needs, saving time and effort in creating publications from scratch.
  • Affordable Pricing
    As part of the Microsoft 365 suite, Publisher is affordable, especially for users who already have an Office 365 subscription.
  • Great for Print Publications
    Publisher excels in designing print publications like brochures, posters, and flyers, with precise control over layout and formatting.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Publisher is excellent for basic projects, it lacks some of the more advanced design and layout features found in professional design software like Adobe InDesign.
  • Windows-Only Software
    Microsoft Publisher is only available for Windows, which limits its usability for Mac OS or Linux users unless they use a virtual machine or dual-boot setup.
  • Not Ideal for Online Publications
    Publisher isn’t optimized for creating digital content like e-books or online magazines, making it less versatile for online publication needs.
  • Limited Graphic Design Tools
    Its graphic design capabilities are not as robust as those in dedicated design software, which can be a limitation for users needing advanced graphic design functionalities.
  • File Compatibility
    Publisher files (.pub) are not widely supported outside of the Microsoft ecosystem, which can cause issues when trying to share files with users who do not have Publisher.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Splitwise provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it straightforward for users to add expenses, keep track of debts, and settle up.
  • Multi-Platform Availability
    Available on the web, iOS, and Android, Splitwise ensures users can access and manage their expenses from almost any device.
  • Expense Tracking
    The app allows users to easily log and categorize expenses, which can be particularly useful for group trips, shared households, or any shared financial responsibility.
  • Flexible Split Options
    Users can split expenses equally, by percentages, shares, or custom amounts, providing flexibility in how costs are divided among group members.
  • Currency Conversion
    Splitwise supports multiple currencies, which is handy for international travel or groups with members from different countries.
  • Bill Reminders
    The app sends reminders for outstanding balances, helping users to stay on top of their payments and avoid forgotten debts.
  • Integration with Payment Platforms
    Splitwise can integrate with payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo for easy settlement of balances.

Possible disadvantages

  • Privacy Concerns
    Since Splitwise involves sharing financial information with others, there could be privacy concerns for those unwilling to share detailed expense data.
  • Subscription-Based Features
    Some advanced features, such as expense exporting and additional integrations, require a Splitwise Pro subscription.
  • Manual Entry Requirement
    Splitwise requires users to manually enter expenses, which could be time-consuming and prone to errors if not done diligently.
  • Limited Automatic Reconciliation
    While Splitwise helps track who owes whom, it does not automatically reconcile or pay off balances, leaving users responsible for manual payment.
  • Dependency on Group Honesty
    The accuracy of the expense records relies on the honesty and diligence of all group members, which may not always be reliable.
  • Potential for Confusion
    The various options for splitting bills (equally, by shares, etc.) can sometimes lead to confusion or disputes among users over what is fair.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

MP
Microsoft Publisher
Splitwise

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Microsoft Publisher is a solid choice for those who need straightforward desktop publishing software. It's especially useful for individuals and small businesses seeking cost-effective and easy-to-use options for creating print-ready documents. However, it may not satisfy the needs of professional designers who require more advanced features found in specialized graphic design software.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. It is considered good because it offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners and small business owners who need to create professional-looking documents without extensive design skills. It provides a wide variety of templates and design tools tailored for creating brochures, flyers, newsletters, and other marketing materials. Additionally, its integration with other Microsoft Office applications ensures smooth workflows for users already familiar with the ecosystem.

Recommended for

  • Small businesses
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Individuals creating personal projects
  • Users familiar with Microsoft Office products

Overall verdict

  • Splitwise is a highly effective tool for managing shared expenses, especially if frequent splitting of costs is involved. Its features make it easy to track who owes what, and its automatic calculations save time and reduce errors.

Why this product is good

  • Splitwise is popular because it simplifies sharing and tracking expenses among groups, making it ideal for roommates, friends on trips, or any group spendings.
  • It automatically calculates balances and reminds users about payments, reducing the awkwardness of asking others for money.
  • Offers a user-friendly interface both on web and mobile apps, which makes managing expenses convenient and accessible.
  • Supports multiple currencies, which is great for international travel groups.
  • Integration with payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo for easy settlement of debts.

Recommended for

  • Roommates who need to regularly split household bills and expenses.
  • Groups of friends or families who often travel together and need to manage shared travel costs.
  • Colleagues or classmates working on projects or events that require shared funding.
  • Anyone who wants to avoid the hassle of manually tracking and settling shared expenses.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

MP
Microsoft Publisher 2 videos + Add
Splitwise 3 videos + Add

Microsoft Publisher - 2019 Beginner's Tutorial

More videos

  • - The Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Publisher

Splitwise - iPhone App Review! [2020]

More videos

  • - Tricount vs Splitwise - App comparison
  • - Splitwise Demo

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
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Microsoft Publisher
Splitwise
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

MP
Microsoft Publisher no reviews yet
Splitwise no reviews yet
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