Software Alternatives & Startups

Splitwise VS OwnTracks

Compare Splitwise VS OwnTracks and see what are their differences

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!

Rating
0 reviews
OwnTracks

Cross-platform location sharing

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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Which is more popular?

Based on our record, OwnTracks seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 39 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 39
Personal Finance popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 57

Base details

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

Splitwise
OwnTracks
Website splitwise.com owntracks.org
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Splitwise 7 features
OwnTracks 5 features
  • 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.
  • Open Source
    OwnTracks is open-source, allowing users to review and modify the code for customization and security audits.
  • Privacy-centric
    OwnTracks allows users to host their own server, giving them control over their location data and who can access it.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The app is available across multiple platforms, including iOS and Android, making it accessible for a wide range of users.
  • Integration Capabilities
    OwnTracks offers integration with various applications and services such as Home Assistant and Node-RED.
  • Cost-effective
    The core application is free to use, which can be beneficial for individuals or organizations looking for a budget-friendly solution.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Setup for Beginners
    Users need to set up their own server for complete control, which can be complex and challenging for non-technical individuals.
  • Limited Technical Support
    As an open-source project, support primarily comes from the community, which might not be as immediate or comprehensive as commercial options.
  • User Interface
    The app's user interface may not be as polished or intuitive as commercial counterparts, which could impact user experience.
  • Battery Consumption
    Continuous GPS tracking can lead to higher battery usage on mobile devices, which might be a concern for users.
  • Manual Updates
    Unlike commercial solutions, users might need to manually update or modify the system as new features or security enhancements are released.

Analysis

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

Splitwise
OwnTracks

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.

Overall verdict

  • Yes, OwnTracks is a good option for those who prioritize privacy and wish to have control over their location data. Its open-source nature and compatibility with various platforms make it a flexible and powerful tool for personal location tracking.

Why this product is good

  • OwnTracks is a reliable open-source application that allows users to track their own locations and share it securely. It's popular due to its emphasis on privacy, as all location data is stored on private servers or chosen brokers, rather than on third-party servers. Users appreciate its extensive configurations, integration with other services like Home Assistant, and the ability to control data sharing.

Recommended for

    OwnTracks is recommended for privacy-conscious individuals, tech-savvy users who want to self-host their data, and those who are integrated with smart home or automation systems. It’s also suitable for groups or families who wish to keep track of each other's locations securely and privately.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Splitwise 3 videos + Add
OwnTracks 1 video + Add

Splitwise - iPhone App Review! [2020]

More videos

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

How To Get Started with MQTT and Owntracks

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
Splitwise
OwnTracks
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.

Splitwise no reviews yet
OwnTracks no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Splitwise 0 mentions
OwnTracks 39 mentions

Tracking Splitwise since Mar 2021.

  • No reasonable expectation of privacy in one's Google location data
    I've personally heard of https://owntracks.org/ though I haven't been able to try it myself. Seems like a location history and see where other members of your instance are. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Any alternatives to Life360/FindMy?
    The only private alternatives are going to be self hosted and will require some technical skill. See owntracks for details. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Trying to make a pair of compasses that always point to each other
    On your side, you need some way to be tracked. Easy solution is an app on your phone, I like OwnTracks as a privacy-respecting option. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Splitwise and OwnTracks

When comparing Splitwise and OwnTracks, you can also consider the following products.