Split expenses with friends
The best way to split expenses with friends is to log costs as they happen, assign who paid, and let an app calculate who owes what. Choose equal splits for simplicity, percentages for fairness, or exact amounts when orders vary. Settle up with minimal transfers — usually just two or three payments instead of a dozen.
Track
Log expenses when they happen — takes ten seconds
Split
Equal, percentage, or exact amounts
Settle
See who owes what, square up with minimal transfers
Different ways to split expenses
Not every expense should be split equally. Choose what fits.
Equal splits
$60 dinner with three people? Everyone owes $20. Simple, fast, no debates. Great for rent, utilities, and group meals.
Percentage splits
Couples splitting rent 60/40, or roommates dividing utilities by room size. Set it once, reuse for future expenses.
Exact amounts
Someone ordered the $50 steak, someone else had a $12 salad. Assign specific amounts so no one subsidizes anyone's lobster habit.
Income-based splits
For groups with different earning levels. The person making twice as much contributes proportionally more.
Common scenarios
Dinner with friends
One person picks up the check, logs it, splits it equally or by what each person ordered. No more "I'll Venmo you" that never happens.
Group trips
Hotels, gas, groceries, activities — create a group for the trip, add expenses as they happen, do one settlement at the end.
Roommate expenses
Rent, utilities, household supplies, the occasional pizza. At month's end, the app shows who owes the net amount.
Couples sharing costs
Track shared expenses like groceries and date nights while maintaining individual autonomy. Reduces money-related tension.
Tips for stress-free expense splitting
- Log expenses immediately. Your memory is worse than you think.
- Agree on the split method upfront. Decide before the trip or event, not after.
- Settle regularly. Don't let balances pile up for months.
- Use an app that doesn't require everyone to pay. Adoption is instant when only one person needs an account.
What we've learned building this
After watching thousands of groups use Are We Even, one pattern is clear: the hardest part of splitting expenses isn't the math — it's the follow-up conversation.
People don't avoid paying because they're cheap. They avoid it because asking feels awkward. The reminder feels like nagging. The longer it goes, the worse it gets.
That's why we built around transparency. When everyone can see the balance in real-time, nobody has to ask. The app does the awkward part.
Why Are We Even works
Most expense-splitting apps make everyone pay. That's where adoption falls apart.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best way to split expenses with friends?
- Track expenses as they happen, assign who paid, and let an app calculate who owes what. Are We Even handles this automatically — log what you paid, choose how to split it, and see running balances.
- Do all my friends need to download the app?
- No. With Are We Even, only one person needs a paid account. Everyone else views expenses and balances for free.
- Can I split expenses unequally?
- Yes. Split by equal shares, percentages, or exact amounts. If someone had the expensive steak while others had salad, you can split accordingly.
- How do we actually settle up?
- Are We Even calculates who owes who. The app shows optimized settlements — so instead of five people making ten transfers, you might only need two. Then use Venmo, Zelle, or cash.
Split expenses the easy way
One person pays for the app. Everyone tracks expenses together. No more awkward IOUs.