Why I Built SplitMaadi

After Splitwise introduced a daily cap on how many expenses you can add, I started searching for another alternative.

At first, this sounded like a simple problem. There are already plenty of expense-splitting apps, and group expense tracking is not exactly a new category. But the more I looked, the more I realized that the product I wanted was surprisingly hard to find.

My requirements were actually very basic:

1. [P0] It should not restrict how many expenses I can add.
2. [P0] It should not show ads.
3. [P0] It should not restrict what kind of expenses are allowed, especially if I want to attach receipts or other media.
4. [P0] It should not delete my past expense history.
5. [P1] It should have a clear and simple user experience.
6. [P2] It should work across all the devices I use — Mac, iPhone, Android, Windows, and everything else in between.

The closest alternatives were the built-in expense-sharing features inside payment apps like PhonePe and Paytm. They were usable, but only up to a point. Adding even a simple expense took too many clicks, mainly because this feature was hidden deep inside the app. These apps are not focused on expense splitting, since it is not their main feature. Desktop support was almost non-existent. And attachment history was also not something I could rely on, since these apps would delete it after a few months.

That was the point where I stopped searching and decided to build one myself: SplitMaadi. Maadi is a Kannada word that means “do it”.

What I wanted to optimize forLink to heading

I was not trying to build a feature-heavy finance app. I just wanted to build an expense-sharing app that is simple, practical, and works well.

That led to a few clear product decisions.

1. No limits on the core use caseLink to heading

If the main purpose of the app is to let users add shared expenses, then limiting expense creation makes little sense.

SplitMaadi does not put limits on how many expenses you can add, how many groups you can create, or how many people you can add to a group.

2. Simple user experienceLink to heading

One thing I care about a lot is reducing unnecessary friction.

If I am adding an expense, I do not want too many steps, too much clutter, or confusing flows. I want the app to feel simple and easy to use.

3. Attachments should be supported properlyLink to heading

Expenses are not always just numbers. Sometimes you want to attach a receipt or an image for reference.

So I did not want attachments to feel like a secondary feature. They are part of the expense itself.

4. Cross-platform supportLink to heading

I also wanted it to work across all the devices I use.

Sometimes I may add an expense on my phone, and sometimes I may want to check balances later on my laptop. So being cross-platform was an important requirement for me, not an extra nice-to-have.

Why SplitMaadi is a PWALink to heading

SplitMaadi is built as a Progressive Web App (PWA).

The reason is simple: I wanted the product to be available everywhere without forcing users into one platform or app store flow. If a device can run a browser, it can run SplitMaadi.

That means you can use it on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, tablets, or desktop browsers. And on mobile, you can install it to your home screen so it behaves much more like a normal app.

This model also aligns well with what I wanted from the product in the first place: broad access, low friction, and no platform lock-in.

What SplitMaadi tries to do differentlyLink to heading

At a product level, SplitMaadi is not trying to win by adding complexity. It is trying to win by removing the common sources of friction.

The goals are straightforward:

• let users add expenses without arbitrary caps
• keep the experience clean and fast
• support receipts and attachments properly
• work across devices
• preserve history instead of treating it as disposable

That is it.

In many ways, SplitMaadi is just an attempt to make expense sharing feel boring again — in the good sense. You should not have to think about the tool too much. It should quietly do its job and stay reliable over time.

Free to useLink to heading

The most important part is this: SplitMaadi is free to use, and I intend to keep it that way.

No premium gate just to keep using the basic product. No daily cap on adding expenses. No ads getting in the way of the experience.

If you were also looking for an expense-splitting app that does the basics well and does not fight you on the fundamentals, give it a try:

splitmaadi.com