SplitPay decides the amount; you choose how to send it
SplitPay automatically works out who pays whom, and how to settle with the fewest transfers. But SplitPay itself does not move any money. Once the amounts are clear, you send them to each other using whatever method you like — cash, a bank transfer, or a money-transfer app. Think of SplitPay as the calculator and the record keeper; the actual payment method is something you pick separately. This guide helps you choose, without pushing any single app.
From settlement to payment
Get the settlement amounts
Enter members and payments into SplitPay, and it shows who pays whom in the fewest transfers.
Pick a payment method
Choose cash, a bank transfer, or a money-transfer app based on the amount and your relationship.
Actually send it
Send the exact amount SplitPay shows, using your chosen method. The app does not transfer money for you.
Share the record
Share the event URL so everyone can check the settlement results whenever they want.
Total Spent
$73.00
Settlement
Cash: simple, but you need to be in person
Cash has no fees and needs no app, which makes it easy at a dinner or a trip where everyone is together. The downsides: you can only hand it over face to face, you may need exact change, and there is little proof afterward of who paid what. Cash works well for small groups in the same place, or when someone does not use any payment app. For large amounts, settling later, or paying people far away, another method is usually safer.
Bank transfer: reliable, but mind the fees and effort
A bank transfer leaves a clear record and feels safe even for large amounts. As long as you know the recipient's account details, you can settle without meeting in person. The trade-offs: there may be a transfer fee, which can feel disproportionate for a small split, and typing account numbers or using online banking is a chore for some people. Bank transfers suit larger amounts, settling later in one go, or paying someone you will not see in person.
Money-transfer and QR apps: quick, but both sides need the same one
Money-transfer apps (peer-to-peer balance transfers, QR payments, and the like) let you send money fast from your phone, often free or low-cost even for small amounts, which fits bill-splitting well. The catch is that both sender and receiver usually need the same app, so it fails if the other person is not signed up. SplitPay does not integrate with any specific app, so the idea is to read the amount SplitPay shows and each send it through whichever app you already use.
Cash vs. money-transfer apps
Cash
- No fees to worry about
- Has to be handed over in person
- Leaves little record and may need change
Money-transfer apps
- Often free or low-cost even for small amounts
- Works from your phone even when apart
- Both sides need the same app to use it
For tiny leftover amounts (a few cents to a couple of dollars), sending them precisely every time can cost more effort and fees than they are worth. Agreeing in advance to carry them to next time, or letting one person absorb them, keeps settling smooth.
Notes for overseas and multi-currency settling
SplitPay supports multiple currencies, so the math is fine even when a local currency and your home currency are mixed on a trip. The actual transfer is where care is needed: international transfers can carry fees, and apps or banks may add their own exchange rate. Even if you send the exact figure shown, the amount received can differ because of rate gaps. For cross-border settling, agreeing up front on which currency and roughly what rate to use helps avoid disputes.
SplitPay only calculates and records the settlement amounts — it does not move the money itself. Whether a transfer goes through, its fees, and arrival time all follow the rules of the method you chose (cash, bank, or a given app).
Key points
- SplitPay handles the amounts and the record; you pick the actual way to send money.
- Cash has no fees and is easy, but needs to be in person and leaves little record.
- Bank transfers are reliable and suit large amounts, but cost fees and some effort.
- Money-transfer apps are great for small or remote payments, but both sides need the same app.
- For tiny leftovers and overseas rate gaps, agree on the rules in advance to avoid disputes.