4trips vs Splitwise and a WhatsApp group: one app instead of two
Last updated: 13 Oct 2026
Planning a trip in a WhatsApp group and splitting the costs in Splitwise means two apps, decisions buried under hundreds of messages, and on Splitwise's free plan a daily cap on new expenses, with currency conversion only in the paid Pro plan. 4trips replaces both for the trip: a group chat built into the trip, dates found from everyone's availability, a destination vote, an AI itinerary, and an expense ledger with unlimited expenses and automatic currency conversion, all free.
| 4trips | Splitwise + WhatsApp | |
|---|---|---|
| Apps to keep in sync | One | Two, plus whatever holds the plan |
| Price | Free | Splitwise Pro costs about $40 a year in the US for unlimited expenses |
| Expenses per day | Unlimited | Capped on Splitwise's free plan |
| Currency conversion | Free, at the European Central Bank rate of the day | Splitwise Pro only |
| Ads | None | Shown on Splitwise's free plan |
| Finding dates | Availability calendar ranks the best dates | Ask in the chat or run a poll |
| Choosing where to go | AI suggestions with budget, then a vote | Ask in the chat or run a poll |
| Itinerary | Complete AI day by day plan with map | None |
| Catching up on the chat | AI "Catch me up" summary | Scroll back |
Decisions that don't drown in the chat
In a WhatsApp group, the poll about dates sits between memes, voice notes and three other conversations, and the person who missed a day has to scroll back through it all. In 4trips the decisions have their own place: everyone marks their availability and the app ranks the dates that suit most people; destinations are suggested from the group's budgets and interests and put to a vote. The trip chat is still there for everything else, and a "Catch me up" summary covers what you missed.
Expense splitting without limits or a subscription
Splitwise's free plan limits how many expenses you can add each day and shows ads, and features like currency conversion and receipt scanning are part of Pro. On a trip, when a group logs breakfast, tickets, taxis and dinner on the same day, a daily cap gets in the way fast.
In 4trips there is no limit and no subscription. Add an expense in any currency, it is converted at the European Central Bank rate of the day, each expense is split between the people you choose, balances update for everyone straight away, and the app suggests the fewest transfers to settle up at the end. Read more in our guide to splitting travel expenses with friends.
Everything about the trip in one place
- The dates, the destination, the day by day plan and the map.
- Suggested transport and the area to stay, with search links.
- Tickets and booking confirmations, uploaded once for everyone.
- The chat and the shared costs, linked to the same trip.
Start with a ready plan, like 7 days in Split and the islands, and invite the group to it with one link.
We checked Splitwise's plans and pricing on its website and app store pages in October 2026. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
Frequently asked questions
Is 4trips a free alternative to Splitwise?
For trips, yes: 4trips has unlimited expenses and free currency conversion, inside the same trip as the plan and the chat.
Do we still need WhatsApp?
Not for the trip: 4trips has a group chat inside each trip. Many groups keep their usual WhatsApp group for everything else.
Does 4trips handle the payments?
No money passes through 4trips. It works out who owes whom; you pay each other however you like and mark the payment as done.
Plan your next trip together
Create a group, share the link, and let everyone add their dates and wishes. 4trips is free.