Boney vs Tricount: choosing the right tool for shared expenses

If you searched for Boney vs Tricount, you are probably trying to solve a very human problem: shared expenses create friction when the numbers are unclear, the splits feel unfair, or one person becomes the “finance admin” for the group.

This article is not written to “win” a comparison. It is written to help you choose the right tool for your situation.

• Boney is designed for shared expenses without forcing a joint account. It is not a bank and does not connect to your bank. The focus is clarity, fairness, and low mental load: shared budgets + shared expenses + real balances.
• Tricount is widely used for splitting expenses in groups (trips, roommates, projects). The focus is recording expenses in a group and calculating who owes what.

Both approaches can be valid. The better choice depends on what you are actually trying to do.

1) Introduction: the common problem

When money is shared, the pain is rarely the math itself. The pain is:

• Not knowing what is “shared” vs “personal”
• Not knowing the real balance (who should pay next, when to settle)
• Repeating the same reminders or negotiations
• Feeling awkward asking for money

Boney and Tricount both reduce those moments, but they do it with different mental models.

2) What problem does each tool really solve?

Mental model of Boney

Boney is for people who share life, but do not want to merge finances.

Think of it as a shared view of shared life:

• Shared budgets (rent, groceries, trips)
• Shared expenses logged as they happen
• Real balances that update over time

Key point: Boney is intentionally not a bank product. No bank connection means more control and privacy, but it also means you (the group) must log expenses.

Mental model of Tricount

Tricount is for groups who want a shared ledger and a clear settle-up.

Think of it as a group tab:

• Create a group (“tricount”)
• Add expenses
• Let the app calculate balances and settle

Depending on where you live, Tricount may also offer optional payment-related features. Those can reduce settling friction, but they may also introduce more “financial product” complexity (availability and flows can vary).

3) Feature comparison

4) User experience & cognitive load

Where each tool feels simple

Boney tends to feel simple when:

• You want one shared picture for daily life (couple/roommates/family)
• You want fairness without constant discussions
• You are okay with manual logging because you value privacy/control

Tricount tends to feel simple when:

• You are managing a trip or a temporary group
• You want fast entry and quick settle-up
• You do not want to add a “budgeting layer”

Where friction appears over time

Boney can feel less ideal when:

• You want automation (bank sync, automatic categorization)
• The group will not log expenses consistently
• You only need a one-off settle-up (it may feel like “too much system”)

Tricount can feel less ideal when:

• The group evolves into an ongoing household and you start wanting budgeting structure
• You want stronger personal vs shared separation over months/years
• Payments/settlement expectations grow and you end up managing more “process” than you wanted

5) Best use cases

When Boney is the better choice

Boney is often the better choice if you recognize yourself in these:

• “We share everyday life, but we do not want to open a joint account.”
• “We want clarity and fairness with low mental load.”
• “We need shared budgets + shared expenses + real balances in one place.”
• “We share in different setups: couple, roommates, family, and sometimes temporary groups.”

When Tricount is the better choice

Tricount is often the better choice if you recognize yourself in these:

• “We need to split a trip/project quickly.”
• “We want a group ledger and a clear settle-up, nothing more.”
• “We don’t want to maintain budgets; we want to settle and move on.”

6) Common frustrations (and why they happen)

This section is not about blaming either product. Most frustration happens when the tool’s mental model does not match your intent.

Boney: common friction points

• You expected automation. If you want bank-connected tracking, Boney’s no-bank-connection approach can feel manual.
• Consistency is required. If only one person logs expenses, the mental load returns.
• You only needed a temporary split. For a weekend trip, a habit tool can feel heavy.

Tricount: common friction points

• “We outgrew the group tab.” Some households eventually want budgets, categories, and longer-term context.
• Balance misunderstandings. In active groups, people can disagree about what “counts” as shared, which creates confusion no matter the app.
• Settlement process creep. As groups become long-running, the “settle-up” flow can start feeling like ongoing admin.

7) Pricing & commitment

Pricing changes behavior because it changes commitment.

• A tool that feels “easy to start” is great for one-off situations, but might not encourage long-term habits.
• A tool that is designed for daily life is more valuable when the situation is long-running, but it asks more of the user (consistency, routine).

When comparing Boney vs Tricount, ask not only “what does it cost?” but also “what will we realistically keep using after two months?”

8) Final recommendation: a simple decision guide

To leave this article with a clear answer, use these three questions:

“Do I want to share expenses or manage all my finances?”

• If you mainly want shared expenses and balances, both can work.
• If you want to manage all finances (net worth, investments, full bank aggregation), you may want a broader personal finance tool than either.

“Do I want an occasional tool or a daily-life tool?”

• Occasional (trip/project): Tricount is often a better fit.
• Daily life (household): Boney is often a better fit.

“Am I comfortable with a joint account / bank connection?”

• If you do not want a joint account and prefer no bank connection: Boney’s philosophy aligns.
• If you are comfortable with bank-connected/payment flows: Tricount may offer options (availability varies), but be mindful of added complexity.

If you want one one-liner to remember:

Boney helps you manage shared expenses without forcing you into a joint account.

Not sure yet?
Try Boney for free and see if it fits your way of sharing money.