split
split
split
A minimalist, NFC-enabled split-bill tracker that streamlines group payments
A minimalist, NFC-enabled split-bill tracker that streamlines group payments
A minimalist, NFC-enabled split-bill tracker that streamlines group payments
How It All Began
How It All Began
I’ve always loved planning group trips with my friends—until it came time to split the bills. Between endless payment requests, messy spreadsheets, and forgotten IOUs, something that should’ve been simple often turned into a headache. During one particularly chaotic beach vacation, I realized there had to be a better way to share expenses—without the friction, confusion, or awkward follow-up texts.
I’ve always loved planning group trips with my friends—until it came time to split the bills. Between endless payment requests, messy spreadsheets, and forgotten IOUs, something that should’ve been simple often turned into a headache. During one particularly chaotic beach vacation, I realized there had to be a better way to share expenses—without the friction, confusion, or awkward follow-up texts.
I’ve always loved planning group trips with my friends—until it came time to split the bills. Between endless payment requests, messy spreadsheets, and forgotten IOUs, something that should’ve been simple often turned into a headache. During one particularly chaotic beach vacation, I realized there had to be a better way to share expenses—without the friction, confusion, or awkward follow-up texts.
The Big Idea
The Big Idea
The Big Idea
That moment sparked the concept for Split: a mobile-first, responsive web app that makes group expenses extremely simple—from inviting others with a quick phone tap (NFC) to settling up instantly, all in a clean, single-screen interface.
That moment sparked the concept for Split: a mobile-first, responsive web app that makes group expenses extremely simple—from inviting others with a quick phone tap (NFC) to settling up instantly, all in a clean, single-screen interface.
That moment sparked the concept for Split: a mobile-first, responsive web app that makes group expenses extremely simple—from inviting others with a quick phone tap (NFC) to settling up instantly, all in a clean, single-screen interface.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
If we design an app that:
Emphasizes a minimal interface for quick expense input,
Offers multiple fast invite methods (NFC tap, QR code, or link),
Provides real-time balance updates and frictionless payment options,
then users will reduce the time it takes to settle expenses and lower the stress of coordinating payments. We expect higher user satisfaction due to the app’s intuitive design and immediate feedback loop.
If we design an app that:
Emphasizes a minimal interface for quick expense input,
Offers multiple fast invite methods (NFC tap, QR code, or link),
Provides real-time balance updates and frictionless payment options,
then users will reduce the time it takes to settle expenses and lower the stress of coordinating payments. We expect higher user satisfaction due to the app’s intuitive design and immediate feedback loop.
If we design an app that:
Emphasizes a minimal interface for quick expense input,
Offers multiple fast invite methods (NFC tap, QR code, or link),
Provides real-time balance updates and frictionless payment options,
then users will reduce the time it takes to settle expenses and lower the stress of coordinating payments. We expect higher user satisfaction due to the app’s intuitive design and immediate feedback loop.
Backstory
Backstory
Backstory
I decided to pursue this project after experiencing firsthand how awkward it can be to keep asking for money and how easy it is to forget small debts. By blending my love for technology (especially NFC) with user experience principles, I believed I could streamline the entire process—making it almost fun to handle group expenses.
I decided to pursue this project after experiencing firsthand how awkward it can be to keep asking for money and how easy it is to forget small debts. By blending my love for technology (especially NFC) with user experience principles, I believed I could streamline the entire process—making it almost fun to handle group expenses.
I decided to pursue this project after experiencing firsthand how awkward it can be to keep asking for money and how easy it is to forget small debts. By blending my love for technology (especially NFC) with user experience principles, I believed I could streamline the entire process—making it almost fun to handle group expenses.
Jordan, 30 – The “I’ll Cover It, Just Pay Me Back” Friend
Jordan, 30 – The “I’ll Cover It, Just Pay Me Back” Friend
Jordan, 30 – The “I’ll Cover It, Just Pay Me Back” Friend
Bio: Jordan is the friend who doesn’t mind picking up the tab—whether it’s concert tickets, Airbnb bookings, or dinner. But chasing people down afterward? Not their favorite hobby.
Typical Scenario: Jordan just paid $300 for concert tickets for the group. Now they’re waiting for four friends to send their share… eventually.
Needs:
A clear, automatic way to track who owes what.
Payment reminders that don’t feel passive-aggressive.
The ability to see who’s paid without checking in with each person.
Frustrations:
Having to manually remind people multiple times.
Group chats that get buried under memes and unrelated conversations.
Apps that don’t send automatic reminders.
Bio: Jordan is the friend who doesn’t mind picking up the tab—whether it’s concert tickets, Airbnb bookings, or dinner. But chasing people down afterward? Not their favorite hobby.
Typical Scenario: Jordan just paid $300 for concert tickets for the group. Now they’re waiting for four friends to send their share… eventually.
Needs:
A clear, automatic way to track who owes what.
Payment reminders that don’t feel passive-aggressive.
The ability to see who’s paid without checking in with each person.
Frustrations:
Having to manually remind people multiple times.
Group chats that get buried under memes and unrelated conversations.
Apps that don’t send automatic reminders.
User Research Summary
User Research Summary
User Research Summary
To better understand the needs of potential users, I conducted an online survey shared across Reddit communities (focused on budgeting, personal finance, and college life), Instagram stories, and my college's Snapchat community. A total of 400 responses were collected, offering valuable insights into the pain points and feature preferences when it comes to splitting expenses with friends or groups.
Key Insights from the Survey
Survey Reach: 400 respondents aged 18–30, with a mix of college students, recent grads, and young professionals.
Primary Goal: To identify what features people find most valuable when splitting bills in groups.
To better understand the needs of potential users, I conducted an online survey shared across Reddit communities (focused on budgeting, personal finance, and college life), Instagram stories, and my college's Snapchat community. A total of 400 responses were collected, offering valuable insights into the pain points and feature preferences when it comes to splitting expenses with friends or groups.
Key Insights from the Survey
Survey Reach: 400 respondents aged 18–30, with a mix of college students, recent grads, and young professionals.
Primary Goal: To identify what features people find most valuable when splitting bills in groups.
User Flows
Problem Statement
Most existing bill-splitting solutions are either too cluttered (with advanced budgeting features and multi-screen menus) or too bare-bones (lacking real-time collaboration and modern invite methods). Users end up spending time navigating multiple screens or manually chasing people for payments. As a result, group expense tracking becomes tedious, leading to delayed or incomplete settlements and frustrated group members.
Taylor, 24 – The Roommate with a Shared Wi-Fi Password
Bio: Taylor shares an apartment with roommates. Between rent, utilities, groceries, and shared subscriptions, there's always something to split. Everyone promises to “Venmo later,” but payments get forgotten, leading to awkward “Hey… did you send that?” messages.
Typical Scenario: Taylor paid for the Wi-Fi this month, while Jordan covered groceries. Now it’s a mental checklist of who owes what, but no one’s quite sure if it’s even.
Needs:
An easy way to track recurring expenses (like rent or internet).
Quick pay options to avoid the “I’ll do it later” trap.
A simple overview of who’s settled and who hasn’t.
Frustrations: Unclear balances leading to roommate tension.
Forgetting who paid for what after a busy week.
Apps that overcomplicate splitting simple bills.
Goals & Objectives
Make Splitting Effortless
Reduce the time it takes to log an expense to under 30 seconds.
No More Awkwardness
Automate payment reminders so users don’t have to send “Hey, you owe me” texts.
Transparency Without Complexity
Provide clear, simple summaries of who owes what, with balances visible at a glance.
Real-Time Tracking
Ensure users can view updated balances immediately after an expense is added.
Boost Consistency
Increase app retention by making it useful for both big trips and small daily expenses.
User Quotes
“I hate when it takes forever to split a bill after a trip. If it’s not quick, I’ll probably forget about it until someone awkwardly reminds me.”
— Jordan M., 21, College Student
“Seeing real-time updates on who owes what would save me from all the ‘Did you pay me?’ texts.”
— Taylor L., 23, Senior at UCLA
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Most existing bill-splitting solutions are either too cluttered (with advanced budgeting features and multi-screen menus) or too bare-bones (lacking real-time collaboration and modern invite methods). Users end up spending time navigating multiple screens or manually chasing people for payments. As a result, group expense tracking becomes tedious, leading to delayed or incomplete settlements and frustrated group members.
Most existing bill-splitting solutions are either too cluttered (with advanced budgeting features and multi-screen menus) or too bare-bones (lacking real-time collaboration and modern invite methods). Users end up spending time navigating multiple screens or manually chasing people for payments. As a result, group expense tracking becomes tedious, leading to delayed or incomplete settlements and frustrated group members.
Taylor, 24 – The Roommate with a Shared Wi-Fi Password
Taylor, 24 – The Roommate with a Shared Wi-Fi Password
Bio: Taylor shares an apartment with roommates. Between rent, utilities, groceries, and shared subscriptions, there's always something to split. Everyone promises to “Venmo later,” but payments get forgotten, leading to awkward “Hey… did you send that?” messages.
Typical Scenario: Taylor paid for the Wi-Fi this month, while Jordan covered groceries. Now it’s a mental checklist of who owes what, but no one’s quite sure if it’s even.
Needs:
An easy way to track recurring expenses (like rent or internet).
Quick pay options to avoid the “I’ll do it later” trap.
A simple overview of who’s settled and who hasn’t.
Frustrations: Unclear balances leading to roommate tension.
Forgetting who paid for what after a busy week.
Apps that overcomplicate splitting simple bills.
Bio: Taylor shares an apartment with roommates. Between rent, utilities, groceries, and shared subscriptions, there's always something to split. Everyone promises to “Venmo later,” but payments get forgotten, leading to awkward “Hey… did you send that?” messages.
Typical Scenario: Taylor paid for the Wi-Fi this month, while Jordan covered groceries. Now it’s a mental checklist of who owes what, but no one’s quite sure if it’s even.
Needs:
An easy way to track recurring expenses (like rent or internet).
Quick pay options to avoid the “I’ll do it later” trap.
A simple overview of who’s settled and who hasn’t.
Frustrations: Unclear balances leading to roommate tension.
Forgetting who paid for what after a busy week.
Apps that overcomplicate splitting simple bills.
Goals & Objectives
Goals & Objectives
Make Splitting Effortless
Reduce the time it takes to log an expense to under 30 seconds.
No More Awkwardness
Automate payment reminders so users don’t have to send “Hey, you owe me” texts.
Transparency Without Complexity
Provide clear, simple summaries of who owes what, with balances visible at a glance.
Real-Time Tracking
Ensure users can view updated balances immediately after an expense is added.
Boost Consistency
Increase app retention by making it useful for both big trips and small daily expenses.
Make Splitting Effortless
Reduce the time it takes to log an expense to under 30 seconds.
No More Awkwardness
Automate payment reminders so users don’t have to send “Hey, you owe me” texts.
Transparency Without Complexity
Provide clear, simple summaries of who owes what, with balances visible at a glance.
Real-Time Tracking
Ensure users can view updated balances immediately after an expense is added.
Boost Consistency
Increase app retention by making it useful for both big trips and small daily expenses.
User Quotes
“I hate when it takes forever to split a bill after a trip. If it’s not quick, I’ll probably forget about it until someone awkwardly reminds me.”
— Jordan M., 21, College Student
“Seeing real-time updates on who owes what would save me from all the ‘Did you pay me?’ texts.”
— Taylor L., 23, Senior at UCLA
“I hate when it takes forever to split a bill after a trip. If it’s not quick, I’ll probably forget about it until someone awkwardly reminds me.”
— Jordan M., 21, College Student
“Seeing real-time updates on who owes what would save me from all the ‘Did you pay me?’ texts.”
— Taylor L., 23, Senior at UCLA
Wireframes & Early Sketches
Wireframes & Early Sketches
I began with simple sketches to quickly map out the core features of Split. The goal was to keep the design minimal, intuitive, and focused on what really matters: splitting expenses effortlessly.
I began with simple sketches to quickly map out the core features of Split. The goal was to keep the design minimal, intuitive, and focused on what really matters: splitting expenses effortlessly.
Your Finances, at a Glance
Your Finances, at a Glance
Your Finances, at a Glance
Track who owes what. One tap, instant clarity.
Why it works: Reduces cognitive load. Users don’t have to dig through menus to understand their financial standing.
Track who owes what. One tap, instant clarity.
Why it works: Reduces cognitive load. Users don’t have to dig through menus to understand their financial standing.
Group Dynamics, Simplified
Group Dynamics, Simplified
Group Dynamics, Simplified
Track who owes what, settle up with a tap, and manage members with ease.
Why it works: Creates transparency and accountability within groups, reducing awkward money conversations.
Invite, Tap, Done
Invite, Tap, Done
Invite, Tap, Done
Start a group in seconds. Share via link, QR code, or NFC.
Why it works: Multiple invite options fit different social contexts—whether you’re with friends in person or coordinating remotely.
Goodbye, Awkward UIs
Goodbye, Awkward UIs
Goodbye, Awkward UIs
Select a payment method, confirm, and settle up.
Why it works: The clean, distraction-free flow keeps the focus on paying, making the process feel seamless and less transactional.
Expense Logging, Without the Hassle
Add expenses manually or scan receipts. Customize splits to fit any scenario.
Why it works: Flexibility meets speed. Users can choose the method that’s quickest for them, reducing friction in the process.
Expense Logging, Without the Hassle
Expense Logging, Without the Hassle
Add expenses manually or scan receipts. Customize splits to fit any scenario.
Why it works: Flexibility meets speed. Users can choose the method that’s quickest for them, reducing friction in the process.
Confirm with Confidence
Confirm with Confidence
Confirm with Confidence
Quick summary before you hit ‘pay’—because no one likes payment mistakes.
Why it works: Adds a layer of reassurance without adding extra steps, boosting user trust.
Paid. That’s It.
Paid. That’s It.
Paid. That’s It.
Your payment’s done, and your balance updates instantly
Why it works: Immediate feedback reduces anxiety around whether the payment went through—no guessing, no waiting.
Usability Testing & Iterations
Usability Testing & Iterations
Usability Testing & Iterations
To ensure Split felt as intuitive as possible, I conducted multiple rounds of usability testing with participants from diverse backgrounds. This included:
• 10 remote testing sessions via Zoom with college students and young professionals (the app’s target demographic).
• 5 in-person tests with quick “think-aloud” protocols to capture real-time reactions.
• Surveys distributed to a wider audience (~50 responses) for additional qualitative feedback.
Participants were asked to:
1. Create a group and add an expense.
2. Split a bill using both custom and even methods.
3. Pay back someone using the payment flow.
To ensure Split felt as intuitive as possible, I conducted multiple rounds of usability testing with participants from diverse backgrounds. This included:
• 10 remote testing sessions via Zoom with college students and young professionals (the app’s target demographic).
• 5 in-person tests with quick “think-aloud” protocols to capture real-time reactions.
• Surveys distributed to a wider audience (~50 responses) for additional qualitative feedback.
Participants were asked to:
1. Create a group and add an expense.
2. Split a bill using both custom and even methods.
3. Pay back someone using the payment flow.
Impact of Changes
Impact of Changes
✅ Task Completion Rate: 78% → 95%
🚫 Error Rate: 22% → 5%
⭐ Satisfaction Score: 3.8/5 → 4.7/5
✅ Task Completion Rate: 78% → 95%
🚫 Error Rate: 22% → 5%
⭐ Satisfaction Score: 3.8/5 → 4.7/5
Key Insights
Key Insights
Key Insights
Unclear Button Actions
Issue: Users were unsure if clicking “Pay Now” would immediately send money without review.
Fix: Added a confirmation step labeled “Review Payment” for clarity.
User Quote: “I wasn’t sure if clicking ‘Pay Now’ would just send it instantly.”
— Taylor, 23
Overwhelming Dashboard Layout
Issue: The dashboard felt crowded, making it hard to focus on key information.
Fix: Simplified the layout with clear sections and better spacing to improve visual hierarchy.
Unclear Button Actions
Issue: Users were unsure if clicking “Pay Now” would immediately send money without review.
Fix: Added a confirmation step labeled “Review Payment” for clarity.
User Quote: “I wasn’t sure if clicking ‘Pay Now’ would just send it instantly.”
— Taylor, 23
Overwhelming Dashboard Layout
Issue: The dashboard felt crowded, making it hard to focus on key information.
Fix: Simplified the layout with clear sections and better spacing to improve visual hierarchy.
Key Insights
Key Insights
Key Insights
Confusing Split Options
Issue: Users didn’t understand the difference between “Evenly” and “Custom” split methods.
Fix: Added tooltips for quick explanations and improved the toggle design for clarity.
User Quote: “What’s the point of ‘Custom’? Isn’t that just the same as typing in amounts?”
— Chris, 21
Missing Payment Confirmation
Issue: After paying, users weren’t sure if the transaction was successful.
Fix: Introduced a clear “Payment Successful” screen with confirmation details.
User Quote: “I clicked pay, but did it work? A confirmation would be nice.” — Emily, 22
Impact of Changes
✅ Task Completion Rate: 78% → 95%
🚫 Error Rate: 22% → 5%
⭐ Satisfaction Score: 3.8/5 → 4.7/5
Final Outcome & Impact
Final Outcome & Impact
Final Outcome & Impact
⏱️ 40% Reduction in Bill-Splitting Time
(Average Time with Split: 45 seconds per expense
Industry Average: 75 seconds per expense (based on common apps like Splitwise & Venmo))
Key Problems Solved:
• 💸 Unclear Balances
• 🔄 Complicated Payment Flows
• ⏳ Slow Expense Logging
• 📥 Missing Payment Confirmations
• 🤷 Lack of Group Accountability
⏱️ 40% Reduction in Bill-Splitting Time
(Average Time with Split: 45 seconds per expense
Industry Average: 75 seconds per expense (based on common apps like Splitwise & Venmo))
Key Problems Solved:
• 💸 Unclear Balances
• 🔄 Complicated Payment Flows
• ⏳ Slow Expense Logging
• 📥 Missing Payment Confirmations
• 🤷 Lack of Group Accountability
Learnings & Next Steps
Learnings & Next Steps
Learnings & Next Steps
Simplicity Wins: Users preferred fewer steps, even at the cost of less customization.
Real-Time Feedback Matters: Instant balance updates after actions boosted user confidence.
Next Steps
• Advanced privacy controls
• Group roles & management features
• Customizable dashboards
• Quick Add mode for fast, no-fuss expense logging
• Expanded payment methods
• Barebones mode for users who want simple, fast, and efficient tracking
Simplicity Wins: Users preferred fewer steps, even at the cost of less customization.
Real-Time Feedback Matters: Instant balance updates after actions boosted user confidence.
Next Steps
• Advanced privacy controls
• Group roles & management features
• Customizable dashboards
• Quick Add mode for fast, no-fuss expense logging
• Expanded payment methods
• Barebones mode for users who want simple, fast, and efficient tracking
Simplicity Wins: Users preferred fewer steps, even at the cost of less customization.
Real-Time Feedback Matters: Instant balance updates after actions boosted user confidence.
Next Steps
• Advanced privacy controls
• Group roles & management features
• Customizable dashboards
• Quick Add mode for fast, no-fuss expense logging
• Expanded payment methods
• Barebones mode for users who want simple, fast, and efficient tracking
