SimpliSplit | Devpost

Inspiration

This innovative bill-splitting app revolutionizes the dining experience for large groups by effortlessly streamlining the process. Users can easily scan their restaurant receipt, with the app not only calculating the total bill, including tax and tip, but also providing an itemized breakdown for transparency. With customizable tip options, users can adjust gratuity to their liking. By simplifying the process for both users and restaurant staff, this app eliminates the tedious and complicated aspects of splitting the bill, making dining out with a group a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

What it does

Receipt Scanning: The app allows users to scan the restaurant receipt using their smartphone's camera. This feature is crucial as it extracts the necessary information from the receipt, such as the items ordered, their prices, tax, and tips.

Automatic Calculation: Once the receipt is scanned, the app automatically calculates the total bill amount, including tax and tip. This eliminates the need for users to manually calculate these amounts, which can be cumbersome in large groups.

Payment Request Generation: After calculating the total bill, the app generates a payment request for that amount from each person and sends a Venmo redirect link for them to pay the original recipient.

Payment via Text Message: The app simplifies the process by allowing users to send payment requests via text message. Each member of the group receives a message with their share of the bill and a link to make the payment.

How we built it

We built this bill-splitting app collaboratively using a diverse tech stack. React Native for the user-friendly mobile frontend, Python with Terrasact and Veryfi APIs for automated receipt scanning, and Firebase for secure data storage. We also created a Vue.js demo website. We integrated Venmo API for seamless in-app payments and added SMS for easy payment requests via text messages.

Challenges we ran into

We faced the challenge of choosing a topic that would have a meaningful impact on people's lives while also providing convenience. It wasn't easy finding the right balance between addressing a practical issue and creating a user-friendly solution. In our case, tackling the often tedious process of splitting bills into large groups emerged as a relevant and pressing problem for many.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud of our bill-splitting app, which simplifies dining for large groups. Users scan receipts for automatic calculations, customizable tips, and easy payment requests via Venmo or SMS. Practicality with user-friendliness and addressing a common problem effectively.

What we learned

We learned how to host a website, create a mobile app, establish a database, and streamline the connection between frontend and backend using HTTP requests.