Split Bills  

As a practical showcase for the development of digital products at Brainchimps, we developed an MVP for a Splitwise-like application, leveraging the power of LLMs.

Everything you need to know about our MVP for Splitwise

Splitwise is a very well-known app that makes it easy to split shared expenses by calculating who owes whom and keeping track of shared costs. At Brainchimps, we developed an MVP called 'Split Bills' that replicates the core features of Splitwise.
What is Split Bills?
Split Bills is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that can be accessed through any browser on a smartphone and offers the core features of Splitwise. Users can scan a bill, select their items, and split the bill with others, so everyone knows how much they need to contribute.

The decision to create a Progressive Web App (PWA) was made because it ensures that Split Bills is easily accessible on any smartphone and feels just like a regular app. Additionally, key features like the camera function for scanning bills and sharing via WhatsApp can be used directly within the app.
How was Split Bills created?
The Split Bills MVP was created during one of our hackathons at a team event in Munich. The idea for the showcase came to us when we were using Splitwise, as usual, during dinner. Three of our developers built the MVP from scratch in just eight hours during the hackathon.
What is special about Split Bills?
What makes Split Bills special is the innovative use of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to extract, analyze, and verify information from receipts. Since receipts often come in very different formats, ChatGPT is particularly well-suited to handle this diversity.

Developing a custom OCR algorithm would not have been a realistic option—it would have taken too long and delivered poorer results, especially due to the varying receipt formats. However, by leveraging ChatGPT, we were able to develop a solution that is efficient, flexible, and reliable in a short amount of time.

Which technologies were used?

Frontend

The user interface of Split Bills was developed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) using React and styled with Tailwind CSS and Shadcn/UI.

This combination allows us to quickly adjust the look and feel of the MVP and easily integrate new features.

Both the frontend and backend are cost-effectively hosted on AWS.

Backend

Even with an MVP, costs can be reduced by making the right technological decisions.

For Split Bills, we chose a serverless architecture based on AWS Lambda and TypeScript.

"Serverless" means that there are no ongoing costs. Costs only arise when the app is actually used.

Large Language Model

In the past, complex algorithms would have been needed for text recognition (OCR).

Today, we use Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to extract and analyze data from receipts.

With LangChain, we created a workflow where the data is extracted, verified, and further processed. This ensures high data quality.

Key Highlights

Get a concise overview of the key aspects of Split Bills and its development. This section outlines the essential details that make the product both efficient and effective, offering a snapshot of the strategic choices and technologies that drive its success.
Rapid Development
Our team of three developers built Split Bills in just 8 hours during a Hackathon. We specialize in delivering high-quality software with speed and efficiency.
Cost-Effective Operation
Thanks to a modern serverless architecture, Split Bills incurs no ongoing costs. The platform operates entirely on a pay-per-use model, ensuring maximum cost efficiency.
Flexible & Modular Design
We adopt a modular approach in developing MVPs. This allows for easy integration of new features, such as payment processing, ensuring the product evolves with your needs.
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Can we help develop your MVP?

André is passionate about discovering practical, technical solutions that bring your MVP to life, ensuring both rapid development and precise implementation. He is eager to collaborate with you, tailoring the approach to meet your specific needs and deliver outstanding results. Don’t hesitate to reach out—send us a message through the contact form or directly at hello@brainchimps.com!
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