Frequently asked questions

Most shared-expense apps (like Splitwise, Tricount, or Settle Up) are built around ongoing ledgers for trips, housemates, and long‑running groups, with accounts, groups, and balances that live for weeks or months. They typically require every participant to download a native app and sign up before they can join in, which is overkill when you just want to get tonight's bill or check done and go home.

Tab.team is built for single, real‑world bills or checks – especially restaurant and bar bills or checks – that need to be scanned, split fairly, and forgotten. It runs entirely in the browser with no login by default, so anyone can join via a link or QR code, claim what they ordered, and be finished in minutes, regardless of whether they use iOS, Android, or a laptop. Under the hood it combines AI-driven OCR, rich split logic (proportional, by payer, custom percentages, and more), and a collaborative UI that feels closer to "we're all around the table" than to managing a long-term shared budget.

Many bill- or check-splitting apps focus on one slice of the problem: simple tip calculators that only do equal splits, or native apps like Tab or Plates that offer great item‑by‑item splitting but still require everyone to download an app and often create an account first. Others are browser-based but stop at basic calculators, without receipt scanning, advanced split types, or real-time collaboration between diners.

Tab.team is designed to combine the best parts of all of these in one place: a browser-first experience with no download or sign-up required for guests, full receipt OCR so you are not typing line items by hand, and advanced split options that match how groups really pay – by item, by payer, by share. The host can control proceedings or everyone can join the same bill or check via link or QR, sees updates live, and leave with a clear, fair breakdown they can settle however they like, instead of being locked into a specific payment app or ecosystem.

No. Tab.team runs in your web browser—no app store visit required. You can add it to your home screen on your phone if you want a quick shortcut next time you're at dinner.

Yes. Open Tab.team in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Scan or upload a bill or check, invite your group, and split—no install step for you or your friends.

Yes. Tab.team is free to use today. We're focused on making fair splits simple; if anything changes we'll be upfront about it.

No account is required to start or join a split. Open a session, share the link or QR code, and everyone can participate in the browser. Sign-in may come later for saved history, but it is not required to split tonight's tab.

It's free. Let's see if we can keep it that way.

Yes. After scanning, each line item can be claimed or assigned so people pay for what they actually ordered—not an equal slice of the whole bill or check. You can still do an even split when that's what the group wants.

That's the default workflow: claim your items (or your share of shared plates), and your total reflects your portion plus your share of tax, service, and tip. Everyone sees their own number before anyone pays.

Yes. When item-by-item is overkill, switch to an even split across the group. Tips and extras can still be split fairly on top.

We'll flag a tip if one is already on the receipt. If not—or if you want to add one—you choose the amount and how it is shared: by what each person ordered, by payer, or a custom split.

Tax and service lines from the receipt are included in the total and allocated in line with how you split the items—so someone who ordered more does not silently subsidise someone who ordered less.

No. Share the session link or QR code—they open it in their browser and join the same bill or check. No app store, no sign-up wall.

Yes. Multiple people can be in the same session at once. As items are claimed or splits adjusted, everyone sees the same live view—useful when you're still at the table figuring out who had what.

Not in practice—we haven't hit a sensible ceiling in real use. Sessions with a dozen or more active participants have worked fine.

Start a session, then share the link or show the QR code on your screen. Anyone with the link can open it on their phone and join immediately.

On clear photos of bills or checks, line items and totals are recognised with very high accuracy. When the model is unsure, you'll see flags so you can correct a line before you split.

Yes. Use it in the mobile browser on iOS or Android—the same link and QR flow works for everyone regardless of device.

Not at the moment—you'll need a connection to scan, sync with your group, and save the session. Offline support is on our wish list.

Receipt images are used to extract line items for your session. We do not use them for advertising. See our Privacy Policy for retention and security details.