I’ve just released TeamBill — an independent iPhone client for managing shared expenses with Nextcloud + Cospend.
What it does (quick overview):
• Manage multiple projects and members (Nextcloud users + “simple members”)
• Add bills fast (amount, payer, notes) + categories & payment methods
• Simplified balance view (“who owes whom”) with tap-to-settle
Privacy & business model:
• One-time purchase (no subscription) primarily to cover the cost for development/release
• No ads, no tracking
• Your credentials are only used to connect to your server
Compatibility:
Tested with Nextcloud Hub 32.0.3 and Cospend 3.1.6.
Disclaimer:
This is an independent client and not affiliated with Nextcloud GmbH or the Cospend project.
App Store:
I’d love feedback from the community — especially on onboarding, wording, and which features matter most for trips / households / teams: Feedback – TeamBill for Cospend
Feel free to get in touch for a limited number of free access to the app i.e. for Nextcloud resellers.
I have tried the “officially” recommended payforme app on iOS, I was able to enter a bit of data, but on the payouts calculations everything got a bit messy especially when trying to change this later (adding a few forgotten expenses), so I moved back to the web interface.
No ads, no tracking that is really great compared to other commercial services.
The one time purchase sounds reasonable. However, for my activities it would be a deal breaker. You want everybody to put their expenses and if everybody has to buy the app, the group is more likely to use a non-paid option (even if you pay with your data).
I have put some effort into anticipating UX-friction and still continue working on a hassle-free experience. Because few things are more frustrating than having a messy experience for a comparably simple task (managing payments in a group of people). Something a simple spreadsheet could solve as well.
So far, I have run into several setbacks which I was able to solve in version 1.2. The upcoming version 1.3 will include more sharing options and some fixes ensuring further stabilazation of the synch process.
What type of licensing mode (especially for a group using the app) would you find more appealing?
Most appealing is to have it for free
If the app is really cool, as the group-admin, I’m perhaps willing to pay a one-time fee, but then the others in the group can use it for free. And even then, I’d rather pay for an app that I use often, and for myself I just use it once a year or so.
Ideally, it is free in the end, and then rather raise money to implement certain features. Problem is that in general you add a huge administrative task that is not worth it. And then if you don’t manage to implement it, do you refund people, …
Free might ideal for the consumer but does not cover the cost for development of an app
What do you think of a free “light” version of the app, allowing users to participate in Nextcloud/Cospend projects only? This would address your concerns. regarding “passive” users having to buy a license.
For this purpose it is difficult, especially when dealing with heterogeneous groups. You’d have to pay for the iOS users (and you’d do that for an android app, and for the cospend app itself?).
Unfortunately, for me it’s a nice optional function of Nextcloud, that I’d use from time to time but would not bother to go through buying licenses or subscription, for that purpose I use it not often enough. Perhaps for families, clubs or so it might be different.
