Do my friends need to install an app?
No. Friends open a claim or pay link in their browser and verify by phone when needed.
FAQ
Quick answers.
How does Cleo split a receipt?
You text or upload a receipt, Cleo reads the items, and everyone can claim what they had before you send pay links.
Can I text a receipt instead of using the website?
Yes. Text a photo of your receipt to Cleo’s number and follow the SMS prompts. You can add names, choose even or item-based splits, and send pay links without opening the app.
Do recipients need a Cleo account?
No. Recipients never sign up. They open a link, verify their phone with a one-time code, claim items or see what they owe, and pay through their usual app.
Why does Cleo ask for a phone number?
Phone verification lets Cleo know who claimed which items and who marked a payment. It keeps the split accurate without making anyone create an account.
Does Cleo move money?
No. Cleo tracks who owes what and points people to Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. It is a ledger, not a payment processor.
Which payment apps does Cleo support?
Organizers add Venmo, Cash App, and/or Zelle handles in settings. Pay links open the right app with the amount prefilled when possible, or show the handle to copy.
How are tax and tip split?
Tax and tip follow your items. Each person pays a share proportional to what they claimed or were assigned. If you split the bill evenly, everyone owes the same total including tax and tip.
Can we split evenly instead of by item?
Yes. Choose an even split when you set up the receipt, or reply "even" if you started over text. Everyone owes the same share of the total.
How do claim links work?
Share a claim link in your group chat. Each person opens it, enters their name, and taps the items they had. Totals update live so no one double-claims.
How do I know when someone has paid?
Recipients mark a pay link as paid after they send money. You can see payment status on the split page and nudge anyone who still owes.
What if someone paid cash or another way?
Pay links include an option to mark paid another way. The organizer can also mark someone paid from the split page.
Can I use Cleo for a trip?
Trips are built for multi-day groups with several expenses and a simplified settlement at the end.
What if the receipt scan is wrong?
The organizer can review and adjust items, tax, tip, and totals before the split is shared.
What happens to my receipt photo?
Receipt images are used to read items and totals for the split. See our privacy policy for how we store and use split data.
Is Cleo free?
Cleo is free to use for splitting receipts. You pay your friends directly through Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle — Cleo never charges a processing fee.