Feature
Add anyone to a group, even without an account.
Ghost participants let you split expenses with people who haven't signed up — your kids, an out-of-town friend, a temporary roommate. They can claim their identity later, or stay anonymous forever.
Try Dolio freeThe problem
Not everyone wants to sign up for an app
Half your group is on board with Dolio. The other half isn’t — your kids don’t have phones, your in-laws aren’t going to download an app for one trip, and your roommate’s friend who stayed for a week isn’t worth the onboarding friction.
Most expense apps force every participant to create an account. That means either chasing people to sign up, or quietly excluding them from the math.
How it works
How ghost participants work
- 1
Add a ghost in two seconds
Type a name. That's it. No email, no phone number, no invite. The ghost participates in expenses and balances exactly like a real member.
- 2
Split and settle as usual
Ghosts can pay for things, owe money, and appear in the transfer list. Dolio's math treats them as full members — they just don't log in.
- 3
Claim later, or never
Anyone in the group can send a ghost an invite link. When they sign up, they inherit the ghost's history. Skip it and the ghost stays anonymous.
Real example
Family beach trip with kids and grandparents
Alex and Priya plan a beach week with Alex’s parents. Mom and Dad don’t use expense apps; the kids are too young to have phones. Adding everyone as ghosts takes 30 seconds.
Over the week the group logs flights, the rental, groceries, and dinners — splitting some four ways, others between just the adults. When it’s time to settle, Dolio shows exactly who owes whom, including the ghosts.
Use cases
Who uses ghost participants
Housemates and short-term guests
Add the friend crashing on your couch for a week without onboarding them. Settle when they leave.
Family trips
Kids, grandparents, or anyone who isn't going to download an app. They still appear in every split.
One-time co-buyers
Splitting concert tickets with someone you'll never split anything with again. No need to make them sign up.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can ghost participants see balances?
No. Ghosts have no account, so they can't log in to see anything. The members of the group see the ghost's balance like any other member's.
What happens if a ghost claims their account later?
When someone claims a ghost via an invite link, the entire history of that ghost — every expense, every share, every settlement — transfers to their new account. Nothing is lost.
Can I have multiple ghosts in one group?
Yes. Add as many as you need. There's no limit, and they don't need to be claimed in any particular order.
What if two people want to claim the same ghost?
The first claim wins. The ghost becomes a real member; subsequent invite-link clicks for that ghost see a 'this person already claimed their account' message.
Can I rename or remove a ghost?
Yes. Ghosts can be renamed or deleted just like editable group members. Deleting a ghost with non-zero balance prompts you to settle or reassign first.
Add the whole group, app-or-not.
Set up your first group and add ghosts in under a minute.
Get started free