PayRoot questions and answers
What is PayRoot?
PayRoot is an iPhone app for servers, bartenders and anyone who lives on tips. You log your tips after each shift, add your bills once, and PayRoot shows how much of tonight's money to set aside so every bill is covered by its due date, and what is left to spend. It was built by a working bartender.
How does PayRoot work out what to set aside each shift?
PayRoot looks at your bills, their due dates and the shifts you usually work, and plans about six weeks ahead. It turns that into one number per shift, kept within what you usually make at that job. After a slow night or a missed shift, it spreads the catch-up across your next few shifts instead of asking for it all at once. The per-shift number is part of PayRoot Pro.
Is PayRoot free?
Yes, PayRoot has a free version with no ads: quick tip and hours entry, your history and totals, a bills list with due dates, one workplace and position, import, export and iCloud backup. PayRoot Pro is an optional in-app purchase that adds the per-shift number, set aside and free to spend, Full entry, goals, voice entry and more. Some features need PayRoot Pro, an optional in-app purchase.
Can I bring my history from another tip app or a spreadsheet?
Yes. PayRoot imports past shifts from other tip apps' export files and from spreadsheets (CSV, Excel or Numbers), right inside the app. You pick the file, check the preview, and your totals, hours and averages carry over. Import is free.
Does PayRoot handle tip-outs and tip-ins?
Yes. In Full entry you set tip-out rules once per position, for example a percentage of alcohol sales to the barback or a percentage of food sales to food runners, and PayRoot works out each tip-out from them. You can split a tip-out by headcount and record tip-ins. Your take-home is your tips after tip-outs. Full entry is part of PayRoot Pro.
Can PayRoot read my revenue report?
Yes. In Full entry you can snap a photo of your end-of-shift revenue report and PayRoot fills in the sales lines and card tips it reads. You check them before saving. Scanning is part of PayRoot Pro.
Do I need an account? Where is my data kept?
There is no account and no sign-in. Your numbers are stored on your iPhone and backed up to your own iCloud, and you can lock the app with Face ID. PayRoot has no ads and no tracking.
Does PayRoot work on Apple Watch?
Yes. The Apple Watch app shows this month's take-home, today's shifts and, with PayRoot Pro, the per-shift number, and you can type your tips on a scheduled shift right from your wrist. Adding new shifts and voice entry are on the iPhone.
Can I log a shift by voice?
Yes, on iPhone. Tap Voice entry and say your shift in one sentence, for example the date, where you worked, your hours and your tips. PayRoot fills in the entry for you to check. Voice entry is part of PayRoot Pro.
Can I add my work schedule?
Yes. Take a screenshot of your schedule and PayRoot adds each shift, so it is waiting for your tips when the shift ends. You can turn on a reminder before a shift starts and after it ends. Schedule import is part of PayRoot Pro.
Does PayRoot count my paychecks?
Yes. You can add paychecks by hand or from a screenshot of a pay stub or bank deposit. Take-home counts your tips after tip-outs plus your paychecks. Paycheck import from a screenshot is part of PayRoot Pro.
Can PayRoot help me save for something?
Yes. Set a goal, like a trip, a car or an emergency fund, and PayRoot works out how much each shift adds once your bills are covered. Goals are part of PayRoot Pro.
Can I track more than one job?
Yes. The free version covers one workplace and one position. PayRoot Pro adds more workplaces and positions, each with its own usual shifts, wage and tip-out rules.
Is PayRoot on Android?
Not right now. PayRoot is for iPhone, with an Apple Watch app. Join the launch list on payroot.app to hear about anything new.
When does PayRoot launch, and can I try it now?
PayRoot comes to the App Store on December 1, 2026. Until then, the free beta is open to anyone with an iPhone through Apple's TestFlight app; the steps are on payroot.app/beta.