To provide a comprehensive overview of these financial management tools—VYAY, Request, and SplitMyExpenses—let's break down each aspect you've asked about:

A) Primary Functions and Target Markets

1. VYAY:

   • Primary Functions: VYAY is typically a personal finance management app focusing on budgeting, expense tracking, and financial goal setting. It offers users the ability to categorize expenses, analyze spending patterns, and create budgets to manage their finances effectively.
   • Target Market: Individual consumers looking to gain better control over their personal finances, particularly millennials and younger generations who prefer managing their finances digitally.

2. Request:

   • Primary Functions: Request Network is a decentralized network built on the blockchain to facilitate secure and efficient payment requests. It enables users to create, share, and fulfill requests for payments, supporting both traditional and cryptocurrency transactions.
   • Target Market: Businesses and freelancers who conduct international transactions, value the transparency and security of blockchain technology, and require a versatile payment solution.

3. SplitMyExpenses:

   • Primary Functions: SplitMyExpenses focuses on simplifying the management of shared expenses. It helps users track and split bills or other joint financial obligations among a group, eliminating confusion and ensuring fairness.
   • Target Market: Groups of friends, roommates, family members, or any collective that incurs shared expenses, particularly appealing to young adults and students who frequently engage in social activities that require cost splitting.

B) Overall Market Share and User Base

• VYAY: As a personal finance app, VYAY likely competes with a large number of similar applications (e.g., Mint, YNAB) within a crowded market. Its market share would depend on its unique features, user experience, and geographic presence, which isn't specified here.
• Request: Within the blockchain-based payment solution sector, Request has carved out a niche market. Its user base might include tech-savvy users familiar with cryptocurrency, which could still be a smaller fraction compared to mainstream payment solutions.
• SplitMyExpenses: This app might have a moderate user base within the niche of bill-splitting. Though popular among young adults and students, its market share would be limited by competitors like Splitwise, which is already well-established.

C) Key Differentiating Factors

1. VYAY vs. Request:

   • Functional Focus: VYAY focuses on personal finance management, while Request focuses on secure payment requests using blockchain technology.
   • Technology: VYAY probably operates using traditional app frameworks while Request leverages blockchain, appealing to different user needs.

2. VYAY vs. SplitMyExpenses:

   • Usage Scenario: VYAY is centered around individual financial planning, whereas SplitMyExpenses is all about managing group expenses.
   • User Intent: Users would choose VYAY for self-budgeting needs and SplitMyExpenses for collaborative financial activities.

3. Request vs. SplitMyExpenses:

   • Application: Request offers a global payment request system with a focus on security and transparency via blockchain. SplitMyExpenses, on the other hand, offers a straightforward tool for managing and sharing local expenses within groups.
   • Target Audience: Request targets businesses and tech-savvy users, whereas SplitMyExpenses caters more to casual users and social groups.

Overall, while these three applications operate within the broader category of financial management, they serve different user needs and markets, ranging from personal finance and group expense management to secure payment solutions in diverse currencies. Each product's competitiveness will largely depend on how well it meets its target market's needs and its ability to stand out against similar competing solutions.

To provide a feature similarity breakdown for VYAY, Request, and SplitMyExpenses, we'll focus on the core features they share, their differences in user interface design, and any unique features that distinguish one product from the others. Please note, as my training only goes up until October 2023, I will use the information available up to that point.

a) Core Features in Common

1. Expense Tracking: All three applications allow users to track expenses, categorize spending, and perhaps link bank accounts to automate the process of recording transactions.

2. Expense Splitting: These apps provide ways to split expenses among multiple users, simplifying the process of shared costs and ensuring everyone pays their share accurately.

3. Reporting and Analytics: Basic reporting features are found across these applications, offering insights into spending habits, summaries, or analytics.

4. User Synchronization: They typically offer cloud synchronization, enabling users to access their data across multiple devices seamlessly.

5. Payment or Reimbursement Tracking: There are functionalities to keep track of who owes whom, which is particularly useful in group settings like trips or shared events.

b) User Interface Comparison

1. VYAY: Often designed for simplicity and ease of use, featuring a minimalistic interface. Its UI focuses on quick insights through dashboards and easy transaction entry.

2. Request: Known for a more professional look, possibly more feature-rich in terms of blockchain technology integration for secure transactions, which may make it slightly more complicated but offers added security benefits.

3. SplitMyExpenses: Tends to focus on user-friendliness, with a streamlined design aimed at quick expense entry and management. It often appeals to users who need straightforward functionality without much complexity.

c) Unique Features

1. VYAY:

   • Automation: It may offer advanced automation features that fetch and categorize expenses more accurately using AI, which could be less prevalent in the other two apps.
   • Machine Learning Insights: Possible incorporation of machine learning to provide personalized financial advice.

2. Request:

   • Blockchain Integration: Request is known for utilizing blockchain technology, offering decentralized ledger systems for enhanced security and transparency in transactions and invoicing.
   • Request Network: It may have features that allow easy integration with the Request Network, thus appealing more to users interested in cryptocurrencies and blockchain.

3. SplitMyExpenses:

   • Social Features: Might include more social-sharing related features that make it easier for groups to manage shared expenses, ideal for close-knit groups, families, or friends planning trips together.
   • Visual Reporting: Potentially better visual reporting tools that make it more comprehensible for users who prefer graphical data presentation.

Each app caters to slightly different user needs, with VYAY leaning towards automation and advanced insights, Request focusing on security with blockchain, and SplitMyExpenses offering ease of use and powerful social features.

To provide an insightful analysis of the best fit use cases for VYAY, Request, and SplitMyExpenses, let's examine each tool, its strengths, and the specific scenarios in which it shines.

a) VYAY

Best Fit Use Cases:

1. Types of Businesses or Projects:

   • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Especially those with straightforward financial processes that need an effective way to manage expenses without the complexity of larger enterprise solutions.
   • Project Management Teams: Teams handling project-based work that requires meticulous expense tracking and budgeting.
   • Freelancers and Consultants: Individuals needing a streamlined tool for tracking their expenses related to different contracts or projects.

2. Industry Verticals:

   • Creative Agencies: Where tracking project expenses is crucial for billing clients.
   • Tech Startups: Benefitting from a nimble system to manage their expenses without the overhead of complex solutions.

b) Request

Preferred Scenarios:

1. Use Cases:

   • Businesses Seeking Transparency in Transactions: Companies looking for a framework to ensure clarity and transparency in financial exchanges and record-keeping.
   • Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Organizations in the DeFi space utilizing Request to handle blockchain-based transactions, which require a robust, decentralized, and secure method for handling requests.

2. Industry Verticals:

   • Financial Services: Particularly those exploring blockchain integrations.
   • Large Enterprises: Where maintaining a clear audit trail of transactions is critical for compliance and operational purposes.

c) SplitMyExpenses

Optimal Conditions:

1. Ideal Use Cases:

   • Group Projects and Events: Ideal for managing and splitting costs among multiple stakeholders or team members, such as in event planning or group activities.
   • Shared Housing and Co-Living Spaces: People living in shared accommodations where utility bills and other expenses need to be divided equitably.

2. Target Industries:

   • Hospitality and Event Management: Companies that frequently deal with shared expenses across teams or events.
   • Co-working Spaces: Where tenants frequently share costs for facilities and services.

d) Catering to Different Industry Verticals or Company Sizes:

• VYAY stands out for smaller companies and startups due to its ease of use and focus on expense management without excessive frills. Its design benefits industries where financial simplicity and clarity are necessary.
• Request caters well to larger enterprises and industries focused on transparency and compliance, benefiting sectors where secure, traceable transactions are valued, such as financial services or any industry working heavily with blockchain.
• SplitMyExpenses is suitable for both individual users and businesses involved in environments with frequent shared expenses. It's practical for industries like hospitality and residential services where splitting costs is almost routine.

Each of these tools fills a niche by focusing on different aspects of financial management tailored to user needs, organizational scope, and industry requirements.

When evaluating VYAY, Request, and SplitMyExpenses, it’s important to consider several factors such as functionality, ease of use, pricing, customer support, and specific user needs. Here’s a conclusion and final verdict considering these aspects:

a) Best Overall Value

Request seems to offer the best overall value, primarily due to its versatile features, broad integration capabilities, and strong support network. While it might not be the cheapest option, it provides a comprehensive set of tools that can cater to both small and large groups, making it a flexible choice for users with varying requirements.

b) Pros and Cons

VYAY:

• Pros:

  • User-friendly interface designed specifically for ease of tracking expenses among small groups.
  • Affordable pricing structure, appealing to budget-conscious users.
  • Simplified expense splitting for casual users or smaller groups.

• Cons:

  • Limited functionality compared to more robust platforms like Request.
  • Less suitable for businesses or larger expense tracking pools.

Request:

• Pros:

  • Extensive integrations with financial tools and platforms, enhancing its utility.
  • Strong customer support and a steady user community.
  • Versatile features that suit both personal users and businesses, providing a comprehensive solution for managing financial transactions.

• Cons:

  • Higher cost might be prohibitive for individuals or small groups with limited budgets.
  • Can be more complex to learn for users seeking simplicity.

SplitMyExpenses:

• Pros:

  • Optimized for clear and easy sharing of expenses among friends or informal groups.
  • Offers features that are directly focused on splitting bills and expenses efficiently.
  • Simple user interface, which is appealing for users looking for a straightforward tool.

• Cons:

  • Limited in scope and may not support advanced features needed for business use.
  • Integration options might be lacking compared to more comprehensive tools like Request.

c) Recommendations for Users

• For Individuals/Small Groups: VYAY or SplitMyExpenses could be the most appealing options. If the focus is on simplicity and low cost, VYAY is likely the preferred choice. SplitMyExpenses is ideal when the sole purpose is straightforward expense splitting among friends.

• For Business Users or Advanced Features: Request should be the primary consideration due to its broad range of functionalities and integration capabilities. It’s optimal for those requiring a robust solution that can handle complex transactions and multiple users.

• For Balanced Needs: If you need a little versatility but still care about budget constraints, aligning with Request might be exceptionally beneficial despite its costs, given its long-term value addition, particularly in environments expecting to scale usage over time.

Ultimately, users should weigh their specific needs against the characteristics of each product to make the most informed decision. Consider future needs and potential growth when selecting a tool, as it may sway the decision towards choosing a more comprehensive platform like Request.