Buildium vs AppFolio
Property Management pricing comparison · 2026 · Updated April 2026
Buildium pricing ranges from $0–$400/month, while AppFolio ranges from $1.4–$5/unit/month. AppFolio is typically 98% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
Sources & confidence
Every dollar amount and contract clause below traces back to a sourced fact. We don't manufacture composite scores.
Plans at a glance
Every tier per product. Lock one to drive the cost row above and reveal a tier-specific outbound CTA.
Contract terms
The fine print, surfaced. Green = buyer-friendly. Each clause backed by a quoted source.
What users say
Aggregated, with sample sizes. We use whichever review platform has data.
Buildium and AppFolio are the two most popular cloud-based property management platforms, but they use fundamentally different pricing models. Buildium charges flat monthly fees — Essential at $62/month, Growth at $192/month, and Premium at $400/month — while AppFolio uses per-unit pricing starting at $1.40/unit/month on Core, $3/unit/month on Plus, and $5/unit/month on Max.
This distinction matters significantly depending on your portfolio size. Buildium's flat-rate structure is predictable at any scale, while AppFolio's per-unit model scales linearly with the number of units under management.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Buildium | AppFolio |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free /month | $1.40 /unit/month |
| Essential | $62 /month | $3 /unit/month |
| Growth | $192 /month | $5 /unit/month |
| Premium | $400 /month | — |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
Buildium
5 scenariosAppFolio
5 scenariosMarket Intelligence
Buildium
- Median annual cost
- $480
- Based on
- 46 deals
AppFolio
- Median annual cost
- $599
- Based on
- 44 deals
Contract Terms
| Term | Buildium | AppFolio |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | — | — |
| Cancellation | — | — |
| Minimum commitment | — | — |
| Price escalation | Users report 2-3 price increases per year without transparent escalation schedule | No published schedule, but pricing structure has changed over time with new fees added for previously included services like ACH payments |
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Our Verdict
Choose Buildium if you want predictable flat-rate pricing with a Free Trial to evaluate. Its Essential plan at $62/month suits growing portfolios, while Growth ($192/month) and Premium ($400/month) handle larger operations without per-unit scaling.
Choose AppFolio if you prefer per-unit pricing that aligns cost to portfolio size. Core at $1.40/unit/month fits small to mid-size portfolios, Plus at $3/unit/month adds phone support and advanced leasing, and Max at $5/unit/month delivers maximum customization and premium support for large portfolios.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Buildium cheaper than AppFolio?
For small portfolios, yes. Buildium's Essential plan starts at $62/month with no minimum unit count. AppFolio requires a $280/month minimum regardless of portfolio size. For 200+ units, AppFolio's $1.40/unit/month can be more competitive depending on the plan tier.
02 Which is better for small landlords?
Buildium is significantly better for small landlords. Its Essential plan at $62/month supports smaller portfolios without a high minimum. AppFolio's $280 minimum and 50-unit requirement make it impractical for anyone managing fewer than 50 units.
03 What are the hidden costs of Buildium vs AppFolio?
Buildium charges $0.50-$1 per electronic payment transaction plus fees for e-signatures and tenant screening. AppFolio charges $1/unit/month for payment processing or passes $2.49/transaction to tenants, plus $400-$1,000 onboarding fees. Both have payment processing fees that add up.
04 Does AppFolio charge setup fees?
Yes, AppFolio charges onboarding fees ranging from $400 to over $1,000 depending on portfolio size. Buildium also charges setup fees on higher tiers ($99-$1,000+), but its Essential plan has a lower barrier to entry.
05 Which has better accounting features?
Both offer full accounting suites including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and owner reporting. AppFolio's accounting is generally considered more robust for large portfolios with advanced features on Plus and Max plans. Buildium's accounting covers essentials well for small-to-mid portfolios.
06 Can I switch from Buildium to AppFolio?
Yes, but migration requires moving tenant data, lease agreements, financial records, and owner information. Both platforms offer onboarding assistance. Plan for 2-4 weeks of transition time and potential data cleanup costs.