AppFolio Property Manager is a cloud-based software built for managing residential properties, commercial properties, and community associations. Businesses can manage anywhere from 50 properties to thousands of properties.

Best For:

Appfolio is best used by property management companies that have over 50 units.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides finance, human resources, operations, marketing, sales, and more functionalities. It is a part of Microsoft’s suite of enterprise applications and integrates seamlessly with services like Office 365, Power BI, and Azure.

Best For:

Dynamics 365 Business Central is best suited for small companies with 10-50 employees and midsize businesses with 50-200. This cloud-based solution fits the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, nonprofit, and professional services industries.

9.4

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

6.8

USER RATING

based on 5 user reviews

Our Verdict:

If you’re a business with at least 50 units craving integrated property management and accounting, then AppFolio could be your new best friend. We loved its AI leasing tool, workflow management, and top-shelf integrations that amp up the automation and help manage your properties like a champ.

But it’s not all roses. If your team doesn’t include folks with an accounting background or training, AppFolio might be a bit of a struggle. Also, it only rolls out the red carpet for companies with 50 or more units, so if you’re rocking fewer than that, AppFolio might not be your perfect match. It’s got some awesome bells and whistles, but it’s not the best fit for everyone.

Pros:

Modern and intuitive user interface
Strong universal search input

Cons:

50 unit minimum
Limited integrations
No API access

8.3

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

8.6

USER RATING

based on 10 user reviews

Our Verdict:

We like Business Central for its user-friendly interface, product integrations, and accounting module. The platform includes audit trails, multi-currency, and multi-language support. It also automates recurring tasks like invoicing and reporting.

However, it’s probably not the best fit if your business does complex manufacturing. We suggest a dedicated manufacturing ERP system for tasks like machine monitoring and shop floor control. Finally, Microsoft doesn’t offer a free version of Dynamics 365.

Pros:

Combined ERP and CRM
Similar interface to MS Word and Outlook
Integrations with Microsoft applications
Creates quotes, orders, and invoices in Outlook
Offers same capabilities on iOS, Android, and Windows devices

Cons:

Not ideal for complex manufacturing needs
May require extensive training
No free version
Clunky third-party integrations
Tedious setup

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $0.80/unit/month
Client OS Web

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $70/user/month
Client OS Web

Our editorial review team has put two major software solutions, AppFolio Property Manager and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, which serve different market segments. Drawing from our personal experience, here is a head-to-head comparison of the two.

Target Market

AppFolio, as a property management solution, is best utilized by companies managing over 50 units, whether they are residential or commercial properties, or community associations.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central targets a different market, being more suited to small and midsize businesses with 10-200 employees. It has applications across manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, nonprofit, and professional services industries.

Key Features

AppFolio has a modern and intuitive user interface along with an easy-to-use universal search input. Our team was particularly impressed by its AI leasing tool, workflow management, and integrations that enhance automation and property management.

Dynamics 365, in contrast, offers combined ERP and CRM functionalities. It integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications and services, providing a familiar interface similar to MS Word and Outlook. It automates routine tasks such as invoicing and reporting, and offers multi-currency and multi-language support.

Limitations

While AppFolio has plenty of upsides, it falls short in a few areas. Businesses with under 50 units might find it too much. Additionally, it has limited integrations and no API access.

Dynamics 365 also has some drawbacks. It might not be the best fit for businesses with complex manufacturing needs, as it doesn’t offer some crucial features like machine monitoring and shop floor control. Moreover, the setup is a tad tedious and third-party integrations can be clunky.

AppFolio vs Dynamics 365: Which is Better for Most Businesses?

For most businesses outside the property management sector, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central would likely be a better fit. It offers a broad range of functionalities, fits a wide array of industries, and integrates well with other Microsoft applications.

However, for property management companies that manage over 50 units, AppFolio Property Manager’s specialized tools and features make it an excellent choice.

For more options, check out our roundup of the best ERP software overall.

AppFolio Property Manager

★★★★★

(5)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$0.80/unit/month

Client OS

Web

Deployment

Cloud Hosted

Dynamics 365 Business Central

★★★★★

(10)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$70/user/month

Client OS

Web

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises