Appfolio vs. Buildium: Comparison
Appfolio and Buildium are popular property management software systems that assist property managers, landlords, and real estate owners with accounting, maintenance requests, inspections, tenant communication, and reporting processes.
AppFolio vs Buildium: Software Overview
Follow this guide to compare the two systems to see which is better suited for your business.
What is AppFolio Software?
AppFolio software is primarily designed for residential and commercial property managers and owners. It includes features to support the modern manager, including online applications and leases, owner and residential portals, online payments, built-in screenings, maintenance requests, and more.
What is Buildium Software?
Buildium software is designed for property managers, real estate owners, HOA management companies, and landlords. The system offers a tenant portal for residents to pay rent online, submit maintenance requests, and communicate with their property managers. It also offers accounting, marketing, and leasing tools for online lease signing and maintenance management to track various maintenance requests and tasks.
| Software | Deployment Model | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Appfolio | Cloud-Based | Starts at $0.80 per unit per month, plus a monthly fee of $250. |
| Buildium | Cloud-Based | Plans start at $58 per month |
Pricing
Budget is another significant factor when comparing property management solutions. AppFolio pricing is determined by your specific type of property as well as the number of units you have.
This is the current pricing structure for AppFolio:
- Residential: $1.25/unit/month
- Commercial: $1.50/unit/month
- Community Associations: $0.80/unit/month
- Student Housing: $1.25/unit/month
All AppFolio packages have a minimum monthly fee of $250 per month, with a “Plus” version available for property management firms with 1,000+ units.
Buildium pricing starts at $58 per month, regardless of the property type being managed. The system offers three pricing plans for different business sizes. Unlike AppFolio, there is no monthly minimum payment.
Scalability
AppFolio caters to managers with only a few units to over 1,000 units. Buildium is also scalable and well-suited for small to large rental property companies with a unique pricing plan for customers with over 5,000 units. Of the two options, Buildium has slightly more enterprise-level users than AppFolio.
Flexibility
Many different types of properties are to be managed worldwide, primarily residential and commercial. While both solutions can be used for a wide range of property types, AppFolio has more options for specifically commercial properties. This extends to unique housing situations like congregate living facilities, student dorms, and senior centers, which have a mixture of residential and commercial needs.
These managing property solutions can be customized to fit your business needs. For example, you can set up online tenant portals so renters can pay rent, utilities, and late fees, or you can focus on managing existing leases through an owner portal. AppFolio and Buildium are similar when setting up the exact modules for your type of property management.
Ease of Use
AppFolio and Buildium have tools that automate tenant screening and allow new tenants to sign electronic leases. These features greatly expedite your business processes.
One drawback of comprehensive property management software is becoming overwhelmed by its more complex features. Essentially, trying to digitize all possible services can make it difficult for new users to handle certain tasks. Working between a desktop and mobile app can also cause issues for users who are unfamiliar with the different formats.
Based on user reviews, Buildium is slightly easier for most services, while AppFolio is almost too complex. Of course, usability can significantly depend on personal user experience and preferences.
Marketing Tools
One major obstacle of property management is filling vacant units. Reaching new tenants is just as crucial as retaining your current clients, especially in areas with high renter turnover. Advertising is one way to attract prospective renters to your commercial or residential properties.
Fortunately, AppFolio has a specific real estate marketing module. This allows agents and landlords to post listings online, either on their own websites or third-party multiple listing services (MLS). Unfortunately, Buildium has no equivalent tool for advertising vacant properties or units.
AppFolio vs Buildium: Which is Best?
Which property management software is best for your business will depend on your type of business and budget. Buildium has a slight advantage over AppFolio regarding usability and pricing, though those are still largely dependent on your property management style. Selecting the right option may also depend on whether your portfolio is primarily commercial or residential, as AppFolio has an edge with commercial management.
Overall, both solutions provide many advantages to property management companies. SoftwareConnect can help you search.
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