AppFolio Property Manager Review: Pros and Cons
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.
- Modern and intuitive user interface
- Strong universal search input
- 50 unit minimum
- Limited integrations
- No API access
- Developer AppFolio, Inc.
- Client OS Web
- Deployment Cloud Hosted
What is Appfolio?
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.
Appfolio includes the features you would expect from property management software including marketing and leasing tools and online maintenance management. Standout features include workflow management, automated accounts payable, smart bill entry, virtual showings, and an AI leasing assistant.
| Pros | Cons |
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Our Ratings
| Usability - 9.2 | Modern interface; great user experience with many intuitive features; accounting features somewhat difficult to navigate; may need the help of an experienced accountant to use accounting features. |
| Support - 8.8 | Help center has lots of helpful resources; phone support is by appointment only. |
| Scalability - 10 | Has all the features I would expect for this type of software; mobile app has same user experience as desktop; this product is adequate to accomplish all property management tasks. |
| Security - 8.8 | Multi-factor authentication; only export data with Plus plans; detailed permission controls for users. |
| Value - 9 | Value is overall good but some features cost extra; most vital features are not hidden behind an expensive plan. |
| Performance - 10 | Software is fast and responsive; can accomplish regular, repetitive tasks quickly. |
| Key Features - 10 | Creating new properties, units, and tenants is easy; keeping track of rent payments is easy; I can view and store descriptive information on properties and tenants. |
AI Leasing Assistant (Lisa)
Lisa, AppFolio’s AI-Powered leasing assistant, is a conversational AI solution that helps real estate businesses address the key challenge of high volumes of inquiries. Lisa saves valuable time by intaking leads, prequalifying them, scheduling showings, and even rescheduling. By automating this process, businesses can increase operational efficiency and occupancy rates.
What Features Are Missing?
- Full Open API: Appfolio does not offer full open API access in any of its plans. Instead, it offers one-way API access to transfer data from AppFolio to third-party software. AppFolio Stack does offer integrations with third-party software and services, but these options are limited. Users will need to choose another software if they require the advanced functionality that is accessible with an open API.
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
| Residential Core | Starting at $1.40/unit/month
50 unit minimum $280 minimum monthly fee Onboarding fee based on portfolio size |
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| Residential Plus | $3/unit/month
500 unit minimum $1,500 minimum monthly fee Onboarding fee based on portfolio size |
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| Community Associations Core | $0.80/unit/month
50 unit minimum $280 minimum monthly fee |
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| Commercial Core | $1.50/unit/month
50 unit minimum $280 minimum monthly fee Onboarding fee based on portfolio size |
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| Commercial Plus | $3/unit/month
500 unit minimum $1,500 minimum monthly fee Onboarding fee based on portfolio size |
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Can You Use AppFolio With Less Than 50 Units?
No, AppFolio has a 50 unit minimum.
What Bank Does AppFolio Use?
AppFolio uses Union Bank and CheckAlt to provide bank statements, auto reconciliation, automated lockbox, and accounts receivable check images.
How Much Are AppFolio Online Payments?
The transaction fees for tenants to pay online are as follows:
- ACH: Free
- Credit: 2.99% per transaction
- Debit: $9.99 per transaction
- Electronic cash payment: $3.99 each
- Application fee: $5.00
The transaction fees for paying owners and vendors are as follows:
- ACH: $.50 each
- Bill Pay: $.80 each
Alternatives
Summary
We recommend AppFolio for small to large rental management businesses that want purpose-built accounting features and AI-powered tools.
The Residential, Commercial, and Community Associations Core plans have all the features we would expect from property management software and includes access to AppFolio’s AI leasing assistant, “Lisa”.
The Plus plans grants businesses access to advanced tools like workflow management and premium integrations. Though, to access these advanced features, there is a minimum portfolio size of 500 units. We would recommend the Plus plans for businesses that require more robust automation and integrations with third-party systems.
Some notable integrations include Conservice, LeadSimple, Property Meld, and SmartRent. AppFolio has a REST API that allows for one-way data transfer out of AppFolio, but some businesses may require a fully open API to get the integrations they need.
AppFolio includes purpose-built accounting tools that are meant to replace any third-party accounting software, but their advanced features may be difficult for inexperienced users. As such, this software is best suited for businesses that have users with accounting experience.
User Reviews of AppFolio Property Manager
The software overall is good property management system but the support behind the software is lacking. I feel the customer service is nonexistent. They have no direct support line and no direct email to submit a service request. Their fees are also misleading. I found fees related to applicant screening tools that were not outlined in my contract. Only after going back and forth several times, did they admit to the fees and remove them.
Intricate, with a severe lack of customer support to accommodate the day to day complexities of the software.
I like that they USED to have adequate customer support.
The product have many moving parts and can be quite complex even with an experienced user. They severely lack much needed customer support.
We bought them but stopped using them about 6 months later. Essentially we were using Appfolio and it got a little complicated when using it. A friend of mine in property management recommended an alternative product and we felt it was more user-friendly than this product.
Chose Appfolio pretty quick. There systems are much more simple than the other software I looked at. They also are very user friendly and have unlimited customer service. Also, had the best pricing and website hosting and maintenance.
