Core Plan

AppFolio Core Plan: $1.40/Unit Pricing, Features, and Who It's For

AppFolio Core is the entry-level plan covering all standard property management needs — from maintenance and accounting to online leasing. At $1.40/unit with a $280/month minimum, it's priced for professional management companies with 200+ residential units.

Residential
$1.40
/unit/month
$280/month minimum
Commercial
$1.50
/unit/month
$280/month minimum
HOA / Community
$0.80
/unit/month
$280/month minimum

Core Plan Cost at Key Portfolio Sizes

The $280/month minimum means portfolios under 200 units pay above the $1.40 headline rate. Beyond 200 units, you pay exactly $1.40/unit.

UnitsMonthly CostAnnual CostEffective Rate/Unit
100 units$280/mo (minimum)$3,360/yr$2.80/unit (above $1.40)
200 units$280/mo (minimum)$3,360/yr$1.40/unit (above $1.40)
300 units$420/mo$5,040/yr$1.40/unit
500 units$700/mo$8,400/yr$1.40/unit
1,000 units$1,400/mo$16,800/yr$1.40/unit
Calculate your exact cost

What's Included in AppFolio Core

Core covers all day-to-day property management needs. The gaps are in automation and AI features, which require Plus.

FeatureIncludedNotes
Online rent collectionResidents pay via portal; ACH or card
Resident portalMaintenance requests, documents, messages
Maintenance work ordersCreate, assign, track to vendors
Vendor managementVendor directory and 1099 prep
Online leasing applicationsDigital applications + e-sign leases
Tenant screeningTransUnion-powered; fee per applicant
Property websitesAuto-syndicates to Zillow, Apartments.com
Standard financial reportsP&L, balance sheet, rent roll, cash flow
Owner portalOwners see statements and reports
Bank reconciliationFull trust accounting support
Document managementStore leases, inspections, photos
Workflow automationPlus plan only
Lisa AI leasing assistantPlus plan only
Performance insights (BI)Plus plan only
Priority supportPlus plan only

Who Should Choose Core?

Core is a good fit if you...

  • Manage 200–500 residential units
  • Need professional accounting and maintenance tools
  • Don't need AI leasing automation (yet)
  • Want to grow into Plus later
  • Manage a mix of residential types
  • Currently using spreadsheets or legacy software

Consider alternatives if you...

  • Have fewer than 100 units (see DoorLoop or Buildium)
  • Need the $280 minimum to feel justified first
  • Require advanced AI leasing tools (look at Plus)
  • Manage 500+ and could benefit from Plus automation ROI
  • Are a solo landlord with under 20 units (try Innago free)

Core Plan — Frequently Asked Questions

What does AppFolio Core cost?
AppFolio Core costs $1.40 per unit per month for residential properties, $1.50/unit for commercial, and $0.80/unit for community associations (HOA). All tiers share the same $280/month minimum. If your portfolio is under 200 residential units, you pay $280/month regardless.
What does AppFolio Core include?
AppFolio Core includes: online rent collection and resident portal, maintenance work order management, standard financial reporting (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow), online leasing and rental applications, property websites with listing syndication, tenant and owner communication tools, vendor management, and basic document management.
Who is AppFolio Core best for?
AppFolio Core is best for professional property management companies with 200–500 residential units. At 200 units, you just exceed the minimum ($280/month) and get full value at the published rate. At 500 units, Core costs $700/month — still competitive with Buildium Premium at $375/month when you factor in AppFolio's richer feature set.
Compare with Plus Full Core vs Plus breakdown AppFolio Core vs Buildium