Updated 30 March 2026
AppFolio vs Buildium
The two biggest property management software platforms. Buildium wins on price for small portfolios (under 150 units, starting at $55/month). AppFolio wins on features and automation for 200+ unit portfolios. Here is the full breakdown to help you pick the right one.
Quick Verdict
Buildium wins on price at every portfolio size because it uses flat tiers rather than per-unit pricing. AppFolio wins on features with AI-powered maintenance, a native mobile app, and revenue management tools that Buildium does not offer. Choose Buildium if cost is your primary concern. Choose AppFolio if you need modern automation and are willing to pay more for it.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Every major capability compared. Color coding shows which platform has the edge for each feature.
Pricing model
BuildiumAppFolio
Per-unit ($1.40-$5/unit/month) with minimum fees
Buildium
Flat tiers: $55/mo (Core), $174/mo (Growth), $375/mo (Premium)
Buildium is simpler and cheaper for small portfolios
Minimum portfolio size
BuildiumAppFolio
50 units (but minimum fee means you pay for 200+)
Buildium
No minimum (starts at 1 unit)
Buildium is accessible to small landlords
Best price point
TieAppFolio
200+ units on Core ($1.40/unit)
Buildium
Under 150 units on Core ($55/mo)
Depends entirely on your portfolio size
Accounting and GL
TieAppFolio
Full double-entry accounting with bank reconciliation
Buildium
Full double-entry accounting with bank reconciliation
Both are solid for property accounting
Online rent collection
AppFolioAppFolio
ACH free, credit card 2.99%. Fast processing.
Buildium
ACH free, credit card 2.99%. Slightly slower processing.
AppFolio processes ACH faster (2 vs 3 days)
Maintenance tracking
AppFolioAppFolio
AI-powered triage, automated vendor dispatch, tenant portal
Buildium
Standard work order system, tenant portal, vendor management
AppFolio's AI maintenance triage is a genuine differentiator
Tenant screening
TieAppFolio
$15-$25/application. TransUnion reports. Fast results.
Buildium
$15-$24/application. TransUnion reports. Standard speed.
Similar pricing and data sources
Owner portals
TieAppFolio
Real-time statements, distributions, 1099 generation
Buildium
Statements, distributions, 1099 generation
Both provide comprehensive owner portals
Mobile app
AppFolioAppFolio
Native iOS and Android. Full-featured.
Buildium
Mobile-responsive web. No native app.
AppFolio's native app is significantly better for on-the-go management
Lease management
AppFolioAppFolio
Electronic signing, template library, renewal automation
Buildium
Electronic signing (eLease), template library
AppFolio has better lease renewal automation
Vacancy marketing
AppFolioAppFolio
Syndication to Zillow, Apartments.com, and 20+ sites. Built-in website.
Buildium
Syndication to Zillow, Apartments.com. Website add-on.
AppFolio has broader listing syndication
Revenue management
AppFolioAppFolio
Available on Plus and Max. AI-powered rent optimization.
Buildium
Not available
Only AppFolio offers dynamic pricing tools
Reporting
TieAppFolio
Standard on Core. Advanced analytics on Max.
Buildium
Standard reports. Custom reports on Premium.
Both have adequate reporting for most needs
Association/HOA management
BuildiumAppFolio
Included on all plans
Buildium
Strong HOA features. Buildium was originally built for associations.
Buildium has deeper association management features
Customer support
TieAppFolio
Phone and email. Generally responsive.
Buildium
Phone, email, and live chat. Good documentation.
Both have acceptable support quality
API access
BuildiumAppFolio
Limited API. Fewer third-party integrations.
Buildium
Open API. More third-party integrations.
Buildium has a more open integration ecosystem
Pricing at Different Portfolio Sizes
AppFolio Core vs the equivalent Buildium tier at each portfolio size. Buildium is cheaper at every breakpoint because its flat-tier model caps out at $375/month regardless of unit count.
| Units | AppFolio Core | Buildium | Cheaper | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $280/mo ($5.60/unit) | $55/mo ($1.10/unit) | Buildium | $2,700 |
| 100 | $280/mo ($2.80/unit) | $55/mo ($0.55/unit) | Buildium | $2,700 |
| 150 | $280/mo ($1.87/unit) | $55/mo ($0.37/unit) | Buildium | $2,700 |
| 200 | $280/mo ($1.40/unit) | $174/mo ($0.87/unit) | Buildium | $1,272 |
| 300 | $420/mo ($1.40/unit) | $174/mo ($0.58/unit) | Buildium | $2,952 |
| 400 | $560/mo ($1.40/unit) | $174/mo ($0.44/unit) | Buildium | $4,632 |
| 500 | $700/mo ($1.40/unit) | $375/mo ($0.75/unit) | Buildium | $3,900 |
| 1,000 | $1,400/mo ($1.40/unit) | $375/mo ($0.38/unit) | Buildium | $12,300 |
So why choose AppFolio?
Buildium is cheaper at every portfolio size on pure cost. The reason property managers choose AppFolio despite the higher price is features. AppFolio has AI-powered maintenance triage that automatically categorizes and routes work orders. It has a native mobile app that lets you manage properties on the go. It has revenue management tools (on Plus and Max) that optimize rent pricing based on market data. And it has faster ACH processing (2 days vs 3). For property managers who value time savings and automation, AppFolio's premium may be worth it. For those who prioritize low cost, Buildium is the clear winner.
When to Choose Which
Choose AppFolio if:
- You manage 200+ units and need scalability
- A modern, intuitive interface matters to your team
- You want AI-powered maintenance triage and automation
- Your team works remotely and needs a strong mobile app
- You want revenue management tools to optimize rent pricing
- You are growing rapidly and need a platform that scales without tier jumps
Choose Buildium if:
- You manage under 150 units and want the lowest cost
- Your primary use case is HOA or community association management
- You want flat, predictable pricing without per-unit calculations
- You need more third-party integrations via an open API
- Budget is your top priority over advanced features
- You are a small landlord or self-managing owner with fewer than 50 units
Switching Between AppFolio and Buildium
Moving from Buildium to AppFolio
AppFolio has a dedicated migration team that handles Buildium imports. The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. You will need to export your Buildium data (properties, tenants, owners, and transaction history) as CSV files. AppFolio's implementation specialist maps your data to their format. The biggest friction point is historical transaction data, which may not transfer with the same level of detail.
Moving from AppFolio to Buildium
Buildium also accepts data imports from AppFolio. Export your data from AppFolio's reporting tools. Buildium's onboarding team handles the import. Note that AppFolio-specific features like AI maintenance triage logs and revenue management data do not have equivalents in Buildium and will not transfer.
Running both during transition
Many property managers run both platforms in parallel for 1 to 2 months during migration. This ensures no data is lost and gives your team time to learn the new system. Factor in the cost of paying for both platforms during the overlap period, plus the onboarding fee for the new platform.