Buildium vs Appfolio: Which Property Management Software is Right for You?

When it comes to managing a real estate portfolio, property managers need a reliable and efficient software solution to streamline their day-to-day operations.

Two of the most popular online property management platforms available today are AppFolio and Buildium.

Both platforms offer a range of features to help property managers manage their commercial and residential properties, from rent collection to maintenance management.

Choosing the right software solution for your real estate portfolio can be a daunting task.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at AppFolio and Buildium to help property managers determine which platform is right for their needs.

We’ll compare the features, pricing, and customer support of both platforms to give property managers a better understanding of what each platform has to offer.

Overview of Buildium and Appfolio

Buildium and Appfolio are two of the most popular property management software solutions on the market. Both platforms offer a wide range of features designed to help landlords and property managers streamline their operations, reduce workload, and improve tenant satisfaction.

Buildium is a cloud-based software that has been around since 2004. It is designed to help property managers automate various tasks such as leasing, rent collection, and maintenance requests. The platform offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each property manager.

On the other hand, Appfolio is a more sophisticated solution that is better suited for larger portfolios. It offers features such as online rent payments, tenant screening, and maintenance requests. Appfolio also provides accounting and reporting tools that can help property managers keep track of their finances and make informed decisions.

Core Features Comparison

Both Buildium and AppFolio are cloud-based property management software solutions that offer a range of features to help property managers streamline their operations. In this section, we will compare the core features of both platforms.

Property Management

Both Buildium and AppFolio provide property management features such as rental listings, rental applications, and AI leasing assistant. With these features, property managers can easily list their properties and receive applications from prospective tenants. The AI leasing assistant helps in screening tenants and finding the right match for the property.

Maintenance Management

Buildium and AppFolio offer maintenance management features that allow property managers to track and manage maintenance requests. With these features, property managers can easily assign maintenance tasks to their staff or contractors and track the progress of each task.

Rent Collection

Both platforms offer rent collection features that allow property managers to collect rent payments online. With these features, tenants can easily pay their rent online, and property managers can track and manage all rent payments from a central location.

Reporting

Buildium and AppFolio offer reporting features that allow property managers to generate financial reports, performance insights, and other analytics. With these features, property managers can easily track the performance of their properties and make informed decisions about their operations.

Owner Portal

Both platforms offer an owner portal that allows property owners to view financial reports, track income and expenses, and view other important information related to their properties.

Property Accounting

Both Buildium and AppFolio offer property accounting features that allow property managers to manage their financials, including accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, and more.

Tenant Screening

Both platforms offer tenant screening features that allow property managers to screen prospective tenants for credit history, criminal records, and other important information.

Open API

Both platforms offer an open API that allows property managers to integrate with other software solutions, such as accounting software, CRM software, and more.

Communications

Both platforms offer communication features that allow property managers to communicate with tenants, owners, and staff through a central platform.

Workflow

Both platforms offer workflow features that allow property managers to automate their operations and streamline their workflows.

Cloud-Based

Both platforms are cloud-based, which means that property managers can access their data and manage their properties from anywhere with an internet connection.

Integrations

Both platforms offer integrations with other software solutions, such as QuickBooks, Salesforce, and more.

Operations

Both platforms offer features that help property managers manage their operations, including work orders, automations, and more.

Analytics

Both platforms offer analytics features that allow property managers to track the performance of their properties and make informed decisions.

Security

Both platforms offer security features to protect data and ensure the safety of their users.

Pricing Structure

When it comes to pricing, both AppFolio and Buildium offer various plans to suit different needs and budgets.

AppFolio’s pricing starts at $280 per month, which includes basic features such as online rent payments, maintenance requests, and tenant screening. Their pricing is based on the number of units managed, with additional fees for features such as tenant liability insurance and online owner payments. AppFolio also offers a free trial for interested users.

On the other hand, Buildium’s pricing starts at $50 per month, making it a more affordable option for smaller property managers. Their pricing is also based on the number of units managed, with additional fees for features such as ePay, online leasing, and tenant screening.

Buildium offers three different plans: Essential, Growth, and Premium, each with varying levels of features and support. Buildium also offers a free trial for interested users.

Both AppFolio and Buildium charge late fees for overdue payments, with AppFolio’s late fee starting at $25 and Buildium’s starting at $50. It’s important to note that these fees can add up quickly, so it’s essential to stay on top of payments to avoid any unnecessary charges.

Overall, while AppFolio may be a more expensive option, it does offer more comprehensive features and support for larger property managers. Buildium, on the other hand, is a more affordable option that still provides essential features for smaller property managers. Ultimately, the choice between these two platforms will depend on the specific needs and budget of the user.

User Interface and Experience

When it comes to user interface and experience, both Buildium and AppFolio offer intuitive and user-friendly platforms. However, there are some differences worth noting.

Dashboard

Buildium’s dashboard is clean and straightforward, with all the necessary information easily accessible. The dashboard provides a quick overview of tasks, rent collection, vacancies, and maintenance requests. Users can customize the dashboard to show the information that is most important to them.

AppFolio’s dashboard is also customizable, but it offers a bit more flexibility in terms of design and layout. Users can choose from several pre-built templates or create their own. The dashboard displays key performance indicators, such as rent collection, vacancies, and maintenance requests, in an easy-to-read format.

Customer Service and Support

Both Buildium and AppFolio offer customer support via phone and email. However, AppFolio also offers a live chat option on their website, which can be convenient for those who prefer to communicate via instant messaging.

In terms of customer service, both companies have received positive feedback from their users. Buildium has been praised for their prompt and helpful responses, with users noting that their support team is knowledgeable and friendly. AppFolio has also received high marks for their customer service, with users mentioning that their support team is responsive and easy to work with.

When it comes to service, both companies offer training and resources to help users get the most out of their software. Buildium provides a knowledge base with articles and tutorials, as well as webinars and in-person training sessions. AppFolio offers similar resources, including a help center with articles and videos, as well as live and recorded webinars.

Overall, both Buildium and AppFolio offer strong customer service and support. Users can expect prompt and helpful responses from knowledgeable and friendly support teams, as well as access to a variety of training and resources to help them get the most out of their software.

Property Types Managed

Both AppFolio and Buildium are versatile property management software solutions that can handle a wide range of property types. From residential properties to commercial spaces, these platforms are designed to help property managers streamline their operations and improve their tenant experience.

Buildium is a great choice for those who manage residential properties, including single-family homes, condos, and apartments. This software is especially popular among small to mid-sized property management companies that focus on residential properties.

Buildium offers a range of features, including online rent payment, maintenance tracking, and tenant screening, that make managing residential properties easier and more efficient.

AppFolio, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive property management solution that can handle both residential and commercial properties.

In addition to features like online rent payment and maintenance tracking, AppFolio also includes tools for managing commercial leases and tracking expenses for commercial properties. This makes AppFolio a great choice for property managers who work with a mix of residential and commercial properties.

For those who specialize in student housing, both AppFolio and Buildium offer features that can help streamline operations and improve the tenant experience. With AppFolio, property managers can easily manage student leases and track payments from parents or guardians. Buildium also offers tools for managing student housing, including roommate matching and online rent payment.

Community associations can also benefit from using property management software like AppFolio and Buildium. These platforms offer features like online payment processing, violation tracking, and communication tools that can help community associations manage their properties more efficiently.

Overall, both AppFolio and Buildium are versatile property management software solutions that can handle a wide range of property types. Whether you manage residential properties, commercial spaces, student housing, or community associations, these platforms offer the tools and features you need to improve your operations and provide a better tenant experience.

Integration and Compatibility

Both Buildium and AppFolio offer integrations with a variety of third-party software to help property managers streamline their workflows.

Open API

AppFolio offers an open API, allowing users to integrate the software with other applications they use in their business. This means that property managers can customize their workflows to fit their specific needs. On the other hand, Buildium does not offer an open API, which means that users are limited in their ability to integrate the software with other applications.

Integrations

Both Buildium and AppFolio offer integrations with popular applications such as QuickBooks and Google Drive. However, AppFolio offers a wider range of integrations, including integrations with Zillow, Rently, and HappyCo. These integrations allow property managers to easily manage their listings, showings, and inspections all within the AppFolio software.

Android Compatibility

Both Buildium and AppFolio offer mobile apps for Android devices. These apps allow property managers to manage their properties on-the-go, including tasks such as accepting payments, creating work orders, and communicating with tenants.

Overall, both Buildium and AppFolio offer integration and compatibility options to help property managers streamline their workflows. However, AppFolio’s open API and wider range of integrations may make it a more flexible option for property managers looking to customize their workflows.

Final Thoughts

After comparing AppFolio and Buildium, it is clear that both property management software options have their own strengths and weaknesses.

For landlords with 50 or more units under management, AppFolio may be the better choice due to its robust features and scalability. However, it comes with a higher price tag, starting at $280 per month. On the other hand, Buildium is a good option for owners with one to 5,000 units or more, with fees starting at $50 per month.

It is important to consider the specific needs of your business when choosing between these two options. For example, if you value a user-friendly interface, Buildium may be the better choice. If you need more advanced accounting features, AppFolio could be the way to go.

Ultimately, both AppFolio and Buildium are reliable property management software options that can help streamline your business operations and improve efficiency. It is recommended to take advantage of free trials and demos to determine which option is the best fit for your specific needs.