AppFolio

A detailed review of AppFolio's property management software with pricing, comparisons to competitors, key information, and FAQs.

Updated on November 22nd, 2022

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Updates:

Updated 15th of November 2022

We updated AppFolio's review section and added three comparisons to its top competitors.

AppFolio is property management software that helps residential, commercial, and student housing managers efficiently run their rentals, leasing, and tenant operations. Equipped with modern features, AppFolio provides users with a host of robust tools, including property accounting, tenant communication, and document management.

Also Consider

Buildium

Intuitive, scalable property management software used by 20,000+ property management companies.

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Property owner portal.

Property accounting.

Rental listings.

At-a-Glance:

Feature

AppFolio

Price

From $280.00 +$0.80 /unit /mo.

Free trial

Free demo only.

Online rent payments

Listing syndication

Tenant and owner portals

Data exporting

E-signatures

x

Performance insights

Live chat support

Review:

AppFolio provides offers easy-to-use and intuitive property management solutions tailored specifically to residential, commercial, and community association businesses. Founded in 2006, the platform is well-established and caters to more than 17,000 customers.

The software's standout features include CAM tracking and reconciliation, work order management, an AI-driven leasing assistant, configurable workflows, and top-notch client onboarding. However, the software does not have a free plan or free trial, which competitors such as Rentler offer.

Pros:

  • AppFolio features a variety of plans suited to residential, commercial, and community association property managers.
  • The platform offers comprehensive email and text messaging tools, as well as tenant and owner portals for seamless communication.
  • The property accounting service includes online rent payments, CAM tracking, automated AP, and performance insights.
  • Users can access online maintenance requests, perform mobile inspections, and set up work orders with ease.
  • Listings are added to the site and showcased via a virtual showings coordinator and AI-driven leasing assistant.
  • There is phone, email, and live chat support available.
  • Client onboarding solutions include data migration, product training and tutorials, and dedicated customer service.
  • AppFolio integrates with a wide range of third-party platforms, including HomeWiseDocs and RentCheck.
  • Other tools include document storage, data exporting, an auditing center, revenue management, and a mobile app.

Cons:

  • The software does not offer a free plan or free trial.
  • AppFolio lacks e-signatures, application form templates, and property message boards.
  • Users are charged additional fees for tenant screening and renter's insurance.

Reputation:

On G2, AppFolio has a 4.5-star rating based on more than 270 reviews. The majority of users praised its ease of use, ongoing software improvements, and helpful customer onboarding. However, some reviewers were disappointed its limited report customization options and glitchy accounting tools.

On TrustRadius, the platform has a 7.6-star rating based on more than 20 reviews, with many users noting its robust online payment system as a highlight, while others were disappointed with its customer support availability. On Trustpilot, around 64% of users gave the software a 5-star rating.

Pricing:

Plan

Monthly Pricing*

Community Associations

$280.00 +$0.80 /unit.

Residential Core

$280.00 +$1.40 /unit.

Residential Plus

$280.00 +$3.00 /unit.

Commercial Core

$280.00 +$1.50 /unit.

Commercial Plus

$280.00 +$3.00 /unit.

*The platform's onboarding fee will be based on portfolio size. Users can contact the company via email for more information.

Appfolio vs. DoorLoop
AppFolio vs. DoorLoop:

AppFolio and DoorLoop both offer property accounting, maintenance requests, and document storage. Of the two, DoorLoop may be the better option for users managing less than 50 units, as its pricing does not include a base fee. However, for AppFolio's higher price tag, users benefit from more robust tools, such as renter's insurance.

AppFolio vs. DoorLoop Comparison:

Feature

AppFolio

DoorLoop

Price

From $280.00 +$0.80 /unit /mo.

From $29.50 /mo.

Free trial

x

Online rent payments

Tenant and owner portals

AI-driven leasing assistant

x

Client onboarding

Customer support

Email, phone, and live chat.

Email, phone, and live chat.

AppFolio vs. Yardi
AppFolio vs. Yardi:

Like AppFolio, Yardi offers comprehensive property accounting, revenue management, and tenant screening services. While AppFolio caters primarily to U.S.-based users, Yardi has an international reach and features services not offered by the former, such as construction management, CRM, and procure-to-pay tools.

AppFolio vs. Yardi Comparison:

Feature

AppFolio

Yardi

Price

From $280.00 +$0.80 /unit /mo.

Contact for quote.

Free trial

x

x

Online rent payments

Renter's insurance

Utility billing

x

Document management

Customer support

Email, phone, and live chat.

Email and phone.

AppFolio vs. Buildium
AppFolio vs. Buildium:

While AppFolio and Buildium both offer property marketing, tenant communication, and performance analytics tools, the latter is the more affordable option, charging $52.00 per month for its Essential plan. Both platforms cater to residential and community association property managers, but Buildium also has student housing services available.

AppFolio vs. Buildium Comparison:

Feature

AppFolio

Buildium

Price

From $280.00 +$0.80 /unit /mo.

From $52.00 /mo.

Free trial

x

Property accounting

AI-driven leasing assistant

x

Showings coordinator

E-signatures

x

Customer support

Email, phone, and live chat.

Email, phone, and live chat.

Key Information:

Legal Name

AppFolio

Founder

Klaus Schauser

Founding Date

Jan 01, 2006

Address

70 Castilian Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93117

Number of Employees

2000

Number of Customers

17000

Email

info@appfolio.com

Telephone

1 (866) 648-1536

Website

https://www.appfolio.com/

News & Activity:

Date

News or Activity

October 24, 2022

AppFolio Adds Features to Property Management Offering

FAQs:

What is AppFolio?

AppFolio is a property management platform built to streamline rental, lease, and tenant management processes with easy-to-use services, including resident communication, lease tracking, and online rent payments.

How much does it cost to use AppFolio?

AppFolio's pricing starts from $280.00 +$0.80 per unit per month for community associations.

What credit bureau does AppFolio use?

AppFolio uses Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.

What is AppFolio resident screening?

AppFolio's resident screening tool helps property managers find qualified residents quickly and easily. Screening reports contain credit and background information obtained from the credit bureau Experian, plus national, state, and county courts across the United States.

Is there a free trial for AppFolio?

No, AppFolio does not offer a free trial. However, you can request a free demo.