Buildium vs AppFolio: pricing and fees in 2026

Buildium and AppFolio are both built for property management businesses. Buildium publishes plan prices from $65 a month and offers a 14-day trial. AppFolio prices per unit from $1.49 a month, with a 50-unit minimum on its Core plan and a minimum spend that comes from a quote.

Prices read from Buildium's pricing page and AppFolio's pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Side by side

 BuildiumAppFolioRentra
Starting priceFrom $65 a month (Essential)From $1.49 per unit per month, 50-unit minimum plus a minimum spend$5 per unit per month, $25 monthly minimum
How it's pricedBy plan, rising with unit countPer unit, three plans, by quotePer unit, every feature included
Free plan or trial14-day free trial with sample data, no card requiredNo free plan or trial listed; pricing starts with a quote14-day free trial, no card to start
Built forProperty management companies with owner clientsProperty management businesses with 50 or more unitsLandlords who manage their own rentals
Incoming bank payments$2.35 each on Essential, $1.35 on GrowthNot listed on its pricing page0.8% per payment, capped at $5
Tenant screening$17 per screening, or $35 paid by the applicantNot listed on its pricing pageNot offered (on the roadmap)

Rentra is our product. We've tried to be fair about where others fit better. It is in the table for reference.

Plans and prices

Buildium

  • Essential: Starting at $65 a month Buildium's price calculator lists Essential for up to 40 units.
  • Growth: Starting at $202 a month Onboarding is required on Growth and Premium.
  • Premium: Starting at $420 a month

AppFolio

  • Core: Starting at $1.49 per unit per month 50-unit minimum and a minimum spend apply.
  • Plus: Starting at $3.20 per unit per month Minimum spend and a unit minimum apply. AppFolio does not list the amounts.
  • Max: Starting at $5.00 per unit per month Minimum spend and a unit minimum apply. AppFolio does not list the amounts.

Which one fits

Pick Buildium if

  • You have fewer than 50 units. AppFolio's Core plan has a 50-unit minimum, and Buildium's calculator lists Essential for up to 40 units.
  • You want to see a price and start a 14-day trial without requesting a quote.
  • You're comfortable with per-transaction fees on the lower plans, such as $2.35 per incoming bank payment on Essential.

Pick AppFolio if

  • You manage 50 or more units and want per-unit pricing.
  • You need the affordable housing or student housing capabilities on the Plus plan.
  • You want a leasing CRM and a read and write API, which are on Max.

Where Rentra fits

Rentra is our product. We've tried to be fair about where others fit better.

Buildium and AppFolio both assume you manage rentals for owner clients, with staff. If you own the rentals yourself, Rentra starts at one unit for $5 a unit with a $25 monthly minimum. It covers rent collection, an AI text line for tenants, repair triage, and bank-connected books. It is single user and has no owner portal, so a management company should stay with one of the other two.

See Rentra pricingRentra vs BuildiumRentra vs AppFolio

Buildium vs AppFolio FAQ

Is Buildium cheaper than AppFolio?

It depends on your unit count, and AppFolio's minimum spend isn't published. Buildium's Essential plan starts at $65 a month. AppFolio's Core plan starts at $1.49 per unit per month with a 50-unit minimum, which is $74.50 a month at 50 units before the minimum spend.

Which has a free trial, Buildium or AppFolio?

Buildium offers a 14-day free trial with sample data and no credit card. AppFolio's pricing page lists no free trial; each plan links to a quote request.

What is the smallest portfolio each one accepts?

AppFolio's Core plan requires at least 50 units. Buildium's pricing page sets no unit minimum, and its calculator lists the Essential plan for up to 40 units.

See all pricing guides or alternatives guides.

Try Rentra on your own rentals

Upload a signed lease and Rentra sets up the tenant, the rent and the lease dates. Free for 14 days, then $5 a unit a month.