AppFolio vs Buildium: Complete 2026 Comparison

AppFolio vs Buildium: Which Property Management Software Is Right for You?

AppFolio and Buildium are two of the most popular property management platforms. Both offer comprehensive features, but they target different market segments and have very different pricing models.

Pricing

AppFolio uses per-unit pricing starting at $1.49/unit/month with a minimum of $298/month (200 units). Their Plus plan is $3.20/unit with a $960 minimum. This makes AppFolio cost-prohibitive for portfolios under 50 units.

Buildium offers three plans: Essential ($62/mo), Growth ($192/mo), and Premium ($400/mo). Pricing scales with portfolio size, and there are additional fees for features like eSignatures on the Essential plan.

Features Comparison

Both platforms offer core features like accounting, maintenance management, tenant screening, and online rent collection. However, AppFolio's Realm-X AI platform is more advanced, offering workflow automation and AI agents. Buildium counters with Lumina, its AI assistant for communications.

Who Should Choose AppFolio?

Choose AppFolio if you manage 50+ units, need advanced AI automation, or handle mixed portfolio types (residential, commercial, student housing).

Who Should Choose Buildium?

Choose Buildium if you manage 20-5,000 units, need strong accounting tools, or want a more traditional pricing model with clear monthly costs.