Home › Articles › Buildium vs AppFolio
Both are paid, feature-rich platforms for professional landlords. But they serve different portfolio sizes and use cases. We break down exactly which one wins — and when.
Quick Verdict
Buildium
Best for mid-size portfolios (20–500 units) that need strong owner portals, accounting, and maintenance tracking.
Start Buildium Trial →AppFolio
Best for larger portfolios (50–2,000+ units) needing AI-powered automation, mobile-first UX, and enterprise-grade reporting.
Get AppFolio Demo →| Plan | Buildium | AppFolio |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $55/mo | $1.49/unit/mo (min $298) |
| Min unit count | None | 200 units minimum |
| Free trial | ✓ 14 days | ✗ Demo only |
| Best for | 20–500 units | 200–2,000+ units |
| Feature | Buildium | AppFolio |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting suite | ✓ Full | ✓ Full |
| Owner portals | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
| AI automation | ✗ Limited | ✓ Advanced AI |
| Mobile app | Limited | ✓ Mobile-first |
| Tenant screening | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Maintenance mgmt | ✓ Strong | ✓ Strong |
Buildium is ideal if you manage 20–500 units, work with property owners who need detailed financial reports, and want a platform with a strong track record and 2,150+ Capterra reviews. Its $55/month entry point is accessible for mid-size portfolios.
AppFolio is built for larger operations — its $298/month minimum means it only makes sense at 200+ units. But if you're there, the AI automation, best-in-class mobile experience, and enterprise reporting are genuinely superior. It's rated #1 on Capterra's 2026 Shortlist for a reason.
Neither Buildium nor AppFolio makes sense at that scale. Start with TurboTenant — it's free and covers everything you need.