AppFolio vs Buildium
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both AppFolio and Buildium are credible real estate tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
AppFolio — Property management software.
Choose Buildium if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $58/mo) and a longer free trial (14 days). Property management for SMBs.
AppFolio vs Buildium: side by side
| Dimension | AppFolio | Buildium |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | From $58/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Usage-based | Subscription |
| Best for | Property Managers | Property Managers |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
AppFolio key facts
- Vendor
- AppFolio
- Pricing
- Usage-based — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Property Managers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2006
- Headquarters
- Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Buildium key facts
- Vendor
- RealPage
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $58/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Property Managers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2004
- Headquarters
- Boston, MA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is AppFolio better than Buildium?
Neither is universally better — AppFolio edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is AppFolio or Buildium cheaper?
Buildium is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $58/mo. AppFolio starts at custom; Buildium starts at from $58/mo.
Can AppFolio replace Buildium?
Yes for most teams — both are real estate tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.