Finding the most popular property management solutions is not difficult. However, choosing the best property management platform for your business can be challenging.

We've spent dozens of hours hand-testing the leading property management software platforms, and interviewing independent landlords and property managers to understand their experiences with the top solutions. The details of our research process can be found here.

Below, you'll find several resources that provide in-depth analyses comparing property management platforms.

Table of Contents

• How To Compare Property Management Software
• The Most Popular Property Management Solutions Vs. Competitors
  • AppFolio Competitors & Alternatives
  • Buildium Competitors & Alternatives
• Comparing Popular Property Management Solutions Against Each Other
  • AppFolio vs. Buildium
  • Avail vs. Buildium
  • Avail vs. Cozy
  • Avail vs. RentRedi
  • Avail vs. TurboTenant
  • Buildium vs. Cozy

How To Compare Property Management Software

The best property management solution for you will likely depend on your feature preferences, budget, and portfolio size. Features found in these solutions vary widely depending on the sophistication of the platform you choose. However, here are some of the core features you can expect in your property management solution.

Some platforms offer free plans with features that are sufficient for most independent landlords with small portfolios. Other solutions offer advanced features best suited for large portfolios, but are more expensive. Here is a breakdown of the best property management solution based on portfolio size.

Property Management Software For Independent Landlords

Avail, Cozy, and TurboTenant were our picks for the best property management solutions for independent landlords. All of these solutions offer a free plan, which was a necessary trait to make our list. Avail is the most robust of these solutions, and includes electronic leases, maintenance tracking, and reporting. TurboTenant is best if you want a marketing website and customizable rental applications.

As we mentioned before, these solutions all offer free plans that are sufficient for most independent landlords. Also, they each offer additional services, such as rental pricing analysis reports, that cost extra.

Property Management Software For Small To Medium Portfolios

The best solutions on our list for small to medium portfolios are Buildium and RentRedi. These solutions are not only affordable enough for property managers just starting out, but also include robust features that will support your business as you scale.

RentRedi has a flat fee of $19.95 per month with unlimited units, which is one of the most competitive pricing structures we found in this space. Buildium starts at $50 per month and increases depending on the plan you choose and your number of properties managed.

Property Management Software For Large Portfolios

The best solution on our list for large portfolios is AppFolio. It includes several advanced features ideal for managing a large volume of properties, like an AI leasing assistant and 24/7 maintenance contact center. AppFolio enforces a 50 unit and $280 monthly fee minimum, which blocks most property managers with small to medium size portfolios from purchasing their solution. Buildium is also a good option for large portfolios, but it does not include some of AppFolio’s advanced features and services.

AppFolio costs $280 to thousands of dollars per month and increases depending on your number of properties managed. Buildium starts at $50 per month and increases depending on the plan you choose and your number of properties managed.

Property Management Comparison Overview

Our analyst rating is based upon four main criteria: features, usability, pricing, and customer support. A SoftwarePundit Analyst rating over 85 is above average, and above 90 is excellent.

For more details, you can read our review methodology.

The Most Popular Property Management Solutions Vs. Competitors

If you know the property management tool that you're most interested in, it's also useful to see how it stacks up against its top competitors. Here are analyses that compare the most popular property management tools against their top competitors.

AppFolio Competitors & Alternatives

AppFolio is a popular property management solution used to manage residential and commercial properties. It is one of the most advanced solutions available, and includes features like an AI leasing assistant and 24/7 maintenance contact center. However, it is less affordable than most of its competitors. Also, AppFolio enforces a 50 unit and $280 monthly fee minimum which makes this solution better suited for larger organizations.

Read our AppFolio Review.

Buildium Competitors & Alternatives

Buildium is a popular property management solution used for residential properties. It is a fully-featured product that is more robust than most of its competitors. Buildium is ideal for property managers responsible for a small to medium sized portfolio.

Read our Buildium Review.

Comparing Popular Property Management Solutions Against Each Other

One of the best ways to understand the differences between property management software tools is to compare one property management software against another. We've written in-depth guides comparing the top property management tools against each other.

AppFolio vs. Buildium

AppFolio is the more feature-rich option and includes tools to help manage a high volume of properties. AppFolio enforces a 50 unit and $280 monthly fee minimum which makes it unsuitable for most small businesses. If you manage less than 200 units, Buildium is the best option for you.

Avail vs. Buildium

Avail is the best option for independent landlords. Avail includes a free plan that is sufficient for most landlords managing less than 10 units. Buildium is the more robust tool, and includes better maintenance management, communication, accounting, and reporting features. Buildium is a far better choice for property managers responsible for more than 10 units.

Avail vs. Cozy

Avail and Cozy both offer free subscription plans that make it ideal for most independent landlords. Avail is the more feature-rich option that includes features like electronic leases and reporting. However, Cozy charges lower fees that are incurred by tenants for ACH transfers, credit card transactions, and tenant screening.

Avail vs. RentRedi

Avail is the only solution that offers a free plan. When comparing paid plans, RentRedi is the clear winner. RentRedi charges a flat $19.95 monthly fee that includes an unlimited number of properties, units, tenants and users for no additional cost. Avail charges $5 per unit per month for its Unlimited Plus Plan. If you manage more than 4 units and are willing to invest in a paid plan, RentRedi is best for you.

Avail vs. TurboTenant

Avail and TurboTenant are both best for landlords responsible for small to medium sized residential portfolios. Avail is the more feature-rich option, and includes maintenance tracking, reporting, and electronic signature software. However, TurboTenant offers a marketing websitev and customizable rental applications as part of their free subscription plan.

Buildium vs. Cozy

Buildium is the more robust solution that is best for those managing more than 50 units. However, Buildium charges a monthly subscription, and Cozy is completely free to use. As such, Cozy is the best option for independent landlords looking for a free solution to manage a small volume of properties.

Bottom Line

When comparing property management platforms, you should first narrow your shortlist to the six solutions we've covered above. From there, you should consider your feature preferences, budget, and portfolio size.