AppFolio Pricing 2026: Complete Breakdown (Is It Worth the Cost?)
AppFolio is one of the most popular property management software platforms, but its pricing can be confusing. Here's the complete breakdown of what you'll actually pay — including the fees they don't advertise upfront.
AppFolio Pricing Plans
| Plan | Price | Minimum | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | $1.40/unit/mo | 50 units | PM companies getting started with software |
| Plus | $3.00/unit/mo | 50 units | Growing PMs wanting AI & automation |
| Max | Custom pricing | 1,000+ units | Enterprise PM companies |
What You Actually Pay: Real-World Examples
Let's look at what different portfolio sizes actually cost on AppFolio:
| Portfolio Size | Core Plan | Plus Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 50 doors | $70/mo | $150/mo |
| 100 doors | $140/mo | $300/mo |
| 200 doors | $280/mo | $600/mo |
| 500 doors | $700/mo | $1,500/mo |
| 1,000 doors | $1,400/mo | $3,000/mo |
Hidden Costs & Add-On Fees
The per-unit price isn't the whole story. Here are additional costs to budget for:
- Onboarding fee: $400+ depending on portfolio size and complexity
- Tenant screening: $15-25 per application (passed to applicants usually)
- Electronic payments: $0.25/ACH transaction (tenant pays) or credit card processing at 2.99%
- Inspection reports: Included in Plus, additional on Core
- AI Leasing Assistant: Plus plan only
- Revenue Management: Plus plan only
- Smart maintenance: Plus plan only
Core vs Plus: Which Plan Do You Need?
Go with Core if:
- You're under 200 doors and want to keep costs low
- Your current processes work and you mainly need better accounting and tenant management
- You don't need AI-powered features yet
Go with Plus if:
- You're over 200 doors and growing fast
- Maintenance coordination is eating your team's time
- You want AI-assisted leasing to fill vacancies faster
- Revenue management tools would help optimize rent pricing
Is AppFolio Worth the Price?
Here's the math that matters: if AppFolio helps you manage even 10 more doors per employee, it pays for itself many times over.
Example: A PM charging 10% on $1,500/mo average rent generates $150/door/mo in revenue. Even 5 additional doors per employee = $750/mo in extra revenue vs. a software cost increase of maybe $100-200/mo. The ROI is obvious.
The real question isn't whether AppFolio is expensive — it's whether you're growing fast enough to justify the investment. If you're stagnant at 100 doors, even cheap software won't help. Focus on growth first.
Alternatives to Consider
- Buildium: Cheaper for small portfolios, easier to set up. Starts at $58/mo.
- Rent Manager: More powerful for large/complex portfolios. Custom pricing.
- TenantCloud: Free tier for small landlords. Best budget option.
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