AppFolio Pricing 2026

AppFolio pricing ranges from $1.40 to $5 per unit per month depending on the plan. Core plan starts at $1.40/unit/month with a 50-unit minimum, Plus plan costs $3/unit/month with phone support, and Max plan costs $5/unit/month with unlimited customization. All plans require annual contracts. For a 100-unit property, expect $140-500/month depending on the plan selected.

No, AppFolio does not offer a free plan or free trial period. You must commit to an annual contract to use the platform. This differs from competitors like Buildium and TenantCloud that offer free trials. AppFolio does provide demos and sales consultations to help evaluate the platform before committing.

AppFolio Core plan requires a minimum of 50 units to qualify. This makes AppFolio unsuitable for small landlords managing fewer properties. If you manage fewer than 50 units, consider alternatives like TenantCloud or Buildium that have no minimum unit requirements.

Core ($1.40/unit) includes basic property management with email/chat support. Plus ($3/unit) adds real-time phone support, advanced leasing metrics, and enhanced reporting. Max ($5/unit) includes unlimited custom fields, premium support, dedicated account manager, and advanced API access. The main difference is support level (chat vs phone) and customization capabilities.

Yes, AppFolio charges transaction fees for online rent collection and payment processing beyond the per-unit subscription fee. Credit card payments typically incur fees around 2.95% per transaction. ACH/bank transfers have lower fees. These payment processing fees are in addition to the base subscription pricing and can add up for portfolios with many tenants.

No, AppFolio requires annual contracts that automatically renew. You cannot cancel mid-contract without potential penalties. This annual commitment means you're locked in for at least 12 months. Plan your evaluation carefully and ensure AppFolio meets your needs before signing, as switching providers mid-contract can be costly.

AppFolio is worth the cost for mid-to-large property management companies managing 50+ units who need robust features, reliable support, and professional tenant/owner portals. The per-unit pricing becomes economical at scale. However, for small landlords with fewer than 50 units, the minimum requirements and annual contract make alternatives like TenantCloud or Buildium better options. Consider your portfolio size and growth plans.

Phone support is only available with the Plus plan ($3/unit) or Max plan ($5/unit). The Core plan ($1.40/unit) only includes email and chat support. For property managers needing real-time phone assistance for urgent issues, budget for the Plus plan at minimum. This represents a significant cost difference: $140/month (Core) vs $300/month (Plus) for 100 units.

AppFolio charges onboarding fees that vary by portfolio size and complexity, typically ranging from $400 to over $1,000. Some sources describe it as equivalent to 2 months of service. These are one-time setup fees charged when you first implement the software.

AppFolio is generally not cost-effective for small landlords with fewer than 200 units due to the $280 monthly minimum fee. Many Reddit users recommend alternatives like Buildium, TenantCloud, or MagicDoor for smaller portfolios, which offer better pricing structures without high minimums.

Some users report limited success negotiating with AppFolio. Unlike competitors, AppFolio tends to provide base pricing without much conversation or flexibility. However, pushing back multiple times and timing negotiations around quarter-end or year-end when sales teams have quotas may yield some concessions.