Choosing the right property management software isn’t about brand name. It’s about what fits your portfolio size, community type, and the level of support needed for your community members.
One of the biggest names in property management software is AppFolio. And for good reason. Expert entrepreneur and software engineer Jon Walker founded AppFolio in 2006 to serve the rental property management industry. Since then, AppFolio has boasted over 19 years of experience serving more than 8 million units managed.
But when it comes to software, is bigger and older always better?
In many cases, newer software like ManageCasa can better meet your needs with exciting latest features. And while helping to manage millions of units is nothing to scoff at, such a large scale means less personalized support compared to a slightly smaller company like ManageCasa. While an undeniably powerful software, AppFolio was primarily built for rental management, rather than HOAs or COAs. That makes a big difference if you manage community associations.
ManageCasa was developed from day one to handle both community associations and rental portfolios, with transparent payments and dedicated, extensive customer support tailored to property managers’ needs. See how ManageCasa serves HOAs and COAs and why it’s the right choice for mixed portfolios.
While we’re impressed with Appfolio, especially their work with large portfolios, we’ve seen customers note some payment system issues and a lack of support. Sometimes, their payment system tends to mix payouts, making it difficult to identify individual transactions.
Moreover, when it comes to personalized support, bigger may not always be better. While AppFolio excels at managing large portfolios, some users may find its support to be lacking. Especially smaller portfolios.
Let’s break down how ManageCasa and AppFolio compare in terms of pricing, features, payment clarity, ease of use, and customer support, providing the numbers and specifics you need to make an informed decision.
If you manage fewer than 10,000 units, especially HOAs or COAs, ManageCasa is significantly more affordable and flexible.
Explore our comprehensive ManageCasa pricing guide for detailed plans and exclusive discounts.
Insight: ManageCasa’s dual focus on community associations and rentals makes it unique, while AppFolio’s features lean heavily toward extensive rental management and enterprise customers.
Learn more about ManageCasa’s community association and rental management features.
While the software is impressive, with minimal bugs, AppFolio’s payouts are often bundled together. This makes it hard to pinpoint precisely which payment came from whom. This can also complicate reconciliation and financial reporting. ManageCasa provides precise, itemized payment tracking that’s straightforward for both property managers and accountants.
This clarity reduces errors and saves time on accounting. Read more on how ManageCasa simplifies payment tracking and accounting.
AppFolio: Many users report a steep learning curve, often requiring dedicated training staff and full-time accountants. Smaller landlords and HOAs may find the interface overwhelming.
ManageCasa: Developed for simplicity and fast onboarding, with a modern, intuitive UI that lets small teams get up and running quickly without IT support.
See how easy it is to get started with ManageCasa in our quick-start guide.
AppFolio has faced increasing criticism for its support quality. Recent reviews indicate longer response times and difficulties in reaching live representatives.
ManageCasa offers personalized onboarding, 24/7 support access, and a dedicated success team that guides users throughout onboarding and beyond. We also provide AI-powered in-browser support, allowing you to troubleshoot in real-time. Moreover, our clients consistently praise our customer service and onboarding support.
AppFolio’s clients are generally huge portfolios, a demographic that they serve very well. But they often aren’t even interested in demoing their software to prospective clients with less than 50 units.
ManageCasa, on the other hand, is curated for portfolios of all sizes, including small portfolios with fewer than 50 units. We also offer extensive, personalized support to smaller portfolios, guiding them through our software. Smaller portfolios often require a higher level of support. They may struggle with software like AppFolio, which is too large to cater to the specific needs of smaller (or even some mid-sized) portfolios.
When it comes to managing properties, the right software can transform your operations. While AppFolio may work well for large portfolios, ManageCasa is built for those who need affordability, flexibility, and exceptional customer support.
Whether you manage a few units or a mixed portfolio of rentals and community associations, ManageCasa is built to grow with you.
With intuitive features, transparent pricing, and personalized support, ManageCasa frees you to focus on what matters: managing your properties, not your software.
Ready to simplify your property management? Schedule a FREE DEMO today and see how ManageCasa can help you streamline operations and enhance your client relationships.