Buildium Review
Buildium sits between TurboTenant and AppFolio: more accounting depth than any free platform, more affordable than AppFolio below 200 units. For growth-stage portfolios adding units and staff, it is the most complete flat-fee option available.
Quick Verdict
Best for Growth portfolios, 20-200 units: Buildium
Full general ledger, trust ledger, and bank reconciliation are included at every plan tier, so a property management company passes a state audit without adding an outside accountant.
$55/month Essential covers up to 150 units with full accounting. That is $0.37/unit/month at 150 units — cheaper than AppFolio by 4x at that scale.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.
Plan Pricing
| Plan | Price | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $55/mo | Up to 150 |
| Growth | $174/mo | Up to 150 (more with add-ons) |
| Premium | $375-460+/mo | Unlimited |
What Buildium Does Well
Full property accounting
General ledger, trust ledger, bank reconciliation, accounts payable, and 1099 generation are all included. No third-party accounting integration required.
Owner portal
Property owners get their own login to view real-time financials and statements. Essential for PMs who manage third-party properties and need to share reporting.
Online leasing
Applications, screening, lease generation, and e-sign are all included. No per-document fee on any plan tier.
Tenant and owner portals
Both tenants and owners get separate portals with relevant dashboards. Reduces inbound calls from both sides of the relationship.
Maintenance management
Work orders, vendor management, and maintenance request tracking are included on all plans. Tenants submit via portal or mobile app.
Open API (Premium)
Premium plan includes full API access for custom integrations. Connect to existing business systems without manual data entry.
Buildium Weaknesses
No AI leasing tools
AppFolio's AI leasing assistant automates lead response and showing scheduling. Buildium does not have this. Manual leasing workflows only.
Mobile app rated below AppFolio
Buildium's tenant-facing mobile app gets lower App Store ratings than AppFolio or RentRedi. Tenant experience is functional but not polished.
Listing syndication is limited
Buildium syndicates to fewer listing platforms than TurboTenant. Landlords who rely on Zillow/Zumper traffic for lead volume may see fewer applicants.
No free tier
TurboTenant and Innago have functional free plans. Buildium requires a paid subscription from day one, which makes it hard to justify for sub-20-unit portfolios.
Who Should Use Buildium
Use Buildium if:
- You manage 20-200 units with staff
- State law requires trust ledger accounting
- You manage third-party properties and need owner portals
- You want flat-fee pricing that scales without per-unit surprises
Skip Buildium if:
- You manage fewer than 20 units independently
- You want a free tier to start
- AI leasing automation is a priority
- You are above 200 units and AppFolio per-unit pricing is competitive
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Buildium cost per month?
Buildium's Essential plan starts at $55/month for up to 150 units. Growth is $174/month. Premium runs $375-460+/month depending on unit count. There is no free tier. All plans include property accounting, online leasing, tenant screening, and maintenance management.
Does Buildium have full property accounting?
Yes. Buildium includes a full general ledger, trust ledger, bank reconciliation, accounts payable, and 1099 processing. It is one of the few flat-fee platforms that meets state trust accounting requirements for professional property managers.
Is Buildium better than AppFolio?
Buildium is better for portfolios between 20-200 units because flat-fee pricing beats AppFolio's per-unit model in that range. AppFolio pulls ahead above 200 units, where the per-unit fee becomes competitive and AI leasing tools add operational value. See our Buildium vs AppFolio comparison for a unit-by-unit cost breakdown.
What does Buildium not include?
Buildium does not have AI leasing tools on standard plans. Its tenant portal and mobile app are rated lower than AppFolio's by most users. Listing syndication covers fewer platforms than TurboTenant. Buildium's strength is accounting and operations management, not leasing automation.
Can Buildium handle commercial properties?
Buildium works for commercial portfolios, though it is primarily designed for residential. It supports CAM reconciliation and NNN lease structures. For mixed portfolios (commercial + residential), Buildium handles both in the same account. AppFolio Commercial is the dedicated competitor for pure commercial management.