Property Management Software Pricing Guide
Property management software uses two pricing models: flat monthly fees and per-unit fees. Flat fees win at small portfolios. Per-unit fees win at large ones. This guide shows you the math at every scale so you pick the right model for your unit count.
Pricing Models Explained
Flat monthly fee
One price regardless of unit count. Cost per unit drops as you add properties. Best for small-to-mid portfolios where per-unit would be expensive.
Platforms: Buildium, RentRedi, TurboTenant Pro
Per-unit fee
Charged per managed unit each month. Cost scales with portfolio size. Only competitive when the per-unit rate drops below what flat fees cost at your scale.
Platforms: AppFolio ($1.49+/unit/mo)
Monthly Cost by Platform and Unit Count
| Units | TurboTenant Pro | RentRedi | Buildium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.25 | $12-19.95 | $55 |
| 5 | $8.25 | $12-19.95 | $55 |
| 10 | $8.25 | $12-19.95 | $55 |
| 25 | $8.25 | $12-19.95 | $55 |
| 50 | $8.25 | $12-19.95 | $55 |
| 100 | $8.25 | $12-19.95 | $55-174 |
| 150 | Feature gap | Feature gap | $174 |
| 200 | Not rec. | Not rec. | $375+ |
| 300 | Not rec. | Not rec. | $375-460 |
| 500 | Not rec. | Not rec. | $460+ |
* AppFolio per-unit cost is competitive, but Buildium flat fee may still win depending on add-ons. * TurboTenant Pro: $99/year = $8.25/month equivalent.
Per-Unit Cost Breakdown
| Units | TurboTenant Pro | RentRedi Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $0.83/unit | $1.20/unit |
| 25 | $0.33/unit | $0.48/unit |
| 50 | $0.17/unit | $0.24/unit |
| 100 | $0.08/unit | $0.12/unit |
| 200 | N/A | N/A |
| 300 | N/A | N/A |
Transaction Fees to Watch
| Platform | ACH fee | Card fee |
|---|---|---|
| TurboTenant Free | 1% (tenant) | 3.5%+ |
| TurboTenant Pro | None | 3.5%+ |
| Innago | $2 flat (can absorb) | 3.5% |
| RentRedi | None | 3.5%+ |
| Buildium | Varies | 2.75-3.5% |
| AppFolio | None (included) | 2.99% |
Our Recommendation by Stage
Getting started (1-10 units)
TurboTenant freeZero cost, covers every core task. Upgrade to Pro ($99/yr) when ACH fees add up.
Read the full reviewGrowing portfolio (10-50 units)
TurboTenant Pro or RentRedi Annual$99/yr vs $144/yr — both are cheap. TurboTenant wins on listing syndication; RentRedi wins on tenant app.
Read the full reviewMid-size with staff (50-200 units)
Buildium Essential$55/month covers full accounting and owner portals. Per-unit cost drops to $0.55 at 100 units.
Read the full reviewProfessional PM (200+ units)
AppFolioPer-unit fee gets competitive. AI leasing tools cut staff time. Trust ledger and owner portals are production-grade.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Is per-unit or flat-fee pricing better for property management software?
Flat fees are almost always better below 100 units. At 10 units, TurboTenant Pro ($99/year) costs $0.83/unit/month versus AppFolio's $1.49/unit minimum. The per-unit model only becomes competitive above 200 units when flat-fee platforms hit their upper price tiers. Always calculate actual cost at your current unit count before choosing a model.
What is the cheapest property management software?
For landlords who want zero cost: Innago (always free) or TurboTenant's free tier. For paid plans: TurboTenant Pro at $99/year is the cheapest paid option for unlimited units. RentRedi at $12/month (annual) is the next cheapest with unlimited units and a dedicated tenant app.
How much does property management software cost per unit?
At 10 units: TurboTenant Pro = $0.83/unit/mo, RentRedi = $1.20/unit/mo, Buildium = $5.50/unit/mo, AppFolio = $29.80/unit/mo (minimum). At 100 units: TurboTenant Pro = $0.08/unit/mo, Buildium = $0.55/unit/mo, AppFolio = $2.98/unit/mo. At 200 units: AppFolio = $1.49/unit/mo, Buildium = ~$1.88/unit/mo.
Are there hidden fees in property management software?
Common hidden fees include: ACH payment processing (TurboTenant free: 1%, RentRedi: none, Innago: $2 flat), tenant screening (a la carte on most platforms), additional e-sign credits (TurboTenant free: 3/year), and add-on modules (AppFolio maintenance contact center: +$3/unit/month). Always read the pricing page for transaction fees before choosing a platform.
When does AppFolio's per-unit pricing become cost-competitive?
AppFolio's $1.49/unit/month reaches the $298 minimum at 200 units. Buildium Premium runs $375-460+ per month for large portfolios. At 300 units, AppFolio costs $447/month versus Buildium Premium at $375-460. The crossover where AppFolio is definitively cheaper is around 300-350 units depending on Buildium tier and add-ons.