Name: AppFolio Property Manager
Rating: 4.513241525423729 (1888 reviews)

AppFolio Property Manager vs Zillow Rental Manager

Buildium

DoorLoop

Entrata

Buildium is a comprehensive property management software that helps property managers streamline their day-to-day operations. With features like property accounting, online leasing, resident portals, and maintenance management, Buildium provides a centralized platform to control tasks, offer top-notch experiences, and uncover new revenue opportunities.

DoorLoop is redefining property management software as the AI-native operating platform for innovative property management teams. 

Entrata connects leasing, operations, and resident engagement through a unified platform with AI-powered automation. With ELI+, OXP, and Homebody RXP, it streamlines workflows, enhances resident experiences, and drives operational efficiency, enabling Autonomous Property Management™.

Property Manager

I don’t like the customer service support process.

Manager

With features for marketing, reporting, leasing and maintenance, as well as online portals for tenants and owners, AppFolio provides an all-in-one solution for property managers looking to streamline processes and grow.

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Accounts Payable

Accounts Receivable

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Add & Edit Photos

Alerts/Notifications

Application Management

Audit Management

Audit Trail

Background Screening

Bank Reconciliation

Billing & Invoicing

Calendar Management

Cash Flow Management

Client Portal

Comment Library

Commercial Inspections

Commercial Leases

Commercial Property Management

Committee Management

Communication Management

Contact Database

Contact Management

Credit Card Processing

Credit Check

Customer Database

Customizable Branding

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Dashboard

Data Import/Export

Deal Management

Document Management

Document Storage

Dues Management

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Email Marketing

Email Templates

Event Calendar

Event Management

Event Scheduling

Expense Tracking

Fee Collection

File Management

Financial Management

Financial Reporting

For Commercial Real Estate

For Investors & Traders

For Property Managers

For Residential

General Ledger

Guest Tracking

HOA Violation Enforcement

Housekeeping Management

Income & Balance Sheet

Inspection Management

Insurance Management

Invoice Management

Late Fee Calculation

Lead Management

Lease Management

Lease Origination

Lease Tracking

Maintenance Management

Maintenance Scheduling

Member Database

Member Directory

Member Portal

Membership Management

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Online Payments

Owner Portal

Parking Management

Payment Processing

Portfolio Management

Property Database

Property Management

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Notifications

Real-Time Reporting

Recurring/Subscription Billing

Reminders

Rent Collection

Rent Tracking

Repair Estimates

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Report Summary

Residential Inspections

Residential Leases

Residential Properties

Retail Leases

Role-Based Permissions

Self Service Portal

By industry, AppFolio Property Manager reviewers are most commonly professionals in real estate (76%). The most frequent use case cited is property management (65% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers feel AppFolio Property Manager offers good value for money for larger portfolios, as they appreciate consolidated features and included support. However, some users report high costs, frequent price increases, and limited accessibility for smaller operations.

Value for money

AppFolio Property Manager is a property management program offering key features such as property management, rent tracking, tenant portal, online payments, maintenance management, and accounting, among others.

AppFolio Property Manager

Web-based

iPhone

Android

iPad

Yardi Voyager

Yardi Breeze

Propertyware

RealPage

Rent Manager

Enumerate

ResMan

Rentec Direct

Stessa

MRI Property Management

Core

Plus

Complex security and permissions

66% of reviewers feel negative about AppFolio’s security and access control. Reviewers indicate that managing security deposits and permissions is confusing and not intuitive. Users say processes like security deposit disbursement and account transfers are cumbersome, with unclear reporting and rigid permission settings. They report challenges with privacy concerns, repeated logins, and difficulties in reconciling funds. Many reviewers express frustration over the lack of flexibility and transparency in handling sensitive financial and access-related tasks.

Delayed and limited phone support

69% of reviewers feel negative about AppFolio’s phone support. Users report frequent delays in receiving callbacks, often waiting days or even a week for a response. Reviewers indicate frustration with the lack of direct phone access, having to rely on email or ticket systems that lead to phone tag and unresolved issues. They say scheduled calls are rare, and support sessions are time-limited, sometimes leaving problems unaddressed. Many users feel that immediate help is unavailable during urgent situations, impacting their ability to resolve critical issues efficiently.

Cumbersome accounting functions

The accounting portion is very difficult to use and make corrections to anything, and when you need customer service it is too often very hard to get, or get someone that can actually help you.

60% of reviewers feel negative about AppFolio’s accounting features. Reviewers say the accounting system is difficult to use, especially for those without a bookkeeping background. Users indicate that processes like reconciliations, corrections, and reporting require too many steps and are not intuitive. They report limitations in integration with other accounting tools, lack of flexibility, and challenges with double-entry accounting. Many reviewers mention that the accounting side is confusing, leading to errors and inefficiencies in financial management.

Recurring bugs and delays

Business Analyst

They also don't have a functioning support line, it's just an infinite loop of robots that hangs up on you.

59% of reviewers feel negative about AppFolio’s bugs and technical issues. Users report experiencing glitches, slow system refreshes, and occasional failures to load pages or process transactions. Reviewers indicate that errors can be difficult to fix, and the help section is sometimes outdated or unhelpful. They say support for resolving bugs is slow, leading to delays in addressing urgent problems. Many users express frustration with the impact of unresolved issues on their daily operations and the lack of immediate assistance.

Payment processing frustrations

61% of reviewers feel negative about AppFolio’s payment features. Users report issues with refunding fees, handling security deposits, and managing ACH payments. Reviewers say payment workflows are unintuitive, with frequent errors and manual workarounds required for tasks like owner reimbursements and late fee calculations. They mention problems with bank account limitations, confusing statements, and unreliable transaction tracking. Many users find the lack of consolidated financial reporting and the complexity of payment processes burdensome for their operations.

Intuitive and friendly interface

Broker

The program is intuitive.   If you think through the process of how something should work...that is Appfolio in a nutshell.  

93% of reviewers feel positive about AppFolio’s user interface. Reviewers find the interface highly intuitive, making it simple to complete tasks without extensive training. Users indicate that the platform’s design allows them to quickly understand processes and workflows, regardless of their technical background. They say the clear organization and logical flow help new staff adapt easily, while experienced users save time on routine activities. Many reviewers appreciate that the interface is consistent and user-friendly, which contributes to a smoother property management experience.

Continuous product enhancements

Office Manager

They are continuously making improvements and upgrades to improve the user experience.  

98% of reviewers feel positive about AppFolio’s ongoing improvements. Reviewers indicate that frequent updates and enhancements directly address user feedback, making the platform more effective over time. Users say the development team is responsive and regularly introduces meaningful features that streamline property management tasks. They appreciate that upgrades often anticipate their needs, resulting in increased efficiency and easier workflows. Many reviewers note that the steady pace of improvements has a tangible impact on their daily operations, helping them adapt to changing industry requirements and making their jobs simpler and more productive.

Effortless navigation and search

96% of reviewers feel positive about AppFolio’s navigation. Users think the system’s intuitive layout and robust search functionality make it easy to find information quickly. Reviewers appreciate being able to access everything in one place, with clear menus and links that simplify moving between tasks. They say the universal search bar is especially helpful for locating records, properties, or tenants without excessive clicking. Many users report that even those with little experience can learn to navigate the software efficiently, reducing the learning curve and boosting overall productivity.

Comprehensive property management tools

supervisor

I work in the property management docket, and this software makes it simple to manage our clients all portfolios really and easily.

It has become the primary backbone of our property management business and we truly view Appfolio as a Partner, not a technology service provider.

89% of reviewers feel positive about AppFolio’s property management capabilities. Reviewers indicate that the software centralizes all essential functions, from tracking work orders to managing multiple property types. Users say the platform supports both small and large portfolios, helping them scale operations without adding significant staff. They appreciate features that streamline communication, record keeping, and reporting, making legal compliance and daily management easier. Many reviewers note that having everything in one system increases efficiency and allows them to focus more on core property management responsibilities.

President

From listing properties, managing leads, processing applications, signing leases, collecting rent, handling resident communications, submitting and tracking work orders, paying bills, to providing accounting and income reports for owners and vendors

Bookkeeper

The company was guaranteed a 2 hour response time if AppFolio Plus was purchased; the average response time is more like 2 days.

Executive Editor

Everything regarding the apartment is in one place like paying rent, viewing lease, etc.

Real Estate Agent

If a landlord wants to share information from AppFolio Property Manager with others, like in the case that the landlord wants to sell the property and use a real estate agent who is not their property manager, the landlord, as a non-administrator has a hard time doing so.

Office Assistant

One thing AppFolio can improve on is when saving a file or document, if you upload the wrong document, it doesn't allow you to delete it.

Account Manager

It offers a robust, all-in-one solution that can significantly streamline operations, though it may be overkill for small-scale landlords.

Waiting for someone to email you or chat with you so that you can get support is annoying because they don’t get back to you right away.

Pretty sad that after numerous calls and emails asking for a phone call back to discuss my account, no one call back.

Tenant communication system, work order system is ok.

The AI chatbot that took over the maintenance request section.

Estate agent

Tenants can pay online and set up recurring payments, which enhances convenience and efficiency for everyone involved.

It was pretty good for accounting purposes, although there was a lot required on the back end in order to make it work well for my company.

Accountant

We have had trouble every step of the way and when we do get an email from someone for something random, we try to ask a question and they refer us to AI.

A lot of features were copied from older software products & do need improvement.

HOA Board Member Homeowner

We used to be able to write an e-mail, or make a phone call whenever we had a concern.  

They use App Folio for everything and seem to be a bit afraid to pick up the phone or actually visit the property.

Hearing Care Coordinator

I have used this for years for all of my apartments I have rented, its nice that I can transfer my existing account to other complexes.

While I appreciate the continuous addition of new features and the convenience of automated processes, the lack of quick human response can be frustrating.

Property manager.

I have had a few issues but they were cleared up in a timly manner. And anything i wanted to change with the app was also done so by the company.

We expected more reliable service and better communication, especially regarding critical functionalities like payment processing.

The system has some gaps that simple human interaction does not have.

member

This weekend they took away the ability to schedule a call.

The unit transfer functions could be more seamless. When a resident is moving apartments within the property, the charges and credits/payments often have to be carefully reviewed when completing a transfer to make sure the new unit's tenant ledger is correct.

Our overall experience with AppFolio started off positive, but the sudden removal of credit card payment processing, without any warning, has been extremely disappointing.

Renter

It will automatically set payment to whatever card you have linked to the account.

Director

The company provides little insight into the software, leaves it to the property managers to expedite and handle.

I use AppFolio Property Manager for property management.

I can find car information, pet information, make letters, send mass emails, send emails to certain unit types and more.

AppFolio Property Manager vs Zillow Rental Manager Comparison (2026)

AppFolio Property Manager

Zillow Rental Manager

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives