Key takeaways
- Multifamily property management software (PMS) is a tool designed for property managers, owners, and landlords to simplify or automate their everyday tasks.
- A PMS will offer chatbots, lease administration, marketing services, maintenance request management, and much more.
- Find the right PMS for you by deciding on what features matter the most to you, pricing, and available trials.
- Some of the best property management software include Appfolio, DoorLoop, and RealPage.
Multifamily property management software helps property owners, operators, and managers run leasing, accounting, maintenance, resident communication, and day-to-day operations from one platform. The right software can reduce manual work, improve visibility across your portfolio, and help your team deliver a better resident experience.
But not every platform is built for the same needs. When comparing multifamily property management software, buyers should look at portfolio size, accounting and reporting capabilities, leasing tools, maintenance workflows, integration options, pricing structure, and how well the software supports both staff and residents.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best multifamily property management software options on the market, what each platform offers, and how to choose the right one for your building or portfolio. We evaluated these tools based on features, pricing transparency, ease of use, integrations, and overall fit for multifamily operations.
This guide covers:
- What is multifamily property management software?
- How multifamily property management software works
- Why you should use property management software for multifamily buildings
- How to choose the right property management software
- Comparing the top multifamily property management software
- 10 best multifamily property management software
- Multifamily property management software FAQs
What is multifamily property management software?
Multifamily property management software is a platform that helps property managers, owners, and landlords manage leasing, accounting, maintenance, resident communication, and other day-to-day operations in one system. It simplifies routine tasks, improves organization, and helps teams run multifamily properties more efficiently.
Some platforms are built for large portfolios, while others are designed for smaller properties or individual landlords.
Most multifamily property management software includes tools for:
- Managing rent payments and finances
- Tracking leases and resident information
- Handling maintenance requests
- Communicating with residents
- Organizing property and account records
Multifamily property management software features
The best property management software for multifamily buildings helps you automate operations. Furthermore, you and your team will save time, streamline processes, and have everything you need in one place.
Here are the most common features and services that property management software provides:
- Lease administration and signing
- Rent collection/a portal for residents to pay rent online
- Prospective resident lead management
- Amenity and facility management
- Tools to communicate with residents (mass communication and one-on-one communications)
- Chatbots
- Accounting tools
- Resident retention tools to manage relationships with existing tenants
- Marketing services
- Maintenance request management
- AI leasing assistants
How does multifamily property management software work?
Multifamily property management software is often a subscription-based service. As a result, you pay for it monthly or annually. Upon subscribing, you can access all the tools the software offers.
How to use property management software:
- Select a provider and onboard your team. Most platforms are subscription-based and cloud-based, making them easy to access from anywhere.
- Centralize your property data. Software stores lease, resident, accounting, and operational information in one place.
- Streamline daily workflows. Teams use the platform to manage leasing, payments, maintenance, reporting, and communication across multifamily properties.
Watch how ButterflyMX works:
Why you should use property management software for multifamily buildings
You should invest in property management software because it helps you manage your business better. Further, if you don’t use a PMS, you’ll miss out on its countless benefits.
The top five benefits of using property management software include:
- Improve resident retention rates. PMS offers valuable tools to communicate with residents and boost engagement. Strong communication also leads to happier tenants, consequently boosting your retention rates.
- Automate processes to save time. As a property manager or owner, you spend a lot of time on repetitive tasks. So, use property management software to reduce the time you spend on these daily tasks.
- Keep all your property’s records and accounts in one place. Property management software lets you store important information in one convenient spot. Furthermore, the best PMS is easy to learn and navigate.
- Easier accounting and finance management. In accounting, one mistake can cost you a lot of time, stress, and even money. So, use PMS to track spending, store bank account information, and improve your bookkeeping.
- Integrations with other proptech. Your property management software may integrate with proptech you’re already using. For example, you may be able to integrate your PMS with your intercom system, access control system, or front desk station.
How to choose the right property management software
You should invest in property management software because it helps you manage your business better. Further, if you don’t use a PMS, you’ll miss out on its countless benefits.
The top five benefits of using property management software include:
- Operational needs
- Portfolio size and unit count
- Assess leasing and renewal workflows
- Compare maintenance management tools
- Review resident communication features
- Check for integrations with your existing systems
Operational needs
While many multifamily property management software platforms offer similar core tools, the best option depends on how well it supports your portfolio size, team workflows, reporting requirements, and resident experience goals.
Portfolio size and unit count
Some platforms are better suited for small to mid-sized portfolios, while others are built for larger operators managing multiple properties, more complex accounting structures, or layered user permissions. A system that works for a 50-unit building may not be scalable enough for a regional or enterprise portfolio.
Assess leasing and renewal workflows
Strong multifamily property management software should help your team manage applications, screening, digital leases, renewals, and move-ins more efficiently. If leasing still feels manual or fragmented, the software may create friction instead of improving operations.
Compare maintenance management tools
Look for features that make it easy for residents to submit requests, staff to assign work orders, and teams to track completion times and vendor activity. A maintenance workflow that is too basic or disconnected from the rest of your operations can slow response times and hurt the resident experience.
Review resident communication features
Communication tools matter, especially for multifamily communities focused on service and retention. Consider whether the platform includes messaging, announcements, portals, payment reminders, and other tools that help keep residents informed and engaged.
Check for integrations with your existing systems
Your property management software should work well with the tools you already use, including accounting platforms, marketing systems, access control, intercoms, visitor management, and other proptech. Without strong integrations, your team may end up duplicating work across disconnected systems.
The 10 best multifamily property management software
1. DoorLoop
DoorLoop is an all-in-one property management software designed for multifamily buildings, commercial properties, and even smaller portfolios. It’s a cloud-based platform that prioritizes ease of use, offering property managers a simple but powerful way to oversee day-to-day operations from anywhere.
Some of the features DoorLoop provides include:
- Accounting and financial tools: Automate rent collection, track expenses, and generate customizable reports to keep your books in order.
- Leasing management: Create and send digital leases, track renewals, and screen tenants with built-in background and credit checks.
- Maintenance requests: Residents can submit requests through an online portal or mobile app, and managers can assign work orders directly to vendors.
- Marketing tools: Publish listings on popular rental sites, manage inquiries, and streamline the application process.
DoorLoop also integrates with popular tools like QuickBooks, Calendly, and Zillow, giving property managers flexibility to connect with systems they already use.
At the time of publication, DoorLoop’s pricing starts at $69 per month for up to 20 units, with higher tiers available for larger portfolios. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try the platform risk-free.
2. AppFolio
AppFolio is a popular property management software provider. Its software may offer a robust suite of features and services. It’s a cloud-based product, which means you and your team can access AppFolio from any device. Further, AppFolio also offers a platform designed for HOAs and condos.
There are two options for their multifamily property management software:
- AppFolio Core: Includes accounting and reporting services, marketing and leasing tools, resident and owner management, and online maintenance features.
- AppFolio Plus: Includes everything in the Core suite, plus workflow management, performance insights, revenue management, data exporting, and strategic account management.
At the time of publication, AppFolio residential and commercial pricing is $1.40 per unit/per month (plus a monthly minimum fee of $280) for AppFolio Core and $3 per unit/per month (plus a monthly minimum fee of $1,500) for AppFolio Plus. Further, pricing for community associations is $0.80 per unit/per month plus a monthly minimum fee of $280.
Read the full AppFolio review »
3. Entrata
Founded in 2003 in Utah, Entrata is a well-known PMS provider. As a result, the company offers software designed to make your life easier.
Entrata’s property management suite includes:
- Leasing & Rents: These tools let you manage move-ins and move-outs, prorate charges, and charge for rentable items.
- Accounting: Includes ledger tools, balance sheets, income statements, and budget creation tools.
- Purchasing: A system to create and track purchase orders, create invoices, and manage vendors.
- Facilities: Lets you create, edit, and manage work orders. You can also accept resident requests.
- Inspection Manager: These tools let you manage inspections for units, buildings, and amenities.
In addition to its Management Suite, Entrata offers a Marketing Suite. Further, these marketing tools may help you drive leads, connect with prospects, and build your digital presence.
What’s more, Entrata offers a subscription-based plan, but pricing is not listed on its website. So, reach out to Entrata for a quote.
Read the full Entrata review »
4. RealPage
RealPage’s property management software focuses on automating processes and saving you time. And by prioritizing efficiency, RealPage offers scalable and customizable software with a variety of tools.
Some features of RealPage property management software include:
- Accounting
- Document management
- Employee learning management system
- Facilities management
- Renter lifecycle management
- Budgeting and finance tracking
- Compliance services
Unfortunately, RealPage doesn’t publish its entire pricing model online and doesn’t appear to offer free trials. However, they sell office and retail assets for $12.50/month per 10,000 square feet and industrial assets for $7.30/month per 10,000 square feet.
Read the full RealPage review »
‘
5. Rent Manager
Rent Manager lets you manage buildings and portfolios in one powerful integrated solution. With Rent Manager, you get many helpful tools in one place.
Services include:
- Accounting
- Reporting
- Business operation management
- Maintenance solutions
- Marketing and leasing services
Further, Rent Manager also integrates with countless systems, products, and programs. That means you can connect your Rent Manager software with other products your company is already using.
There are three bundles based on your property’s needs. Rent Manager Basic is $1.00 per unit, per month with unlimited users and a $200 monthly minimum. Plus is $1.50 per unit, per month with unlimited users and a $300 monthly minimum. Additionally, premium is $2.25 per unit, per month with unlimited users and a $450 monthly minimum.
Read the full Rent Manager review »
6. Yardi Voyager
Thousands of multifamily property management companies trust Yardi. Further, managers can organize their portfolios and improve day-to-day operations with Yardi Voyager.
Yardi Voyager may be the company’s most robust property management software. Because it’s a web-based platform, staff can access it from any browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Moreover, it even integrates with ButterflyMX, so you never have to update your intercom’s directory when residents come and go.
Yardi Voyager includes a full suite of services, including:
- Operations management
- Leasing management
- Analytics
- Resident/tenant and investor services
If you’re interested in Yardi but you manage a small property or portfolio, consider Yardi Breeze. So, Yardi Breeze may be the simpler, more affordable alternative to Voyager. Breeze may lack the robust features of Voyager, but it could be better for smaller properties.
Yardi does not publish pricing online, so you must contact the company to request a custom quote. Additionally, the company also may not offer free trials.
Read the full Yardi Voyager review »
7. Buildium
Since 2004, Buildium has offered user-friendly property management software focused on efficiency. RealPage acquired Buildium in 2019.
Buildium offers three software plans:
- Essential: Accounting, maintenance services, resident communication tools, task management, online portals, and a free website hosted by Buildium.
- Growth: Includes everything in the Essential plan, plus unlimited eLeases, premium tenant screening, free property inspection services, and performance analytics.
- Premium: Includes everything in the Growth plan, plus business analytics, an open API, and the Buildium Rewards program.
Buildium offers three software bundles. So, Buildium Essential starts at $52 per month, Buildium Growth starts at $166 per month, and Buildium Premium starts at $479 per month.
You can use Buildium’s price calculator to get an accurate price estimate based on your selected plan and your number of units.
Read the full Buildium review »
8. ResMan
ResMan property management software helps multifamily owners and managers operate efficiently. It also helps you deliver higher ROI for your investors.
Features include:
- Accounting
- Budgeting tools
- Maintenance requests and fulfillment
- Reporting and analytics
ResMan pricing is not available online. Reach out to the company to get your quote.
Read the full ResMan review »
9. Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct offers two software plans: Pro and PM. It also offers free multifamily property management software called Rentec Basic.
Rentec Direct property management software offers:
- Tenant screening
- Online vacancy publishing
- A website for your business
- Accounting
- Online tenant payments
- Operation management
- File management
There are no setup fees or term contracts — you pay for the software monthly.
The cost of Rentec Direct depends on the number of units in your property:
- 10 or fewer units: $45/month for Pro, $55/month for PM
- 50 units: $65/month for Pro, $80/month for PM
- 100 units: $110/month for Pro, $130/month for PM
- 500 units: $550/month for Pro, $600/month for PM
Rentec Direct does offer a 14-day free trial.
Read the full Rentec Direct review »
10. MRI Living
Flexibility may be the greatest benefit of MRI Living’s multifamily property management software. MRI Living’s software is customizable, so you can choose the tools and services most important to you.
Some of the many solutions MRI Living offers include:
- Lead management
- Operations management
- Financial-focused analytics
- Inspections
- Payments
MRI Living goes beyond just offering helpful software. It also focuses on partnering with other proptech providers to create powerful integrations. What’s more, the platform integrates with many other products and systems.
MRI Living doesn’t publish pricing online, so you must contact them for a quote.
Read the full MRI Living review »
Comparing the top multifamily property management software
Multifamily property management software FAQs
- How much does multifamily property management software cost?
- Can multifamily property management software integrate with access control systems?
- What is the difference between multifamily property management software and commercial property management software?
How much does multifamily property management software cost?
The cost of multifamily property management software varies based on the provider, number of units, feature set, and implementation requirements. Some platforms charge a flat monthly fee, while others use per-unit pricing. Buyers should also consider onboarding fees, training costs, add-ons, and integration expenses when comparing total cost.
Can multifamily property management software integrate with access control systems?
Yes, some multifamily property management software platforms integrate with access control systems, intercoms, and other proptech tools. These integrations can help streamline move-ins, resident updates, credential management, and building access workflows by reducing manual data entry across systems.
What is the difference between multifamily property management software and commercial property management software?
Multifamily property management software is designed for residential portfolios and focuses on resident-facing workflows such as leasing, renewals, rent collection, maintenance, and communication. Commercial property management software typically supports different lease structures, tenant relationships, and operational needs tied to office, retail, or industrial properties.
Disclaimer: ButterflyMX provides these blog posts to help our customers and potential customers make the right business decisions for them. Our blog posts are based on the information we have available to us at the time of writing.
Get your free quote!
Fill in the form below, and we'll email you right back.
Want a free quote?
Fill in the form below, and we'll email you right back.
You’ll be redirected shortly...