Hemlane vs AppFolio Property Manager

by Gralio Feb 10, 2025

Hemlane and AppFolio Property Manager both offer property management solutions, but cater to different needs. Hemlane prioritizes simplicity and customer support, while AppFolio offers a broader range of features and a mobile app. Choosing the right software depends on your specific requirements, budget, and technical expertise.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 660 reviews and 60 websites, saving 4 hours, 10 minutes of reading.

Hemlane

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AppFolio Property Manager

Website LinkedIn Twitter

About

Hemlane is cloud-based property management software designed for landlords and property managers. It provides tools for finding tenants, managing leases, handling rent payments, and coordinating maintenance. Hemlane aims to simplify the rental process and offers a comprehensive platform to manage all aspects of rental properties.

AppFolio Property Manager is a cloud-based software designed to simplify the way property managers handle their business. It brings together tools for important tasks like accounting, finding tenants, handling maintenance, and communicating with owners. AppFolio is designed to be user-friendly and accessible on-the-go, ensuring everyone on the team can stay informed. It also allows connections with other useful software, creating a central hub for all your property management needs. AppFolio is suitable whether you manage a few properties or a large portfolio, from single-family homes to entire communities.

Summary

Main difference

Hemlane is better for you if you prioritize ease of use and excellent customer support, especially if you are a smaller landlord or property manager. AppFolio Property Manager is better for you if you need a more comprehensive platform with a mobile app and a wider range of features, especially if you manage a larger portfolio or require more advanced accounting tools.

Relative strengths of Hemlane (compared to AppFolio Property Manager)

Easier to use interface, especially for those new to property management software.
Higher rated customer support, which can be crucial for timely issue resolution.
More affordable pricing, which is important for cost-conscious businesses.

Relative weaknesses of Hemlane (compared to AppFolio Property Manager)

Lacks a mobile app for on-the-go management.
Less comprehensive accounting features compared to AppFolio.
Fewer integrations with other software, potentially limiting its extensibility.

Who should use Hemlane VS. AppFolio Property Manager

Hemlane is property management software ideal for landlords and property managers seeking to streamline operations. Users praise its ease of use, automated rent collection, and comprehensive marketing tools. However, some users mention the lack of a mobile app and limited software integrations. Hemlane simplifies the rental process from tenant screening to maintenance coordination.

AppFolio Property Manager is a cloud-based solution designed for property managers of all sizes. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including accounting, maintenance tracking, and communication features. Users praise AppFolio's user-friendly interface and all-in-one platform. However, some have noted concerns about cost and customer support. AppFolio is best for small to mid-sized property management businesses seeking a centralized platform.

Best for small to mid-sized landlords and property managers.
Ideal for the real estate and construction industry.

Best for small to mid-sized property management companies.
Ideal for the real estate and construction industry.

Hemlane and AppFolio Property Manager features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Resident portals

Partially supported

Hemlane offers a mobile-friendly online resident portal accessible from anywhere, but not via a dedicated app.

Supported

AppFolio Property Manager offers resident portals accessible through a mobile app.
Centralized communication

Not supported

Hemlane facilitates tenant communication through a coordinator but lacks the specified centralized features.

Supported

AppFolio centralizes resident communications including texts, emails, and bulk messaging.
Online payments

Supported

Hemlane supports online rent payments and automation, contributing to a positive renter experience.

Supported

AppFolio Property Manager supports online payments with automation and security features for residents.
Tenant & Owner Portal

Supported

Hemlane provides tenant and owner portals for online access, communication, and payments.

Supported

AppFolio Property Manager offers separate online portals for tenants and owners.
Mobile app

Not supported

Hemlane does not offer a mobile app.

Supported

AppFolio Property Manager offers a mobile app for on-the-go property management.
Mobile App Support

Not supported

Hemlane does not offer dedicated mobile apps for tenants or landlords.

Partially supported

AppFolio offers a dedicated mobile app for property managers, while tenants and landlords use a separate portal with mobile access.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

No data

-0.29

Neutral sentiment
Customer Service

-0.2

Neutral sentiment

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Use

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.84

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

No data

+0.5

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

No data

+0.09

Neutral sentiment
Scalability

No data

+0

Neutral sentiment

Hemlane and AppFolio Property Manager Pricing

No data

We couldn't find a pricing page for Hemlane.

No data

User sentiment

Neutral

-0.29

See full Pricing page

Hemlane and AppFolio Property Manager review insights

660 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Excellent customer support.
Easy to use interface for landlords and tenants.
Automated rent collection and late fees.
Comprehensive marketing and tenant screening tools.
Maintenance coordination service.

User-friendly interface and easy navigation.
All-in-one platform for property management tasks.
Regular upgrades and new features.
Helpful training resources and support articles.

Users dislike

Lack of mobile app.
Accounting system can be tricky.
Slow ACH deposits (3+ business days).
Difficult to customize tenant application.
Limited integrations with other software.

High cost, especially for commercial property management.
Lack of built-in move-in/move-out condition report.
Difficult to reach customer support.
Inability to combine guest cards.

Hemlane and AppFolio Property Manager Ratings

G2

4.8/5

(25)
Capterra

4.8/5

(160)
Glassdoor

4.8/5

(12)

G2

4.6/5

(483)
Glassdoor

3.8/5

(1076)

Company health

Employee growth

6% decrease in the last year

6% increase in the last year

Web traffic

23% decrease in the last quarter

9% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

October 2021 - $12M

June 2013 - $30M

How do Hemlane's maintenance coordination features compare to AppFolio's?

Both Hemlane and AppFolio offer tools to coordinate maintenance. Hemlane emphasizes its dedicated maintenance coordination service, allowing landlords to leverage Hemlane's network of contractors, while also providing a tenant portal for submitting requests and communication tools. AppFolio also facilitates maintenance requests through its platform, with communication features and online portals, but doesn't explicitly advertise a dedicated coordination service like Hemlane. Therefore, Hemlane may be more attractive for users seeking a more hands-off approach to maintenance management.

Which product offers better communication tools for tenant interaction?

Both Hemlane and AppFolio offer robust communication tools. Hemlane emphasizes direct communication with tenants via built-in SMS and email, while AppFolio provides a centralized communication platform with instant messaging, emails, and resident/owner portals accessible via a mobile app. AppFolio's system may offer more comprehensive communication options and greater accessibility for all parties.

What are the advantages of Hemlane?

Hemlane offers superior customer support based on user reviews and ratings. It also receives praise for its ease of use, especially for landlords and tenants interacting with the platform. Furthermore, Hemlane provides comprehensive marketing and tenant screening tools, which can be advantageous for attracting and vetting potential tenants. Its automated rent collection and late fee features streamline financial management.

What are the disadvantages of Hemlane?

Hemlane's disadvantages include the lack of a mobile app, a potentially tricky accounting system, slow ACH deposits (3+ business days), difficulty customizing tenant applications, and limited integrations with other software.

Alternatives to Hemlane and AppFolio Property Manager

TenantCloud

TenantCloud is a cloud-based property management software designed for landlords and property managers of all sizes. It offers a suite of tools to manage the entire rental lifecycle, from listing properties and screening tenants to collecting rent and handling maintenance requests. Key features include online rent payments, automated accounting, maintenance request management, tenant communication, and customizable reporting. TenantCloud aims to simplify property management, improve efficiency, and maximize rental income.

Buildium

Buildium is a popular property management software designed for residential properties, including single-family, multi-family, and community associations. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage rent payments, maintenance requests, accounting, communication with tenants, and more. Buildium aims to simplify and centralize property management tasks, enabling users to streamline operations and improve efficiency. They offer a range of plans suitable for different portfolio sizes, making it a good fit for both individual landlords and larger property management companies.

Rent Manager

Rent Manager is a customizable property management software designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including accounting, reporting, marketing, maintenance management, and communication features. Rent Manager is accessible from anywhere, with mobile apps for on-the-go management. It boasts robust integration capabilities, allowing businesses to tailor their experience by connecting with leading property technology providers.

DoorLoop

DoorLoop is property management software designed for managers and owners of any size portfolio. This all-in-one software helps you manage maintenance, accounting, marketing, communication and more, all in one platform. DoorLoop stands out with its ease of use, bank syncing for automated rent collection and bill payments, and integrations with popular apps. A high customer satisfaction rating and free educational resources aim to make property management simpler and more profitable.

Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze is cloud-based property management software designed for small to midsize portfolios across various real estate sectors. It offers tools for marketing, leasing, accounting, and operations, covering tasks from online payments to maintenance requests. Its simplified approach caters to users seeking an easy-to-use platform, while a "Premier" version provides advanced features for larger businesses or those needing more customization.

Hostaway

Hostaway is an all-in-one vacation rental software for professional property managers. It helps manage listings across major platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, automate tasks such as guest communication and pricing, and provides a centralized dashboard for managing bookings, calendars, and financial data. The software aims to increase bookings, save time, and simplify vacation rental management.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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