Buildium Review: Pricing, Pros, and Cons for Landlords (2025 Guide)
- Rashmita Behera
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
Buildium appears at the top when searching for property management software. Founded in 2004, it has become one of the most popular property management software tools on the market, used by thousands of property managers and landlords across the U.S.
But popularity doesn’t guarantee it's the right choice for you.
In this review, we break down Buildium’s pricing, features, pros, and cons. Then explain why smaller scale landlords and property managers, in particular, might want to look elsewhere. Whether you're managing a dozen units or you've just inherited a single rental home, this guide will help you make a confident, informed decision.
Who is Buildium Designed for?
Buildium is built for professional property managers and landlords with mid-to-large rental portfolios. If you manage 50+ units, operate as a full-time landlord, or run a property management firm, Buildium can be a powerful all-in-one platform for handling rent, maintenance, accounting, and compliance.
But for smaller scale or DIY landlords, especially those managing fewer than 20 properties, the experience can feel overwhelming.
You’ll likely face:
A steep learning curve
Higher-than-expected monthly costs
Features you’ll never need or use
Frustration with complex bank integrations and user roles
One Reddit user put it bluntly:
Buildium is like trying to drive a semi-truck when all you needed was a bicycle.
That’s why many part-time or first-time landlords report abandoning Buildium in favor of simpler, more affordable tools like Shuk.
Buildium Features: What You Get (and What You Might Not Need)
Buildium markets itself as an “all-in-one” property management solution and to its credit, it does offer a wide range of tools.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
Feature | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Online Rent Collection | Tenants can pay via ACH or credit card | Reduces late payments |
Maintenance Tracking | Submit and manage work orders | Keeps repair records in one place |
Accounting & Financials | Full double-entry system with bank reconciliations | Tax-ready reports, owner statements |
Tenant Screening | Credit, eviction, and background checks | Reducing renter risk (optional add-on; extra cost) |
Lease Management | Digital lease templates and e-signatures | Added convenience (optional add-on; extra cost) |
Marketing Tools | Syndicates listings to Zillow, Trulia, etc. | Good visibility, but lacks year-round marketing |
Resident Portal | Tenants can log in to pay rent, request repairs | Improves tenant experience |
Mobile App | iOS/Android access to key features | Basic functionality; not ideal for full control |
What’s Missing (or Costs Extra)
Two-way tenant reviews (unavailable)
Predictive lease renewal insights (not supported)
Easy marketing tools for off-cycle listings (only supports syndication)
True mobile-first management (UX is clunky on mobile)
API access and integrations (only in Premium tier)
One user on Capterra noted:
It has every feature you could ask for, but it feels like you’re using Excel with a prettier interface.
Buildium Pricing: What It Really Costs in 2025
Buildium’s pricing seems straightforward, but once you add up the extras, landlords often discover they’re paying far more than expected. Let's break it down.
Buildium Plans Overview
Plan | Starting Monthly Price* | Ideal For | Key Features Included |
|---|---|---|---|
Essential | $58 | Small portfolios (<150 units) | Rent collection, maintenance tracking, basic accounting |
Growth | $183 | Mid-sized portfolios | Includes eLeasing, analytics, and performance insights |
Premium | $375 | Large portfolios (150+ units) | API access, priority support, advanced reporting |
*Prices are for 1–20 units. Costs increase with more units.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
While the base subscription grants access to core features, Buildium charges extra for many key capabilities.
Feature | Additional Cost | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
ACH Transaction Fee | $1–$2 per rent payment | Landlord (can be passed on to tenants as “convenience fee” |
Credit Card Processing | ~2.99% per transaction | Tenant |
Bank Account Setup Fees | $99 per business bank account setup (ACH setup) for Essentials. 5 free for Growth and 15 free to Premium, and then $99 charged per business bank account | Landlord |
eSignature Credits | $5 per eSignature for Essential plan. Unlimited eSignatures for Growth and Premium plans | Landlord |
Tenant Screening | $17 per screening | Tenant |
Open API Access | Only on Premium plan ($375+/mo) | Landlord |
Additional User Roles/Access | May require upgrade depending on user permissions | Landlord |
Capterra reviewer said:
We quickly learned that ‘included’ doesn’t mean free, everything has a fee attached.
Real Cost Example: A Landlord with 10 Units
Let’s estimate monthly costs for a landlord managing 10 units on the Essential plan:
Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
Subscription | $58 |
ACH Fees (10 Tenants) | $10–$20 |
1 eSignature / Month | $5 |
Tenant Screening (1–2 Applications) | $17–$34 |
Estimated Monthly Total | $90–$117 |
Over a year, that’s $1,000+, even for a relatively small portfolio.
Pros and Cons of Using Buildium
Like any software, Buildium has strong points and some serious drawbacks. Based on user reviews from Capterra, Trustpilot, Reddit, and other forums, here’s a realistic snapshot of what landlords love and what they struggle with.
Pros of Buildium
Robust Accounting Tools
Buildium’s double-entry accounting system is one of its biggest selling points. You can track rent, owner draws, expenses, and reconcile accounts all in one place. Ideal for larger portfolios or owners managing properties on behalf of others.
“It’s like QuickBooks, but built for landlords. Love how clean the owner's statements come out.” – Capterra review
Online Rent Collection & Tenant Portal
Tenants can pay via ACH or credit card through Buildium’s portal. Many landlords report fewer late payments and more convenience.
“Our tenants love paying online. It cuts our manual checks in half.” – Trustpilot review
Scales Well for Growing Portfolios
Buildium is built to handle hundreds of units. As your portfolio grows, features like custom reports, API access, and document storage become more valuable.
“Once we hit 30+ properties, Buildium started to shine. I wouldn’t use it for less though.” – Reddit
Cons of Buildium
Steep Learning Curve
Many users find the platform unintuitive at first. The dashboard is busy, onboarding can be time-consuming, and getting started often requires contacting customer support.
“It took us 2 weeks just to get our bank linked properly and payments flowing.” – SoftwareAdvice
Hidden Fees Add Up Fast
From ACH setup and transaction fees to paid eSignature credits and screening charges, your actual cost can quickly exceed the base subscription.
“It starts at $58/month, but after all the extras, I was paying nearly double.” – Capterra
Clunky Mobile Experience
The mobile app exists, but reviews consistently note it’s limited in functionality compared to the desktop version.
“I can’t do half of what I need to on mobile. It’s (app) more for tenants than landlords.” – Reddit
Not Designed for Small Landlords
This is the big one: Buildium’s features and pricing model are designed for professional property managers, not individuals managing 1 - 20 rentals.
“Way too complex for a duplex or triplex owner. I switched after 2 months.” – Trustpilot
When Buildium Does Make Sense: A Great Fit for Large-Scale Landlords
Buildium shines in the hands of professional property managers and owners with large portfolios. For landlords managing 50+ units, its advanced features, enterprise-level accounting, and robust support systems offer efficiency at scale that lighter tools simply can’t match.
Built for Operational Complexity
Double-entry accounting: Trusted by accountants for GAAP compliance, owner draw tracking, and full reconciliation.
Automated workflows: Recurring charges, late fees, and custom lease templates streamline multi-property management.
Custom reporting & API: Power users on Premium plans can build bespoke dashboards, integrate external tools, and automate insights.
“Once we passed 75 doors, spreadsheets were a nightmare. Buildium centralized everything: from payments to 1099s.” – Reddit user on r/Landlord
What Large Landlords Are Saying
“Buildium allowed us to scale from 30 to 120+ units without hiring another admin. Once we set up automation, our overhead dropped significantly.” – Capterra reviewer
“The accounting module alone is worth the price for us. We track multiple LLCs and ownership splits, it just works.” – Reddit, r/PropertyManagement
“Buildium isn’t cheap, but for 100+ units, it pays for itself in saved hours and cleaner records.” – SoftwareAdvice review
Ideal Use Cases for Buildium
Property management companies with multiple clients and owner portals
Landlords with 50+ doors across multiple properties or cities
Portfolios with complex accounting needs (trust accounts, disbursements, tax prep)
Teams with delegated roles across maintenance, leasing, and finance
Why Buildium Isn’t the Best Fit for Small Landlords
Buildium is a powerful property management platform, but it’s not built for everyone. If you’re a landlord managing just a handful of rental units, the very features that make Buildium attractive to large property managers can end up working against you.
Here’s why Buildium often misses the mark for small landlords:
1. You’re Paying for Features You’ll Never Use
Buildium includes tools like trust accounting, owner portals, and open API access. These are great if you manage hundreds of units or operate as a licensed property manager. But if you’re renting out a duplex or a few single-family homes, you likely don’t need that level of complexity.
“Most of it was overkill for me. I just needed rent collection, lease signing, and maintenance tracking.” – Capterra review
2. The Cost Adds Up Quickly
While the Essential plan starts at $55/month, most landlords end up paying more due to:
eSignature fees
ACH setup and transaction costs
Screening charges
Limited credits and upgrade nudges
By the time you're done, your monthly bill could be closer to $80–$120, even with just a few units.
“It looked affordable until I realized how many features were locked behind extra payments.” – Trustpilot review
3. Too Complex for Simple Portfolios
Buildium’s interface is built for scale, not simplicity. The platform assumes you’re managing dozens of tenants and staff, which leads to:
Overloaded dashboards
Confusing navigation
Too many unused menus and modules
If you’re a part-time landlord or managing just a few properties yourself, this slows you down rather than saving you time.
“It felt like I had to take a training course just to collect rent.” – Reddit user
4. Lacks Tools Tailored to Small-Scale Needs
Small landlords have different priorities like minimizing turnover, building trust with tenants, and staying organized without spreadsheets. Buildium doesn’t offer features like:
Two-way tenant reviews
Predictive lease renewal tools
Year-round property marketing
These features help small landlords plan ahead, retain tenants, and reduce vacancy. But they’re nowhere to be found in Buildium.
5. Setup and Support Aren’t Friendly to One-Person Operations
Getting started with Buildium often means verifying your business bank account, waiting for a support rep, and navigating documentation meant for multi-person teams. For a solo landlord, this can feel like overkill.
“Support was helpful, but I had to wait days to get responses. I felt like I wasn’t a priority because I didn’t have 50+ units.” – Capterra user
Meet Shuk: A Smarter, Simpler Alternative for Small Landlords
If Buildium feels too bloated, expensive, or complex for your needs, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why Shuk was built.
Shuk is an all-in-one property management platform designed specifically for small landlords managing 1 to 20 properties. It strips away the features you'll never use and focuses on what actually matters: rent collection, tenant communication, property marketing, lease management, and reducing vacancy.
Whether you're a first-time landlord, managing inherited property, or renting out a side investment, Shuk gives you the tools to stay organized and profitable, without the headache.
Built by landlords.
Priced for landlords.
Trusted by landlords.
Buildium vs. Shuk: Which is Better for Small Landlords?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of what really matters when managing a few properties.
Feature Comparison
Feature | Buildium | Shuk |
|---|---|---|
Best For | 50+ units, pro property managers | DIY landlords with 1–20 units |
Rent Collection | Yes (extra ACH/credit fees) | Yes (1–2 day transfers, no hidden fees) |
Lease Management | Yes, but eSignatures cost extra | Yes, included in subscription |
Two-Way Reviews | ❌ Not available | ✅ Built-in landlord/tenant ratings |
Predictive Lease Renewal Tool | ❌ Not offered | ✅ Yes, with Lease Indication Tool |
Year-Round Property Marketing | ❌ Syndication only | ✅ Always-on listings, not time-locked |
Mobile App | ✅ (limited functionality) | ✅ Mobile-first UX for landlords |
Customer Support | Mixed reviews, long wait times | Direct support via email, chat, phone |
Setup Time | Can take days | Under 20 minutes |
Pricing Comparison
Pricing Metric | Buildium | Shuk |
|---|---|---|
Base Plan Cost | $55/month (Essential plan) | $5/month per unit |
Why Small Landlords Prefer Shuk
Built for part-time landlords: No learning curve, no feature overload.
One transparent price: $60/year per listing, no hidden fees.
Fewer vacancies: Market your unit year-round and track lease renewal intent.
Better relationships: Two-way reviews encourage trust and transparency.
Proactive planning: Shuk’s tools help you stay ahead, not just react.
Final Verdict: Is Buildium Worth It for Landlords in 2025?
Buildium is a feature-rich, professional-grade property management platform with powerful accounting tools, tenant portals, and support for large, complex portfolios. If you're a full-time landlord managing 50+ units or you run a property management company, it can be a smart investment that centralizes operations and scales with your business.
But if you're a small landlord managing just a few units, Buildium may not be the right fit.
The steep learning curve, bloated feature set, and mounting hidden costs make it more complex than most small landlords need. Even the Essentials plan quickly becomes expensive once you add on payment processing, eSignatures, and tenant screening.
If you’re looking for a simpler, more affordable way to manage your rentals, you’ll likely be better served by lightweight, small-landlord-first platforms like Shuk, which deliver the core functionality you actually need, without the overhead.
