Note: For latest information on Appfolio feature set and capabilities please contact Appfolio.
Choosing the right property management software in 2025 can make or break your rental business—especially when juggling accounting, rent collection, maintenance, and tenant communications. Two of the most recognized tools in the space are Appfolio and SimplifyEm, each with strengths tailored to different types of landlords.
Whether you’re an independent landlord with 20 units or a property manager overseeing thousands, this guide compares Appfolio vs SimplifyEm on key factors to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Quick Comparison: SimplifyEm Vs Appfolio
For a quick side-by-side look at features, pricing, support, and best use case, see the table below:
Tenant Management: SimplifyEm vs Appfolio
Both SimplifyEm and Appfolio offer solid tenant management tools. Appfolio includes advanced lease tracking, automated communication workflows, and robust tenant portals that allow residents to submit maintenance requests, view payment history, and message managers directly. It’s designed for high-volume property operations and supports more complex tenant needs.
SimplifyEm has all those capabilities to support the large property manager as well.
SimplifyEm can also keep things simple and highly usable for independent landlords and small portfolios. It offers automated rent reminders, easy lease tracking, and a tenant portal that simplifies communication and rent collection. For landlords who want straightforward tools without the bloat, SimplifyEm delivers powerful functionality in a user-friendly package.
CRM Capabilities: SimplifyEm vs Appfolio
When it comes to CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Appfolio stands out with a full-featured system designed to support leasing agents and large property teams. It offers pipeline tracking from lead to lease, automated follow-ups, and integration with marketing platforms—perfect for teams managing dozens of properties and multiple prospects.
SimplifyEm has all those capabilities to support large property managers as well. SimplifyEm is also unique in providing a communication center that centralizes all communication across email, SMS and Phone.
SimplifyEm can also provide a simpler experience for the smaller property manager. Its CRM capabilities are streamlined for solo landlords or small teams who want to track basic prospect and tenant contact information without managing a complex sales funnel.
Accounting Functionality: SimplifyEm vs Appfolio
Accounting is a core strength for both platforms. Both Appfolio and SimplifyEm offer built-in trust accounting, automatic rent tracking, 1099 eFiling, and DRE-compliant reports—critical for landlords operating in regulated states like California. Its reports are clean, clear, and easy to generate without an accounting background. Both SimplifyEm and Appfolio provide a more customizable and robust accounting system that supports bank reconciliations, owner statements, and detailed transaction histories. Both SimplifyEm and Appfolio provide a thorough and customizable chart of accounts and audit tracking of all transactions.
Summary of Appfolio functionality
Appfolio is a feature-rich solution for large-scale property managers. It has all the features and support needed for any situation with automated and customizable workflows. Appfolio’s accounting, CRM, Tenant, and online payment functionality are comprehensive and can meet the needs of large property managers.
Summary of SimplifyEm Functionality
SimplifyEm is also a feature-rich solution, but it can support small and large property managers equally. It has all functionality required for large property managers including a full accounting, CRM, Tenant Management, Online Payment capabilities.
The one difference is SimplifyEm can also be used by smaller property managers with simpler needs. One of the distinguishing features of SimplifyEm is you don’t have to setup nor use all the features provided for the software to be useful.
If you’re a small property manager that wants to keep track of income, expense, tenant balances and send automated owner reports. You can just set up those modules and not worry about banking, accounting and other modules if you so choose.
If you’re a large property manager managing thousands of units and you need to set up your own customized chart of accounts, have an audit log of all activities, do monthly automated 3 way reconciliations, you can fully setup SimplifyEm and use it equally well.
SimplifyEm’s customer WOW support is here to help you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SimplifyEm and Appfolio Comparison
- Which software is better: Appfolio or SimplifyEm?
While both SimplifyEm and Appfolio are great for large property management businesses. SimplifyEm is also appropriate for smaller property managers with simpler needs at a lower price point.
- What is property management software?
Property management software helps property managers manage the financials for rental properties, along with managing the tenants, owner, vendor and trust bank accounts. Including managing their financials and also communications.
Sources:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/fr-payments-study.htm
