Software Comparison · 2026
LeaseBase vs Buildium
Both platforms manage rental properties — but they’re built for very different landlords. Buildium targets property management companies. LeaseBase is built for independent landlords who self-manage.
Free for up to 3 units. No credit card required.
Feature Comparison at a Glance
How LeaseBase and Buildium compare across the features that matter most to landlords.
| Feature | LeaseBase | Buildium |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (3 units) | $65/mo (20 units) |
| Pricing Model | Flat monthly rate | Per-unit tiers |
| Target User | Self-managing landlords | Property managers |
| Online Rent Collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maintenance Management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lease E-Signatures | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Tenant Portal | ✓ | ✓ |
| AB 1482 Rent Cap Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Local Rent Control Monitoring | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI Assistant | ✓ | ✗ |
| Market Intelligence | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free Tier | ✓ (3 units) | ✗ |
| Tenant migration | Automated invitations + follow-ups | Manual, one-by-one |
Pricing: LeaseBase vs Buildium
Buildium starts at $65/month for up to 20 units and charges additional per-unit fees as you scale. Their Growth plan is $174/month for up to 50 units, and their Premium plan starts at $375/month.
LeaseBase uses flat monthly pricing — not per-unit pricing. For a 10-unit portfolio, LeaseBase costs $29/month vs. Buildium’s $65/month. That’s $432/year in savings. For smaller portfolios (3 units or fewer), LeaseBase is completely free.
LeaseBase (10 units)
$29/mo
$348/year
Buildium (20 units)
$65/mo
$780/year
Why Self-Managing Landlords Choose LeaseBase Over Buildium
Built for Landlords, Not Property Management Companies
Buildium was designed for property management companies that manage properties on behalf of owners. Its workflow assumes a PM-to-owner reporting structure. LeaseBase was built by a Sacramento landlord who started with a duplex and a spreadsheet — the interface, features, and workflows are designed for someone who owns and operates their own rentals.
California Compliance Built In
If you manage rentals in California, compliance isn’t optional. LeaseBase automatically tracks AB 1482 rent caps, calculates maximum allowable increases using your region’s CPI, monitors local rent control ordinances, and sends compliance deadline reminders. Buildium has no California-specific compliance features.
AI-Powered Property Management
LeaseBase includes an AI assistant that monitors rent caps, market conditions, and regulatory changes. You get daily briefings with actionable insights — not another dashboard to check. Buildium does not offer AI-powered automation.
Start Free, Scale Affordably
LeaseBase is free for up to 3 units with full features — no credit card required. When you’re ready to scale, flat monthly plans ensure your costs are predictable. Buildium has no free tier and uses per-unit pricing that gets expensive as you grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LeaseBase better than Buildium for California landlords?
For California landlords who self-manage, LeaseBase is purpose-built with AB 1482 rent cap tracking, local ordinance monitoring, and California-compliant lease templates. Buildium targets property management companies and has no California-specific compliance features. LeaseBase also starts free (3 units) vs. Buildium’s $65/month minimum.
How does LeaseBase pricing compare to Buildium?
LeaseBase offers a free tier (up to 3 units) and flat monthly plans starting at $29/month for up to 10 units. Buildium starts at $65/month for up to 20 units with per-unit fees above the base. For a 10-unit portfolio, LeaseBase costs $29/month vs. Buildium’s $65/month — saving $432/year.
Does Buildium track AB 1482 rent caps?
No. Buildium does not offer California-specific compliance features like AB 1482 rent cap tracking, local rent control ordinance monitoring, or CPI-based maximum increase calculations. LeaseBase has these features built in and automatically calculates allowable rent increases by region.
Ready to self-manage without the chaos?
Start free with up to 3 units. No credit card required.