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Platform comparison

AppFolio websites vs a custom site.

AppFolio websites, now sold as AppFolio Sites, are template sites hosted by AppFolio and tied into AppFolio Property Manager. Under AppFolio’s own terms, your content stays yours, but AppFolio owns the templates, handles design changes and keeps your content 30 days after you cancel. A custom site belongs to the property and moves with it.

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Credit where due

What AppFolio Sites does well

AppFolio Sites solves real problems for the right buyer. In AppFolio’s own words:

  • Built into the software you already run

    AppFolio describes Sites as fully integrated with AppFolio Property Manager, so listings come from the same system your team works in every day.[1]

  • A site for every property

    One corporate site plus an individual site for each property in the portfolio, set up by AppFolio’s team.[2]

  • Hosting, accessibility and analytics included

    AppFolio hosts the site, keeps the domain registered while you subscribe, includes a third-party accessibility platform and a built-in analytics dashboard, and lets your team edit copy and images directly.[3][4][5][6][7]

  • No long commitment by default

    Unless your order form says otherwise, the term is month to month, and either side can end it with 30 days’ written notice.[8]

Side by side

How do AppFolio websites compare to a custom site?

The same eight questions we ask of every platform. Each AppFolio answer links to the AppFolio page it comes from.

AppFolio Sites compared with a custom community website owned by the property
Who owns the siteAppFolio SitesYour content stays yours. AppFolio owns the design templates, hosts the site on its own servers and requires its nameservers. If AppFolio registers the domain, it keeps it registered while you subscribe.[9][10][3][4]Custom community websiteThe property owns the site, its code, content and domain, and they transfer with the asset.
Code accessAppFolio SitesThe terms rule out hiring a third party to modify the design template; changes to the design and content go through AppFolio. AppFolio’s public pages do not say whether custom code can be added.[11]Custom community websiteYour team, or any agency you choose, can change the code. No single vendor controls the edits.
Search controlAppFolio SitesAppFolio describes basic search optimization based on popular industry terms and your location. Its public pages do not list editable titles, schema markup or redirects.[12]Custom community websiteFull control of titles, descriptions, headings, URLs, schema, redirects and content, built for the searches renters make in your submarket.
SpeedAppFolio SitesBenchmark in progress. We publish no speed figure for any platform until our dated test has run. How we testCustom community websiteBuilt to Core Web Vitals targets, and measured in the same benchmark with the same method.
Design freedomAppFolio SitesA library of AppFolio templates with a limited selection of alternative text, images and colors. AppFolio does not provide custom design, and its setup fee rises with the level of customization.[13][14][15][16]Custom community websiteDesigned for one community, its market and its renters.
Lead and data ownershipAppFolio SitesYour content stays yours, and AppFolio’s general terms expect you to retrieve your data before you cancel. AppFolio does not publish who holds website lead records or whether outside analytics can be installed, and it will not integrate third-party products for you.[9][17][18]Custom community websiteLeads, analytics and tracking live in tools you choose, with every lead traced to its source.
Switching costAppFolio SitesAfter you cancel, AppFolio keeps your content for 30 days and, on written request, exports logo files, images and text, not the templates or customized elements. A domain AppFolio holds is transferred in good faith, or released back to the registry after those 30 days.[19][20][21][22]Custom community websiteChange software or management and the site stays. Integrations are reconnected; URLs and search history carry over.
5-year cost and returnAppFolio SitesAppFolio publishes a monthly fee set by the number of site pages, plus a one-time setup fee that rises with customization. Current prices are on AppFolio’s page.[16]Custom community websiteA one-time build plus a monthly care plan, both in our price guide. Run the return on your own numbers with the NOI calculator. Price guide · NOI calculator

Advertising and search work are scoped to your market. We price them in the strategy session, against what they return. Last verified November 9, 2026.

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Before you decide

What AppFolio website templates mean when you leave

Most owners only read the website terms when they change software or sell. Here is what AppFolio’s terms say, in plain language.

  1. The template belongs to AppFolio

    You have a limited right to use the template you pick for as long as you use AppFolio’s hosting. Design changes go through AppFolio, not an outside agency.[10][11]

  2. The design does not come with you

    Within 30 days of cancelling, ask in writing for your logo files, images and text. The templates and customized elements stay behind, so the next site is a rebuild.[19][20][21]

  3. Move the domain before you cancel

    If AppFolio bought or holds your domain, it will work with you to transfer it. If that has not happened by the end of the 30 days, AppFolio releases the domain back to the registry.[22]

  4. Plan redirects yourself

    The terms describe what is exported, and they do not mention old URLs or redirects. Map every page to its new address before launch so the search history you built carries over.[20]

Ready to move? See how we replace a template site, domain and redirects included.

The flagship

Community websites built to lease, owned by the property.

Custom design, search built for your submarket and integrations with the software you already run.

See Community Websites
FAQ

AppFolio website questions, answered

Who owns an AppFolio website?

Under the AppFolio Sites Terms (last updated December 15, 2025), your content stays yours, but AppFolio owns the design templates and hosts the site on its servers. You have a limited right to use the template you selected while you subscribe to AppFolio’s hosting.

Can I move my AppFolio website to another provider?

You can move the content, not the design. After you cancel, AppFolio keeps your content for 30 days and, on written request, provides your logo files, images and text. Templates and customized elements are not included, so the new site is a rebuild.

Can I keep my domain if I leave AppFolio Sites?

Yes, if you act in time. If AppFolio bought or holds your domain, its terms say it will work with you in good faith to transfer it. If the transfer is not arranged within the 30 days after you cancel, AppFolio releases the domain back to the registry. Start the transfer before you give notice.

Can my agency edit an AppFolio website?

Not the design. AppFolio’s terms say you agree not to hire a third party to modify the design template, and to use AppFolio for changes to the design and content. Your own team can still update copy and images through the self-service editor.

Do I have to leave AppFolio Property Manager to get a custom website?

No. Keep the software and replace only the website. A custom site can sit beside AppFolio Property Manager and connect to it; we plan that connection in the strategy session.

How fast are AppFolio websites?

We have not published a speed result for any platform yet. Speed figures on this site will come only from our dated benchmark, which tests every site the same way. Until then, you can test your own site with Google PageSpeed Insights.

Sources

Where every fact on this page comes from

  1. [1]AppFolio Sites product page “100% integrated with AppFolio property manager” Read November 9, 2026.
  2. [2]AppFolio Sites product page (property sites) “Individual sites customized for each property in your portfolio” Read November 9, 2026.
  3. [3]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 1 (Website Hosting Services) “You will be required to use our nameservers” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  4. [4]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 1 (domain registration) “We will maintain current domain registration as long as you are subscribed” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  5. [5]AppFolio Sites product page (accessibility) “include a third-party accessibility platform” Read November 9, 2026.
  6. [6]AppFolio Sites product page (analytics) “A built-in analytics dashboard for tracking performance” Read November 9, 2026.
  7. [7]AppFolio Sites product page (editing) “Self-service content editing enables you to easily and directly update copy and images” Read November 9, 2026.
  8. [8]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 7 (term) “month to month, terminable by either party upon 30 days’ written notice” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  9. [9]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 5.1 (your website content) “we do not acquire any right, title or interest in or to the Content” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  10. [10]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 2 (Website Design Services) “sole and exclusive owner of the proprietary design templates” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  11. [11]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 2 (changes to the site) “You agree not to hire a third party to modify the design template” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  12. [12]AppFolio Sites product page (search) “Basic search Engine Optimization (SEO) based on popular industry terms” Read November 9, 2026.
  13. [13]AppFolio product update: Professional Websites renamed AppFolio Sites “expanded template library” Read November 9, 2026. Archived copy.
  14. [14]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 2 (what the design service includes) “a limited selection of alternative text, images and colors” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  15. [15]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 2 (design options) “We will not provide custom design or photography services.” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  16. [16]AppFolio Sites product page (pricing section) “one-time set-up fee, depending on level of customization” Read November 9, 2026.
  17. [17]AppFolio Terms of Service, section 6.3 (your data at termination) “you are expected to retrieve your data prior to the termination” Read November 9, 2026. Archived copy.
  18. [18]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 4 (integration services) “we will not be responsible for integrating your website with any third party products” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  19. [19]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 3 (content retention period) “for thirty (30) days after termination” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  20. [20]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 3 (handling of your content after termination) “company logo file(s), image files, and text” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  21. [21]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 3 (what an export leaves out) “shall not include our proprietary design templates or themes, or any customized elements” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.
  22. [22]AppFolio Sites Terms, section 3 (domain name after termination) “we will relinquish control of your domain name” Read November 9, 2026; page last updated December 15, 2025. Archived copy.

AppFolio is a trademark of AppFolio, Inc.. Next Level Communities is not affiliated with or endorsed by AppFolio, Inc..

Every fact comes from AppFolio’s own pages, read on the date shown. See something wrong? Tell us and we will check it within five business days. How we compare platforms.

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Own the website your asset deserves.

Bring your AppFolio site to a strategy session. We will look at what it does today, what moving would involve and what the gap is worth at a 5% cap rate.

  • A working call on your property, not a pitch
  • A strategist replies within one business day
  • Clear priorities, whether or not you hire us
Prefer to talk now? Call (775) 440-6800
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Book a strategy session

Tell us about your property. A strategist reviews your community, your market and how renters find you today before the call.

  • A working call on your property, not a pitch
  • A strategist replies within one business day
  • Clear priorities, whether or not you hire us
Prefer to talk now? Call (775) 440-6800
No spam. No newsletter sign-up.