PayHOA is one of the best-known tools for self-managed associations. It is also not the only option. Some boards want a different price structure. Others want fewer features to learn, or a built-in mobile app, or more hands-on support.
This guide compares six PayHOA alternatives that self-managed boards look at most often. Every price and fee below comes from each vendor’s own public pricing page, checked on October 20, 2026. Prices change, so confirm them with the vendor before you decide.
PayHOA alternatives at a glance
The table compares published pricing for communities of about 25, 50 and 100 units, plus payment fees and a few key features. “Not published” means the vendor’s pricing page did not list that figure when we checked.
Pricing and features as listed on each vendor’s website on October 20, 2026.
| Software | Up to 25 units | Up to 50 units | Up to 100 units | Card fee | ACH fee | Accounting | Mobile app | Trial or demo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayHOA (for reference) | See PayHOA’s pricing page | See PayHOA’s pricing page | See PayHOA’s pricing page | See PayHOA’s pricing page | See PayHOA’s pricing page | Yes, full general ledger | Not stated on pricing page | 30-day trial |
| HOA Start | Based on community size | Based on community size | Based on community size | Not published | Not published | Yes | Yes, included | Not stated on pricing page |
| Easy HOA | $49/mo | $69/mo | $89/mo | Not published | Not published | Yes, accounting module | Not stated on pricing page | Demo |
| HOAworks | Ask HOAworks | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Financial tracking | Not stated on pricing page | Not stated on pricing page |
| Smartwebs | Quote | Quote | Quote | Not published | Not published | Max plan only | Yes, Apple and Android | Demo |
| HOA Central | Quote | Quote | Quote | Not published | Not published | Accounting integrations and managed services | Yes | Demo |
| BoostHOA | See pricing | See pricing | See pricing | See pricing | See pricing | No general ledger | No native app | Sign up online |
HOA Start
HOA Start sells one platform, HOA Start Complete, with every software feature included. The price is based on the number of homes in your community. You then choose a support level: software only with standard onboarding, Guided Onboarding, or ongoing Concierge help.
Its pricing page lists email and text blasts, online voting and polls, violation tracking, ARC requests, amenity reservations, accounting, budgeting, a marketing website and a mobile app. Plans are billed annually with no long-term contract. HOA Start fits boards that want a wide feature set and the option to pay for setup help. Our BoostHOA vs. HOA Start comparison goes deeper.
Easy HOA
Easy HOA publishes simple tiers: $49 a month for 1 to 25 units, $69 for 26 to 50, $89 for 51 to 100 and $99 for 101 to 150. Larger communities get custom pricing. Each tier lists a website, an integrated phone system, an accounting module, text and email communication, violation tracking and voting.
Its FAQ says there is also a setup fee based on the size of the association, so ask for an exact quote. Easy HOA suits boards that want accounting and voting in one flat monthly price. See our BoostHOA vs. Easy HOA comparison for more detail.
HOAworks
HOAworks offers HOA software for self-managed boards, plus custom-priced services for communities and builders that want more operational help. The software covers online payments, financial tracking, violations, requests, communications and board reporting.
Ask HOAworks for current pricing for your community. It is a good fit for boards that may want to add hands-on support later. Read our BoostHOA vs. HOAworks comparison to learn more.
Smartwebs
Smartwebs is known for violations and compliance tools, and it serves management companies as well as self-managed HOAs. It has two quote-based plans. Core covers violations, architectural requests, work orders, communications, portals and mobile apps for Apple and Android. Max adds accounting, budgets, bank integrations and auto-reconciliation.
The pricing page notes that minimums and implementation fees apply. Smartwebs suits larger or compliance-heavy communities. Our BoostHOA vs. Smartwebs comparison has the details.
HOA Central
HOA Central offers four plans, Essential Living, Standard Living, Modern Living and Premium Living, priced by quote based on unit count. Its plans include a resident portal and mobile app, announcements, online payments, maintenance and architectural requests. Items such as violation tracking, amenity booking, voice and text messaging and e-voting are listed as paid add-ons.
HOA Central fits communities that want a configurable package and are comfortable with a quote process. See our BoostHOA vs. HOA Central comparison.
BoostHOA
BoostHOA is built for small self-managed boards that want the basics done simply. You can track properties and owners, schedule recurring dues that are issued automatically, and let owners pay online by card (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) or ACH bank transfer. Boards can also log violations, share documents and send announcements. BoostHOA does not include a general ledger, texting, a native mobile app, voting or a website builder. For costs, see BoostHOA pricing, and for a side-by-side look, read our BoostHOA vs. PayHOA comparison.
Who should stay on PayHOA
Switching is not always the right move. PayHOA’s pricing page lists a full general ledger with a custom chart of accounts, bank reconciliation and bank syncing, along with text, email and phone call messaging, USPS mailings, a website builder and online voting. If your board relies on several of those, staying may be the simpler choice.
Consider staying if:
- Your treasurer keeps the HOA’s books inside PayHOA and does bank reconciliation there.
- You regularly text owners or mail letters through the platform.
- You run elections or surveys with online voting.
- Your owners are used to the current portal and the board has no pain points.
If none of that applies, or your board mostly needs dues collection and owner records, a lighter tool may serve you better.
How to switch HOA software
A clean switch takes planning more than effort. Here is a simple order of operations:
- Export your data. Pull owner lists, unit details, balances and documents from your current system before you cancel.
- Pick a cutover date. The start of a billing cycle or a new fiscal year keeps balances easy to reconcile.
- Set up the new system. Add properties and owners, upload governing documents and set up your dues schedule.
- Tell owners early. Explain what is changing, when, and how they will pay going forward.
- Run both briefly. Keep read-only access to the old system until the first payment cycle closes cleanly.
Our full guide to switching HOA management software walks through each step. For a broader view of the market, see our guide to the best HOA management software.
A short note: every association’s needs differ. Check your governing documents and any state rules on records and payments before changing systems.
Choosing the right PayHOA alternative
Start with what your board actually uses each month. If you need accounting, voting and texting in one place, look at HOA Start, Easy HOA or PayHOA itself. If you want help running the community, HOAworks and HOA Central offer services. If compliance tracking is your top need, Smartwebs is worth a demo.
If your board wants a simple way to manage owners and collect dues online, see how BoostHOA’s online payments work. When you’re ready, create your HOA in BoostHOA and get your properties set up today.