How to Use AppFolio

A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with AppFolio in 2026.

Price Paid only

Best For mid size property managers, community associations, commercial managers

Rating ★★★★ 4.3/5

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Getting Started: Step by Step

Create your AppFolio account

Visit AppFolio's website and sign up for a trial. You'll need an email address to get started.

Set up your workspace

Once signed in, configure your AppFolio workspace. Set your preferences, invite team members if needed, and customize the interface to match your workflow.

Explore ai-leasing

One of AppFolio's key features is ai-leasing. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Explore online-payments

One of AppFolio's key features is online-payments. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Explore maintenance-requests

One of AppFolio's key features is maintenance-requests. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Integrate with your existing tools

Connect AppFolio with the other tools you use daily. Most integrations can be set up in the settings or integrations panel.

Start using it for real work

Now that you're set up, start using AppFolio for actual tasks. The best way to learn is by doing — don't worry about getting everything perfect right away.

Pro Tips

Start with the free plan or trial to explore AppFolio's capabilities before committing to a paid subscription.
Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow — most tools have extensive shortcut systems.
Check AppFolio's official documentation and community forums for advanced tips and best practices.
Review your workflow after 2 weeks of use and adjust your setup based on what's working and what isn't.