Comparison
Looking at PayHOA? Here's a fair comparison.
PayHOA is an established choice for self-managed associations. Here's where we're alike, where we differ, and where they're ahead.
Checked September 2026 Based on PayHOA's public pricing page. Spot something out of date? Tell [email protected].
Choose PayHOA if
- You want general-ledger accounting with a custom chart of accounts.
- You want bank connection and syncing.
- You'd like an optional paid bookkeeping service.
- You want a free trial account.
Choose HOA in a Box if
- Enforcement and collections must be provable step by step.
- Who filed a complaint must stay private by role.
- You want your association's own database.
- You want nothing added to Stripe's rates.
Side by side
The comparison
| HOA in a Box | PayHOA (from its pricing page) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing basis | By homes: $59 (up to 75), $119 (76–200), $199 (201–500) a month | By units: from $49/month billed yearly (0–25 units), across nine size bands |
| Online payment fees | Stripe's standard rates into your own Stripe account; nothing added | Lists $2.45 per ACH and 3.5% + $0.50 per card transaction |
| Accounting | Budgets, expenses, reserves, bank reconciliation by statement import. No general ledger. | Lists GL accounting, custom chart of accounts, bank reconciliation, bank connection and syncing |
| Reports | 27 | Lists "50+ types of reports" |
| Association website | Included, edited by the board | Lists website builder and hosting |
| Violations | The letter drives the status; the fine is charged once with the notice | Lists violation tracking |
| Voting | Ballots, plus board elections with roll, proxies and quorum | Lists surveys/voting |
| Per-account lien readiness check | Yes | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Complainant identity limited by role | Yes | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Bookkeeping service | Not offered | Optional, listed from $199/month |
| Trying it | Open demo, three logins, no sign-up | 30-day free trial, "No credit card required" |
Where we differ
Three differences worth a look
The evidence behind a collection.
Collections lists which preconditions each account hasn't met yet, before anyone calls a lawyer.
Who may learn who complained.
Your board chooses. The database enforces it, not a hidden field.
What a payment costs.
We add nothing to Stripe's fee. PayHOA's pricing page lists its own per-transaction fees.
Where PayHOA is ahead
- A general ledger and chart of accounts. If your treasurer wants full books in the same product, look hard at that first.
- Bank syncing, more report types, and a bookkeeping service.
- A free trial account, and a longer track record. We haven't launched with customers yet.
We'd rather you knew now than found out in month two.
Switching
If you're moving over
We can do the setup.
Owners, opening balances, documents and your domain, from $299.
No re-keying history.
Start the books from a chosen date, and bring old debts over with notes.