Overview

HOAware is an HOA management platform for associations handling architectural requests, compliance, inspections, payments, and resident communication. It is best suited to boards and management companies that want residents and administrators working through connected digital workflows. Its breadth is a strength, but custom pricing and no free trial make the free 30-minute demo the practical first step.

Key features

Applications and compliance

Residents can submit architectural control applications online, follow their status, and schedule inspection appointments. Violation tools include automated notices, fine tracking, and hearing tracking, so associations can manage compliance alongside application review. That combination suits communities with recurring review and enforcement work; it may be more than a small association needs if it chiefly wants a place to message residents.

Inspections and records

Mobile inspections support photos, GPS tags, timestamped audit trails, automated follow-ups, and offline work that syncs later. The offline capability is useful when inspectors cannot rely on a live connection, while photos and audit trails provide a more structured record than informal notes. These tools make HOAware particularly relevant to communities that need documented follow-through.

Resident service and payments

CORI, part of Intelligent, is a 24/7 chatbot trained on community CC&Rs, bylaws, and rules to answer resident questions and guide applications. Payments run through Stripe and support card or ACH, Apple Pay, Google Pay, reminders, and payment tracking. The mobile app adds messaging, payments, applications, violation responses, and biometric login, giving residents several routine tasks to handle from iOS or Android.

HOAware is cloud-based and accessible through a browser without software installation. Stripe and Zapier are live integrations; QuickBooks is coming soon. HOAware says integrations use OAuth and encrypted data transfer, without storing credentials on its servers. Its privacy policy says personal data is not sold and that encryption and access controls are used.

Pricing

HOAware uses paid, custom pricing; none of the three plan prices is published. Essentials includes ACC violations and applications, a resident portal, messaging, digital inspections, and SMS notifications. It is the entry option for associations that need core workflows and text alerts, but it does not include the automatic reports shown in Complete.

Complete adds automatic reports to the Essentials feature set, making it the closer fit for associations that want reporting alongside resident and inspection workflows. Intelligent includes everything in Complete, plus CORI, an AI Phone Assistant, a resident portal, digital inspections, and automatic reports. It is the tier to consider when automated resident answers are a priority; the listed features do not make the phone assistant’s capabilities more specific.

Every plan includes email support and help-center access. HOAware also describes free training resources and live onboarding support. There is no free trial; the pricing FAQ describes a free 30-minute demo, which lets buyers review the product without mistaking it for extended trial access.

Platforms

HOAware supports web, Android, and iOS. Browser access avoids installation for administrators, while the iOS and Android app supports resident messaging, payments, ACC applications, violation responses, and biometric login.

Who it's for

HOAware serves self-managed boards and property management companies, including HOAs, condominiums, townhome communities, and other community associations. It is strongest for teams that need applications, inspections, violation handling, and payments in one system. An association seeking a free entry tier or a low-commitment trial should compare alternatives before requesting custom pricing.

Pros and cons

Pros

Connected association workflows: Applications, violations, inspections, payments, and resident communication address several recurring administrative tasks in one platform.
Inspection documentation: Offline work, GPS tags, photos, and timestamped audit trails help teams retain a clearer record of inspections.
Flexible payment methods: Card, ACH, Apple Pay, and Google Pay support different resident payment preferences.
Resident-facing mobile tools: Residents can handle applications, payments, messages, and violation responses in the mobile app.

Cons

No free trial or free plan: Buyers must use a demo rather than explore the platform over a trial period.
Custom pricing: With no plan prices published, associations cannot compare the tiers by cost before contacting HOAware.
QuickBooks is not yet live: Associations that need that integration cannot use it as a current connection.

Alternatives

HOA Messenger is worth considering when communication is the priority and a free plan matters: it has a free tier with unlimited HOAs and residents, plus 90-day visibility, and supports Android, iOS, and web.

SpotHOA may fit associations seeking a free plan with payment collection; its free tier supports up to 50 active units, 500 MB of document storage, and 1,000 emails per month, with ACH and card dues collection.

ViolationFlow is a focused alternative for smaller violation workflows: its web free plan covers 10 lots, five active cases, and one member seat, while the $15.00 per month Starter plan covers up to 50 lots and five seats.

CINC is another paid HOA management option, available on Android, iOS, web, and API.

HOA Start offers paid plans, including a software-only option and a complete package with all software features, a mobile app, marketing website, and admin dashboard.

ManageHOA is another paid option available on Android, iOS, and web.

Vantaca is worth comparing for community management; its platform pricing is specified in a customer order and may be based on authorized users or active doors.

HOACart.AI is another option to compare if its web-based offering fits your requirements.

For broader comparisons, see HOA Violation Management Software and HOA Management Software.

Verdict

HOAware is a strong candidate for self-managed boards and property managers that need resident-facing applications and payments alongside documented inspections and compliance tools. Its main reason to choose it is the breadth of those connected workflows, including offline inspection support and resident mobile features. Look elsewhere if you need transparent pricing, a free trial, or a live QuickBooks integration; otherwise, start with the free demo and compare the custom-priced tiers against your community’s needs.

	HOAware	pHKondo
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	—	$1.83/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web	self-hosted, Web
Free plan	—	Yes
Maintenance requests	—	Yes
Association accounting	—	Yes
Document storage	—	Yes

HOAware vs pHKondo

HOAware

pHKondo