HOA Start vs PayHOA: which is better for a self-managed HOA?
PayHOA is the better fit for a board that keeps its own books: it publishes every price band, from $54 a month, and keeps operating and reserve funds apart. HOA Start suits a board that mostly needs a community website, dues and voting; its price is a quote based on home count, and its accounting is in beta.
Kahoa makes Kahoa, a third option, so we show it beside both. Every claim links to the vendor's own page.
What are HOA Start and PayHOA?
HOA Start is a website and management platform for self-managed associations, with a member portal, dues through Stripe, violations, voting and a Financials module in beta.
PayHOA is HOA management software sold to volunteer boards and to small management companies. PayHOA covers dues, accounting, violations, architectural requests and messaging in one plan, priced by how many homes the community has.
Do HOA Start and PayHOA pass the HSAT?
HOA Stewardship Accounting Standard- Fund separation not documented
- No 1120-H
- Priced by number of homes
- Fees in the help center
- CSV by area; reports PDF only
- Fund accounting
- 1120-H costs $399 more
- Price rises with homes
- Homeowner fees published
- Self-serve export
- Fund accounting
- 1120-H included
- $50 at any size
- Homeowner fees published
- Export anytime, free
The HSAT is Kahoa's own five-question standard, not an official accounting standard. How the HSAT works
How do HOA Start and PayHOA compare feature by feature?
checked Oct 20, 2026| Feature | HOA Start | PayHOA | Kahoa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fund accounting | Not documented | Included | Included |
| Violations | Included | Included | Included |
| Architectural requests | Included | Included | Included |
| Elections and voting | Polls and anonymous ballots | Basic voting module | Included |
| E-signatures | Not published | Not offered | Included |
| Email and text blasts | Email; texts from a plan allowance | Unlimited email, text and calls | Included |
| Mailed letters | Not published | $1.05–$1.25 each | At postage cost |
| Form 1120-H | Not offered | From $399 extra | Included |
| Document storage | Included | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data export | CSV by area | Self-serve CSV and PDF | Anytime, free |
| State-law deadlines and citations | Not offered | Not offered | Utah today |
How much do HOA Start and PayHOA cost?
HOA Start quotes a yearly price by home count; older listings say $39 a month.
PayHOA's price rises through nine bands as homes are added, about 10% less billed yearly.
One flat price for any number of homes, with every tool included.
| Board price | Smallest community | Largest band | Grows with homes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOA Start | Quote | Quote | Yes, by home count |
| PayHOA | $54/mo | $275/mo minimum, 500+ homes | Yes, 9 bands |
| Kahoa | $50/mo | $50/mo | No |
What do homeowners pay to send dues?
on a $250 dues payment| Software | Bank transfer | Card | Card, 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOA Start | $2.50 | $9.05 | $108.60 |
| PayHOA | $2.45 | $9.25 | $111.00 |
| Kahoa | $2.45 | $7.55 | $90.60 |
What do HOA Start and PayHOA look like?
Where does each fall short?
- HOA Start no longer publishes a price.
- HOA Start's accounting is in beta, with no documented fund separation.
- HOA Start doesn't prepare the 1120-H or 1099s.
- PayHOA's price climbs as the community adds homes.
- PayHOA charges at least $399 a year to prepare the 1120-H.
- PayHOA has no e-signatures, and its voting module is basic.
Should you choose HOA Start or PayHOA?
A volunteer treasurer: PayHOA, for fund accounting that's out of beta. A CPA or bookkeeper: either works.
HOA Start's website builder is its strength. PayHOA focuses on the board and owner portal.
PayHOA prepares it for a fee from $399 a year. HOA Start doesn't, so budget for a CPA.
What about Kahoa?
Kahoa is $50 a month for any number of homes, with fund accounting, bank feeds, voting, e-signatures and the 1120-H included. Kahoa launched in 2026, so it has the shortest track record of the three.
What else do boards ask?
Is HOA Start cheaper than PayHOA?
Do HOA Start and PayHOA have voting?
Do HOA Start and PayHOA prepare the 1120-H?
Do homeowners pay fees on HOA Start and PayHOA?
Try one that passes all five
Thirty days, no card. Bring last year's bank statements and Kahoa builds the ledger from them.