PayHOA vs TownSq: which is better for your HOA?
PayHOA is the better fit for a self-managed board. PayHOA includes accounting, violations and architectural requests on every plan from $54 a month. TownSq suits communities whose management company already runs it: TownSq's accounting is Enterprise-only, and violations cost $20 a month extra.
Kahoa makes Kahoa, a third option, so we show it beside both. Every claim links to the vendor's own page.
What are PayHOA and TownSq?
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.
TownSq is a community app and management platform sold mostly through management companies. TownSq's payments run through ATG Pay, a separate processor, and TownSq's full accounting comes from C3, its Enterprise accounting partner.
Do PayHOA and TownSq pass the HSAT?
HOA Stewardship Accounting Standard- Fund accounting
- 1120-H costs $399 more
- Price rises with homes
- Homeowner fees published
- Self-serve export
- Accounting on Enterprise only
- No 1120-H
- Price rises with homes
- Fees set by ATG Pay, not published
- No export policy published
- 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 PayHOA and TownSq compare feature by feature?
checked Oct 20, 2026| Feature | PayHOA | TownSq | Kahoa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fund accounting | Included | Enterprise plan only | Included |
| Violations | Included | +$20/mo | Included |
| Architectural requests | Included | +$20/mo | Included |
| Elections and voting | Basic voting module | $250 per election + $25 setup | Included |
| E-signatures | Not offered | Not offered | Included |
| Email and text blasts | Unlimited email, text and calls | Included; emergency broadcast +$20/mo | Included |
| Mailed letters | $1.05–$1.25 each | Offered, price not published | At postage cost |
| Form 1120-H | From $399 extra | Not offered | Included |
| Document storage | Unlimited | Not published | Unlimited |
| Data export | Self-serve CSV and PDF | Not published | Anytime, free |
| State-law deadlines and citations | Not offered | Not offered | Utah today |
How much do PayHOA and TownSq cost?
PayHOA's price rises through nine bands as homes are added, about 10% less billed yearly. Accounting, violations and architectural requests are on every plan.
TownSq Pro's price rises with homes, and common tools are add-ons. Full accounting needs the Enterprise plan.
One flat price for any number of homes, with every tool included.
| Board price | Smallest community | Largest band | Grows with homes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayHOA | $54/mo | $275/mo minimum, 500+ homes | Yes, 9 bands |
| TownSq | $90/mo | $270/mo, before add-ons | Yes |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayHOA | $2.45 | $9.25 | $111.00 |
| TownSq | ~$1.50 | $9.75–$11.75 | $117–$141 |
| Kahoa | $2.45 | $7.55 | $90.60 |
What do PayHOA and TownSq look like?
Where does each fall short?
- 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 newer voting module is basic.
- TownSq's full accounting needs the Enterprise plan.
- TownSq sells violations, architectural requests and voting as add-ons.
- TownSq doesn't publish homeowner payment fees or an export policy.
Should you choose PayHOA or TownSq?
A volunteer treasurer: PayHOA, because its accounting is on every plan. A management company: TownSq, if the manager already runs it.
Add up TownSq's add-ons for violations, architectural requests and voting before comparing prices. Most self-managed boards need all three.
Both PayHOA and TownSq charge more as homes are added. Price your community at full build-out, not today.
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?
Does TownSq do HOA accounting?
Is PayHOA cheaper than TownSq?
Can we switch from TownSq to PayHOA mid-year?
Do homeowners pay fees on PayHOA and TownSq?
Try one that passes all five
Thirty days, no card. Bring last year's bank statements and Kahoa builds the ledger from them.