PayHOA alternative for volunteer boards
PayHOA is a strong full suite with 6,000+ communities. For a 20–50 unit self-managed board, it can feel like too much software — and ACH fees add up.
Who usually looks for a PayHOA alternative
Volunteer treasurers who like the idea of HOA software but find PayHOA’s breadth (100+ features, onboarding specialist energy) heavier than a Saturday-morning dues job. Others are sticker-shocked by ACH at $2.45 per payment and cards at 3.5%+$0.50 when assessments are $200–$400.
Fee math (50 units · $250/quarter)
| PayHOA (26–50, annual bill) | DuesBoard Board | |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS / yr | ~$708 ($59×12) | $228 ($19×12) |
| Platform / ACH take | $2.45 × 200 = ~$490 | 1% of $50k = $500 |
| Est. total | ~$1,198 | ~$728 |
Stripe ACH processing excluded from both. Sources: public PayHOA pricing (Aug 2026). Numbers move — re-check before you decide.
Where PayHOA still wins
- Deep feature catalog and brand recognition in the category.
- Reviews footprint (Capterra / G2) and content SEO for “HOA software.”
- Boards that want one vendor for almost every ops module on day one.
Where DuesBoard fits
- Dues-first UX — who paid / who’s late is the home screen, not 100 nav items.
- ACH as the default with a disclosed 1% platform fee + flat SaaS ($15 / $19 / $39).
- Money to the HOA bank via Stripe Connect — never a platform lockbox.
FAQ
Is DuesBoard a drop-in PayHOA replacement?
For dues collection, autopay, ledger, and resident portal — yes, that’s the wedge. For every PayHOA module on day one — no; suite modules ship after money works.
Do you undercut PayHOA on ACH?
On our worked scenario, Board + 1% lands ~$728/yr vs PayHOA ~$1,198. Your volume and card mix will change the math — use pricing and run your own numbers.
Ready for the next billing cycle?
Import units, connect the HOA bank, and invite owners to autopay.
Start collecting dues