TLDR
HOA Express (free for ≤50 households, $15-$79/mo paid) is a website builder and communication tool. TownSq ($90/mo for ≤300 units) is a communication-first management platform with basic accounting. Both prioritize resident engagement over financial management. HOA Express has no accounting at all. TownSq has basic financials but reserve tracking is only on the Enterprise tier. Neither provides the financial depth that self-managed boards with compliance obligations need.
| Feature | HOA Express | TownSq | BoardStack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free–$79/mo | $90/mo (≤300 units) | $20–$99/mo |
| Reserve fund compliance | No | No | Built-in, state-specific |
| Built for | Professional management | Professional management | Volunteer boards |
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See plans & pricingTwo communication-first approaches
HOA Express and TownSq both prioritize how boards communicate with residents. HOA Express does it through websites and email. TownSq does it through a resident engagement app with a community feed. The communication approaches differ, but both platforms share the same weakness: financial management is either absent or basic.
HOA Express: the website builder
HOA Express builds community websites. The free tier for up to 50 households includes unlimited pages, file storage, email blasts, and a community calendar. Paid plans start at $15/month and scale to $79/month for communities up to 5,000 households.
The 4.9/5 Capterra rating across 27 reviews reflects what HOA Express does well: simple, functional website building that non-technical board members can maintain. Document storage makes meeting minutes and governing documents accessible. Email blasts keep residents informed.
There is no accounting, no dues collection, no violation tracking, and no financial management of any kind. HOA Express does not pretend to be a management platform.
TownSq: the engagement app
TownSq builds community engagement. The platform centers on a resident-facing app with a community feed, event management, package tracking, and amenity reservations. Basic management features include dues collection, violation tracking, and accounting.
At $90/month for communities up to 300 units, TownSq costs more than HOA Express and provides broader functionality. The tradeoff is that the financial tools are shallow. Reserve fund tracking is only available on the Enterprise tier. The accounting does not offer fund separation or compliance tracking at the standard tier.
The financial gap both share
For a self-managed board with fiduciary obligations, neither platform provides adequate financial tools:
- HOA Express: Zero financial capabilities at any tier
- TownSq: Basic accounting and dues collection, but reserve tracking requires Enterprise, and fund separation is not built-in
Boards in states with mandatory reserve study laws (Florida, California, Washington, Virginia) cannot meet compliance requirements with either platform alone.
Where BoardStack fits
We built BoardStack for the financial management that communication platforms leave out. Operating and reserve funds are separated structurally. Reserve study targets are tracked. State-specific compliance alerts are included at every tier starting at $20/mo.
BoardStack does not include a public-facing community website like HOA Express or a resident engagement app like TownSq. A board could pair HOA Express (free) with BoardStack ($20/mo) for a combined $20/month that covers both communication and financial compliance — less than TownSq alone.
| Feature | HOA Express | TownSq | BoardStack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free–$79/mo | $90/mo (≤300 units) | $20–$99/mo flat |
| Free tier | Yes (≤50 households) | No | 30-day free trial |
| Community website | Yes (primary feature) | Yes (in-app) | No |
| Email blasts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accounting | No | Basic | Yes (fund accounting) |
| Dues collection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Reserve fund tracking | No | Enterprise tier only | Yes (all tiers) |
| Violation tracking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Capterra rating | 4.9/5 (27 reviews) | ~4.0/5 | N/A (new) |
PROS & CONS
HOA Express
Pros
- Free tier for up to 50 households with unlimited pages and storage
- 4.9/5 Capterra rating -- highest satisfaction in HOA software
- Simple enough for any board member to set up and maintain
Cons
- No accounting, dues collection, or financial management at any tier
- No reserve fund tracking or compliance tools
- Boards needing finances must add a second tool
PROS & CONS
TownSq
Pros
- Communication-first with resident engagement app and community feed
- Includes basic accounting, dues collection, and violation tracking
- Package deals and events management for community engagement
Cons
- Reserve tracking only on Enterprise tier
- $90/mo starting price is higher than HOA Express for communication
- Financial depth limited compared to accounting-focused platforms
Q&A
Should a board choose HOA Express or TownSq?
Choose HOA Express if your only need is a community website with email communication -- especially on the free tier for small communities. Choose TownSq if you want communication plus basic management (dues, violations, events) in one app. Choose neither if reserve fund compliance is a priority. Both platforms leave financial compliance gaps that purpose-built management tools address.
Q&A
How do HOA Express and TownSq compare on price?
HOA Express starts free (≤50 households) and scales to $79/mo. TownSq starts at $90/mo for up to 300 units. For communication-only needs, HOA Express is dramatically cheaper. For communication plus basic management, TownSq includes features that HOA Express does not offer at any price.
Q&A
What financial tools does a self-managed board need beyond HOA Express or TownSq?
Boards with compliance obligations need fund accounting (operating vs reserve separation), reserve study target tracking, state-specific compliance alerts, and audit-ready financial reporting. HOA Express offers none of these. TownSq offers basic accounting but reserve tracking only on Enterprise. BoardStack ($20–$99/mo) provides fund separation and reserve compliance at every tier.
Verdict
HOA Express is the better value for boards that only need a website and email blasts. TownSq is stronger for boards that want a resident engagement app with basic management features. Neither handles reserve fund compliance adequately. BoardStack ($20–$99/mo flat) covers the financial management and reserve compliance gap that both platforms leave open, at a price comparable to TownSq with substantially more financial depth.
Frequently asked
Common questions before you try it
Is HOA Express or TownSq better for a small self-managed HOA?
Does TownSq have better financial tools than HOA Express?
Can I use HOA Express for my website and another tool for finances?
Ready to protect your board?
Get started free- State-specific compliance
- No setup fees
- Flat $20–$99/month