§ 1 · Verdict
Pick them if
their workflow is already the
board's source of truth.
Pick both if
the board needs a transition
period.
Pick Gavelhouse if
reserve discipline and
board evidence are the requirement.
TLDR
TownSq and HOALife solve different problems. TownSq is a communication platform with a free tier for messaging and announcements. HOALife is a violation tracking platform starting at $45/month. Neither handles fund accounting or reserve compliance. For boards that need compliance alongside communication and management, Gavelhouse covers all three from $14.50/month billed annually.
| Feature | TownSq | HOALife | Gavelhouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free (basic); $1-$2/unit/mo for advanced | $45/mo starting | $14.50-$149.50/mo billed annually with LAUNCH50 |
| Reserve fund compliance | No | No | Built-in, state-specific |
| Built for | Professional management | Professional management | Volunteer boards |
See the full board workflow behind the pricing
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Start Free TrialCommunication vs Management vs Compliance
Self-managed HOA boards have three categories of software needs: communication with homeowners, operational management (violations, maintenance, architectural reviews), and financial compliance (fund accounting, reserve tracking, audit documentation).
TownSq covers communication. HOALife covers management. Neither covers compliance. Most boards end up with a patchwork: TownSq for communication, HOALife for violations, QuickBooks for accounting, and a spreadsheet for reserve tracking.
Gavelhouse was built to consolidate these functions into one platform, starting at $14.50/month billed annually with LAUNCH50.
| Feature | TownSq | HOALife | Gavelhouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | Yes (free) | Yes | Yes |
| Violation tracking | Limited | Strong | Included |
| Fund accounting | No | No | Yes (enforced) |
| Reserve tracking | No | No | Yes |
| Starting price | Free | $45/mo | $14.50/mo billed annually with LAUNCH50 |
| Standalone platform | Yes | Needs QuickBooks | Yes |
PROS & CONS
TownSq
Pros
- Free tier covers core communication needs
- Homeowner-friendly mobile app
- Document storage
Cons
- No financial management
- Paid tiers add per-unit costs
- Not a compliance tool
PROS & CONS
HOALife
Pros
- Violation tracking is well-designed
- Architectural review workflow included
Cons
- Requires QuickBooks for accounting
- $45/month for a single-function tool
- No fund accounting
Q&A
Is TownSq or HOALife better for a self-managed board?
It depends on the primary pain point. If homeowner communication is the biggest gap, TownSq free tier fills it. If violation tracking is the biggest workload, HOALife handles it. If the board needs fund accounting and reserve compliance alongside communication and management, Gavelhouse is the integrated option from $14.50/month billed annually with LAUNCH50.
Q&A
Can I use TownSq for free and add another tool for accounting?
Yes. TownSq free tier for communication plus QuickBooks for accounting is a common combination. The gap: QuickBooks does not enforce fund separation, and managing two systems adds administrative overhead. TownSq and HOALife solve different problems. TownSq is a communication platform with a free tier for messaging and announcements. HOALife is a violation.
Q&A
Does HOALife replace an accounting tool?
No. HOALife handles violations, architectural reviews, and communication. It requires QuickBooks or another accounting tool for financial management. This means two systems, two logins, and no integrated fund accounting. TownSq and HOALife solve different problems. TownSq is a communication platform with a free tier for messaging and announcements. HOALife is a violation.
Verdict
TownSq is the best free option for boards that only need communication. HOALife is focused on violation management. Neither addresses fund accounting or reserve compliance. Gavelhouse covers communication, management, and compliance from $14.50/month billed annually with LAUNCH50. For self-managed boards evaluating these tools because financial governance is the real gap, Gavelhouse is the stronger fit: it combines fund separation, reserve balance visibility, and board-operable workflows in one system.
Frequently asked
Common questions before you try it
What does TownSq free tier include?
Does HOALife integrate with QuickBooks?
Ready to run the full board workflow in one system?
Start Free Trial- State-specific compliance
- Board-ready reporting and audit packs
- Meetings, governance, and owner workflows
§ 3 · Honest take
Honest take: some competitors win on breadth, age, or back-office depth. Gavelhouse should win only when the board needs a simpler compliance-first record.
Sources and Review Notes
Gavelhouse cites the sources used for this page and records the last review date for each reference.
- Gavelhouse comparison methodology
Gavelhouse