Communitrak vs Herald Shield
Communitrak
communitrak.com
Herald Shield
homeherald.aiSide by side
| Figure | Communitrak | Herald Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $29/mo | $500/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · HOA Violation Management Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.1 (#9) |
| Purpose | Communitrak is an all-in-one HOA management platform built for self-managed communities and volunteer boards. | Herald Shield triages resident requests, analyzes complaints against community rules, and automates configurable violation escalation. |
| Security | The maker says card and ACH payments are processed through Stripe using PCI-compliant processing, and that it does not receive or store full card or bank account numbers. | HomeHerald's privacy policy says data is stored using Google Firebase, encrypted in transit and at rest, and AI features require explicit consent. |
| Support | Every community receives a dedicated account manager, with direct chat or email support and an online help center. | The product page says HomeHerald typically responds to support requests within a few hours. |
Plans
Communitrak
- Communitrak Access additional door$29 a month
- 1–50 properties$49 a month
- Access Control add-on$69 a month
- Communitrak Access first door or gate$69 a month
- 51–150 properties$99 a month
- 151–300 properties$149 a month
- 301–500 properties$199 a month
- 501–1,000 properties$249 a month
- Communitrak$249 a month
In their own words
Communitrak
Communitrak is an HOA management platform for self-managed communities and volunteer boards. Its tools cover resident records, online dues, communications, documents, requests and violations, forms and polls, a community website, and amenity reservations. Residents can pay by card or ACH and set up automatic payments; listed processing fees are 4.5% for cards and 2.4% for ACH. Plans include five community-wide SMS messages per month, with additional messages priced at $2 each. The listed Communitrak plan costs $249 a month and covers 501–1,000 properties, unlimited residents, board members, and committees, plus 5 GB of cloud storage. Annual billing is offered with 10% savings; a 30-day trial is available, and paid service starts at $49/mo. The platform works on web, Android, and iOS. On iPhone or iPad, it can be added to the Safari home screen as a web app without an App Store download. An optional access-control add-on links supported entry points to resident records and supports NFC cards, key fobs, smartphones, and Apple Watch.
Herald Shield
Herald Shield helps self-managed homeowners association boards sort resident requests and handle rule violations. Its intake process assigns requests to four types and can ask up to three follow-up questions before sending them to the board. It also accepts architectural review, neighborhood, and maintenance requests. For complaints, the system reads uploaded CC&Rs, bylaws, and rules, then returns a violation, no-violation, or unclear result with cited sections. Boards set escalation steps and fine amounts, choosing automatic fines or administrative review. The ladder tracks prior violations by property address. Board members can approve, change, or override an AI result, and overrides are recorded. The product page says complaint details are visible only to board admins, and complainant identities are not shown to accused residents unless the board chooses to disclose them. Herald Shield is available on web, iOS, and Android, with photo attachments, automated notices, and fine tracking. It is included in Automate without a separate add-on or per-violation fee. The Automate tier is $500 a month and covers up to 1,000 properties; larger communities are priced by inquiry. The service starts at $49/mo and offers a 14-day trial.