Herald Shield vs HOA HQ
Herald Shield
homeherald.aiHOA HQ
hoahq.ioSide by side
| Figure | Herald Shield | HOA HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $500/mo | $49/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · HOA Violation Management Software | 8.1 (#9) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Intended users | HomeHerald describes its product as software for self-managed HOA boards, and says Herald Shield handles violation work so volunteers can focus on decisions requiring human judgment. | The product is built for self-managed HOA boards and property managers overseeing multiple communities. |
| Purpose | Herald Shield triages resident requests, analyzes complaints against community rules, and automates configurable violation escalation. | HOA HQ combines dues tracking, maintenance, violations, AI meeting minutes and financial reports in one command center. |
| Support | The product page says HomeHerald typically responds to support requests within a few hours. | Starter includes email support, Growth includes priority support, and Portfolio includes a dedicated account manager and SLA guarantee. |
Plans
In their own words
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.