If your strata council runs the building yourselves, the right software is what makes it sustainable. Here’s an honest look at the main options for a self-managed BC strata — what each is built for, and where each fits.
Short answer
For a self-managed strata in British Columbia, the best fit is software built around the Strata Property Act— one place that tells you what’s due, keeps the operating and reserve funds straight, runs the AGM, and answers questions about your documents. ManageStrata is purpose-built for this; Condo Control suits larger, professionally managed buildings; Buildium targets US rental property management; and spreadsheets work until compliance and reserves outgrow them.
Capability
ManageStrata
Condo Control
Buildium
Spreadsheets
Built for BC strata (Strata Property Act)
Yes
Partial
—
—
Self-managed council focus
Yes
Partial
—
Yes
Compliance deadline tracking (depreciation, AGM)
Yes
Partial
—
—
Operating and contingency reserve kept separate
Yes
Yes
Partial
Partial
AGM & minutes tooling
Yes
Yes
—
—
Page-cited AI document search
Yes
—
—
—
Owner / resident portal
Yes
Yes
Yes
—
Data stored in Canada (PIPA/PIPEDA)
Yes
Yes
Partial
Partial
Free tier
Free up to 4 lots
—
—
Yes
Typical starting price
$0–$99/mo
Per-unit
From ~$58/mo
$0
Based on publicly available information as of June 2026. Vendor features and pricing change — confirm current details with each provider.
ManageStrata — built for self-managed BC strata
The only option on this list designed specifically for the BC Strata Property Act and for councils that self-manage. It tracks compliance deadlines (including the 2027 depreciation report), keeps the operating and contingency reserve funds properly apart, runs AGMs and writes up the minutes, and answers questions about your documents with the page cited. Free up to 4 lots, with paid tiers that stay well under the cost of a management company. Best for duplexes through mid-size self-managed corporations.
Condo Control
A mature, well-regarded Canadian condo/strata platform with strong communication, amenity booking, and resident-portal features. It shines for larger or professionally managed buildings, and is priced and structured with that audience in mind rather than the small self-managed council looking for BC-specific compliance automation.
Buildium
A capable US property-management suite focused on rentalportfolios — landlords, leasing, and accounting. It isn’t built around BC strata law or the council/AGM model, so self-managed stratas end up adapting a rental tool to a governance problem it wasn’t designed for.
Spreadsheets & email
How many small stratas start — and entirely workable at the duplex scale. The limits show up with compliance deadlines, reserve-fund planning, AGM records, and document retrieval, where manual tracking quietly turns into risk. The migration path is usually a single missed deadline.
How to choose
If you’re a self-managed BC council, weight three things: Strata Property Act fit (does it know your deadlines and forms?), dual-fund finances done properly, and total cost versus a management company. For most small-to-mid BC stratas that points to purpose-built software over an adapted rental tool or a growing pile of spreadsheets. See also what to look for in self-managed strata software.
Try ManageStrata free
Purpose-built for self-managed BC strata corporations. Free up to 4 lots — no credit card required.
What is the best software for a self-managed strata in BC?
For self-managed British Columbia stratas, software built around the Strata Property Act is the best fit because it automates compliance deadlines, dual-fund financials, and AGMs. ManageStrata is purpose-built for this audience; Condo Control suits larger or professionally managed buildings; Buildium is a US rental-focused tool; and spreadsheets work only until compliance and reserve planning outgrow them.
Can I use Buildium for a BC strata?
Buildium is designed for US rental property management, not BC strata corporations. It doesn't model the Strata Property Act, council governance, AGMs, or the contingency reserve fund, so a self-managed strata would be adapting a rental tool to a different job. Purpose-built strata software is a closer fit.
How much does strata management software cost?
It ranges from free (ManageStrata is free up to 4 lots) to roughly $99/month for larger corporations. That is far below a professional management company's $25–$60+ per unit per month, which is why self-management plus software is popular with smaller BC stratas.
Is my strata's data stored in Canada?
With ManageStrata, yes — your data is stored in Canada in line with PIPA and PIPEDA, and anything drafted shows its source and waits for a person to approve it. Always confirm where a vendor stores your data before you commit.
The purpose-built choice for self-managed BC strata
Know what's due, keep the two funds straight, run your AGM properly, and get every answer with the page it came from. Free up to 4 lots.
