Decision rule
| Question | Aprao | Argus Developer |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme size | up to ~200 units | any scale, including PRS/BTR portfolios |
| Output format | Cloud share-link, lender-friendly | Desktop output, committee-standard |
| Cashflow modelling | Built-in (monthly) | Full per-period cashflow, IRR/NPV |
| Learning curve | Days | Weeks to months |
| Pricing | SaaS, subscription | Enterprise licence, quote only |
| Lender acceptance | Increasingly accepted; Aprao for Lenders launched | Industry standard for committee + lender |
When Aprao wins
Sub-200-unit residential, single-phase, with a lender-facing appraisal. The 7-day free trial enables a fast sanity check. Aprao for Lenders was launched to streamline the underwriter handoff.
When Argus Developer is required
Build-to-rent at scale, multi-phase BTR portfolios, schemes where the viability case is contested at committee, and any scheme where the cashflow detail (per-period sales rate, void periods, debt drawdown schedule) materially drives the RLV.
Learning curve for a junior surveyor
Aprao to a competent first appraisal in days; Argus Developer to the same level in weeks of training plus mentor review of the first committee submission. The Altus training programme is a recognised gating step for the junior surveyor career path.