Software · head to head
Azure Government vs PublicInput
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Azure Government restricted to US government entities, their solution providers and contractors handling government data, with Microsoft validating eligibility first; PublicInput all three plans, Listen, Engage and Engage Plus, are listed as Request Pricing with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- They diverge on capability: Azure Government covers FedRAMP High Authorized, PublicInput covers Virtual Public Meetings.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Azure Government and PublicInput actually diverge.
| Attribute | Azure Government | PublicInput |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $400/month |
| Pricing model | usage-based | subscription |
| Platforms | Web, Cli, Sdk | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1975 | 2014 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Azure Government
- FedRAMP High Authorized
- DOD IL5 Approved
- Isolated Datacenters
- Hybrid Cloud
- AI & ML Services
- Microsoft 365
- Dynamics 365
- Power Platform
Only in PublicInput
- Virtual Public Meetings
- Online Surveys
- Comment Management
- Multi-language Support
- Engagement Analytics
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- GovDelivery
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Azure Government
- Hosting US government workloads in dedicated domestic datacentresnot PublicInput
- Systems needing FedRAMP High, DoD IL2 to IL5, CJIS or ITAR authorisationnot PublicInput
- State, local and tribal government cloud servicesnot PublicInput
- Contractors processing controlled government datanot PublicInput
PublicInput
- Running public comment and community engagement programmes for local governmentnot Azure Government
- Collecting resident feedback across surveys, interactive maps and project websitesnot Azure Government
- Compliant public meeting management for transit agencies, DOTs and MPOsnot Azure Government
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Azure Government
- Restricted to US government entities, their solution providers and contractors handling government data, with Microsoft validating eligibility first
- A narrower service catalogue than commercial Azure
- New features arrive later than in the commercial regions
- Pricing is not published and runs through federal contract vehicles such as JWCC, GSA and NASA SEWP
PublicInput
- All three plans, Listen, Engage and Engage Plus, are listed as Request Pricing with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- HTML and CSS customization, custom workflows and approvals, and external system integration with Accela and ESRI are listed as Enterprise Capabilities rather than core platform features
- Public meetings functionality is sold under a separate Meetings plan rather than being included with the Engagement plans
- Getting a plan requires booking a consultation and a tailored demo rather than self serve signup
Pricing, plan by plan
Azure Government
On request- Pay-as-you-goFree
- Virtual Machines
- Azure SQL
- Storage
PublicInput
$400/month- Enterprise$400/month
- Virtual Meetings
- Surveys
- Comment Management
Which should you pick?
Choose Azure Government if
- You need fedramp high authorized.
- You work on Web, Cli, Sdk.
- You also want dod il5 approved.
Choose PublicInput if
- You need virtual public meetings.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want online surveys.
Questions people ask
- Is Azure Government or PublicInput better?
- Neither clearly leads. Azure Government starts at On request and PublicInput at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Azure Government or PublicInput?
- Azure Government starts at On request and PublicInput at $400/month.
- Does Azure Government or PublicInput run on more platforms?
- Azure Government runs on Web, Cli, Sdk. PublicInput runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- What is Azure Government best used for?
- Azure Government is most often used for hosting us government workloads in dedicated domestic datacentres, systems needing fedramp high, dod il2 to il5, cjis or itar authorisation, state, local and tribal government cloud services, contractors processing controlled government data. Of those, hosting us government workloads in dedicated domestic datacentres and systems needing fedramp high, dod il2 to il5, cjis or itar authorisation are not what PublicInput is typically brought in for.
- What can Azure Government do that PublicInput cannot?
- Azure Government covers FedRAMP High Authorized, DOD IL5 Approved, Isolated Datacenters, Hybrid Cloud. PublicInput covers Virtual Public Meetings, Online Surveys, Comment Management, Multi-language Support. Both handle Web support.
Related pages
More on Azure Government
More on PublicInput
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