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Government · head to head

CentralSquare vs IDnow

CentralSquare logo

CentralSquare

Government

Public Safety and Administration Software

From
$1500/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
IDnow logo

IDnow

Cybersecurity

Identity verification and qualified electronic signature for regulated European markets

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CentralSquare no pricing information is published on the website; IDnow agent-led video identification costs several times an automated check and depends on agent availability, so peak-time queues push abandonment up at exactly the moment conversion matters.
  • They diverge on capability: CentralSquare covers Computer-Aided Dispatch, IDnow covers VideoIdent.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CentralSquare and IDnow actually diverge.

Attributes where CentralSquare and IDnow differ
AttributeCentralSquareIDnow
Starting price$1500/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Ios, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, API
CategoryGovernmentCybersecurity
Founded2018Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 CentralSquare

  • Computer-Aided Dispatch
  • Records Management
  • Jail Management
  • Fire RMS
  • Community Development
  • Esri ArcGIS
  • FBI CJIS
  • NCIC

Only in IDnow

  • VideoIdent
  • AutoIdent
  • eSign
  • eID and NFC
  • Bank identification
  • EU data processing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CentralSquare

  • Citizen Servicesnot IDnow
  • Records Managementnot IDnow
  • Public Safetynot IDnow
  • Civic Engagementnot IDnow

IDnow

  • A German bank opening regulated accounts where BaFin requires a recognised identification methodnot CentralSquare
  • An insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a European courtnot CentralSquare
  • A telecom operator meeting national SIM registration identity rules across several EU statesnot CentralSquare
  • A lender wanting automated checks for low-risk applicants and video identification only for high-value casesnot CentralSquare

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CentralSquare

  • No pricing information is published on the website
  • Pricing model is not disclosed; visitors are directed to request a demo or contact sales

IDnow

  • Agent-led video identification costs several times an automated check and depends on agent availability, so peak-time queues push abandonment up at exactly the moment conversion matters.
  • Pricing is quoted with an annual volume commitment, so the accreditation advantage comes with a floor you pay whether or not you use it.
  • The product is optimised for European regulatory regimes, so buyers verifying users in North America, Asia or Africa will find coverage and cost less competitive than global specialists.
  • Qualified electronic signature is a separate licence from identity verification, which surprises buyers who assumed the accredited identity check made the signature capability included.
  • Integration for the regulated flows is heavier than a simple SDK drop-in because the compliant journey, including consent and recording requirements, constrains the user experience you can build.

Pricing, plan by plan

CentralSquare

$1500/month
  • Public Safety Suite$1500/month
    • CAD
    • Records Management
    • Mobile Solutions

IDnow

On request
  • IDnow Platform$undefined/year
    • Per-identification pricing that differs sharply between automated and agent-led methods
    • Annual volume commitment typically required
    • Qualified electronic signature licensed separately

Which should you pick?

Choose CentralSquare if

  • You need computer-aided dispatch.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Ios, Android.
  • You also want records management.
CentralSquare review

Choose IDnow if

  • You need videoident.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want autoident.
IDnow review

Questions people ask

Is CentralSquare or IDnow better?
Neither clearly leads. CentralSquare starts at $1500/month and IDnow at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CentralSquare or IDnow?
CentralSquare starts at $1500/month and IDnow at On request.
Does CentralSquare or IDnow run on more platforms?
CentralSquare runs on Web, Desktop, Ios, Android. IDnow runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
What is CentralSquare best used for?
CentralSquare is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what IDnow is typically brought in for.
What can CentralSquare do that IDnow cannot?
CentralSquare covers Computer-Aided Dispatch, Records Management, Jail Management, Fire RMS. IDnow covers VideoIdent, AutoIdent, eSign, eID and NFC.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CentralSquare: How much does CentralSquare cost?

CentralSquare does not publish pricing on its website. The company directs customers to request a demo or schedule a call with their sales team to discuss pricing.

Source
IDnow: Why choose it over a cheaper automated vendor?

Because in some European regimes the cheaper vendor is not legally permitted for the transaction. This is an eligibility question, not a quality one.

CentralSquare: What is CentralSquare's pricing model?

The pricing model is not disclosed. CentralSquare appears to use a custom quote or consultation-based approach, as the website does not mention subscription plans or tier-based pricing.

Source
IDnow: Is the electronic signature included?

No. Qualified electronic signature under eIDAS is licensed separately from identity verification.

CentralSquare: Is there a free tier or trial?

No information about free tiers or trials is available on the website.

Source
IDnow: Where is the data processed?

In European data centres, which is a requirement rather than a preference for many of its regulated customers.

CentralSquare: How do I get a pricing quote?

Contact CentralSquare through their website to request a demo or schedule a call with their sales team.

Source
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