Softwr

Government · head to head

CentralSquare vs OnBase

CentralSquare logo

CentralSquare

Government

Public Safety and Administration Software

From
$1500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OnBase logo

OnBase

Government

Enterprise Information Platform

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CentralSquare no pricing information is published on the website; OnBase pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies
  • They diverge on capability: CentralSquare covers Computer-Aided Dispatch, OnBase covers Content Management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CentralSquare and OnBase actually diverge.

Attributes where CentralSquare and OnBase differ
AttributeCentralSquareOnBase
Starting price$1500/month$400/month
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Ios, AndroidWeb, Mobile
Founded20181991

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Government).

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
  • Jail Management
  • Fire RMS
  • Community Development
  • Esri ArcGIS
  • FBI CJIS
  • NCIC

Only in OnBase

  • Content Management
  • Workflow Automation
  • Case Management
  • Intelligent Capture
  • Microsoft 365
  • Salesforce
  • Epic

Both cover

  • Records Management
  • Web support
  • Desktop support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

CentralSquare

  • Citizen Services
  • Records Management
  • Public Safety
  • Civic Engagement

OnBase

  • Citizen Services
  • Records Management
  • Public Safety
  • Civic Engagement

Both are used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

OnBase

  • Pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies
  • Complex implementation and configuration required for government-specific workflows
  • Requires significant IT resources for deployment and ongoing management

Pricing, plan by plan

CentralSquare

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

OnBase

$400/month
  • Government$400/month
    • Content Management
    • Process Automation
    • Case Management

Which should you pick?

Choose CentralSquare if

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

Choose OnBase if

  • You need content management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want workflow automation.
OnBase review

Questions people ask

Is CentralSquare or OnBase better?
Neither clearly leads. CentralSquare starts at $1500/month and OnBase at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CentralSquare or OnBase?
CentralSquare starts at $1500/month and OnBase at $400/month.
Does CentralSquare or OnBase run on more platforms?
CentralSquare runs on Web, Desktop, Ios, Android. OnBase runs on Web, Mobile.
What is CentralSquare best used for?
CentralSquare is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
What can CentralSquare do that OnBase cannot?
CentralSquare covers Computer-Aided Dispatch, Jail Management, Fire RMS, Community Development. OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Intelligent Capture. Both handle Records Management, Web support, Desktop support, Ios support.

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
OnBase: What is OnBase used for in government?

OnBase is used for digital permitting, inspections, and plan review processes. Government agencies use it to streamline workflows, enable online forms, automate approvals, and provide citizen access to application status.

Source
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
OnBase: Does OnBase support mobile access?

Yes. Mobile access is a key feature of OnBase, allowing users to manage documents and cases on the go.

Source
CentralSquare: Is there a free tier or trial?

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

Source
OnBase: What document management capabilities does OnBase provide?

OnBase provides centralized document storage with version control, search and retrieval tools, records management across physical and electronic lifecycles, and compliance with policies and regulations.

Source
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
OnBase: Can OnBase workflows be customized?

Yes. OnBase is flexible and configurable with user-defined workflows for case management, streamlining processes like accounts payable, employee onboarding, and contract management.

Source
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