Software · head to head
CentralSquare vs OnBase

CentralSquare
Software
Public Safety and Administration Software
- From
- $1500/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CentralSquare pricing for all editions (Public Safety Suite Enterprise, Public Safety Suite Pro, Public Safety Suite ONESolution) is gated behind Request a Demo or Schedule a Call, with no figures published; 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.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CentralSquare and OnBase actually diverge.
| Attribute | CentralSquare | OnBase |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1500/month | $400/month |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Ios, Android | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 2018 | 1991 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 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
- Pricing for all editions (Public Safety Suite Enterprise, Public Safety Suite Pro, Public Safety Suite ONESolution) is gated behind Request a Demo or Schedule a Call, with no figures published
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.
Choose OnBase if
- You need content management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want workflow automation.
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
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.
SourceOnBase: Does OnBase support mobile access?
Yes. Mobile access is a key feature of OnBase, allowing users to manage documents and cases on the go.
SourceOnBase: 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.
SourceOnBase: 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on CentralSquare
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