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Government · head to head

CentralSquare vs ShotSpotter

CentralSquare logo

CentralSquare

Government

Public Safety and Administration Software

From
$1500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ShotSpotter logo

ShotSpotter

Government

Gunshot Detection Technology

From
$5000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CentralSquare no pricing information is published on the website; ShotSpotter shotSpotter now trades as SoundThinking and shotspotter.com redirects to soundthinking.com
  • They diverge on capability: CentralSquare covers Computer-Aided Dispatch, ShotSpotter covers Gunshot Detection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CentralSquare and ShotSpotter actually diverge.

Attributes where CentralSquare and ShotSpotter differ
AttributeCentralSquareShotSpotter
Starting price$1500/month$5000/month
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20181996

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

Only in ShotSpotter

  • Gunshot Detection
  • Location Triangulation
  • Real-time Alerts
  • Forensic Analysis
  • Historical Data
  • CAD Systems
  • 911 Centers
  • Camera Systems

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

CentralSquare

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

ShotSpotter

  • Gunshot detection and location alerting for police departmentsnot CentralSquare
  • Directing patrol response to outdoor firearm dischargesnot CentralSquare
  • Building incident data for law enforcement analysisnot 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

ShotSpotter

  • ShotSpotter now trades as SoundThinking and shotspotter.com redirects to soundthinking.com
  • No pricing is published; the site routes to contact and demo requests with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
  • The service depends on an acoustic sensor array installed across a defined coverage area rather than being software alone

Pricing, plan by plan

CentralSquare

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

ShotSpotter

$5000/month
  • Detection Service$5000/month
    • Gunshot Detection
    • Real-time Alerts
    • Forensic Reports

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 ShotSpotter if

  • You need gunshot detection.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want location triangulation.
ShotSpotter review

Questions people ask

Is CentralSquare or ShotSpotter better?
Neither clearly leads. CentralSquare starts at $1500/month and ShotSpotter at $5000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CentralSquare or ShotSpotter?
CentralSquare starts at $1500/month and ShotSpotter at $5000/month.
Does CentralSquare or ShotSpotter run on more platforms?
CentralSquare runs on Web, Desktop, Ios, Android. ShotSpotter runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 ShotSpotter is typically brought in for.
What can CentralSquare do that ShotSpotter cannot?
CentralSquare covers Computer-Aided Dispatch, Records Management, Jail Management, Fire RMS. ShotSpotter covers Gunshot Detection, Location Triangulation, Real-time Alerts, Forensic Analysis. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android 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
ShotSpotter: Does SoundThinking publish ShotSpotter pricing?

No. SoundThinking does not disclose ShotSpotter pricing on their website. Interested municipalities and organizations must request a consultation, contact the sales team, or book a demo.

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
ShotSpotter: How do I get a ShotSpotter quote?

SoundThinking directs prospects to book a demo, contact them directly, or request a consultation through their website. No self-serve pricing, calculator, or trial is available.

Source
CentralSquare: Is there a free tier or trial?

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

Source
ShotSpotter: Who is ShotSpotter for?

ShotSpotter is a gunshot detection system designed for law enforcement and municipalities to improve public safety response.

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
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