Software · head to head
Citizen vs Laserfiche
The short version
- Only Citizen has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Citizen the App Store listing for Citizen: Safety & Live Video (seller sp0n, Inc., matched) states the base app is free but gates police/fire scanner audio, detailed incident archives and multiple alert zones behind a Citizen Premium subscription tier, whose price is not disclosed in the listing.; Laserfiche self-hosted deployment requires dedicated IT resources and infrastructure management
- They diverge on capability: Citizen covers Real-time Alerts, Laserfiche covers Document Capture.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Citizen and Laserfiche actually diverge.
| Attribute | Citizen | Laserfiche |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $50/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Ios, Android | Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Founded | 2016 | 1976 |
Identical on both: 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 Citizen
- Real-time Alerts
- 911 Monitoring
- Live Video
- Safety Map
- Personal Safety
- Emergency Services
- Social Media
- Location Services
Only in Laserfiche
- Document Capture
- Workflow Automation
- Records Management
- Electronic Forms
- Process Automation
- Microsoft Office
- SharePoint
- Salesforce
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Citizen
- Citizen Services
- Records Management
- Public Safety
- Civic Engagement
Laserfiche
- 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.
Citizen
- The App Store listing for Citizen: Safety & Live Video (seller sp0n, Inc., matched) states the base app is free but gates police/fire scanner audio, detailed incident archives and multiple alert zones behind a Citizen Premium subscription tier, whose price is not disclosed in the listing.
Laserfiche
- Self-hosted deployment requires dedicated IT resources and infrastructure management
- Complex implementation often requires significant upfront customization
- High total cost of ownership for on-premises deployments due to infrastructure needs
Pricing, plan by plan
Citizen
Free- BasicFree
- Real-time Alerts
- Incident Feed
- Safety Map
Laserfiche
$50/month- Cloud$50/month
- Document Management
- Workflow Automation
- Records Management
Which should you pick?
Choose Citizen if
- You need real-time alerts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android.
- You also want 911 monitoring.
Choose Laserfiche if
- You need document capture.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want workflow automation.
Questions people ask
- Is Citizen or Laserfiche better?
- Neither clearly leads. Citizen starts at Free and Laserfiche at $50/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Citizen or Laserfiche?
- Citizen has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Citizen and $50/month for Laserfiche.
- Does Citizen or Laserfiche run on more platforms?
- Citizen runs on Ios, Android. Laserfiche runs on Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Can I use Citizen for free?
- Yes. Citizen has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Laserfiche starts at $50/month.
- What is Citizen best used for?
- Citizen is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
- What can Citizen do that Laserfiche cannot?
- Citizen covers Real-time Alerts, 911 Monitoring, Live Video, Safety Map. Laserfiche covers Document Capture, Workflow Automation, Records Management, Electronic Forms. Both handle Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Laserfiche: Does Laserfiche offer both cloud and self-hosted options?
Yes. Laserfiche Cloud offers three tiers (Starter $53/user/month, Professional $73, Business $93). Laserfiche 12 provides self-hosted deployment for organizations requiring on-premise infrastructure or with strict security and regulatory constraints.
SourceLaserfiche: What does Laserfiche capture from documents?
Laserfiche provides document capture, electronic forms, workflow automation, case management, mobile access, and government-certified records management with automatic filing and retention schedules.
SourceLaserfiche: Can Laserfiche track document workflows automatically?
Yes. Laserfiche includes workflow automation that tracks and fulfills processes like FOIA requests, with access controls, audit trails, and automated recordkeeping for compliance.
SourceRelated pages
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