Softwr

Government · head to head

Citizen vs OnBase

Citizen logo

Citizen

Government

Real-time Safety Alerts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OnBase logo

OnBase

Government

Enterprise Information Platform

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Citizen has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Citizen no premium or paid features mentioned; OnBase pricing starts at 2,000 USD per month, making it expensive for small agencies
  • They diverge on capability: Citizen covers Real-time Alerts, OnBase covers Content Management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Citizen and OnBase actually diverge.

Attributes where Citizen and OnBase differ
AttributeCitizenOnBase
Starting priceFree$400/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, AndroidWeb, Mobile
Founded20161991

Identical on both: 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 Citizen

  • Real-time Alerts
  • 911 Monitoring
  • Live Video
  • Safety Map
  • Personal Safety
  • Emergency Services
  • Social Media
  • Location Services

Only in OnBase

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

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

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.

Citizen

  • No premium or paid features mentioned
  • App is completely free with no monetization model disclosed
  • No in-app purchases or premium tier mentioned
  • Subscription or paid features may exist but not disclosed

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

Citizen

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Real-time Alerts
    • Incident Feed
    • Safety Map

OnBase

$400/month
  • Government$400/month
    • Content Management
    • Process Automation
    • Case 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.
Citizen review

Choose OnBase if

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

Questions people ask

Is Citizen or OnBase better?
Neither clearly leads. Citizen starts at Free and OnBase at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Citizen or OnBase?
Citizen has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Citizen and $400/month for OnBase.
Does Citizen or OnBase run on more platforms?
Citizen runs on Ios, Android. OnBase runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Citizen for free?
Yes. Citizen has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OnBase starts at $400/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 OnBase cannot?
Citizen covers Real-time Alerts, 911 Monitoring, Live Video, Safety Map. OnBase covers Content Management, Workflow Automation, Case Management, Records Management. Both handle Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Citizen: How much does Citizen cost?

Citizen is available as a free app download for iOS and Android. The app includes core safety and alert features at no cost.

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
Citizen: Are there paid features or premium subscriptions in Citizen?

Citizen's website does not mention paid features, premium subscriptions, or in-app purchases. All advertised features appear to be included in the free app.

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
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
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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