Software · head to head
CKAN vs iCompass
The short version
- Only CKAN has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: CKAN the package install path requires Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 64-bit specifically; other operating systems must use the source install; iCompass iCompass (a Diligent Corporation product for local government agenda management) publishes no pricing on its own site; every call to action is Contact Us or Request a Demo, with no figures anywhere on the page.
- They diverge on capability: CKAN covers Dataset Management, iCompass covers Agenda Creation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CKAN and iCompass actually diverge.
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 CKAN
- Dataset Management
- Data Harvesting
- API Access
- Visualization
- Extensions
- DataPusher
- Harvester
- Third-party Tools
Only in iCompass
- Agenda Creation
- Meeting Minutes
- Document Management
- Public Meeting Portal
- Voting Management
- Microsoft Office
- Video Streaming
- Document Storage
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CKAN
- Publishing open government datasets in a searchable public data portalnot iCompass
- Self-hosting a data catalogue with harvesting and an APInot iCompass
iCompass
- Citizen Servicesnot CKAN
- Records Managementnot CKAN
- Public Safetynot CKAN
- Civic Engagementnot CKAN
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CKAN
- The package install path requires Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 64-bit specifically; other operating systems must use the source install
- Only Solr 9 and Solr 8 are supported, and from CKAN 2.10 they are the only Solr versions supported at all
- A working deployment requires PostgreSQL, Solr, Redis, nginx, supervisor and uWSGI to be installed and maintained separately
- Python 3.10 or later is required
iCompass
- iCompass (a Diligent Corporation product for local government agenda management) publishes no pricing on its own site; every call to action is Contact Us or Request a Demo, with no figures anywhere on the page.
Pricing, plan by plan
CKAN
Free- Open SourceFree
- Data Management
- API Access
- Visualization
iCompass
$400/month- Government$400/month
- Agenda Management
- Meeting Minutes
- Public Portal
Which should you pick?
Choose CKAN if
- You need dataset management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want data harvesting.
Choose iCompass if
- You need agenda creation.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want meeting minutes.
Questions people ask
- Is CKAN or iCompass better?
- Neither clearly leads. CKAN starts at Free and iCompass at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CKAN or iCompass?
- CKAN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CKAN and $400/month for iCompass.
- Does CKAN or iCompass run on more platforms?
- CKAN runs on Web. iCompass runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use CKAN for free?
- Yes. CKAN has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. iCompass starts at $400/month.
- What is CKAN best used for?
- CKAN is most often used for publishing open government datasets in a searchable public data portal, self-hosting a data catalogue with harvesting and an api. Of those, publishing open government datasets in a searchable public data portal and self-hosting a data catalogue with harvesting and an api are not what iCompass is typically brought in for.
- What can CKAN do that iCompass cannot?
- CKAN covers Dataset Management, Data Harvesting, API Access, Visualization. iCompass covers Agenda Creation, Meeting Minutes, Document Management, Public Meeting Portal. Both handle Web support.
Related pages
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- iCompass vs OnBase
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